Chapter 1303: Great Rat (II)

There was a precious treasure called Cuoxiang in the Li Family's qi gathering path. It was an ancient technique artifact obtained by Li Xuanfeng and originally belonged to the Sima Family. It could store spiritual qi and prevent it from dissipating. By implication, this item would be placed under the control of Xia Shouyu.

Spiritual qi was always limited, and this was not an easy task. The one in charge needed both status and schemes. Li Jiangqian had made perfect arrangements, but Li Zhouming did not catch all of this.

He nodded repeatedly and continued, "This really troubles the family head. There is still one more matter. Elder Brother Zhoufang's eldest son, Li Jiangzong, has already broken through the Qi Cultivation Realm. He practices the True Fire Dao, the Pheasant Flame Long March Technique. Elder Brother treasures him greatly and hopes he can follow by Aunt Minggong's side. When the time comes, please put in a few good words for him."

Li Zhoufang had the most flourishing descendants. Earlier there was Li Queyi, who was cultivating in Purple Smoke Gate, and now Li Jiangzong had arrived. Both showed excellent potential. There was also Li Xinghan in the Yuandu lineage, making it the most prominent lineage of the first lineage.

Li Jiangqian naturally nodded in agreement. Adding a new Qi Cultivation Realm direct descendant to the family was a good thing. Although Li Minggong belonged to the Yuanwan lineage, she held no such sectarian prejudices in her heart and would surely be very pleased. He smiled and asked, "How old is this younger brother?"

Li Zhouming snapped his fan open and said with a smile, "Twenty three, a bit younger than Queyi."

As his words fell, a figure appeared outside the hall. Li Minggong wore a white dress, the lantern in her hand unlit, completely different from her usual attire. Only then did Li Jiangqian remember that today was the death anniversary of Li Chenghui. She must have gone to pay her respects. No wonder those sent to summon her could not find her in her cave dwelling.

When people leave, the tea grows cold. In the first two years, death anniversaries were major and minor memorial rites with some grandeur. Now, there were not many who still remembered Li Chenghui. Only the three family members who might inherit his legacy held lively ceremonies each year, arranging them even more grandly than those for their own ancestors. Whether feigned or sincere, Li Chenghui had no descendants, and in the end, someone would still make arrangements for him.

Li Jiangqian was dressed in black robes, which was fine. Li Zhouming, however, was still wearing red. His nature was not bad, but he was an incorrigible sort. He had barely met Li Chenghui a few times, and even seeing his aunt in white stirred no feeling in him. This made Li Jiangqian uneasy.

Fortunately, Li Minggong did not mind such matters and said gently, "I recently completed the cultivation of the Art of Miao Tai Transformation. It was a congratulatory gift that Slaughter Jun Gate once gave to the Daoist Master. This art aligns greatly with my Immortal Foundation, and the purple baleful qi at Zhijing Mountain is an excellent treasure for cultivating this method. Its upper potential is quite impressive.

"You also cultivate Radiant Fire, which suits it even better than my True Fire. You can certainly give it a try. This art is not as simple as it appears on the surface."

The Art of Miao Tai Transformation of the Slaughter Jun Gate had techniques to gather Radiant Fire and ingest earthly baleful qi. It could expel ground fire baleful qi, but it was not easy to cultivate. Li Minggong had refined it with the help of the purple baleful qi and was visibly delighted.

If it could delight Li Minggong, who cultivated True Fire, cultivating Radiant Fire would only be even better for himself. Li Jiangqian felt a stir in his heart, nodded repeatedly, and sighed, "None of Daoist Master Junjian's items are ever inferior. His relationship with our family is good, so what he offers must be better than anyone else's. Have you taken a look at the younger generation in the family?"

Li Minggong moved to take a seat and said, "I was just about to talk to you about this. I have gone to see Jiangzong. He is modest and eager to learn. Though his temperament cannot be said to be extraordinary, he already surpasses most people."

