Chapter 706: Worldly Ups and Downs

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When Li Ximing said this, Zhenren Ling Mei nodded. He motioned for Li Ximing to drink his tea first, then excused himself to fetch a scripture from Chenghua Hall. It was quite a while before he returned, carrying a Daoist text.

The scripture, with its dark blue cover and pale yellow pages, was half-open as he carried it. He held it in his hands all the way to the tree, not placing it on the jade table, and simply said:

“Zhaojing, please take a look.”

It wasn't right to let him hold it like that, but treasures often manifested unusual phenomena, and placing it on the table might overwhelm it. Li Ximing, activating his divine ability, reached out with both hands to take it, but Zhenren Ling Mei raised a hand and said:

“Zhaojing, the Wanyu Sword Scripture is extraordinary. Let me handle it.”

He smiled and said:

“If one possesses sword intent, the sword scripture is as light as silk brocade; even a common farmer could carry it in their bosom. But without sword cultivation, the sword scripture is as heavy as Mount Taishi; even a Purple Mansion cultivator would struggle to lift it.”

He returned the smile, and Li Ximing nodded, fixing his gaze on the sword scripture. Only a few thin pages were open, with the first six or seven pages pressed down, revealing a few small, illuminated characters at the top:

Two snow-white characters appeared. After two more lines, another set of small characters emerged, also snow-white:

Following these characters were tiny, almost microscopic, characters spelling ‘Liyang Yuxin One-Qi Pure Yang Sword.’ After that, the text became more complex, with dense symbols interspersed with phrases that could not be deciphered.

Zhenren Ling Mei used his divine ability to turn the pages, flipping all the way to the last few, where he finally saw ancient characters inscribed in a pale blue-white color:

Li Ximing recognized it as a sword name. After a few lines, however, the text changed to ordinary ink, reading:

After these two characters, it noted ‘Moon Listening Accordance Profound Palace Autumn Light Sword.’ Li Ximing examined it closely, a sense of unease growing within him, and asked:

“What name is written after this? Why isn't the writing as bright as before?”

Zhenren Ling Mei sighed and said:

“When sword intent manifests in the world, it enters the sword scripture. The names that follow are the names of sword intents. If they are bright, it means that sword intent still exists in the world.”

The sword intent sealed by the Li family had long been expended, hence its dimness. Li Ximing bowed in solemn salute. Zhenren Ling Mei remained silent for a long moment before returning the sword scripture and offering words of comfort:

“As the saying goes, a hundred-year-old grudge can still be avenged. But the true difficulty arises when there's nowhere to seek retribution, and the surging power in your hands has no outlet...”

Li Ximing understood that he was referring to Chi Wei's death and the Chi family's decline to only a handful of collateral members. The Li family had now achieved the Purple Mansion realm, yet had nowhere to exact revenge. He softly replied:

“Thank you for your understanding, Senior.”

To be precise, Li Xuanfeng, Li Xizhi, and others had played utterly crucial roles in the Chi family's downfall. Apart from Chi Zhiyun, who was in seclusion, all direct descendants of the Chi surname were now extinct—which was, in itself, a form of revenge.

‘And Chi Zhiyun's whereabouts in seclusion are unknown, but Si Bohxiu most likely won't let him emerge...’

Li Ximing's thought was fleeting. He then recalled Cheng Gao, his uncle Li Yuanjiao's old friend, and asked:

“The Cheng Gao you just mentioned has some connection with my family. I wonder where he is today?”

Zhenren Ling Mei was slightly taken aback. He replied:

“He is still in Daxiyuan Ganzi, stationed in the Bili Qiang Kingdom. It's only a small country, but with many demonic cultivators now in the Long region, he cannot easily relocate.”

The Wanyu Sword Sect's main gate was in Jiangnan, yet its jurisdiction strangely extended to the northwest of the Wu Kingdom, near the border of the Zhao Kingdom. Li Ximing, puzzled by this for many years, seized the opportunity to subtly inquire. Zhenren Ling Mei, however, answered very frankly:

“This matter dates back to the True Monarch. Back then, our ancestor sought the Dao and originally intended to establish the sect right here on Yuchuan Sword Peak. But when he consulted the True Monarch, the True Monarch rejected the idea.”

