Chapter 805: Killing

Dawn was breaking, and the great hall was brightly lit. Li Zhouluo placed several stacks of bamboo slips on the table, letting out a sigh of relief. The lamplight made his complexion appear slightly sallow as he turned sideways and said, "All the clan records and matters, great and small, from the past few years are recorded here. Jiangqian, you can just read through them."

Li Jiangqian, still in his crimson robe, nodded upon hearing this. He picked up the top-most volume to read, looking thoughtful. Li Zhouluo shook his head and said, "I haven't done well these past few years. If there are any omissions or shortcomings, please make up for them, Jiangqian. I'm causing you much trouble..."

"Uncle, what are you saying!" Li Jiangqian smiled and shook his head, replying, "Fourth Uncle, you are kind-hearted and care for the clan. There are no omissions or shortcomings; it's mostly been benevolent governance. The methods you proposed are all excellent, and your nephew needs to give them more thought."

Li Zhouluo merely sighed and shook his head. He removed his black robe, put it into his storage pouch, and replied, "Don't flatter me. I'm also about to break through to the ninth level of Qi Condensation, and this is a good opportunity to enter seclusion."

He quickly withdrew. Li Jiangqian then settled back into his seat, raising an eyebrow to look at Di Liguang, who was standing nearby. He said, "Are all the young masters on their way?"

Di Liguang nodded and respectfully replied, "Reporting to the family head, Young Masters Jianglong and Jiangxia entered seclusion three months and half a year ago, respectively. Messages have been sent, but they likely won't be received in time."

Li Jiangqian chuckled and replied, "It's fine. Fnan and Dong'an have always been managed by my two younger brothers; they are well-organized, so there's no need for them to make another trip. Where are Jiangliang and Jiangnian?"

Di Liguang hurriedly said, "The Fourth Young Master has always been with Lord Cui Jueyin. Coincidentally, Lord Cui is on the island these past few days, and the Fourth Young Master is already waiting in the side hall. Young Master Jiangnian has recently been cultivating on the island and is also ready and waiting."

"Please have them come up." He gave the command, then lowered his head again to read the clan records in his hand. After only a dozen breaths, he heard a jingling sound at the front of the hall. A young master, carrying a sword, stepped in. His golden eyes looked around as he said loudly, "Elder Brother!"

This was indeed his fourth younger brother, Li Jiangliang, now fifteen years old. His expression was lively, and he resembled Li Jiangqian greatly, though he appeared more cheerful and benevolent. He said warmly, "Congratulations, Elder Brother! A few days ago, I went to your residence to pay my respects, but your movements were unpredictable, and I couldn't manage to visit you... Truly, congratulations, Elder Brother!"

Li Jiangliang was enthusiastic, and Li Jiangqian naturally greeted him with a smile in return, saying, "I've been busy with matters lately and had no spare time. As soon as I had a moment of leisure, didn't I send for you, Fourth Brother?"

The two conversed for a few moments before Li Jiangqian finally looked at his youngest brother, Li Jiangnian, who was at the back.

All four of Li Zhouwei's children were tall and well-built. Even Li Jianglong, who had the most ordinary appearance, had a stature that was perfectly suitable among ordinary people. Yet, the Li Jiangnian before him was short, even a bit stunted and thin.

What made Li Jiangqian frown even more was his face. The members of the Li family were generally not bad-looking, especially those from the Li Tongya lineage. Li Xijun was a famous handsome man of his time, and Li Qinghong was also a breathtaking beauty. In all the years Li Zhouwei managed the household, no small number of female cultivators in the lake region fell for him. Even Li Jiangliang, standing before him, possessed first-rate grace and bearing.

'It's one thing that he didn't inherit Father's golden eyes... but to look so utterly pathetic!' He frowned deeply. Compared to the natural charm of his brothers, this youngest brother almost had an inherently repulsive aura. Li Jiangqian observed in silence, unable to believe it, thinking: 'Is he... truly Father's biological son?!'

He didn't even speak. He walked down from the main seat, observed him briefly, and asked, sounding doubtful, "He's already a cultivator about to enter Qi Condensation... How can he still have these things growing on him...?"

Li Jiangqian was naturally referring to the things on his face. The awkward Li Jiangnian, however, seemed accustomed to being asked about them, and meekly replied, "I was born this way. Lord Cui has seen it. He said that as my cultivation progresses, they will naturally disappear, so there's no need to interfere."

Li Jiangqian could only step back. His intention to test his two younger brothers was gone. He returned to the main seat, averting his gaze from him, and replied, "Jiangnian, you are about to enter Qi Condensation. Are you here to receive the 'Courtly World Dust'? I'll give you a command token; you can go to the dense forest and retrieve it yourself."

Li Jiangnian hastily nodded, took the token Li Jiangqian handed him, and happily withdrew.

He pushed the door open and left. Both elder brothers in the hall sighed in relief. Li Jiangqian let out a deep breath, not knowing what to say, and merely rubbed his temples.

Li Jiangliang lowered his head slightly and whispered, "In recent years, our youngest brother hasn't left seclusion much. Unless absolutely necessary, he eats and lives in his cave dwelling. Tonight, he needed spirit qi, so he had no choice."

"It's better if he moves around less." Li Jiangqian sighed, "Everywhere in this world, one's face is unavoidable. If one is born with a good appearance, others will have a good impression at first glance. If one is born with a poor appearance, they might be cursed on the road. As for using magic to conceal it, it's hard to avoid being suspected of hiding something or harboring ill intentions. At worst, he can wear a mask from now on to cover his face. While he still won't escape sideways glances from others, at least it will be bearable to look at."

Li Jiangliang nodded repeatedly. Li Jiangqian merely glanced and could tell that he wasn't particularly concerned about whether Li Jiangnian covered his face or not. He then smiled and said, "I heard Uncle Zhouluo mention... that you consumed the Blazing Essence of Bright Separation many years ago, and share the same cultivation lineage as me. You also cultivate the 'Scripture of Heavenly Separation and Sunset.' In the future, you can often come to me for guidance."

"Thank you, Elder Brother!" Li Jiangliang bowed and withdrew. Li Jiangqian then stood up, dipped his brush in ink at the table, wrote a few characters, took out a stack of small notes from his sleeve, glanced at Di Liguang, and instructed, "Go summon everyone from Qingdu and Yuting."

He raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "It's fine if the commotion is grand; the grander, the better. I want the entire island to clearly hear it!"

Di Liguang understood, nodded, and withdrew. True to his word, countless footsteps suddenly echoed throughout the great hall. Troops in white armor filed in from the two side halls, guarding every door tightly. For a moment, shadows flickered, and the clanging of weapons and the rustling of armor created a chaotic din.

"Clang..."

Li Jiangqian remained seated on the main dais. Chen Yang, clad in black armor, quickly approached from a side entrance and clasped his hands in salute. "Reporting to the family head, Li Xixuan is indeed on Qingdu Mountain. He is bitterly pleading for mercy in the Elder's courtyard and has been kneeling for an hour."

"Only an hour!" Li Jiangqian smiled wryly and replied, "After all, he is a mortal. It still takes a good while to reach Qingdu by boat... Fortunately, I waited for him until late into the night." He pulled out a token and chuckled, "Di Liguang has gone to summon the Qingdu forces. You gather your men; once the Qingdu forces emerge from the mountain, immediately seal off Qingdu. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

"The grander the display, the better... Just say... I've found fault, and now I'm going to kill someone!"