Chapter 483: Report and Response

Li Xuanfeng lowered his head, understanding he should not speak in response. He remained silent as Yuansu raised a hand and casually said, "Go to the East Sea once more, and kill some people for me." He reached into his sleeve, pulling out a piece of cloth covered densely with names. Many were from prominent families, but only a few were Foundation Establishment cultivators; most were young and unfamiliar. Li Xuanfeng nodded, gently took the cloth, and tucked it into his robes.

Yuansu then took a jade talisman from his bosom. His voice was low, and his usually languid and carefree demeanor finally revealed a hint of age. "This is an item from a Buddhist cultivator in the North. It can conceal one's fate. Use it when you kill so you won't be traced." Watching Li Xuanfeng accept it, he waved his hand dismissively. "Go now. Finish it within ten years." Li Xuanfeng bowed and retreated, flying all the way to his cave dwelling. He examined the list closely and saw names from various sects: Chijiao Island, Tangjin Gate, the Han family, even Xuanyue Sect, Hengzhu Dao, and Qingchi Sect. The sheer number of cultivators on that cloth alone was enough to thoroughly offend Yue State and the East Sea.

As Li Xuanfeng departed, a patch of mist dispersed, revealing Ning Heyuan kneeling on the other side of a jade platform, his face covered in sweat. Yuansu slowly rose, stood beside him, and softly asked, "Did you understand?" Ning Heyuan lowered his gaze and trembled as he replied, "True Lord, why go to such lengths...?" Ning Heyuan was not foolish; he clearly saw that almost no one in the Ning family could control Li Xuanfeng. If Yuansu were to die overnight and Ning Wan'er failed in her breakthrough, their future would be unpredictable. Having cultivated to the True Lord realm, Yuansu was naturally astute. He wouldn't solely tie Li Xuanfeng's loyalty to Ning Hemian. If Li Xizhi and Li Xuanfeng, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, were to guard the sect, and the Li family was on the rise, it would be hard to say who was whose vassal. The current plan, having Li Xuanfeng secretly kill these people, would naturally give the Ning family leverage. If exposed, it would be enough to ensure Li Xuanfeng's demise. Similarly, once Li Xuanfeng bore these blood debts, Yuansu wouldn't even need to intervene; Li Xuanfeng himself would sever all ties with the Li family. It was truly killing three birds with one stone. Yet, no matter how much Li Xuanfeng was controlled, the sense of security could not compare to Yuansu being alive. Ning Heyuan's hands trembled, and he wept, "Heyuan... Heyuan is of little use. There are still many things I need to learn from the True Lord... How can it... be like this? I fear the family will lose its support." True Lord Yuansu paused slightly, his expression twisting for a moment. His hands under his robes clenched tightly, as if restraining something. A Nascent Soul True Lord was not like an ordinary powerful person. Ordinary people become confused, weak, and powerless in their old age, unable to do what they wish. But a Nascent Soul cultivator, until the moment before their lifespan ends, still possesses divine power and remains conscious, watching themselves fall. The various signs of approaching demise envelop them, and this terror is tens of thousands of times greater than for an ordinary person. Thus, it was not uncommon for Nascent Soul cultivators to go on killing sprees and abuse their relatives and friends before death. Ning Heyuan had heard such stories and, seeing Yuansu's grim expression, quickly shut his mouth. After several breaths, Yuansu slowly opened his eyes, his face sinister. He stepped forward and uttered a single word: "Get out." Ning Heyuan quickly retreated, his armor clanking as he exited the cave dwelling. The heavy stone door closed, leaving Yuansu standing alone.

Ning Tiaoxiao instantly clenched his jaw in silence, then took a deep breath. The mist in the cave dwelling dissipated, and layers of faint light appeared on the stone wall, revealing vivid faces. Ning Tiaoxiao gazed deeply at these faces, counted their number, and after a quick calculation, despair washed over him. He muttered in a low voice, "Burning books, erasing names, substituting truth with falsehoods, blurring the real with the fake—there is no clear path left for people in this world." "Qun-ge..." "Chi Wei said that in a world where the righteous path is sealed, all deviant paths become the righteous path. Qun-ge... Tiaoxiao's lifespan is ending. I haven't waited for any immortals, only drunk a century more of the common people's blood, done a century more of evil deeds, merely waiting for death." The mist slowly rose, and his figure vanished into the white smoke. He lowered his head as if in repentance. The spiritual water on the ground stopped flowing and floated silently. "Only by doing this can our clan be protected." True Lord Yuansu is planning for matters after his death. This is a letter of allegiance.

