Chapter 961: Yang Zuo

Chapter 963: Yang Zhuo

Deep down, Li Jiangliang felt a degree of awkwardness and considerable caution. His elder brother had truly enjoyed immense favor. As the eldest son of Mingyang, he was sent to the continent at birth, trained as a successor in every aspect, and from childhood, his treatment and cultivation surpassed his peers.

'His cultivation is one thing, but it's this preferential treatment that frustrates his brothers.'

Li Jiangliang clearly understood that his second and third brothers, despite possessing formidable ambition and talent—qualities that would make them stand out in any other family—were exceptional. In fact, from Li Jiangliang's own observations over the years, his eldest brother, Li Jiangqian, was too ruthless and insidious. His second brother, Li Jianglong, was more sincere, and his third brother, Li Jiangxia, was more genuine. While Li Jiangqian had indeed governed the lakeside for many years, leading to prosperity and order, any of the other two brothers could have done just as well. Yet, somehow, his two elder brothers seemed to be inherently a step below him, and it wasn't just because he was the eldest son!

True Lord Zhaojing, Li Ximing, was their family's first True Lord. Whenever he emerged from seclusion, he would either see Li Jiangqian or Ding Weizeng. While Li Jiangliang and others enjoyed outward prestige, the number of times they saw the True Lord, or even their father, was negligible. The total number of visits for all the brothers combined likely didn't surpass Li Jiangqian's alone! This was the true foundation of Li Jiangqian's unique status.

Li Jiangliang inevitably felt a surge of complex emotions. Bowing at that moment, he sighed, "Congratulations, elder brother, on your great progress in cultivation!"

His spiritual sense clearly showed that Li Jiangqian, standing before him, had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment!

'He's probably a strong candidate for the next Purple Mansion…'

His heart was filled with boundless complexity, yet the crimson-robed man before him smiled warmly, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Approaching him, he nodded to Yang Tianyou and chuckled, "I just emerged from seclusion and heard that my fourth brother was in Xunlinyuan, so I decided to visit on my way. This must be your wife, correct? She's truly charming, just as described!"

Yang Tianyou smiled without speaking, while Li Jiangliang's face showed helplessness. "I didn't intend to disturb you, elder brother, but all of us brothers have a pair of golden pupils, so our identities are obvious wherever we go. News travels so fast; it must have reached the lake in an instant."

Li Jiangqian walked back with him, shaking his head. "That's unavoidable. Although the Yuan family's relationship with ours has faded, they are, after all, the clan of Master Cui. Even if Yuan Chengzhao is useless and has repeatedly caused harm, our family should still look after them to some extent, so we pay attention."

He walked with his hands behind his back, feigning casualness as he spoke, "Your wife is from…"

Yang Tianyou smiled and bowed. "From the Simin Yang family… just a small, unknown family…"

She made it clear: the Simin Yang family, not the Qingchi Emperor's Yunfeng Yang family. The difference between the two was significant!

Li Jiangqian nodded thoughtfully, responding, "That's not right. The Simin Yang family is also a legitimate imperial lineage, descendants of the King of Yue."

Yang Tianyou smiled without speaking. Li Jiangliang stepped forward and said, "Elder brother, have you come to see my wife's brother? He's cultivating on Sky Thunder Peak, not in the county seat. You'll need to go south."

Sky Thunder Peak was also a wonder of Xunlinyuan. Due to numerous thunder minerals buried within the mountain, thunder constantly rumbled there year-round, leaving the peak and its base scorched black. Li Qinghong had used this place for her breakthrough years ago, which the Li family naturally knew.

But when Yang Zhuo was mentioned, Li Jiangqian narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled, "Since I'm here, I must meet him. I've only heard you praise him; I wonder what kind of person he truly is."

Although Li Jiangliang knew Li Jiangqian had no ill intentions for this visit, seeing his attitude, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He then instructed his subordinates, "Wait here in the county; I'll be back soon."

