Chapter 580: North Line

The two fell silent for a moment. Another person approached from below. Li Xuanxuan listened closely as An Siwei whispered, "My Lord, Lady An is pregnant."

The Lady An he referred to was, of course, one of Li Zhouwei's concubines. A few months earlier, this would have been a cause for celebration for Li Xuanxuan, but now, hearing it, his heart sank. The old man, however, smiled and reassured him, "Go down and take her to Qingdu. Let the master examine her..."

Kong Heng listened from the side. Li Ximing waited with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze lingering on An Siwei's face. Once An Siwei had left, he softly asked, "This matter... does the master have a solution?"

Kong Heng could only close his eyes and shake his head. He replied, "Let's examine the lady first."

The three landed on the peak, carried by the wind, and took their seats in the hall, one after another. Li Ximing held his tea, pondering for a few breaths, just as Lady An entered from outside the hall.

The woman's face was rounder, and she appeared gentler than Lady Xu. She slowly approached, a little nervous. Just as she was about to bow, Li Xuanxuan immediately supported her. Kong Heng looked her over, felt her pulse, and with one hand, formed a hand seal.

He used his spiritual light to probe twice, first ensuring there were no signs of reincarnation within her. He dared not perform further divination. Instead, he merely pondered, recalling the appearance of Lady Xu he had seen earlier. After musing for a moment, he nodded slightly.

Li Ximing made no move, still staring at his tea. Li Xuanxuan said in a hoarse voice, "You may leave now."

"Yes," Lady An replied softly, and slowly walked out of the great hall. Only then did the narrow-eyed monk whisper, "I have examined her carefully. The lady's issue is not major. If I had been within the clan earlier, with my Buddhist cultivation's secret methods for stabilizing life and nourishing the body, I could have also saved Lady Xu's life."

Li Xuanxuan felt a sense of relief. Li Ximing finally raised an eyebrow and asked with emphasis, "Is there any hope for the child? Will Jiang Ao have any abnormalities in the future?"

Kong Heng seemed troubled. He replied in a low voice, "The young lord's matter is beyond my capabilities. Just by looking at young lord Jiang Ao's appearance, I fear it bodes ill. We still need to wait several years to observe him carefully..."

Li Jiang Ao's mouth full of fangs and the greedy look in his eyes still lingered in Li Ximing's mind. He surmised that Kong Heng's "bodes ill" was probably an understatement. He simply asked, "Will this child also be like Jiang Ao?"

"I cannot be certain..." Kong Heng replied. "Matters of destiny and bloodline involve spiritual essence, spiritual aura, time of birth, and parents... Even cultivators of the Purple Mansion and Golden Core realms in the Great Wei, Northern Qi, and Great Liang dynasties cannot fully grasp such things. It is not something a humble monk like me can weigh."

"However..." He gave a wry smile and continued, "Those with the Mingyang bloodline often have many children, and even Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion cultivators frequently have descendants. There will certainly be someone capable of carrying on the great legacy..."

Kong Heng's words were clear. Li Ximing nodded, instructing him to go and check on Lady An, then lowered his head again. Li Xuanxuan sat somewhat uneasily and whispered, "What about Jiang Ao then..."

"Just raise him as he is," Li Ximing replied and continued, "Since Kong Heng can save the lady, let Zhouwei marry a few more women and try for more children."

Li Xuanxuan could only assent, then added, "As for Lady Xu..."

"Do not let the news spread for now."

Li Ximing was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke. "I don't know if Zhouwei will resist this; I noticed he has some affection for his concubines. But he understands what's important and should follow the arrangements."

Li Xuanxuan seemed to look at his grandson with a touch of unfamiliarity, observing his golden robe shimmering brightly in the sunlight, rippling with a radiant glow. His late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation made his face appear somewhat ethereal in the bright light.

Li Ximing drank his tea and said gravely, "Though Second Uncle-Grandpa is skilled with the divine bow and archery, if he falls into Qingchi's hands, he might not be able to look after the family. Aunt and Xizhi have both disappeared into the demonic clouds, Wushao's life is precarious, and it's uncertain how many will return from the north."

He looked at Li Xuanxuan's aged face and said softly, "The Purple Mansion realm is elusive. A Mingyang bloodline descendant appears only once every few centuries. We must preserve this bloodline. Whether they are like wolves or tigers, even if they don't resemble their father, they are still better than ordinary people."

Li Xuanxuan was stunned by what he heard, but he hadn't expected the man to fall silent for a moment and then continue, "If the Mingyang power is too intense, we might even need to bring Li Jiang Ao back. Though he is not human-like, even beasts know how to procreate! Through many generations and many children, there will always be someone with a human temperament and extraordinary talent!"

"You..." Li Xuanxuan fell silent as he listened. Li Ximing's words were not without reason, but they struck him as cold and heartless. The old man looked at the radiant glow emanating from the young Daoist before him and suddenly realized, "He is no longer the stubborn child he once was, solely focused on cultivation. His cultivation has reached a high level, and the family must now listen to him..."