Li Xuanfeng left the cave dwelling and flew straight to his residence. Only then did he take out the list to examine it carefully. He squinted, his hands trembling slightly, as names floated through his mind. As expected, almost every family friendly with the Li clan had someone on the list. "...Yuansu... what a move." Li Xuanfeng entered his residence wordlessly, looking utterly dejected. Ning Hemian was sitting in the courtyard, bathed in gentle sunlight, while their child read aloud. The man stopped, crossing his arms, lost in thought as if caught in a hallucination. The sunlight was just as soft, the small courtyard as tranquil, and a molting goose waddled and cackled about the yard. Yet, Yishan City's aura was soaring, and geese flying south never ventured over this city. The Ning family's threshold was equally high, etched with array formations, so a flapping goose should not have been able to fly in. "Husband!" Ning Hemian looked up in surprise, her bright eyes filled with joy, which struck terror into Li Xuanfeng's heart. He didn't hear his wife's soft, gentle, whispered words; his stomach churned, and he felt as though he might vomit. Two faces flashed repeatedly in his mind, making him grit his teeth. Li Xuanfeng stood pale and motionless, the scene of his wife and child's tragic death resurfacing before his eyes, intertwining with the present. Things he had buried deep in his memory and deliberately avoided now emerged layer by layer. He gasped for breath until Ning Hemian stepped forward, shook his arm, her eyes full of worry and affection. Only then did the gloom in his mind recede, and he gently waved her off. His complexion quickly returned to normal. He sat on a stone stool for a moment, his eyes somewhat vacant. To whom should he exact this revenge? He already knew a great deal: it was a transaction between Chi Wei and Jiang Boqing that forced Tangjin Gate to move south. At that time, Chi Ziyun didn't want to dirty his hands, so he had the Ning family oversee things and provide covert protection. Now Chi Wei was dead, and Jiang Boqing was also dead. Where was this revenge to be found? Should he direct it at Ning Wan'er and the Ning family who orchestrated it? Or attribute all the hatred to the Chi family? After much deliberation, Li Xuanfeng gripped his golden bow and closed his eyes. "Now... I am ordered to kill, to slaughter the families of my friends and relatives, as a letter of allegiance. I am no different from Tangjin Gate, the Ning family, the Xiao family, or even the Qingchi dogs back then." "How am I different from those who killed Yu'er and her mother? Enjoying immortal clan wealth, marrying, and having children—if Yu'er knew, she would surely spit on my shamelessness." His brows furrowed again, showing a dark expression, his lips trembling. The sky quickly darkened. A chilling, venomous fire seemed to burn within Li Xuanfeng's heart, making his limbs cold and his mind hazy. The courtyard was empty now, only Ning Hemian still sat gently before him, holding his hand, saying nothing. He looked up at his wife, but how could he possibly say such words? A thorn formed in his throat. He trembled for a long time before finally saying, "Mian'er, True Lord wants me to kill people." Ning Hemian was exceptionally clever. She lowered her gaze, took the list from his hand, and slowly tightened her grip on his. She forced herself to say, "This is a letter of allegiance..." Li Xuanfeng's heart felt like an unmoving block of ice as he listened to Ning Hemian read, her face pale as she went through the names: "Xiao Fu... this is Xiao Guitu's sixth grandson... Kong Gujun... is Kong Yu's own nephew! Cheng En... an inner disciple of the Sword Gate... though not highly regarded... he is still a Sword Gate member... True Lord... True Lord, this!" Ning Hemian suddenly stood up from her seat, her pretty face as white as paper, and was about to fly off with the wind, but Li Xuanfeng pulled her back. His lips were pale as he whispered, "My family killed Yu Muxian." These words struck Ning Hemian like thunder. She sat down blankly, watching Li Xuanfeng stare at the ground, not meeting her gaze. The couple remained silent. Li Xuanfeng said, "There is no other plan for this matter. If the sin lies with heaven and earth, let it fall upon me alone, and not implicate... others." Ning Hemian's hands slowly fell to her sides. She watched silently. Under the moonlight, his temples had turned completely white.

