Chapter 804: East Residence

Everyone raised their cups in celebration. Li Chengzai, in his patterned headscarf, was vibrant with youthful energy. Li Xixuan, however, kept scanning back and forth, counting the number of guests; his usual carefree demeanor, which he had outside the courtyard, had long been cast to the winds.

‘The Chen and An families didn't send anyone… that’s understandable… Li Cheng and Li Chengpan’s families didn’t even send greetings… there aren’t many important guests from the main lineage…’

Li Xixuan watched solemnly, not overly surprised; only the faint hope in his heart had dissipated. He entered from the bright, noisy outer courtyard, finding the inner hall dark. A few children were crouching in the corner. Li Xixuan raised his plump, white hand and whispered:

“Bring my third son back!”

Before long, Li Chengzai, still wearing his patterned headscarf, entered the courtyard sullenly. Facing his grim-faced father, he pleaded:

“…I already asked… Cheng was sent to the dense forest by the Elder Master, and Chengpan is near Zhouluo, so it’s reasonable they couldn’t come… Why must Father show such displeasure… It makes everyone uncomfortable.”

Li Xixuan glared at him and rebuked:

“What do you know… Although I’ve never cultivated and couldn’t identify the fire in the sky that day, several cultivators said that the Eldest Young Master, Li Jiangqian, had broken through his seclusion… Li Zhouluo might be amiable, but he certainly isn’t!”

Li Chengzai frowned and said to his father:

“Our East Residence is in the direst straits; this time, we had no choice but to lead… As for those who stuck their necks out, once the superiors conceded and everyone else had divided the benefits and scattered like the wind, the leaders were left to be slaughtered… Now, one by one, they dare not come…”

Li Chengzai had grown up within the residence and largely depended on his father for everything. Hearing this, he panicked and asked:

“Huh? What kind of logic is that… We went to Qingdu together, and we received the protection. Now they’re abandoning us; who will stand up for us in the future?”

Li Xixuan simply said:

“It’s easy for you to say. If those in power want to suppress you, they’ll find countless excuses. There’s always an excuse that satisfies both sides. So they come after us; they always target the leaders. If we don’t make some plans, we’re bound to suffer misfortune.”

Li Chengzai nodded repeatedly, but Li Xixuan’s brows were furrowed as he replied:

“Before, we had some sway because the clan members were all thinking about protection and were biased towards us. Now that the protection has passed, we’re like a phoenix plucked of its feathers—nothing. Fortunately, we had a plan… The merits and reputations of the children are genuine, with no exaggeration.”

“You don’t need to do much about this; just be honest and dutiful. None of you can fight them; we can only rely on the Ming Palace’s prestige and remain low-key. I will go to the hall to confess my sins shortly; let everything come to this old man. At most, I’ll endure some hardship; at worst, my life won’t be in danger.”

Li Chengzai hesitated and said:

“Right now, all the families are celebrating; Father going to the mountain… it would be inappropriate… It would also make us lose face. Besides, why make it seem like we’ve done something wrong? This small bit of protection… it’s already less than what other families received…”

Li Xixuan’s face hardened, and he asked:

“How is it inappropriate? Li Zhouluo is still in power, and Li Jiangqian has just emerged from seclusion; if we don’t approach him now, when will we? Should we wait until Li Jiangqian’s blade comes for us? If he gives us leeway now, Li Jiangqian will be constrained in dealing with us in the future!”

“Oh…”

Li Chengzai replied skeptically:

“Eldest Young Master… is he re-entering the Prefecture?”

Li Xixuan chuckled in exasperation. He didn’t answer him a single word. He shook his head and stormed out.

The front courtyard was full of guests, so he stepped over the threshold of the back courtyard and exited through the back door. The morning mist was still chilly. Li Xixuan had to pull his sleeves tighter. His plump, pale face looked somewhat dispirited:

‘I’ve fought for this and that, yet no one appreciates it. Granting protection to one after another, how many will truly amount to anything in the end? Only Ming Palace in the East Residence has cultivated immortality. This old man is counting his days, and this is all the help I can give…’

Among all the clan elders, Li Xixuan was the most anxious. It was truly because there were too few cultivators in the Yuanwan branch!

Also descendants of Li Xuanxuan, the other branch, the Yuandu West Residence, headed by Li Cheng, had Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang at the forefront, followed by Li Xinghan and Li Xingsai. Further down, there was also Li Queyi from Ziyan. As long as there were cultivators, they could separate without worrying about being relegated to the Prefecture’s outskirts.

The West Residence was divided into several households, and the leading brothers, Li Zhoufang, were cultivators. Whether striving for protection or seeking positions outside, it was much more convenient. Every time a clan member was placed, it paved a way for the future, making things easier down the line. How unlike Li Xixuan, who alone had to desperately seek prospects for his children and grandchildren everywhere?

It would be one thing if his descendants couldn’t cultivate, but even their intentions were unsatisfactory. How could Li Xixuan not be dejected!

