Chapter 287: Ping Xiao

Li Yuanping performed an incantation, bypassing the golden barrier of the Sun Ritual Profound Light Array, and ascended Mount Lijing alone.

Since Li Tongya had entered secluded cultivation and Li Yuanjiao had gone to Mount Wutu, Li Yuanping took on the family's responsibilities. He often stayed at the foot of the mountain for months, leaving Mount Lijing sparsely populated. Weeds grew wildly in the rock crevices, making the mountain appear overgrown.

Upon reaching the mountain, Li Yuanping pushed open the wooden gate of the side courtyard. Inside, he saw a round-faced girl airing books. Her simple clothes and tightly sewn sleeves, as she spread out the strings of wooden slips, made her look less like a direct descendant of a noble family and more like a busy servant.

"Qingxiao!" Li Yuanping's pale face broke into a faint smile as he called out. The girl looked up, surprised, then happily exclaimed:

"Brother?! What brings you to the mountain?"

The Li family children had all grown up together on the mountain and were quite close. Li Yuanping laughed heartily and replied:

"Just coming to see you, isn't it?"

Li Qingxiao smiled slightly and teased:

"I heard you just married a beautiful wife; I thought she was influencing you!"

Li Yuanping's face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly changed the subject, awkwardly saying:

"It's a wonder you can stay on the mountain; this place is eerily quiet."

Li Qingxiao's lips curved upwards as she shook her head and replied:

"It's alright. Eldest sister often visits me on the mountain, and I spend my days reading, so I don't feel lonely."

Li Qingxiao’s appearance was largely inherited from Chen Donghe; her features were not exceptional. If not for a gentle demeanor in her eyes, she would have appeared even more ordinary. Now, her eager smile disrupted the harmony of her features, making her seem less refined, as she spoke directly:

"Though I live on the mountain, I've heard many rumors that the Dou family is overbearing and privately owns spirit fields."

Li Yuanping nodded, his eyes widening slightly and shining brightly. He was very sensitive to such matters; though the words came from Li Qingxiao, they immediately made him think of the Chen family and the various branch families. He then asked with a smile:

"What do you think?"

Li Qingxiao blinked and, without hesitation, said:

"I'm afraid the Dou family has offended our branch families!"

"How can you tell?"

Li Yuanping looked up with interest, and Li Qingxiao continued:

"I've met Madam Dou; she's shrewd and capable. How could she fail to control her own clan? The rumors about the Dou family being overbearing merely mean they've encroached on the interests of several families. Old Master Dou is short-sighted and poses no real threat. As for privately owned spirit fields..."

"This matter is neither big nor small. Which of the prominent families hasn't secretly developed some spirit fields? It's merely an unspoken understanding. But bringing this up now, if investigated, it wouldn't be solely the Dou family's problem; several prominent families would be implicated."

Li Qingxiao blinked and smiled:

"Such aggressive targeting of the Dou family, without fear of offending the prominent families, must naturally be our own clan elders and uncles! They're likely trying to test you, brother, now that you've just taken charge of the family!"

The Li family had its own standards for dividing spirit fields, scorning those with sparse spiritual energy. However, prominent families coveted such lands. Li Qingxiao didn't even need to investigate to know that most of these people had secretly developed spirit fields, leading her to this conclusion. Hearing her, Li Yuanping laughed heartily, nodded repeatedly, and replied:

"Indeed, but you missed the Chen family."

Seeing Li Qingxiao frown in confusion, Li Yuanping smiled:

"You live alone on the mountain, yet you've heard these rumors. Didn't someone from the Chen family tell your father? And the words weren't flattering, which clearly shows the Chen family's attitude."

Li Qingxiao suddenly understood, clapping her hands and sighing. Then, Li Yuanping spoke seriously:

"In the past five years, our family has acquired Mount Yuting and Mount Huazhong. The spiritual energy in the Huazhong area, in particular, surpasses that of several towns in Lijing. The world thrives on gain, and people strive for profit. Don't be misled by the seemingly baseless conflicts between prominent families and branch families; it's all about the benefits from these two regions."

Seeing Li Qingxiao nod thoughtfully, Li Yuanping continued:

"For decades, the branch families have been severely suppressed by us. They haven't been allowed to become landlords or wealthy merchants, and even their pleasures must be hidden. How could they truly be content? Naturally, they're seeking an outlet and are eager to speculate in these two regions."

