Chapter 1192: Purple Mansion (I)

When Wu rested one hand on the boat’s rail, thought for a moment, and said, "Junior sister, once you enter the gate, this senior sister is the one closest to you. You should stay close to her. Having someone look after you in the gate means another path forward. You and Queyi will seldom return to Moongaze Lake after this, but you must maintain your family ties. Do not let them slip."

Li Quexi nodded casually. Her senior brother smiled, drew out a pair of talismans from his sleeve, one etched with a tiger and the other with a dragon. One was golden and the other bright white.

He said softly, "These were treasures bestowed on me when I paid respects to the Daoist Master. The golden talisman holds the essence of Geng Metal. It is able to shift its form freely and suppress other cultivators. The white talisman carries the remnant purity of Jade Truth and protects its bearer. It is not as powerful as the golden one, but it has its own wonders."

Seeing her listening with great interest, When Wu finally smiled and said, "You also have such a dharma artifact."

Li Quexi was startled, and heard When Wu continue, "The Purple Smoke Shepherd Peak is your golden talisman, powerful beyond doubt. The Moongaze immortal family is your white talisman, which is no less wondrous. Have you ever seen me cast aside my white talisman just because I obtained a golden one? Even though the white talisman is not as formidable, placing it anywhere would have countless cultivators scrambling for it.

"It is easier to see clearly when it is about dharma artifacts. When it comes to people, clarity is often lost."

The girl gripped her robe quietly as she listened and nodded. When Wu continued, "When it comes to the surname Li or the name Que, either one is enough to inspire envy. Even if you feel little affection, you must uphold courtesy and ties. When you meet a bottleneck, these two characters may earn you a chance. When you fall into danger, these two characters may win you a thread of survival. No one can say.

"Even if you have exhausted the value of these characters, if Moongaze faces danger one day and seeks your help, the choice still lies in your hands. With a golden talisman in hand, whether these characters burden you is decided by your word."

Li Quexi listened in half understanding, half confusion, and said softly, "I do not understand these things. I will have to learn from senior brother."

When Wu braced both hands on the side of the boat. The glow of the Purple Smoke Blessed Land was beginning to emerge on the horizon. He weighed the two talismans in his hands, slipped them into his pocket, exhaled, and shook his head as he replied, "Do not learn from me. I have been stationed in the outer-sea for many years and learned only crooked ways. My master scolded me more than once. Following my ways will do you no good. Do not learn from me."

"Besides..." A smile spread across his face as he let out a hearty laugh. "You are someone of the Li Family, an immortal family that carved its way out of the harsh lands of the Azure Pond Sect. Why would you need to learn from me? It would make more sense for me to learn from you."

Li Quexi felt completely at a loss and could only pretend she had not heard anything. After a while, the spirit boat came to a halt amid the rolling purple mist. A group of cultivators boarded to make arrangements. When Wu did not spare them a glance and descended with his hands clasped behind his back.

He rode the wind upward, flying toward the tall jade platform located deep within the Purple Smoke Blessed Land. After passing several pavilions, he ascended on foot. A female cultivator in a white Daoist robe, holding a jade vial, stood waiting to the side. In the main seat sat a Daoist Master in an autumn-yellow silk robe, studying a jade slip in her hand.

When Wu bowed deeply, not daring to meet her gaze, and said respectfully, "Disciple greets Daoist Master and master. When Wu has returned from the lake, and the entrusted message has been delivered."

Tinglan briefly glanced down at him and asked, "How did the Li Family respond?"

When Wu replied respectfully, "Li Xuanxuan was handling affairs at the lake. The old man agreed to everything. He seemed unaware of the matter and looked rather pleased. After receiving the reply, he sent me out.

"As for the symbols of Bright Yang cultivation, they are not prominent. There are many female cultivators at the lake, and though authority is centralized, it is not as autocratic as ancient Wei. Not all cultivate Bright Yang. Many instead cultivate Jade True, Pit Water, True Fire, or Cold Essence. It is rather complex. Even direct-line cultivators pursue different paths."

