Chapter 789: Mu Coupon

Li Xuanxuan withdrew his hand. The fair-faced man on the ground could only remain kneeling. Only then did the elder show anger; the tea on the table remained untouched. He said hoarsely, "How much did Cheng Pan participate in this matter?" Li Xixuan knelt obediently, his fair face pressed to the ground, and he whispered, "Grandfather... why do you say that?" Li Xuanxuan gave him a deep look and whispered, "I know... Chenghuai's profound abilities implicated a group of people. None of you have had peaceful lives, and it even caused panic among those of other surnames and minor branches. So I persuaded him to withdraw. Now Chenghuai has gone into seclusion, yet you still want to bring him out... Have you prepared some sorcery to try, or have you devised some trick to get around things? You can even force Zhou Luo to lose significant prestige... Is this how you act as an elder?" Li Xixuan whispered, "It's only for Cheng Pan's reputation."

Li Xuanxuan laughed in anger. The elder's eyes widened, and his demeanor suddenly turned fierce. He said hoarsely, "I don't care what methods you've used in all your machinations. Even after investigating, only Li Hun will be found guilty of a major crime among the four. What a wishful thought! Chenghuai himself doesn't dare investigate you, but do you think I won't? There's no one else here; I'll have Chenghuai come over immediately." Li Xixuan immediately lost his composure, shifting forward an inch as tears streamed down his face. He choked out, "Your grandson just feels the clan is too harsh! Zhou Luo, Xinghan, and you, venerable elder, live comfortably in the central region, but have you ever considered the lives of the descendants below? Other immortal clan direct descendants, not to mention acting like local tyrants, are at least immensely wealthy with servants aplenty. My family, a direct bloodline, as soon as my children are found to have no spiritual aptitude, they're even reduced to farming. Qingdu only provides bare sustenance, and other places are monitored like ghosts, excessively harsh. If my children are like this, what about the other clan members? Our family's century of glory, how many tears of direct descendants are hidden in its corners?"

"Those of other surnames aren't monitored by Qingdu and live quite comfortably, while more and more clan members with cultivation are emerging both inside and outside the central region. Our unity is worsening day by day. Have you, venerable elder, considered why? Cheng Pan is already considered good. Do you, venerable elder, want to see how much affection those who were brought into the region from the periphery truly have for the family? Before they prospered, you made them eat coarse food. Now that they have spiritual aptitude, you expect them to consider the lake and the common people. How can such a good thing exist!"

"I see it with my own eyes and it pains my heart. In private, I also take great care of the younger generation. Later, when Chenghuai took charge of Qingdu, he was truly upright. He arrested several clan elders, severing all these connections, and the lake was cleansed. Do you, venerable elder, know how many people secretly shed tears during this cleansing? They are all of the Wangyue bloodline, yet the central region is so heartless!" He kowtowed several times with loud thuds, choking out, "I, this old man, don't have many days left to live. Your grandson has selfish motives; your grandson wants those sons to have a good life. But your grandson also cannot bear to see the clan members below grow more disloyal day by day. Among the children, Zhou Fang and Zhou Yang see things most clearly. They have constantly strived for protection for the children of several elders, but have repeatedly been rejected by Qingdu. If this continues... there will surely be great trouble in the family!"

Li Xuanxuan's breathing became ragged, and he said sharply, "What? So you want my family to be divided into tiers, with those named Li as the top tier, enjoying wealth from birth to death? If other surnames decline, they can farm, but those named Li cannot?" Li Xixuan bowed again, weeping bitterly, and replied, "Venerable elder... Qingchi is Chisui's top-tier Qingchi, Ziyan is Kanwen's top-tier Ziyan, and even Wanyu is the Cheng clan's top-tier Wanyu. Venerable elder, the world is a world of tiers. The top tier consists of high cultivators and their descendants. It's often said that sects vie for power and profit, with endless internal strife, yet there is still a top tier seated above. My family bears the Li surname, so why can't we be part of the top tier?"

