Chapter 333: Far Guests

Li Jiman rode his horse to Lijing Town and returned to Wutu City lying in a carriage. The executioner at the Li Clan’s Enforcement Hall was a Spirit-Breath practitioner. Even with his cultivation, Li Jiman was helpless and was beaten black and blue.

A few stern-faced elders of the Enforcement Hall conversed for a while and gave a verdict of “negligence of duty and indulgence of a prestigious family.” This not only resulted in Li Jiman being given seventy lashes, but also severely humiliated him.

The Tian family naturally also rushed to the Enforcement Hall. Tian Zhongqing stepped forward and apologized profusely. Li Jiman, with a smile, dismissed the matter, but Tian Zhongqing felt a chill down his spine.

Meanwhile, though the Enforcement Hall and Li Yuanping’s central hall had given no specific instructions to their family, they were still drenched in cold sweat.

As the patriarch of the Tian clan, the eye of the storm, Tian Zhongqing felt a lump in his throat. His joy at achieving Spirit-Refinement vanished completely. He drove back to Dongshan Yue that very night, furious, smashing all the porcelain in his courtyard, and had to stop his uncle, Tian Youdao, from slapping Tian Rong to death.

“Get out! You beast!”

Following Tian Youdao’s roar, Tian Rong slinked away, clutching his swollen cheek. Only then did Tian Zhongqing release the elder’s hand. In his heart, he really didn’t want to stop Tian Youdao; a single fatal slap would have been clean and simple...

But the elder’s slap only made Tian Rong stumble, and Tian Zhongqing knew that his uncle still doted on his only son. He played along with the act, and then said gravely:

“Uncle... what are we going to do?!”

Tian Youdao was also an elder of the Li family, having progressed from Spirit-Breath to Spirit-Refinement, and held a very senior position in the clan. Hearing this, he let out a long sigh and said gloomily:

“Li Jiman is narrow-minded and was already displeased with our family. Now that this incident has happened, we have incurred a great enmity...”

Both uncle and nephew had achieved Spirit-Refinement, and their family was the largest external power allied with the Li clan. They had always been cautious, but unexpectedly, while Tian Zhongqing was in seclusion and Tian Youdao was away, Tian Rong managed to slip out, leading to such bitter consequences.

Tian Zhongqing sighed, and murmured:

“We had given clear instructions, so how did he manage to slip out? Now Li Jiman has the support of many Shanyue nobles... if there are any changes in the future...”

Tian Youdao sat in the principal seat. Over seventy years old and having seen much, he stroked his beard, deep in thought, and said pensively:

“This matter is strange. I will go and ask the patriarch to clarify things. If the clan decides to do something, we will cooperate!”

After all, Tian Youdao was Li Xuanfeng’s maternal uncle, held a high generational standing in the family, and was thus qualified to speak this way. Seeing this, Tian Zhongqing couldn’t help but secretly sigh:

“In the clan, only Uncle can say such a thing...”

“Zhongqing!”

Tian Youdao called out softly. Tian Zhongqing quickly looked up, and uncle and nephew exchanged glances. Tian Youdao’s face was solemn as he said gravely:

“Speaking of this... the prestige our family enjoys today, it seems to be because both my nephew and I successively broke through to Spirit-Refinement, and the Tian clan has produced many spirit apertures, serving as pillars of strength, gaining the main family’s trust, and restraining the Shanyue. But Zhongqing...”

He looked at his nephew and murmured:

“You must understand that the prestige and power of our family depend solely on me!”

Tian Zhongqing nodded heavily. He was now a man who had been married and established a family for many years, with many offspring, much more mature. He said in a muffled voice:

“The Ren and Dou clans are attached to the elder branch, and now with Young Master Ximing, they eagerly follow. The Liu clan has declined, and the Xu clan is wholeheartedly loyal to the military, not leaning on either side, so there’s nothing much to worry about.”

“As for our Tian clan...”

Tian Youdao was Li Xuanfeng’s maternal uncle. The Tian family had always been led by the uncle’s lineage, but Li Xuanfeng had gone to Yishan City in the Southern Frontier and had no heirs, which left the Tian family without support.

