Chapter 1317: Entering The Game (II)

Li Jiangqian paused briefly, then smiled. "Dharma Protector Chen. The Daoist Master's immortal decree says to select a few Fei Family women. How should they be chosen?"

Chen Yang replied respectfully, "Those who are jealous, restless, fond of stirring trouble, and unrelated to my branch of the Fei Family, supplemented by one or two who are gentle and kind, and who have kinship ties with my branch of the Fei Family.

"A group of female cultivators will always have disputes. We can simply send provisions over. If the lord arrives here displeased and seeks some amusement, it will allow him to vent quickly. No matter what, the Fei Family is his maternal home, and his time is tight. He will not linger in Jiangnan."

Li Jiangqian smiled and said, "Dharma Protector Chen has truly returned."

He lifted the brush in his hand and thought to himself,

The Daoist Master's meaning is very clear. If several immortal sects later develop designs on Fei Qingya, sowing discord between her and the Fei Family in advance will benefit my family and the various sects alike. After all, it would otherwise be an awkward matter.

Thinking of it this way, the previous matter involving Chu Yi in Yufu Prefecture happened to be near the Purple Smoke Gate.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Li Jiangqian raised his head slightly, quickly making the connection, then asked, "That Qianlizi of Shepherd Peak at Purple Smoke, who is currently in great demand, seems to be around a hundred years old. Dharma Protector Cui, do you know her name?"

Cui Jueyin thought for a moment, then said, "It seems her surname is... Han. As for her given name, that is very difficult to know. She has always cultivated under her Dao title after entering the sect, making it hard to dig up her original name."

"I understand." Li Jiangqian nodded, pondering deeply, and said softly, "The matter of Fei Qingya will be handled entirely by Dharma Protector Chen. All those who come into contact with her before and after are to be replaced with female relatives, and the mountain peaks where she cultivates are to be sealed so that no one else may enter. Especially my own family."

Li Jiangqian already had a plan in mind.

Since Daoist Master Tinglan said that whatever the lord thinks becomes reality, Chen Yang has already become a kindly and approachable senior. If he arrives a bit earlier, that wastrel may take action, have Chen Yang draw his blade to assist, and set a three month agreement.

Since he already represents my Li Family as a kindly senior, whatever happens at Glacial Cloud Peak will likely not be counted against the Li Family, and they can deal with it themselves.

He added another instruction to put Chen Yang at ease, "You do not need to have contact normally. When the True Monarch arrives, find an excuse to go into seclusion. There is no need to meet again..."

"Yes!"

Chen Yang's expression gradually calmed. After receiving the order, he withdrew to the side. Li Jiangqian considered for a moment, then instructed, "Have Fei Chingyi come up."

Soon, the man entered the hall. He had been detained on the island after his breakthrough and had not even been able to leave the main hall. His face was full of unease. He bowed before the hall and said cautiously, "Greetings, family head."

A look of deep helplessness appeared on Li Jiangqian's face. He stepped down and said in a tone of frustrated disappointment, "Daoist Master Tinglan has just departed!"

That single sentence frightened Fei Chingyi into immediately kowtowing in great nervousness. Li Jiangqian continued, "How many times have I told you?! Jiangbei is a matter of utmost importance to the Daoist Master, involving who knows how many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. You nearly ruined their major plans. If not for the intervention from the lake, the entire Fei Family would have become stepping stones for others."

Fei Chingyi had never imagined things were so serious. He stood frozen in place, listening as Li Jiangqian said coldly, "Listen carefully. Fei Tongcai has been afflicted by a spell art, and no one may see him. I will send him to guard a ferry crossing near Jiangbei. It will count as an assignment within the island, with provisions several times greater than those of your family and far better treatment. When the time has passed, he can be brought back."

Fei Chingyi hurriedly began to express his thanks, but Li Jiangqian raised a hand and said softly, "There is something even more important. Although Fei Qingya does not know it herself, she is now a reincarnation of a Daoist Master and is no longer of your Fei Family. Several Daoist Masters have given special instructions. Her cultivation method is unique and cannot be tainted by worldly ties. She is not permitted to meet anyone and will cultivate at your Glacial Cloud Peak. I will seal off those mountain peaks and leave a few people to accompany her in cultivation. If anyone from your family disturbs her, it will be a crime punishable by extermination."

Fei Chingyi had never imagined his family would encounter such a matter, and his heart filled with cold dread,

Without a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, how could one be qualified to know anything? One is nothing more than cannon fodder.

Li Jiangqian continued, "I am telling you this secret so that you may restrain the Fei Family. If it is leaked and enemies are drawn here, it will not just be your Fei Family that is exterminated for shielding it. My side at the lake will also suffer a severe downfall."

His tone softened considerably as he said quietly, "Fellow Daoist Fei, these matters are top secret. Only Lord Cui and a very few others know of them. It is only because of the deep ties between our two families that I have said this extra word to let you know. This matter is now extremely serious. Your direct lineage appeared and disrupted the arrangements of others; it was only out of consideration for my family's face that they were not killed outright. All the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators are deeply dissatisfied."

"This junior understands!"

Fei Chingyi's hand trembled as it emerged from his sleeve. Li Jiangqian sighed and said, "The one reincarnated into Fei Qingya... She cultivated the Dao of Detachment in her previous life. That is why she cultivates Cold Essence. If you behave yourself, nothing will happen. But if you meddle too much or overstep, and something goes wrong when she attains the Dao, pursuing Dao attainment through killing intent is not a trivial matter."

He frightened Fei Chingyi into offering profuse thanks, while Cui Jueyin did not even dare to raise his head beside them. Only then did Li Jiangqian say, "Lord Cui, go along as well. Handle the matter properly. Do not meet her in person. Let those previously assigned take care of it."

The two hurriedly withdrew, while Li Jiangqian sat back down and let out a heavy breath.

Li Jiangqian could never tell Fei Chingyi the truth. One could never underestimate human greed. If he learned that his family's direct line had become a consort of a True Monarch, it would certainly trigger a terrifying upheaval. No matter how much he warned Fei Chingyi not to approach the True Monarch, the man would think it was deliberate intimidation and might even rush over on his own.

Yet retrieving Fei Qingya had used his breakthrough as the excuse, so he could not simply lock him away. That would inevitably become a massive hidden danger. For now, he could only calculate carefully and fully patch things up, making it align with the earlier and prearranged series of orders.

He will adapt as matters arise...

He lifted his brush and drafted several orders, frowning as he said, "I also need to meet the old elder and have Uncle Zhouming placed under house arrest. He will have to endure some hardship..."