Chapter 396: Madam

The snow fell heavily. The address "Husband" sounded particularly sweet. Li Xuanfeng's gaze lingered for a moment on the gentle and charming woman. He asked politely, "Hemian, did the Revered Master summon me?"

Ning Hemian briefly replied, shaking her head. "Someone has arrived from the Grotto-heaven," she answered. "The Revered Master has already returned to Green Pond Peak to pay respects."

Ning Hemian had been married to him for five or six years. Li Xuanfeng had been unable to refuse the marriage at the time, and in the blink of an eye, five or six years had passed. They had always treated each other with formal respect. Ning Hemian's thoughts were mostly focused on cultivation, and their relationship remained relatively harmonious.

Li Xuanfeng slung the bow over his back and walked beside her. Ning Hemian was very polite to him. After all, they had shared a bed for several years; it was impossible to say they were completely unmoved, but something still weighed on their hearts.

Li Xuanfeng harbored deep hatred for the Green Pond Sect. The deaths of several of his dearest relatives were inextricably linked to Green Pond, and his wife and children had perished together in a transaction between the Green Pond and Boring Gold sects.

Initially, witnessing Chi Wei's death, Li Xuanfeng felt the Green Pond Sect was struggling with the growing influence of external Purple Mansion cultivators. He secretly rallied his spirits, especially as Yuan Su seemed dismissive of the Chi family, suggesting an opportunity to act. He was secretly making plans.

However, a few months prior, Yuan Su had summoned him, stating that Revered Master Yuan Su was to leave Mount Yi City to pay respects to a Revered Master Sui Guan, who was said to be from the Green Pond Grotto-heaven.

‘Another Purple Mansion cultivator has descended from the Green Pond Grotto-heaven! What is going on!’

Hearing that someone from the Green Pond Grotto-heaven had arrived—a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator, no less—and that there might be even more within the Grotto-heaven, greatly disheartened him. For ten straight days, he had vented his frustration on demonic creatures from the city walls. Now, he simply walked silently along the snow-covered battlements.

Many thoughts swirled in his mind as heavy snow continued to fall from the sky. Ning Hemian quietly walked beside him. After a moment, Li Xuanfeng decided to ask, "Hemian, do you know the origin of this Grotto-heaven...?"

Ning Hemian nodded and replied politely, "My Ning family knows a little about it. Just listen, Husband, but please don't spread it."

Seeing Li Xuanfeng nod, Ning Hemian spoke softly, "My father once entered with the Revered Master. Outsiders call it the Green Pond Grotto-heaven, but that's not its true name. It's called Luyu Heaven. Few people ever go inside, and there's hardly anyone living there."

She hesitated slightly, as if pondering something, then continued, "I don't know what the True Monarch who created this Grotto-heaven was thinking back then. This Grotto-heaven has no sky, no ground, no sun, and no moon—only endless green waves. To be precise... it doesn't truly belong to the Green Pond Sect."

"Oh?"

Li Xuanfeng was greatly surprised and asked, "Whose magical artifact is it, then?"

Ning Hemian managed a reluctant smile and whispered, "Whose? Perhaps it belongs to some True Monarch? This world is unrestrained; Golden Core cultivators are already said to be immortal. Perhaps he's still in some corner of the Grotto-heaven, or perhaps he's left this realm for seclusion... In any case, Green Pond doesn't truly control Luyu Heaven..."

"Furthermore, one cannot stay long in Luyu Heaven at all. Forget mortals; Foundation Establishment cultivators turn into a pool of blood after just a few days. Even Purple Mansion cultivators, if they remain for a year or two, will lose their minds, their powers will dwindle, and they will become mere mortals."

The worry in Ning Hemian's expression became more pronounced. She said softly, "Occasionally, Purple Mansion cultivators from within the sect enter and emerge with orders. My father went in once because of his unique cultivation method... but he said there was no one inside."