“The True Monarch said: 'Among all Daoist traditions in the world, they may change as they please, but two things cannot be altered: firstly, the Sword Sect must choose a mountain in the Shu region; secondly, the Shamanic Talisman tradition should extend throughout the Southern Frontier...' My ancestor repeatedly sought clarification, and the True Monarch merely said it was to make it 'more pleasing to the Immortal Monarch's eye...'"

“More pleasing to the eye?”

Li Ximing frowned, puzzled. Yet, the Immortal Monarch's words surely held profound meaning. Zhenren Ling Mei continued:

“So my ancestor established the sect in the Shu region. In Jiangnan, we only had Taijian Du and Jianfeng as two locations. At its peak, it intimidated both Long and Shu. Later, after the ancestor's demise, the sect gradually withered. Our old ancestor couldn't move from Jiangnan, so it slowly shifted to Jiangnan, where the spiritual energy was more vibrant... That's why, even now, we still have roots in Long and Shu.”

Li Ximing suddenly grasped the meaning, quietly pondering to himself:

“I've heard that before the Wei Li achieved prominence, they were the Li clan of Long Land. If there's an opportunity, I should visit Long Land. If the Sword Sect has roots there, I can inquire then.”

He chatted casually for a moment before quickly rising to take his leave. Ling Mei, unwilling to let Li Ximing's journey to Yuchuan Sword Peak be in vain, retrieved a jade box from his sleeve, evidently prepared when he fetched the sword scripture earlier, and apologized:

“It's truly a shame for Zhaojing. I heard your esteemed clan has a Wanling Flower. Please accept this Hornwood Golden Spike; it is very beneficial for spiritual plants... as a return gift from my Sword Sect.”

Li Ximing could not refuse. He accepted the jade box, left Sword Peak, and then, after entering the Grand Void, finally took out the box to examine its contents. Inside, he found a gleaming golden Hornwood Spike Needle.

‘This is from Zhenren Tianjiao. It's sufficient resources for reaching Purple Mansion; far better than ordinary treasures...’

He put the jade box away, having finally concluded his dealings with all three parties. Though the Sword Sect had been courteous in seeing him off, the matter was settled, and he felt considerably relieved.

“I've handled the relationships with the Three Sects and Seven Gates in a proper manner. Next... I can look towards Jiangbei!”

***

Pingya Isle.

Li Jiangxia emerged from the hall, his armor clanging. He walked all the way out of the isle, golden light shimmering beneath his feet. A black horse, its belly scaled and eyes crimson, stood still in the center of the isle, snorting.

This horse was bred from Chongsha, a renowned steed from the Shanyue region, and a Black-Scaled Horse from the great desert. An Zheyan had captured it over three years prior, then bred it for several more. It was raised to adulthood and sent to the lake, but Li Zhouwei had already reached Foundation Establishment and naturally had no use for it. Thus, it was bestowed upon his favorite, Li Jiangxia.

Li Jiangxia had just mounted the spirit horse and turned its head when a person emerged from his lower left, seemingly having stood there for quite some time, shouting from behind the courtyard guards:

“Third Prince! Third Prince!”

Li Jiangxia lowered his gaze, slightly puzzled. His elder brother, Li Jianglong, arrived a step behind him and, after a quick glance, hurried forward with a smile:

“Third brother, you wouldn't know him. This is the illegitimate son of a clan brother from the twenty-sixth branch, outside the main lineage. His given name is Hun.”

“So it's you!”

Li Jiangxia, having been away from the clan for many years, had no idea who ‘Hun’ or ‘Xing’ might be. He simply urged his horse forward. The two courtyard guards, however, held their ground, their chilling iron spears forming a barrier. Li Hun, who was older than both guards, merely called out:

“Oh, Second Prince is here too! Your humble nephew pays his respects.”

Li Jiangxia observed his thin figure and unremarkable appearance, then grasped his whip and laughed heartily, saying:

“Second Brother, this person looks just like you. He's truly a family relative. Except for his eyes, he's incredibly similar!”

Li Jiangxia always exuded a vigorous and enthusiastic demeanor, naturally quite unlike Li Jianglong. Given that Li Hun's maternal clan was the Chen family, the same as Li Jianglong's, the resemblance was entirely understandable.

