Chapter 1721: Six Directions (I)

The river surged violently, its waters churning and splashing.

A long pale green stone wall etched with profound patterns stood along the bank, battered and scoured by the river. Atop an ornate tower high above, a crimson-robed man gazed into the distance in contemplative silence.

Beside him stood a man in black who appeared considerably older and possessed far deeper cultivation. Wearing a courteous smile, he said, "You have worked hard, Brother-in-law. The Far-Reaching Pacification Army has already established its camp along the riverbank. You can leave this place to me."

The crimson-robed man turned around, revealing a handsome and dignified face. It was none other than Li Jiangzong, who currently presided over the clan's affairs. He had evidently emerged from seclusion after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm..

The black-robed man beside him was Sima Xunhui, Li Queyi's husband. Li Queyi and Li Jiangzong both came from the first lineage and shared the same father, making them extremely close. Li Jiangzong was therefore naturally closer to Sima Xunhui as well.

Li Jiangzong sighed. "Then I will have to trouble you, Brother-in-law."

Sima Xunhui was adept at making use of circumstances and connections. Regardless of what he truly thought, he could always maintain harmonious relations among the various families.

He immediately smiled and said, "I visited the lake once many years ago, and have never forgotten how its scenery and the river views rank among the finest sights in Jiangnan. I even went fishing on the river. Now that I am stationed here, I can feast my eyes on them every day."

Sima Xunhui represented both the Song court and the Sima Family. His forces were stationed along the riverbank to guard against an advance from the north. Though he had not brought many men, they still helped ease the burden on the Li Family.

Li Jiangzong replied courteously, "It is the rainy season, so the river is even broader than usual. I went out on the water yesterday. There have been constant clashes and no shortage of casualties over the past few years, fattening the fish in the river. Unfortunately, their bellies are full of fingernails, so they have long since become unfit to eat."

Sima Xunhui fell silent and sighed. Li Jiangzong pointed ahead and said, "Guest Cultivator Ding's ambush succeeded yesterday, and he returned with another group of captives. He finally managed to capture a Zhao general, who is being held in the pavilion. We should go and take a look."

The two descended the steps, and Sima Xunhui remarked solemnly, "That is precisely why I came! My family's Daoist Master watched for a long time before intercepting the approaching Maha in the great void, finally allowing us to capture the man. We must thank your esteemed family for its cooperation!"

Li Jiangzong waved his hand and shook his head. More than three years had passed since the great war that had established the Great Song. The grand formation on the northern bank had been rebuilt, and towering walls linked to the formation now stood along the river. Troops were stationed across the border, which were guarded with utmost vigilance.

Perhaps the north had also suffered greatly in the war three years ago. Although clashes between the north and south had remained frequent, and the occasional Merciful One or Maha still crossed the river to test the defenses, none had ultimately led to any serious battle of techniques. The region had clearly grown much more peaceful.

The Li Family had benefited considerably from these years of peace. Li Minggong, Li Zhouda, and the others had recovered from their injuries, while their cultivation methods and Dao conduct had all improved. Li Jiangzong had also survived his deadly tribulation, yet the worries in his heart had never diminished.

The King of Wei is injured... Judging from Daoist Master Qinghu's[1] words, his injuries are serious, and he certainly will not be able to act for the next few years. Daoist Master Zhaojing remains in seclusion and has not been seen at all. Every matter around the lake has to be left to Daoist Master Qinghu. This cannot continue indefinitely...

Li Jiangzong led the group to the highest tower. Though it was still early, all sixteen lampstands in the square were brightly lit. The doors of the great hall were tightly shut, while two guards knelt outside with their heads lowered in silence.

Someone was clearly already inside. Li Jiangzong calculated the time and immediately understood. Turning back, he smiled and said, "It seems father has come to the riverbank and is presently inside the hall... This is the perfect opportunity to introduce you to him."

"So it is Lord Father-in-law!"

Li Zhoufang had little innate ability, meager cultivation, and no particular reputation, but he was still Sima Xunhui's father-in-law. Thus, this Purple Mansion immortal descendant straightened his robes and followed closely behind his brother-in-law. Li Jiangzong had barely taken a step forward when the doors of the great hall creaked open on their own.

His father, Li Zhoufang, was indeed inside, though he stood at the very rear of the great hall. On either side of the main seat stood a woman in red robes and golden ornaments, surrounded by surging True Fire qi, and a broad-jawed, tiger-bearded warrior in magnificent armor. Both stood with their bodies turned to the side, remaining silent.