"Yet, from such a Grotto-heaven, a person suddenly emerged, dressed in brand new clothes, claiming to be Revered Master Sui Guan, surnamed Chi."

Li Xuanfeng considered this carefully, feeling a chill run down his spine. Ning Hemian whispered, "My cousin also met Revered Master Sui Guan. He couldn't discern his lineage or clan, nor did he claim to be an ancestor of any specific path. He merely declared himself to be surnamed Chi, and Chi Zhiyun wouldn't dare to question it."

Li Xuanfeng stared blankly at her. "You mean..."

Her smile seemed hollow. "Every move made by Green Pond is ordered by a Purple Mansion cultivator from the Grotto-heaven. I used to think they couldn't leave, but it turns out they were simply too lazy to do so."

Ning Hemian said despondently, "Perhaps the Grotto-heaven isn't an artifact of the Green Pond Sect, but rather... the Green Pond Sect itself is an artifact of the Grotto-heaven."

Li Xuanfeng opened his mouth, but Ning Hemian had already pulled him into the room. She closed the door tightly, activating the shielding array automatically. She then helped him undress and said softly:

"I have a selfish reason for telling you all this secretly..."

"Husband, sharing a bed with you, I can sense certain things... The Green Pond Sect is a colossal entity that instills despair. It's entwined with the Great Void... Don't hate it... please, don't hate it..."

Li Xuanfeng sank onto the couch. Ning Hemian nestled into his embrace, shedding her clothes, tears welling in her eyes. "I know you hate it," she whispered. "My Ning family's early years were far from satisfactory. If it weren't for the achievements of a True Master, we would be in a truly miserable state now."

"Do the Yang family hate it? Do the Deng family hate it? Do the Yu family hate it? Originally, Green Pond only had sixteen peaks... now it has thirty-six. The later descendants of these families are all very proud, identifying themselves solely with Green Pond."

Ning Hemian observed his expression, guessing some of his thoughts. She continued, "Even after the torments the Deng family endured, only a few direct descendants still harbor hatred. Does Chi Zhiyun not know this? He simply doesn't care. Below the direct lineage of the Deng family, who doesn't identify themselves with Green Pond? Who truly represents the Deng family anymore?"

Li Xuanfeng gritted his teeth and held her close, watching her soft, charming face flush pink. Ning Hemian, her eyes narrowed with emotion, looked at him and said softly:

"Husband, do you think the descendants of Li Xizhi and Yang Xiao'er will resent Green Pond for Li Chijing, who is several generations removed? Although I don't know how you managed to hide this from the ancestor, I presume not everyone in the Li family possesses such means..."

"Today it's the Yang and Yu families; tomorrow, it could be the Li clan, or at the very least, the Deng clan again. This strategy of Green Pond's can dismantle family ties, turn enemies into allies, and assimilate them into the sect..."

Li Xuanfeng's scorching palm made her fair, delicate arm flush red. Ning Hemian looked at him with emotion, as the man's sharp, bright eyes intently gazed back at her.

"Those within the sect are not necessarily friends, and those outside are not necessarily enemies."

Ning Hemian chuckled softly, leaning against his chest. She whispered, "My Ning clan is a friend to the nobility. As for who our enemies are, you and I understand that in our hearts."

Li Xuanfeng let her squirm in his arms for a long time, his desires already ignited. He scooped her up in a fierce embrace and growled, "What's this 'my Ning clan' nonsense? You're married to me now; we are one. Why speak as if we're still two separate families?"

"Hmm!"

Ning Hemian let out a soft, graceful sound of assent. For the first time, the two of them felt none of the formal distance they usually maintained. The woman lifted her head and chest, smiling considerately.

Green Rhododendron Peak.

Green Rhododendron Peak, once covered in blooming rhododendrons, was now blanketed in white after a heavy winter snowfall. The precipitation had ceased, and the sun had become surprisingly bright.

Xiao Guilan was cultivating in her quiet chamber. Her phoenix eyes were charming, and she wore a simple black tunic dress.