"Yet this mercilessness is as it always was. If this is done, where will the clan laws stand? How will the family rules be viewed? In a hundred years, chaos will surely rage. With only this Mingyang lineage, where will the four other branches stand? Won't it become a laughingstock!"

He was silent for a moment, then gently advised, "There's no rush yet. Perhaps there will be a turn for the better later."

Li Ximing nodded and asked in a low voice, "Should I go north to take a look and offer some assistance?"

How could Li Xuanxuan agree? The old man tactfully said, "It's kind of you to offer, but you must not go north again."

"I will go to refine elixirs," Li Ximing said. "If anything happens, just send someone to call me." Li Ximing bowed in return and withdrew, but his words weighed heavily on the old man's mind. Li Xuanxuan thought gravely, "The balance among the four branches relies entirely on the direct Qingdu lineage intermingling with them from childhood. If the Mingyang descendants gradually grow in power, and the Mingyang are inherently autocratic, how can they consider ordinary people as brothers? They will likely declare themselves the true lineage and despise the four branches."

He didn't know if he would live to see that day, but Li Xuanxuan had seen too much. The old man sat down in his seat and pondered, "This matter still needs to be discussed with Xijun. I also don't know how his injuries are."

If not for the precious medicine, the Earth-Gazing Bloodstone, Li Xijun would have perished on the lake that day. He had been in seclusion for several years without a sound, and the old man had never dared to disturb him.

After leaving the hall, Li Ximing had just reached his elixir pavilion when several people were already waiting outside. At the forefront was An Siwei, behind whom followed a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his thirties, leading a woman by his side and holding a child in his hand.

Li Ximing paused and glanced at them, directing a questioning look towards An Siwei. The middle-aged man behind him, who had been bowing, immediately stepped forward and whispered, "Father..."

"Oh!" Li Ximing was startled for a moment. "Cheng Zhi..." he replied.

The person before him was indeed his eldest son, Li Chengzhi. Born without spiritual apertures, he had been sent down the mountain soon after. Li Ximing cultivated in seclusion daily, and years passed by in the blink of an eye for him, so he no longer recognized his eldest son.

The middle-aged man, Li Chengzhi, hurriedly pulled the child forward and said nervously, "Father! Chengzhi understands that your time cannot be delayed. At that time, I married my wife, and later Zhou Ming was born. Unfortunately, you were in seclusion, Father, so I dared not enter the mountain... Today, the child was found to have spiritual apertures... Chengzhi truly dared not delay, so I shamelessly came into the mountain!"

Even if Li Ximing had a heart of stone, these words deeply affected him. He pulled the child closer and examined him. After a careful inquiry, he found that his talent was indeed extremely poor.

"Grandfather..." the child called out eagerly. Li Ximing had no choice but to lead him, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart and awkward facing them. Waving his hand to hide his emotions, he said, "Leave him with me for a while to observe. If there's nothing, you may withdraw!"

The couple thanked him profusely and withdrew. Li Ximing inexplicably asked, "How are they doing now?"

An Siwei whispered, "According to clan rules, direct lineage mortals are not allowed to engage in business, hold power, acquire land, or inherit houses... The young master now makes a living by teaching."

Li Ximing had someone take the child away. He carefully watched as the child arranged his belongings and discovered that the child had already brought his luggage. A strange feeling arose in his heart. He said softly, "Take me down to see them."

An Siwei took the order. The two descended together, carried by the wind, quickly passing through a large area of orderly houses and halls, braving the late winter's cold wind. A continuous stretch of lights shone, and they stopped above a small house in the town.

The small house did not appear luxurious; it was just an ordinary dwelling. Its roof tiles were blackened, and several were broken and had not been repaired.

Li Ximing had been delayed for over half an hour, and it was late at night. The couple had already retired for the night. He stopped on the rooftop, staring at the crack, and suddenly stood still.

His Foundation Establishment level hearing allowed him to clearly hear every sound even from the rooftop. He heard his daughter-in-law's voice say, "Now that we have a powerful backer, Ming'er's path in the future will surely be smooth."

"Indeed!" Li Chengzhi's voice was no longer as humble and submissive as before, revealing a hint of triumph. He said furtively, "What's more... Father has no close relatives by his side. The north is frequently calling for conscription, and I heard they lost again recently. They will surely summon more people."

"I heard that alchemist cultivators are often not good at combat," he continued. "Just imagine... if by some great fortune something happens to him in the north, his possessions will definitely be left to Zhou Ming... there won't be any need to share them!"

From the side, the woman's voice suddenly came, enlightened. "Husband... what a brilliant idea! The legacy of a Foundation Establishment alchemist... who knows how many immortal elixirs and medicines... perhaps even Foundation Establishment artifacts..."

The couple delightfully discussed their plans. An Siwei listened, sweat beading on his forehead, a hint of anger on his face.

Li Ximing, however, was much calmer. He waved his hand to stop An Siwei, then carried him into the wind, flying towards the mountain without looking back.

The bright moon was brilliant, its pure white light falling upon his face. Li Ximing waved his hand and instructed, "There's no need to report this to the Clan Chief. I have been heartless first, so I cannot blame others. It's natural for them to wish for my death... As for being hypocritical, two-faced, exploiting relationships, and seeking benefits..."