The two brothers ascended on fire, traveling south. Li Jiangqian's smile faded significantly, and his expression gradually became calm. His voice was faint as he spoke, "You haven't returned home in many years. Do you feel any longing?"

Li Jiangliang returned the greeting, replying, "Naturally, I miss it greatly."

Li Jiangqian didn't respond to him, speaking to himself, "Master Cui's cultivation has gradually advanced, and he has now returned to Chongzhou. You should have gone to see him off, but unfortunately, the timing was not right."

Mentioning Cui Jueyin, Li Jiangliang showed considerable emotion, replying, "I've already heard. Reaching Purple Mansion is, after all, a near-fatal endeavor. It's a pity I was in Simin at the time; I wished I could have rushed there myself, but in the end, I couldn't personally see Master off to the province…"

As they suddenly arrived at Sky Thunder Peak, they saw rolling thunder and scorched ground everywhere. Li Jiangqian noticed a one-armed old man in green approaching. His chin beard was sparse, and he looked shrunken and timid. His gaunt face still bore the yellowish, withered marks of long-term injuries and insufficient resources. He spoke subserviently, "This humble one greets the two Lords…"

Li Jiangqian glanced at him, a look of surprise appearing on his face, and asked, "So it's Master Yuan Huyu… you're too kind… too kind!"

Yuan Huyu bowed his head, peering lowly at Li Jiangliang, a hint of plea in his expression. Li Jiangliang, however, smiled as he watched his brother help the old man up, then pointed to him and said, "He's Clan Head Yuan!"

Yuan Huyu sweated profusely, repeatedly saying he dared not accept such an honor. Li Jiangqian, however, spoke seriously, "For all these years… Yuan Chengzhao was the true head of the Yuan family, and it wasn't our place to interfere too much. Now that you've escaped your suffering, you will have good days ahead." He then took a golden pill box from his sleeve, handed it to the old man, and said, "Please use this…"

Yuan Huyu didn't know which generation of the Li family the young man before him belonged to, and vaguely, he even wondered how he had fallen from being called an 'elder' by Li Chijin to his current state. He felt a mix of hot and cold sensations in his limbs, and once again, he looked at Li Jiangliang with a pleading and bewildered gaze.

Li Jiangliang chuckled, "Clan Head Yuan, please accept it!"

Only then did he put the item into his sleeve, exclaiming, "Many thanks to the two Lords!"

The two, however, had already ascended the steps and stopped in the courtyard on Sky Thunder Peak. Li Jiangqian lowered his head slightly, seeing purple qi flowing across the steps, which were covered by a layer of fine white crystals, resembling congealed frost, pure white as snow.

After two more steps, they saw a white-winged immortal crane standing on one leg in the courtyard, its long beak tucked into its feathers, appearing to be in deep slumber.

Li Jiangliang's expression had already changed. He smoothed his robes, took a step back, and said respectfully, "Reporting, Esteemed One, the Li clan head has come to visit."

Then, the hall door creaked open, and a man stepped out. He appeared youthful, dressed in white robes, with short, dark eyes whose inner corners were drawn in, giving him a naturally sharp look. Yet, his eyebrows were inherently handsome, lending him a refined and dashing appearance.

As he stood in the courtyard, his eyebrows lifted, and the white crane in the courtyard awakened. With a gentle push, it spread its wings and ascended into the clouds.

"Li Jiangqian of the Wangyue Li family greets Fellow Daoist Yang!" Li Jiangqian asked with a smile. The man before him also smiled, ushered him into the great hall, raised an eyebrow at Li Jiangliang, but his words were directed at Li Jiangqian, with a hint of amusement, "So, it's someone from Wangyue Lake. I apologize for not coming out to greet you."

