Chapter 729: Arranging Various Matters (Part 2)

"Do you have a Dharma sword?"

Once this question was asked, everyone knew that a sword was to be bestowed. Li Aunt Xinghan respectfully said: "There is a 【North Jade】 of low-grade Qi Refining, which is a Dharma sword collected by my uncle. It was once a Dharma tool of the Yu family. It was forged a long time ago and should be traceable to the Jiang clan. It is quite easy to use."

"Yu family."

Li Ximing raised his eyebrows. Since Li Xuanxuan mentioned it, this Dharma tool was naturally to be bestowed by him, the True Person. He said:

"Back then... Yu Mu Jian had a 【Copper Hidden】, which was cut off by Jun brother. It is still in the treasury. It was refined with the copper of Yan Mountain and the water of Piao Ming. The refining method was ordinary, but the material was extremely good."

Everyone listened attentively. Li Ximing said:

"When you have cultivated 【Three-Part Moon Flowing Light】, come up the mountain. I will personally find someone to use 【Copper Hidden】 as material to forge a sword for you."

Li Aunt Xinghan hurriedly nodded, bowed, and thanked him, a look of joy appearing on her face. It seemed that this Dharma sword made her more excited than the True Person's earlier pointing and care. Li Ximing turned his head and swept a glance at Li Zhouluo.

The Dharma sword Li Zhouluo wore at his waist was already at the Foundation Establishment level, entirely brownish-yellow. Li Ximing found it somewhat familiar. It should be the standard Dharma sword 【Xu Hour】 that his brother Li Xizhi once used. It had Foundation Establishment material, and it was quite suitable for him to use.

Li Chenghuai and Li Xizhi's couple had had more contact in recent years. Li Zhouluo's cultivation resources and Dharma tools naturally didn't need the Li family to worry. Most of them were paid for by his grandfather, and what he used was no worse than the direct descendants of Qing Chi. In the Li family, he was in a unique class. Li Ximing only asked about some cultivation matters and sent the two juniors away, leaving only Li Que Wan, saying: "You and Jiangqian go down the mountain and wait first."

Once the juniors were gone, Li Xuanxuan finally spoke. He did not ask about An Siwei's matter but said: "These two children are not bad, and there are Zhoufang and Zhouyang... Your brother once looked at them and said that these two brothers only had honesty worth mentioning. But now, except for Zhouwei, Zhouluo, and Aunt Xinghan, there are only these two who can be brought out..."

His tone was not angry but carried some sigh: "The rest... those who are half-hearted, stupid, and uncalculating are still fine. Those who are single-mindedly closing their doors to play by themselves and secretly indulging in wine and lust... do not involve the commoners, so Mount Qingdu is not easy to punish too heavily, so they can only go with it... One or two left... are still locked in prison!"

Once these words were out, Li Chenghuai was busy lowering his head and confessing:

"It is us elders... several brothers have failed to teach..."

"You Chengming generation are either cultivating or fighting. Now there are not many people left. It's not your fault..."

Li Xuanxuan only waved his hand and said:

"Zhouming has a bad temper... but it is a troublesome matter."

Li Ximing heard this and suddenly heard his grandson's name. Where could he not understand? He looked at Li Chenghuai and said:

"Grandfather is blaming me... I don't know what stupid thing Zhouming has done in these few days?"

Knowing that Li Ximing had just mentioned Li Zhouming, whatever happened that didn't fall into Li Ximing's ears was Li Chenghuai's problem. But where did Li Chenghuai know what stupid thing Li Zhouming had done! But the last person who deceived the True Person had already been turned to ashes. This glance made him stunned, even though this True Person was his own elder.

Fortunately, Li Xuanxuan was old and shrewd. With one look between the two, the old man knew what was going on and only said: "This matter is not managed by Mount Qingdu, so don't blame me."

