Chapter 1302: Great Rat (I)

Qu Buzhi hurried forward and said respectfully, "Family Head, Guan Lingdie has been dispatched to the Eastern Sea by the Capital Immortal Dao. There has been heavy personnel reshuffling lately, and several people stationed near the White River Stream area have all been replaced. Guan Gongxiao still dotes on his younger sister."

Li Jiangqian nodded inwardly, finding it understandable. Although opportunities around a True Monarch were plentiful, if it were Li Jiangqian himself, even if Li Quewan had not entered seclusion early to break through, he would still be unwilling to send her there.

Personnel reshuffling. Could the Guan Family really have scraped the ground bare and sent over every female cultivator they could find within the gate? Given Guan Gongxiao's temperament, it would not be impossible.

When matters involved a True Monarch, female cultivators were always more convenient than male ones. Over the past few years, Li Jiangqian had gradually replaced the stationed cultivators on the northern bank with members of the Fei Family and female cultivators, to guard against any mishaps.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Qu Buzhi lowered his head slightly and continued, "Over the past few months, as the two sides stayed locked in a standoff and have only gradually begun to make moves, quite a few great families and devil cultivators have come to spy on them. One of them was watching from the sidelines, but his skills were mediocre, and Lord Cui on the river saw through him at a glance and captured him. He has already been sent to the side hall and is awaiting your judgment."

Li Jiangqian was not surprised and replied, "I already know. He is from the Locust Soul Hall. Protector Cui sent a message. I will question him later."

A hint of frost gradually crept into his smile as he continued, "They truly have audacity beyond the heavens. It’s not only on the river, but there have also been devil cultivators snooping around my family's northern bank. I was far too lenient. A mere Foundation Establishment Realm devil cultivator, gathering a band of rabble, yet daring to spy on my family's mountain gate."

He said coldly in his heart,

If not for more pressing matters, something like this could have been dealt with by sending a Dharma Protector to come back carrying his head.

A chill ran through Qu Buzhi's heart as he listened. He had not expected the opposing side to still dare send spies over. Daoist Bai had clearly underestimated the intelligence network of a Purple Mansion Realm power and overestimated the confidentiality of his own Dao lineage. The old man could only lower his head in silence.

Most of the Foundation Establishment Realm members of the family had gone to the riverside, and Li Jiangqian felt that the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators at his disposal were insufficient, with even fewer among the direct lineage.

Li Jianglong had recently returned from the north and had been cultivating in seclusion ever since. He was already at the eighth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm. After taking the Talisman Pill and the Three Aspects Breaking Realm Pill, he would be able to attempt Foundation Establishment Realm. Li Jiangxia was slightly faster, though not by much.

As for the rest of the Li Family, Fei Chingyi, An Xuantong, and even the new batch of cultivators such as Li Zhoufang, Li Zhouyang, and Li Xinghan were gradually reaching the later stages of Qi Cultivation Realm.

Li Jiangqian made a rough estimate,

In about ten years, my family will reach the peak in terms of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Even one Foundation Establishment Realm per peak residence would not be a problem. We will truly become a colossal power like the Xiao Family of old.

The two were in the midst of discussing matters in the north when they saw a cultivator approach from the side and produce a small letter from his sleeve. Li Jiangqian read it briefly, his expression turning somewhat strange.

He turned to glance at the heavy rain outside the window and waved Qu Buzhi away. Then, he turned and headed into the hall, sending people to summon Li Xuanxuan and Li Minggong.

The elder soon arrived riding the wind, his movements hurried. Yet his face carried a smile, as if he had heard some good news. Li Minggong was nowhere to be seen for the moment, likely having reached a critical point in cultivating a spell art.

At present, the contest of techniques with the Capital Immortal Dao had not yet become serious, and manpower was sufficient. Cui Jueyin, who was overseeing the overall situation, knew the hidden details and was capable of handling these matters, so Li Minggong had not been sent out and instead given more time to cultivate spell arts.

Li Xuanxuan took the small letter from Li Jiangqian and read it while the latter poured tea for the elder.

Li Jiangqian said, "Daoist Master Qiuhu[1] fought in the Southern Sea and was forced back by Maha. Northern Dan has been lost..."

Whenever Li Xuanxuan came to the main hall, Li Jiangqian would personally pour tea for him, making sure it was at just the right temperature. This man was simply like that, always making others feel comfortable in his presence. Li Xuanxuan silently accepted the tea and revealed a smile.

"It is rare to have news of Xizhi. That is a good thing. A sword immortal family must always have a cultivator of the Sword Dao."

Clearly, the letter had already briefly mentioned Li Xizhi drawing his sword. Yet Li Xuanxuan's smile was forced, and Li Jiangqian frowned even more. He set the teapot down and said quietly, "This matter is very strange. Nothing about it feels right from beginning to end. This Merciful One Zhuzhen is suddenly taking Stone Pond? Was it really necessary for the Great Konghai Temple? Even if we assume there are secrets unknown to us low level cultivators, he took Stone Pond without harming a single cultivator from the Azure Pond Sect.

"Daoist Master Qiuhu was clearly stationed in the north. How could she rush all the way to Stone Pond in one go? Even traversing the great void would not be that fast, unless the Daoist Master possessed immortal foresight and had known early on. Moreover, after Zhuzhen lost so much face, if he truly wanted to strike and kill someone, it would not have been excessive..."

Li Xuanxuan had been worried that Li Xizhi's rising prominence would lead to trouble and had not considered Li Jiangqian's line of thought. Hearing this, he asked doubtfully, "What do you mean?"