"Since I've only just started managing the family and haven't employed any harsh methods, these individuals are naturally restless. The Dou family may appear arrogant and overbearing, but they're a useful tool. Their ongoing conflict with the various branch families makes them convenient to deploy."

Li Yuanping picked up a wooden slip from the desk, gently turned it over, and replied:

"Once all of our Yuting Guards break through to the Jade Capital realm and gain spiritual perception, they will easily be able to investigate matters in Huazhong and Yuting. When I also have firm control over the entire clan, and these branch families have no more loopholes to exploit, then it will be the right time."

Li Qingxiao nodded silently and replied:

"The families around the lake have always guarded against outsiders and heavily relied on branch families. Brother, you, however, are doing the opposite; it seems you're most wary of the branch families."

Li Yuanping smiled:

"There are loyal cultivators among the branch families, and they should naturally be promoted. But more often, they are parasites and wastrels. And precisely because of kinship ties, if I don't settle things properly now, the next generation, being of lower seniority, will find them even harder to manage. The Lu and Yu families serve as clear warnings; we must be cautious."

The two exchanged smiles. Only then did Li Yuanping remember his original purpose, and he suddenly asked:

"What do you think of Xiao Xian from Mount Yu?"

The two had been discussing important family matters, so Li Yuanping's sudden change of topic caught Li Qingxiao off guard. She gasped and lowered her head. Li Yuanping looked closely and smiled:

"Matters of the heart are self-evident."

Li Qingxiao quickly raised her head, her cheeks faintly red, and retorted with a pout:

"Brother, what are you saying? That man is so frivolous, constantly coming to our Li family. Everyone knows how much he admires me, and it makes me incredibly awkward!"

"Hahahahaha." Li Yuanping chuckled a few times and simply said:

"But he is earnest. Given his status as a direct descendant of the Yu Mountain lineage, he has certainly humbled himself sufficiently."

"Indeed." Li Qingxiao smiled, then composed herself. After a moment of calm, she said solemnly:

"He projects an image of deep affection, but I'm not some sheltered girl naive to the world, to think a few kind gestures make him a suitable partner. After all, we've only shared a carriage once and met a few times; I know his face but not his heart. I still need to consult with the elders."

Li Yuanping nodded gently and replied:

"He has a gentle temperament, a prominent family background, a decent appearance, and good intelligence. He is sincere and honest; it would be hard to find anyone better. I've already sent someone to invite your uncle and my brother."

"Okay." Li Qingxiao softly replied, tying up her long hair, and whispered:

"I've also looked into the external family members within the clan one by one. None of them seem particularly capable, and their personalities are more eccentric than the last. If we can find a noble family from outside, it would certainly be better than those prominent families."

Li Yuanping, his face still pale, nodded and smiled:

"Brother Yuanyun's children are also on the mountain. You spend every day with them; what do you think of them?"

At the mention of this, Li Qingxiao immediately hesitated. She tried to organize her thoughts but couldn't bring herself to speak, merely shaking her head with an expression of regret and desolation.

Li Yuanping paused immediately, looking somewhat puzzled. He opened his mouth and whispered:

"Old Ancestor and Uncle Ling both have exceptional temperaments, so how did things turn out this way..."

Li Qingxiao gave him a meaningful look, signaling him to stop talking, and said pointedly:

"Brother Yuanyun went down the mountain years ago, to the land of Dongshanyue, claiming he sought the 'aperture-opening method' within witchcraft. He hasn't returned to the mountain for several years..."

Both fell silent. Everyone knew that Li Yuanyun lacked spiritual apertures, yet no one dared to mention it; it was always hidden like a taboo. Among all the direct descendants, he was the one who lived the most aimless life.

But everyone understood perfectly well that if such an aperture-opening technique truly existed in this world, it certainly wouldn't be found in a small place like Dongshanyue, nor would it be something ordinarily available. Li Yuanping merely sighed and said:

"Uncle Xuanling has already gone to Xu State for travels, and Eldest Sister is in secluded cultivation. The elders also feel a sense of guilt towards him and have never placed any restrictions on him, always letting him do as he pleases. It's not appropriate for you or me to say anything..."

"I also asked my brother, and his view was to let him be. If collecting some witchcraft in Dongshanyue, as long as it doesn't involve acts against nature or blood sacrifices that harm others, can alleviate the indignation and melancholy in his heart, then it can be considered a good thing!"

Li Qingxiao sighed softly and whispered:

"That's good... that's good."