Chapter 445: Xijun (II)

Chapter 445: Xijun (II)

Under the cover of night, one man rode on horseback while the other rode along the wind. Li Xicheng held a jade slip and spoke softly, "During this patrol inspection, two individuals in Huaqian were caught hiding Spirit Paddies... They've been arrested as per the rules. What did the Clan Affairs Courtyard say?"

Chen Mufeng, a man around his age and deeply trusted, responded, "They have been brought to justice, but... one of them belongs to a minor sect of the second lineage... The eldest son, Li Chengchu, is practicing at Qingdu's main peak. This..."

Li Xicheng shook his head, replying softly, "It doesn't matter... Everything should follow the rules. The family head will decide their fate. Likely, he'll impose a severe or minor punishment and reassign him to a less critical role."

Chen Mufeng nodded as they continued along the river. Observing the verdant growth around them, Li Xicheng smiled and remarked softly, "Mufeng, our family is flourishing, with all lineages united. The external cultivators and those in the minor sects are emerging like bamboo shoots after rain. It's a golden era for us; truly a cause for celebration!"

Chen Mufeng smiled in agreement, replying, "The main family is the clouds in heaven, and we are the vines on earth. We're a single entity. Naturally, hearing this brings joy to my heart!"

Switching the jade slip to his other hand, Li Xicheng suggested warmly, "I have a concubine-born sister, Yunying, who isn't married yet. She's quite the catch for any promising Qi Cultivator. Are you interested in taking her as your wife? Perhaps I can arrange a meeting between you two soon. If you fancy her, it could be a wonderful union between our families, don't you think?"

Chen Mufeng was immediately overjoyed. He had remained unmarried since his wife's passing precisely for an opportunity like this! Now that he was finally given the chance to become part of the Li Family's second lineage, he nodded enthusiastically and happily replied, "Thank you, my lord!"

The two conversed for a while longer. Chen Mufeng, now working under Li Xicheng, felt a newfound closeness to him. His speech grew more relaxed as he leaned in and whispered, "Mufeng has been serving you for many years, yet a doubt still lingers in my heart."

"Speak," Li Xicheng encouraged, nodding slightly.

"My lord..." Chen Mufeng began, but just then, a cold wind descended from the sky, cutting him off mid-sentence.

A young man in white, with a sword at his waist and sharp eyes, rode the wind toward them. His gaze briefly met Chen Mufeng's before settling on Li Xicheng.

"Brother!"

"Brother Jun! Come, come..." Li Xicheng greeted as he warmly grasped his younger brother's hand, pushing Chen Mufeng's words to the back of his mind.

Li Xijun chuckled and suggested, "This is not the place to talk. Brother, why don't we ascend the mountain?"

"Of course!"

Together, they soared upward and landed in the small courtyard on Mount Qingdu.

Li Xijun's expression tightened, his voice lowering, "Ximing can still father children! Even if he lacks the desire, his offspring could lead!"

Li Xicheng sighed gently, asking softly, "What do you think then, Brother Jun?"

This question left Li Xijun speechless. Torn between a brother stripped of power by his own action and an elder brother poised to reveal his ambitions, Li Xijun closed his eyes, unable to respond.

The elders in the family are probably allowing the situation to turn into this...

Unable to think of something better to say, Li Xijun then spoke in a subdued tone.

"I too bear responsibility for Ximing's plight... Since he was confined, the entire second lineage has been pushing you to act. Pressured by so many people, I guess you have no other choices either... I have no right to criticize you, Big Brother."

Li Xicheng nodded thoughtfully as Li Xijun's stern expression softened, and he continued, "However, those you have promoted, many have risen only through your favor and by leveraging your prestige, gaining support across second lineage... You must be cautious in how you utilize them."

"I understand," Li Xicheng acknowledged, prompting Li Xijun to cup his fist respectfully and say gently, "From now on, we two brothers will lead the generation of Xi and Yue. I trust you will act with prudence."

With a decisive sweep of his sleeves, he turned to leave. His white robe fluttered as he approached the door. Li Xicheng watched his tall figure, murmuring words barely audible, "Why didn't you ask if Uncle Yuanjiao has instructed me to do these things, Brother Jun?"

Li Xijun paused briefly, then took to the wind.

————

Li Qinghong emerged from three years of seclusion on Qingdu Peak after having spent some time stabilizing her powers at the eighth heavenly layer of the Qi Cultivation. Preparing to take a pill on either the first or last day of the month to break through to the ninth heavenly layer, she never expected Li Yuanping's sudden arrival.

Li Yuanping reported strange phenomena at Mount Wutu—surging clouds above the cave dwelling, faint sounds of dripping water within, and clear water bursting forth from the ground.

Even the weather at Mount Yue had grown erratic, with downpours ending as abruptly as they had begun, leaving the skies clear and the local fauna, including fish and turtles, scrambling ashore.

The Li Family had been through Li Tongya's breakthrough previously. When Li Qinghong heard these accounts, she realized that her brother, Li Yuanjiao, was nearing a critical breakthrough in his foundation establishment.

"Geez... Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm is a life-and-death trial... How can he attempt it without telling me first?" she grumbled.

Although annoyed, Li Qinghong flew to Mount Wutu hurriedly and took up a vigilant watch outside the cave dwelling.