Chapter 1273: Rumor (II)

A chill crawled up his spine at the thought.

If I could think of this, how could the Zhang Family not think of it? Or the various Purple Mansion Realm cultivators who divided Lingyu Gate's inheritance back then? Could it be that once this item is released, it simply waits for a cultivator carrying a thread of fate to activate it?

How did Zhang Yun determine that my ancestor carried a thread of fate? Perhaps he noticed that this portion of the River Mountain Sutra resonated with my ancestor's cultivation method and could be continued seamlessly? And seeing my ancestor's extraordinary bearing, he tested him and made his deduction?

If not for the Zhang Family's hint today, I never would have realized this.

Even someone as cold and ruthless as him could not help but feel uncertain,

Most cultivators are not as viciously minded as I am. Whether this thing carries such a mark or not, when the Daoist Master returns, I will have him examine it and learn the truth.

Still deep in thought, Li Jiangqian walked back to the hall. The teapot and jade cups had long been cleared away. Behind him, Cui Jueyin followed with his head lowered, looking somewhat dazed.

Suddenly, Li Jiangqian turned and asked, "Dharma Protector Cui, does the Cui Family know anything regarding the Upper Sect's decree?"

Cui Jueyin bowed deeply, his gaze fixed on the floor, and said, "Family Head, my family has... for a thousand years... suffered... suffered..."

This Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, who had always been poised and carried the bearing of an esteemed family's young master, now appeared terrified. The mention of Mount Luoxia seemed to awaken a deep, overwhelming fear.

"The Dongli Sect was wiped out in panic. When the Upper Sect's decree was defied by our forebears' recklessness, three generations were nearly exterminated. Even Purple Mansion Realm cultivators with divine abilities fell within days. We cannot help but fear. We do not dare not fear.

"With the decree before us now, we can only tremble and await orders."

Li Jiangqian stared at him intently. Beads of sweat continued to roll down Cui Jueyin's neck one after another. It was the first time he had seen Cui Jueyin like this, and he sensed an even deeper layer of fear beneath the surface.

If I continue asking, disaster may spill from his mouth.

He sighed inwardly. "Dharma Protector Cui, go and rest."

Cui Jueyin rose, saluted, and withdrew to the side. Li Jiangqian's gaze remained upon the desk.

Through the Profound, the Purple Reflection responds. Majestic Light beholds the rosy clouds. By the Golden One Dao, I humbly petition.

The Golden Feather Sect bears the name of being under the Northern Sect... and most of the time it is so. Even with a True Monarch, the Golden Feather Sect cannot refuse the northern decree. The one in the north is certainly a Dao Embryo. Yet it is uncertain how many Dao Embryos stand behind him.

Zhang Duanyan hinted that the Jiangbei sects share a Dao lineage with Golden Feather. If even Golden Feather cannot refuse them, then these Dao lineages can all be seen as subordinates of Luoxia. The true instigator behind the struggle for Jiangbei's fertile lands is thus unmistakably clear.

A trace of helplessness rose in his chest. He stopped thinking further and refocused on Jiangbei.

The Ding Family migrated entirely and has almost severed ties with Jiangbei, so they can be preserved. Qu Buzhi and Miaoshui are merely guest cultivators of the region, with shallow ties. The one with the deepest entanglement in family interests... is the Wang Family.

The Wang Family of Jiangbei had lived there for generations. It would be almost impossible for them to detach themselves fully. No matter how cleanly things were handled, cause and effect remained. Li Jiangqian considered,

The one who stands tallest in Jiangbei right now will be the one struck down hardest. Floating South can be set aside for now. Bring back all cultivators, let everything run on its own, and do not touch anything.

He summoned someone and ordered, "Carry my command. Have the second young master depart at once to take up his post at the lake."

The man accepted the order and was about to withdraw when Li Jiangqian hesitated and called him back, "Ask Dharma Protector Cui. It would be best if he personally goes to Jiangbei to deliver the decree."

At present, aside from himself, only Cui Jueyin understood the gravity of the matter. His own brothers were not easy to manage, and this was an urgent, perilous affair. Li Jiangqian did not want any missteps.

He immediately busied himself, spreading open the scrolls on his desk and writing down every possible oversight,

Wang Quwan is tied to the Mifan Dao lineage and is best preserved... but his entanglement with the Jiangbei Wang Family is deep... truly difficult...

Just as Li Jiangqian was thinking, he suddenly froze. A dark suspicion crept across his face.

Wang Quwan... Wang Quwan... impossible. Could fate be pushing this man forward first, preparing him as the stepping stone for a True Monarch? If so, is he not certainly doomed?

His heart grew heavy. After thinking for a long while, he ordered, "Summon Qu Buzhi."

Old Qu's Immortal Foundation was the Concealed Containment Palace. He specialized in arranging earth veins and nurturing spirit fields. He had long finished restructuring Floating South's land and had spent the last few years surveying fields by the lake, teaching a few disciples, and reorganizing the Li Family's spirit field classifications. He lived an almost reclusive life.

He had plenty of free time. Once summoned, he arrived quickly, bowed to the floor, and said, "This humble one greets the family head."

This old man usually kept to himself and avoided involvement in everything, making him extremely cunning. It was precisely the reason Li Jiangqian had specifically sought him out. He smiled and asked, "I wish to ask you something. You know Jiangbei and Floating South very well. Are there any rogue cultivators at Foundation Establishment Realm who have no connection whatsoever to my family?"

He paused briefly and added, "It is best if he is not gentle in conduct but behaves in an overbearing manner."

Qu Buzhi did not quite understand, yet he fell into deep thought and replied, "There are many rogue cultivators in Jiangbei now, but very few in Floating South. Most areas are under our own people. However, I have heard of a few rogue cultivators in the Hidden East territory."

Hidden East had been handed to the Capital Immortal Dao by the Li Family long ago and had become a complete mess. The Capital Immortal Dao had sent several cultivators over the years to govern it, but none performed well. They eventually settled for merely collecting stipends, and the place remained tangled and chaotic to this day.

Seeing his expression, Qu Buzhi guessed he was looking for a scapegoat and said, "If you wish to find someone ignorant, muddled, and reckless, I have an idea. Such people are plentiful in the outer-sea. Lure one over, tempt him, point a devil cultivator toward him, have him kill and seize treasures, then let him bring the trouble to our mountain gate. Once he dies, everything disappears. It's very convenient."

Qu Buzhi, once a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator drifting through the Eastern Sea, indeed saw matters clearly. Once Li Jiangqian considered his words, he immediately understood and thought,

The Capital Immortal Dao will likely send someone soon to negotiate. This matter does not belong to one side alone. I faintly recall that Guan Gongxiao is skilled at handling affairs. Good, he can be dealt with properly.

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

This could also force both sides to break the cold silence of recent years. I wonder what attitude the Capital Immortal Dao will bring.

He then lifted his head and said, "Guest Qu, stay by my side for the next few months. There will be matters that require your counsel."