Chapter 813: Evil Cicada

Li Zhouming flicked his sleeves, raised his head, and joyfully exclaimed in a clear voice:"So, news from my grandfather has arrived... I've been worried about him, and it seems he's also been thinking of me. Is there any specific instruction?"

After saying this, he smiled at Xia Shouyu:"The True Immortal bestowed this marriage, but did not mention it to me. May I know your name, young lady?"

His words were polite, and Xia Shouyu returned his smile. She paused slightly, allowing the elder to speak first. Li Xuanxuan's expression softened as he replied:"You are still concerned about the True Immortal. He is currently traveling in the East Sea, and everything is going well."

Only then did Xia Shouyu say:"To answer the young master, my name is Xia, Shouyu. I am a cultivator from the East Sea."

Li Zhouming quickly unfastened his fan and replied:"Please... I'll take you for a stroll by the lake; we can talk about the True Immortal's matters there!"

As it was their first meeting, Xia Shouyu didn't detect anything amiss and smiled as she walked towards him. Li Xuanxuan felt strange and didn't know what to say, so he merely nodded in acknowledgment. As the two went out together, the elder was unsure whether to laugh or scold:"This child is usually dull and mischievous, never serious about anything, and nine out of ten things he says are nonsensical... But as soon as he sees a woman, it's as if he's suddenly enlightened, clear-headed and sharp, completely transformed... Every word he says is on point... No wonder those girls by the lake have never caused any trouble. Ah..."

Meanwhile, Li Jiangqian waited beside him, silently pondering. Since Li Ximing's two decrees had arrived, the direct descendants needed to gather to discuss them. Together, they entered the main hall. After the doors were closed, Li Xuanxuan sighed:"It's best that the True Immortal is well. This Miss Xia was also chosen by him; I think she's a very intelligent young lady with a good family background..."

Li Jiangqian ushered him to the main seat. After the elder sat down, he stood by his side, brewing tea for him, and whispered:"She's very articulate; you can't get anything out of her quickly. The clever thing is that we shouldn't even ask, for fear of revealing the True Immortal's whereabouts. However, looking at her attire... though elegant, none of it is top-tier. If she had an extraordinary background, she should at least possess a Foundation Establishment magical artifact, or spirit boots... but I didn't see any. Perhaps I'm simply unobservant and failed to recognize hidden treasures, or perhaps she didn't bring out her powerful artifacts..."

Xia Shouyu was to be an elder, so Li Jiangqian spoke very tactfully. Li Xuanxuan, however, took his words to heart and said doubtfully:"That's a point. However, she repeatedly mentioned that her elders are cultivating in the immortal mountains, and her own family isn't wealthy... which seems reasonable."

Li Jiangqian nodded. Only when speaking to Li Xuanxuan did he dare to speak his mind. He replied:"My conjecture is that even if she has elders in the immortal mountains, Miss Xia belongs to a branch of the family that is either illegitimate or a declining direct line. The True Immortal's trip overseas might not have been planned; perhaps it was a compromise with a certain Daoist tradition, asking them for some care, which is why this marriage alliance exists. We are the ones seeking their help, so they wouldn't send an overly talented or crucial direct descendant. This is just my private speculation, but ultimately, this arrangement is best. I see so many female cultivators of other surnames by the lake, and none can compare to Miss Xia. The True Immortal's considerations are surely more thorough than ours."

Li Xuanxuan nodded. He saw Li Jiangqian raise his head as if noticing something. There was a knock from outside the door. With a wave of his sleeve, the hall door opened by itself. Chen Yang, who was waiting outside, quickly came forward and whispered in his ear:"Patriarch... someone from Qingchi has arrived."

Li Jiangqian frowned and asked:"Who from Qingchi? And in what capacity have they come?"

Chen Yang whispered:"The visitor is Li Quantao, the Peak Master of Fuchen Peak, claiming to be a friend of the Pavilion Master of Jiutian Pavilion."

Li Jiangqian had no recollection of him, but upon hearing this, Li Xuanxuan quickly nodded and replied:"Ah, so it's this young man. Please invite him up at once!"

Although Li Quantao and the Wangyue Li clan didn't usually interact much, their mutual gratitude ran deep. Their friendship dated back to his father, Li Encheng's time, and Li Quantao had even saved Li Xizhi's life back then. Li Xuanxuan held him in high regard and merely said to Li Jiangqian:"They were so kind back then. Now that our family has become a Purple Mansion immortal clan, we absolutely cannot make them wait. We don't want them to feel we're putting on airs as an immortal clan and are ungrateful, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings."

As they spoke, Li Quantao, clad in a blue robe with wave patterns, came up. The energetic young man from back then had now become a middle-aged figure, appearing much more formal, repeatedly cupping his hands in greeting.

Li Xuanxuan was already seated in the main position. Li Jiangqian invited Li Quantao in and sat beside him. The middle-aged man looked around with eyes full of emotion and replied:"Your clan has changed so much... it's almost unrecognizable."Li Xuanxuan chuckled in response, gesturing him to a nearby seat, and said:"You and Xizhi are like brothers! You used to call him 'Brother Zhi.' Why be so formal? Have you encountered any difficulties? Or is there a junior disciple who needs elixirs? Just say it freely."

