Chapter 1235: Execution

Dawn was just breaking, yet the grand hall remained brightly lit. Li Zhouluo placed several stacks of bamboo scrolls onto the desk, exhaling in relief. The lamplight cast a pale yellow glow over his face as he turned and said, "These scrolls record the sect's affairs and matters great and small over the past few years. Jiangqian, read through them when you have time."

Li Jiangqian, still dressed in his crimson robe, nodded thoughtfully. He picked up the topmost scroll and began reading. Li Zhouluo shook his head. "I have not managed things well these past few years. If there are any omissions, I must trouble you, Jiangqian, to make up for them."

"You're too modest, Uncle!" Li Jiangqian smiled and shook his head, replying, "You have always been kind-hearted and devoted to the family. There are no omissions at all, only benevolent governance. The policies you suggested were all excellent; I will reflect on them carefully."

Li Zhouluo merely sighed, shaking his head. He removed his black robe, stored it in his storage pouch, and said, "Don't flatter me. I am about to break through the ninth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm, so this is a good time for me to go into seclusion."

He withdrew politely. Li Jiangqian took his seat at the head of the hall, raised his brows, and looked at Dili Guang beside him. "Are all the young masters on their way?"

Dili Guang nodded respectfully and replied, "Family head, Young Masters Jianglong and Jiangxia entered seclusion three months and half a year ago respectively. Messages have been sent, but they likely won't receive them in time."

Li Jiangqian chuckled. "No matter. The two brothers have always managed Floating South and Eastern Shore, and everything there runs smoothly. There's no need for them to come in person. What about Jiangliang and Jiangnian?"

Dili Guang quickly replied, "The fourth young master has been by Lord Cui Jueyin's side. Since that lord is currently here on the island, he's already waiting in the side hall. The young master Jiangnian has also been cultivating nearby and is ready as well."

Li Jiangqian ordered, "Invite them in."

He lowered his head to continue reading the scroll in his hand. After just a few breaths, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, and a young man entered, sword in his arms and his golden eyes bright as he called out in a clear voice, "Elder Brother!"

This was the fourth brother, Li Jiangliang, now fifteen years old. His expression was lively, and he resembled Li Jiangqian greatly, though he appeared more cheerful and gentle.

He called out warmly, "Congratulations, elder brother! I went to your residence some days ago to pay my respects, but your whereabouts were uncertain, and I never managed to meet you. My sincerest congratulations!"

Li Jiangliang was warm and enthusiastic, and naturally, Li Jiangqian did not treat him coldly. He greeted him with an equally bright smile and said, "I was occupied with matters these past days and had little free time. Now that I finally have a moment, I came to invite you myself, fourth brother."

After a few pleasantries, Li Jiangqian turned his gaze toward his youngest brother at the back, Li Jiangnian. All four of Li Zhouwei's sons were tall and well-built. Even the plainest among them, Li Jianglong, had a physique fit for admiration among ordinary people. Yet the one before him, Li Jiangnian, was short and thin; almost frail.

What truly made Li Jiangqian frown, however, was his face. The Li Family was known for their good looks, especially the lineage descended from Li Tongya. Li Xijun had once been famed as a handsome man, and Li Qinghong was a beauty without peer. Even Li Zhouwei, the family head for so many years, had won the admiration of many female cultivators over the years. As for Li Jiangliang standing before him, his bearing was elegant and refined.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

But Li Jiangnian had a sharp chin and monkey-like cheeks, with narrow, swollen eyes. Several warts marred the side of his face, each sprouting coarse hairs. His appearance was not only unsightly but carried a timid, cowering air; so much so that one couldn't help feeling a sense of distaste upon seeing him.

It would be one thing if he merely failed to inherit father's golden eyes—but to end up with such pitiful looks!

Li Jiangqian’s brows furrowed deeply. Compared to his brothers' natural charm, this younger one seemed born with a quality that repelled rather than drew people in. Li Jiangqian stared at him in silence, disbelief rising in his heart,

Could he truly... be father's son?

He couldn't even bring himself to speak. Rising from his seat, he stepped closer, observing carefully before asking, "You're about to begin the Qi Cultivation Realm... how can you still have these things growing on your face?"

Li Jiangqian was, of course, referring to the warts on his face. Li Jiangnian, awkward as he was, seemed used to such questions and replied meekly, "I was born like this. Lord Cui has examined me and said that it will fade naturally as my cultivation improves. There's no need for any treatment."

Li Jiangqian could only step back. His intention to test his brothers' thoughts vanished entirely. Returning to his seat, he averted his gaze and said, "Jiangnian, since you are about to begin the Qi Cultivation Realm, you must be here for the Dust of the Court. I'll give you a command token, go to Milin and retrieve it yourself."

Li Jiangnian nodded hurriedly, took the command token that Li Jiangqian handed him, and left in high spirits. As he pushed the door open and departed, both elder brothers let out a breath of relief. Li Jiangqian exhaled heavily, rubbing the center of his brows. He was unsure what to say.

Li Jiangliang lowered his head slightly and said softly, "The youngest brother rarely leaves seclusion these days. Unless absolutely necessary, he eats and sleeps in his cave-dwelling. He only came out tonight because his spiritual qi was running low."

"It's better that he stays put." Li Jiangqian sighed. "No matter where one goes in this world, a face is something that can't be avoided. Those born handsome are naturally well received, while those less fortunate draw mockery at every step. If one uses spell arts to conceal one's appearance, it only invites suspicion of deceit. Better to have him wear a mask in the future; he'll still draw attention, but at least he'll be easier on the eyes."

Li Jiangliang nodded repeatedly, though Li Jiangqian could tell from a glance that he cared little whether Jiangnian covered his face or not. Smiling faintly, he said, "I heard from Uncle Zhouluo that you once took the Bright Li Blazing Essence some years ago. You follow the same Dao lineage as I do, cultivating the Heavenly Scripture of the Dimming Li Day. You may come to me for guidance whenever you wish."

Li Jiangliang bowed. "Thank you, Elder Brother!"

He then took his leave. Li Jiangqian rose, dipped his brush into ink, wrote a few characters on the desk before him, and drew a small stack of letters from his sleeve. Glancing at Dili Guang, he ordered, "Summon the people from Qingdu and Jade Court."

His eyebrows rose as he smiled and added, "Make it grand; the greater the commotion, the better. I want everyone across the island to hear it clearly!"

Dili Guang understood immediately, nodded, and withdrew. Soon, the entire grand hall echoed with the sound of countless footsteps. Troops clad in white armor streamed in from both side halls, sealing every doorway tightly. Shadows swayed, weapons clanged, and armor scraped. The air was filled with the noise of steel and discipline.

Clang, clang...

Li Jiangqian remained seated at the head of the hall as Chen Yang, clad in black armor, entered swiftly from a side door and saluted with clasped fists.

"Reporting to the family head, Li Xixuan is indeed at Mount Qingdu, pleading desperately in the old elder's courtyard. He has been kneeling there for two hours."

"Only two hours?" Li Jiangqian's lips curved in amusement as he replied, "He is, after all, a mortal. Traveling by boat to Qingdu takes time. Fortunately, I was patient enough to wait until past midnight."

He drew out a command token and smiled. "Dili Guang has already gone to summon Qingdu's men. Take your squad and seal Qingdu completely the moment their forces leave the mountain. No one is to enter or leave. The greater the commotion, the better. Tell them this... I've caught someone guilty, and now, I'm going to execute him."