Chapter 740: Arranging Everything Part 2

Li Xinghan expressed her gratitude. Li Xuanxuan nodded approvingly and then asked, "Do you possess a magic sword?"

Everyone present understood that a sword was about to be bestowed. Li Xinghan respectfully responded, "I have a low-grade Qi Condensation magic sword called Northern Jade. It was acquired by my uncle and previously belonged to the Yu family. It was forged many years ago, possibly even dating back to the Jiang clan, and it is quite effective."

"The Yu family," Li Ximing remarked, raising an eyebrow. Since Li Xuanxuan had brought it up, it was only natural for him, the True Immortal, to be the one to bestow this artifact. He continued, "Years ago… Yu Mujian owned a Copper Treasure sword. My younger brother, Jun, broke it, but what remained of it has been kept in our treasury. It was forged from the Yanshan copper and Piaoming water. While the refining method was common, the materials themselves were of exceptional quality."

Everyone listened attentively as Li Ximing continued, "Once you have mastered the 'Three-Part Moonlight Flow' technique, come to the mountain. I will personally arrange for someone to forge a sword for you using the Copper Treasure as its primary material."

Li Xinghan quickly nodded and bowed in gratitude, a hint of joy appearing on her face. This magic sword seemed to excite her even more than the True Immortal's previous guidance and care. Li Ximing then turned and cast a glance at Li Zhouluo.

Li Zhouluo already wore a Foundation Establishment-grade magic sword at his waist, which was entirely brownish-yellow. Li Ximing found it somewhat familiar; it was likely 'Xushi,' the standard magic sword his elder brother, Li Xizhi, had once used. Although it only possessed Foundation Establishment-level materials, it was quite suitable for Li Zhouluo to wield.

In recent years, Li Chenghuai and his wife, Li Xizhi, had maintained increasingly frequent contact. As a result, Li Zhouluo's cultivation resources and magic artifacts were not a concern for the Li family; his great-grandfather provided most of them. He received equipment no less superior than that of the Qingchi direct lineage, placing him in a unique position within the Li family. Consequently, Li Ximing only inquired about their cultivation progress before dismissing the two juniors, retaining only Li Quewan. He instructed her, "You and Jiangqian wait down the mountain for now."

Once the juniors had departed, Li Xuanxuan finally spoke. He did not inquire about An Siwei, instead commenting, "These two children are promising, as are Zhou Fang and Zhou Yang… Your younger brother once noted that those two brothers were only remarkable for their honesty. Yet, among the Zhou generation, apart from Zhou Wei, Zhou Luo, and Xinghan, only Zhou Fang and Zhou Yang are truly capable now…"

His tone was not one of anger, but rather of lament: "As for the other dozen or so… the indecisive and foolish ones are tolerable. However, those who cloister themselves away to indulge in private pleasures and secretly succumb to drink and debauchery… Since their actions don't directly affect the common people, Qingdu cannot punish them too severely, so they are largely left to their own devices… As for one or two others… they are currently imprisoned!"

At these words, Li Chenghuai quickly bowed his head and confessed, "It is our failing as elders… my brothers and I have been ineffective in our guidance…"

"You, of the Chengming generation, are either cultivating or engaged in combat. There are so few of you left now, so you cannot be blamed…"

Li Xuanxuan simply waved his hand and stated, "Zhou Ming has produced a degenerate son… which presents quite a problem."

Upon hearing this, Li Ximing, suddenly recognizing his grandson's name, immediately understood. He glanced at Li Chenghuai and asked, "Grandfather, are you blaming me now? What new foolishness has Zhou Ming committed these past few days?"

Given that Li Ximing had only recently mentioned Li Zhouming, any unreported incident would be Li Chenghuai's responsibility. Yet, Li Chenghuai was not deliberately withholding information; he genuinely had no idea what foolish act Li Zhouming had committed! However, the last individual who dared to deceive a True Immortal had been utterly annihilated, and that single glance, even from his own True Immortal elder, sent a shiver through him, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Fortunately, Li Xuanxuan was old and sagacious. With a mere glance exchanged between them, the elder understood the situation and simply stated, "This matter doesn't fall under Qingdu's purview; in fact, I should be blamed for it."