Li Xuanfeng said he went to garrison Yishan City, but few who went to that city ever returned. Though unspoken, everyone believed he would never come back. Other prestigious families felt little, but the Tian clan’s hearts thumped with apprehension.

“Indeed.”

Tian Youdao shook his head and replied:

“I only fear that should I meet with misfortune one day, the Tian clan will be dismembered, just like the Liu clan.”

Tian Zhongqing hesitated for a moment and murmured:

“Uncle, what do you think of... the eldest young master?”

Among the Li family’s Ximing generation, Li Xicheng was the eldest, thus the eldest young master. Li Xizhi was the third, and Li Ximing and Li Xijun were the seventh and eighth, respectively. The remaining one daughter and three sons were all mortals and were sent down the mountain without further consideration.

Li Xicheng was currently managing affairs in Shanyue, making him the only young master of the Li family to handle matters outside the mountain. He belonged to the younger branch of Li Tongya. Tian Zhongqing had had much contact with him and understood him somewhat, explaining:

“The eldest young master is exceptionally magnanimous, generous, and amicable. If the Tian clan were to offer a daughter as wife or concubine, and I were to sincerely befriend him and align with the younger branch, perhaps we could find a strong patron.”

“The younger branch once experienced a decline and had no support from maternal families, making it truly the best choice!”

Tian Youdao took a sip of tea and replied:

“You should go and try. First, establish a good relationship. I see that he has ample magnanimity but lacks firmness, making him easy to attach oneself to. If you can gain his trust, your family will be secure for generations.”

In the great hall, filled with many guards, Li Yuanping sat cross-legged in his brocade robe. White lights emanated from the cushion beneath him, helping him concentrate and avoid distractions.

“Patriarch! A letter from the western road.”

The clan soldier who had approached from below murmured, hesitant to step forward as he saw Li Yuanping cultivating in the hall.

Li Yuanping had recently found a rare moment of ease, allowing him time to cultivate. Although the benefits were minimal, it was better than nothing.

“Bring it up.”

Li Yuanping exhaled, reached out to take the letter, used a specific spell to unseal the secret message, and read:

“Donghe has reached the western desert, a place called Guyan Great Desert. Both attendants are respectful and unharmed. This region has many passes. We are staying as guests at Guyan Temple, under the jurisdiction of the Golden Feather Sect. With our combined efforts, we should acquire the qi and return in seven years.”

“Good!”

Seeing that there was a way to collect the Golden Sun Huangyuan from the west, Li Yuanping was overjoyed. He looked at the small letter in his hand and asked suspiciously:

“Where did this come from?”

“Reporting to the Patriarch.”

The clan soldier replied:

“It was brought by a rogue qi merchant from the road.”

Li Yuanping nodded in realization, took out a brush and ink, wrote a large “Good,” then added some words of encouragement and thanks, sealed it with his magical seal, and handed it to Dou Yi:

“Give him some spirit rice as a reward, and let him take it back.”

Communication in this world didn’t always need to be so troublesome. Not to mention ancient times, it was said that even a thousand years ago there were things like sound-transmitting talismans. But for some unknown reason, these types of talismans either became ineffective or too costly, so few people used them anymore.

Recalling his thoughts, Li Yuanping refocused his attention on family matters.

“The Shanyue are easy enough to handle.”

Since Li Yuanjiao mentioned this matter a few days ago and discussed it in detail with Li Yuanping, he soon returned to the mountain for cultivation. Li Yuanping, however, focused entirely on how to resolve these two issues.

Li Yuanping had long been dissatisfied with the Shanyue region and had secretly made arrangements, but the various disciples within the clan caused him a great deal of headache.

“If it truly is as my elder brother said... where else can I find a place...”

Li Yuanping tidied the letters on his desk and pulled out intelligence reports on several neighboring families.

The Yu family had been quiet these days. Yu Mugao was engrossed in reorganizing the clan, executing some members today and releasing others tomorrow. Although his brothers were numerous and influential, they couldn’t contend with him and were slaughtered like lambs daily.

