Chu Minglian examined them carefully, but Kongheng was the first to speak, his voice thoughtful, "This fan looks like something from the Helian Family. As for the robe... hard to say, but it carries an ancient aura."
Chu Minglian paused, slightly surprised by the monk’s sharp insight. He then showed his own depth of knowledge and said softly, "I've never been to the north, so I can’t speak much on the fan. But the robe, there’s definitely something to it."
He lifted the snowy-white robe, examined the turquoise feathers on its shoulders, and carefully studied the patterns embroidered on it before speaking in a low voice, "There is a ninety percent chance this is from the Wanglin Sect of Ning State."
Wanglin Sect...
Li Qinghong had heard of that immortal sect before; her family’s Wanglin Blossom technique also originated from them. But a sudden doubt rose in her heart, He claims to be a rogue cultivator... yet his knowledge is so precise. It seems his inheritance must be a long-standing one...
Chu Minglian examined the robe carefully, clicking his tongue in admiration before continuing, "The Wanglin Sect is composed mostly of women. This dharma robe reflects that delicate feminine touch. They’ve long followed the ancient system of separating sect halls by region. The thirty-six feather patches arranged in two rings likely represent the various sub-temples under their governance."
Li Qinghong listened intently and nodded, "Senior, your insight is impressive... May I ask, what is the strength of this sect?"
"They call themselves an upper sect, so of course they have Golden Core Realm cultivators." Chu Minglian sighed, as though suddenly remembering something, and added, "My Chu family originally came from Jiangbei, so naturally, I know of them..."
"Chu... the Chu family from which prefecture?"
Only now did Li Qinghong realize that Chu Minglian had a family background too. She had thought him to be from a minor lineage, which would have explained his lack of reputation. But since he had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, he ought to have belonged to a proper cultivation family.
Chu Minglian’s aged eyes narrowed slightly as he adjusted his red robes. A hint of melancholy touched his voice as he answered, "It was once a small family... but now there’s no Chu Family left to speak of."
His expression dimmed further as he added, "My grandnephew... his name was Chu Yi, the Li Fire Spear."
Chu Yi!
The name had faded into history for decades, yet it was still whispered among cultivators. Those who had lived through it remembered with unease. He was a rogue cultivator who caused chaos, forced open the long-sealed Eastern Fire Grotto Heaven of the Dongli Sect, and singlehandedly stirred a storm that shook the entire Yue State.
The Li Family had benefited greatly from that event. The jade vial on Li Qinghong’s waist was most likely an item from the Eastern Fire Grotto Heaven and of ancient provenance.
"He had posed as a rogue cultivator back then, but offended the Han Family, who uncovered the truth in secret. He was still in seclusion when calamity struck our home."
Chu Minglian seemed unwilling to dwell further on it. But clarity dawned in Li Qinghong’s heart, So it was this Chu! The Eastern Fire Grotto Heaven incident stirred such chaos... Most likely, he recovered his memories and went to Mount Luoxia, never to return... No wonder Chu Minglian feels so disheartened.
Though she understood, Li Qinghong didn’t wish to press further. She sighed and remained silent.
Chu Minglian quickly regained his cheer and said, "This brocade fan isn’t much. One glance is enough to reveal that it’s a crude collaboration between a northern buddhist cultivator and a devil cultivator. I can reforge it with a few materials. Give me a few months and it’ll be usable.
"As for this robe..."
Chu Minglian examined it again with great care, then spoke seriously, "I see many poorly crafted additions. This robe was likely lost from an immortal sect, then passed through the hands of several devil cultivators who added and patched it over time, either due to damage or blind tampering, until it is what it is now.
"I’ll just remove those faulty patches and repair it according to the original markings. It’ll take half a year or so, and once done, it’ll be much better than its current state. I’ll need some Foundation Establishment Realm spirit items though, depending on what can be gathered."
Chu Minglian accepted the task with great confidence. Li Qinghong recalled the many spirit items Li Xijun had given her and laid them out one by one on the table.
Chu Minglian examined the spirit items thoroughly and confidently said, "If you trust me, leave it to me. I’ll trade some of these, get more materials from the mountains, and if it’s still not enough, I’ll ask you for more later."
Li Qinghong nodded readily and politely saw him off. Kongheng followed beside her, a hint of worry in his expression as he quietly asked, "Daoist Qinghong... did you kill someone from the Helian Family?"
"I didn’t quite kill him... but it was close. We met on the battlefield and there was no way out." Li Qinghong answered casually.
Kongheng followed behind, feeling a quiet unease as he thought to himself, Could fate have intertwined their paths? The Helian Family’s ancestors were once a border tribe of Wei State... and received favors long ago...
As the thought lingered, he chuckled inwardly, It’s been so many years... I’m overthinking it. Always reading too deeply into fate and karma. Now I’ve gone and entangled myself in it too.
————
Mount Qingdu.
Li Xijun received the remains of those who had returned from the north. He collected the bones of Li Chengchu, then examined the other corpses one by one. Two were from lesser branches, one from the Chen Family, two from the Xu Family, and one from the Dou Family.
Li Xijun had watched Li Chengchu grow up. He was quiet, reserved, and a fast cultivator. Now, as he looked at his cold remains, all Li Xijun could do was sigh.
The Ning Family had offered some compensation. Li Xijun, on behalf of the family, also provided a stipend and arranged for the remains to be returned to their respective families. Under the clear moonlight, he silently reflected, This is only the beginning.
He had received word from Li Qinghong. She and Li Xuanfeng were only lightly wounded. Li Xizhi’s Baixiang Valley had also been among the few places untouched by conflict, which gave Li Xijun a measure of relief.
But it’s still Brother Xizhi’s side that worries me more... They haven’t been attacked yet, but they’re facing the Tuoba Family. If anyone comes for them, it won’t be a simple matter.
As he mulled, Chen Donghe came rushing up, gave a quick bow, and said gravely, "A monk has appeared in Lijing Town!"
Li Xijun’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly rose from the main seat. Though he had long been prepared for this, tension still surged through him.
He strode out of the hall and asked, "What’s the situation? Can you tell who he is?"
The Li Family’s great formation only protected a few immortal peaks. It was pure fantasy to think it could cover the dozens of towns around Moongaze Lake. Those outlying areas had only basic warding arrays and cultivators rotating day and night patrols.
These measures could detect low-level devil cultivators, but if a Foundation Establishment Realm buddhist or devil cultivator slipped into town, they would almost certainly go undetected. Only strange movements might trigger a response.
Li Xijun had long suspected that some Master Monk would eventually infiltrate a town to gather information. He had placed guards everywhere, so that any disturbance would be noticed.
So he asked two quick questions, "Did he kill anyone? Or confuse minds?"
Chen Donghe shook his head and replied solemnly, "The monk is just sitting in the restaurant in town. He asked someone to send word that he wishes to see the Li Family’s steward.
"The townsfolk, startled by his sudden appearance in monk’s robes, were both frightened and uneasy. They sent someone to inform the mountain immediately. I happened to be patrolling nearby and rushed here with the news."