It was clear that this younger brother of his was already quite good. Not only had his father Li Zhoufang never received such an evaluation, even Li Zhouluo back then had only been described as having decent innate ability. Li Jiangqian raised his head slightly, let out a small sigh of relief, and thought to himself,

Aside from my own few younger brothers, someone presentable has finally emerged among the Jiangque generation.

Only then did he understand why Li Xuanxuan had arrived riding the wind with a smile on his face. The elder cared most about such matters and must have known long in advance. Li Jiangqian sighed and said, "The lack of capable descendants has always weighed on you elders. At least there is now one with decent innate ability, which eases the anxiety and offers some consolation."

Only Li Xinghan could be said to stand out among the Zhouxing generation. In the Jiangque generation, aside from the few golden eyed descendants, Queyi and Quexi were cultivating in Purple Smoke Gate, while only Quewan remained by the lake. Her cultivation had progressed at astonishing speed, leaving no talk of descendants.

Only after hearing this did Li Zhouming react thoughtfully. He asked about some family matters and did not mention the abandoned Floating South, instead saying, "I heard there was fighting on the river for a while. The cultivators of the Capital Immortal Dao clashed repeatedly with our family, and a devil cultivator was even captured. Which side does he belong to?"

Li Jiangqian shook his head and replied, "Bring him up for the elders to take a look."

He gave a few quiet instructions. Qu Buzhi soon entered the hall, dragging along a young looking devil cultivator. His hands were tightly bound and his cultivation sealed. Cold sweat was pouring down his pale face.

Li Zhouming raised his eyes to look at him, but the youth could not speak. Li Jiangqian smiled. "Our family was fighting fiercely with the Capital Immortal Dao, and this fellow was spying from the side. Lord Cui's perception technique is formidable and spotted him at a glance."

He read the letter sent by Cui Jueyin briefly and passed it to Li Zhouming and Li Minggong, saying softly, "He has already been interrogated. He is from Locust Soul Hall. The Mifan Dao lineage has no shallow origins, so he can be considered to have some backing."

He turned his head and said sharply, "What is your name? What position do you hold?"

The young man immediately knelt and answered, "I am a subordinate Dharma Protector under the Locust Soul Hall, known as the Black Rat Dharma Protector. I am one of the seven front hall Dharma Protectors. I oversee the taxation of spirit items in the Floating South region and also manage a local storehouse.

"The hall master did not know what was happening on the river and specifically sent me to investigate. I did not intend to spy. I beg you to see the truth clearly, my lord."

Li Zhouming did not know the full details, and so his reaction was genuine. He struck the fan into his palm, clearly displeased, and shook his head as he said, "So there truly is such a thing as a so-called Purple Mansion Realm favor. But he merely has a personal connection. Our family truly has a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. We cannot allow ourselves to be humiliated at will."

Li Jiangqian let out a long sigh and said, "Uncle may not know this, but the Mifan Dao lineage is no simple matter. The Purple Mansion Realm power behind him has deep origins and can even be traced back to a True Monarch. Our family has no choice but to avoid them."

Li Zhouming was startled. Only then did he gain a clearer understanding of the loss of Floating South. He quickly stood up and asked quietly, "What should we do then? Should we release him and let him return?"

"Not quite..." Li Jiangqian did not avoid the devil cultivator kneeling on the ground at all. His gaze lightly swept past his uncle, and he abruptly changed his words, laughing angrily as he said, "We cannot allow our family to be bullied like this. I will kill him and make the other side suffer."

As soon as these words fell, a wave of unease rippled across the hall, and Li Zhouming abruptly stood up, alarmed and frightened as he replied, "You must not kill him! If it truly involves a True Monarch..."

Qu Buzhi was also stunned and hurriedly pleaded, "My lord, I fear he cannot be killed..."

Even Li Minggong slightly furrowed her brows at this moment. Clearly, she disagreed in her heart, though she spared his face and remained silent. If he were to insist on his stance, Li Minggong would most likely speak up as well.

Li Jiangqian glanced around with some amusement. The feigned anger on his face eased slightly as he said, "He may be the one holding the command token, but the one who truly attained the Dao lineage might not be him. Just because he has a command token, must everyone worship him like an ancestor."

