Chapter 375: Steep and Lofty

This golden cage was only about the size of a human head. Its body was formed by seventy-two vertical bars, and a small opening in the front was quietly shut.

Yu Su shook the cage in his hand, then placed it on his palm. He opened a small door on the side of the tiny cage, and pointing at Yu Chengyi, who was prostrate on the ground, he chuckled.

“This man has five other brothers. I ask for your assistance, fellow Daoist, to bring me their heads!”

Li Qinghong, Fei Tongxiao, and the others only felt a gentle breeze blow past them, their robes rustling lightly, their faces feeling a chill. Yu Su's authority was too great, and they dared not probe the golden cage with their spiritual senses. They could only wait silently below.

People around them began to whisper amongst themselves:

“Is that a Foundation Establishment artifact? Are there artifacts like that?”

“Who knows? Perhaps it’s a Purple Mansion-level artifact... Qingchi doesn't only have that Great Snow Sharp Edge. The Purple Mansion True Master hasn't made a move in a long time; maybe it belongs to one of them...”

In just a few breaths, after a few whispered words, a fierce gust of wind swept through. Five bloody heads fell from the sky, rolling into a small pile on the ground. Li Qinghong swept her spiritual sense and discovered a swirling vortex of gale wind in the air, retracting back into the cage like a great whale sucking in water.

‘A spirit monster? Or the effect of some artifact...’

Yu Su waited a few breaths, then closed the cage door. He then looked at the heads, which had been inexplicably swept over by the wind and still showed signs of unwillingness, and frowned, saying:

“With this display, consolidating the Yu family shouldn't be a problem for those Yu family members, should it?”

Yu Chengyi stammered a couple of replies, still hesitating. The guest elder behind him tugged at his sleeve. Only then did Yu Chengyi haltingly say:

“Thank... thank you, Immortal.”

Yu Su glanced at him and said:

“Mu Xian certainly has such nephews and nieces.”

He put the golden cage back into his sleeve. Then, extending a hand, he commanded:

“Jade Mist Mountain!”

The Yu family members' expressions instantly changed, and an uproar rose from below. Yu Chengyi's face turned ashen; he knelt and shuffled forward two steps, trembling as he pleaded:

“Senior! Jade Mist Mountain is our family's ancestral treasure! I...”

“Hand it over!!”

A flicker of impatience crossed Yu Su's brow. He flicked his sleeve, sending Yu Chengyi stumbling back several steps. Suppressing the urge to kill him, he cursed:

“Dog-like creature! Still daring to dawdle... Hand over the artifact! It's a waste to keep this artifact in your family; it's better off in Mu Xian's hands.”

‘Indeed... in Qingchi's eyes, aren't we all just dog-like creatures...’

As these words were spoken, all the gathered families felt a deep sense of unease. They understood that while Yu Su might appear polite, in his heart, he long regarded them as mere weeds. Watching Yu Chengyi wail on the ground, no one dared to speak.

The Yu family members below brought up the Foundation Establishment artifact, Jade Mist Mountain. Yu Su took the Jade Mist Mountain, lifted it gently, and observed it carefully for two breaths.

Jade Mist Mountain was snow-white and translucent, about the size of a fist, exquisitely carved and delicate. Immortal cranes and ancient trees were all present, depicted vividly. But, halfway up the mountain, there was a faint line emitting a faint blue light. Yu Su immediately frowned and murmured:

“It really left a mark... Li Tongya is quite a figure too. This was crafted from Supreme Bright Mystic Jade...”

After observing for a while, Yu Su looked up and stated directly:

“Everything is settled. You may now present your tributes.”

The various families nodded repeatedly, raising their tributes. Yu Su remained motionless, but his entourage became picky, claiming that items were short by one or two layers as soon as they touched them, demanding that everyone make up the difference.