“He really dares to kill...”

Li Yuanping looked at the name list above, pursing his lips. Yu Mugao might have enjoyed the killing, but he left many hidden dangers. Shaking his head, Li Yuanping began to consider the families on the East Shore.

There were over a dozen scattered families on the East Shore, spread everywhere. Although most were small clans of Spirit-Breath and Spirit-Refinement cultivators, they were quite complex, entangled in various disputes, and few dared to interfere.

The north and east shores of Moon-Gazing Lake were once territories of the Tangjin Gate. The East Shore families had intricate ties with the Tangjin Gate. Although the Tangjin Gate was now weakened and had lost this territory, there was still some goodwill, which was one reason.

Secondly, the East Shore families held several valuable sites such as mineral veins and spirit springs, all secretly controlled by the Xiao family’s vassals from the west. Xiao family members, under the guise of guest elders, garrisoned these areas to maintain order and profit from them.

This was not how things should have been, but the Green Pond Sect turned a blind eye, and the Xiao family intentionally let the region remain fragmented, thus maintaining the status quo year after year.

Furthermore, Moon-Gazing Lake bordered the Xiao family, with these various families maintaining the buffer zone between them. To the north, it bordered the Tangjin Gate, and to the south, the Li and Ding families. Various forces vied within, making it quite sensitive.

These multiple factors forcibly maintained the East Shore families, which saw no major changes for a hundred years. When the Jiang family prospered, they supplied the Jiang family; when the Yu family dominated, they supplied the Yu family. Now with the Yu family in decline, a three-way standoff has formed on the lake, and each family is seeking its own patron.

“When the market collapsed and the Yu family declined years ago, our family also had the opportunity to accept tribute from several families. However, at that time, we lacked sufficient personnel and wished only to bide our time, not wanting to interfere, and thus missed the chance.”

Li Yuanping pondered for a moment, his heart stirred, and he mused:

“It so happens that our family’s expenses are tight right now. If we could intervene... firstly, we could gain some tribute, and secondly, we could foster some influence on the East Shore...”

As Li Yuanping was pondering the feasibility of this matter, he called out to Dou Yi, who was below him:

“Go to the Enforcement Hall and retrieve an intelligence report on the East Shore families for me.”

Dou Yi nodded quickly and hurried down, only to find another person rushing up from below, who respectfully announced:

“Reporting to the Patriarch! A cultivator on the road requests an audience!”

“A cultivator on the road?”

Li Yuanping paused slightly, knowing that anyone reported to the hall was likely not simple. He only asked:

“What is their cultivation level? Do they have a request?”

The clan soldier below the steps opened his mouth and replied:

“According to Guest Elder An, they are likely not a Purple Mansion or Golden Core cultivator. They wear a Taoist robe with embroidered cuffs and appear youthful. Guest Elder An says their aura far surpasses Foundation Establishment, and as for their business, they insist on speaking only to you, Patriarch.”

An Zheyan had once seen Yu Xiaogui and Li Tongya, so he could roughly estimate the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. For him to say “far surpasses Foundation Establishment” couldn’t help but make Li Yuanping’s expression grave.

“Not a Purple Mansion or Golden Core cultivator?! And they want to see me?”

Li Yuanping instantly froze, and said gravely:

“Go and remind Brother Jiao, tell him... no need for him to come over. Let him watch from the mountain... and Guest Elder An and the others should jointly suppress any potential unrest... in case this person suddenly acts violently.”

Li Yuanping’s expression was somewhat grim. He always disliked unexpected trouble, and even though the visitor had courteously arrived, their cultivation far surpassed Foundation Establishment. If they were to cause trouble, the Li family would not be able to handle it.

“Damn it!”

He cursed, venting his displeasure, then let out a long breath and murmured:

“Please invite them to wait in the side hall.”

“Yes!”

Dou Yi and the others withdrew, shrinking their heads. Only then did Li Yuanping sit back in the principal seat and think to himself:

“Judging by their attire, they aren’t a Buddhist cultivator, but it’s hard to guarantee they haven’t used transformation magic... perhaps they are a demonic cultivator... Our family has never encountered a demonic cultivator from Jiangnan, only heard that their appearance is no different from ordinary people, so we probably wouldn’t recognize one.”

