https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-278-Playing-with-Fire-Bringing-Trouble-to-the-Celestial-Assembly-/12920661/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-280-Grudges-and-Encircling-Wolves/12920666/
Chapter 279: Sitting by the Riverbank, Facing the Dawn and Departing
Chapter 279: Sitting by the Riverbank, Facing the Dawn and Departing
On the banks of the Qinhua River, the deep night sky enveloped the flowing river, its waters gushing with a rushing sound.
An elderly man sat alone on a blue stone, his eyes filled with the vicissitudes of life, gazing into the distance as the mighty river flowed eastward.
Behind him, a middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the old man's back with a reverent and admiring expression.
The night wind howled, caressing the wrinkled face of the middle-aged man.]
Usually, the breeze would feel refreshing, but at this moment, Li Jinhuang felt a chill, and his body trembled slightly.
Li Yingzhang's face showed concern, "Old Ancestor, the wind is strong here. Let's go back!"
Li Jinhuang raised his hand, declining the suggestion.
Instead of lowering his hand, he extended it forward, as if reaching out to touch the flowing river beneath him.
"Yingzhang, my lifespan is coming to an end, and I deeply feel the hardships of life."
"Just like this unceasing Yangtze River, though it has the ambition to flow eastward into the vast ocean, the journey is long and arduous."
"However, the river eventually flows into the sea, but my desire to revive and prosper our family seems unattainable, leaving me with lifelong regrets."
The aged voice echoed in Li Yingzhang's ears, sinking deep into his heart.
Old Ancestor Li Jinhuang had dedicated his entire life to the revival of the Qinhua Li Family.
Even in his old age, he tirelessly worked to unite allies, fearing that after his passing, the Li Family would face the same fate as the Fu Clan, weathering the storms of life.
He had truly devoted himself to the family's cause, only to find rest in death.
To outsiders, Li Jinhuang's life seemed glorious and enviable.
But only those close to him knew the bitterness and unfulfilled desires hidden beneath his success.
His lifespan had come to an end!
Li Yingzhang felt as if his heart was being clenched, making it hard to breathe.
Choking back tears, he said, "Old Ancestor, I can understand your heart. You are wise and insightful, with a vision as bright as a torch. Your desire to revive the family is indeed our shared aspiration."
"However, it is already challenging for a small stream to form a mighty river. When it flows forward and merges into the ocean, one can't help but feel insignificant."
"Like you and me, we are but mayflies in the vastness of heaven and earth."
"The revival and prosperity of our family do not depend on just one or two generations. It requires the continuity of generations, ensuring the family's longevity."
The morning breeze blew, and water birds took flight, creating countless splashes.
"Generations upon generations, the family's longevity..."
Li Jinhuang muttered these words, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha..."
The laughter resonated, spreading across dozens of miles.
On the Qinhua River, fish leaped, water birds took flight, and low-level loose cultivators dwelling on both banks woke up from their dreams in surprise.
After about seven breaths, the laughter gradually subsided.
Li Jinhuang nodded in satisfaction, "It seems that cultivating the Nine Revolutions of Rejuvenation has indeed tempered your temperament."
"It's all thanks to the Old Ancestor's wise guidance!"
Li Jinhuang smiled and waved his hand, summoning a long sword in its sheath to appear in his hand.
The sword was three feet and seven inches long, its sheath adorned with layer upon layer of ripples, crafted from the skin of a ferocious shark.
Even without unsheathing the sword, it emitted a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation.
"Since it's like this, you are qualified to inherit this Chi Long Sword."
Li Yingzhang was shocked, "This is your personal magical treasure, Old Ancestor. How can I, still at the Qi Condensation Stage, inherit it?"
He could tell that the sword had not undergone a blood sacrifice.
He couldn't inherit the sword through shared blood lineage.
However, under Li Jinhuang's intense gaze, he mustered up the courage and accepted the longsword.