It was September, and the rains were incessant. The population of Lijing Town had been scattered and idle for several years. With the continuous rain, crops couldn't grow and simply rotted in the fields, turning black. Famine had begun outside. Areas with stable power were relatively better off; as long as Qi Condensation cultivators could take flight, they could always exchange for large quantities of food no matter where they went. The fertile land of Jiangnan was rich, and with effort, people wouldn't starve. The Yu family had shattered into six or seven smaller clans, and the lives of the common people had actually improved. These external family members were sparsely populated and eager to promote cultivators from humble backgrounds. Coupled with warnings from the Li family, they naturally wouldn't be stingy with grain. Li Chengliao was in the hall, reading with the heir apparent on his lap, when a man came up from below. The man was clad in armor, a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, holding a large golden hammer in one hand. He was tall and imposing—it was Li Wen. As a rare outstanding individual from a collateral branch of the Li family, Li Wen had gradually climbed to the peak of power he could attain. He was fiercely loyal, his two golden hammers guarding several generations of family heads, though most of the time, his services weren't needed. Li Chengliao was gradually taking over power from Li Xicheng, and Li Wen, like a banner, was transferred to his command, becoming an obvious signal of succession. Li Chengliao was courteous to this elder. He set Li Zhouwei down from his lap, looked up, and saw the strong man say, "Reporting, Young Master, Guest Elder Lu is here to see you." "Guest Elder Lu?" Li Chengliao was not surprised. This man was the culprit behind Yu Mugao's death and the Yu family's disintegration. Just as he was about to question him, Li Wen continued, "This person was intercepted by Senior Wushao on the lake and cannot advance or retreat. Senior Wushao called Old Ancestor Ximing there, and the three of them are now in a standoff on the lake." Li Wen had a rough temperament but spoke unhurriedly. This matter was quite significant. Li Chengliao raised an eyebrow, quickly stood up, and hurried out, asking, "He's just a mere Qi Condensation cultivator... how can he command two Foundation Establishment cultivators to meet him?!" He hesitated for a moment, then flew up into the wind, watching from afar. Guest Elder Lu, clad in white robes, holding a fan, floated lightly onto the lake surface, showing no fear of the Foundation Establishment demonic creature before him. He took a few steps in the air and saw a man in golden Daoist robes approaching with the wind. When the two joined him, he finally dropped his frivolous demeanor, cupped his hands slightly, and smiled, "An old friend visits. Will you two not invite me in for a seat?" Li Wushao's face was grim as he stared intently at him. This person was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator; logically, he could not possibly be a mere Yu family guest elder. Li Wushao waited for Li Ximing to speak. Li Ximing felt a little nervous, but having received some education in his youth, though unused for years, he could still manage with a brave face. Adopting an appropriate demeanor, he extended his hand and said, "Daoist friend, please." Guest Elder Lu was utterly fearless. He followed the two into the formation, then chuckled and cupped his hands again, saying, "I am Jiang Heqian. I had the good fortune of fighting alongside Daoist Friend Tongya, so we have some acquaintance. I wonder if your esteemed clan still remembers." As soon as these words were uttered, Li Ximing was instantly startled. He had read the clan history; how could he not know: Back then, the Yu family was flourishing, with two Foundation Establishment cultivators in charge. They established the dense forest market and wanted to advance further, but they simultaneously encroached upon the interests of several families, even drawing the displeasure of the Xiao family. Li Tongya united various parties. Not only did he kill the Yu family's Old Ancestor, but he also destroyed their market. The destruction of this market was achieved by allying with Fei Wangbai and Jiang Heqian, a survivor of the Jiang family, causing the Yu family immense losses. Jiang Heqian played a crucial role in easily breaking the Yu family's grand array. Li Ximing had only read this name in books, and now, seeing a historical figure before him, a sense of antiquity washed over him. But what followed was a profound sense of horror. "This man is an orphan of the Jiang family. The Jiang family was once founded by an outer disciple of the Moon Splendor Nascent Soul Manor. Many forces had been searching for him, but his whereabouts were never known." "Who knew... who knew he would disguise himself as a Qi Condensation guest elder, enduring for decades in the Yu family, ultimately not only causing Yu Mugao's death but also instigating the Yu family's division..." At this point, Li Ximing had a sudden realization: "No wonder... no wonder the Yu family, a dignified aristocratic clan, had no means of stabilization and almost collapsed so easily! If Yuanwu Peak hadn't intervened once, the Yu family would have fallen long ago!" "So it was this person pushing things from behind... wanting an eye for an eye! Blood for blood!" One must know that the Jiang family had once prospered. The Yu family and An family were once collateral branches of the Jiang family. Later, the main branch lost power and was silently pushed by several surrounding immortal sects, leading to its fragmentation. The Yu family was the biggest beneficiary among them, producing many geniuses over the next few decades, which led to their current situation. And Jiang Heqian, after a century of patience, literally repaid these things with vengeance. The feeling of incredulity had just passed. Li Ximing thought it over and found that this plan was indeed feasible. The Jiang family's inheritance should contain concealment techniques for their aura. Although it couldn't deceive Foundation Establishment cultivators of equal cultivation, it was enough to fool those Qi Condensation cultivators. By the time Yu Xiaogui died, the Yu family no longer had Foundation Establishment cultivators. Who could possibly discover his true cultivation? Even the spies from various families only had cultivation at most, and simply couldn't see through him. "Brilliant... truly brilliant..." Jiang Heqian admired his expression with satisfaction, seemingly deriving pleasure from his successful revenge. He laughed heartily, pointed to the North, and asked with a smile, "How about it? Do your esteemed clan still find Yu Mugao's head and this grand gift pleasing to the eye?" He laughed heartily, even with a hint of madness, then slowly calmed down and said with some regret, "It's just a pity... Daoist Friend Tongya and Wangbai couldn't witness it themselves. It lessens the satisfaction!"

Grandmaster Shenxi has provided ten prayer beads for a book giveaway. We have opened a steward activity group. Those who wish to participate, please use the one-click join link below. The draw is expected in the next day or two.