Chapter 1600: The Fate Of The Si And Ning Families (I)
Chapter 1600: The Fate Of The Si And Ning Families (I)
Si Yuanli laughed bitterly to himself. After a brief moment, a look of admiration crossed his face. "How could I possibly look down on you, Fellow Daoist? The prestige you developed during your first decade as a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator was enough to make me envious back then. Knowing now that you are truly an exceptional man, how could I still cling to the assumptions of the past?"
Having reached the Purple Mansion Realm relatively late in life, the middle-aged man appeared older than Li Ximing and carried a greater air of weathered experience.
Stroking his beard, he continued, "I simply wasn't as fortunate as you. You entered the game early through a Bright Yang scion, while my own position is rather awkward. I came today merely to test the waters..."
Li Ximing knew that the 'Bright Yang scion' he referred to was Li Jiangliang, who was currently at Yang Zhuo's side. He also understood that Si Yuanli suspected the Li Family had boarded the Underworld's judiciary's ship long ago.
He merely sipped his tea without responding, allowing Si Yuanli to continue, "As for the Azure Pond Sect... no matter what becomes of it, it remains right on your clan's doorstep. If the situation can be handled properly, it would not only stabilize the current turmoil but also reduce bloodshed and bring peace to the common people."
Li Ximing shook his head inwardly, I'm not a member of the Yang Family... What's the point of asking me?
Letting out a quiet sigh, he replied, "Fellow Daoist, who truly gets to decide the course of events? Surely not Moongaze Lake. My family's situation is even more delicate than yours. We have neither the ability nor the desire to balance the affairs of Yue State."
Those words left Si Yuanli deep in thought. He took a sip of tea and, sounding somewhat lost, asked, "Then... should we simply leave it alone? I'm afraid the flames may eventually reach us..."
Li Ximing raised a brow and answered seriously, "Have you considered leaving the mainland? If you're truly planning for the future, then let's speak frankly. Tell me what clues Senior Yuanxiu left behind. There's no need for further probing."
The moment those words left his mouth, Si Yuanli fell silent. After a brief pause, he shook his head decisively. "I have no such plans."
After a moment's hesitation, his voice took on a wistful tone. "Since you've asked directly, I'll speak plainly as well. More than sixty years ago, shortly after Anhuai Heaven descended, my ancestor issued an order. Any young talent within the Azure Pond Sect's territory who cultivated True Essence was to be reported immediately. The order carried the highest priority, and officials were specifically assigned to oversee it. It remained in effect until his death..."
Li Ximing nodded inwardly as Si Yuanli sighed. "Looking back now, he must have foreseen something and harbored his own suspicions. Otherwise, he would never have issued such an order..."
A distant look appeared in his eyes. "Since ancient times, nine out of ten who attained the Fruit Position did so by riding the tides of heaven and earth. Even geniuses capable of reshaping the world with their schemes or establishing their own Dao could not escape this rule. When the lord ascended to the Profound Seat, and the truth behind the [Jade True] position became clear, the moment the [True Essence] descended, he already knew that a day like this would come.
"He often taught me, ‘Entering the Dao is like choosing a lord to serve. Cultivation requires seizing the proper moment.’ That was the instruction my elder left behind. All he wanted was for me to preserve myself within the mainland and not interfere with the Yang Family!"
His expression grew solemn, revealing a firm resolve as he said, "The Sima Family has migrated from north to south and settled in many different places, yet we have rarely left the mainland. Throughout our history, we have always produced figures capable of shaking the world, all because of this single family teaching.
“You are right, Fellow Daoist. A Purple Mansion Realm cultivator can serve as a piece on the board. Even a True Monarch will not casually kill a Daoist Master without cause. Purple Mansion Realm cultivators have the right to choose a side. The only danger is choosing the wrong one!
"Even if I choose the wrong side, I won't lose my life so easily. But if I choose neither side and quietly lead my clan away from the Azure Pond Sect, what is the Si Family worth? If either side decides to settle accounts, would I still be alive?"
Li Ximing fell into deep thought as Si Yuanli continued quietly, "Did the Gao Family, the Helian Family, or even my own Sima Family during the era of Ning State choose the right side? They did not. Yet when the dust settled, they still retained their positions as nobles and immortal sects...
"Even the Chen Family of Lingyu Gate would still be active in Yue State today if they had been willing to bow their heads instead of proving their convictions through death. But the Su Family and the Lin Family, who withdrew from the mainland altogether, do they still have any presence left in the world?"
He smiled, and the determination on his face only deepened. "Now Fellow Daoist Ning Wan is already tied to the Azure Pond Sect and can no longer withdraw. She has shielded me from one calamity. If I still lack the courage to make a move, I would be betraying the hopes my ancestors placed in me. If the Underworld's judiciary intends to take Yue State, how could they do without supporters? My Dao lineage is complete, and my inheritance orderly and intact. That alone makes me more attractive to them!"
