Chapter 883: Fixed Position

Hearing this, Ding Weizeng's eyes reddened. He immediately knelt down, choking back tears, and said:"Weizeng thanks you, Revered Immortal... In its early years, the Ding clan cultivated under the rule of the Tangjin Sect. Situ Chen was tyrannical and constantly harmed us. It was entirely thanks to Senior Situ Ku's arrangements and mediations that we managed to survive... My parents often admonished me to remember this kindness."

"It's just that he didn't understand the situation, defied the Lake, and was eventually captured by Master Li. Weizeng could only secretly provide aid... Revered Immortal, you have fulfilled the Ding clan's debt of gratitude... I don't know how I can repay you!"

The old man, Situ Ku, also kowtowed, cold sweat running down his back. In truth, any "arrangements and mediations" were actually the Ding family bribing him with lavish gifts. Among the many families at the time, though the Ding clan's gifts weren't the most substantial, their actions were the most honest, which is why he favored them.

Of course, these details couldn't be revealed. Situ Ku humbly followed along in expressing gratitude. However, Li Ximing's main reason for sparing him was Ning Wan. He then said:

"No need to say more. This life is his good fortune. The Situ family has many enemies; keep a close eye on him."

Ding Weizeng nodded respectfully, then stood up and led the old man away. Situ Ku clearly hadn't expected to find a way to survive after so many years in the Li family; he wept tears of joy and followed them out.

Li Ximing looked over at Li Queyuan and saw her putting away a talisman. She reported:

"Revered Immortal, there are no direct Purple Palace descendants here... Only one or two female relatives are closely related by blood to a Purple Palace cultivator... The male descendants must have either been taken away or killed off..."

"You handle it."

Li Ximing casually instructed Li Jiangqian. The Li family patriarch nodded, then reminded him:

"However... it seems the cultivation methods here are incomplete. The Tangjin Sect's famous cultivation methods back then... were far more than just the 'Heavenly Beard Polished Gold Scripture.'"

"Hmm..."

Li Ximing nodded, quietly examining the pile of jade slips. Though there were many cultivation methods, their quality varied.

"At least the 'Black Qi in Flames' from back then is missing. This technique, if not world-renowned, was at least infamous. After all, Situ Tang didn't just acquire the Heavenly Beard lineage; he also visited Mount Douxuan back then. Either those monks didn't provide everything, or the last Tangjin Sect Master, Situ Mo, tampered with these items and moved them elsewhere."

Li Jiangqian bowed and said:

"Since it's a Douxuan lineage, it's reasonable that Jin Yu took some of it beforehand. Perhaps they feared that taking everything wouldn't be justified, so they at least left the Heavenly Beard lineage."

Li Ximing had seen the Douxuan lineage in Chang Xiao's possession. It could practically leave his own family's techniques and Buddhist cultivation far behind. While the power of a spell largely depends on the practitioner and their cultivation, a good spell should still not be underestimated.

"As for the magical artifacts..."

The Tangjin Sect's magical artifacts and elixirs were considerable in number. However, for a declining sect like this, their elixirs certainly couldn't compare to those of the Li family, which had a Purple Palace alchemist. Fortunately, there were many artifacts, most of which were infused with spiritual power. Of course, he couldn't have the two of them refine and inspect each one individually. Li Ximing flicked his finger, and a brilliant ray of light swept through, instantly refining all the artifacts on the ground.

"Nothing much to speak of..."

It was unclear whether the Tangjin Sect's formidable artifacts had been plundered or sold off by Situ Tang's "filial descendants." Li Ximing, with his high standards, frowned continually at what he saw. Fortunately, there were many feather robes. The two best Foundation Establishment-level Golden Virtue Feather Robes, which Li Jiangqian and Li Minggong no longer needed, one was given to Li Queyuan, and the other was temporarily stored within the clan to be awarded based on merit.

