Li Xijun felt a chill rise in his heart. This single conscription request would nearly empty out the Li Family. After calculating carefully, he realized the numbers had been set with precision, exactly seventy percent of their available cultivators.
He almost instinctively reacted, unable to hide his displeasure, and blurted out, "What?!"
Zhao Tinggui could only respond with an awkward chuckle. Li Xijun quickly composed himself and said softly, "Forgive my rudeness."
Zhao Tinggui quickly waved it off with a faintly apologetic look. He didn't want to offend the Li Family, but these people had to be taken. With lives and legacies on the line, no amount of courtesy or sentiment could change that. He simply drank his tea in silence.
Seeing his stance, Li Xijun had no choice but to speak up himself, softly, "Honored Emissary... There's truly no justification for this. Even the average esteemed family wouldn’t face such a sweeping draft. Our family stands guard over Moongaze Lake, bearing the brunt of impact and serving as a barrier for Azure Pond Sect... I ask that you consider this carefully."
Though Zhao Tinggui was Moon Lake Peak’s senior disciple, he came from a humble mortal background and had only been taken as a disciple by Ning Wan through a stroke of luck.
Now a loyal follower of the Ning Family, he feared no ordinary esteemed family but even so, facing the Li Family, he felt some apprehension and simply said, "I am merely carrying out orders..."
The two sides remained at an impasse for a while. Though Li Xijun hadn’t known exactly which peak would send an envoy, he had done his homework on the likely candidates. Recognizing Zhao Tinggui, he sensed hesitation in the man which meant there was room to maneuver. He thought, He came from humble roots, and it was his talent and disposition that earned Ning Wan’s favor. He’s smooth with people and not without kindness. If I apply the right pressure... there may be room to negotiate.
Li Xijun gradually fell silent. Zhao Tinggui pondered a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "Our two families do have a long-standing bond... so I’ll speak plainly. There are two conditions..."
He spoke in a low, serious tone, "Your family’s core bloodline, especially those of your own generation should accompany the expedition."
The moment these words left his mouth, Li Xijun understood, So that’s what this is really about...
Zhao Tinggui’s calculations were focused here. If the Li Family’s core bloodline went to the battlefield, then should anything happen, the Li Family would be compelled to intervene. And those not under Moon Lake Peak’s control, like Li Xuanfeng and Li Xizhi, would be even less likely to stand idle. And once those two were drawn in, if the situation escalated further, it could even prompt the Yang and Xiao Families to intervene as well...
Li Xijun saw the situation clearly and sighed inwardly. If Zhao Tinggui had come prepared, then his intentions were all the more evident. He thought, It seems Yuexiang must go as well...
Li Yuexiang was Li Xizhi’s younger sister, and from how Li Xuanfeng had acted during the Yuan Family incident, it was clear she held a special place in his heart. Zhao Tinggui had surely calculated this and was aiming to ensure she went along.
After a moment’s thought, Li Xijun nodded silently and gave the order, "Go, summon Yuexiang."
Seeing Li Xijun’s action, Zhao Tinggui’s expression brightened slightly as he continued, "There is another matter. I’ve heard your esteemed family possesses a herb called the Wanglin Blossom that soothes sorrow and extends life. If your family could provide it for six of my junior brothers, I would be deeply grateful."
It wasn’t an unreasonable request. Li Xijun had already reserved some for his direct lineage. Though it would be a bit tight to give some away now, their stock could still last a year or two. He nodded slightly.
Zhao Tinggui looked genuinely pleased and said, "On behalf of my junior brothers, I thank your esteemed family!"
Li Xijun’s thoughts, however, were still on the arrangements for his family. Zhao Tinggui paused briefly, then continued, "Back to the matter of personnel, if your family is strained, you needn’t send quite as many at once.
"Four late-stage, four mid-stage, nineteen early-stage Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators, and eighty Embryonic Breathing Realm cultivators... how does that sound?"
Li Xijun understood this was the result of dual compromise and could only sigh, "If the sect has issued the order, the Li Family shall naturally obey."
As they spoke, a young woman entered the courtyard. She had willowy brows and almond eyes, wore a flowing white dress, and carried a longsword at her waist. She seemed to have just finished a cultivation session as traces of golden-red flame still flickered across her form.
Li Xijun said softly, "This is my younger sister, Li Yuexiang.
"This is the emissary of Moon Lake Peak, Senior Zhao Tinggui."
Zhao Tinggui glanced at her and returned the gesture with a formal salute. Though Li Xijun already knew her answer, he still turned to his sister and asked, "Our family is to serve under Moon Lake Peak, but we still lack a strong enough core bloodline representative. Yuexiang, would you be willing to take on this duty?"
Li Yuexiang simply smiled and said, "I’ve been idle at home long enough. It’s good to finally be of use. Arrange as you see fit, brother."
Li Xijun let the two formally exchange greetings, then turned to Zhao Tinggui with a smile and said, "Do not underestimate the women of our family, Emissary. Yuexiang is not some delicate lady of the boudoir, she will be of great help in the north."
Zhao Tinggui quickly agreed. Li Yuexiang, after hearing their arrangement, responded gently, "I’ll go now to assemble the people."
She left swiftly. Zhao Tinggui took a glance at her departing figure and sipped his tea. Li Xijun, deep in thought, spoke softly, "Yuexiang is our youngest sister. We brothers all cherish her dearly. I ask that the Emissary look after her."
After all, Li Yuexiang’s presence already signaled the Li Family’s intent to support. Naturally, they would intervene if something happened. Li Xijun had no intention of letting this man treat her like a mere pawn. His words carried a subtle warning as he said, "My little sister is in your hands, Daoist Friend."
Zhao Tinggui simply replied, "Rest assured, Xijun. I am not such a base man. If anything happens to Daoist Yuexiang, you may hold me personally accountable."
"Good. Then I ask that the Emissary go with her to choose people from the family," said Li Xijun.
Zhao Tinggui nodded and took his leave, leaving Li Xijun alone in the hall. After a moment’s contemplation, he refilled his teacup and murmured, "Zhao Tinggui is still unmarried, and he’s only thirty-nine... The Ning Family has reportedly broached marriage talks several times, but he declined each time, citing cultivation as his priority."
He did not believe for a moment that Zhao Tinggui's glance had been one of lust. Nor could he imagine that someone who had risen from a humble mortal household, who had boarded the Ning Family’s vessel and carved his way to become the head disciple of Moon Lake Peak through sheer talent and tenacity, would pine for beauty in his presence. It was, at most, a signal, nothing more.
If one seeks background and temperament, or beauty and talent. My little sister is indeed a match for him...
A flicker of coldness passed through his handsome eyes as he recalled Zhao Tinggui’s subtle message, thinking, He's striking the mountain to shake the tiger, advancing and retreating with control, killing three birds with one stone, and balancing personal and political matters. A capable man indeed. But it all depends on what Yuexiang thinks. Once she's spent time with him and sees his true character... she’ll know where she stands.