He hunched in his robes in the cold morning wind. He felt cold all over, and his steps were light and unsteady. Though the streets were filled with music, his heart was full of sorrow.

The road from the East Residence to the Hall wasn’t far. However, the Hall was situated on higher ground, making it quite a strenuous walk for a mortal. Li Xixuan usually traveled by sedan chair, but today he had slipped out secretly, so he naturally didn’t have such amenities. He had to wait by the roadside for a while and hailed a coachman to stop.

There were many coachmen and messengers in the Prefecture, but these were considered undignified jobs, and members of the main lineage were mostly unwilling to do them unless desperate. Most of these people were families or servants of cultivators who had been promoted into the Prefecture or main lineage, supplementing their household income.

He squeezed into the small sedan chair. It was only then that he felt a little warmer. He dozed off and woke up intermittently as it swayed. After an unknown period, it gradually grew hot. He heard a voice from outside call out:

“Master! We’ve arrived!”

Li Xixuan pulled aside the curtain and looked. Indeed, he saw a vast expanse of towering palaces. Only then did he emerge from the sedan chair. He was old, and his legs and waist were stiff. He stretched his leg, trying to reach the ground to alight. Unexpectedly, he felt a coolness at his waist. It was a pair of fair hands supporting his back, smoothly helping him out.

He stood firmly on the ground and exhaled slowly. He raised his brows to look. His gaze fell upon a pair of plain black boots, unadorned with patterns.

Above them was a crimson robe with gold trim, gently fluttering in the wind. When he lifted his eyes slightly, he saw a fair face with slightly long eyebrows.

Beneath the dark eyebrows were a pair of golden eyes, which were smiling at him.

Li Xixuan’s breath hitched. His heart tightened abruptly:

“Eldest Young Master?”

Li Jiangqian was rather tall and slender, much taller than the old man. Apricot-yellow flames still burned on his black hair, glowing faintly. He helped Li Xixuan steady himself, and kindly took his plump, white hand in his own. He smiled and said:

“What a coincidence, to meet an elder here… Are you here to…?”

Li Xixuan felt a chill in his heart under his gaze. He had not even taken a sedan chair, secretly slipping out through a small door, precisely to appear at the Hall unexpectedly and catch them off guard. How could he tell him that? He barely managed to maintain his expression and said with a smile:

“The matter of protection has been announced; I came to pay my respects to the family head and thank him for his kindness…”

“Oh!”

Li Jiangqian walked with him towards the Hall, shaking his head and smiling as he said:

“Elder, you’re too polite. Although this junior has cultivated for a few years, I still need to learn from you! I was thinking that these clan members were all so well-behaved during their assessments, and after receiving protection, they would certainly swagger about indulging in pleasures… But now, looking at you, Elder, your words and actions are truly consistent. The clan members of the East Residence are incredibly fortunate to have you as their teacher, wouldn’t you agree?”

Li Xixuan nodded with a smile. “Right…”

Li Jiangqian nodded with a smile and said:

“This junior also considered this point and discussed it with the family head early this morning. These clan members who received protection… must be closely watched. If any elder or junior from a lineage commits a mistake, their protection must first be suspended, and then reconsidered and reevaluated. This also prevents people from taking advantage of the situation!”

“Ah…”

Li Xixuan felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He froze for a second, almost stopping walking entirely.

What was Li Xixuan here for? To confess his sins! With one word from Li Jiangqian, if he confessed his sins, the entire family’s protection would be lost!

He stood stunned for a full moment. His mind quickly organized his words before he finally spoke:

“This… seems too harsh… After all, which family doesn’t have elders and juniors? Are you implying…”

Li Jiangqian sighed and shook his head, interrupting him:

“Elder, you’re too soft-hearted! How can this be considered harsh? The East Residence will naturally not make mistakes… You don’t need to consider other branches, Elder… Oh… Di Liguang has arrived… Please, honored guest!”

Li Jiangqian, precisely timed, interrupted him at the hall entrance. Without waiting for a response, he bowed, transformed into an apricot-yellow light, and ascended into the sky. Li Xixuan was caught off guard. Di Liguang, however, came forward to greet him and said respectfully:

“Sir, the family head is currently receiving a cultivator from Ziyan. Is there anything urgent?”

Li Xixuan took two deep breaths. He bowed slightly, then retreated without a word. Walking all the way down the steps, the old man realized something was amiss and began to ponder:

‘Such a major decision, just like that? No word of it throughout the Prefecture? I was scared off by that young man!’

Just as he was about to turn around, he grew afraid again:

“No… no… Since he said that… how can I still go up and confess my sins? He’s skilled at twisting black into white and white into black. If I go, it will become an act of my voluntary confession and sacrifice of my descendants’ protection to rectify clan discipline. I would surely be hated to death…”

Li Xixuan’s limbs grew cold. He shivered for a moment and thought to himself:

“Unsolvable… unsolvable… If Ming Palace doesn’t emerge from seclusion, to avoid being tormented to death by this young man… I can only go beg the Elder Master!”