He said softly, "My father also taught me this way. He didn't need his father to teach him; he learned it by experiencing life in the secular world. He is even better than me at it."

By the shore of Moon-Gazing Lake.

Li Zhouwei landed by the shore, carried by the wind. The snow on Moon-Gazing Lake had melted, and the green of early spring was spreading along the shore, appearing quite pleasant.

Xu Peiyu was, after all, a concubine. He buried her at the foot of Lijing Mountain, and her guards and maidservants were strictly confined. The news had not spread, and Li Jiang Ao's birth was also kept quiet. Only a few people in Qingdu knew.

He walked along the shore for a while, and his heart gradually settled. He had no deep feelings for Xu Peiyu; it was just that the Mingyang allure caused those with weak resolve to quickly succumb to carnal desires. He had intended things well, giving Xu Peiyu the status and life she desired, and the woman had always lived a joyful life. But he never expected her to suddenly die because of this matter.

Li Zhouwei had just walked for a while longer when someone else came forward to report. An Siwei's voice was slightly lower and grave. "Your Highness, someone has arrived from the north again."

Although An Siwei had a reserved personality, his father, An Zheyuan, had just gone missing in the north. Chen Mufeng, Li Wen, Li Minggong, and others had all disappeared without a trace. The Qingchi Sect had sent people again, most likely for another conscription. Seeing this, even he felt a bit resentful.

Li Zhouwei had anticipated this; it came later than he expected. As he rose into the wind, he asked, "Who have they sent? Where is Zhao Tinggui?"

An Siwei descended into the mountain with him and replied, "The newcomer calls himself Ning Heyuan."

'It's him!' Li Zhouwei arrived before the hall. From a distance, he heard Li Xuanxuan's polite voice exchanging pleasantries, and then Ning Heyuan chuckle, "Elder, you are too kind! Heyuan also visited your esteemed clan back then. I was young and impetuous then, and even sparred with Daoist Qinghong."

Li Zhouwei entered the hall, turning sideways. Li Ximing had not yet arrived, so he waited at the side. Ning Heyuan glanced at him, then couldn't help but look at him twice more. He pondered for a moment and thought to himself, "This must be the Li family's young lord. I've heard his cultivation talent rivals Li Ximing's, yet his temperament and methods are more refined. Though on the surface, he appears to be an arrogant and courageous individual..."

He calculated in his mind but kept a smile on his face. He chuckled, "At that time, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Fei family was killed by a single sword strike. The sect sent my aunt to investigate, and I came to visit. I was still ignorant back then."

His words were sincere and delivered with gravity. Changing the subject, he sighed, "Tang Shedou acted decisively, causing us a major defeat that led to the fall of Yanshan Pass. Fortunately, my brother-in-law is unharmed. He should now be following behind the True Person, perhaps even finding some fortuitous opportunity. Elder, you need not worry."

Hearing this, Li Xuanxuan's anxious heart finally eased considerably. Li Ximing was just entering the hall from outside. Ning Heyuan exchanged greetings with him and asked softly, "Have Xizhi and Qinghong returned?"

Li Xuanxuan silently shook his head. Ning Heyuan's heart sank instantly, thinking to himself, 'Trouble.' Li Xuanxuan then asked in return, "With Yanshan Pass breached, what about Zhao Tinggui and the others..."

"Tinggui died in battle..." Ning Heyuan replied, "My Moon Lake Peak lost fifty to sixty percent of its personnel, and three Foundation Establishment cultivators died!"

Ning Heyuan's tone was extremely heavy. Clearly, Moon Lake Peak had also suffered a tremendous blow in this affair. After all, Yuan Su had died; even though many contingencies were left behind, he could no longer provide complete protection as he did when alive.

'Still, it's better than Yuanwu Peak,' Ning Heyuan thought to himself. He paused before continuing, "The sect plans to establish another defensive line on the south bank of the Great River. Considering your esteemed clan's considerable losses, only Ximing needs to go from the Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, seeing that your clan has abundant Qi Refining cultivators, we will need to mobilize a few more."

Before the three could speak, he took out a jade box from his bosom and said, "The sect... also offers compensation."

Ning Heyuan opened it in front of the three. Inside were two round, lustrous pills, pure white and crystalline. The moment it opened, a fragrant aroma immediately wafted out. These two pills were very familiar; they were precisely the Suiyuan Pills that all clans eagerly sought to aid in Foundation Establishment.

Li Ximing glanced at them briefly, while Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard, deep in thought. Ning Heyuan said softly, "It is the Sect Master's order: for every Foundation Establishment cultivator lost by a clan, Suiyuan Pills will be compensated one by one according to the losses. Qinghong had previously made some contributions, and your esteemed clan's forces suffered losses at Yanshan Pass, so your esteemed clan will first be compensated with two pills."

He cupped his hands and said, "If any direct lineage Foundation Establishment cultivator of your esteemed clan suffers losses in the north, as long as their death is confirmed, the sect will also provide Suiyuan Pills as compensation."