At this moment, under Li Dalong's orders, Li Yaozu appeared in the largest mortal city of Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Beside Li Yaozu was Mister Huang Xiujin, the one who had once stood guard over the Li family in the Silver Iron Forest. So many years had passed. Qingyu had not inherited the Cloudsea Pavilion, but the Pavilion had a new master and continued to trade in intelligence in Azure Cloud region.
As the saying goes, younger generations will find their own way; Huang Xiujin and Qingyu now merely looked after the Cloudsea Pavilion from time to time.
After the Li family returned to Merit City, Huang Xiujin finally got what he had been waiting for and decided to simply live out his retirement with the Li family. He acted as a steward, managing the clan's servants and maids.
Originally, Li Dalong had wanted to secure the position of Region Prince for him, but every time the subject was raised, Huang Xiujin would blow his beard and glare in anger.
The old man had toiled his entire life; did he really need to continue scheming and fighting desperately against others?
And so it was.
He had waited two hundred years for the Li family in Merit City's Silver Iron Forest, all just so he could finally embrace a lazy retirement.
Now, many of the Li family's diplomatic affairs were handed over to Qingyu and Huang Xiujin.
"Young Master Yaozu, I have met that Prince Qian of Duravia Trade Prefecture," Huang Xiujin said.
"The last time our Hall of Heavenly Principle opened a branch in this city, I was performing a ritual at the altar to pray to the heavens for blessings. Prince Qian came to join in on the excitement."
Huang Xiujin seemed to grow younger with age. He was dressed in black robes and held a fan, though for someone of his cultivation, it was a mystery why he needed to fan himself.
Smiling, he said to Li Yaozu, "This Prince Qian is refined and elegant in his conduct, and his speech is like being bathed in a spring breeze. But, Young Master Yaozu, I've seen many people in my long life. A man like him is one of deep schemes. When we meet Prince Qian in a moment, you should say little. You're not one for words; let me handle the talking."
"..."
Li Yaozu's face darkened. If you're going to talk to me like that, old man, he thought, why don't you drop the 'Young Master' and let me call you that instead?
As this thought crossed his mind, a voice transmitted from his sword box: "The old man is right."
Fine.
His face grew even darker.
However, Li Yaozu said no more. This time, his father had sent him precisely to sound out the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Before long, Li Yaozu and Huang Xiujin had already arrived at Prince Qian's mansion.
Inside the mansion's main hall, Li Yaozu saw Prince Qian.
The prince had the appearance of a refined and elegant young man, having inherited the handsome features of the Human Emperor's bloodline. Anyone who met him would think this Eighteenth Prince was a harmless man.
After a round of mutual pleasantries, Li Yaozu got straight to the point. "Prince Qian, you sent a message to my Li family. Was it regarding a marriage alliance?"
"Yes."
Prince Qian let out a sigh. "Your Excellency, the Sword Venerable, you must know that the world is in chaos. My Fourth Imperial Brother, whom I have never met, has raised an army in rebellion, plunging all under heaven into turmoil. My brothers, sisters, and all those of the imperial bloodline have become coveted prizes in the eyes of the world. In the past twenty-odd years, many have died one after another. This Prince feels the growing crisis more acutely every day."
"Moreover, Sword Venerable, of the Azure Dynasty's thirty-six prefectures, how many are engulfed in war? My Duravia Trade Prefecture and the Eternal Sun Prefecture have managed to maintain peace. This is a rare blessing and the foundation of our people's well-being. But pairs of eyes from all around are watching us covetously."
"After thinking it over and over, I believe that only by cooperating can we face the greater situation unfolding across the world."
Prince Qian's expression was sincere. "Your Excellency, the Sword Venerable," he said, "in all the world, is there any bond more solid than one forged by marriage? Wouldn't you agree?"
Li Yaozu remained noncommittal.
Marriage alliances are the most unreliable bonds of all, he thought. At least, that's how the Li family sees it. Couples in such unions always harbor ulterior motives and are manipulated by the powers behind them. Outwardly harmonious but inwardly estranged—what kind of worldly tragedy is that?
Seeing Li Yaozu's silence, Huang Xiujin smiled. "Prince Qian, what you say is reasonable. With the world in chaos, and Eternal Sun and Duravia being neighbors, we should indeed join hands to face the greater situation. It's just..."
Noticing Huang Xiujin's hesitation, Prince Qian said, "Mister Huang, please speak freely."
"I just wonder what sort of marriage alliance Prince Qian has in mind?" Huang Xiujin's eyes darted about.
In truth, he had already picked a candidate for the Li family before he even arrived—Li Tianming.
He had even set his sights on one of Prince Qian's descendants for him; she was a truly talented and remarkable woman. No matter how he looked at it, it was a good deal.
Prince Qian smiled. "This Prince has had a plan for a long time. Your Excellency, the Sword Venerable, and Mister Huang may not be aware, but this Prince has never taken a principal wife. Though I have many children, not a single one is from my direct line."
Hearing this, both Huang Xiujin and Li Yaozu frowned.
Prince Qian glanced at their faces; their reactions were obvious. Yet, he continued on his own, "Many years ago, this Prince heard that the Li family had a daughter named Li Yaoqing. In recent years, here in the Imperial Capital, I have also had the occasion to see this Sacred Hand a few times..."
"Prince Qian, I've just remembered an urgent clan matter."
Before Prince Qian could finish, Li Yaozu was already on his feet. His expression was ice-cold. This was now; had it been in his younger years, when his killing intent ran deeper, the sword in his sword box would have already been drawn.
And just like Li Yaozu, so too was their Old Ancestor, Li Wei!
As he spoke, Li Yaozu prepared to leave with Huang Xiujin.
But just as they turned, Prince Qian's voice sounded from behind, causing them to stop in their tracks.
Prince Qian was still smiling, as if he were discussing the most ordinary of matters.
"You two, you must understand, this is an opportunity. The world is in chaos; our two families need something reliable to bind us. Otherwise, how can one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's own bed?"
He said. "Please think it over carefully when you return. Is such a deal worth it, or not?"
"If there is something special about Li Yaoqing, then the Li family's Li Tianyue will do. If that's still not acceptable, I suppose Li Changyao would also be fine."
Li Yaozu froze in place.
From within his sword box came the sound of a longsword scraping against its sheath.
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