Li Jiangqian browsed through them with interest for a while, finding only a single fire token. Upon closer inspection, it was still a "Merging Fire" token. Although this lineage was generally looked down upon, it was quite useful in combat, so he said:

"The Tangjin Sect specialized in Golden Virtue; they barely dabbled in other side paths. I suspect any additional techniques they have were perhaps stolen. That 'Black in Flames' technique, for instance, also has a hint of Merging Fire about it; it must have been taken from some Douxuan lineage."

"Jin Yu is a True Monarch lineage of Golden Virtue. They also cultivate Dawn Qi, Fire Virtue, and Ancient Integration. How could they only walk one path!"

Mentioning Jin Yu, Li Ximing's expression grew somewhat complex:

"Regarding this matter now..."

Although the Buddhist cultivators claimed to occupy the North, they only had a few Dharma Forms. They had always been respectful towards Luoxia. The Jin Yu affair, if not directly instructed by Mount Luoxia, was at least reported to them, and Luoxia undoubtedly acquiesced.

From this incident involving the True Monarch, it's evident that the Jin Yu lineage actually belonged to Luoxia. It was just that with a True Monarch, they gained a certain degree of autonomy. But now, with the monks' affair, it's clear that the relationship between Luoxia and Jin Yu isn't one where superiors are harmonious and subordinates are respectful...

'This was inherently an awkward situation. Everyone tacitly understood it as a complication within the Luoxia lineage. The Sun lineage had no reason to interfere. After all, even during daily clashes with Buddhist cultivators, neither side dared mention Luoxia... Though the Sun lineage was noble, it was no longer the era of the Six Pines disciples...'

He felt that his family's title of "Wei Li" was now inextricably linked to them. He immediately felt immense pressure and sat quietly. Then, a brilliant light ascended into the sky, and he raised an eyebrow to look.

Li Queyuan sensed it fastest. After a moment's assessment, she smiled and said:

"Jiang Xia has emerged from seclusion!"

Li Ximing turned around, looked at the bright light in the sky, and nodded, saying:

"Tell Jiang Long... to come and meet. I recall you have two more younger brothers, one cultivating Lihuo and one cultivating Yuzhen. How are they doing these days?"

Li Jiangqian instructed someone to go fetch them, then reported:

"My fourth brother, Jiang Liang, has now become a dashing young man, but he's naturally restless... In recent years, he has mostly mastered the spells taught by Master Cui. When I ask him to continue learning other skills, he refuses. He's nowhere to be seen day after day. Forbidden from going North, he heads South instead, sometimes escorting spiritual treasures from the lakeside markets to various markets in Qingchi... He's often gone for three to five days at a time."

He sighed heavily, looking quite remorseful:

"My fifth brother, Jiang Nian, is completely different... Year after year, he stays cooped up in his cultivation cave, never emerging. Whenever asked, he's always in secluded cultivation and mustn't be disturbed... It's my fault as an elder brother for not guiding them properly, for not helping them calm their minds."

Li Ximing shook his head upon hearing this and replied:

"Cultivation and practical experience are both good things. Previously, the conditions weren't there. Now, Qingchi is relatively safe, so it's fine for them to move about."

Li Queyuan, standing nearby, said with some regret:

"It's just that brothers Jiang Long and Jiang Xia have never really gotten along since they were young. Fortunately, neither of them are people who would jeopardize matters. It's just that you won't see them displaying any overly close affection..."

Li Ximing didn't seem to mind much. After all, having reached the Purple Palace stage, his perspective on matters differed significantly from a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He said softly:

"It's fine if they don't get along perfectly. With a large family and a vast enterprise, how can everything always be harmonious?"

Li Jiangqian cupped his hands, and then saw a man descend from the sky, resplendent like the brilliant sun.

The man wore armor, was tall, held two short spears, had long eyebrows and golden eyes, and an aura of straightforwardness about him. He descended impetuously into the courtyard, swept a glance around, and then bowed:

"Jiang Xia pays his respects to Revered Immortal!"

