Chapter 1417: Rectification (II)

Li Ximing realized that this was truly the most troublesome situation. When comparing the Immortal Dao and the Buddhist Dao, the former was clearly inferior when it came to winning the hearts of the people.

He sighed inwardly and only replied, "Then we can only send ten or twenty people over to escort them into the territory of Lotus Temple. If hundreds or even thousands are slaughtered beneath the mountains, it would not look good either."

"That is indeed a method."

It was undoubtedly somewhat absurd. They had driven back the northern forces, yet still had to send people over. Even if it was to Lotus Temple of the Virtuous Dao, it remained an uncomfortable matter. Tinglan's expression was not pleasant either, but with the situation as it was, she could only lower her head and say, "After all, Lotus Temple has not made any excessive moves so far, and Jinlian's stance remains ambiguous. At a time like this, we should stabilize that Dao lineage and avoid letting them interfere in these matters."

The woman took out a jade talisman from her sleeve, placed it in his hand, and reminded him, "It is impossible to predict how the north may change. If something urgent occurs, I will notify you with this talisman. At that time, please come north as quickly as possible to assist in settling the matter."

Li Ximing’s divine abilities and spirit artifacts may not allow him to confront a Maha directly, but when it came to suppressing Merciful Ones, he could step forward without hesitation. His experience was extensive, and the Supreme Yang Dao lineage clearly could not do without him.

Yet Li Ximing naturally hoped for more time to prepare, so he hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "I happen to have one or two spell arts on the verge of completion. Since the two of you are guarding this mountain, I will return and enter seclusion!"

After all, this was the territory of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, so Li Ximing did not say much more. With his objective achieved and the matter agreed upon, he rode a streak of light away and descended onto the lake.

At present, the forces of the Li Family were all stationed at White River Stream and Mount Tangdao, leaving the lake rather empty. He rode his light into the main hall and saw Li Jianglong listening to a report from a man dressed in white.

The white-robed man was handsome and elegant in bearing. Naturally, it was Fei Chingyi of the Fei Family.

The Fei Family should also be sent to Xiukui Dao Gate promptly. Fei Chingyi himself can remain for now. Mount Tangdao is short of people after all.

When he saw Li Ximing appear in a burst of light, Fei Chingyi dropped to his knees with a thud. Li Jianglong also rose from his seat and bowed, saluting the Daoist Master.

"Greetings, my lord!"

Without needing further prompting from Li Ximing, Li Jianglong respectfully reported, "The second group of cultivators from our family is now being led by Guest Elder Fei. They are preparing to depart to reinforce Jiangbei. After handing over the personnel, Jiangxia will lead people to Mount Tangdao to resist the northern forces."

Li Ximing waved his hand and dismissed Fei Chingyi, instead looking at the young man to the side. Li Jianglong immediately stood and introduced him, "This is Jiangzong, a family member. He is a talent of the first lineage and has long served at the side of Lady Minggong. At present, he oversees Qingdu within the prefecture and is the most outstanding among the brothers of the first lineage."

"

Mm.

"

Li Ximing had heard of him before. He nodded inwardly at Jiangzong’s respectful and calm demeanor. Though he did not seem especially remarkable, expectations were not high now. Having innate ability and being obedient was already good enough.

He did not expect Li Zhouming to achieve much. Producing someone like Li Jiangzong within the first lineage was already fortunate. Thus he smiled and said, "You have worked hard."

"This is the duty of a junior!" Li Jianglong immediately bowed and said respectfully, "There was news of a child in my household a few months ago. I was overjoyed, yet I have long been unable to decide on a name. Now that I have seen Daoist Master, I hope you might bestow a name so the child may share a bit of your blessing."

Very well.

Li Ximing smiled and shook his head, yet it was indeed good news. After a brief moment of thought, he replied, "...This should have been chosen by your father. But since you have asked me, I must respond. With a great war approaching and chaos everywhere, and everyone heading north, it would be best to choose a good omen. Then let it be the character Huan.[1] Li Suihuan."

Li Jianglong immediately prostrated himself, tears streaming down his face as he said reverently, "My thanks to Daoist Master!"

