Chapter 1183: Rules (II)

Li Xinghan forced herself to take a few bites, finding the food hard to swallow. Knowing her father would soon bring up a request for her brother's appointment, she excused herself. Her father said nothing, and only her mother walked her out.

Outside the courtyard, she sent her spiritual sense within. The dining table felt emptier without her presence. Her mother wept, her father sighed, and her brother and sister-in-law exchanged glances in silence.

After a long pause, she heard her father's voice say, "She's too proud for her own good... Even without her, your uncle's still there. You'll get your post either way. It's just not a good look and it might draw the attention of Qingdu's clan chief. Tomorrow, you'll come with me..."

Unable to bear hearing more, Li Xinghan quickened her pace and took flight, the cold night wind lashing her face. Her heart grew heavy,

What arrogance? If I were truly like Aunt Minggong and the others who devote themselves wholly to the lake, my uncle wouldn't even have his post! I’m merely saving face, that’s all. In the end... it's because his influence isn't strong enough to move me.

Li Xinghan had upheld a swordswoman's heart, upright and unyielding, from childhood. Yet now, clarity dawned painfully within her,

I used to think the favoritism on the island was due to Qingdu's negligence. But now I see, I myself can barely hold fast to principle.

She flew straight toward Qingdu. The side peak was covered in white mist, and an old man paced slowly atop it, leaning on his staff. Li Xinghan had never once seen him rest, and this time was no different.

She bowed deeply. "Elder!"

Li Xuanxuan looked her over and said, "So you've come, Xinghan! Is this about Zhouluo's matter? Come inside."

Li Xuanxuan's seniority was far too great; Li Xinghan followed him respectfully into the pavilion and said reverently, "Your orders must have their reasons, Elder. I have no objections, only my fourth brother is truly fit for the post. It's just that, having witnessed family affairs for the first time and preparing to depart soon, I feel somewhat uneasy..."

After hesitating for a few breaths, she added uneasily, "There is much favoritism across the lake... cultivators hold personal ties too dearly... Xinghan is guilty of the same!"

Li Xinghan recounted everything that had happened at home. Li Xuanxuan set aside what he was doing, listened in silence, then sighed. "Xinghan... how old is your father, and what is his cultivation level?"

Li Xinghan quickly bowed and answered, "My father is forty-seven years old, at the fourth stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm."

Li Xuanxuan nodded slowly. "That child's path of cultivation has already reached its end. He has but a few decades left. Xinghan... will you be able to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm?"

Li Xinghan nodded slightly. "I will do my best. There is still hope."

The elder sighed deeply and asked, "And what of the Purple Mansion Realm?"

Li Xinghan could only reply, "I dare not hope for such heights!"

Li Xuanxuan spoke softly, "For many in this world, the road of cultivation ends early. It's not just you who no longer dreams of the Purple Mansion Realm, even most of the young masters seldom aspire to it. For people like you, once the Foundation Establishment Realm is reached, the path of cultivation is nearly over, yet the years that follow are many.

"There are countless cultivators like your father on the lake. Eight in ten stagnate at Embryonic Breathing Realm; a smaller portion cultivate various unrefined qi and reach a dead end; the rest linger in Qi Cultivation Realm. Most are unable to progress past a few stages, with only a handful reaching its peak."

The old man seemed momentarily dazed, then said in a heavy tone, "They have no real attainment. Their cultivation ends here, and what can they do with the remaining decades or centuries of life? These cultivators, who can no longer take a single step forward, once idle, who can control them? No one can."

Li Xinghan remained silent as Li Xuanxuan continued slowly, "Do not underestimate them. They can exploit the people, keep countless concubines, kill for blood, or even practice devil techniques. The fact that they now merely pull strings and trade favors for their descendants' peace, that is already the best outcome our teachings have achieved."

The elder said softly, "Xijun built this intricate, class-divided system of offices and obligations. The network of oversight and mutual restraint was not created without reason. Xinghan... sometimes, we have no need of such people. Yet keeping them occupied is vital, for us and for the common folk. Merit alone cannot always keep them busy."

Li Xinghan stared blankly at the old man before her as he finished, "Later, Zhouwei gathered all sorts of medicines to aid breakthroughs. Some weren't as effective as hoped, yet it was only after these cultivators arranged for their kins that they dared to shut themselves away and gamble on that single thread of life. A certain degree of nepotism, using connections to secure positions, is not always an evil thing. In these times, when the world outside is obsessed with refining blood qi, we cannot demand too much of them."

Li Xinghan's hands tightened into fists. The sword on her back shimmered coldly in the moonlight as she whispered, "Elder... is this truly in accordance with the righteous Dao?"

Leaning back in his chair, his snow-white beard resting upon his wrinkled hand, Li Xuanxuan looked weary as he said softly, "We cannot rein in a crowd of endlessly greedy men. All we can do is redirect their greed elsewhere. Xinghan, things cannot change overnight. Perhaps your generation will find better ways, but for now, preserving the peace of the mortal world leaves us no other choice."

Li Xinghan's gaze slowly cleared and she nodded, deep in thought.

"Xinghan, I spoke to your fourth brother about this earlier today. I only need you to understand one truth." The elder hunched in his tall redwood chair, his figure half-hidden in shadow. For an instant, his frailty shone through, and his voice grew faint, "Much that lies outside the rules... still exists within them."

————

Within the island.

Night had deepened, yet the great hall remained brightly lit. Piles of scrolls were stacked upon the desk as Li Zhouluo read carefully, one hand propped beneath his chin. He was lost in thought.

It was his first time overseeing the affairs of the island and lake, and unease lingered in his heart. He had been meeting with his brothers since morning, tending to every detail, and it was only now that he had begun to uncover many of the hidden workings behind it all.

So many outer families are attached to the island... There are quite a few talented ones among them. Two even attempted Foundation Establishment Realm here and failed...

He studied the records intently until well past midnight, when an attendant arrived to report, "My lord, the third young master has returned from the eastern shore. He's waiting outside the hall."

Li Zhouluo immediately set down his brush and said, "Quickly, invite him in."