Chapter 241: Struggle for Power and Influence
After Li Sifeng returned, Li Qingqiu, aside from cultivating, cast his gaze upon the world. He began paying attention to Liu Jing’s progress in conquering the realm.
Liu Jing did not disappoint Li Qingqiu. He swiftly seized political power and simultaneously expanded into the various provinces under heaven. He did not rely entirely on the might of the Clear Sky Sect; instead, he also offered conditions to win over other feudal lords.
By October, Liu Jing had already occupied three provinces, standing at the height of his power.
Within the Lingxiao Courtyard, Chu Jing came to report on matters of the world to Li Qingqiu.
As Li Qingqiu listened, he looked toward an old tree in the corner of the courtyard. Yellowing leaves had already appeared on its branches.
“The Li Family of Linchuan has already sent people to support Liu Jing. Li Yuzhong, who shook the world with his reputation in past years, has received an official title from Liu Jing.”
When Chu Jing spoke of this matter, his tone carried deep emotion.
Before chaos engulfed the realm, he had already dealt with the Li Family. The Li Family valued martial strength, yet on the imperial court they were even more seasoned than those civil officials.
The Li Family had just schemed Zhu Xian to his death, yet when faced with Li Qingqiu supporting Liu Jing, they chose to bow their heads. This was anything but simple.
The decision of a great family was rarely determined by a single person, especially when they were enjoying the benefits of Cangzhou. Yet the Li Family could still adjust their decision, march south to assist Liu Jing, and this made Chu Jing view them in a new light.
The Li Family seemed to harbor no resentment at all. As long as the Clear Sky Sect pointed east, they went east. No matter what they had already gained, they could discard it at any moment.
“ Sect Master, this Li Yuzhong is far from ordinary. Aside from Li Sifeng, he is the number one fierce general under heaven. His battle merits are illustrious. If he cultivated immortality, he might display even stronger talent.” Chu Jing continued.
Li Yuzhong’s son, Li Huaizhen, had already joined the Clear Sky Sect. When Chu Jing saw Li Huaizhen playing together with Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin without being stopped, he formed certain suspicions in his heart.
Li Qingqiu replied casually, “So what? He ultimately does not belong to the Clear Sky Sect.”
Chu Jing hesitated for a moment, then said, “Strangely enough, the Li Family has sent many descendants into the Clear Sky Sect, yet they did not send Li Yuzhong. Li Yuzhong’s battle merits are outstanding, yet he holds no great authority. The troops under his command have never exceeded ten thousand. Perhaps Li Yuzhong is not fully trusted within the Li Family.”
“Who can say for sure?” Li Qingqiu replied.
Li Qingqiu’s tone sounded indifferent, yet Chu Jing decided to investigate the matter.
After that, Chu Jing asked about the Grand Dao Tournament. There were only two years left until the next one, and the entire sect was already preparing.
“The second Grand Dao Tournament can be held on an even grander scale. Strive to have the rewards for the top hundred match those of the previous top ten.”
Li Qingqiu set the direction, leaving the concrete arrangements to those below.
Chu Jing noted this down. He asked a few more questions before taking his leave.
After he departed, Xiao Wuqing arrived.
His expression was brimming with excitement.
“ Sect Master, He Jinshu has discovered that the blood of a certain demonic beast can help disabled disciples regrow flesh and blood. Although it has not fully taken shape yet, this is absolutely a source of hope.”
He Jinshu was a disciple he had personally unearthed. He had mentioned him to Li Qingqiu many times before. He Jinshu liked to study flesh and blood, attempting to forge the strongest physique through acquired means.
Li Qingqiu had instructed Xiao Wuqing to start with disabled disciples first. If he could help disabled disciples recover their limbs, only then would they discuss forging the strongest physique. Xiao Wuqing relayed this intent to He Jinshu, and from then on, He Jinshu devoted himself to researching in that direction.
Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu felt surprised and asked, “Are you certain the flesh and blood is continuing to grow?”