The people of Moonlake had long known him to be a greedy sort who'd pluck a feather from a flying goose, so they silently made up the deficit. Yu Su glanced at them a few times, the golden cage in his hand swaying slightly, and said softly:

“From now on, unless there's a major change, I, Yu, will be the one to come. Please have everything prepared in advance next time, so there's no need for repeated top-ups.”

After he finished speaking, the Qingyi disciples rode the wind upwards, landing one after another back on the Cloud-Glow Airship. Yu Su stood at the bow of the ship, looking down at everyone, and slowly disappeared into the horizon.

Everyone's faces immediately fell. A few of the prominent families seemed relatively okay, but the rest looked rather grim. They watched Yu Su's airship depart, angry but daring not to speak.

As soon as Qingchi Sect's Cloud-Glow Airship left, the various East Bank families who had surrendered and paid tribute to the Li family gathered around. Cries for help and complaints rose one after another.

“Senior! Please be a bit more lenient with this year's tribute!”

The eighty-year-old clan head of the Pu family, who only possessed the fifth-level cultivation of Fetal Breath, was dressed in coarse cloth, without even a single artifact on him. Yet, he addressed Li Qinghong as "Senior," his face full of bitterness.

“Senior... Qingchi's various peaks rotate their garrisons every seventy years, and only half that time has passed. There are still more than thirty years of hardship ahead. What are we to do?”

The five families, including Lingbi, were affected by the Cuiluan Copper Essence, making it almost impossible to grow spirit rice in their lands. The Rui family, having integrated, had escaped their misery. The remaining four families were the most destitute among the East Bank families, already overwhelmed.

They watched her eagerly, hoping she might offer some good news.

Rui Qiongcuo, on the other hand, felt immense relief. His Rui family had assimilated; officially, they were a family, but secretly, they had long become an outlying branch of the Li family. They lived a comfortable life, and the small tribute from a Fetal Breath family was truly nothing to them.

Now, watching his former rivals complain, he felt a secret delight. He stood respectfully behind Li Qinghong.

The cultivators began speaking all at once, in a clamor. Li Qinghong had no choice but to strike her spear staff against the ground with a resounding clang, silencing them.

Having long known Yu Su's greedy nature, Li Qinghong had not brought her Du Ruo Spear. In her hand was merely an ordinary low-grade Qi Refining artifact, yet it still shattered the stone bricks on the ground, leaving them scorched black.

“Fellow Daoists, if you are in financial difficulty, please discuss the details with my clan head. My Li family will not cause your families to be ruined simply to collect tribute; we have our own methods for resolution.”

With Li Yuanping at home, sending these people to him would naturally ensure everything was handled properly. These matters didn't require Li Qinghong's attention at all, so she simply rode the wind and departed.

Lijing Town.

The mountain path was pitch black, yet several figures in white armor galloped through it. The leader, riding a spirit horse, was broad-faced and tall—it was Li Xicheng.

Li Xicheng rode his horse along the small path by Lijing Town. The surroundings were dim and somber; fireflies drifted in the dark, secluded forest path, hanging silently beneath the leaves.

The heavy horse moved silently. He hadn't brought many people with him. As Li Xicheng now commanded the Jade Court Guard, he naturally had to avoid suspicion among his brothers.

Behind him, Chen Mufeng, the highest-ranking Palace Guard in the Jade Court Guard, rode the wind, following closely. Chen Mufeng's talent was not much different from Chen Donghe's, but the cultivation technique he used during the Fetal Breath stage was superior, allowing him to break through half a year earlier.

He was now at the second level of Qi Refining, with a cultivation similar to Li Xicheng's.

Li Xicheng was the eldest, about ten years older than his brothers. His talent was the lowest among them. Only because the cultivation technique he practiced during the Fetal Breath stage was a third-grade technique was he able to reach Qi Refining at the age of thirty.

In the stillness of the deep night, one rode a horse, the other rode the wind. Li Xicheng held a jade slip in his hand and said gently:

“During this inspection, two people from Huaqian were found to have secretly hoarded spirit rice and were apprehended as per regulations. What does the Clan Justice Hall say about this?”