Li Jiangqian secretly felt that the man before him was elegant and refined, unlike ordinary people. He sat down beside him, his peripheral vision sweeping across the hall entrance. The scene of purple qi flowing and steps covered in white frost was gone, replaced only by dark stone steps.

Yang Zhuo had already spoken, saying cheerfully, "I've long heard of Wangyue's reputation; I should be the one to visit."

After that glance, Li Jiangqian felt a powerful, chilling aura wash over him. Somehow, it gave him an extremely uncomfortable sense of being threatened. Although he detected no malice, it was as if the other party had inexplicably placed a knife against his neck, intending to cut him down a peg. He immediately knew that Li Jiangliang's words were true, and his heart was secretly shaken.

'These words are not false. He must be a figure like Father.'

He chuckled, "My visit today… was primarily to meet you. Firstly, concerning the Yuan family matter, and secondly, regarding my brother's marriage. Now that I see the Yuan family is quite valued, it settles a part of that karmic tie."

"The root of the chaos has been removed; the Yuan family should now be at peace."

"As for the marriage… my father mentioned it."

Yang Zhuo shifted his gaze, his sharp demeanor receding, and said, "He is old and has always been discerning. Jiangliang being favored by him shows he is truly an outstanding talent, a dragon among men. I heard True Lord Minghuang also approved of this matter, so it is excellent."

Yang Zhuo turned his head, not directly facing him, seemingly not showing much goodwill. Yet, Li Jiangqian also felt a profound strangeness, as if thorns were pricking his back. His golden pupils swept across the ground with a very low gaze, discovering that outside the threshold, long snakes were everywhere. Each was only finger-sized, with water and fire coiling on their bodies, their tails intertwining, like layers of colorful light covering the threshold, dancing brilliantly.

Li Jiangqian controlled his emotions and chuckled, "It's truly not easy for my fourth brother to venture out alone. In the future, many matters will trouble the Yang family…"

Yang Zhuo replied, "He is not only my younger sister's beloved but also my close friend. I consider him a brother of my own family, so Clan Head, there's no need for politeness."

They then discussed various matters, both good and bad, and shared some miscellaneous topics. Li Jiangqian's golden eyes lifted, and he said, "Then I won't trouble you further!"

He exited the main hall, ascended on fire, and flew rapidly. Li Jiangliang still followed to see him off. The two brothers remained silent for a long time. After an unknown period, Li Jiangqian finally chuckled, "No wonder you insisted I come along… he's truly an impressive figure."

Li Jiangliang was not oblivious to Yang Zhuo's dislike for Li Jiangqian. He could only say, somewhat powerlessly, "My following Master is not merely a gamble… Master said he can pacify the Yue region, separate immortals from mortals, and his pursuit of the Dao… is fundamentally to end conflict with martial might and save the common people…"

These words made the smile on Li Jiangqian's face grow wider. He subtly gritted his teeth, his eyes intensely fixed on his younger brother, and replied, "That's true! An imperial descendant's status is noble; how can he confine himself to a mere county?"

Li Jiangliang stood still within the flames, bowed to his brother whom he had rarely met, and said softly, "Brother… you've made things difficult for the family…"

Li Jiangqian's superficial smile froze on his face, his eyebrows furrowing together as he listened to his brother say, "When you see Father, please tell him this for me: Jiangliang… will definitely not take anything from the family. If I do, let Jiangliang atone to our ancestors with my life!"

***

The Vermilion Sea, Su Zhu Archipelago.

The archipelago was scattered like stars on the vast sea, their stones a vibrant red that shone exceptionally bright under the sun. A lively group of white-robed cultivators rose and fell, creating a bustling scene.

At the highest point in the sky above the island, a white-robed True Lord, bearing a spirit sword, stood with a solemn expression, his gaze tinged with sorrow, quietly sweeping over the island.

Beneath Fu Xuan's feet lay the renowned Su Zhu Archipelago, one of the cores of the Vermilion Sea. It was also the offshore stronghold that the Heng Zhu Dao had managed for generations, meticulously fortified over centuries to be impenetrable. The Purple Mansion Grand Array shimmered brilliantly.

