Mount Qingdu.
Li Xijun rode the wind back from the lake’s edge and landed atop the mountain. He had seen strange phenomena in both the north and east. Not only the Li Family, but the entire Jiangnan region was in turmoil, with everyone anxious and afraid.
Li Ximing had long since entered seclusion to cultivate, but Li Xijun had to stay alert to the situation. The Li Family’s forces in Milin Prefecture were gradually being reinforced, and a few branches had been transferred in as they were preparing to establish several peak offices.
After all, Milin Prefecture was quite vast, it was even broader than the family’s original territory. Distributing several peaks across it was more than feasible.
Just as Li Xijun entered the main hall, he saw a young man standing within. The young man was graceful and noble, clad in white robes, with an extraordinary presence. Li Xijun’s eyes lit up and he said with a smile on his face, "Brother Xizhi!"
The visitor was naturally Li Xizhi. Though he had stayed the night at Xia Mountain, in the end, he couldn’t rest easy. He flew back alone, leaving Yang Xiao’er safely behind at the mountain.
He nodded to his younger brother and spoke softly, "True Monarch Shangyuan has now successfully broken through in the Northern Sea, you must’ve heard."
Seeing Li Xijun nod, he gave a rough overview of the situation across the Four Seas. Just then, Li Chengliao flew up to the peak. Upon seeing Li Xizhi, his eyes lit up, and he bowed, "The family branches in Milin have all been settled. We’re surveying the earth veins now, and selecting several mountains to establish new peak offices."
Li Xijun replied in a low voice. Outside, the sound of a gentle drizzle began. Li Chengliao seemed uneasy and gave the falling rain a slight glance.
Li Xijun also felt a faint chill in his heart. Strange omens had been appearing frequently in recent days. He couldn’t help but worry for his elder brother Li Xicheng, who was in seclusion. While he was still processing the thought, someone came up from below.
The woman who approached was graceful and striking. It was Li Minggong, eldest of the Radiant Lure generation. Her cultivation wasn’t high, still only at the early-stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm, and her face carried sorrow as she cupped her hands and said, "Reporting to Eighth Uncle... Eldest Uncle’s life jade has shattered."
Li Xijun froze in place for a moment, so this was the reason for the rain. Beside him, Li Chengliao’s eyes turned red upon hearing news of his father’s death. He stood there, stunned.
Li Xicheng was Li Xijun’s elder brother. Both of them had lost their father young, and the bond between them ran deep. Though he had a faint premonition, Li Xijun still stood frozen in place. Li Xizhi, unaware that Li Xicheng had been in seclusion attempting a breakthrough, showed a faint expression of grief and asked quietly, "What happened!"
The group swiftly rode the wind, descending like lightning into the underground Water Mansion of Mount Qingdu. Only then did they notice the dampness of the cave. When they reached the stone door where the seclusion chamber lay, droplets of water covered the surrounding walls.
Seeing this, Li Xizhi immediately understood. He lowered his gaze in silence, while Li Xijun hesitated for a moment before ultimately instructing Li Chengliao to open the chamber. At the same time, he turned to Li Minggong and ordered, "Elder Brother has many children, go summon them here."
Li Minggong nodded. With a sword at her waist and graceful bearing, she replied, "Messengers have already been sent. They’ll be arriving shortly, along with several elders from the chief’s court."
Years ago, when Li Ximing abdicated his position, Li Xicheng had been appointed in his place and later became head of the family. That role was then passed to Li Chengliao. His death was no small matter, it warranted the presence of the family elders.
By custom and courtesy, it fell to Li Chengliao to handle his father’s remains, while the other matters were left to Li Xijun. He quickly composed himself, observing as several youths entered the Water Mansion. They were nervous and reserved.
These were Chengliao’s younger siblings, some with low aptitude, others mere mortals. The Li Family's system was harsh in this regard. Most of these children had never even been to Qingdu, and every action they took was scrutinized because of their birth. All of them stood in silence.
Li Xijun took the time to ask their names, noticing their clothes were worn and modest. Before he could inquire further, the family elders arrived. Led by Li Xuanxuan, most of them were white-haired elders. Li Xuanxuan’s beard trembled slightly as he sighed in sorrow.
A few members of the chief’s court stood behind the current chief, Li Zhouwei. The heir stood quietly, head bowed, tightly gripping the jade slip in his hand, his fingertips slightly pale.
Having observed everyone carefully, Li Xijun finally spoke in a soft voice, "According to custom, the contents of Elder Brother’s storage pouch and cave residence go to Chengliao. The remaining spiritual assets and treasures shall be distributed among his children. We are all present to witness. You may begin the reading."
With that said, he waited for Li Zhouwei to handle the division. But the young man cupped his hands slightly and replied, "Grandfather left one residence, two meditation cushions, and a single incense burner. They are valued at three Spirit Stones. It's insufficient for division, so it was converted into three hundred jin of spirit paddy. Fifty jin for each child."
At these words, Li Xuanxuan froze. The elders all looked to one another, expressions shifting. Li Xizhi exchanged only a glance with Li Xuanxuan and both understood what the other was thinking, Chengliao and Zhouwei aren’t the type to covet wealth... so why are they making such a poor show of it?
After a moment of silence, one man stepped forward. He was Li Xicheng’s second son who was now married, with a grown beard. He bowed respectfully and said, "Honored elders, my grandfather left behind no remains. My father endured hardship since youth and disdained luxury. The things he acquired in life were all gifted to struggling cultivators, both inside and outside the family. While cultivating in Qingdu, his residence held not a single spirit item."
His words left the hall in silence. Li Xijun nodded slightly. Beside him, Li Zhouwei added, "Honored elders, Grandfather governed the household for seventeen years and he left behind no surplus wealth."
Li Xizhi listened in silence, and suddenly remembered the year he left home at twelve to enter the sect. He remembered how his elder brother Li Xicheng had used his savings to buy him an Embryonic Breathing Realm jade pendant.
That year, Li Xicheng had insisted on placing it in his hand. Coming from the Xiao Family on his mother's side, and with his father then the family head, Li Xizhi had grown up in luxury. Holding that jade felt like grasping burning coal.
The jade pendant wasn’t even as refined as those issued to Azure Pond Sect disciples. Yet he had worn it for years, fastened to his wrist until he no longer noticed it.
Now, he felt the cool touch of the pendant against his skin, its presence suddenly sharp. Hearing the words ‘no surplus wealth,’ an ache welled in his chest.
Li Xijun, who had spent many years with his elder brother, felt it even more deeply. His heart grew heavy, Elder Brother always believed he had stolen Ximing’s rightful place... He treaded as if on thin ice. Though called a young master, he never received a young master's due... Not even from himself.
As he was lost in thought, several family elders began murmuring among themselves. Li Xizhi turned his head toward Li Xijun and spoke gently, "Elder Brother was never one for words, only action. When Ximing emerges from seclusion, someone must tell him... That burden he threw down at eighteen, our elder brother carried all of it and he carried it well."