After a discussion, the Direct Lineage of the Li Family decided to keep Li Tongya’s death discreet, just hanging white silk on the mountain. A few members of the Direct Lineage worshipped on their own before dispersing.

The news of Li Tongya’s passing had already been known by the Direct Lineage, and the three-year mourning period was completed long ago. Now, it was merely a resurgence of sorrow before everyone hurriedly immersed themselves in their respective duties.

After staying at home for a few days, Li Xuanxuan rarely had the chance to meet Li Yuanping every day. He smiled tenderly as he played with Li Yuanming, asking softly,

"Ming’er, how much of the Pill Scripture have you read?"

"I can already summon the pill fire!"

Li Ximing nodded obediently, and with a clap of her hands, she summoned a handful of pure white fire. Warm as jade and cool as water, it danced quietly between her palms.

Li Yuanping hugged Li Ximing happily and looked at Li Xuanxuan, whose face was full of smiles, and whispered,

"Father, since you rarely come back, stay at home for a longer time. We can let the family manage the market area..."

"That won’t do."

Li Xuanxuan immediately turned serious and replied,

"I am old and have long lost the ambition. My uncle saw this clearly, which is why he assigned me to the market area."

His normally solemn face showed a hint of shame as he whispered,

"Your granduncle sees clearly that I, Li Xuanxuan, am not a great talent in managing a household. My ability at best is that of a caretaker shopkeeper. In managing the household for so many years, I have neglected many things."

"Back then the family was sparse, and my father passed away early. My uncles always felt that they owed me, so they kept the authority of the household on me."

A trace of guilt appeared on his face as he said warmly,

"Xuanling is actually far more outstanding than I am. My uncle favored me, forcing him to remain unnoticed. Even my father, who passed away early, was revered and obeyed by the locals."

"And me... and me..."

Li Xuanxuan sighed distantly, his voice carrying a hint of age,

"How will the world speak of me a hundred years from now..."

Li Yuanping, seeing his father like this for the first time, felt a bitterness in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, Li Xuanxuan slightly smiled and continued,

"Fortunately, on my journey here, the household has been thriving and orderly. You’re stronger than I am, father; do well!"

After saying this with a proud smile, he patted Li Ximing’s head and left the courtyard, riding the wind away.

Li Yuanping gave a muted smile, looked down the room, and Li Yuanjiao walked into the hall at just the right moment. He seemed to have been waiting outside for a while, not wanting to interrupt their conversation. He sat down and then from the seat below, someone stepped forward and knelt down saying,

"Family Head, Shamo Li, lord of the Eastern Shanyue, has come alone with his horse, saying that he has broken through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation and wishes to ascend the mountain for training. He no longer covets power."

"Shamo Li?"

Li Yuanping raised an eyebrow, glanced at Li Yuanjiao beside him, and whispered,

"I remember that Shamo Li has a son fostered in our family... He’s part of the Li family branch, named Li Jiman. A few years ago, he went to manage a city in Shanyue."

"Indeed,"

Li Yuanjiao shifted his cup, clearly having considered this matter before. Li Yuanping flipped through the documents on his desk and pulled out a letter, frowning as he said,

"The assessment from the Clan Head Courtyard is that he is courteous and carries himself with the demeanor of a gentleman."

"What do you think of him, elder brother?"

Li Yuanjiao, who spent years in the Eastern Shanyue cultivating, was familiar with these matters. Upon hearing this, he shook his head,

"On the outside, he is respectful, but inside, he is more belligerent than Shamo Li. Thankfully, with the patriarchal dominance in the Eastern Shanyue Noble Families, employing him as a blade isn’t too bad a choice."

"Oh,"

Li Yuanping put away the letter, sipped some tea, and finally Dou Yi from below found an opportunity to speak up softly,

"Family Head, Mu Jiaoman has subdued a demonic horse, at the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing, just a notch below the one tamed by Ganixi in the past. It leaves no trace in the snow and is akin to a specter."

"Oh?"

Li Yuanping looked up at this news, exchanging a knowing smile with his brother. Li Yuanjiao said warmly,

"Is it a fine steed?"

"Certainly!"

Dou Yi responded with a flattering smile, but Li Yuanping shook his head saying,

"Whether it’s a good horse or not, we’ll only know after testing it. A too fierce horse can injure its master, and a too docile one won’t travel a thousand miles."

Dou Yi nodded, not quite understanding, while Li Yuanjiao chuckled and answered,

"Then I’ll leave it to my younger brother to handle."

"Rest assured, brother."

Li Yuanping looked at the letter in his hand, nodding firmly, and said in a deep voice,

"Call him in."

The person at the lower seat complied and retreated. Shortly after, a man dressed in lavish clothes and wearing a jade crown entered, bowing respectfully,

"Shamo Li has come to see the Family Head!"

This man was none other than Shamo Li, the lord of Shanyue, now at the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation. Although his cultivation was of mixed Qi, due to his profound techniques, he was not much less formidable than a standard Qi Cultivator. Li Yuanping glanced at him and said warmly,

"Since you wish to abandon power and seek cultivation in the mountains, follow my elder brother to Wutu Mountain. Are you willing?"

"I couldn’t ask for more!"

Shamo Li knelt on one knee, responding with due respect. Having completed this formality, Li Yuanjiao stood up with a laugh, saying,

"Then I will head back to the mountain first!"

"Very well!"

Li Yuanping nodded, watching as his brother Li Yuanjiao and Shamo Li took their leave. He waved to Li Ximing, who was quietly observing everything, saying with a smile,

"Go change into your armor."

Li Ximing’s eyes lit up, asking,

"Father, where are we going?"

Li Yuanping took off his overgarment and said warmly,

"To test the horse!"

————

The weather over Wangyue Lake has always been steady, with severe droughts and floods only occurring once in decades. The seasonal rain arrived on schedule, gently falling and marking the end of the midsummer, as the evening breeze began to cool.