Li Quantao still seemed reserved. Over the years, he had married the sister of Situ Tongyi from the Si family, and with the Si family's support, his children had no worries about their cultivation. However, his expression was somewhat downcast as he nodded and replied:"I've been ordered by the sect to investigate matters in the Shanji area. Passing by the lake, I thought I'd speak with you."He whispered:"I just came from Mushroom Forest Plain. It's in complete chaos there. Yuan Huduo, the Yuan family patriarch, died suddenly from a relapse of an old injury. Yuan Zibin has taken control of the Yuan family, imprisoning the elder Yuan Huyu, and hanging his uncles, Yuan Fuyao and Yuan Fuyi, on the mountaintop, whipping them for entertainment. He calls them 'the swine,' making them repeatedly pass out and regain consciousness... It's horrific. Furthermore, he's conscripted thousands of women into the mountains, causing widespread lamentation."

Li Xuanxuan frowned and asked:"Has Yuan Chengzhao made any statement?"

At the mention of Yuan Chengzhao, Li Xizhi's martial brother, Li Quantao shook his head directly and replied:"He's still in seclusion... Such matters aren't uncommon; they've happened everywhere. It only seems so impactful because it involves imprisoning and humiliating elders, otherwise, it wouldn't be much of an issue... It's far less severe than what happened with the imperial descendants of Chu back then. My father used to say that even in immortal sects, there are cases of patricide, and the Dao-companion of Changxiao, who possessed Earth virtue, was his own sister... It's common to see small sects and clans, once they lose the suppression of powerful abilities, where those in power, having gained cultivation and authority, become unable to control their desires and often descend into brutality. In the past, the sect could manage these things, but now it's preoccupied with its own affairs, so such incidents are becoming more frequent."

Li Xuanxuan noticed his hesitation and waved his hand, dismissing everyone nearby. Li Quantao was visibly disturbed. Li Xuanxuan then found another excuse to send Li Jiangqian away. The Qingchi Peak Master, a distant relative of the Wei-Li bloodline, sighed, and after a long moment, whispered:"There's good news: Peak Master Qin Xian has been promoted to Peak Master of Yuanxing Peak and is preparing to marry Fellow Daoist Fei Qingyi on an auspicious day..."

The matter between Fei Qingyi and Qin Xian, a confidant of the Si family, had been ongoing for a long time. Now that it had finally come to fruition, it was a significant development, yet it wasn't what Li Quantao truly wanted to say. Li Xuanxuan simply waited quietly, and indeed, he then said:"A few days ago... it was just after Peak Master Qin Xian took office, and I was on duty. Flames shot skyward from Qingchi's main peak, coloring the horizon. I followed the sound and discovered a strange fluctuation in spiritual energy... a cultivator had fallen. But when I arrived at the cave dwelling first, I saw signs of excavation at the entrance, as well as dents from magical artifacts. The formation had been dismantled by an extremely skilled cultivator..."

Li Xuanxuan's heart trembled. He listened intently, watching Li Quantao's pale face, as he whispered:"Afterward, I felt something was wrong. I silently descended the mountain and saw my eldest son, Li Kan, and my second son, Li Xiangye, stealthily coming down the mountain. The white iron cold sword they carried was broken, yet they still had it on their backs..."

At this point, Li Xuanxuan understood his meaning and remained silent. The fact that the Si family had only acted now was truly unexpected for Li Xuanxuan. Li Quantao continued:"The next morning, news spread within the sect that the former Sect Master, Chi Zhiyun, had failed in his breakthrough and perished that night. Although there was little commotion within the sect, I observed... most people had a sorrowful expression."

He now showed the weariness in his expression, whispering:"Although I knew something would happen sooner or later, I still hoped he wouldn't achieve divine abilities himself. My wife said that she initially thought he would surely fail due to the sudden change in spiritual aura. But unexpectedly, it was the malicious intent of those with Fire virtue that caused the disruption. As the days grew closer, everyone became anxious, which led to today's events."Although he said this, his face clearly showed unease and fear.

Ultimately, Chi Zhiyun, the Sect Master of Qingchi, was a generous and exceptionally intelligent man. He was kind, lenient in punishment, and daring in promotion—truly a generational talent. In his time, Qingchi was managed by him so effectively that almost everyone had received his benevolence... Even when Chi Zhiyan acted perversely and ruined all his trusted aides in one fell swoop, and the Si family came to power, every single person in Qingchi knew that Chi Zhiyun was in seclusion, yet everyone felt guilt and no one ever mentioned him. Tantai Jin promoted so many people, yet not one acted on his subtle cues. Now, he had to rely on Qin Xian, a hastily promoted confidant, to plot, and Li Quantao's two naive sons to execute the deed. This clearly showed how guilty the Si family and Tantai Jin felt. Even so, "sorrowful expressions" still lingered among the Qingchi disciples, making the situation utterly awkward.