Li Xuanxuan spoke in a low voice, "Several years ago, while you were in seclusion and Zhou Ming's cultivation was stagnant, I considered helping him. I instructed Jiangqian to arrange a position for him. However, he refused to take it, so the matter was dropped, and no one else in the family was aware."

"Later, when Chenghuai emerged from seclusion, he directly assigned Zhou Ming some tasks. Zhou Ming went grudgingly. Fearing that his cultivation would not command respect, I privately gave him a spiritual item to aid his practice… However… when I observed him a few days ago… his cultivation showed no improvement whatsoever."

Li Ximing straightened himself, poured tea for Li Xuanxuan, and then stated, "This junior has been remiss in his supervision."

Li Xuanxuan shook his head. "A direct descendant of a True Immortal, simply allowing him to live comfortably at home would be acceptable; we don't lack for him… Whether it brings disgrace is another matter. My only hope is for his well-being, which is why I'm dwelling on this."

For a moment, silence fell upon the mountain. Fearing Li Ximing's potential anger, Li Xuanxuan quickly added, "It's not to say he's entirely useless. Among the younger generation, Zhou Wei is exceptional, and only Fang, Yang, Luo, and Han have truly come into their own. At least Zhou Ming is somewhat willing to listen to his father, so he's not the worst among his brothers."

Li Ximing had already grasped his meaning and replied, "Just give him an honorary position. We never truly expected him to achieve much. It's sufficient to properly guide the more ambitious children. Grandfather, do you truly expect the family to provide resources and assign people to supervise his cultivation day and night? Our family has always prioritized talent and strategic thinking; we cannot compromise this principle."

Li Xuanxuan could only sigh, then shifted the conversation. "Chenghuai, while your immortal foundation is indeed formidable, in my opinion… you shouldn't rely on it for every single issue."

Li Chenghuai was slightly surprised. Li Xuanxuan explained, "There are certain things you find difficult to perceive. 'Clear waters breed no fish.' In the two years you've overseen Qingdu, the family's guest cultivators and direct descendants have felt a chilling silence, secretly devising methods to evade your investigations. On the surface, matters appear increasingly harmonious, but in reality, they are becoming far more secretive. This is not beneficial."

"As long as we can observe their private activities, a certain degree of minor grievances or injustices is acceptable. What I fear is that covert matters beneath the surface become so meticulously hidden that neither you nor I can perceive them, forcing us to expend double the effort in investigation. With countless marvelous magical techniques existing in the world, they will eventually grasp and circumvent your divine abilities, and we, overly reliant on your immortal foundation, will instead be misled and manipulated."

Li Chenghuai lowered his head in contemplation. The elder continued, "Secondly, you should now focus on your cultivation rather than being sidetracked by lesser concerns. Only major matters involving the direct lineage should require your intervention or corroboration. After all, the current situation, where every issue is brought to Qingdu for a definitive ruling, also disrupts established protocols."

Li Chenghuai, who had only recently refined two magic artifacts and had yet to fully explore their many intricacies, remained at Qingdu purely out of a sense of duty. He secretly sensed that the elder had long been aware of the situation, and these words also seemed to offer him an avenue for withdrawal. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly: "The Elder, so quiet, was in fact the one who truly understood everything in the family… He is, after all, a figure who has observed the clan for over a century…"

With a touch of reverence, he declared, "Chenghuai accepts the command! I will relinquish my authority over Qingdu upon my return!"

Li Xuanxuan smiled, stroking his beard, and stated, "If that is the case, then let Zhou Luo assume leadership of Qingdu."

"Elder!" Li Chenghuai still intended to decline, but seeing Li Xuanxuan wave his hand, he had no choice but to bow and withdraw, leaving the grandfather and grandson alone. Li Xuanxuan glanced at the True Immortal, who was silently sipping tea beside him, and then asked, "Ming'er, where do you perceive the deficiencies in the Zhou generation?"

The True Immortal, robed in white with golden patterns, his forehead's celestial light subtly receding, took a sip of tea and remarked, "They are too kind… they risk being deceived."

"Precisely," Li Xuanxuan affirmed.