Li Jianglong, finding this rather amusing, joined in the laughter. Li Hun, still on the ground, heard the remark and immediately knelt with a thud, exclaiming:

“Both Uncles flatter me! How could your humble nephew have such fortune! It's just that I've come of age and came to the isle to find some work. I didn't expect to run into the Third Prince and remembered my father often spoke of you, so I got a little excited...”

‘Still calling him Third Prince!’

Li Jianglong realized he was trying to curry favor; after all, his younger brother's departure for the East Bank was a known arrangement. For Li Hun to even be able to enter the hall, his father must be a Qi Cultivator himself. Li Jianglong inwardly chuckled:

“So he came to attach himself to my younger brother.”

How could Li Jiangxia not understand? He burst into laughter, brought his horse whip back into his hand, and tugged at the horse's head:

“Alright, alright. When I return from the East Bank and have free time, feel free to come find me for a good chat.”

Without waiting for a reply, he spurred his horse and rode off, leaving Li Hun taken by surprise and unable to react. Li Jianglong had already helped him to his feet and simply asked:

“Clan brother, why have you come to the isle...?”

Li Hun instinctively said:

“They say a guest has arrived on the isle. My father brought him into the hall, and several elders have gone to see him. He wants to meet the family head, he...”

Only then did he realize he shouldn't have spoken, but Li Jianglong dropped his hand, interrupting him with a look of surprise:

“It's a clan matter, then! I thought you were visiting relatives and friends, which is why I asked. You shouldn't have said that... you shouldn't have said that! You're such a loose-tongued child. Don't wander around the hall carelessly from now on. If you stumble upon anything... be careful, Qing Du might punish you!”

His words filled Li Hun with fright, yet Li Jianglong's hand had subtly unfastened the token from Li Hun's waist and secured it in his own grasp, his tone growing sterner:

“It's fortunate I ran into you, to save you from running around aimlessly. Come with me to see your father, then...”

Without his transit token, Li Hun naturally couldn't go anywhere in the hall. He could only follow blankly, and after a moment of muddled thought, he finally grew terrified, hastily saying:

“Second Prince, my father has important business... it's really not appropriate to meet him!”

“No matter.”

Li Jianglong paused at the foot of the steps, turning back with a seemingly kind smile, his golden eyes piercing through Li Hun:

“I'll wait for him in the side hall.”

Li Hun stood petrified, unable to move for a long time. Li Jianglong, however, gently took his hand and led him through the corridor all the way to the side hall, where Li Hun nearly collapsed.

Li Jianglong, however, paid him no mind. He secretly observed, spotting a disheveled middle-aged man passing through the guards. The man appeared to be at the late Qi Cultivation stage, but his cultivation seemed unstable, as if his power was merely accumulated from spiritual materials rather than genuine practice.

“Who could it be... again!”

***

Li Ximing traveled for a while within the Grand Void, then burst through the air above his clan's great formation, descending with a beam of celestial light, and entered the grand hall. What would have been several days of travel before reaching the Purple Mansion realm now took only fifteen minutes, with barely any change in the sky.

Li Zhouwei stood in the hall, with over a dozen jade boxes laid out on a table, writing characters on them with a vermilion brush. Seeing Li Ximing materialize, he cupped his hands in salute and replied:

“Reporting to Zhenren, the return gifts for the Three Sects and Seven Gates are ready.”

Currently, in Yue Kingdom, besides the Li family, there were the Three Sects, Seven Gates, and Two Clans. While Li Ximing had personally visited three of them, this didn't mean the rest could be ignored. For any Purple Mansion cultivators who had attended the Dharma Assembly, letters had to be sent along with gifts, stating that he was in seclusion to consolidate his divine abilities and thus could not attend in person.

Li Ximing had already prepared personal letters for Jin Yu, Heng Zhu, and Xuan Yue, along with chosen precious medicines to be sent. Li Zhouwei accepted them and then reported on Li Chenghuai's breakthrough. Li Ximing was very pleased, nodding as he spoke:

“Have him come up to see me.”

No sooner had he spoken than a person rushed in from outside the hall, respectfully saying:

“Reporting to the Family Head and Zhenren, someone has arrived on the isle, claiming to be the son of an old acquaintance, requesting an audience with the Family Head.”

‘Son of an old acquaintance.’