Li Quantao grew even more agitated, his eyes welling up. He replied:"He was a heroic figure. He entered seclusion to break through to the Purple Mansion realm, to elevate his Yang essence into the Great Void. With everything accomplished and his heart-demons broken, he would have attained divine abilities. Yet, his stone gate was excavated from outside, and two Qi Cultivation juniors entered, bearing swords, pierced his dantian, and severed his head, causing him to perish utterly. If there is any resentment, even shaking heaven and earth would not suffice to appease it! Venerable elder, all my family elders have passed away now. Brother Zhi and I are like brothers, and you are also my elder... Speaking privately, my father was targeted by the Chi family back then, and Sect Master Chi provided much protection... At that time, I truly thanked him from the bottom of my heart. Now... now, if you call me ungrateful, it wouldn't be an exaggeration!"A dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, Li Quantao was now covered in cold sweat, tears streaming down his face. He bowed deeply, his voice trembling with fear:"These two are my own sons, and they did such a thing... Just thinking about it, my conscience chills me to the bone; I truly don't know what to do... I truly don't know what to do! Please, venerable elder... guide me!"

Li Quantao had grown up within an immortal peak, naive to worldly affairs. Though he had gained some understanding later, he still acted from his true nature, a truly honest and kind person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have saved Li Xizhi back then. His eyes were now filled with terror. The elder opened his eyes and whispered:"Do you know why they used them in such a way?"Li Quantao nodded stiffly and said:"My father had a misunderstanding with Chi Wei. So, they thought using me would be easiest and would tie me firmly to them, making it impossible for me to leave. Using 'Brother Zhi' as leverage, when I went into seclusion, the two children must have met someone, whoever instructed them... it no longer matters."

Li Xuanxuan couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of hot tea to warm his stomach, then coughed and said:"It's the karma from back then... all from back then. The fault isn't yours..."Li Quantao's eyes widened, and he stammered with trembling lips:"Venerable elder, you also believe in karma... I thought the Wei-Li family believed in it the least... If you believe in this, then everything can be put down, but that's not good... If we really talk about karma, it was my father who did evil, ambushing Chi Wei and seizing his Daoist lineage..."He seemed to have inadvertently revealed something, whispering:"Chi Wei was detestable, but Chi Zhiyun had tried to dissuade him and made many amends, treating the victims kindly. I know he had to die, whether by execution or by clear instruction. But to harm him in such a way, I am deeply unsettled. Even revenge requires proper methods. If he had harmed my relatives for his own gain, at most I would retaliate by killing him, not by capturing his great-grandson and dismembering him. If I were to do that, wouldn't I be more detestable than him? Wouldn't there be retribution? This is what I mean, junior."

Li Xuanxuan listened, stunned, his heart sinking. He took out a pill from his sleeve, but Li Quantao waved his hand and replied:"Venerable elder, I am very clear-headed. Lord Si is in the South Sea. Which Purple Mansion cultivator could influence me through Qingchi's grand array? This matter has been weighing on my mind for a long time; it's not a momentary impulse."His eyes dimmed slightly as he replied:"I understand that your esteemed clan also suffered greatly under the Chi family and hold deep resentment, so you may not understand me... And the venerable elder is right; if there is karma, it will ultimately fall upon me!"

Li Quantao bowed deeply, then retreated from the hall. His hurried, retreating figure appeared dispirited. Li Xuanxuan forgot to see him off, picking up his hot tea and taking several sips in a row before his hands and feet finally felt warm.

After a long moment, Li Jiangqian came up from the side, slightly surprised, and asked:"Why did he leave without even looking back... Elder..."

Li Xuanxuan rubbed his eyebrows and whispered:"Chi Zhiyun has fallen..."Li Jiangqian was not surprised. He nodded and said:"It was bound to happen eventually. The Si family was quite careless to let it drag on this long."He then asked doubtfully:"Did he tell you, venerable elder? Was he involved? If the Si family wants to involve him, they probably don't have good intentions. They won't try to drag our family into this, will they...?"

The elder seemed somewhat agitated. He nodded silently, rose, and walked down the steps. He glanced at Li Jiangqian and coughed:"I was actually coming to find you... Sometimes I see your sister Que Wanqing as good, and sometimes I find you reliable. You two siblings should complement each other more... Why not learn from your sister? You don't always have to go to extremes in everything, and you think too maliciously! There are benefits to honest interactions... You're too distrustful of people, and you always like to use embellished words. Although this often brings you benefits, I fear it makes those around you and your friends wary."

Li Jiangqian hadn't expected Li Xuanxuan to bring this up. He smiled naturally and replied:"Toward my sister and you, venerable elder, my heart has always been utterly sincere; it can be witnessed. Any embellishment in my words is only evident to elders, and it is always for the clan's benefit... My conscience is clear."

The elder simply descended the steps, returned his smile, and nodded, saying:"I'm getting old, and these are just senile ramblings. The clan's affairs still need your care... You've worked hard."He descended the steps and, surprisingly, did not return to Qingdu but headed towards the bustling part of the continent. Li Jiangqian accompanied him halfway before turning back to the hall. With a calm expression, he sat down in the main seat, gently tapping the table, his eyes cold:'I've never seen the venerable elder act this way. Which audacious person... dared to speak ill of me to his face!'