Li Ximing spoke in a low voice, "Father always told me, ever since I was a child, that Moon-Gazing Lake is a treacherous place. To govern the family and bring stability to the people, one must be adept at cunning and deception to subdue those who engage in wickedness. While Zhou Luo and Xinghan are capable, their high birth and comfortable lives mean that, though they excel in cultivation and combat, they would likely be deceived if they encountered individuals like Wenhu or Chen Yang."

In truth, Li Ximing was understating the matter. Li Zhouluo was not foolish, but if he were to truly encounter someone like Wenhu, he would almost certainly be outmaneuvered. These were precisely Li Xuanxuan's concerns, who simply said, "Who can truly know? Everyone matures with age. Chenghuai, in his youth, was merely a quiet child among the Chengming generation; no one would have predicted his exceptional abilities. Let us observe for now."

The matter concerning An Siwei had been on his mind several times, yet Li Xuanxuan ultimately refrained from asking. He simply rose and remarked, "This old man has spent a long time on the peak, so it's inevitable that I would speak of family affairs. Please don't find me tiresome."

"Grandfather's guidance brings immeasurable benefit to our family."

Li Ximing accompanied him. At the base of the mountain, Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan were waiting, accompanied by a broad-faced man standing behind them. Li Ximing, disinclined to ascend the mountain again, settled into the pavilion at its foot and inquired, "What is the status of Mi Fan's matters?"

Li Jiangqian respectfully replied, "The Wang family members have arrived. This is Wang Quwan. Although he belongs to a different branch than Wang He, he is also a direct descendant of the Jiangbei Wang family."

The Wang clan held a unique and significant position as a local power. Originally migrating from the Qi territory in Zhao State, their population had grown substantially not only in Funan and Midong but their lineage had also, at one point, extended into the Tangjin region. Consequently, the Wang family members could no longer be treated as mere guest cultivators.

Li Ximing observed him. Wang Quwan was plainly dressed and unassuming in appearance. He then asked, "Jiangbei is unstable. Have the Wang clan members encountered any difficulties since their recent relocation to the Funan region?"

Wang Quwan bowed with clasped hands, his gaze respectfully lowered to the ground, and stated, "The Midong region was fraught with instability. The Wang clan managed to escape that suffering thanks to the principal family. Now, having received new territory, every member has spiritual fields to cultivate, stipends are regularly disbursed, and ordinary clan members live in peace and contentment, encountering no hardships."

His deferential attitude and carefully chosen words caused the True Immortal at the head of the gathering to pause. Li Ximing observed him, realizing the man was neither very young nor very old, approximately fifty years of age. He then inquired, "What magical arts have you studied? Do you possess any particular skills? Does your clan practice any crafts to sustain themselves?"

Wang Quwan's gaze remained respectfully fixed downwards, demonstrating extreme deference. His manners were impeccable, exceeding anyone else's. He stated in a solemn voice, "Reporting to the True Immortal, this humble one has studied swordsmanship since childhood and has gained some proficiency, having cultivated sword qi for many years. My elder brother, Wang Qudao, is also currently near the Funan region and employs some alchemy techniques to supplement our family's income."

Li Ximing noted his calm demeanor, neither humble nor arrogant, indicating he was no ordinary individual. His words were precise and to the point. A faint unease stirred within Li Ximing: "This one is also formidable… Wenhu, Ding Weizheng, Gongsun Baifan… and now Wang Qudao and Wang Quwan… This Jiangbei region truly seems to be blessed by heaven; it is unusual… exceptionally so."

As Li Ximing offered no response, Wang Quwan remained kneeling. Suddenly, the True Immortal was struck by a peculiar premonition: "How does my family compare to the Xiao family of yesteryear? When the Xiao family… looked upon my ancestor Tongya, did they regard him in the same way I am now regarding Wang Quwan?"

"Did the Purple Mansion cultivators of that era similarly think—first there were Wan Huaqian and Yu Yufeng, then Li Chijing and Yu Muxian emerged, and now Li Tongya… This Moon-Gazing Lake region truly is favored by heaven!"

Numerous thoughts swirled in his mind, but after a brief pause, he nodded and stated, "Very well. Since you are willing to serve in my family, your compensation and benefits will be on par with those of our clan's cultivators."