"I will definitely succeed in Foundation Establishment and live up to the might of the Chi Long Sword!"
"Excellent! From now on, you are the head of the Qinhua Li Family!"
Li Jinhuang nodded in satisfaction.
Turning his body, a pair of aged eyes gazed eastward.
The deep darkness enveloped the boundless river, and the flowing waters continued their eastward journey.
Suddenly, a faint golden light rose slowly from the vast sky.
The darkness faded, and light blossomed.
The vast expanse of emerald waves shimmered in the morning breeze.
Amidst this breathtaking scenery, Li Yingzhang had a momentary lapse in concentration.
When he regained his senses, the person in front of him had already passed away.
A wave of sorrow washed over his heart.
"Grandson Li Yingzhang, I bid farewell to the Old Ancestor!"
...
At Crimson Peak.
In the Celestial Hall, Luo Chen toyed with a yellowing jade slip in his hand, a sense of heaviness weighing on his heart.
"Old fellow, was it necessary to be so resolute?"
He could understand, but he couldn't fully empathize with Li Jinhuang's choice.
Sighing, Luo Chen carefully placed the yellowing jade slip into his chest.
Outside the hall, crisp footsteps approached.
Soon, Yuan Li entered the hall.
"Reporting to the President, the Qinhua River Li Family has sent a tragic message. The clan leader, Li Jinhuang, passed away this morning while sitting by the riverbank, facing the dawn."
"His grandson, Li Yingzhang, saw him off, and numerous loose cultivators on both banks bore witness."
"Has he finally died?" Luo Chen whispered.
His voice was very soft.
But Yuan Dongsheng, a Qi Condensation Ninth Layer expert, could hear it clearly in the spacious hall.
He was taken aback.
What did "finally died" mean?
Is the President eagerly awaiting that person's death?
He clenched his teeth, banishing the thoughts he shouldn't have, and respectfully asked, "Will the President go there in person?"
Many people knew that Luo Chen had a good relationship with Li Jinhuang.
Since the marriage alliance was confirmed, they had been interacting frequently.
Hence, he asked this question.
Unexpectedly, Luo Chen shook his head.
"I won't go. My old friend just passed away, his soul soaring beyond the heavens. Going there would only add to the sorrow."
"Isn't it the custom here to hold a seven-day vigil?"
Zhou Yuanli nodded, "That's right. Cultivators believe that after a person's lifespan ends, their soul will return seven days after death. Therefore, the body is kept for seven days, awaiting the soul's return."
"This custom is most prevalent among immortal cultivation families."
Indeed!
We, as true cultivators, either follow the will of heaven or rise against it.
In life, we experience extreme honor and disgrace, and after death, we are buried in the green mountains.
Why would we care about posthumous matters?
Only immortal cultivation families would place so much faith in this.
Luo Chen spoke calmly, "Then I'll go on the seventh day to send him off on his journey!"
"However, you can spread this news, informing Yuan Dongsheng and his wife to return to her family to fulfill their filial duties."
"Yes, sir!"
Zhou Yuanli immediately left to carry out the order.
During Luo Chen's one-year seclusion, the Celestial Assembly's marriage alliance with the Li family had been finalized.
Yuan Dongsheng of the Medicine Hall and Li Jinhuang's granddaughter, Ying Jun, were married, becoming each other's cultivation partners.
When this news reached Ying Jun's ears, she burst into tears.
After Yuan Dongsheng settled the Medicine Hall's affairs, he accompanied Ying Jun back to the Qinghua River Li Family's estate.
Moreover, under Meng Juan Qinglian's arrangement, the Celestial Assembly also sent a substantial gift to show the closeness of the two families!
...
The death of a mere Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't stir up much of a wave in the Heavenly Wave Immortal City.
However, for those with connections, this news spread like the wind.
In the Dan Yuan Sect!
The Sect Master, Dan Yuanzi, learned of this news from the messenger who came to inform him of the death.
In that instant, he was overjoyed!
