Chapter 1251: Evil Cicada (II)

A chill went through Li Xuanxuan's heart. He focused intently, watching Li Quantao's face pale as he continued in a low voice, "Then I felt something was terribly wrong. As I quietly descended the mountain, I saw my two sons, Li Kan and Li Xiangye, sneaking down from the slopes. The white-iron cold sword they carried on their backs was already broken, but they still bore it with them..."

At this point, Li Xuanxuan understood his implication. He had not expected the Si Family to finally act at this moment. Li Quantao went on, "The next morning, word spread through the sect. It was said that the former sect master, Chi Zhiyun, had failed in his breakthrough and perished that very night. The sect remained outwardly calm, but I could see... most carried a quiet grief."

Weariness flickered across his face as he said softly, "We all knew something would happen, but still... I had hoped he would fail quietly, without calamity. My wife said it herself that his failure was certain when the spiritual aura suddenly fluctuated. None expected that it would be the Fire Virtue technique, Dwelling Heart that Charges Profundity, in the end. As the days drew near, everyone grew desperate... and thus came this outcome."

Though he spoke calmly, unease and fear were plainly written on his face.

After all, Chi Zhiyun, the sect master of Azure Pond, was a generous and exceedingly brilliant man. He was merciful in discipline, bold in promotion, and truly a figure of rare talent. Under his rule, Azure Pond Sect had been so well-governed that everyone there had benefited from his grace. Even after Chi Zhiyan's reckless tyranny had destroyed all of his confidants and the Si Family took control, every member of the Azure Pond Sect still knew Chi Zhiyun remained in seclusion. All carried silent guilt; no one ever dared to speak of it.

Tantai Jin had elevated many, yet none of them dared act without reading his expression. Now he had to rely on Qin Xian, a hastily promoted confidant, and send Li Quantao's two naive sons to do the deed. It was proof enough of how deeply the Si Family and Tantai Jin feared exposure. Even so, there was still 'shared grief and sorrow' among those beneath the Azure Pond Sect, and the situation could not have been more awkward.

Li Quantao grew even more distraught, his eyes glistening with tears as he said, "He was a hero among men. During his seclusion, he was breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm, raising his Shenyang to the great void. Success was at hand, his heart barrier nearly broken, and his divine ability within reach. Yet his stone gate was pried open, and two mere Qi Cultivation Realm juniors entered with swords; they pierced his dantian, severed his head, and ended his life. If his spirit bears resentment, it would shake heaven and earth, and even that would not suffice to avenge him!!"

"Old elder... my elders have all passed. Brother Xizhi and I were as close as kin, and you are my senior. Speaking frankly, when my father was targeted by the Chi Family back then, Sect Master Chi shielded us many times. I was truly grateful to him. Now... now to call me ungrateful would not be wrong!"

Though a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, Li Quantao was drenched in cold sweat, as tears streamed down his face. He bowed deeply and said in a trembling voice, "Those two are my own sons, yet they've done such a thing... My conscience alone chills my spine and I don't know what to do... I truly don't! Old elder, please... guide me!"

Li Quantao, born and raised on an immortal peak, had long been unfamiliar with worldly intrigue. Even after gaining experience, he still acted from conscience. He was an honest and kind man through and through, or he would never have saved Li Xizhi back then. Terror now clouded his eyes.

The old man opened his and said softly, "Do you know why they used you in this way?"

Li Quantao nodded stiffly. "My father once had a feud with Chi Wei. They thought drawing me in would be easiest, and once bound, couldn't break free. But it dragged in Brother Xizhi as well. While I was in seclusion, my two sons must have met someone... whoever instructed them, it no longer matters."

Li Xuanxuan couldn't help but sip his hot tea to steady himself, coughing lightly before saying, "It's karma from the past... all of it stems from old causes. The fault is not yours..."

Li Quantao's eyes widened, his lips trembling as he said, "You too believe in karma, old elder? I thought Wei's Li line was the least superstitious of all... But if you accept that, then everything can be excused, and that is not right. If karma is real, then it was my father who sinned first by ambushing Chi Wei and seizing his Dao lineage..."

He seemed to have revealed more than he meant to and lowered his voice, "Chi Wei was vile, yes, but Chi Zhiyun was not without conscience. He tried to make amends, to treat those wronged with kindness. I know he had to die, that he'd be slain one way or another; but to kill him like this, in such a way, leaves me deeply unsettled.

"Even revenge must have its measure. If he had harmed my kin for personal gain, I would at most strike him down, but not drag his great-grandchildren in and tear them apart. If I were to do that, would I not be more monstrous than he? Shouldn't such deeds invite retribution? That is what I mean, old elder."

Li Xuanxuan was left momentarily stunned, a heaviness settling in his chest. He drew out a pill from his sleeve, but Li Quantao waved him off. "Old elder, I am perfectly clear-minded. Lord Si is in the Southern Sea; what Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could possibly reach through the Azure Pond Sect's grand formation to affect me? I have turned this matter over in my heart for a long time; this is no momentary impulse."

His gaze dimmed as he went on, "I understand your esteemed family also suffered deeply under the Chi Family and bears hatred still, so you cannot understand me. Yet the old elder speaks truly, if there is karma, in the end it will fall upon me."

Li Quantao bowed deeply, then left the hall. He looked dejected and spent as he walked away. Li Xuanxuan, forgetting to see him off, raised his cup and took several long sips of hot tea before the warmth finally returned to his limbs.

After a while, Li Jiangqian approached with some surprise and asked, "Why did he leave without even looking back... old elder?"

Rubbing his brow, Li Xuanxuan said softly, "Chi Zhiyun has fallen."

Li Jiangqian was unsurprised and nodded. "It was only a matter of time. That it dragged on this long only shows how careless the Si Family has been."

Then he frowned slightly and asked, "Was it he who told you this? Was he involved? If the Si Family wishes to pull him in, it cannot be with good intent. They might even be planning to drag our family down with them..."

The old man appeared troubled, nodded faintly, and rose to descend the steps. Casting a glance at Li Jiangqian, he coughed and said, "I had meant to speak with you anyway. At times Quewan seems gentle-natured, while you seem dependable; the two of you should balance each other more. Learn a bit from your sister; not everything must be perfect or schemed to the end. You think too darkly. Honesty in dealings also has its virtue. You trust too little, and you like to polish every word for advantage. It often brings profit, yes, but it chills the hearts of those beside you."

Li Jiangqian hadn't expected Li Xuanxuan to bring this up. He smiled naturally and replied, "My devotion to my sister and to you, old elder, has always been sincere; that much my heart can testify. Whatever embellishment I use in speech, you of all people know it's only to win benefits for the family. My conscience is clear."

The old man descended the steps with a faint smile, and said with a nod, "I've grown old and rambling. The affairs of the family will need your continued care... thank you for your effort."

He walked down the steps and, unexpectedly, did not return to Qingdu but headed instead toward the livelier part of the island. Li Jiangqian saw him off halfway, then turned back to the hall. He sat calmly in the main seat, and tapped the table lightly, his eyes cold as he thought,

I've never seen the old elder act like that. Who has the audacity... to whisper idle talk about me into his ear?!