The two tried to persuade him and they continued arguing back and forth for quite some time. Only then did Li Jiangqian relent and say, "Although he cannot be killed, he cannot be allowed to come and go freely either. Lock him up first and let him suffer a bit."

Li Zhouming let out a long breath. He quickly had Qu Buzhi take the man away while Li Jiangqian had not yet changed his mind. Li Jiangqian raised his brows and took everything in, realizing,

The Black Rat Dharma Protector is an important figure. Very well.

Qu Buzhi had not yet left and instead asked for instructions, "Where should he be detained?"

Li Jiangqian was immediately reminded of a certain matter. The Glazed Pagoda of Unrestrained Boundary on the lake should be put to use. The Glazed Pagoda of Unrestrained Boundary had been sent by Li Xizhi back then and was extremely precious. It had been kept at Qingdu all this time. It was meant to be a dharma artifact for training juniors and punishing disciples, yet it had scarcely been used over the years.

First, when this item had been obtained, it coincided with Li Jiangqian leaving seclusion to reorganize affairs. The entire Li Family was extremely busy, so naturally no one had the time to sort it out.

Second, the power of this item was simply excessive. Not to mention the Li Family disciples, Chen Yang had entered this dharma artifact once and had been burned until he was covered in soot and dust. He had forced his way through the Supreme Blazing Fire; the Wounding Crops Wind in the middle was pitifully weak; and the final Autumn Death Water was overwhelmingly strong.

Among so many cultivators in the Li Family, only Cui Jueyin and Ding Weizeng were able to complete the full trial. The benefits gained were not that great either. For cultivators at the level of Cui Jueyin and Ding Weizeng, things like refining true origin and clarifying spiritual sense were no longer very useful. The Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators entering it simply could not withstand the Supreme Blazing Fire.

After all, it is an ancient object. Once the Fruition Attainment changes, everything undergoes transformation and it becomes difficult to use. Fortunately, this dharma artifact has its restraints. Unless the Northern Palace Thunder at the very top is triggered, it will not take lives no matter what. No wonder it is said to be used to discipline juniors. That is the one use where it truly excels.

He said coldly, "This fellow is weak as paper. Send him into the Wounding Crops Wind and let him suffer a bit."

The Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary would not take a life, but it would inflict unending torment, enough to leave an indelible mark in one's heart. Qu Buzhi dragged him away. Only then did Li Zhouming return to his seat and discuss some family matters before leaving.

Li Jiangqian sat quietly in the main seat, a faint chill settling in his heart,

It has already begun. The capture of the Black Rat was not without cause. No wonder it seemed so hasty. What comes next depends on whether the Locust Soul Hall chooses to take him back. If they truly send people to retrieve him, he will likely play no small role.

One had to know that the True Monarch had only descended six years ago.[1] It was therefore impossible for the descent to have occurred at infancy. Instead, it must have been a possession of someone who had long shown signs of resonance, or perhaps a reincarnated body whose destiny had only recently awakened. In that case, there would likely be no great phenomenon.

He has been captured for some time already. There should soon be news from the north.

Li Minggong watched everything from beginning to end without saying a word. Li Jiangqian was deep in thought; he frowned and said, "From his account, this person should be extremely important to the Locust Soul Hall. They will send people to ransom him."

Li Minggong seemed to have her own suspicions and said no more. She simply replied, "I will go and take a look myself."

The woman departed riding on fire. While waiting, Li Jiangqian began reading the sect records. After a while, his thoughts grew restless. He could no longer tell which thoughts truly came from himself. He stepped outside, leaned once more against the corridor railing, and sighed as he gazed toward Jiangbei, where the torrential rain showed no sign of stopping.

"Heavy rain... The blood of the various esteemed families and the Locust Soul Hall... It would be best if it does not splash onto my family."

1. The way the raw wrote make it seems like "descended six years ago" but it might be "will be descending in six years". I will check and correct it it's wrong. ☜