A man knelt in the center of the great hall. His features were sharp and his complexion deathly pale, while his armor had an air of nobility. He knelt with his eyes closed, stubbornly refusing to speak.

Yet although this man was clearly a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, his face was pale and beardless. His helmet had long since been removed, revealing a perfectly smooth scalp without the slightest trace of hair. He was most likely a Buddhist cultivator.

Li Jiangzong stepped inside. Ding Weizeng immediately cupped his hands and reported quietly, "Daoist Master Qinghu instructed us not to harm him... But he refuses to speak."

Everyone exchanged glances before turning toward Sima Xunhui. Unexpectedly, the Sima Family cultivator was equally bewildered.

He smiled bitterly. "I am afraid we must wait for the Daoist Master's instructions!"

Just then, hazy white light filled the entire hall, drifting gently like the thin mist of early morning. The broad-jawed, tiger-bearded warrior dropped heavily to his knees and declared, "This subordinate greets the Daoist Master!"

A middle-aged man in white-golden Daoist robes had appeared upon the main seat!

His long brows were relaxed, yet his eyes were imposing, and brilliant golden light blazed between his eyebrows. The contours of his face were natural and harmonious. Though his expression appeared casual, he radiated an inviolable majesty.

The Daoist Master!

It was none other than Daoist Master Zhaojing, Li Ximing!

Perhaps because his divine ability had grown increasingly profound, the present Li Ximing looked somewhat different from how Li Jiangzong remembered him. His features had undergone subtle transformations. Li Jiangzong did not dare study him closely, only sensing that his brows had grown slightly longer and his nose more prominent. Though it was clearly still the same face, it now possessed an unmistakable air of majesty.

Delight and trepidation surged through Li Jiangzong at once. After a moment of stunned hesitation, he withdrew the foot he had placed upon the step and dropped to his knees, greeting him respectfully, "This junior greets the Daoist Master, and congratulates you on bringing your divine ability to perfection!"

Li Jiangzong had been somewhat at ease within his own family's great hall, whereas Sima Xunhui had already been rather reserved. He reacted even faster, immediately bowing behind his brother-in-law.

Only then did a calm voice sound from above. "Jiangzong has attained Foundation Establishment Realm. Not bad."

Li Jiangzong hurriedly offered auspicious words, attributing his success to the protection of the Daoist Master's divine ability. Li Ximing relaxed his brows, smiled, and nodded for him to rise.

"All of you may rise."

Sima Xunhui quickly rose and stepped forward to stand beside someone at the side of the hall. Li Jiangzong swiftly raised his eyes for a glance and discovered that a green-robed man had taken a guest seat at some unknown point. He did not dare look at the man's face, but judging from Sima Xunhui's actions, it had to be Daoist Master Qinghu.

Neither Daoist Master displayed any divine ability, yet the atmosphere within the hall instantly turned solemn. Only the Zhao general flushed slightly, raising his eyes with a hateful expression as he opened his mouth to curse.

Just then, Li Ximing accepted a cup from Li Minggong and quietly glanced down at him.

His face resembled smooth, lustrous jade, and the divine radiance in his eyes was faintly restrained. He seemed like a profound spirit seated within a shrine, with the white light drifting through the hall forming a veil before him, shrouding him in mystery and making it impossible to look directly upon him.

That single glance left the Zhao general dazed. In that instant, something seemed to sweep across his face. His hatred was like a stream of murky qi, completely dispersed by an invisible force blowing toward him until it vanished without a trace.

Still on his knees, he shuffled forward twice, his eyes brimming with profound and irrepressible reverence as he wept, "This subordinate greets you, my lord!"

The spirit shackles tightly binding him fell to the floor with a metallic clang. The man rose, then naturally knelt below the main seat and before Ding Weizeng, blending seamlessly among the members of the Li Family with an utterly respectful demeanor.

For a moment, everyone in the great hall was horrified. Even Ding Weizeng's eyelid twitched, and a faint chill crept into his heart.

Li Ximing did not spare the man so much as a glance. He merely gave Sima Xunhui a slight nod. The direct descendant of the Sima Family hurriedly bowed, while Li Ximing took a sip of tea and calmly commanded, "Speak."

These words were clearly directed at the Zhao general, who answered respectfully, "This subordinate is Li Ju, a native of Lingbei. I cultivate under the rule of the Great Mahayana Dharma Realm and followed Maha Guangchan south, serving under his command in the army..."

1. Referring to Sima Yuanli. ☜

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