Xiao Guilan had now reached the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation. Her talent was notable, and she had steadily progressed over the years. Although she couldn't keep pace with her husband, Li Yuanjiao, her own advancement was still remarkably swift.

Xiao Guilan didn't particularly care for black, but since Li Yuanjiao favored the dark, enigmatic patterns, she had adopted the color as well.

Xiao Guilan had always maintained a low profile within the Li family. If Li Yuanjiao were the patriarch, her influence and methods would undoubtedly be vastly different now. However, understanding his preferences, she dutifully cultivated on the mountain.

She exhaled a breath of pure qi. Li Yuexiang had already entered from the courtyard, glancing at her before asking, "Mother, where is Father?"

Since Li Yuexiang had been old enough to understand, her opportunities to spend time with Li Yuanjiao had been few and far between—a situation that shouldn't have been. Xiao Guilan understood his predicament and raised Li Yuexiang by herself.

As she was chatting and laughing with Li Yuexiang, the entrance to the cave dwelling creaked open with a loud groan. Li Yuanjiao stepped out, his expression appearing relatively relaxed, suggesting some advancement in his cultivation.

"Husband!"

Xiao Guilan joyfully went to greet him. Li Yuanjiao embraced her, also clearly delighted after such a long absence, but his first question was, "How is everything at home?"

Xiao Guilan replied, "Kong Tingyun has arrived as agreed. She has opened a fire vein in Wutu and left a Xuanyue disciple here to guard it. The array disk has also been retrieved."

Although Li Yuanjiao had been prepared, he still felt a pang of regret. He carefully inquired about the timing and replied, "What a pity! If I hadn't been injured by that Shanyue Foundation Establishment cultivator, bringing back a demonic beast from the East Sea would have been no issue! The timing would have been perfect."

This was all within Li Yuanjiao's expectations. He then added, "Is there anything else?"

Some significant events had occurred during Li Yuanjiao's two years of seclusion. Xiao Guilan whispered, "Madam Lu failed her Qi Cultivation breakthrough back then, which shortened her lifespan... She was nearly seventy years old... There was no further chance for her to break through, so she stopped there. News just arrived a few days ago that the elder passed away."

"She passed away lying on her couch, clutching a food box and two jade chopsticks. She had been cultivating in seclusion in the forest, attended only by two elderly women."

"Madam Lu?"

Li Yuanjiao was slightly startled, then he recalled that Madam Lu's name was Lu Wanrong, the widow of Li Xuanling, who had lived alone in the mountain forest for many years.

Li Xuanling had been killed by Mohe years ago, leaving Lu Wanrong heartbroken and nearly driven to suicide. She had remained at the fourth cycle of Fetal Breathing Green Essence for a full decade.

Her potential to break through Qi Cultivation, delayed by ten years, had effectively severed her path to advancement. Later, when her young son, Li Yuanyun, died in the market, Lu Wanrong descended into even deeper despair.

Although her daughter, Li Qinghong, was quite promising, Lu Wanrong had lost all hope. She had lived in seclusion in the mountain forest, simply awaiting her death.

Upon hearing this news, Li Yuanjiao could only sigh softly. "Qinghong likely won't break through until next year, so she probably... won't make it back in time. Let Xijun and Xicheng see her off."

Xiao Guilan nodded, carefully choosing her words. She said softly, "Mother... she probably doesn't have many days left either."

The "Mother" she referred to, of course, was not Madam Dou, but Li Yuanjiao's birth mother, Muyalu. She was Li Xuanxuan's concubine, originally from Shanyue, and was now almost seventy years old.

"What?!"

Her words struck Li Yuanjiao like a bolt from the blue. He couldn't help but turn pale, and immediately rose into the air, riding the wind swiftly towards the town.

Xiao Guilan followed behind, offering a few comforting words, but Li Yuanjiao was in no mood to listen. He landed immediately in the large courtyard within the town. Below, an old maid carrying a basin still recognized him and cried out, "Young Master!"

