Chapter 777: Rules

Li Xinghan pondered for a moment, making a mental note to ask Li Xuanxuan about it later. She then replied, "Since the elder's command is given, I'll trouble you with this, Brother."

Dressed in black, Li Zhouluo cultivated the Qi of sharp metal, which imbued his presence with an inherent sternness that inspired trust. He bowed respectfully and said solemnly, "Rest assured, little sister."

Li Zhouming, standing nearby, looked from one to the other, hesitating to speak. He naturally feared Li Zhouluo, who had once governed Qingdu and punished him multiple times. And though his younger sister, Li Xinghan, was still young, she carried a sword on her back and exuded a formidable killing aura, making him equally apprehensive and speechless.

Li Xinghan found herself disliking this direct descendant of the Violet Mansion. True Master's descendants were already rare, and to have one like him, who was utterly useless, was disappointing. Although she was often away, Li Xinghan had heard rumors about him: "They say... he was greedy when he visited other regions and was a liability in the prefecture due to his incompetence. The True Master didn't think highly of him and hadn't given him any good magical artifacts. He was even terrible in external combat, nearly losing to a local commoner family, bringing pure disgrace to the family. The elders worried about losing this direct descendant... so they just let him idle around all day, hoping he would simply behave..."

After all, Li Zhouming was a direct descendant of the Violet Mansion, and the family didn't mind supporting him out of respect for the True Master. Li Xinghan, however, found him highly distasteful. She turned and walked away. As she reached the temple gate, she saw Li Zhoufang and his brother following their fourth brother, speaking in hushed, humble tones. Faintly, she heard their voices: "My brother and I... our father toiled and died on the river, and now our younger brother has passed away... We hope the clan's compensation can include an official position for his child, offering patronage..."

Li Xinghan then recalled that the deceased Li Zhouken was actually the biological younger brother of Li Zhoufang and his sibling, who had been adopted to carry on the family line. These two brothers, usually reserved in front of elders, deeply cared for the younger generation of their own branch. They were clearly here to seek an official position. "No matter how much talent or effort, they will still consume resources from the prefecture... Patronage has always been reserved for those outside the main clan. The clan itself rarely grants it, fearing its own descendants will simply enjoy inherited success for generations... Alas!"

Li Xinghan realized that her elder and second brothers were good in every way, except for their intense obsession with securing generational patronage. She couldn't help but pause, wanting to go back and say something, but then she heard a voice calling from behind her: "Sister!"

It was Li Zhouming who had chased after her. "Never mind... Brother Zhouluo should be able to handle it," she thought. Li Xinghan had no choice but to stop. Facing the young man holding a fan, she remained courteous and asked, "Is there something important, Fifth Brother?"

Li Zhouming clasped his hands and smiled. "I heard, sister, that you're heading to the western desert to eliminate a group of rogue demonic cultivators. I also heard there's a type of 'White Falcon Gold' in the desert that isn't available at Lakeside, and it can be used to forge magical artifacts. Could you please bring some back for me? I'll compensate you for the spiritual resources."

Li Xinghan was slightly surprised. "So you've started thinking about magical artifacts," she said. "That's a good thing. I'll definitely bring some back for you."

Li Zhouming sighed with relief, hastily thanked her, and withdrew. The young woman, meanwhile, ascended into the air and flew toward the prefecture, pondering to herself, "How peculiar."

She pondered silently, first diverting to her cave dwelling to pack some things. As dusk settled, she landed in front of a courtyard in the prefecture. The two kumquat trees that had been by the gate were now replaced by stone lions standing on golden pedestals. The young woman observed the change for a moment, then hesitated, saying, "How incredibly extravagant!"

Pushing the door open, a smile finally appeared on Li Xinghan's face as she called out, "Mother!"

Her mother was instantly overjoyed and hurried to greet her. The man in the courtyard, who was holding chopsticks and tasting wine, also looked over. Her elder brother and sister-in-law in the inner room put down what they were doing and rushed out. The entire family joyfully ushered her inside.

In truth, Li Xinghan's family had faced many conflicts before; her father's cultivation was mediocre and unfulfilled, and her elder brother and sister-in-law had even considered splitting the family. No one seemed to care whether she came home or not. But ever since she returned from Mount Zhijing, her elder brother and sister-in-law had become inseparable. Now, only joyful laughter filled the air all day long, and every time she came home, it felt like a festival.

She was pulled to sit beside her father, listening to her mother, who was beaming, as she smiled, "Hanner! Your uncle has accumulated merit for so long, and he's finally been promoted to Peak Overseer of Wutu Peak!"

The position of Peak Overseer in the Li family was already a significant one, with each post carefully designated. What's more, Wutu Peak was known for its prosperity. Li Xinghan was immediately delighted and smiled, "He's finally made it!"

