Chapter 1547: Yang Zhuo (II) |
That glance sent a chilling pressure washing over Li Jiangqian. For some reason, it gave him an indescribable sense of being threatened. Though there was no hostility, it felt as if an invisible blade had been set against his throat, ready to cut away his composure.
In that instant, he knew Li Jiangliang had not exaggerated, and his heart trembled, It is no exaggeration. He must be someone on the level of father.
He smiled and said, "I came today simply to meet you. First, for the matters of the Yuan Family, and second, for my younger brother's marriage. Now that I see the Yuan Family is being valued and put to use, it can be considered one thread of karma settled.
"With the source of chaos removed, the Yuan Family should now return to stability. As for the marriage… my father has already mentioned it."
Yang Zhuo shifted his gaze, the sharpness in his eyes receding as he said, "The old man is advanced in years, and his standards have always been exacting. For Jiangliang to earn his approval speaks volumes. I've also heard that Daoist Master Minghuang has given his assent. It is an excellent match."
Yang Zhuo turned his head away, not facing him directly, as if he held little fondness. Li Jiangqian, too, felt something deeply amiss, as though thorns were pressed against his back. Lowering his golden gaze, he swept it across the ground and saw that the threshold outside was already covered with writhing slender serpents, each no larger than a finger. Water and fire coursed along their bodies, their tails linked together, forming layers of shimmering light that spread across the threshold.
Li Jiangqian restrained himself and said with a smile, "My fourth brother has been wandering alone outside, which has not been easy. From now on, I will have to trouble the Yang Family with his affairs…"
Yang Zhuo replied, "He is not simply my younger sister's beloved, but also my friend. I regard him as one of my own brothers. There is no need for the family head to be so polite."
They exchanged a few pleasantries and spoke of trivial matters. Then Li Jiangqian raised his golden eyes and said, "I will not impose any further!"
After an unknown stretch of time, Li Jiangqian finally smiled and said, "No wonder you insisted on following him… he truly is an extraordinary figure."
Li Jiangliang was not blind to Yang Zhuo's dislike of Li Jiangqian. He could only reply somewhat helplessly, "I follow him not as a gamble or a calculated bet… He has said it himself. He seeks to pacify the lands of Yue and separate the immortal from the mortal. His pursuit of the Dao has always been to end conflict through strength and to save the common people below…"
Those words only deepened the smile on Li Jiangqian's face. Subtly clenching his teeth, he fixed his blazing gaze on his younger brother and replied, "That is true enough. Imperial blood is noble. How could it remain confined to a single prefecture?"
Li Jiangliang came to a halt amid the flames and bowed to this elder brother he had barely met, speaking in a low voice, "Brother… it has been hard on the family…"
The smile on Li Jiangqian's face stiffened, his brows drawing together as his younger brother continued, "When you see Father, please pass along a message for me… Jiangliang will never take anything from the family. If I do, then let me repay it with my life before our ancestors!"
————
Scarlet Pristine Sea, the Suzhu Reefs.
The reefs lay scattered like stars across the vast sea, their crimson rocks dazzling under the sun. White-robed cultivators rose and fell among them, creating a lively scene.
High above the islands, at the very peak of the sky, a white-robed Daoist Master stood with a spirit sword on his back. His expression was solemn, his gaze tinged with sorrow as it swept quietly across the islands below.
Beneath Fuxuan's feet lay the renowned Suzhu Reefs, one of the core regions of the Scarlet Pristine Sea. It was also the overseas stronghold that the Hengzhu Dao Gate had managed for generations. Over the centuries, it had been fortified into an impenetrable bastion, with its Purple Mansion Realm grand formation shining brilliantly.
But now it no longer bears the Bi name!
Many years ago, Hengxing had personally visited the Chunyi Dao Gate and obtained a portion of the [Stellar Divine Origin] from Fuxuan. In exchange, the Suzhu Reefs were to be mortgaged to Chunyi Dao Gate for a full fifty years.
At that time, Chunyi Dao Gate had been at the height of its power, with a newly advanced Purple Mansion Realm cultivator and ambitions of expansion. The deal was exceedingly favorable, and after careful consideration, Fuxuan agreed.
Now that the Hengzhu Dao Gate had closed its doors, Fuxuan finally understood, Hengxing… had been planning this from the very beginning… This so-called mortgage under my Chunyi Dao Gate… was nothing more than having us guard the island for her during their seclusion!
All things considered, both sides had benefited, and they belonged to the same Supreme Yang Dao lineage. Fuxuan felt a quiet sense of relief, his heart settling somewhat. He waited over the sea for a while before finally seeing a streak of light approach from the east. It quickly took form before him, turning into a man in green robes.
The man appeared youthful, with flowing green robes. His eyes were a pale jade color, and he had a smile on his face. He bowed lightly and said casually, "Fellow Daoist Fuxuan!"
"Fellow Daoist Chi!" Fuxuan responded in an even tone.
The young man stood with his hands behind his back, looking completely at ease as he smiled. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist."
This man was none other than the long-missing Chi Buzi.
His eyes remained that same pale green, carrying a detached coldness. At his waist hung a string of dark, glossy prayer beads, emitting wave after wave of Pristine Water radiance. He seemed no different from years ago, save for the fluctuations of his divine abilities, which now felt subtly altered.
The two entered the grand formation together. Seeing that Chi Buzi remained silent, Fuxuan finally asked, "The gains this time… were fairly good, I presume?"
Chi Buzi took a sip of tea, a faint, ambiguous smile appearing on his face. Setting the cup down, he said quietly, "There were some gains. After all, I am not one to turn to the Buddhist Dao. There are only so many methods available. Puyu only offered a few words out of regard for you and me. There is no chance he would personally intervene…"
"There is still a turning point." Fuxuan shook his head and said, "Otherwise, you would not have come all this way, nor would you be willing to involve yourself in these troubles."
Chi Buzi's gaze gradually turned cold and sharp as he stared off into the distance, speaking quietly, "What I fear is precisely that turning point. What if it was left behind by some great figure? So many who reach the end of their cultivation only end up being the final piece on someone else's board… Being a piece would be one thing, but the real fear is that they only want the piece placed, not the player to live."
There seemed to be a heavy hesitation buried deep within him, and the meaning behind his words grew clearer. Fuxuan's heart sank as he thought, Penglai has never concerned itself with pursuing Fruition Attainment. Since Puyu has spoken, it must be a method that does not offend Pristine Water. What else could it be but reincarnation…
Lowering his gaze as he looked at him, his own heart was just as heavy. The words of Daoist Master Yuanshang still echoed in his ears. Their situations were not so different, and a complex expression appeared on his face as he said softly, "Some opportunities, once obtained, cannot be questioned as to their origin, and must be used, no matter what."
Chi Buzi clearly had not expected him to say such a thing. It struck directly at his concerns. He lifted his pale green eyes and gave Fuxuan an approving smile, yet another thought flashed sharply through his mind.
Oh? Fuxuan… Fuxuan… Could it be that your Chunyi Dao Gate also bears some opportunity that must be pursued? A Supreme Yin… Dao… kind of opportunity?