Chen Mufeng, being of similar age and highly trusted, simply replied:

“They have all been brought to justice, but... one of them belongs to a minor branch of the Zhong lineage... His eldest son is Li Chengmu, who cultivates on Qingdu's main peak, so...”

“So what...”

Li Xicheng shook his head and said softly:

“Just follow the regulations. The clan head will arrange it properly; most likely a severe punishment with a minor penalty, and a transfer to a less demanding position.”

Chen Mufeng nodded. The two walked along the river for a while. Li Xicheng looked at the lush vegetation, inexplicably smiled, and said amicably:

“Mufeng, our family is currently flourishing, and all lineages are united. Cultivators from external surnames and minor branches are springing up like bamboo shoots after rain. This is truly a rare and joyful period of prosperity.”

Chen Mufeng nodded with a smile and replied:

“The main family is like this cloud mulberry; we are like kudzu vines, originally one entity. Mufeng is truly delighted!”

Li Xicheng transferred the jade slip to his other hand and said gently:

“I have a half-sister, still unmarried, who has always wished to marry a promising Qi Refining cultivator. Why not pair her with you? You two can meet in the next few days, and if you find each other agreeable, our two families can become in-laws. Wouldn't that be wonderful?”

Chen Mufeng immediately looked pleased. His wife had passed away years ago, and his delay in remarrying was precisely for such an opportunity, wasn't it? Now that he had finally forged a connection with the Zhong lineage, he nodded repeatedly and said joyfully:

“Your subordinate thanks you, esteemed sir!”

The two conversed freely for a while. Chen Mufeng, having become Li Xicheng's subordinate, immediately felt closer and spoke much more relaxed, whispering:

“Mufeng has followed you for many years, but there's always been one doubt in my heart.”

“Speak.”

Li Xicheng nodded slightly. Chen Mufeng raised his long eyebrows and whispered:

“Sir...”

Just as Chen Mufeng uttered these two words, a sudden chill wind descended from the sky. A white-robed youth rode the wind, a sword hanging from his waist, his gaze sharp. His eyes swept across Chen Mufeng's face before settling back on Li Xicheng:

“Brother!”

“Jun-di! Come, come...”

Li Xicheng immediately put Chen Mufeng out of his mind. He stepped forward and took his brother's hand. Li Xijun chuckled and replied:

“This is not the place to talk, Brother. Why don't you come up the mountain with me?”

“Good! Good!”

Li Xicheng rode the wind with him, landing in the small courtyard on Qingdu Mountain.

Li Xijun pushed open the door and entered. With a flick of his sleeve, the entire room lit up. He fetched two pots of new wine and placed them on the table. As he poured wine into the cups, he said softly:

“Brother, you are quite impressive! I hear the Jade Court Guard operates across the six peaks, investigating various matters faster than the Clan Justice Hall!”

“Nonsense... nonsense...”

Li Xicheng chuckled, pleased by the flattery. Li Xijun then softly continued:

“I also heard that the impoverished families and collateral branches whom you, Brother, helped years ago have now become skilled practitioners, taking up positions on various peaks. Moreover, cultivators who have joined the Clan Justice Hall and the Jade Court Guard all speak highly of you, Brother.”

“That's an overstatement!”

This matter was indeed a widely praised tale within the clan. Li Xicheng had privately been proud of his foresight. Now, hearing his brother mention it, he quickly became modest. Li Xijun waved his hand and continued:

“Our Zhong lineage has produced many talents, holding important positions across the peaks... I have cultivated on the mountain for many years and rarely manage family affairs. These individuals certainly owe their rise to your cultivation and promotion, Brother...”

Li Xicheng frowned slightly, took a sip of the wine Li Xijun handed him. Sensing something amiss, he said gravely:

“I have never harbored any selfish intentions! These people all rely on their talent and effort. If you, Jun-di, are using these words to blame me, you are truly underestimating me!”