After her initial joy, she felt something was amiss. Her uncle carried the stigma of being a remnant of the Yu family, and his cultivation wasn't high. Logically, it would be very difficult for him to be qualified for such a position. She immediately sobered and asked, "When was the appointment made?"

Her mother smiled, "The appointment was at noon. He was both surprised and delighted. It's a very prestigious position, and I heard he still hasn't returned, even though it's late at night..."

"Noon?" Li Xinghan's heart trembled. "I had just left... and Brother Zhouluo specifically promoted him..."

Li Xinghan's joy faded, replaced by a sense of bewilderment. Holding her bamboo chopsticks, she neither picked up nor put down the food in front of her, and fell silent.

Li Xinghan reflected deeply. The Jade True Qi and True Treasure Qi she cultivated were meticulously gathered by her uncle, Chi Tiaozong, who had forsaken his own cultivation, sitting on the altar and chanting scriptures year after year. To be frank, almost half the credit for her receiving the True Master's favor and her future potential for Foundation Establishment was due to her uncle.

Even her early resources and guidance on her cultivation path had received ample help from this uncle. While her current cultivation was largely supported by the family, it was this uncle who truly helped her emerge and distinguish herself.

She became even more silent. Her relatives in the courtyard, seeing her expression, suddenly grew quiet. Her father, beside her, glanced at her and said in a deep voice, "Today, Zhouluo is managing family affairs, and you are one of the most prominent figures of your generation. Some matters are best simply accepted. Your uncle has worked hard for decades; it's time for him to receive his reward." He continued, "Are you going to be an ungrateful wretch and ask your fourth brother to revoke the order? What exactly did your uncle do wrong, or was your fourth brother's promotion based on merit unfair? You should state your reason!"

It was true that Chi Tiaozong's abilities were not weak, but it was also true that Li Zhouluo had promoted him as a favor, to show appreciation for her support. Chi Tiaozong had finally achieved a breakthrough in his career, and Li Xinghan genuinely couldn't refuse this kind gesture...

Li Xinghan usually looked down on those who exploited connections for personal gain, but at this moment, her lips parted and closed, yet she couldn't utter a word. She put down her bamboo chopsticks and quietly said, "Treasure this... I am often away, but the family should remain as it was. Do not be extravagant, especially since the elder just passed away. It's better to keep things simple."

The middle-aged man beside her put down his wine and replied, "Eldest, tomorrow you should sell the stone lions in front of the gate and put those two kumquat trees back."

Her elder brother sighed, "Father carefully selected them and brought them back just a few days ago, happily... he always went to the gate to look at them repeatedly... why sell them again..." Their mother silenced him, then took Li Xinghan's hand and quietly said, "Speaking of the elder's matter... you are now an important figure in the prefecture. In all things, safeguarding your life comes first. If something happens to you, all the family's hopes will be ruined."

Before Li Xinghan could reply, she saw her father beside her say earnestly, "We all understand... serving the Lakeside is important. But while serving the Lakeside, it's not contradictory to let your relatives and friends also benefit from your standing. Who can be like a saint and remain entirely untouched by personal gain?" "I understand, Father," Li Xinghan replied.

Li Xinghan casually ate two mouthfuls, finding them hard to swallow. Knowing that her father was about to seek an official position for her elder brother, she immediately excused herself from the table. Her father said nothing, only her mother escorted her out.

Outside the courtyard, her spiritual sense still clearly perceived the large table of dishes feeling suddenly empty without her. Her mother shed tears, her father sighed, and her elder brother and sister-in-law exchanged glances. A deep silence fell. After a long while, she heard her father's voice: "She prides herself on her integrity... but even without her, there's still your uncle. You won't lack an official position; it just won't look as good and might attract the attention of Qingdu's clan elder. Tomorrow, you will come with me..."

Li Xinghan couldn't bear to listen further. She hurried out, rose into the air, and let the cold night wind buffet her face, her heart heavy: "What integrity! If I were truly like Aunt Minggong and the others, wholeheartedly dedicated to the Lakeside's well-being, then Uncle wouldn't even have an official position! It's simply that I wish to maintain my reputation... ultimately... it's because his personal influence isn't strong enough to command me..."

From a young age, Li Xinghan had upheld the Sword Heart, committed to righteousness and eradicating evil. Now, she felt her mind gradually clearing: "On weekdays, I used to think the frequent favoritism in the prefecture was Qingdu's dereliction of duty. Now, it seems even I cannot uphold such righteousness myself."

She flew all the way to Qingdu. The side peak was covered in white, and the old man was pacing on the peak, leaning on his staff. Li Xinghan had never seen him rest, and this time was no exception. She simply bowed and said, "Elder!"

Li Xuanxuan merely glanced at her and said, "Xinghan is here! Is it about Zhouluo? Come inside."

