Chapter 494: Breakup

The Profound Mirror Immortal Clan

Qingdu Mountain.

The long-empty great hall finally had occupants. A young man in white held a stack of letters, examining them carefully, while Li Yuexiang sat beside him, occasionally adding a comment or two.

Li Xijun had just achieved a breakthrough and spent several days consolidating his cultivation. Soon after, he left his cave dwelling to attend to family matters. Upon reviewing the handed-over letters, he gained a full understanding of the family's affairs and raised an eyebrow in surprise:

"Yuan Huduo, this person is quite something."

According to the intelligence gathered, the Yuan family had stabilized, now under the control of Second Elder Yuan Huduo. This was not surprising in itself. What was strange was that Yuan Huduo had released all opponents, both high and low, from the coup, reinstating them into their respective lineages. Apart from a few people injured during the conflict, no one else was harmed, and not even a few heads rolled.

"How dare he!"

While this undoubtedly preserved the Yuan family's strength, his usurpation of the patriarch's position, which rightfully belonged to Yuan Huyuan, was an indelible stain. With so few loyalists under him, wouldn't failing to seize this opportunity to eliminate dissidents be digging his own grave? Even with the Chi family's support, he shouldn't be so overconfident.

The situation completely defied everyone's expectations. Even Yuan Chengdun and Yuan Huyuan likely hadn't foreseen it, let alone the neighboring families. After the Yuan family's internal strife, superficially, only Yuan Huyuan had disappeared, an ambiguous detail that raised suspicions.

"Most likely... it's the Chi family's intention. Let's just observe."

A look of suspicion appeared on Li Xijun's face, as if he had some ominous premonitions. He watched silently for a while. Li Xuanxuan, observing quietly from the side, had an inscrutable expression on his aged face:

"I remember meeting Yuan Huyuan once when I was young. Our ancestor had just achieved Foundation Establishment, and he came to offer congratulations. He said something then."

"He said... he wanted to be the one who portions the feast on the Qingchi table, not just a mere dog of flesh... But now, it seems even the one who portions the feast is merely a pawn in the eyes of the Chi family. What good is a marriage alliance then..."

Li Xijun said:

"There's no such thing as someone who portions the feast. It all boils down to whether one has attained the Purple Mansion realm, or if there's any lingering favor with a Purple Mansion cultivator... Xiang'er, continue."

Li Yuexiang nodded and continued to explain recent events, speaking until she reached the matter of Yuan Fuyao. Li Xijun listened with a frown until she finished, then suddenly raised a hand to stop her, saying softly:

"Have you observed carefully? Is Yuan Fuyao truly oblivious? And Yuan Huyuan didn't send loyal people to follow him?"

"No, he didn't."

Li Yuexiang replied, then hesitated:

"It's not entirely like he knows nothing; it's more like he has fragmented bits of information, but is missing many crucial details."

Li Xuanxuan paused slightly upon hearing this, a look of surprise on his face. He couldn't help but ask Li Xijun:

"I didn't understand this person's intentions before. I thought it was fine that Yuan Chengdun didn't send anyone to follow the child, but didn't Yuan Huyuan know to send a reliable person to watch him? To let him act on his own here, he's just a half-grown child, what could he possibly understand..."

"Oh?"

Li Xijun lowered his head, made a few annotations on the paper with his brush, paused for a few breaths, and then said softly:

"Yuan Chengdun trusted the wrong person and fell into the schemes of Yuan Huyuan and Yuan Huduo!"

"What?"

At his words, both Li Yuexiang and Li Xuanxuan were greatly shocked, pondering in silence. Li Xijun had some theories and said softly:

"I'm afraid Yuan Tuan is beyond help too."

Before he could speak, someone approached from below, whispering a few words into his ear. Li Xijun's expression subtly darkened, and he said:

"He's gone out?"