“What you have done, Brother, isn't inherently wrong.”

Li Xijun seemed to have anticipated his reaction and shook his head, saying:

“If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be so polite with you, Brother.”

He slowly raised an eyebrow, his voice gradually growing colder as he whispered:

“But promoting talents, marrying into prominent families, extending influence into both the Jade Court Guard and Clan Justice Hall, and cultivating loyalists among the various peaks...”

Li Xijun paused, staring into his brother's eyes:

“This is not what the eldest legitimate son of our Zhong lineage should be doing... nor is it what the brother of Ximing should be doing.”

He set down his jade cup, narrowed his eyes, and said:

“Brother, do you know what you are doing? You are cultivating your own faction, appeasing various families, you are proving that you are more capable than Brother Ming, forcing the clan head to yield Ximing's position to you...”

With the conversation having reached this point, Li Xicheng's usually gentle expression finally slowly became serious. He said slowly:

“There's no question of yielding or not yielding. Ming-er's ambition isn't here; it's merely you all forcing him... I have no such intentions either; I only wish for the family's well-being.”

“The matter of the bloodline fading out has not yet been decided!”

Li Xijun's face was taut as he whispered:

“Ximing can still have descendants! Even if he has no intention of this, his children can still take over the family affairs!”

Li Xicheng sighed softly and said gently:

“Then what do you propose, Jun-di?”

This single sentence from his brother immediately silenced Li Xijun. On one side was his clan brother, stripped of power because of a single word he spoke; on the other was his brother, ready to realize his ambitions. Li Xijun could only close his eyes, unable to speak.

‘Given the current situation, the family elders must have tacitly approved...’

Li Xijun felt a pang in his heart and could no longer say anything. He said in a muffled voice:

“I am also to blame for Ximing's situation. Ever since Ximing was confined, the entire Zhong lineage has been pushing you forward, Brother. Too many people stood behind you, forcing you to move, so I have no right to speak ill of you, Brother.”

Li Xicheng nodded, lost in thought. Li Xijun's sharp eyebrows relaxed, and he continued:

“However, many of those people you promoted, Brother, became prominent because they received your favor, leveraged your influence, and gained the Zhong lineage's support. You should use them carefully, Brother.”

“Understood.”

Li Xicheng responded. Li Xijun could only cup his hands respectfully and said gently:

“From now on, for the Xiyue generation, you and I, brothers, will be in charge. I hope you will act cautiously, Brother.”

He waved his sleeve and withdrew. The white-robed figure paced to the doorway. Li Xicheng stared intently at his upright back, his words barely audible:

“Why didn't you ask, Jun-di... if Uncle Yuanjiao told me to do these things?”

Li Xijun paused slightly, then rode the wind away.

Li Qinghong had been in secluded cultivation on Qingdu Peak for three years. When she emerged, she was already at the eighth level of Qi Refining and had spent some time consolidating her cultivation. She had originally planned to take the pill on the new moon day and break through to the ninth level.

Unexpectedly, Li Yuanping personally came to Qingdu Mountain, saying that for the past few years, the cloud energy in the Wutu Mountain cave had been surging, faint sounds of water filled the cave, and clear water was gushing from the ground.

The weather in the Shanyue region was also becoming increasingly abnormal. Downpours often lasted only for the time it took an incense stick to burn halfway. Clear skies would turn into misty wind and rain in an instant, and fish and turtles would scramble onto the shore.

The Li family had experience with Li Tongya's breakthrough. Hearing this, Qinghong knew that her brother, Li Yuanjiao, had been in secluded cultivation for years, and his attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment had reached a critical moment.

“My brother... to attempt such a life-and-death breakthrough as Foundation Establishment without a word... He didn't even inform anyone.”

Despite her words, Li Qinghong still rushed to Wutu Mountain, riding the wind, to personally guard the cave entrance.