Chapter 1248: Marriage (I)

Li Jiangqian sent Wang Quwan down to treat his wounds. After a while, he saw a woman emerge from the side hall, dressed in white with a light cyan skirt. Upon seeing her, Li Jiangqian finally showed a genuine smile and said, "Greetings, Aunt Xinghan. Congratulations."

Li Xinghan had just emerged from seclusion and was surprised to find that her nephew had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. She smiled at him first and nodded. "It is I who should congratulate you. I just came out of seclusion and heard about the Grace Covenant Gate incident... how audacious of them."

"Not at all." Li Jiangqian shook his head, dismissed the nearby cultivators, shut the door, and replied with a faint smile, "This alone shows that the Grace Covenant Gate will never become a major threat. Daoist Master Zhugong may be decent in cultivation, but her governance is worse than none at all. Her sect is filled with useless fools. At their core, they are still devil cultivators from the outer-sea, incapable of understanding, let alone adapting to the rules of Jiangnan.

"I can tell Zhugong is trying to imitate Chengyun Gate's methods. But she is no Daoist Master Chang Yun, and she has no Zhong Qian under her. Why could Chengyun Gate turn to the Orthodox Dao so quickly? It was because Daoist Master Chang Yun's devil cultivators were all those who surrendered during the north-south conflict. As a true Daoist Master, he killed whenever he wished; he was utterly ruthless, and thus feared. But Daoist Master Zhugong came with family and disciples of many years, this one a junior and that one a relative. Can she kill them as she pleases? A large ship is hard to turn. Even my Li Family must deliberate before changing one rule. What can the Grace Covenant Gate possibly do?"

Though the Profound Grace Dao Lineage had recently risen to prominence, he held little regard for the Grace Covenant Gate and merely said, "The habits of devil cultivators are not so easily cleansed. They were reckless before, and I fear she will torment everyone along the eastern shore. If one of her peak masters loses control and provokes our family, it will not be a pleasant sight."

Li Xinghan finally felt relieved after hearing him out. With Li Zhouluo gone, Li Zhouming indifferent, and Li Chenghuai returning to seclusion after one brief appearance, she had become the only senior cultivator in the household, and it had left her anxious.

Li Jiangqian’s confident words buoyed her and she replied calmly, "It's good that you have a plan... but I have another thought. The Grace Covenant Gate is openly recruiting disciples without discrimination. I heard that the Yuan and Yú Families have already sent people to join. Should we..."

Li Jiangqian shook his head slightly and said, "They still have Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators maintaining the sect; they won't let it fall into chaos. The people we send wouldn't reach the upper ranks anyway. It would only draw attention, especially those of us with Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. There's no need to send any direct descendants to leave a handle against us. Let's see if any collateral branches are willing to go.

"The ones who went over are far inferior not only to Queyi and Quexi, but are worlds apart even compared to Ding Mu. I sent someone to Purple Smoke Gate a few days ago to deliver resources and heard that Daoist Cao treats him quite well; even his Embryonic Breathing Realm technique was carefully chosen among the finest."

After sighing, he suddenly recalled something and asked with a faint smile, "During your years in seclusion... there's a man surnamed Zhuang cultivating on the western shore. He has often written asking for an audience. Are you aware of this, aunt?"

Li Xinghan looked a little embarrassed about the topic and replied, "I know of him... His name is Zhuang Pingye. His father, Zhuang Cheng, is a well-known rogue cultivator from the Smoke Valley Desert, famed there for his art of the talisman sword. I happened to encounter him one day when I went to the desert to subdue demonic creatures. We exchanged a few words on the road, and out of courtesy I said we might meet again. I did not expect him to actually come to the lake afterward..."

He had pursued her all the way from the desert to the lake; anyone could see what that meant. Li Jiangqian hesitated and asked, "I've heard he's one of the most handsome men around, with good looks and a respectable family. His family's sword art is said to be quite unique. What does aunt think of his character? Do you find him bothersome?"