The woman in the white robe let out a breath of relief, while Tinglan leaned against the purple jade throne and smiled. "Indeed. I have seen Zhaojing. He does not resemble someone cultivating Bright Yang and has none of Wei's Li prestige. If anything, he seems more like someone from the Cui Family. Perhaps his divine ability aligns with the Surplus Position of Heavenly Radiance and does not follow the worldly path. Li Zhouwei is the same. He resembles a White Qilin but lacks that fierce, extreme temperament."

The female Daoist Master said softly, "None of them are ruthless enough. Perhaps that bloodline changed after marrying into the Cui Family. We need not concern ourselves with them."

When Wu bowed again, remaining silent. Only then did Qianlizi, Peak Master of Shepherd Peak, speak, "Disciple cannot see it clearly. The Capital Immortal Dao shows a rather harmonious face now. Our Dao lineage is of the Supreme Yang, while the Supreme Yin immortals are of the Purple Essence. He cannot afford to offend us, so he is respectful. But now he is soft toward the Li Family as well. It seems inconsistent."

When Wu kept his ears pricked as he waited on the ground. Daoist Master Tinglan merely smiled faintly and said, "Zhaojing deeply hates Changxiao now. Do you think Yehui[1] does not hate him as well? Even if Yehui can tolerate being resented after Zhaojing escaped, he would never tolerate removing an enemy for Changxiao and letting Changxiao gain a great opportunity while he is left carrying the blame."

Daoist Master Tinglan paused with an unreadable expression and shifted the topic, "Have the subordinates of Daoist Master Zhugong all been settled?"

Qianlizi nodded at once and replied respectfully, "Daoist Master Zhugong has already instructed that all the cultivators be placed nearby. She visited Profound Peak Gate Mountain this morning. Daoist Master Yehui likely showed her around and settled most discussions. She just returned. Only..."

Tinglan raised an eyebrow as Qianlizi spoke with a mixture of embarrassment and distaste, "The subordinates of Daoist Master Zhugong are, after all, Eastern Sea cultivators. The Foundation Establishment Realm and lower Qi Cultivation Realm fellows have terrible tempers. Under the pretext of scouting the terrain, they went out to plunder. Pillaging the Wilderness or mountain outlands is within bounds, but a few even reached the eastern shore of Moongaze Lake. They greatly alarmed the Moongaze immortal family."

Daoist Master Tinglan seemed unsurprised and dismissed the two. A girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen, wearing red ritual garments, appeared on the jade platform with her hands behind her back.

Though Tinglan appeared seven or eight years older, she still offered a slight bow, "Elder sister, you are here."

Daoist Master Zhugong stepped forward and said, "Younger sister, judging from Yehui's attitude, Kong Haiying is dead. This was Zhaojing's scheme; he was disguised as Fu En when sent over. You said he was gentle and composed with a steady nature. I do not think so. If another like Li Zhouwei appears in the future, he may soar beyond control."

"It truly is confirmed..." Tinglan considered briefly and shook her head, "This matter still needs deliberation. Since Li Ximing is recovering from his injuries in the Eastern Sea and Changxiao cannot be found, you must give some respect to the Li Family. When the time comes, I will speak regarding Profound Peak Gate. Sister, you only need to maintain proper measures."

"Very well..." Daoist Master Zhugong nodded with a smile and said, "The Kong Family has a girl named Kong Qiuyan. I have a nephew, a younger one named Kong Xiaxiang. The family also has others he may choose from. With such timely aid and with this level of honor shown to the Kong Family, it is a gift of great value.

"This move is righteous and proper. The younger generation of the Kong Family will owe us gratitude. They can command the hearts of the mountain folk below, while tempering their demonic tendencies above."

The wind atop the jade platform grew stronger as Tinglan poured her tea. With only a few words, Daoist Master Zhugong had decided the marriages within the Kong Family. However, the life and death of several Kong Family members also seemed faintly implied in the unspoken parts of her sentence.

Tinglan reminded her, "There is also Kong Gumo of Jingyi Mountain. I heard Xuan Yi favors him. You and Xuan Yi have always been close. Do not go too far."

Zhugong hesitated, set down her tea, and replied, "That is indeed troublesome."

1. Previously known as Ye Hui. ☜