Outside the Hall, there was a clamor, but Li Zhouluo’s inner hall was very quiet. Cui Jueyin stood in the center of the main hall, slightly turned, with his hands clasped, and said to the superior:

“Reporting to the family head, this is Immortal Wei… and this is Taoist Cao.”

“Greetings, Family Head.”

The two bowed slightly. Li Zhouluo immediately replied:

“Greetings to both Immortal Masters.”

The Ziyan sect sent Wei Danyang, Tinglan’s confidante, to take over. She wore a yellow feathered robe and looked somewhat awkward. Taoist Cao, on the other hand, was burly with a full black beard, holding a small, thin child of eight or nine years by the hand.

This was clearly about Taoist Cao’s romantic entanglement. Taoist Cao, however, was at ease; just by his appearance, he seemed forthright. His clenched fist was the size of a vinegar pot. Divine light shimmered on his robes. Ding Mu’s slender hand could only grasp his finger. Taoist Cao’s voice was low:

“I’m very fond of this child, so I’ll trouble the Lakeside to part with him.”

Everyone present knew perfectly well who he was ‘very fond of’. Wei Danyang hesitated and said:

“Family Head must already know about Taoist Cao Chu’s matter… Since he intends to take a disciple, according to Ziyan’s rules, I’ve come to ask the family head… At that time, we will also bring his family over.”

Wei Danyang and Taoist Cao Chu were clearly not very close. The female cultivator knew the matter was a bit unsavory, so she asked vaguely. Li Zhouluo could not let her be embarrassed, so he nodded and said:

“It is this child’s good fortune to be accepted into the Ziyan sect. The Lake will also provide additional resources for his future. His family can certainly go with him; please rest assured!”

“Good!”

Taoist Cao Chu seemed very pleased. He cupped his hands in a salute, smiling. He had a loud voice, and this declaration was very resonant. Wei Danyang was almost ashamed and quickly said:

“Taoist Cao, please go ahead…”

Taoist Cao Chu didn’t make a fuss; he promptly clasped his hands in a salute and straightforwardly departed. The thin Ding Mu didn’t utter a single word. He was led by the hand, taking two steps at a time to keep up. He was as stiff as a puppet, yet a smile appeared on his face.

Li Zhouluo watched the master and disciple leave, subtly frowning. Wei Danyang breathed a sigh of relief, raised her brows, and smiled as she said:

“This matter has put the family head in an awkward position… Taoist Cao Chu is also an unreliable character in the sect. Normally, cultivators rarely visit his peak. Fortunately, he only amuses himself with his wives and concubines; his conduct is still acceptable…”

Li Zhouluo had also seen Taoist Cao Chu’s spiritual power glow earlier, and felt equally awkward inside:

‘How did this Taoist Cao cultivate Bright Yang… Oh… perhaps it’s fitting that he cultivates Bright Yang…’

The two tacitly skipped over this topic. Wei Danyang’s expression became a little somber as she said:

“In recent years, Changxiao and Hengzhu have been fighting fiercely in the Light Boat Sea. The Changxiao Sect suffered many losses, which was originally good news. Our Ziyan sect doesn’t have much influence overseas, so it was a good opportunity to extend our reach.”

“But something happened in the East Sea, and Wen Wu had to be transferred away. This situation… is very bad. The sea’s earth veins in our Ziyan sect’s territory have shifted greatly, and underground fire and lava are leaking out. It’s said its light burns fiercely, visible for a thousand li…”

“The dragon kin in the sea have all surfaced. I heard the seabed is a fiery inferno, with life perishing, and many demons and humans have died.”

The Ziyan sect’s strength overseas was not as great as Changxiao and Hengzhu. They had invested considerable effort overseas in recent years. Seeing Wei Danyang’s expression, this damage was clearly significant. After all, with the earth veins and fire veins shifting simultaneously, and being in the sea, the water veins were likely affected too. A change in all three would cause considerable damage to formations and structures.

Li Zhouluo’s expression was grim. He murmured:

“Has it been investigated…?”

Wei Danyang looked a little depressed and replied:

“Either it’s a highly accomplished Purple Mansion cultivator of the Earth Virtue path, or it’s genuinely a shift in the earth veins, causing an unforeseen disaster. In any case… not only have the True Masters within the sect gone there, but all cultivators are also stationed in the East Sea…”

“With cultivators being redeployed, there will inevitably be fewer personnel here at your esteemed family. If our speed slows down, please don’t be offended.”

Li Zhouluo nodded gravely, indicating he understood. The Ziyan sect indeed had a reason for telling him all this. His own formations weren’t urgent, so he softly said:

“It’s fine. It’s best for Ziyan to handle their own affairs first.”

Wei Danyang then took her leave and exited the hall. Li Zhouluo escorted her part of the way, heading north. Li Zhouluo observed the route. Wei Danyang was most likely heading towards Xuanmiao Temple.

‘True Master Sumin, from the Precious Earth lineage, an Earth Virtue cultivator, has considerable knowledge of earth veins. It seems he will be asked to intervene.’