'But now it no longer bears the Bi surname!'

Many years ago, Heng Xing personally visited the Chunyi Dao, exchanging a portion of Su Xing Divine Essence with Fu Xuan. In return, the Su Zhu Archipelago was to be mortgaged to the Chunyi Dao for a full fifty years. At that time, the Chunyi Dao was at its peak, with a newly advanced Purple Mansion, eager to expand its influence. This transaction was incredibly beneficial, and after careful consideration, Fu Xuan nodded in agreement.

Now that Heng Zhu had secluded himself, Fu Xuan suddenly understood: 'Heng Xing… had been planning this for a long time… The so-called mortgage to my Chunyi Dao… was merely a way for my family to guard this island for him while he was in seclusion!'

However, considering all angles, both parties benefited, and they were, after all, both adherents of the Sun Dao Lineage. Fu Xuan secretly felt a sense of relief and comfort.

He waited for a while on the sea until a ray of light arrived from the east, quickly materializing before him as a man in green robes. The man appeared young, his green robes flowing. His eyes were light blue, and he wore a cheerful smile. He bowed before Fu Xuan and casually said, "Fellow Daoist Fu Xuan!"

"Fellow Daoist Chi!" Fu Xuan responded indifferently.

The young man stood with his hands behind his back, looking at ease, and chuckled, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!"

This man was none other than the long-missing Chi Buzhi!

His eyes were still light blue, revealing a detached indifference. Around his waist hung a string of glossy black prayer beads, emanating waves of verdant light. He seemed unchanged from several years ago, except that his divine abilities fluctuated, suggesting some difference.

The two entered together, arriving within the great array. Seeing that Chi Buzhi was slow to speak, Fu Xuan had no choice but to say, "Your current gains… are not bad, I presume?"

Chi Buzhi took a sip of tea, revealing a half-smile. He then put down the cup and spoke faintly, "Yes, I have gained something. After all, I'm not one to easily give up. There are only so many methods. Pu Yu only spoke a word or two out of respect for you and me; it's impossible for him to personally intervene…"

"There's still a turning point."

Fu Xuan shook his head. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have come all this way, nor would you be happy to get involved in these troublesome matters."

Chi Buzhi's gaze gradually grew cold and sharp as he stared absently at a certain spot, speaking quietly, "What I fear is a turning point, especially if it was left by some great Lord. How many cultivators, at the end of their path, merely fill in the last piece on someone else's chessboard… And it would be fine if one truly could be a piece, but what I fear is that they only want you to fill, not to live."

He seemed to have something deeply unsettling on his mind, and the meaning in his words became clearer. Fu Xuan's heart sank.

'Penglai has always avoided meddling with karmic positions. Since Pu Yu has spoken, it must be a method that won't offend Lushui. What else could it be but reincarnation…'

Now, looking down at him, Fu Xuan's heart was similarly heavy. True Lord Yuanshang's words from years ago still echoed in his ears, and the two men's situations actually shared similarities. Thus, he showed an extremely complex expression and said in a deep voice, "Some opportunities, once acquired, cannot be questioned about their origin, and must be used!"

Chi Buzhi clearly hadn't expected him to say such a thing, as it directly addressed his concerns. He now raised his light blue eyes, giving Fu Xuan an approving smile, but a very keen thought flashed through his mind:

'Oh? Fu Xuan, Fu Xuan, does your Chunyi Dao… perhaps also have some inescapable opportunities on its hands? An opportunity of the Grand Yin… Dao…?'

Characters Appearing in This Chapter:Fu Xuan: Mid-stage Purple MansionChi Buzhi: Late-stage Purple MansionLi Jiangliang: Qi Condensation PeakLi Jiangqian: Late-stage Foundation Establishment (Great Departure Scripture)