Li Xuanxuan said in a low voice:

"A few years ago, you were in seclusion, and Zhouming's cultivation was not enough, so I thought about helping him, so I let Jiangqian arrange a position for him. Who knew he wouldn't go? This matter was dropped, and no one in the family knew."

"Later, Chenghuai came out of seclusion and directly arranged things for him to do. He went reluctantly. I was afraid his cultivation couldn't convince the crowd, so I privately gave him a spirit object to cultivate... As a result... I looked at him a few days ago... his cultivation had not changed."

Li Ximing sat up straight, poured tea for Li Xuanxuan, and then said: "This junior has been negligent in discipline."

Li Xuanxuan shook his head and said:

"A dignified True Person's blood descendant, raising him in the family is fine. It's not like he's missing one... Whether it's shameful or not is another matter, but I hope he is well, so I have to say a few more words."

For a time, the mountain was silent. Li Xuanxuan was afraid Li Ximing would be angry and said: "It's not that he is useless. Among the juniors, Zhouwei doesn't need to be mentioned. The ones who have become talents are only the four of Fang, Yang, Luo, and Han. Zhouming is at least willing to listen to his father, which is not bad among the brothers."

Li Ximing had already understood his meaning and replied:

"Just hang a leisure position for him. I didn't expect him to become anything anyway. Just manage the children with heart well. Does Grandfather expect the family to prepare resources and send people to supervise his cultivation day and night? My family has always selected the best from talent and heart calculation, so we cannot break the rules."

Li Xuanxuan could only sigh and turned to say:

"Chenghuai, your immortal foundation is powerful, but in my opinion... it is better not to use it for everything."

Li Chenghuai was slightly surprised, seeing Li Xuanxuan say: "Some things are hard for you to feel. If the water is clear, there are no fish. In the two years you have been in charge of Mount Qingdu, the retainers and direct descendants in the family have all felt like they were walking on thin ice. Privately, they have contacted ways to avoid your inquiries. On the surface, it is increasingly peaceful, but in reality, it is increasingly secretive. This is not a good thing."

"As long as we can see the private movements, it doesn't matter if there are some grievances or injustices. What I fear is that the things underneath have become so cautious and secretive that neither you nor I can see them clearly, and we will have to spend double the energy to investigate. There are so many wondrous techniques in the world that they will surely be able to gradually understand and surpass your divine foundation, and since we have relied too much on your immortal foundation, we might instead be deceived and played by them."

Li Chenghuai lowered his head and pondered. The old man said: "Secondly, you should focus on cultivation now and should not put the cart before the horse. Only important matters involving direct descendants should you be asked to come out as evidence. After all, this appearance of everything being decided by Mount Qingdu also breaks the rules."

Li Chenghuai actually had two Dharma tools that he had just refined, and he hadn't experienced many of their wonders. He relied entirely on his sense of responsibility to guard Mount Qingdu. He secretly felt that the old man had long noticed, and these words also had the meaning of helping him get out. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: 'The Old Master didn't say a word, but he turned out to be the one in the family who saw things clearly and thoroughly... After all, he is a person who has watched the family for more than a hundred years...'

He said with some admiration: "Chenghuai obeys orders and will return the power of Mount Qingdu!"

Li Xuanxuan smiled and stroked his beard, saying:

"Since that is the case, let Zhouluo take charge of Mount Qingdu."

"Old Master!"

Li Chenghuai still wanted to decline, but seeing Li Xuanxuan wave his hand, he had to withdraw, leaving the grandfather and grandson. Li Xuanxuan looked at the True Person who was drinking tea silently beside him and said:

"Ming'er, where do you think the Zhou Xing generation is lacking?"

The True Person in white and gold patterns restrained the heavenly light between his eyebrows and sipped tea: "Too kind... fearing deception."

Li Xuanxuan praised: "Not bad."