Li Zhouwei's heart stirred faintly, wondering who it might be. He then saw the celestial light between Li Ximing's brows flicker. Li Ximing sat down to the side, his voice slightly cold:

“Let him come up!”

The person quickly withdrew. After more than ten breaths, hurried footsteps sounded on the grand staircase. A disheveled person stumbled clumsily into the hall, and with a thud, knelt on the ground, beginning to kowtow:

“Greetings... greetings, Family Head!”

Li Zhouwei observed him closely: a middle-aged man with a full beard, late Qi Cultivation realm. His features held a certain nobility, but his face was contorted with panic and fear, his legs trembling as he focused solely on kowtowing.

Li Zhouwei didn't recognize the man, but he saw Li Ximing sip his tea and casually remark:

“It's Young Master Yuan... I wonder... what brings you here?”

These words chilled the man on the ground, as if he might drop dead on the spot; he couldn't even utter a sound. Li Ximing simply lowered his gaze to his tea, not even glancing at him.

After a moment, Li Chenghuai entered from the front of the hall, stepping to the side. He took a brief look, and the more he saw, the more familiar the man became, causing his heart to jolt:

“Yuan Fuyao!”

This person was indeed the son of an old acquaintance: Yuan Fuyao, son of Yuan Chengdun.

That year, Yuan Tuan went missing, and Yuan Chengdun departed for sea, expecting never to return. He then leveraged his friendship with the Li family and his entire life's assets to arrange a marriage for Yuan Fuyao. However, Yuan Huyuana and Yuan Hudu, seeking to curry favor with the Chi family, went back on the agreement, instructing Yuan Fuyao to take his family assets and leave to marry Miss Song of the Song family instead.

The rift between the Li and Yuan families began at that time, and now it had reached a point where both Li Xizhi and Yuan Chengzhao were estranged from their original paths.

Li Ximing was aware of this, and he also knew that Yuan Fuyao had later enjoyed a life of beautiful wives and concubines, living carefree and joyous as the master of the Song Residence. Yet here he was, appearing before them.

The Li family members' expressions varied, and Yuan Fuyao was utterly speechless. Life in the Song family had indeed begun with beautiful wives and concubines, days filled with cultivation and playing the zither. But ten years flashed by, and the North-South conflict erupted.

Thanks to preferential treatment from his clan, Yuan Fuyao didn't have to go to the riverbank, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Yet, unbeknownst to him, the Song family suffered heavy losses in the conflict and began to eye Yuan Chengdun's relics. They would ‘borrow’ five coins today, ten coins tomorrow, pressuring him relentlessly day after day.

The world plunged into chaos, and he found himself trapped. Bad news followed one after another: the Chi family's main lineage was annihilated, and the Song family plummeted, intensifying their demands. Fortunately, his father's relics were abundant, and he guarded them tightly, managing to hold out for over a decade. However, this was solely to bide his time and conceal his strengths; his former comfortable life was now a distant dream.

Hearing that the Li family was prospering, and that Li Xizhi, who had almost become his brother-in-law, had achieved great cultivation and was renowned throughout Jiangnan as ‘Heavenly Pavilion Haze,’ Yuan Fuyao was filled with remorse, a feeling like a gnawing mouse in his heart, leaving him restless and sleepless.

It wasn't until the resonant power of Li Ximing's divine abilities, echoing through the Grand Void and across Jiangnan, that Yuan Fuyao's heart was shaken with dread. He immediately fled out a window, daring to take no one and nothing, hiding in the wilderness for months. Only then did he learn that Qingchi's forces had arrived at the Song family that very night, leaving no survivors from the entire clan—his wives, concubines, and children all perished.

Yet, he was born a pampered young master; even the worst treatment he received in the Song family was beyond the wildest dreams of ordinary rogue cultivators. Hiding from place to place and daring not to be seen, he felt he wasn't living a human life. He also feared Li Ximing would remember him and break through the Grand Void to capture him. At last, he came to the lake by himself.

He trembled for a long time, recounting his miserable tale, before finally saying hoarsely:

“This humble one... this humble one regrets it too late! I beg the Immortal Clan to be lenient...”

Li Zhouwei had already understood, watching him with a cold gaze:

‘He's quite cunning... but his character won't amount to much!’