"Reporting, my lord, this young master claimed to be in secluded cultivation, but in fact, he left the territory late at night and headed south. Our people followed quietly for a while, not daring to stop him, and could only let him go."

"He has probably returned to the Yuan family."

Li Xuanxuan, being at the late stage of Qi Condensation, couldn't possibly have missed those whispered words. His expression grew displeased as he spoke:

"How could he act like that! Is he not afraid of offending our family! Thankfully, this matter was a private agreement between our two families, otherwise, if word got out, people would think he ran away from the marriage!"

Li Xijun, however, set down the letters he held, leaned back in the wooden chair, his sword-like brows furrowed in thought, and mused:

"If you ask me, as long as Yuan Chengdun isn't confirmed dead, there's another path for this Yuan family youth, even if he offends our family. It's hard to say Yuan Huyuan isn't hedging his bets and playing some tricks."

Li Xuanxuan was a little confused and began to ponder carefully. He then saw Li Xijun nonchalantly sip his tea and reply:

"Wait a moment. If Yuan Huyuan and Yuan Huduo are truly in league, and Yuan Chengdun trusted the wrong person, then Yuan Huyuan will be arriving at our family's territory very soon."

Li Yuexiang, deep in thought, murmured:

"Could it be that the Yuan family's chaos was intentional?"

No sooner had he spoken than a commotion arose from below. A Jade Court Guard, armor clanking, came forward and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"Reporting, my lord, Yuan Huyuan of the Yuan family requests an audience."

Li Xijun chuckled, glanced at Li Xuanxuan, and said coldly:

"Indeed, it seems the direct lineage put on quite a show of fighting, sacrificing Yuan Chengdun and his son for the greater good! The Yuan family wants to completely sever ties with our family, with Qinghui, and with Yuan Tuan, so they can be a good dog for the Chi family!"

Although the Yuan family's standing in the Qingchi Sect had declined day by day, they still held considerable influence and maintained a degree of autonomy. The late Yuan Licheng, who had passed away in meditation, was a disciple of Chi Buzi, which had contributed to the Yuan family's prosperity for many years.

But now, with Yuan Licheng's passing and Chi Buzi's disappearance, the Yuan family had become a battleground for two sects, destined to become a vassal of the Chi family.

"It seems Yuan Chengdun might have left people or messages to warn the young man, but they were all intercepted by Yuan Huyuan."

He smiled, revealing his white teeth, and said softly:

"How could the Chi family's dogs collude with the Xiao family's dogs? But they had no choice but to obey the Chi family's orders. They needed to sever ties clearly with several families, making it known to all, yet they were also afraid of genuinely offending our family. So they pushed out Yuan Huyuan as a compromise to ease tensions. What cunning schemes! What cunning schemes!"

How could Li Xuanxuan not understand now? After a moment of contemplation, he murmured:

"You mean... the Yuan family never intended to resist, but had already pledged allegiance to the Chi family, merely putting on a show to gain others' trust? Yuan Huyuan and Yuan Huduo were in collusion all along, and Yuan Chengdun's good intentions were exploited by Yuan Huyuan to embarrass our family and please his superiors?"

Li Xijun narrowed his eyes and said:

"More or less. Our family is allied with the Ning and Xiao families. Since the Yuan family has become a dog, they naturally can't maintain their old ways, so they've hedged their bets."

"On one hand, whether Yuan Tuan can be found and whether our family can be dragged into this. If both of these can be clearly ascertained, the Yuan family would naturally want to be independent..."

"On the other hand, if our family refuses to get involved in this matter, this strange marriage alliance can still be publicly used to sever ties with our family. Regardless of whether our family agreed or not, as long as it's spread that Yuan Fuyao broke the engagement and fled, the two families can be completely separated."

He quickly clarified his deductions, saying softly:

"It's likely that on the day he came to ask Grand-Uncle if he could offer assistance and received a negative answer, Yuan Huyuan decided to side with the Chi family. Yuan Chengdun's letters would then never reach Yuan Fuyao. Regardless, this person has become the fuse for the rupture between the two families."