He was tall, though not as much as Ding Weizeng, but comparable to Li Wen. Li Ximing's eyes lit up, and he nodded slightly. Then, someone announced from outside the courtyard, and a man wearing a feather robe, adorned with a jade crown, and with a sword at his waist entered. His appearance was not as striking as Li Jiangxia's. He saluted Li Jiangqian and Li Queyuan before bowing to Li Ximing.

Seeing the two men emerge from seclusion one after another, Li Ximing smiled and said:

"Now we have people to use."

He then turned to Li Jiangqian:

"You've stayed at the early Foundation Establishment stage long enough. Now that your two brothers have emerged from seclusion, and I am also out to oversee things, set aside what you're doing for a bit and go break through. The family can be temporarily handed over to Jiang Long and Jiang Xia."

Li Jiangqian seemed to have anticipated this and reported:

"I respectfully obey your command, Revered Immortal."

He turned around and smiled:

"Then I'll leave things to my two younger brothers."

Li Jiangxia stepped forward, his voice resonant and powerful, and assented. Li Jianglong was much more reserved, merely performing a bow. Seeing Li Jiangqian's response, Li Ximing added:

"Jiang Xia is often on the East Bank and is much more familiar with it, so let him oversee that first. The internal affairs of the island will be handled by Jiang Long."

Neither of them showed any discernible change in expression, and they both expressed their thanks. Li Ximing examined their cultivation methods; their foundations were very solid. Li Jiangqian then said softly:

"It's a coincidence that both brothers are here, for I have news to report."

Li Jiangqian took a letter from his sleeve, his expression slightly somber, and said:

"Revered Immortal, please take a look!"

Li Ximing took it and saw that it was a handwritten letter from Wang Quwan.

"Wang Quwan..."

Li Ximing vaguely remembered what Wang Quwan looked like back then. He was now a well-known cultivator in Jiangbei. Upon opening the letter, he found its tone still very respectful.

The letter inquired about the well-being of the Lake, and also mentioned a woman.

'Wang Xiaoxiao of the Jiangbei Wang clan.'

Li Jiangqian waited for him to finish reading, then said carefully:

"This Wang Xiaoxiao is indeed a very close blood relative of Wang Quwan. And from what I understand, Wang Xiaoxiao is not only Master Li's subordinate but also introduced Master Li to Wang Quwan."

"Oh?"

"Master Li sent Wang Quwan several artifacts as part of a marriage proposal for Wang Xiaoxiao, and he accepted them all. Furthermore, this happened quite early. Although the exact date is unknown, the letter mentions years of interaction, fear and reluctance to speak much, and even fear of sending letters to the Lake. It definitely wasn't a matter of just a day or two."

Li Ximing's expression became unreadable; showing neither joy nor anger, he responded vaguely. He handed the letter in his hand to the two men beside him. Both young masters took it to read. Li Jianglong frowned, while Li Jiangxia's expression changed. Li Jiangqian continued:

"This is one point: when the True Monarch departed, someone – it's unclear who – temporarily allocated land to the Wang clan, bordering the north. Moreover, the Wang He faction was almost entirely wiped out by the True Monarch... As for the most important point mentioned in the letter, someone from the Wang clan accompanied the True Monarch across the river to the North, though the veracity of this is unknown."

Li Jiangqian and his group's information was definitely not as fast as Ning Wan's. Li Ximing himself had only just learned of the True Monarch's departure from Ning Wan. By the time they reached the shore, Li Jiangqian already knew, which was certainly fast. It was likely that as soon as Lin Feng left, Wang Quwan sent the letter.

He casually put the letter away and asked:

"Who delivered it? Did they leave a message?"

Li Jiangqian said respectfully:

"It was Wang Quyu. He has reached Foundation Establishment and retreated after delivering it to the shore."