Li Jiangqian replied in an obscure tone, "Some time ago, this junior received news that the Lotus Temple also ceded territory to Chengyun Gate."

Li Xuanxuan pondered it and found the resemblance convincing. Li Jiangqian continued quietly, "After all, sect level powers are leaders of the Immortal Dao. They should not be overly amicable with Buddhist cultivators."

The elder understood his meaning as well, but whether the Azure Pond Sect had deliberately let Northern Dan go to conduct a covert exchange, or secretly coordinated with the Great Konghai Temple to scheme something, was hard to say.

Li Jiangqian glanced at him and said softly, "The one that suffers the most is the Lingu Family."

The elder stroked his beard and nodded. If Li Jiangqian's reasoning was correct, Ning Wan was now holding up the Azure Pond Sect on her own, so using Northern Dan to obtain some form of assistance was understandable. Moreover, what kind of place was Stone Pond? The Lingu Family had operated there for many years, draining it day by day with Wuzha Worms and Timber Ginseng Trees.

Ning Wan could not have been unaware of this. There had originally been a market that could extract benefits for the Azure Pond Sect, or rather for the current Ning and Si Families. However, with Yuanxiu dead, that market was bound to collapse sooner or later.

Seeing that the elder did not speak, Li Jiangqian said quietly, "Daoist Master Ning should still be in the Southern Sea."

Li Jiangqian was not someone to make baseless guesses. He was hinting to the elder that he had already used the Immortal Mirror to investigate. Li Xuanxuan then said with concern, "I only fear that things on Xizhi's side are not very stable."

This was also what unsettled Li Jiangqian, and he said softly, "If one can keep strength hidden, who would reveal it without reason? Even stepping into the spotlight is not very secure. It looks like everyone praises him, but with his status, does he really lack such praise? From beginning to end, there is not a single benefit. If there is any benefit, it belongs to the Azure Pond Sect."

The elder replied, "I do not think Daoist Master Ning would push Xizhi forward to seek some benefit. She is not someone like Yuanxiu, and the Li Family is no longer what it once was. Do not forget that he is Zhaojing's elder brother."

After reaching the Purple Mansion Realm and acquiring a Fate Divine Ability, no matter what kind of person they are, their heart changes.

Li Jiangqian could only nod silently. Although he had other thoughts in his heart, it was no longer appropriate to say more, so he said, "No matter what, this does not look like a good thing. At present, Daoist Master Ning holds the greatest authority. There are no taboos for you coming to the lake, so it would be best to meet her."

Li Xuanxuan nodded inwardly and changed the topic. "I am already aware of the matter concerning the Locust Soul Hall. Do not act rashly."

Li Jiangqian smiled. "You underestimate me, Elder."

Li Xuanxuan did not say more, but he was deeply worried in his heart,

If not for Daoist Bai, my family would not be in Jiangbei. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to break free. The Li Family rules an entire region, enforces strict discipline, remotely controls many sides, and has deep foundations. They are all so called scions of esteemed families. The one managing the family is a cunning, unscrupulous young man in black robes and crimson garments, from a noble bloodline with golden eyes and ambition. That young man's father is an outstanding figure among Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and above him is an ancestor Daoist Master whose whereabouts are unknown.

This is exactly what the clown at the head of the play looks like. If my family were in Jiangbei, we should have moved the entire family overseas by now.

He said no more and went down to write a letter. Li Jiangqian set down his brush and saw a young man in red robes arrive outside the hall, holding a folding fan. It was none other than his uncle, Li Zhouming.

Li Jiangqian smiled and said, "Uncle seems to be in a leisurely mood today to have the time to come over here."

Li Zhouming was still newly married. His formerly carefree and debonair demeanor was gone, replaced by a face full of bitterness as he shook his head and said, "I have not been able to visit a single pleasure boat these past few months. I do not know where Shouyu gets such accurate information. Every time I leave, she arrives right after. She says nothing, just smiles and sits there watching...

"I break out in a cold sweat every time, let alone those pitiful women. Kneeling on the ground and crying has become a common sight."

Li Jiangqian naturally knew how thoroughly Li Zhouming had been tormented during this period. He laughed inwardly as the man in red robes shook his head and said, "I thought I could go to the Azure Pond Sect to relax a bit and see the scenery, but as soon as I arrived, I was called back. I did not get to see anything at all."

He sighed. "Rocking on a boat on the lake and watching the rain is the most relaxing thing in this season of heavy rain. Yet I have no such mood, so I came here to take refuge for a while."

Li Zhouming disliked miscellaneous affairs the most. Being forced to come to the main hall to find something to do showed just how desperate he was. Li Jiangqian clicked his tongue and comforted him, "Aunt is a descendant of a prestigious family and a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, truly a first class figure. Uncle should put in more effort. A harmonious marriage is the best thing."

Li Zhouming's face turned slightly pale, and he sighed aloud, "She is from the direct lineage of an immortal sect and very capable. You should also find something for her to do. A dignified Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator tormenting me day after day is more than I can bear."

Li Jiangqian understood at once. He smiled inwardly while adopting a thoughtful expression, thinking,

That is true. A descendant of an immortal sect, and also a wife from the direct lineage of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, should have a position. Otherwise, it would indeed be inappropriate.

Li Jiangqian had been running around with affairs these past few days and had indeed overlooked this matter. He replied, "What uncle says is reasonable. I recall that aunt cultivates Dry Fire. The family is currently reorganizing the qi gathering division, to be called the Furnace Service Office. We will have to trouble aunt with it."

1. Previous known as Autumn Lake Daoist Master. This is referring to Ning Wan, the Autumn Lake Fairy. ☜