Chapter 1157: Threat (II)

Guo Hongjian's expression darkened. He could tell these roundabout words were merely a rejection couched in diplomatic terms, and he shouted, "Profound Peak Gate, Profound Peak Gate, you still have to seek permission from the Li Family! What Profound Peak Gate do you even have left? A few lingering remnants, and I haven't crushed you all yet. Still, you dare put on an act before me!"

Kong Guxi gritted his teeth, but Guo Hongjian stepped forward again and continued his tirade, "Kong Guxi, was it not your family who instigated the Radiant Sky Stone affair back then? How many times did you meddle in secret? When my sister was ordered to enter the mainland, didn't your people block her at Lake Xian, forcing her to take a detour and miss her chance? Profound Peak Gate has played countless covert tricks over the years! Now you dare to stall and dredge up old debts? You people couldn't pay for them even with all your lives!"

Behind him, Kong Qiuyan's face turned pale, but Kong Guxi replied quietly, "The matter of qi gathering is decided by the lake, not by minor cultivators like us. There's no need for you to vent your anger on me, my lord."

"Go call the Li Family representative!"

Guo Hongjian was no stranger to the Li Family. He had crossed blades with Li Qinghong during the northern and southern conflicts and later escorted the Radiant Sky Stone across the Eastern Sea, nearly capturing Li Xijun in the process. Since his own family had sent him here, he naturally knew the reason behind his mission.

It's nothing more than testing Li Xi... Daoist Master Zhaojing, but I doubt this will stir much trouble.

He spat, "You're just bowing and scraping here. Summon the Li Family representative at once!"

Kong Guxi withdrew silently and murmured, "Go to Milin and call him."

Only then did Guo Hongjian take his seat. After a short while, footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a man entered. His brows were finely shaped and his eyes deep-set; his appearance was not remarkable, yet his demeanor was refined.

Dressed in a robe of violet, he caught Guo Hongjian's glance, who asked, "Who are you?"

Cui Jueyin had rushed from the forest. His Cui Family was also a power of the Eastern Sea, and he knew all too well what kind of people the Crimson Reef Island cultivators were. Relations between the Cui and Guo Families were far from friendly.

Still, maintaining a calm expression, he said, "Cui Jueyin of Moongaze, governor of Milin, overseeing the Wilderness along the eastern shore."

Guo Hongjian took a sip of tea and said, "You may not bear the Li surname, but the Cui surname makes no difference. My Crimson Reef Island seeks to gather qi in the Wilderness. Your esteemed clan need only yield us a portion of land."

The young man across from him remained composed as he replied, "It is not that Moongaze Lake refuses to lend the land, but your family employs Merging Fire in qi gathering. That method harms living beings. The mainland is not like the outer-sea; acts that wound the balance of heaven and earth cannot be taken lightly. Both Hengzhu Dao Gate and Sword Gate stand for righteous conduct and would never permit such actions."

Before Guo Hongjian could erupt, Cui Jueyin continued, "This is merely my family's concern. We would not wish to see you fall here and tarnish Crimson Reef Island's reputation. But if you do not fear such risk, I can bring the matter once more before the lake on your behalf."

Guo Hongjian's expression turned grim. When he saw that Cui Jueyin remained calm and unruffled, he glanced sideways and said, "If Moongaze cannot assist in this matter, and I receive no word within three days, then so be it. Even if your Moongaze declines, once the Capital Immortal Dao crosses the border, we will still gather qi from the Wilderness as usual."

The threat was clear. Cui Jueyin clasped his hands calmly and replied, "You're right, Fellow Daoist Guo. Once the Capital Immortal Dao crosses the border, you can proceed with your qi gathering. When the Capital Immortal Dao invades and Crimson Reef Island aids them as accomplices, slaughtering everyone in your path, let's see how Sword Gate and Purple Smoke Gate respond. You came to the mainland, Daoist friend. Take care not to overstep and die in the Wilderness, or even Crimson Reef Island will have no excuse to defend you."

Guo Hongjian was so enraged he began to laugh, replying, "Fine, fine... I'll look forward to seeing who your family sends to guard the Wilderness."

