Chapter 1312: Confirming The Succession (I)

Moongaze Lake.

The lake waters were verdant, as spring rain fell ceaselessly. Gentle breezes swept along the shore, but the small courtyard on the island lay in utter stillness. The two kumquat trees by the gate swayed faintly, sheltered by the eaves and deprived of sunlight. Even under the spring breeze, they appeared listless and weak.

Li Xinghan stood in the courtyard with a treasured sword at her waist.

She was now at the seventh stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm, the late stage. As a direct descendant of the Li Family, she was required to enter the mountains, consume pills, and go into seclusion once she reached late Qi Cultivation Realm. It was said that after swallowing several pills, she would soon be able to attempt Foundation Establishment Realm. Once she left, no one knew how many years would pass, so she had returned home to see her parents.

Hearing movement, her mother came out of the courtyard with a smile, while her father sat sideways on the threshold.

Since her uncle Chee Tiaozong had been promoted and the matter of her elder brother seeking office had ended in discord with her father and brother, Li Xinghan had rarely returned home, usually sending only letters. Now that she looked around, the courtyard was quiet. The laughter of earlier years was nowhere to be found.

It was obvious that Uncle Chee Tiaozong’s words carried a vastly different weight from Li Xinghan’s words. Although her elder brother had managed to obtain an official post, it was not a good one. No one knew which remote place he had been sent to. Her brother and sister-in-law had moved out, leaving only the two elderly parents to live in the courtyard.

Li Xinghan felt conflicted. She spoke a few kind words, but her father was clearly still angry with her. He replied stiffly with only a few words, perhaps placing the pain of family separation on her shoulders as well.

Li Xinghan could no longer stay silent and told them that she was about to attempt Foundation Establishment Realm. It was a matter of life or death if she failed. Her mother froze in shock, her eyes instantly reddening.

Her father lowered his legs as well and opened his mouth, yet his face remained cold. Li Xinghan sighed. "The family head still has matters to discuss with me. I have already gone to see uncle. I came to bid farewell to both of you."

She looked at her father, who had aged considerably, and her tone softened as she continued, "Father, my brother is not capable. He is still muddleheaded, even when managing the men in a minor mining branch. It was only because he listened to uncle and did not dare take other people's money that Qingdu did not arrest him.

"Now Jiangqian oversees the family. His eyes are sharp. How could he fail to see my brother's situation? The eastern shore is currently managed by the second Young Master Li Jianglong. He has shown goodwill toward me, and his messages often reach my ears. It is only out of regard for me that my brother is being tolerated.

"If I fail in my breakthrough and news of my death arrives, it would be better for my brother to resign early. Brother Zhoufang has already struggled enough for the sake of the family's brothers and sisters. There would be no need to trouble him further."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

She did not know whether her father took her words to heart, but she turned and left. Her father remained unmoving, watching her go. Her mother escorted her out of the courtyard, then quickly returned and crouched to wipe away her tears.

Only then did her father stand up. His wife said softly, "Look at you. You agreed again to speak a good word for Zhoutui inheriting Lord Chenghui's mantle, yet you fell silent again. Now it is hard to give them an explanation."

Her father closed his eyes and shook his head. "Enough. Your daughter is stubborn and proud. Since she is about to attempt the Foundation Establishment Realm, how could she listen to such matters? It would only disturb her state of mind. Whether Li Zhoutui lives or dies cannot compare to her life, let alone any mantle. Just have him stay far away and not involve my family."

He let out a sigh as he continued, "Are there not several temples on the eastern shore? Tomorrow... come with me to pay our respects."

His wife replied, "I hear the Temple of the Merciful One by the river is more efficacious."

But her father shook his head repeatedly and said, "You are just as muddle headed. A Li worshipping the Merciful One. Are you not afraid a falling beam in the Merciful One's temple will crush you to death? Enough... We will go to the eastern shore."

————

Li Xinghan rode the wind upward and descended toward the hall. As she raised her head, she saw a Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator standing near the hall entrance. He had sharp features and a shockingly ugly monkey-like face. Her elder brother Li Zhoufang was speaking with the man in clear embarrassment, and upon seeing Li Xinghan, he looked as though he had been granted a reprieve.

He hurried forward, saying, "This is the fifth young master."

It turned out that this man was Li Jiangnian. This young master was only around eighteen. His innate ability was decent, yet his appearance gave no hint that he was eighteen at all.

His gaze dropped, and he did not dare look at Li Xinghan. This was not directed at her specifically.

On a cultivation path where everyone appeared refined and handsome, his ugliness stood out starkly, making him hunch his head as he said softly, "Greetings, aunt."

Li Jiangnian's voice was unremarkable, but was far better than his face. Clearly, his resolve was far inferior to that of his brothers, lacking even the courage to meet another's gaze.

Li Xinghan sighed inwardly, offered a polite remark, and entered from the side. The seat of Li Jiangliang was empty opposite her. The fourth young master had likely gone to the river with Cui Jueyin.

Of the Jiangque generation, the two sisters were both at the Purple Smoke Gate. Among the Zhouxing generation, only Li Xinghan and Li Zhoufang were able to enter this hall. She swept her gaze around and immediately went forward to bow to Li Minggong and Li Xuanxuan.

"Elder!"

Li Minggong smiled and nodded, gesturing to the side, where a square faced youth who looked about twenty, stood with bright eyes. Li Xinghan recognized him at once. He was Li Zhoufang's treasured son, Li Jiangzong, who had just entered the Qi Cultivation Realm and was now following beside Li Minggong.

Li Jiangzong was very familiar with her and simply performed a salute. Only then did Li Xinghan return to sit beside Li Zhouming. This red robed young master had actually corrected his habit of arriving late and had come early. He was even sitting properly, which made Li Xinghan smile faintly.

Clatter!

Li Zhouming snapped his fan open, using it to conceal his mouth as he whispered, "Sister, I have been short on funds lately. Everything has been taken by Shouyu, and she only allows me to make hairpins for her. If you have one or two pieces of spirit iron or materials, let me use them so I can tend to a few other households' feelings."

Li Xinghan let out a soft laugh and replied, "You are truly bold. If you want spirit iron, go ask Uncle Chengqi. I neither hold authority nor manage affairs. Where would I get so many things?"

At that moment, Li Jiangqian spoke softly within the hall, "Since all the family members are present, let us discuss the matter of Great Uncle Chenghui."

The family members fell silent as Li Jiangqian continued, "This matter should have been settled long ago, but our brothers were either away or in seclusion, making it hard to gather everyone. Now Aunt Xinghan is also about to enter seclusion for a breakthrough, so this is the right time to finalize it."