Wang Quwan nodded respectfully. Then, the True Immortal before him flicked a finger, and a jade slip landed at his feet. The True Immortal said, "Our clan possesses the 'Small Chamber Sky-Clearing Scattered Cloud Art,' which is vastly superior to whatever low-grade cultivation method you currently practice. Furthermore, it includes sections for Foundation Establishment. Begin cultivating it for now."

A glimmer of joy illuminated Wang Quwan's eyes. He instantly grasped the True Immortal's intention: with Wang He of the Du Immortal Path residing in Jiangbei, and the Wang clan being the largest surname with numerous direct lineages, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wang family was indispensable for the Li family to maintain stable rule. He respectfully accepted the jade slip and expressed his gratitude, "This junior bows in thanks to the True Immortal. The Wang clan pledges loyalty to the principal family in Jiangbei and will tirelessly work to stabilize the region for the True Immortal and the Family Head, even to the point of death."

Noticing that Wang Quwan had grasped the superficial implications and was now speaking more openly, Li Ximing simply nodded and said, "The family's 'Three Perfection Breakthrough' elixir, 'White Breath Yellow Bud' elixir, and other various elixirs will all have a portion reserved for you. When you are prepared to attempt your breakthrough, make a trip to Zhijing Mountain."

Wang Quwan expressed his respectful thanks, then bowed and departed down the mountain. As he left, Li Ximing turned to Li Jiangqian and inquired, "Has a suitable candidate been found within the clan to cultivate Mi Fan?"

Li Jiangqian nodded and replied, "Reporting to the True Immortal, this junior has just checked. Unfortunately, younger sister Queyi, who possesses greater talent, has already achieved her breakthrough and lacks the time to cultivate it. Among the Jiangque generation, there are three individuals at the fifth or sixth level of Embryonic Breathing. This cultivation method inherently requires time to gather spiritual qi. Fortunately, the Wang clan still had some in stock, which we have retrieved. We will first allow one of our clan brethren to cultivate it before making a final decision."

Observing Wang Quwan's demeanor, Li Ximing concluded that he could still be useful and that his cultivation, once higher in a few years, would likely not be subpar. Feeling much relieved, he stated, "Wang Quwan is a remarkable individual. As it stands, the Mi Fan lineage seemingly relies on him, which also suggests he possesses ample fortune. You must keep a close eye on him. The Jiangbei Wang clan is too large to be fully constrained, but if you utilize Wang Quwan effectively, he will prove no less capable than Ding Weizheng."

"This junior will bear that in mind!"

Having settled the matter of Mi Fan, Li Ximing then retrieved a stone box from his sleeve. Inside was Chang Xi's dying wish. He handed it to Li Jiangqian and instructed, "I am going to the Purple Smoke Sect and may also visit the Profound Mystery Monastery. First, I will handle the matters in Shanjie Commandery. You are to inform Cheng to gather all the Xuan Yue Sect members and instruct them to retrieve the items from beneath the chief's seat in the Xi Yue Hall, then cross-reference them with this document."

After giving his instructions, he did not linger, transforming into a streak of celestial light and departing. Li Jiangqian remained bowed until the light completely faded from the sky. Only then did he straighten up and turn to Li Quewan, asking, "Sister, how have you been these past few months?"

"Not much progress has been made."

Li Quewan replied with a hint of worry, "It seems Shanjie Commandery can no longer be defended. We will now have to abandon the entire commandery, scattering all of Xuan Yue's foundations. I wonder how the few members of the Kong family will react."

When this was brought up, Li Jiangqian simply stated, "What reaction could there be? Has my Li family not been benevolent and righteous enough towards them? Consider the Profound Mystery Monastery, and then Jingyi Mountain. My family is preserving their lineage. Even the most precious things, if indefensible, must be relinquished. Are we expected to sacrifice our lives to protect them?"

Li Quewan sighed, "Brother Qian, that principle is sound, but when one is caught within the situation, clarity is often lost. In Xuan Yue's view, it might not be an act of salvation; it could simply be something their patriarch obtained in exchange for spiritual artifacts and treasures, and it wasn't given to any other family… It simply depends on whether Kong Guxi can comprehend the situation. If he fails to, his ultimate fate will be far worse than Yuan Fuyun's!"