Li Ximing murmured, "Preserve oneself within the mainland..."
He pondered silently and gradually pieced together Si Yuanli's reasoning.
It seems that ever since Suiguan uttered that line, 'What does that have to do with me?', everyone has understood that the Azure Pond Sect is nothing more than a tool. The Underworld's judiciary's intervention is bound to be a transaction, not the manifestation of a Golden Core Realm conflict in the mortal world.
Thus, in the current upheaval, preserving oneself within the mainland essentially means throwing in one's lot with the Yang Family. No wonder he's been running around everywhere. He's eager to board that ship as quickly as possible...
Ning Wan has taken the pressure for him, and has already entered Pristine Cadence Heaven. She likely no longer has a chance to change allegiances. As for him, however, he's in an excellent position!
Watching Si Yuanli sip his tea, Li Ximing considered the matter further, Yuanxiu may have fallen, but he left Si Yuanli with no shortage of opportunities and connections. If this old Daoist Master is so confident that the Si Family will profit by remaining in the mainland, then he must have something concrete to rely on. Building a friendship with him ahead of time may not be a bad idea.
With that thought in mind, he decided to probe a little. He first nodded in agreement, then smiled. "I nearly forgot. Even if something unexpected happens, the Sima Family will always have a way out thanks to Senior Yuanxiu's ties with the Tantai Family of Nine Mounds. There's really nothing for you to fear!"
Si Yuanli naturally had arrangements of his own. Though slightly surprised by the remark, he still nodded. Li Ximing glanced at him and asked, "How many people have you already sent to serve under that person?"
A trace of bitterness appeared on Si Yuanli's face as he replied, "The appointments of a few juniors of the Si Family in the captured marketplaces had been arranged deliberately. Unfortunately, my family lacks truly outstanding talent and failed to catch that person's eye. In the end, we could only secure a handful of positions through our connections with Imperial Cloud Peak."
His eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice, "The Si Family has a few direct descendants who have recently emerged. If they could serve under Jiangliang, that would naturally be the best outcome."
A strange look crossed Li Ximing's face and he replied, "That is something you'll have to accomplish through your own abilities, Fellow Daoist."
Compared to that matter, he was far more concerned about the Azure Pond Sect's next move. He asked, "And what does the Azure Pond Sect intend to do?"
Si Yuanli had clearly made up his mind long ago. Lowering his gaze, he answered, "Qin Xian will lead men to hold Simin Prefecture. Once this affair is over, the Azure Pond Sect will close its sect and seal the mountain. The disciples of the thirty-six peaks will be dispersed and handed over entirely to the higher powers for deployment as they see fit.
“In return, we ask only that the mountain gates be sealed, our Dao lineage isolated, and the sect left alone from worldly affairs. As for what those higher powers decide afterward... that will no longer concern me."
Li Ximing nodded and sighed. "We can only wait and see how the situation develops."
The conversation shifted to Daoist Master Luo. Si Yuanli could only shake his head helplessly. "One of his people did bring me a request. But I'm overwhelmed with pressing matters right now. How could I spare the attention for him? When my elder was still alive, he wouldn't even dare show his face. Now that the situation has changed, his ambitions have surfaced again."
Li Ximing said with a smile, "He found some valuable treasures in the grotto heaven. Given the current circumstances, they may prove useful."
Naturally, Si Yuanli would not refuse him outright and readily nodded. Li Ximing then took out his spirit jade and asked about Zhusheng.
But Si Yuanli's expression darkened at the mention of the name. "During the battle at Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum, Ning Wan deceived him. Though she had no choice, it still drove him away in anger, and ruined all the goodwill and friendship they once shared. Ning Wan has remained in seclusion ever since, and he has shut himself away as well. He refuses to concern himself with any Supreme Yang Dao lineage matters. Only by calling upon favors left behind by my elder can I arrange a meeting with him... For your sake, I'll bring it up..."
The implication was perfectly clear. Any meeting with Zhusheng, and any chance of facilitating the transaction, would not come through status or influence, but through Si Yuanli spending one of his personal favors.
Li Ximing poured him another cup of tea and replied casually, "Then I truly owe you my thanks, Fellow Daoist."
In truth, Si Yuanli could not help feeling a measure of relief. Back then, his cultivation had already been sufficient, yet Daoist Master Yuanxiu had repeatedly held him back, delaying his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm under the pretext of further refining his Dao conduct. At the time, it had seemed merely a way to increase his chances of success. Looking back now, however, there may have been deeper intentions behind it.
If I had broken through a few years earlier, I would have had to share in this disaster! And if I had broken through a few years later, who knows what the situation would look like now?
The thought that Ning Wan was bearing the most burden eased his mind somewhat. Remembering the purpose of his visit, he straightened and said seriously, "I've actually come to discuss another matter as well.
