Chapter 1260: Deng Family (I)

For a brief instant, Yuan Huo'e stood frozen in place, at a complete loss for how to respond.

At his side, Zhou Baiyun was still caught up in his own forceful words, secretly hesitating. This should have been a perfect chance to show himself before Yuan Huo'e. If Li Zhouwei had not exposed his identity earlier, and if he had not feared bringing trouble upon his elder brother, he would have spoken up long ago to support him. Now, he could only steal glances at Yuan Huo'e's face and saw the old man's beard trembling.

Yuan Huo’e’s voice cracked as he said, "So it is... so it is you, sir... my apologies for the discourtesy. It was my own ridiculous words earlier, actually daring to speak of your elders..."

All the bluster drained from him at once, and he said awkwardly and in fear, "This old fool was blind and failed to recognize you... Back when Lord Xuanfeng was stationed on this island, I admired and revered him immensely. I often sought his guidance and have always been grateful in my heart. I never imagined you would come today. Failing to welcome you would already be bad enough, yet I even failed to recognize you in person. A grave offense... a grave offense..."

The speed of his change in attitude left Zhou Baiyun stunned, yet he understood the old man's words all too clearly, and a chill ran through his heart,

Good heavens... Li Xuanfeng's surname is Li, and Li Xizhi's surname is also Li. They are from the same family. This Li Zhouwei is from the Moongaze immortal family.

Only then did he realize something was wrong and silently cried out in misery, but the old man turned on him and cursed, "You with the surname Zhou. With such a guest arriving, you did not bother to inquire properly and hastily sent someone to question them, even claiming a vicious person had come to the door. I will hold you accountable for this."

What?

Zhou Baiyun broke out in a cold sweat. The current might of the Li Family was something even the Yuan Family could not withstand, let alone a minor rogue cultivator like him. Li Xuanfeng had an immense reputation in this region, with several people even imitating his archery over the years. Zhou Baiyun did not dare say another word and could only stand there like a mute.

Li Zhouwei watched as the old man framed the matter as a failure of recognizing him in person and pushed Zhou Baiyun to the forefront. He remained silent, applying pressure without a word. After talking for some time and seeing that Li Zhouwei still did not respond, Yuan Huo'e could only let out a long sigh and say tremblingly, "

Ah...

"

Yuan Huo'e had both respected and feared Li Xuanfeng from the very beginning, with not the slightest intention of offending him in his heart. However, as a cultivator promoted by the Ning Family while stationed in the outer-sea, his position was sensitive, and he had no say in the affairs of the Yuan Family, only the right to listen.

The moment he heard that Yuan Hudu and Yuan Huyuan were wavering between both sides, he knew disaster was coming.

As it turned out, Yuan Chengzhao within the sect was also unreliable. What had once been a fine relationship between the two families, with bonds of senior brotherhood above and goodwill between the families below, even to the point of considering marriage ties, was ruined when two elders and a youth sold out Yuan Chengdun, transforming matters into the irreconcilable state they were in now.

Now that Yuan Hudu had died suddenly from a relapse of old injuries and Yuan Zibin had taken charge of the household as an even more reckless and perverse figure, it was clear that the entire Yuan Family had rotted to the core over three generations. This had now dragged Yuan Huo'e into offending a Purple Mansion Realm power as well.

With the other party now coming to his door, Yuan Huo'e could only feel his heart bleeding as he said quietly, "The juniors in the family were ignorant and ill mannered..."

The enmity between the Li Family and the Yuan Family was not something that could be resolved with a few words. Li Zhouwei knew he neither had the standing nor the inclination to mediate on behalf of his elders, so he waved his hand and replied, "Island Master of Tai'e Island need not say so much. I was merely passing by and will leave once I have exchanged for the spirit item."

He pointed to the jade box on the table. Yuan Huo'e behaved himself as he took it out to appraise it, felt a chill in his heart, and said in a low voice, "My lord, Tai'e Island currently has a white skinned fan called the White Abundance Fan. It belongs to the Boundless Essence Dao and can stir black and yellow qis. It is a rare dharma artifact and was entrusted here for sale by a peak master of the Azure Pond Sect. It should be of suitable value."

Li Zhouwei finally heard something of interest. Boundless Essence Dao dharma artifacts were rare, and the black flames catalyzed by his Armor Cycle Soul-Refining Halberd Art were also of the Boundless Essence Dao, making such an item suitable for his use.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

He asked, "Which peak master is it, and what does he require?"

Yuan Huo'e wiped away his sweat and replied, "It is the former peak master of Yuanjie Peak, also a mid stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. His surname is Deng and his given name is Yuzhi. He is now over a hundred years old and cultivates in this region, so he entrusted the item to us for sale."

He glanced at Zhou Baiyun. The man felt as though he had been pardoned and quickly hurried out to fetch the person. Li Zhouwei, however, felt reassured and nodded inwardly as he thought,

So he is from the Deng Family.

Yuan Huo'e glanced at the table and immediately took a liking to the long staff. After examining it a few times, he hesitated, wary that items from Changxiao Gate were not something he could use freely.

He said, "As for this long staff, this old man can decide to keep it on the island for sale."

He rummaged in his sleeve for a moment, took out a white luminous pearl of pure radiance, and asked tentatively, "This is a protective spirit barrier called Light Profound Radiance Blessing of the Pure Essence Dao, suitable for all Daos. Why not have my lord use this first, while the long staff is kept on the island for sale? Once it is sold, we can compare values, make up any difference, and then negotiate at the lake."

Li Zhouwei only needed a glance to know the old man wanted it for himself. The life preserving effect was indeed useful to elderly cultivators, but he feared Changxiao Gate's methods and wanted to keep it to have someone appraise it first.

Light Profound Radiance Blessing was compatible with all Daos, but light barrier dharma artifacts were usually expensive. Since this one was being readily offered in exchange, it likely did not provide much protection. He had no use for the long staff and did not wish to run about various markets, so he pushed the wooden staff across and took the white luminous pearl into his hand.

"My lord, please have a look. This is the catalog of treasured items on the island."

Yuan Huo'e accepted the wooden staff and examined it fondly several times. However, he was clearly ill at ease in front of Li Zhouwei, so he used the excuse of inspecting and making inquiries to withdrew.

Li Zhouwei took the catalog and began perusing it. Before long, he heard Zhou Baiyun's respectful voice, "My lord, please come inside."

A middle aged man, his hair and beard graying, stepped forward. He was extremely thin, with sharp features and narrow eyes. His expression was fairly calm. After sweeping his small eyes around and seeing Li Zhouwei, he gave a slight bow and said with a sigh, "Head of the Li Family, we finally meet. I am Deng Yuzhi of the Simin Prefecture Deng Family."

The Deng Family was a small family. Although it had a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator to support it, it had been forced by the Chi Family to cultivate a special technique, resulting in generations of madness and extinction. It was only after Chi Wei fell and Chi Zhiyun intervened to ease matters that the Deng Family improved. Deng descendants no longer cultivated that technique, and Deng Yuzhi was considered the last one.

The Deng Family had formed ties with the Li Family long ago. It was said that Deng Yuzhi's elder brother, Deng Qiuzhi, was a close friend of the sword immortal Li Chejing. In the past, Li Zhouwei had sent letters to Li Quantao through the Deng Family. Although they did not interact often, the relationship was solid. Li Zhouwei rose and invited him to sit.

Although Deng Yuzhi's appearance was unsightly, he carried himself with great poise. He took out a jade pot and jade cups, poured the tea, and smiled.

"Congratulations, family head."