Li Xuanxuan's face turned red with anger. He abruptly stood up from his seat and kicked the man's head, sending him tumbling several meters away. The elder roared, "You... you've read all the books on Qingdu in vain!" Li Xixuan's fair face was covered in blood, and he cried out, "This humble one has indeed read books! Venerable elder! This time, it is only to prove that divine abilities can also be mistaken, to release those clan elders, and to boost clan morale, that's all. Cheng doesn't know the inside story... I know he pities Cheng Pan for dragging him into this, but he also understands the gravity of the situation and has come to help me. Xingsai just died... Cheng, as a father, didn't utter a single complaint. Now that he has come out to help me, it shows what the people desire! Instead, Xi'e Chengzhi cherish their reputations... and retreated halfway! Venerable elder, can loyalty and treachery be distinguished?"

Li Xuanxuan was consumed by rage and started coughing. Frightened, Li Xixuan swallowed the rest of his words. The elder violently flicked his sleeves and gritted his teeth, saying, "Get out! Get out of my sight!" Li Xixuan kowtowed three times and retreated dejectedly. Li Xuanxuan coughed violently for a while, then sat back down. Li Shuya, scared, served him tea with red eyes. He remained in his seat until late into the night. He brought out a wooden box from the courtyard and took out jade slips to rub. These were all Li Tongya's former writings, carefully preserved by Li Xuanxuan. Now he turned them over and over, looking at them in silence.

***

Wangyue Lake. Li Zhouluo returned to the lake and interrogated the families on the west bank overnight. As expected, the problem still lay with Li Hun and Ren Ting. It was unclear who was giving orders from above, but all the actual work below was done by Li Hun. Li Hun was sentenced to death and was currently still in the hall. The interrogation results showed that all four felt they had already committed evil. Ren Ting not only failed to realize that the offerings were being made to curry favor, but even the girl He wasn't named He in his memory. Although Li Hun had some inkling, his words all pointed to An Xuanxin. "If father had used sorcery to investigate, these four should have been innocent, and the people on the west bank would have had problems. But upon closer inspection, the west bank people were also innocent... the people in the middle either died... or left..." He had a vague realization and was overwhelmed with work. He saw Li Zhoufang enter from outside the hall and respectfully bow. This elder brother's beard was already long, and he appeared middle-aged. Li Zhouluo quickly put down what he was holding and nodded, "Thank you, Elder Brother." Li Zhoufang looked a bit tired, shook his head slightly, and replied, "This matter made Uncle Cheng very awkward. I really couldn't sit still, not wanting to bear the reputation of being unfilial... There's also a reason for seeking the family head. Uncle's daughter, that is, Sister Xingsai, has fallen, and there's still a child..." Li Zhouluo gripped his brush tightly, almost guessing what he was about to say next. Fortunately, at the next moment, footsteps suddenly arose, and a Yuting Guard rushed in and bowed, "Family Head, urgent report from the wilderness! Master Cui has arrived in the region with the Kong family!"

Li Zhoufang was the most rule-abiding, and moreover, matters of protection were never rushed. He immediately bowed and withdrew. Although Li Zhouluo gained a moment's respite, he was more anxious about matters in the east. He immediately ordered someone to come up. Cui Jueyin, in his Daoist robe, strode quickly into the hall. He was now considered one of the Li family's two strongest combatants, alongside Ding Weizeng, and was greatly respected. Li Zhouluo quickly descended, and Cui Jueyin bowed, stating concisely, "Reporting to the Family Head, the reason for the Capital Immortal's retreat has been identified: the overseas Daoist lineage, the Profound Scroll Jade Maiden Grand Dao, emerged from the river, invaded Shanjih, forced the Baiye Capital Immortal Dao to retreat, and occupied the Xuanyue Mountain Gate!"

