Chapter 111: Different Choices

"How is the situation?"

Lan Chang'an didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"Uncle Renlong, it's been a month since he was buried." Li Erqing replied with a downcast tone.

Lan Chang'an roughly estimated that Mu Renlong's death occurred around the time Mu Yunfei arrived at Wuqi Mountain. This aligned with his judgment that Mu Renlong's injuries were too severe to be saved.

If Lan Chang'an had been impulsive and rushed back with Mu Yunfei, it would have been useless and they would have been ambushed.

Upon entering Feiyue Lake, Lan Chang'an felt the unrest within the Mu Family. The clansmen appeared lifeless and expressionless, some looking helpless and bewildered as if they had lost their spirit.

Indeed, Feiyue Lake still had a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he was not from the Mu Family, which made the clan members uneasy.

Lan Chang'an first went to Moonheart Island to pay his respects to the late Mu Renlong, silently offering an apology. Objectively speaking, although he couldn't save Mu Renlong in time, he hadn't put in his best effort.

Years ago, saving Mu Xiuyun was an accident, which led to the discovery of the Evergreen Technique's secret, that it could consume longevity to heal people.

Leaving the burial grounds, Lan Chang'an saw two young men and women, both at the mid-stage of Qi-Refining, looking relaxed, one of them had a smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Who are those two young people?" Lan Chang'an asked casually.

"They are my grandson and granddaughter," Li Erqing's old face turned red as he glared at them, his Foundation Establishment pressure forcing the two young people to kneel.

In the current Mu Family, only Li Erqing's descendants seemed to be in good spirits.

"Isn't Moonheart Island only accessible to those at the late stage of Qi-Refining?" Lan Chang'an asked again.

Li Erqing's expression turned awkward as he explained, "According to the family's rules, a Foundation Establishment cultivator is allowed ten family members to accompany them on Moonheart Island for cultivation. Additionally, temporary family visits are permitted as long as they don't cultivate on the island."

Lan Chang'an hadn't frequented Moonheart Island much during his time cultivating in the Mu Family and was not familiar with the specific rules. Now, he sensed the potential for power imbalance. This was not solely due to Li Erqing's will; the numerous wives and children behind him, driven by interest, would push Li Erqing to act involuntarily.

...

Lan Chang'an arrived at Li Erqing's abode, where the two discussed the Mu Family's future strategies. Specifically, Li Erqing, now the highest-ranking cultivator in the Mu Family, was seeking Lan Chang'an's advice.

"Big brother, the elders in the family have also considered Huang Tankong's malicious intent," Li Erqing said solemnly. "The Mu Family's kindness is deeply ingrained in me. I will never harbor ill intentions, betray, or usurp the Mu Family."

Lan Chang'an believed Li Erqing's words were sincere at that moment. But Huang Tankong's schemes were an open plot, involving the distribution of benefits between the Mu Family and Li Erqing's lineage. As long as people are driven by interests, conflicts, and disagreements will inevitably arise.

"Erqing, if you truly wish for the Mu Family's stability, I have three suggestions," Lan Chang'an said after some thought.

"Please, go ahead, big brother," Li Erqing listened intently.

"First, as the only remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Mu Family, do not involve yourself in family management. Leave it entirely to the elders such as Mu Chengji and Mu Xiuyun.

Second, quickly cultivate a new Foundation Establishment cultivator from within the Mu Family's lineage to stabilize morale."

Li Erqing nodded in agreement with the first two suggestions.

"Third, if one day the situation at Feiyue Lake stabilizes but no longer meets the cultivation needs of your lineage, you can take your immediate family and establish a new clan elsewhere."

Hearing this, Li Erqing's expression changed, and he shook his head firmly, "Big brother, I have been part of the Mu Family since my teens. My wives and children are all of Mu blood. I would never make such a choice."

By taking a longer period to slowly heal her, it wouldn't appear extraordinary. Just like how earning ten thousand spirit stones in a year would be surprising, but earning it over decades wouldn't be. Moreover, the damage to her foundation wasn't considered terminal in the cultivation world, as third-rank healing medicines and certain rare treasures could potentially repair it.

...

"Bingyun, I have a nurturing technique that, combined with some medicines, might slowly restore your foundation," Lan Chang'an said.

"Nurturing?" Mu Bingyun's eyes brightened.

Li Erqing also perked up. Lan Chang'an's life-nurturing and youth maintaining techniques were admired by those familiar with him. Using nurturing methods for healing was common in the cultivation world and could sometimes work miracles.

"However, I only have a twenty percent chance of success, and it requires you to leave the Mu Family and cultivate with me for some years," Lan Chang'an added.

"Twenty percent?" Mu Bingyun hesitated.

"How many years will it take, Uncle Lan?" Mu Bingyun asked, her lips slightly trembling.

"As little as seven or eight years to as long as twenty," Lan Chang'an replied, giving a conservative estimate.

Mu Bingyun pursed her red lips, hesitating as she fell deep into contemplation.

A girl who had grown up within the confines of her family suddenly needed to bet over ten years of her life on a twenty percent chance; it required courage and determination.

"I'll give you some time to consider," Lan Chang'an said, turning to leave with Li Erqing.

Just as they reached the entrance of the cave-dwelling, a voice called out, "Uncle Lan."

The youthful voice was filled with resolve. "I've decided! I will leave the family and follow uncle to cultivate and receive treatment."

Her eyes shone with determination, her pale face set in a firm expression.

"Hmm."

Lan Chang'an paused, slightly surprised by her decisiveness. Li Erqing gave her an approving nod. Lan Chang'an's willingness to take her along might also hint at an intention to cultivate her further.

Li Erqing, despite not knowing the full extent of Lan Chang'an's abilities, had a gut feeling, formed over sixty years of acquaintance, that his big brother was no ordinary individual. He couldn't tell why but sensed that Lan Chang'an had hidden depths.

Never mind anything else, who could have believed that when his big brother resolutely left the family all those years ago, seeking to attain Foundation Establishment, that he would succeed?

In the cave-dwelling, Mu Bingyun's lone figure stood like a snowflower, whispering, "Master, today I made a different choice from you. Will the future end differently?"

...

Lan Chang'an didn't stay on Moonheart Island but returned to his old lakeside courtyard, a place the Mu Family had deliberately preserved like a historic relic, maintaining it regularly. As the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had helped the Mu Family rise, Lan Chang'an's achievement of Foundation Establishment at an ancient age was notable enough to be recorded in the annals of the Liang Kingdom, justifying this treatment.

"Huang Tankong..." Lan Chang'an sat cross-legged in his room, his eyes flickering.

When he had come to Feiyue Lake, he hadn't found Huang Tankong's whereabouts. Considering the old man's dwindling lifespan, Lan Chang'an hadn't pursued him. But Mu Bingyun's plight made him realize that Huang Tankong was still a lurking threat, like a venomous snake capable of striking at any moment.

Mu Bingyun's attack might have been orchestrated by Huang Tankong to lure him to Feiyue Lake. However, it was also possible that surrounding cultivation families, eager to see the Mu and Huang families clash, were behind it.

Regardless, Lan Chang'an now knew he had to find Huang Tankong and neutralize the threat he posed. He couldn't allow such a dangerous adversary to continue lurking in the shadows.

(End of chapter)