Li Ximing sat down in the courtyard without saying much more. He replied:

"Master Li has already departed. Send a reply saying that our family is interested in magic swords. Wang Xiaoxiao might have seen them; tell him to draw all the sword diagrams and send them over."

Li Jiangqian nodded repeatedly, but still reminded him, saying respectfully:

"Yes... but we should probably prepare early for matters concerning Wang Quwan."

Li Ximing naturally knew. It was likely that Li Jiangqian, standing before him, had been wary for quite some time. With a composed expression, he asked:

"What are your thoughts?"

Li Jiangxia's expression was displeased. His temperament was the most straightforward among his brothers, yet also the most overbearing; he typically couldn't stand any dissent. He answered coldly:

"I, your junior, have never met Wang Quwan, but I heard Master Ding speak highly of him. From his behavior, it seems he has no intention of remaining at the Lake. He is someone who only outwardly shows submission; we must still be wary."

Li Jianglong's expression was somber, and he agreed without hesitation, saying in a low voice:

"Third brother is right. Wang Quwan has never shown any true loyalty to our family. He is merely discreet and cautious, forced to lower his head. He is not someone who would willingly submit to others, and our family has never underestimated him in this regard. But he also cares about face, and Revered Immortal truly showed him great kindness. Although our family's reach doesn't extend to the Jiangbei Wang clan, he will still bow his head, and sooner or later, he will return to the Lake."

"But who knows what benefits he might have received? The advantages Master Li gave him, even if he returns to the Lake, may not be good for our family in the future."

"In this junior's opinion, such a person will not have a submissive heart. Even if he returns to the Lake, our family can only suppress or appease him because he is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage. If he truly breaks through to Purple Palace, it will only be a disaster... why bother? It would merely be our family providing him a protective umbrella, 'cutting off flesh to feed the eagle,' allowing him to temporarily reside under our eaves, only to spread his wings and soar one day."

Li Jiangqian glanced at his two younger brothers, his expression respectful, his tone calm, and he quietly said:

"Indeed. The Jiangbei Wang family has been fragmented for many years, already a quagmire. Yet he cares deeply for his clan. It would be better to leave him in Jiangbei, to leave him within the Jiangbei Wang family, let him struggle on all sides, constantly harassed, flattering and rushing between Duxian and Chenyun, using the harsh geographical circumstances to torment his luck, exhaust his energy, cause disunity within his clan, and make him restless day and night, unable to cultivate peacefully."

"Meanwhile, our family's kindness will still hang over his head; how could it be erased? Even if one day a phoenix is born from the flames, or a Purple Palace cultivator emerges from that region, when he sees the Revered Immortal, he will still have to respectfully address him as 'Senior.' Isn't that much better than him cultivating to Purple Palace within our family, where he would eventually have to separate, and the ties of blood and kindness that bound him would lead to accusations of betrayal?"

"Furthermore, there's Wang Xiaoxiao; she's also extraordinary. How can she be underestimated?"

He smiled:

"If Wang Quwan were with our family, the entire Jiangbei Wang clan would stand behind him, and the whole Jiangbei Wang clan would rely on him, with everyone proud of him. But if he establishes a clan in Jiangbei and unites the divided Jiangbei Wang clan, it would be different; everyone would inevitably resent him."

Li Ximing remained silent, quietly gazing at the Wanyuan flower trees to the east, not far away. His wandering gaze lingered on the horizon.

Li Queyuan stood behind Li Ximing, listening to their discussion, feeling a chill in her heart. Her almond-shaped eyes briefly followed Li Ximing's gaze, then swiftly lowered. She listened as the Revered Immortal in front of her spoke:

"This matter is already settled. On the day Master Li returns to the mountain, I have other arrangements. I must first retrieve the magic sword, so I cannot pick up Wang Xiaoxiao beforehand. This woman will inevitably fall into someone else's hands; don't think about it anymore."