He walked down two steps. After all, it was a Foundation Establishment-level cultivator paying a visit, and only he in the Li family held enough weight, without risking too great a loss if the person suddenly turned violent and killed him.

“It’s not good to show weakness now, lest it arouse suspicion. I should go and meet him.”

Li Yuanping walked to the front of the hall, moving with light steps. As he reached the corridor, he saw Li Wen, with his honest face, following him, silently carrying a golden gourd as large as a human head in one hand.

Li Yuanping looked at his mountain-like figure and genuinely felt a greater sense of security. He chuckled:

“What an honest fellow!”

“Heh heh.”

Li Wen chuckled in a muffled voice. Li Yuanping arrived at the side hall and said softly:

“No need to come in, just wait outside.”

After all, the difference between Foundation Establishment and Spirit-Refinement was too great. According to An Zheyan’s description, Li Wen would be no match for the visitor, merely one palm away from defeat, and it would only make their own family seem apprehensive.

Seeing Li Wen nod blankly in understanding, Li Yuanping pushed the door open and entered.

The side hall was simple and unadorned, with only a few wooden tables. Beside a small table, a young man sat, wearing a Taoist crown, with an ordinary face, and a sword resting on his lap — which appeared to be a peach wood sword.

He looked no older than twenty, wearing a plain Taoist robe with gold embroidery on the cuffs. His attire didn’t seem to belong to any particular region, and the peach wood sword looked ordinary and dull, not at all like a treasure.

“A Foundation Establishment cultivator at twenty?”

Li Yuanping had already concluded in his mind that this person had used illusion magic to conceal their appearance, and he became even more vigilant.

“The Li family welcomes Your Esteemed Presence, Senior. May I ask your name?”

Li Yuanping stepped forward, displaying a full smile, and asked softly, neither humble nor arrogant.

Unexpectedly, the cultivator reacted with great surprise, leaping up from the table. The peach wood sword on his lap did a somersault in the air, floating lightly. Wang Xun seemed oblivious to it, and politely replied:

“Greetings, Patriarch! I am Wang Xun, from Yinghua Commandery of the Zhao Kingdom! You are too kind, Patriarch!”

Seeing the person’s reply and tone, Li Yuanping’s heart eased slightly. He subtly glanced at the peach wood sword and chuckled:

“So, a guest from the Zhao Kingdom! I am Li Yuanping. Please excuse my failure to meet you sooner.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Wang Xun saw that Li Yuanping did not take the principal seat but sat beside him instead, clearly showing him respect. His reserved expression immediately relaxed, and he also sat down.

Observing the young man’s reactions, which truly seemed unfeigned, Li Yuanping felt three more parts of the burden in his heart lift. He became increasingly at ease and said gently:

“Serve tea!”

The attendant from below brought the tea, set it before them both, and hastily withdrew. Li Yuanping smiled, observing the young man’s shy and reserved demeanor, but dared not let down his guard. He said gently:

“May I ask, Senior... what is your background? Do you have something to entrust? If it is within our family’s capabilities, we will surely accomplish it for you.”

This young man likely did not often travel in the mortal world; he spoke at length but never mentioned his origins. Li Yuanping asked about his background precisely to discern if he belonged to some major sect or prominent family, so as to know how to respond. So, while smiling, he picked up the jade pot to refill his tea.

The young man was startled, nodding repeatedly, thinking he was being asked about his family lineage. He hurriedly replied:

“I am from the Wang family of Yinghua, the great-grandson of True Monarch Xiaojin, and the son of True Person Yingyuan...”

Gasp...

Li Yuanping felt as if he had been slapped out of nowhere. His head buzzed, his steady hand abruptly trembled, and the words stunned his mind blank, causing several splashes of tea to spill.

“True Monarch Xiaojin! A Golden Core cultivator!”

He stared blankly, raising his head, and said in disbelief:

“Senior... you said... you are the great-grandson of a True Monarch, and the son of a True Person?!”