“I possess a spirit item called [Hollowheart Profound Mulberry]. I wish to refine it into a medicine known as [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder], an excellent spirit medicine for elevating the spirit and refining the soul. It is used to enhance the cultivation of Purple Mansion Realm cultivators and rapidly strengthen an Immortal Foundation. I hope to obtain six pills from it... I'll have to trouble you with this request, Fellow Daoist."
He then withdrew a jade slip from his sleeve and said seriously, "Please have a look."
"Oh?"
Li Ximing was no longer the inexperienced cultivator he once was. He casually accepted the jade slip and scanned its contents. The difficulty was indeed fairly high. Though called a powder, it was essentially a loose-form pill, and refining it would yield a large number of finished pills. Still, the challenge was hardly anything special to him.
Raising a brow, he teased, "So even Azure Pond Sect cultivators have started using this pill now."
Si Yuanli naturally understood what he meant. Strictly speaking, this pill was extravagantly wasteful. It consumed precious spirit items, yet its effects were far from remarkable. Even a tiny fraction of another person's Immortal Foundation would produce better results.
The Underworld's judiciary of the past might not have cared, but True Monarch Tianwu of old was no ordinary figure. The current one also cultivated True Essence, and who knew what similarities might exist between them? Eager to strengthen himself, uncertain of how the Underworld's judiciary would act in the future, yet still unwilling to completely abandon the ideal of cultivating through his own efforts, Si Yuanli had chosen to refine this pill.
With a sigh, he said, "Please spare me the mockery, Fellow Daoist."
The trace of ridicule in Li Ximing's eyes faded. Quite satisfied, he accepted the spirit item, then suddenly remembered something and said in a more serious tone, "Do you know Li Quantao, Fellow Daoist?"
Of course Si Yuanli knew him. He knew more than just Li Quantao; he even knew that Li Quantao had two sons! Understanding immediately, he smiled and nodded. "Other than Xizhi's few disciples... you must mean him."
Once great turmoil broke out, lives would inevitably be lost. Where a person happened to be stationed would become critically important. The Azure Pond Sect had only a handful of people connected to them. Li Xizhi and Yang Xiao'er would certainly be safe, but the same could not necessarily be said for everyone else.
Li Ximing nodded. Si Yuanli smiled and reassured him. "Don't worry. He'll be transferred to the outer-sea afterward and won't be returning for quite some time..."
In just a few casual exchanges, they had effectively secured the man's life. Yet another name had already surfaced in Li Ximing's mind, one he found himself unable to mention.
Li Yuanqin.
This younger uncle of his also belonged to the Azure Pond Sect and was currently in seclusion, facing no immediate danger. Yet he was also a member of the Ning Family. Although Li Ximing had done what he could to protect him, there was no stopping the tide of greater events... The future remained completely uncertain.
Si Yuanli was perceptive enough to have thought of the same matter immediately. But the issue involved the Ning Family. Who knew whether the True Monarch's framing of them carried some deeper meaning? The matter seemed faintly connected to Daoist Master Suiguan's intentions as well. There was no way he dared make any promises. Pretending not to notice, he promptly changed the subject.
While Li Ximing was still lost in thought, the man before him smiled and said, "Xunhui mentioned to me that he and Queyi seem to get along quite well, which is certainly good news. Besides... I've heard that Daoist Master Kuangyu of the New Rain Scattered Reefs thinks highly of her as well. She appears to be quite fortunate."
Li Ximing nodded. Li Queyi wrote home frequently, so he was naturally aware of the situation.
Si Xunhui is handsome enough, has a good temperament, and is both clever and tactful. Over the years, he's made quite a name for himself throughout Yue State, frequently taking action against devil cultivators and correcting the misconduct of Azure Pond Sect cultivators. While there may be an element of cultivating his own reputation, he's still a rare and worthy match...
Li Ximing offered a few words of congratulations with a smile, but Si Yuanli's expression turned serious. "In that case, I think it's best to settle this matter sooner rather than later... After all, both children are advancing further and further in cultivation. The higher their cultivation becomes, the harder it will be for them to have descendants in the future..."
Since the two youngsters were willing, and since Si Yuanli had raised the matter himself, there was little reason to refuse. After a brief consideration, Li Ximing said frankly, "What you say makes perfect sense, Fellow Daoist! We need only have the two youngsters return for a visit so that the elders of both families can meet them. After that, the matter can be settled!"
The trip would not take long, and Si Yuanli suspected nothing. Smiling, he nodded in agreement.
Li Ximing personally escorted Si Yuanli out. Only after seeing him off did the smile fade from his face. With a grave expression, he returned to the mountain.
"Someone!" He called out and issued his instructions. "I'm making a trip to the Northern Sea. I may be gone for as little as ten days or as long as several months. Tell Jiangzong not to involve himself in anything happening in the south. If something truly important arises, he may seek guidance from Daoist Master Minghuang. Under no circumstances is he to act on his own initiative!"