Li Xuanxuan's seniority was truly immense, so Li Xinghan respectfully followed him. Once inside the pavilion, Li Xinghan reverently said, "Elder's command has its own considerations, and I have no doubts. Among our family, only Fourth Brother is truly capable of such a great responsibility. It's just that, having just witnessed clan affairs for the first time, and with my upcoming departure, I feel a little uneasy..."

She hesitated for a few breaths, then said with considerable unease, "At Lakeside... there are many acts of favoritism... cultivators value personal connections greatly... Xinghan... has sinned!"

Li Xinghan recounted her family's situation. Li Xuanxuan stopped what he was doing, nodded silently, and the old man sighed, replying, "Xinghan... how old is your father? What is his cultivation level?"

Li Xinghan quickly cupped her hands and replied, "My father is forty-seven years old, at the fourth level of Fetal Breath."

Li Xuanxuan nodded slowly and replied, "This child... his cultivation path in this life has reached its end. He only has a few more decades left. Xinghan... can you reach Foundation Establishment?"

Li Xinghan nodded slightly and replied, "I will do my best, and there is still hope."

The old man sighed deeply and asked, "And the Violet Mansion?"

Li Xinghan could only say, "I dare not aspire to it!"

Li Xuanxuan said in a low voice, "The cultivation paths of many people in this world cease early. Not only do you not think about the Violet Mansion, but several young masters rarely aspire to it either. For most of you, reaching Foundation Establishment is almost the end of your cultivation, yet there is still much time left."

"At Lakeside, there are countless cultivators like your father. Eighty percent stop at the Fetal Breath stage. A small group cultivates miscellaneous Qi, and their path ends there too. The remaining stop at Qi Refining; most cannot cultivate further after a few levels, and a final small group stops at the peak of Qi Refining."

The old man seemed lost in thought, then said heavily, "They have no further cultivation; their lifelong journey ends here. What can they do with the remaining hundred or several hundred years? When these cultivators, who cannot advance an inch, become idle, who can control them? No one can control them!"

Li Xinghan remained silent. Li Xuanxuan slowly continued, "Don't underestimate them. Exploiting common people, taking hundreds of wives and concubines, killing for blood, practicing demonic arts—they are capable of all these! Currently, engaging in favoritism and seeking personal gain to ensure the peace of their descendants is already the best outcome we can achieve through our guidance."

The old man said in a low voice, "Xijun created such a complex, hierarchically distinct system of officialdom and personal connections. A system under supervision and encouragement is not without purpose... Hanner... sometimes we don't *need* them... but keeping them busy is very important for us and the common people. We can't always keep them busy simply by relying on merit alone."

Li Xinghan stared blankly at the old man in front of her. Li Xuanxuan continued, "Later, Zhou Wei found various excellent medicines for breaking through bottlenecks. Some weren't as useful as imagined, but cultivators would only be willing to enter seclusion for breakthroughs and fight for that sliver of hope after arranging their descendants' futures... A certain degree of patronage for descendants and seeking official positions through personal connections is not necessarily an evil thing."

"In this current age, with blood Qi being refined everywhere outside, we cannot demand too much from them."

Li Xinghan subtly clenched her fists, and the treasured sword on her back gleamed faintly in the moonlight. She whispered, "Elder... but is this... truly in line with the righteous path...?"

The old man leaned back, his snowy white beard resting on his wrinkled hand. Li Xuanxuan looked somewhat tired. He whispered, "We cannot control a group of perpetually greedy people... we can only redirect their greed elsewhere. Hanner, things are not achieved overnight. Perhaps your generation will find better methods, but to maintain the peace of mortals, this is how it must be for now."

Li Xinghan's eyes slowly cleared, and she nodded thoughtfully.

"Xinghan, I already spoke to your fourth brother about this morning. I just want you to understand one principle."

The old man in front of her was hunched in the high-backed redwood chair, shrinking into the shadows of the room, instantly revealing a profound agedness. His voice was extremely soft: "Many things that seem outside the rules are, in fact, still within them."

In the Prefecture.

The night was deep, but the grand hall remained brightly lit. Piles of ancient texts were stacked on the table, and Li Zhouluo read them carefully, one hand resting on the table as he pondered.

This was his first time in control of the Prefecture Lake, and he felt quite uneasy. He had been busy in this position since early morning, discussing matters with his brothers, and only now was he learning many hidden secrets. "So... many outsiders are actually affiliated with the prefecture. There are quite a few talented outsiders in the family, and two have already failed to achieve Foundation Establishment in the prefecture..."

He examined them carefully. After most of the night had passed, he heard someone below report, "My Lord, the Third Young Master has returned from the East Shore and is waiting outside the hall."

Li Zhouluo quickly put down his brush and said, "Please, bring him in quickly."