An Siwei obeyed, and the two rode the wind down, swiftly passing over rows of orderly buildings under the chill of late winter. A trail of scattered lights led them to a small house in town, where they stopped.
The house was far from luxurious; it was just a simple dwelling. The roof tiles were blackened, some even cracked and unrepaired.
Li Ximing had been delayed for quite some time, and it was already deep into the night. The couple had gone to the bedroom. He stood atop the roof, staring at a particular crack, and didn’t move.
With the enhanced hearing of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, he could hear everything clearly from the rooftop, including his daughter-in-law’s voice.
"Now that we have someone to rely on, Ming’er’s future cultivation path will surely be smoother."
Li Ximing slightly lifted his chin at those words.
"Exactly!" Li Chengzhen’s tone was no longer soft or submissive. There was a trace of pride in his voice as he spoke craftily, "Besides... Father has no one close to him. The north keeps calling for reinforcements, and I heard we just lost again. Surely, another round of conscription is coming.
"Alchemists are known to be poor at combat, right? Think about it... if we get lucky and something happens to him in the north, all his possessions will go to Zhouming. No need to split it further!"
The woman beside him suddenly gasped in realization, "Husband... what brilliant thinking! The estate of a Foundation Establishment Realm alchemist, who knows how many elixirs and pills he’s got... Maybe even Foundation Establishment Realm dharma artifacts..."
The couple discussed delightedly, while An Siwei listened with sweat forming on his brow. His expression grew darker with every word. On the other hand, Li Ximing remained calm. He raised a hand to stop him, then took flight without looking back, heading toward the mountain.
The moon hung bright in the sky, its silver glow falling across his face. Li Ximing waved his hand.
"No need to report this to the family chief. Let me be the heartless one first. I can’t blame others, wishing for my death is only human. As for double-faced words, honeyed speech, veiled daggers, and scheming for gain..."
He said softly, "My father taught me the same way. He won’t need his father to teach him. After a few rounds in the mortal world, he’ll figure it out himself. Perhaps he’ll be better than I was."
————
By the shores of Moongaze Lake.
Li Zhouwei descended on the wind and landed on the lakeside. The snow atop Moongaze Lake had melted, and early spring greenery was spreading along the shore, painting a pleasant scene.
In the end, Xu Peiyu was merely a concubine. He buried her at the foot of Lijing Mountain. The guards and maids were strictly watched, and no word had leaked out. Li Jiang’ao’s birth, too, remained a silent affair, known only to a few from Qingdu.
He walked along the shore for a while, slowly settling his thoughts. He hadn’t truly loved Xu Peiyu. Bright Yang blood often seduced others, and those with weak wills fell quickly into carnal desire. He had thought himself generous by giving her the status and life she wanted. She’d lived contentedly... and yet died suddenly, because of all this.
As Li Zhouwei continued walking, someone came forward to report. An Siwei’s voice was low and heavy, "Your Highness, someone from the north has arrived again."
Though An Siwei was normally reserved, he had reason to be upset. His father, An Zheyan, had just gone missing in the north, and cultivators like Chen Mufeng, Li Wen, and Li Minggong had all vanished. Now the Azure Pond Sect had sent someone again, likely to conscript more.
Li Zhouwei had expected it; it had only arrived later than he’d thought. He lifted himself on the wind and asked, "Who did they send? Where is Zhao Tinggui?"
An Siwei descended into the mountain with him and replied, "The envoy calls himself Ning Heyuan."
It’s him!
When Li Zhouwei reached the front of the hall, he could already hear Li Xuanxuan’s polite voice from afar. The elder offered pleasantries, to which Ning Heyuan replied with a laugh, "Elder, you are too kind! I visited your esteemed family once before, when I was young and brash. I even crossed hands with Daoist Qinghong back then."
Li Zhouwei stepped sideways into the hall. Li Ximing had yet to arrive, so he stood off to the side. Ning Heyuan glanced at him briefly, then took a second, longer look. He quietly mused to himself, This must be the heir of the Li Family. I’ve heard his cultivation talent rivals even Li Ximing’s, and has the temperament and means to match. Though at a glance... he appears bold and overbearing more than anything else...
Though calculations churned in his mind, he didn’t show it, and instead smiled as he spoke, "Back then, a single sword strike slew Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator from the Fei Family. The sect sent my aunt to investigate, and I came along for the visit. I was still quite ignorant in those days."
His words were sincere and carried a weight of reminiscence. Then he shifted the topic with a sigh, "Tang Shedu acted decisively and handed us a crushing defeat along with the fall of Mount Yan Pass. Thankfully, my brother-in-law came through unharmed. He should be following behind a Daoist Master now or perhaps even seizing some new fortune. So, senior, there’s no need for worry."
The tension in Li Xuanxuan’s heart eased significantly. At that moment, Li Ximing entered the hall. Ning Heyuan greeted him politely, then asked quietly, "Have Xizhi or Qinghong returned yet?"
Li Xuanxuan silently shook his head. Ning Heyuan’s heart sank as he thought, troublesome .
Then Li Xuanxuan countered with a question, "Now that Mount Yan Pass has fallen... what of Zhao Tinggui and the others?"
"Tinggui died in battle... My Moon Lake Peak lost over half its forces, including three Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators!"
Ning Heyuan’s tone was grave. Clearly, Moon Lake Peak had suffered devastating losses in the affair. Though they still had many contingencies, they could not protect as thoroughly as when Yuan Su lived.
Still, it was better than Yuanwu Peak... thought Ning Heyuan.
Ning Heyuan paused before continuing, "The sect has formed a new defensive line along the southern bank of the Great River. Considering your family suffered significant losses, only Ximing is required to go among the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. However, since your family still has ample Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators, we’ll need to draw several of them."
Before the three could respond, he took a jade box from his robe and presented it, saying, "The sect... also offers compensation."
He opened the box in front of them, revealing two glistening, perfectly round, pure white pills. A wave of rich fragrance burst forth as soon as the box opened.
Essence Gathering Pill.
These pills were all too familiar. They were highly coveted by countless families and used to aid in Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation. Li Ximing gave them a quick glance, while Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard in thoughtful silence.
Ning Heyuan spoke gently, "The sect master has ordered that every Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator lost among the major families be compensated one-to-one with an Essence Gathering Pill. Qinghong had earned some merit before, and since your family suffered losses at Mount Yan Pass, two pills are granted to your family first."
He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "If any of your Foundation Establishment Realm direct descendents have perished in the north, once verified, the sect will likewise provide additional Essence Gathering Pills in compensation."