Li Yuanjiao waved a dismissive hand and entered. The old woman was lying on the couch.

Muyalu had been in her prime when she married into the Li family, but now she was unrecognizably old. Though a mortal, her high status had afforded her excellent care, allowing her to live a decade longer than most ordinary people.

She had been lying listlessly on the couch, but upon seeing Li Yuanjiao enter, her spirits lifted considerably. She struggled to sit upright and asked anxiously, "Jiao'er... I heard you were injured by the Shanyue... Are you truly alright?!"

No matter how ruthless or somber Li Yuanjiao was outside, upon hearing those words, he could no longer hold back. He knelt with a thud before her, choking out, "Mother! Your son is fine!"

Muyalu simply smiled, gazing at him, observing his expression and demeanor.

In general opinion, Li Yuanjiao was invariably associated with suspicion and ruthlessness; even his appearance and demeanor weren't considered kindly. Yet, in Muyalu's eyes, he was utterly outstanding. She simply held his hand and continued to smile.

Xiao Guilan motioned for all the servants to leave and closed the room's door tightly. Only then did she notice another person seated in a nearby chair, so emaciated as to be almost unrecognizable, like a piece of withered wood draped in a grey robe, quietly leaning against the side.

"Father."

Li Xuanxuan opened his eyes and nodded, his gaze fixed on Li Yuanjiao. These had been his hardest years, plagued by constant illusions. He squinted at Li Yuanjiao, as if trying to recall something.

The atmosphere among the three family members was profoundly somber. Li Yuanjiao, not one for tender words, simply remained kneeling, watching Muyalu struggle to breathe.

Muyalu merely smiled, looking at him, as if she had nothing more to say, or perhaps had already said it all. Eventually, her lips and teeth grew cold, her hands and feet became icy, and her arms turned a bruised, dark color.

He let out a short cough. Li Xuanxuan stood up, about to say something, but Li Yuanjiao simply carried his mother out, leaving him alone in the room to puff on his pipe.

The sun was strong, its dazzling light streaming through the door and windows, illuminating his strained face. Li Xuanxuan's expression was blank, yet his hands trembled, revealing an intensely turbulent inner state.

He coughed twice and approached Xiao Guilan. From his storage pouch, he pulled out three stacks of talismans—intricately patterned, brightly colored, with all sorts of varieties. He then began:

"Guilan! These are the ones I drew this year!"

Xiao Guilan took them, still in a daze. Li Xuanxuan mumbled something unintelligible before soaring away on the wind, heading towards Lijing Mountain to retrieve blank talisman paper.

For a moment, Xiao Guilan was left standing alone, unsure whether to hold onto the talismans in her hand or put them away. Her heart ached and throbbed with agitation. She finally placed them on a nearby table and hurried after Li Yuanjiao.

Xiao Guilan flew around on the wind, searching, until she finally found her husband.

Li Yuanjiao stood before Li Tongya's tomb. His expression had quickly settled, showing no trace of grief. He rested his hand on his sword, silent.

The tomb behind him had been constructed by his elder brother, Li Yuanxiu. There were scattered ashes, and its edges, smoothed by years of touch, felt much softer. It was a cenotaph, and more than half of the tombs in the Li family cemetery were cenotaphs.

Li Yuanjiao let out a breath, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Guilan's face. He asked, "What else has happened at home?"

Xiao Guilan nodded, unable to discern his true state. She paused hesitantly, then softly said, "Monk Kongheng has departed."

"Departed?"

Li Yuanjiao showed no surprise, merely replying, "Did he return north or go to Heavenly Thunder Peak? And what about Li Xijun?"

Xiao Guilan whispered, "He went to Heavenly Thunder Peak."

"Heavenly Thunder Peak."

Li Yuanjiao's expression turned somewhat grim. He whispered, "Let's go back to Green Rhododendron Peak and ask Xijun."