"Venerable Master Zhugong of the Profound Scroll Jade Maiden Grand Dao established a sect in the mountains, claiming to inherit the Profound Mystery Daoist lineage. They established a branch called the Profound Radiance Divine Scroll Jade Maiden Dao, abbreviated as the Mujuan Sect, to help the distressed and relieve the needy, integrating the Xuanyue Sect, which is also of the Profound Mystery Daoist lineage. They renamed the Xuanyue Mountain Gate to Mujuan Mountain and formally established their rule!" Li Zhouluo was deeply shaken. He saw Cui Jueyin continue, "Three months from now, Venerable Master Zhugong will host a banquet for various cultivators on Mujuan Mountain. I hear that cultivators from the Ziyan Sect are already ascending the mountain today, and even Venerable Master Tinglan of Ziyan Blessed Land has gone personally." Compared to Li Zhouluo's shock, Cui Jueyin actually had some premonition, as he had followed Li Ximing to the Ziyan Sect and chatted with Ziyan Sect cultivators for a long time, gathering some indirect information.

From above, Li Zhouluo listened to his words and asked, "How did the Kong family react?" The Mujuan Sect inherited the Xuanyue Sect's legacy under the guise of helping the distressed and relieving the needy. The Kong family, whose status had already become marginalized, suddenly became sensitive. Li Zhouluo grasped the key to the problem. Cui Jueyin had clearly observed this early on and replied, "Most of the Kong family are confused and at a loss. Two young Kong family members inquired about the Mujuan Sect and were sent back by Kong Guxi. Currently, the Xuanyue side has no intention of contacting the Mujuan Sect, and the Mujuan Sect has not sent anyone to contact the Kong family either."

Li Zhouluo breathed a sigh of relief, glad that his family's position had not yet become awkward. But then Chen Yang rushed in from outside the hall and bowed, "Family Head! An envoy from the Mujuan Sect has arrived in the region! He claims to be here to deliver an invitation." Hearing this news, the Mujuan Sect's attitude was clearly quite amicable. Li Zhouluo said delightedly, "Quickly invite him in!" Then a young man in golden robes and blue garments entered the hall, with fair skin, splendid attire, and a face full of smiles. Behind him followed a man wearing a bamboo hat and simple plain clothes, his face obscured. The young man spoke, "Dai Jinquan of the Profound Radiance Divine Scroll Jade Maiden Dao greets the Family Head. Auspicious events are approaching; I congratulate the immortal clan on its eternal prosperity and continuous lineage through generations..." He delivered a long string of auspicious congratulations. Li Zhouluo forced a smile and replied, "I often hear of your immortal sect's great name. Now that you have moved inland and acquired such a valuable place, it is truly cause for celebration..."

After all, the Li family protected the Kong clan, and the Mujuan Sect cultivators occupying someone else's mountain gate was somewhat troublesome. Hearing this, Dai Jinquan's joy on his face intensified. He took out a golden-blue invitation from his sleeve and said, "I presume your esteemed clan has also heard that three months from now, our Venerable Master will host a banquet for various cultivators on Mujuan Mountain. At that time, we ask your immortal clan to grace us with your presence and partake in the wine..." Having achieved his purpose, he said a few pleasantries and then stopped. The man wearing the bamboo hat behind him stepped forward, removed his hat, revealing a vibrant and energetic face. It was Wen Wu of the Ziyan Sect! Wen Wu took out a purplish-golden token from his sleeve and said solemnly, "I am Wen Wu of the Ziyan Sect, and I have met the Family Head before. I am here, having joined the Mujuan Sect's journey, to convey the Venerable Master's intentions."

As soon as these words were uttered, Cui Jueyin immediately used a pupil technique to discern. Wen Wu presented the token in his hand, from which a purple smoke divine ability emerged, forming an illusion on the spot. Everyone was astonished, and Li Zhouluo also rose from his seat and bowed. Then the purple smoke transformed into Venerable Master Tinglan, who stood in the hall, swept a glance around, recognized Cui Jueyin, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Jueyin, your Venerable Master Zhaojing already made arrangements and discussed it with me in Ziyan. The Xuanyue Daoist lineage belongs to the Mujuan Sect... Considering Wangyue's reputation, Zhugong won't touch it first. Your family made arrangements early, so it looks good on both sides." Cui Jueyin respectfully assented. The Venerable Master then disappeared. Dai Jinquan and Wen Wu, who had been kneeling, finished their bows, and only then did everyone rise. Wen Wu put on his bamboo hat, said nothing, and the two departed.