Li Ximing said in a low voice:

"Father told me since I was young that Wangyue Lake is an evil land. Those who govern the family must be the most skilled in doing evil and cunningly fooling people to subdue such people, so as to stabilize the commoners. Although Zhouluo and Aunt Xinghan are not bad, their origins are too high, everything goes smoothly, and they can cultivate and fight, but if they encounter people like Daoist Wen Hu and Chen Yang, I am afraid they will be deceived."

In fact, Li Ximing was speaking lightly. Li Zhouluo was not stupid, but if he really encountered Daoist Wen Hu, eight or nine out of ten would be played around. What Li Xuanxuan worried about was these things, only saying: "Who knows? Everyone has made progress as they get older. When Cheng was in the Chengming generation, he was just a silent child. No one would think he could be so outstanding. Just watch first."

An Siwei's matter had been brewing several times, but Li Xuanxuan finally did not ask. He only stood up and said:

"The old man has stayed on the peak for too long, so it is inevitable to talk about family matters. Don't find me long-winded."

"Grandfather's guidance benefits the family immensely."

Li Ximing sent him away. When they reached the foot of the mountain, Li Jiangqian and Li Que Wan were waiting on the side, and behind them was a man with a wide face. Li Ximing was too lazy to go up the mountain, so he sat in the pavilion at the foot of the mountain and asked:

"How is the Mi Fan matter?"

Li Jiangqian respectfully said:

"The Wang family has arrived. This is Wang Quwan. He is not of the same branch as Wang He, but he is also a direct descendant of the Jiangbei Wang family."

The Wang clan was somewhat special and was a quite important local snake. It mainly moved from the Qi land of the Zhao State. Not only were there many people in Funan and Midong, but the clan once extended to the Tang Jin territory. Therefore, the Wang family could no longer be looked at as ordinary retainers.

Li Ximing glanced at it. This Wang Quwan was dressed simply and had an unremarkable appearance. He asked: "Jiangbei is unstable, and the Wang clan has newly moved to the Funan territory. Are there any difficulties?"

Wang Quwan clasped his hands and bowed, his eyes slightly lowered, his gaze falling on the ground, submissively:

"The Midong territory is turbulent. The Wang clan was able to escape the sea of misery, relying on the main family. Now that we have a new territory, everyone has spirit fields to cultivate, and salaries are distributed. Ordinary clansmen also live and work in peace and contentment. There is no hardship."

His attitude and wording made the True Person in the upper seat pause. Li Ximing swept a glance and found that the person in front of him was not young or old, nearly fifty years old. He asked:

"What techniques have you learned? Do you have any skills to make a living? Does the clan have any hundred arts to maintain a livelihood?"

Wang Quwan's gaze was always respectfully fixed on the ground. He was submissive to the extreme, and his etiquette was more sufficient than anyone else's. He said in a deep voice: "Reporting to True Person, this humble person has practiced the sword since childhood and has achieved some results. I have practiced sword energy for many years. My elder brother Wang Qudao is also near the Funan territory and has some alchemy means to subsidize the family."

Li Ximing found that his heart was calm, neither humble nor arrogant, not an ordinary character, and his words stopped at the right point. A little unease rose in his heart: "He is not a fuel-efficient lamp either... Daoist Wen Hu, Ding Weijian, Gongsun Baifan... and now another Wang Qudao, Wang Quwan... This piece of land in Jiangbei is truly favored by heaven, unusual... too unusual..."

Li Ximing did not respond. Wang Quwan could only continue to kneel. This True Person suddenly had a strange premonition:

"How does my family compare to the Xiao family of that year? The Xiao family of that year... looking at my family's Tongya ancestor, was it just like me looking at Wang Quwan?"

"Did the Zifu cultivators of that year look at my family and think the same—first there was Wan Huaqian, Yu Yufeng, later there was Li Chijing, Yu Muxian, and now there is another Li Tongya... This piece of land in Wangyue Lake is truly favored by heaven!"

He had many thoughts in his mind, but after a slight pause, he nodded:

"Not bad. Since you have the intention to serve in my family, all treatment will be according to the cultivators in the clan."