Though Cui Jueyin's cultivation was lower, his presence did not falter in the slightest. He sneered back, "Do as you please. Just don't laugh too soon, lest a Daoist Master swat you dead upon the plains of the Wilderness."

Cui Jueyin flicked his sleeve and departed, leaving Guo Hongjian somewhat uncertain. After all, this was a matter of life and death. He thought to himself,

I should still pay my respects at Daoist Master Ye Hui's mountain gate and seek divine instruction. This Cui fellow seems to have backing, so he must be investigated.

Guo Hongjian rose into the air and left on the wind. The two had parted on poor terms. Watching from the side, Kong Guxi let out a quiet sigh of relief. He was less afraid of their quarrel turning ugly and far more afraid that the Li Family might start compromising in negotiations.

Once the doors were shut and the defensive formation activated, Kong Guxi finally said, "Cui Jueyin was firm. It seems the lake still has cards to play."

Kong Qiuyan nodded, her voice tinged with unease. "I hope so."

Kong Guxi sighed softly. "With the mountain gate gone, our Profound Peak Gate truly owes the Fu Family. We must take good care of their survivors from now on."

Kong Qiuyan only nodded. Kong Guxi studied her haggard face. The past two years had clearly worn her spirit thin. The calm grace once unique to a scion of a great family had long faded away to be replaced by restless anxiety.

The sight left a bitter taste in his mouth as he said, "Yan'er, I too was short-sighted... When the northern and southern war was approaching, the gate discussed forming a marriage alliance with the Li Family. But I clung to the pride of the Immortal Gate and thought it unworthy to have you marry into their house...

"At that time, Li Xicheng had died, and Aunt Tingyun even asked you to meet Li Xijun once. You thought well of him too, yet those old stubborn fools, and arrogant ones like me, shut the door on it completely... otherwise... otherwise..."

Kong Qiuyan did not answer at first. After a moment, she finally said, "Otherwise what? The gate would be in a better state now? Or I'd already be a widow? My lord, though your heart is for the gate, such words should not be spoken. I still have gate affairs to handle, please excuse me."

She exited through the side door. Kong Guxi had not expected such a response and was left standing there, stunned. Just then, loud and hurried knocks echoed from the hall doors.

Though his mind felt hollow, his body reacted before thought. He opened the door and found an old man pounding frantically upon it. Stunned, Kong Guxi stepped aside and saw someone being held down in the courtyard. It was a man in ornate robes and an obscured face.

The elder, Kong Guli, his face flushed red, spoke in a quiet voice, "Gate master, Fu Jie provoked the third young master and attempted to harm one of the direct descendants. He has been subdued and brought before the hall... The third young master's instruction is for you to handle him personally."

Kong Guxi's vision darkened as he nearly fainted. After steadying himself, he asked, "He's of Elder Fu En's direct lineage, isn't he? Fu Jie... yes, I've heard that name before."

Seeing the others nod, Kong Guxi's mouth went dry. The man from the Fu Family knelt at the front of the hall, groaning faintly, muttering words that could not be made out. Lost and uncertain, Kong Guxi pulled his elder brother aside and asked, "Wasn't it said that he was clever and bold, often speaking with insight? How could he have fallen to such petty scheming?"

No one answered him, not even Kong Guli, who himself seemed confused by the situation. The man on the ground could only groan weakly. At last, after summoning someone from below the mountain and hearing the report, Kong Guxi's heart burned with anger.

Grabbing Fu Jie by the collar, he shouted, "Is this what you call cleverness? You, a child raised under the gate's protection for generations, how dare you meddle in matters concerning the immortal families by the lake... using your pitiful little tricks..."

Fu Jie's chest wound had not yet healed; his pale lips trembled as if to speak. Fearing what he might say, Kong Guxi slammed him to the ground before he could utter a word. With a sharp clang, he drew his sword and brought it down in a furious strike.

He struck too hastily. A wet slicing sound followed, and the man before him split in two. Red, green, white, and yellow spilled out in a grotesque mix, splattering across Kong Guxi's boots. The gate master stumbled back a step, dropped his sword with a metallic clang, and, dizzy with horror, dared not look down.

He only said, "Quickly, send a word of thanks to the third young master!"