Chapter 657 484: Yuan Fuyao

Jiang Heqian sighed, glanced at Li Ximing, and suddenly, a look of doubt arose on Li Ximing's face as he asked:

"Junior has a question that remains unresolved. Back then, Fei Wangbai..."

"Wangbai?"

Jiang Heqian stepped forward to sit at the side seat, casually took up the teacup, and softly said:

"Naturally, he was killed by the Immortal Sect."

"Do you know which Immortal Sect?"

Li Ximing hesitated, somewhat puzzled. Jiang Heqian opened his mouth and cursed:

"How would I know? Do you think the Immortal Sect has anything good? Even if it's Xiuyue, if their interests are truly threatened, they'll kill as they please!"

"Wangbai cultivated alongside Shangyuan Perfected Person from the Xiuyue Sect. Xiuyue Sect has an alchemy technique that can refine him to nourish Shangyuan. Green Pond was bound to want him dead sooner or later!"

Jiang Heqian shot a glance at Li Ximing, and before he could respond, said offhandedly:

"But as for your Li Clan, since you have the Mingyang Taoist Lineage, why did Li Tongya go off cultivating Kan Water?"

Li Ximing simply answered:

"The family fell into decline at the time, unable to pursue cultivation in the proper path, so he could only cultivate Kan Water."

Jiang Heqian paused; his question was only meant as a prelude. Hearing Li Ximing's empty reply, he was too lazy to press further, and simply continued:

"Since your clan killed Yu Muxian, did you ever acquire the Foundation Establishment magical artifact, Jade Smoke Mountain, from him? After all, that was my family's inherited item in years past. If it rests with your clan, I wish to exchange for it."

Li Ximing shook his head and replied,

"Senior has misunderstood. This man died in Cave Heaven, but did not bring the artifact out with him. Most likely, it still remains on Yuanwu Peak."

Jiang Heqian stroked his beard. Seeing that the artifact's whereabouts were lost, he could only say:

"The Yu Family has scattered. Does your clan have any further plans?"

Li Ximing deemed it unnecessary to say more to him, and merely answered:

"A trivial matter; no need for Senior to concern yourself... The elders of the family have their own arrangements."

Jiang Heqian chuckled lightly, then spoke:

"I am only speaking out of regard for old acquaintances to give you a reminder. You must be cautious—with the fall of my clan still fresh, should another Jiang Family rise here, if you cannot win the trust of Green Pond and Jin Yu, you will soon face the fate of splintering apart!"

His expression seemed both smiling and not, his tone more like bantering. Li Ximing did not know how to respond, so he cupped his hands in salute. Jiang Heqian paused a moment, lowering his voice:

"It is Green Pond's trust that matters, not Yuan Su's trust. How much longer does Yuan Su have to live? How can he safeguard anything!"

He flicked his sleeve, tossing out these words, seeming to have lost interest in further conversation, then said softly with downcast eyes:

"Vengeance is endless—I've repaid the Yu Family grudge completely. For the rest of my life, I shall wander the Four Seas and not return to the lakeside. The Jiang Family is now but mist and clouds; let this end here."

With that, he strode out of the courtyard. As if recalling something, he retrieved an item from his storage bag.

The item was round and heavy, black hair disheveled—a severed head. The eyes had turned a lifeless gray, skin drawn tight, mouth slightly open, showing a hollow blackness.

"Yu Mugao's head is here."

He dropped the item and departed, riding the wind away.

Li Ximing picked up the head, silently casting a glance at it; Yu Mugao had once crossed blades secretly with the likes of Li Yuanjiao, yet ended up like this. He ordered:

"Take this item and show it to the clan elders and An Zhiyan, so that their resentment may be eased a little. Afterwards, send it to my uncle's grave, to present to the ancestors."

Li Wushao responded and retreated, clutching the head as he went down. Li Ximing gathered his robes and returned to continue his secluded cultivation.

Yu Mugao's head was passed around among the crowd; some wept, some laughed. Most of the elders merely held back a breath in their hearts—only An Zhiyan was most moved, hot tears streaming down.

After everyone had seen it, Li Xuanxuan hurriedly descended, carrying the head up the mountain.

The death of Li Yuanxiu was one of the greatest pains of Li Xuanxuan's life. He had suffered much torment, yet his hatred did not lessen with suffering; instead, it grew ever deeper in his heart.

Just as with his left eye, scorched by devil fire—not usually painful, but when he squinted, it burned fiercely, constantly reminding him of his lingering wound.

Li Yuexiang accompanied the elder up the mountain, watching him speak to the tombstone alone, the severed head placed atop the platform, standing silently.

Li Yuexiang stayed by his side for half a day, until someone came up the mountain seeking her. Looking closely, it was Li Wushao.

Li Wushao knelt on one knee and softly said:

"Miss, the Yuan Family has arrived."

Li Yuexiang had no choice but to leave the tomb, descend the mountain, and ride the wind to the central hall in Lijing Town. Outside the hall stood a line of attendants; before even entering, she could already hear Li Chengliao's voice:

"Senior, you are too kind! There is no need for this."

She stepped inside and saw two attendants behind, with two men standing in front.

One had neatly combed white hair, a tall figure, his cultivation at early Foundation Establishment, appearing easily a hundred eighty years old, his face full of smiles.

This person was speaking, his tone stern:

"Say no more of this—this very Foundation Establishment cultivation I owe to Yuanjiao, that virtuous nephew! Not just like that Sui Origin Pill, even the moment of insight for my breakthrough was also thanks to him!"

Li Yuexiang's entrance interrupted their conversation. Li Chengliao quickly stepped forward, smiling:

"Aunt is here! This is Senior Yuan Huyuan and Young Master Fuyao of the Yuan Family."

The one who just spoke was indeed Yuan Huyuan, who, with a centenarian's age, had broken through to Foundation Establishment, credited to that one Sui Origin Pill—a great stroke of luck. The old man now looked decades younger, bearing the air of a high cultivator.

As for the youth behind him, he was striking in appearance, tall of stature, his expression steady, dressed in brocade clothes with a touch of noble grace.

After all, Yuan Huyuan himself had fine looks, so Yuan Fuyao was no less, a first-rate presence among cultivators. Li Yuexiang glanced at him briefly and caught a hint of amazement in his eyes.