Chapter 588 444: Reunion

Li Qinghong had just arrived at Fenkui Island, and she did not make a fuss, instead she searched around the Green Pond Sect's marketplace, found a tavern, and sought out news. After careful inquiry, she learned that the Green Pond Cultivator guarding the marketplace turned out to be Ning Heyuan.

"It's actually him!"

Li Qinghong vaguely remembered this person; that year, while cultivating on Jade Court Mountain, he passed through and pretended to be a loose cultivator, even sparring with her—his spells were formidable, his character was aloof and arrogant, and he was of the Ning Family direct lineage.

She inquired further about the celestial phenomenon, and sure enough, there was no rumor of severing the heavens with a single sword. When talk turned to the gloom over the nearby sea, a crowd of East Sea cultivators had only hazy guesses of some great event, yet even the origin of the anomaly was unknown.

"It seems that for now, only the Zifu and their closest confidants know the news… it'll take another year or so before the word spreads."

Li Qinghong made a round through the marketplace, roughly grasped the situation, and thought to herself:

'It must be the Perfected Lord from Xiuyue Sect who made the move… I wonder if that Perfected Lord has achieved any spiritual rank, with such might… Xiuyue Sect claims to be foremost among the Three Sects, I fear this Perfected Lord is extraordinary indeed.'

'If not for my Talisman Seed for protection, I too would likely forget the previous scene… Those below Zifu aren't even qualified to know! No wonder all these years… news of Golden Core cultivators taking action is so rare; even if they do, low-level cultivators who witness it forget everything anyway.'

As she circled, the resources of the East Sea, so different from those inland, truly caught her eye. She was walking slowly, when two nearby green-robed cultivators were quietly discussing:

"I heard the market master is about to return to the Immortal Sect to report; who did the sect send here to maintain order?"

"I heard it's [Jin Geng Gang Xian]… from the Southern Border, a fierce man known for fighting tigers and wolves."

The other picked through goods on the shelves, speaking softly:

"There's a newcomer at our array node, sent from the sect, came here aboard that Taoist's Jade Ship… these fellows are lucky, even got a few secrets out of him."

The person beside him couldn't hold back, and asked eagerly:

"What secrets?"

"How should I know!"

The green-robed cultivator rolled his eyes with annoyance and said in a low voice:

"I only heard that Taoist is one of Yuansu Perfected Person's most capable assistants— even the marketplace master treats him with respect…"

Li Qinghong listened for a moment, instantly understanding they were speaking of her own elder, her lips curled in amusement, and she laughed inwardly:

"Second Uncle truly is impressive now… even Ning Heyuan has to show him respect…"

Ning Heyuan had once stirred up trouble at Jade Court Mountain; that memory lingered. Now confirming her elder was indeed at this marketplace, she left the restaurant and found the central steward.

This person was the Green Pond steward, managing the marketplace for years, well-versed in people's ways. At a glance, he could tell Li Qinghong was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, clad in Jade Armor, her spear gleaming, clearly no commoner. He greeted her with a broad smile.

He showed no arrogance; upon hearing she was seeking Li Xuanfeng, his attitude grew noticeably more deferential, lowering his voice:

"The Taoist is busy with affairs, ordinary people cannot see him at will. Fairy, do you have any token for me to report upwards more easily…"

He spoke politely. Li Qinghong merely smiled faintly and answered softly:

"I am Li Qinghong of the Li Family of Qingdu, the Taoist's own niece."

At these words, the steward understood immediately and replied with a smile:

"Forgive my poor eyesight… It turns out you are a noble lady of the family, which is better than any token—please, Fairy, wait just a moment."

Li Qinghong nodded. The steward left only briefly, when a young man arrived by riding the wind, quite familiar in manner, and greeted with a smile:

"So it's Qinghong—you could have come directly to me, no need for such formality."

'That's Ning Heyuan?!'

Li Qinghong was taken aback—the face was the same, just slightly more mature, but the temperament had changed utterly. Once a noble scion, careless and proud; now, all cordial smiles, a different person altogether.

"Qinghong greets you, Taoist Fellow!"

Li Qinghong replied courteously. A flicker of surprise passed through Ning Heyuan's eyes, but he smiled and said:

"Years have passed, Taoist Fellow's bearing remains!"

Ning Heyuan saw Li Qinghong in Jade Armor, appearing no more than twenty-five or six, and knew her Foundation Establishment had come swiftly, making her look young. He offered praise, then explained:

"Brother-in-law was sent out on duty, likely won't be back for a few days. Please, Taoist Fellow, come sit in the hall with me first."

'Brother-in-law…'

The seniority shifted at once—Li Qinghong quietly found it amusing and naturally agreed. The two chatted of old events at Jade Court Mountain, both nostalgic, Ning Heyuan apologizing:

"Back then, I was young and naive, rashly offended your noble family—please forgive me, Qinghong."

"Not at all… If not for Taoist Fellow's intervention… I wouldn't have realized there are higher mountains beyond mountains…"

A few polite words passed, smoothing over that old embarrassment. After exchanging a few sentences, Ning Heyuan suddenly brightened and said with a smile:

"Brother-in-law is back! Wait a moment, Qinghong, I'll go greet him!"

Li Qinghong had intended to wait here ten days or so before seeing Li Xuanfeng, yet here was fortune smiling—her smile appeared as she nodded:

"Alright!"

Ning Heyuan rode the wind out and soon returned, leading a middle-aged man in.

The middle-aged man wore armor and a robe, Black Gold Spirit Armor gleaming with a dark luster, his brows sharp, short beard kept, a golden bow upon his back, boots black streaked with gold striking the ground with a metallic clang as he entered the hall.

The familiar face she hadn't seen for years finally appeared before her. Li Qinghong stood up, her voice tinged with a sob:

"Uncle!"

Li Xuanfeng, hearing his niece's slightly aggrieved call, felt emptied within, rushed forward, and answered lowly:

"Good… Qinghong has reached Foundation Establishment!"

"Mm!"

Li Qinghong's eyes reddened slightly, and she replied softly.

After Li Xuanfeng left home, her father Li Xuanling and her grandfather Li Tongya both died one after the other. Her eldest uncle Li Xuanxuan was flighty and unreliable, never one to bear the burden, so the responsibility naturally fell to their generation.

Elder brother Li Yuanxiu had died young, second brother Li Yuanjiao had, for his oath 'I, Jiao, dare not forget', lived with tireless caution, working endlessly, weighing every word three times before speaking. Likewise, Li Qinghong herself had gone forward trembling, never daring to relax for a moment.

Now, faced with the uncle she remembered as so talented, decisive, and capable, all her pent-up words surged forth, yet for a moment, she found herself speechless.

The Ning Family members had wisely withdrawn. Li Xuanfeng took her hand, riding the wind to his own Cave Mansion. Once the stone doors were closed, he looked at Li Qinghong, smiled, the man's voice a little hoarse:

"Qinghong has grown up!"

Li Xuanfeng resembled Li Xuanling in appearance, but his features were sharper, more fierce—Li Xuanling had been gentle and steady. Now, this second uncle's soft expression was just like her father's, and Li Qinghong, unable to hold back tears any longer, whispered:

"Uncle… Father… Grandfather… all killed by Maha!"

Li Xuanfeng knew this news already, yet even now it pierced his ears, his eyes gleaming with hate so deep it seemed blood might drip from them. He spoke heavily:

"I know… Hong'er, do not worry… Uncle knows!"