That was clearly his way of asking about Li Xinghan's thoughts. She raised an eyebrow slightly and replied, "He is polite in all things and not annoying at all. His background is decent, and he seems quite sincere at present. My uncle once asked Elder Donghe to inquire about him through acquaintances in the desert. They said his reputation there is proper enough; though not exactly a philanderer, he does frequent pleasure houses and wine halls from time to time. But such habits are common in that region... nothing much to make of it.

"After all, he's the son of an esteemed family and already a roaming Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator; such things are inevitable..."

Li Xinghan shook her head and finished, "I think he simply finds me suitable, good-looking, higher in innate ability than he is, and with a family that could aid him. There is little affection to speak of. When I traveled through the northern shore and the desert, I met others like him, only none with such a distinguished background... though my family does seem to like him very much."

Li Jiangqian hadn't expected such an answer and asked, "Then what do you mean to do, aunt?"

Li Xinghan pressed her lips into a smile and replied, "For now, he seems sincere. Let him continue cultivating on the western shore. After all, the pursuit of cultivation is the orthodox way. I am not him, so I cannot speak for his heart. There's no need to assume the worst; time will reveal all."

Li Jiangqian couldn't help but glance at her again and said, "I thought you would be more flustered, aunt. You seem quite at ease."

"You..." Li Xinghan shook her head with a laugh and said, "You underestimate me. Back when I was cultivating and practicing swordsmanship on the northern shore, several young talents from the Fei Family deliberately crossed paths with me. When I rejected them once, the Fei Family broke their legs, leaving me quite embarrassed."

As the two were talking, someone soon came rushing in from outside the hall. His legs gave out beneath him, and he fell to his knees with a thud. He bowed deeply as he said, "Family head! Daoist Master Houfu of the Great Xiukui Temple has appeared on the island! He requests to see you and the old elder!"

"What?!" Li Jiangqian froze for a moment. Both he and Li Xinghan were visibly shocked.

That Daoist Master from the Great Xiukui Temple... with no ties to us at all... why has he come knocking at our door?!

Li Ximing was not one who kept wide acquaintances, so this sudden visit caught everyone off guard. No one could have expected him to come, and it was surely more trouble than blessing. Li Jiangqian felt a chill sink into his heart.

This is trouble...

Since a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator had arrived on the island, it was a meeting that had to take place immediately. There could be no delay. Rather than inviting the visitor in, it was proper for Li Jiangqian and the others to go pay their respects in person.

It was a small detail, yet it mattered greatly for the prideful Daoist Master Houfu. He rose swiftly from his seat and left the main hall for the side chamber together with Li Xinghan. From the doorway, they saw a young man in black shamanic robes seated at the main seat. Beside him stood a woman in white with a gray skirt, a gem of unknown origin adorning the center of her brow. Her beauty was striking.

Li Jiangqian led the bows and said respectfully, "Junior Li Jiangqian of the Moongaze Immortal Family, current family head of the Li Family, greets Daoist Master Houfu!"

Perhaps moved by his impeccable manners, Houfu appeared amiable and nodded as he said, "Rise."

Li Jiangqian stood but did not take a seat, waiting respectfully to the side. Li Xuanxuan soon arrived from Qingdu, and the elder saluted as well.

Houfu lifted his brows and said, "I was traveling overseas when, by chance, I journeyed for some time with your family's Daoist Master Zhaojing. Before we parted ways, he heard I was returning inland and entrusted me with a message."

"Our deepest thanks, Daoist Master!"

Li Jiangqian repeatedly expressed his gratitude. Li Xuanxuan felt a wave of relief; he could tell from this that Li Ximing was unharmed, and tears nearly came to his eyes. Li Xinghan also let out a long breath, her worried expression giving way to joy.

Houfu then gestured toward Xia Shouyu and said, "This young lady was also entrusted to me by Zhaojing. He wished me to bring her back and introduce her to one of his juniors for marriage. She is a descendant of a high cultivator from the outer-sea."

Li Xuanxuan had already been observing Xia Shouyu, thinking she might be some distinguished cultivator from the Great Xiukui Temple and admiring her refined bearing. When he heard this, his eyes lit up.

Zhouming is no longer young... I thought Ximing wasn't paying attention, but he had already made arrangements! Excellent... He's reached Purple Mansion Realm and now handles matters thoroughly.