Wang Quwan nodded respectfully, but saw the True Person in front of him flick his finger, and a jade slip fell in front of him. This True Person said: "My clan has the "Small Chamber Heavenly Clear Scatter Cloud Formula", which is much better than your unknown-grade cultivation method. What's more, there is a Foundation Establishment chapter. Just practice it first."

Wang Quwan's eyes glowed with a bit of joy. He understood the True Person's meaning almost instantly. The Wang family had Wang He of the Du Xian Dao in Jiangbei, and the Wang clan was the largest surname. Even the direct descendants had many branches. For the Li family to stabilize its rule, a Wang clan Foundation Establishment cultivator was indispensable. He immediately took it respectfully and thanked him:

"This junior thanks True Person. The Wang clan is a loyal subject of the main family in Jiangbei. For True Person and Clan Master to stabilize the territory, I will die without regret."

Li Ximing saw that he understood the surface layer, and his speech became much more open. He only nodded: "The Three Complete Realm Breaking, White Breath Yellow Bud, and other elixirs in the clan will all be reserved for you. When you are ready to break through, come to Zhi Jing Mountain."

Wang Quwan thanked him respectfully and withdrew down the mountain. Li Ximing saw him leave, looked at Li Jiangqian, and asked: "Are there any candidates in the clan who practice Mi Fan?"

Li Jiangqian nodded and replied: "Reporting to True Person, this junior checked just now. Unfortunately, younger sister Queyi, who has higher talent, has already broken through and cannot practice in time. There are three in the Jiangque generation at the fifth or sixth layer of Fetal Breath. This cultivation method originally requires time to gather Qi. Fortunately, the Wang family still has inventory, so I took it back. Let a clansman practice it first, and then decide."

Li Ximing saw Wang Quwan's appearance just now, and he was still able to do things. After a few years, when his cultivation was higher, it might not be too bad. He relaxed a lot and only said: "Wang Quwan is a character. Looking at it now, the Mi Fan Dao lineage cannot do without him, which shows that his luck is sufficient. You must watch him well. The Jiangbei Wang clan is too big to be tied up. If you use Wang Quwan well, he will not be worse than Ding Weijian."

"This junior will keep it in mind!"

Li Ximing settled the Mi Fan matter. Only then did he take the stone box from his sleeve, which contained Chang Xi's last order. He handed it to Li Jiangqian and said: "I am going to the Ziyan Sect, and perhaps I will turn to the Xuan Miao Temple. Handle the Shanjie Prefecture matter first. You notify Cheng, send people to call all the Xuan Yue sect members, and let them take out the things under the seat of the head of the Xi Yue Hall to verify with this copy."

After he finished speaking, he did not stay, turning into heavenly light and leaving. Li Jiangqian always bowed until the heavenly light completely disappeared in the sky. Only then did he stand up and look at Li Que Wan:

"How has younger sister been in the past few months?"

"Not much progress."

Li Que Wan responded, with some worry, and replied:

"It seems that Shanjie Prefecture cannot be guarded. Now the entire prefecture is to be lost, and all the foundations of Xuan Yue are scattered. I don't know what reaction those Kong family members will have."

Mentioning this matter, Li Jiangqian only said:

"What reaction can they have? Has my Li family not done enough benevolence and righteousness for them? Look at Xuan Miao Temple, then look at Jingyi Mountain. My family is saving their family's Dao lineage. What cannot be guarded, no matter how precious, must be lost. Does my family have to use our lives to protect it?"

Li Que Wan sighed: "Jiang brother, the matter is this logic, but being in the game, one can't see clearly. In the eyes of Xuan Yue, it may not be saving, but it could be exchanged by their family ancestor with spirit tools and treasures, and not given to others... Just see if Kong Guxi can clear it up. If he can't clear it up, the outcome will be far worse than Yuan Fuyao!" ===== CHAPTER 730 =====