"I've cultivated for over 150 years, yet I'm only at the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment. It's all because of insufficient funds and resources."
"If I can seize the Li family's medicinal fields, I can control the costs of Vital Essence Pills. By then, I might be able to reverse the decline and surpass the Celestial Assembly and the Zheng family!"
Dan Yuanzi's face was filled with excitement.
He wasn't a fool.
The competition between the Celestial Assembly and the Zheng family had initially been fierce, but after such a long time, not only did neither side suffer any significant losses, but they both became richer.
Meanwhile, they, who were sitting and watching the tigers fight, were on the brink of starvation.
It was clear that the two sides were colluding.
"Damn them!"
But he dared not provoke these two powers, one being too strong and the other backed by the Ice Fortress, neither of which he could afford to offend.
If he could control the costs, allowing Vital Essence Pills to regain a place in the lower-grade pill market in the Heavenly Wave Domain, he would make a huge profit.
It was known that the two families had not only defeated the Dan Yuan Sect but had also cleared out the market.
The thought of the Celestial Assembly earning hundreds of thousands, and the Zheng family doing the same, made Dan Yuanzi envious to the point of his eyes turning red.
"If I could earn that much, perhaps I'd have a chance to glimpse the Golden Core Stage in this lifetime."
He immediately summoned his disciples! But after they gathered, he hesitated.
"This old man, Li Jinhuang, has always been thorough in his actions. How could he not make any preparations before passing away?"
"What if he didn't die of old age but faked his death to lure me into making an early move?"
At this thought,
Cold sweat involuntarily soaked his back.
"That's it, that's it!"
"This old man is extremely cunning, and it's highly likely that he's planning to finish everything before his lifespan ends!"
"To completely resolve the family's troubles."
"I must not fall for it!"
"This matter requires careful consideration."
With a thought, he dismissed his disciples, leaving only a few trusted ones.
"You, go and find out the specific details of Li Jinhuang's sit and ascend!"
"You, contact the Tan Qiu Hu family. They have an unending grudge with the Li family, and they won't be able to hold back."
"Right!"
"We can't ignore the Celestial Assembly either. I heard that both families have formed marriage alliances."
Dan Yuanzi paced in the hall, each matter flashing through his mind like a storm.
In the face of major events, one must maintain composure!
This time, it might be the most crucial decision in his cultivation path.
No room for mistakes!
...
Tan Qiu, though named a hill, was actually not small at all.
In the past, Tan Qiu was filled with purple sandalwood, its scenery picturesque and beautiful.
However, after the Hu family produced three Foundation Establishment cultivators in succession, Tan Qiu's prosperity not only didn't grow but gradually declined.
Today's Tan Qiu is a desolate place with scattered rocks and layers of dead trees.
Some seemingly ornate palaces stood atop the mountain, a stark and jarring sight, even startling to behold.
The once lush sandalwood forest on the mountain had been completely felled to provide resources for the Fourth Brother's Foundation Establishment.
Today, the three Hu brothers were gathered together.
Even the reclusive eldest brother, Hu Changxi, had emerged from his seclusion.
All of this was for the Qinghua Li Family!
"Father and Third Brother died at the hands of Li Jinhuang. I must avenge them!" The second brother, Hu Changnu, lived up to his name, his words filled with immense anger, as if even the slightest provocation would set him off.
The fourth brother, Hu Changle, shook his head, "Second Brother, a gentleman's grudge can be avenged over nine generations. There's no need to rush this matter."
Hu Changnu glared at him, "You're not in a hurry, of course you're not! You were too young back then and didn't understand the deep-rooted feud between our families. I, Hu Changnu, will avenge my grudge, from dawn till dusk!"
Hu Changle shrugged and didn't argue with him.
Instead, he spoke his mind, "When it comes to vengeance, we must be extremely thorough in our planning."