“That’s right. I observed it for three days before daring to report this matter to you,” Xiao Wuqing replied. He understood deeply how important this was to the sect. Of course, what excited him the most was that his gamble had paid off.
To allow He Jinshu to research freely, he had invested no small amount of resources.
No wonder the Sect Master hoped to uncover unappreciated geniuses. This feeling of proving one’s vision was truly exhilarating.
“Very good. Let him keep it up,” Li Qingqiu praised.
The current Clear Sky Sect possessed all kinds of geniuses, yet among those studying the fleshly body, only He Jinshu stood alone. However, his ideas might not be accepted by everyone, so Li Qingqiu had not openly promoted him.
Xiao Wuqing acknowledged this, then spoke of his elder brother, Xiao Wudi.
Over the past two years, the Three Xiao Brothers occasionally operated within Guzhou territory. First, to ensure peace in Guzhou, with disciples periodically sweeping away bandits and brigands; second, because the sect needed to fully understand Guzhou and see whether there were any hidden fortuitous lands.
Last month, Xiao Wudi went down the mountain alone. While handling a grievance, he offended a certain aristocratic family. This family had descendants cultivating in the Clear Sky Sect, and their numbers were not small.
Although the conflict had not escalated, Xiao Wuqing felt it necessary to inform the Sect Master in advance.
He knew the other party refrained from pursuing the matter further not because of Xiao Wudi’s strength, but because they feared the Sect Master standing behind him.
“The sect has its rules. Whoever crosses the line will be handled according to sect regulations. Your reminder is appropriate. Since no deep enmity has formed yet, it is best to resolve this matter. I will have Hall Master Chai handle it,” Li Qingqiu said calmly.
Such matters were far from rare. Where there were people, there was the martial world. Relying on the Clear Sky Sect, too many families of talented disciples had risen. Not all families could remain kind or keep their original intentions.
Of course, Xiao Wudi’s temper was not particularly good either. Although he upheld chivalry and righteousness, and could not tolerate any injustice, he was too rigid, making it easy for him to offend others.
The poor commoners he saved were grateful beyond measure, but fellow disciples and martial world figures who did not need his help often felt his words were too blunt.
For this reason, Xiao Wuqing was always cleaning up after Xiao Wudi. But this time was different—the family Xiao Wudi offended belonged to a top ten disciple.
Gu Changping’s cultivation aptitude was excellent. Relying on the resources of the Enforcement Hall, he had broken through to the seventh layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm two months ago, enjoying tremendous momentum.
Unlike other talented disciples, Gu Changping also had fame in the secular world. He had once beheaded the Inspector-General of Yuzhou on behalf of the Clear Sky Sect. Like Xue Jin, his talent might not be peerless, but his methods and battle records were solid and undeniable. Even the Three Xiao Brothers were quite wary of Gu Changping.
The origin of this incident was that Gu Changping’s younger cousin went to marry his childhood betrothed. The other party reneged. This engagement had been arranged by the woman’s father, who had died before she came of age. Now she had someone she loved. This displeased Gu Changping’s cousin, who attempted to force the marriage. Xiao Wudi happened to pass by and forcibly intervened.
Fortunately, there were no casualties. Li Qingqiu held Gu Changping in high regard and believed he would also actively resolve this matter.
“Thank you, Sect Master!”
Upon hearing that Li Qingqiu intended to speak with Chai Yunshang, Xiao Wuqing immediately expressed his gratitude with a bow.
Li Qingqiu waved his hand, signaling that he could withdraw.
After he left, Li Qingqiu suddenly felt somewhat emotional.
“The Clear Sky Sect has truly grown strong. Even Gu Changping now carries such authority…”
He felt this was both a good thing and a bad thing. He did not find it troublesome—resolving matters one by one would suffice.
Within the Clear Sky Sect, the one with the greatest authority was him!
This was Li Qingqiu’s current life: most of his time was spent cultivating, occasionally instructing disciples, and the rest was devoted to deciding sect affairs and resolving conflicts among powerful disciples.