Li Zhouluo had Chen Yang personally escort them out, then he breathed a slight sigh of relief and ordered, "Let the people from Xuanyue come up!" He wondered inwardly, 'Is Xuanyue also of the Profound Mystery Daoist lineage? It's not impossible...' There was indeed a Profound Mystery Daoist lineage north of the river, namely the Xuanyuan Temple entrusted by Changxi, and Sumian had always claimed to be a descendant of the Profound Mystery's immortal phase. Li Zhouluo pondered then, "Xuanyuan Temple starts with 'Xuan,' Xuanyue Sect also starts with 'Xuan,' the Mujuan Sect's full name is Profound Radiance Divine Scroll Jade Maiden Dao, calling it Profound Radiance Dao is also fine, and it also starts with 'Xuan'..." As he was contemplating, Kong Guxi hurriedly came up. The Sect Master looked nervous, his face covered in tears. He bowed in the hall and said respectfully, "Family Head... my sect's mountain gate has now been seized by the Mujuan Sect..."

He used the word "seized" to make his stance clear. Li Zhouluo, still suspicious, showed a look of grief and indignation on his face, and spoke, "Sect Master Kong, I heard the Mujuan Sect claims your family belongs to the Profound Mystery Daoist lineage... How is it that I've never heard you mention this?" Hearing this, even Kong Guxi's face revealed a hint of resentment and desolation. The Sect Master bowed and said, "Reporting to the Family Head, the Profound Mystery Daoist lineage has a very significant origin and is connected to my family's Yuganshan. When my family's Venerable Master established the sect back then, he placed its lineage under the Profound Mystery Daoist lineage, calling it the Profound Light Mountain-Moving Grand Dao. But because the lineage was incomplete, and we couldn't even name an ancestral master, it was never recognized by others, and later we stopped mentioning this name."

"When the Venerable Master was alive, he worked tirelessly day and night for this name, only seeking worldly recognition, but in the end, it amounted to nothing. Now... now it has come to this! To achieve annexation, they have instead acknowledged it!" Li Zhouluo nodded gravely, stepped forward, and solemnly helped Kong Guxi up, replying, "Sect Master Kong, we have discussed this carefully. Although the Capital Immortal has retreated, they might not necessarily refrain from moving south. Our Venerable Master is not here, and the wilderness is fraught with dangers... I fear that by then, we may not be able to protect your esteemed sect..."

"Currently, the Mujuan Sect has expelled the Capital Immortal Dao, and Venerable Master Zhugong is protecting Xuanyue. I hear they are searching for Xuanyue disciples all over Shanjih Commandery. Sect Master, why not take your people there, avoid the Capital Immortal Dao's insidious schemes, and preserve your lineage!" Kong Guxi's heart turned cold upon hearing this. From the moment the Mujuan Sect claimed to be helping the distressed and relieving the needy of Xuanyue, his hope of re-establishing his sect vanished like smoke. The Mujuan Sect had already helped the distressed and relieved the needy, merging and saving the Xuanyue Daoist lineage. What would it mean for another Xuanyue Sect to emerge from the west? This Sect Master did not want to leave the Li family a few days ago because the time was not ripe, not because he had abandoned the Daoist lineage. It was impossible for him to harbor no hatred for the Mujuan Sect at this moment; his recent words had already expressed this to the fullest extent. But Li Zhouluo's meaning was clearer: the current grand trend was not something he, the Kong clan, or the Wangyue Li clan could stop. Kong Guxi's body went limp. He knelt down dazedly and whispered, "Fa... Family Head..."