"First, we need to consider the possibility of Li Jinhuang faking his death. Years ago, the Golden Core ancestor of Heavenly Blade Dock, with his limited lifespan, faked his death, dragging down an enemy sect's newly advanced Golden Core cultivator with him. In the end, Heavenly Blade Dock, whose vitality had already been exhausted, rose from the dead. I don't want this to happen to our Hu Family."
Hu Changnu was momentarily stunned.
The ancient tale of Heavenly Blade Dock and Crow's Beak Lake had been circulating in the Jade Cauldron Domain for a long time.
He, of course, was well aware of it.
Today, Heavenly Blade Dock had produced another Golden Core ancestor, and their sect's prosperity was second only to the seven major sects of the Jade Cauldron Domain.
As for the once-unrivaled Crow's Beak Lake, their mountain gate had been completely destroyed, and their prestige had long faded.
Hu Changle glanced at him and continued, "Secondly, we must pay attention to the actions and attitudes of the Li Family's allies. Verdant Pill Valley has a history with the Li Family, and in the next decade, they will be in charge of the Immortal City. If we still want to have a presence in the Immortal City, we must consider Verdant Pill Valley's stance."
Hu Changnu couldn't help but ask, "How can we gauge the attitude of the major sects?"
"It's simple. Just see if Verdant Pill Valley will send representatives to the funeral for a small family without a Foundation Establishment cultivator." Hu Changle said with confidence.
Hu Changnu listened and instantly understood.
Major sects usually wouldn't lower themselves to associate with lesser powers.
Unless the relationship was exceptionally good, they wouldn't send representatives to attend ceremonies, weddings, or funerals of weaker factions.
"There's also the Celestial Assembly, Dan Yuan Sect, and the Geng Family. These three families have good relationships with the Li Family, whether through marriage or cooperation, and they have acted in unison before."
"Especially the Celestial Assembly! Li Jinhuang has been trying hard to curry favor with this new power in recent years."
"We must pay attention to their actions!"
Hu Changnu frowned in confusion, "But they're just upstarts, why should we care so much?"
Hu Changle sighed, "What about a family with four Foundation Establishment cultivators? Should we care or not?"
Hu Changnu opened his mouth, speechless for a moment.
He just wanted to take revenge, but it seemed so troublesome!
"Is there anything else?"
"Of course!"
Hu Changle scoffed, "The Li Family isn't some virtuous clan; they have many enemies besides us. If we can unite these enemies and strike together, even if allies like the Celestial Assembly, Dan Yuan Sect, and the Geng Family help them, they'll still be no match for us!"
"Ah! Yes, yes, yes!" Hu Changnu finally heard something that pleased him. "At that time, we'll charge in together, leaving not a single piece of armor on the Li Family, and dye the Qinghua River red with their blood!"
Sigh...
Hu Changle let out a breath. He wondered if his father had truly foreseen their personalities when he named them 'Happiness, Anger, Sorrow, and Joy.'
The second brother was indeed impulsive and hot-headed, with no sense of strategy.
Yet, he lived a good life.
The third brother, Hu Changai, who always had a plan for everything and considered failure before victory, had died tragically under Li Jinhuang's sword.
If the third brother were still alive, the vast Hu Family wouldn't have declined so much!
It wouldn't have fallen on the youngest brother to analyze and scheme.
Today, the Tan Qiu Hu Family seemed to have three Foundation Establishment cultivators, but it was just a show, like flowers on brocade, or oil in a blazing fire.
They had the upper structure but lacked the foundation.
The reputation of their immortal cultivation family was on the verge of becoming a mere name.
With a heavy heart, Hu Changle looked at the silent Hu Changxi.
"Big Brother, what do you think?"
Hu Changxi's face was cold, devoid of any joy.
Ever since his father and third brother were beheaded by Li Jinhuang's sword, he had never felt joy again.
His gaze fell on Hu Changle's face, unable to hide his self-satisfaction.
The youngest brother was indeed smart.
But his personality...
He slowly spoke, "I think you're wrong in some aspects."
(End of Chapter)
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