Li Xuanxuan listened, filled with sorrow and indignation, and said:

"Yuan Huyuan had met my uncle-father. I had thought he would maintain good relations with our family for generations. How could it come to this end? Even if forced by circumstances, there's no need for such methods!"

He was about to get up and leave, but Li Xijun calmed him down. The young man said:

"I will handle him."

When Yuan Huyuan entered, he appeared quite disheveled and his aura was weak. He saw a handsome young man come forward, clad in snow-white robes, with Li Yuexiang beside him. He paused, startled, and tentatively said:

"Might I inquire, Daoist Xuanxuan..."

"Senior, you've arrived at an inconvenient time. My elder is in secluded cultivation... I am Li Xijun, and Yuexiang is my younger sister. We greet Senior Huyuan."

Yuan Huyuan subtly glanced at the young man's expression, feeling that he would be even harder to deal with than Li Xuanxuan. He said hoarsely:

"Another Foundation Establishment cultivator. Your esteemed clan truly produces an abundance of talents, inspiring admiration."

Li Xijun shook his head and said softly:

"Senior, you flatter me. May I ask the purpose of your visit?"

Yuan Huyuan's aged face fell, and he said sorrowfully:

"I stand alone, unable to support the family... The Yuan family has fallen into my younger brother's hands. He is wholeheartedly devoted to the Chi family, becoming their vassal... I fear... he might disregard the long-standing friendship between our two families and do something foolish!"

"Oh?"

Li Xijun said with surprise:

"Is it to reclaim the betrothal gifts? That would be a minor matter."

Feigning complete ignorance, he called over a Jade Court Guard beside him and said softly:

"Go and invite Young Master Yuan here."

Yuan Huyuan felt a tingling sensation in his feet. Just as he was about to speak, Li Xijun politely took his hand and said softly:

"Senior Yuan, our two families have enjoyed friendship for generations. You've even met our ancestor! The congratulatory gift, the 'Coiling Dragon Pillar,' still serves as our family head's personal sword to this day! How could anyone possibly betray another... Given Senior Yuan Huyuan's friendship, my sister can continue to converse with him for a few more days..."

These words made beads of sweat appear on Yuan Huyuan's forehead. He said weakly:

"Actually... I'm afraid..."

Just then, a Jade Court Guard rushed in, knelt, and reported loudly:

"Reporting, my lord! Young Master Yuan has fled!"

"Fled?"

Li Xijun exclaimed in surprise, feigning complete disbelief, and merely chuckled:

"How could that be... Go check the farmlands again..."

Yuan Huyuan's aged face was already slick with sweat. He pleaded sorrowfully:

"Xijun... Xijun, please don't search anymore! He was called back by my younger brother long ago! Let this matter be considered settled! I only apologize to Miss Yuexiang!"

Li Xijun's expression instantly changed. After several long breaths, he asked quietly:

"Senior, if you did not wish for this marriage alliance, you could have said so directly. Why go to such lengths to embarrass our family!"

Yuan Huyuan felt tormented. He reluctantly looked up at Li Xijun, staring for a moment, and vaguely seemed to see the likeness of that grey-robed middle-aged man from years ago. Immediately, he couldn't sit still on the wooden chair beneath him.

He had met several generations of the Li family. While none had given him the profound, mountain-like presence of Li Tongya from back then, Li Xijun was like a blade hidden in snow, seemingly seeing through all his calculations. He pleaded sorrowfully:

"I have already lost control of my family; how can I restrain my younger brother? I fear he will widely publicize this to sever the ties between our two families, Yuexiang... Yuexiang... I, this old man, truly never expected such an outcome!"

The 'widely publicize' in his words was self-evident: the Yuan family, to completely break with the Li family, intended to frame this matter as a broken engagement. He raised his aged face to look at Li Yuexiang, only to be met with her smiling, pretty face.