Li Ximing glanced over and saw Li Jiangzong looking thoughtful behind Li Jianglong. He nodded inwardly,

Even if he does not possess Jianglong's scheming mind, at least he can perceive it.

Among the sons of Li Zhouwei, only Li Jiangqian used the walk radical[2] in his name. The others, including Jianglong and Jiangxia, did not follow the naming pattern at all, and there were even signs that the family records had intentionally obscured the matter. Thus when Li Jianglong gained a son, choosing a name became a serious issue.

By seizing the opportunity and insisting that this Daoist Master give the name, even kneeling directly before him, it was clear Li Jianglong simply did not dare act on his own and sought only a name.

Li Ximing's feelings were somewhat complicated as he mulled over this small scheme. He simply waved his sleeve and said, "The situation at home is difficult to handle now. You may also have to go north soon. Be careful."

To put it more cruelly, aside from Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan, there was no one who could not be sacrificed in the struggle with the north. Even if Li Ximing wished to keep the two by his side on the island, he worried that they would never become capable if they spent the year without fighting or struggling between life and death a few times.

"Reaching the Purple Mansion Realm is not something high innate ability alone can accomplish... Without my master, without Younger Brother Xijun, without all the grievances and hardships our family endured for so many years, how could I have crossed that hurdle?

"Jiangqian is somewhat better, but Quewan has lived too peacefully. She has been protected too well all these years. Letting her do nothing but cultivate would not be right either."

He remained silent for a long time before transforming into a stream of light and drifting toward the island. There he saw Li Quewan, who was indeed still cultivating and practicing arts. Her cultivation was only a single step away from the middle stage of Foundation Establishment Realm, and was very solid.

Li Ximing motioned for her to rise and said softly, "You should also go into seclusion for now. There is no need to temper your cultivation further. What comes later will require you to face the enemy."

Li Quewan's expression turned solemn when she heard this, and she immediately withdrew.

The inner formation of the island was soon empty and silent. Li Ximing felt hesitant and thought,

I cannot fully trust leaving her to gain experience either. I would have to watch over her constantly. Forget it. We will take things one step at a time.

In the past, the Li Family discussed major matters among several Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and Li Ximing had even been a junior who did not need to guide the overall situation. He only had to fill in the gaps from time to time. Now he alone possessed a divine ability and stood as the sole Daoist Master. Those beneath him had many thoughts but dared not speak, and no one dared offer him guidance...

Even grandfather speaks to me with hidden caution now... How could I expect anything from the others...

He then made his way into the main hall and saw the Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary. It had already returned to its true form and stood within the hall, with faint ripples of water, fire, wind, and thunder visible within.

He transformed into heavenly light and flew into the tower, sealing the entrance with his divine ability. He landed directly on the highest level in the chamber of Northern Palace Thunder. Wrapping a jade talisman in his divine ability, he suspended it within the thunder so that it would break open at the slightest disturbance. Only then did he close his eyes and summon his spiritual sense to connect with the talisman seed within his Shenyang Mansion.

Tinglan would use a jade talisman to notify him, but the family was now large and their affairs extensive. If a visitor arrived or trouble appeared while Li Quewan was in seclusion and the family members came to the tower only to find no one there, it would inevitably cause problems. That was why he set up the jade talisman.

If I had a Migration Command Token, it would not be this troublesome. Fortunately, the Fate Divine Ability is now in my hands.

In an instant, the scene before his eyes changed completely, and he entered another world. Extremely dense spiritual qi rushed toward him. He sat down within the pure radiance and took out Flame-Stepping Movement.

These years of practicing this footwork technique have given me some understanding. With a bit more refinement, I will have truly mastered Flame-Stepping Movement.

Mount Tangdao can be left for the Supreme Yang Dao lineage to deal with. If Tinglan does not come seeking me, I can continue studying Bright Light Heavenly Surge and Arrayed Palaces Heavenly Yang Escape. One more technique mastered means fewer injuries when the time comes.

1. 还 (huán / hái) is a Chinese character meaning to return, restore, or come back (huán), and also still, yet, or in addition (hái). In names it often carries the auspicious sense of returning safely or restoring what was lost. ☜

2. 辶 is the walk / movement radical. The Chinese name of Li Jiangqian is 李绛迁 with 迁 having the walk / movement radical (辶). ☜