Fortunately, Li Qingqiu had not made any mistakes so far. As long as he spoke, no one dared to refute him. Yet he also understood that even if he tried his best to be fair, it might not necessarily be just in the eyes of some.
……
Autumn passed and winter arrived. Snow began to fall.
The temperature between heaven and earth grew colder and colder, yet the mood of the Clear Sky Sect’s disciples grew ever more fervent, because news of the next Grand Dao Tournament began to spread, and many disciples started gearing up eagerly.
At noon one day, Li Sifeng walked out of his cave dwelling. Facing the snow-filled sky, he stretched lazily.
“Cultivating within the sect really is the way to go. This is far faster than down the mountain.”
Li Sifeng thought happily. As a Hall Master, he also had a cave dwelling of his own. He had once again fallen in love with cultivation, because relying on the cave dwelling’s spiritual energy, he could feel his progress every day.
He turned his head, his gaze landing on another cave dwelling several dozen zhang away.
The owner of that cave dwelling was Xue Jin.
Thinking of Xue Jin, Li Sifeng felt deeply emotional. When he was young, he could never have imagined that Xue Jin would grow to his current level. Earlier this month, Xue Jin had broken through to the seventh layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. Even through the mountain wall, Li Sifeng could sense the abnormal spiritual energy from Xue Jin’s cave dwelling.
Returning to the Tempering Hall, Li Sifeng no longer felt the pride he had years ago. He even felt awkward. Now there were many voices within the Tempering Hall suggesting that he should hand over the position of Hall Master to Xue Jin.
He could clearly sense the dissatisfaction of the Tempering Hall disciples toward him. This was also related to the deaths of Zheng Yunqiao and others. Although the matter of the Silent Nether Ghost King had been suppressed, the deaths of those disciples could not be concealed. Everyone knew they had perished while following Li Sifeng to the Northern Border.
Since the Clear Sky Sect’s establishment, this was the first time such heavy casualties had occurred. Li Sifeng felt guilty and thus found it hard to argue over the disciples’ attitudes.
Aside from accompanying his wife and children, all his remaining time was spent cultivating in his cave dwelling. He no longer involved himself in the affairs of the Tempering Hall.
At this moment.
The door to Xue Jin’s cave dwelling opened, and he stepped out. The moment he emerged, he sensed Li Sifeng’s gaze.
Li Sifeng immediately shifted his eyes away, looking forward.
Xue Jin looked at Li Sifeng, his emotions equally complex.
Zheng Yunqiao had been the disciple closest to him. Zheng Yunqiao’s death caused resentment to arise in his heart toward Li Sifeng. Even though he knew it could not be blamed on Li Sifeng, it was still difficult for him to interact with Li Sifeng as he once had.
He also knew Li Sifeng’s current situation. He felt that if things continued like this, it would be bad for him, for Li Sifeng, and even for the Tempering Hall.
After hesitating for a moment, he walked toward Li Sifeng.
Out of the corner of his eye, Li Sifeng saw Xue Jin approaching and did not panic. In truth, he too had been waiting for an appropriate opportunity to apologize to Xue Jin.
“ Hall Master, demonic disturbances have appeared in Southern Chu Province. I plan to go there personally. You should attend to the major and minor matters of the hall, so things don’t fall into chaos,” Xue Jin said seriously as he looked at Li Sifeng.
Since Zheng Yunqiao’s death, he had become extremely sensitive to commissions involving demonic disturbances, always handling them personally.
Li Sifeng looked at him and said, “I’m sorry. I failed to protect him.”
Xue Jin’s expression was calm as he replied, “Why are you apologizing? His strength was insufficient. This can’t be blamed on anyone. What you and I must do is take this as a warning and prevent more disciples from suffering such calamities.”
His tone shifted as he continued, “If in the future you are still unable to fulfill the responsibilities of a Hall Master, I will compete for your position.”