He had expected Li Yuexiang to be angry or mortified, but instead, he saw her phoenix-like eyes subtly blink, and her voice was soft:

"It's alright, Senior. I'm fine."

Even though her voice sounded calm, Yuan Huyuan felt a chill rise within him, as if he heard the clear ring of a sword and the unsaid words in her eyes:

"But your family might not be so fortunate."

Yuan Huyuan could say nothing more. He silently stepped back, left the great hall, and saw a woman in jade armor standing outside, holding a spear. She seemed to have been listening for a long time. Her almond-shaped eyes lifted slightly, and she said softly:

"I will escort Senior out."

Yuan Huyuan's scalp tingled. He was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had barely managed to achieve his cultivation with the help of medicinal pills, and his cultivation was even inferior to Li Qinghong's. If he were to fight her, he didn't know how many rounds it would take. He could only murmur:

"So it's Qinghong."

Li Qinghong rode the wind with him and said softly:

"It's understandable that your esteemed clan had no choice but to pledge allegiance to the Chi family, but these methods are too dirty. The long-standing friendship between our two families... it shouldn't come to this."

Yuan Huyuan sighed sadly. Li Qinghong paused, then continued:

"Your esteemed clan has simultaneously played tricks on our family, Yuan Chengdun, and Qinghui Peak, and has also caused our family to lose face with Yuan Chengdun, thus severing the friendship between our two families... However, if Senior still holds some regard for our family, I hope you will spare Yuan Fuyao's life."

At this point, Yuan Huyuan understood that his family's schemes had been largely seen through. He said softly:

"Yuan Fuyao will be fine. We are watching him very closely, please rest assured."

Li Qinghong cupped her fist, then rode the lightning back, leaving Yuan Huyuan to fly away alone. Recalling his decades of friendship with Li Yuanjiao and Li Xuanxuan, he felt utterly disheartened, murmuring:

"It's just... the Sword Immortal defeated Chi Ziyun with a single sword back then, and the Li family has been secretly close with the Xiao family. The Chi family has always been displeased; how could they allow me to maintain old ties! If I weren't ruthless enough, how could I silence the Chi family's cold remarks!"

He gazed at the horizon, feeling an emptiness in his heart. Recalling Li Yuexiang's words and smile, he again felt fear:

"Li Yuanjiao has a viper's nature, and his daughter is probably not far off... Why did it have to be the Li family!"

If Yuan Huyuan had been allowed to choose, the Li family would have been the last among his many relatives and allies he would wish to offend. But caught in a tide of events, he had no other recourse and could only fly on, lost in thought.

Li Qinghong rode the wind back into the courtyard, where several people were gathered. Li Xijun nodded subtly. The aunt and nephew, though not having discussed it beforehand, had cooperated perfectly.

Li Xuanxuan spoke:

"I don't know what has become of Yuan Chengdun and Yuan Tuan. Even if they returned now, it would probably be too late to turn the tide... but we had originally promised Yuan Chengdun..."

"If Yuan Fuyao wants to leave, are we supposed to send people to capture him back?"

Li Xijun waved his hand and replied:

"Moreover, Yuexiang's agreement was conditional on Yuan Fuyao's willingness to stay. Who could have imagined Yuan Huyuan would act like this? Yuan Chengdun himself couldn't foresee it... His cultivation might be among the best, but in terms of political maneuvering, how could he contend with such an old fox?"

He said softly:

"This person will have no further connection with our family from now on. There's no need to mention him again!"

Li Xijun turned and looked at his sister, sighing:

"Only you have been wronged... As the Yuan family seeks to separate from ours, they will inevitably bring these matters up, leading to some gossip..."

Li Yuexiang smiled faintly, sitting gracefully by the table, and shook her head, saying:

"What does it matter? Others will only laugh at the Yuan family's fickle nature and at Yuan Fuyao's shortsightedness."