The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1261: Deng Family (II)
Chapter 1261: Deng Family (II)
Li Zhouwei nodded slightly and replied, “Greetings, senior. How is your family doing now?”
Deng Yuzhi revealed a smile that was far from elegant and replied, “It has been quite good over the past hundred years. We were finally able to breathe easier after Chi Wei died. Ning Hejing and Chi Zhiyan, who bore great malice toward my family, also died, making things much lighter all at once. Some time ago, Chi Zhiyun passed away as well, and there was much mourning in the family.”
Li Zhouwei frowned slightly and asked, “Chi Zhiyun has fallen? Does your esteemed family still have any plans regarding the Chi Family?”
Deng Yuzhi replied, “When the head of the Chi Family was killed, I drew my sword and went out, intending to seize the chance to slaughter his entire household, from top to bottom. I was stopped halfway by my children.
“Perhaps I have spent too many years running between Yi Mountain City and Azure Pond Sect with no time to discipline them, but they do not acknowledge the crimes of generations being slaughtered. Chi Wei has been dead for over a hundred years. Who would care about some uncle or collateral branch that died a century ago? They only feel that I am cruel and fear that my impulsiveness will bring disaster upon them, and that when Chi Buzi returns, he will settle accounts with them.”
He took a sip of tea and spoke softly, “When I was in my twenties or thirties, my elder brother was killed. I hated them for more than a hundred years, believing that the Deng Family had been devoured generation after generation, that this blood feud was carved into our bones. If the great vengeance were ever to be repaid, every member of the Deng Family would wish to stake their lives. Yet when I returned home, it seemed that no one in the Deng Family knew of it anymore. Even those who knew did not feel hatred. They only felt they had been saved by Chi Zhiyun and no longer had to be devoured for a hundred years.”
He pressed his lips together, his hare lip trembling unsightly, as he continued, “My appearance is the result of my father cultivating a strange technique. My face is ugly. When I returned home after a hundred years, they found that my heart was ugly as well, believing that I sought to do things that would bring endless trouble to the family in revenge for my own ugliness. They did not know that I am no longer unable to change my appearance. I simply choose to remember it.
“I went back three times and wandered for dozens of circuits. In the end, it was meaningless. It seemed I no longer hated as much, so I left Simin Prefecture and came here.”
His tone was calm as he asked only one question, “And your esteemed family? The downfall of the Chi Family is due greatly to your family’s efforts. Now that some Chi Family mortals still survive, do you still intend to wipe out the Chi Family for revenge?”
Li Zhouwei remained silent as Deng Yuzhi continued, “This matter cannot truly be explained. Your family lost a sword immortal, while mine lost an unknown and insignificant Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator. It seems that your family’s grievance is more worthy of hatred. Yet in the end, are they both not the loss of a family member? But because he was a sword immortal, the hatred feels greater. As for a nameless nobody, no one cares even if he is killed. Who would? It’s just… he was my brother. That’s why the hatred runs deeper.”
He gave a self-deprecatory smile, his hare lip closing tightly, and took a brocade jade box from his sleeve as he said, “When I visited the Li Family back then, I met Senior Li Tongya and Daoist Li Xuanling. It is rare to see an old acquaintance, so I spoke a few extra words. I heard that you want the White Abundance Fan, and it is also rare to encounter a buyer as suitable as you.”
He placed the box on the table and gently opened it. Inside lay a pure white ivory fan, only the length of a forearm. It was smooth and fine, with a handle forged from dull, jet black dark iron.
Li Zhouwei immediately recognized it as a rather fine dharma artifact. His interest was immediately stirred, and he nodded slightly as he asked, “May I ask about the origin of this dharma artifact, and what does Daoist friend require?”
Deng Yuzhi smiled and replied, “This dharma artifact is one my ancestors obtained while following the Liang Emperor. When the Liang Emperor drowned, my forebears crossed the river and came south, preserving these spirit treasures. Later descendants proved unworthy and spent most of them. However, this particular dharma artifact fell into my hands. It should have been returned to the family, but I was deeply disappointed and left in haste. I did not expect that heaven, seeing the hardships of my first half of life, would show mercy, and that I would unexpectedly gain a son.”
There was now a hint of warmth in his gaze, making his face seem far less leering. Clearly, this newly gained child was dearly loved.
“A Boundless Essence Dao dharma artifact does not suit my use, and I am preparing to establish property for my offspring in the Unison Sea region. He cultivates Pit Water, and Boundless Essence transforms Pit[1] to dispel Radiance[2], which makes it even less suitable. Thus, I intended to find a means for my descendants to preserve their lives, and I took a liking to your gourd.
“The Mansion Water Dao suits both me and my young son extremely well.”
Li Zhouwei had once heard that the Deng Family cultivated a rare technique that used two kinds of qi together, Moonlit Frosty Qi and Falling Rain Settled Heart. The former was Supreme Yin, while the latter was Mansion Water, making it indeed suitable. He slowly shook his head and replied, “That is regrettable. First, there is still an imprint left behind by Changxiao Gate within this gourd. If it were to be passed down to descendants, it would bring endless trouble. Second, it ultimately belongs to someone else, and may be recognized sooner or later.”
Zhou Baiyun had clearly not explained the stakes thoroughly. Such intermediaries always revealed half and concealed half to facilitate a deal. Deng Yuzhi felt a slight chill in his heart, but then gave a faintly grateful smile and replied, “My sincere thanks, Daoist friend. That is one matter. The items within your storage pouch are also what I need to establish a formation, but without the gourd, it would be difficult to make the exchange.”
He did not mention the few dharma artifacts from Golden Tang Gate, as their quality was somewhat inferior. They were clearly unsuited to the Deng father and son.
Li Zhouwei nodded thoughtfully. He was also deeply interested in the White Abundance Fan and could not afford to miss it. The Mansion Water gourd was far weaker in comparison. Moreover, since the contents within were not consumed, its value was naturally reduced.
He simply said, “I am extremely fond of the White Abundance Fan. I see that senior is not pressed for a day or two. I must travel far to meet a senior and will pass through many places along the way. It would be best to deal with the gourd on the road, refurbish its appearance, and have a high cultivator erase it cleanly, so that it is whole and proper.”
Deng Yuzhi nodded slightly, and Li Zhouwei continued, “The owner of this item bears the surname Zhuang and was one of those ambushed and killed. If there is a chance to resolve it completely, one can feel more at ease.”
After a few more exchanges, Deng Yuzhi still looked uncertain and rose to leave. Li Zhouwei happened to find Zhou Baiyun coming in and asked, “Do you know whether there are maps of Lie Sea sold in the marketplaces?”
The Lie Sea was likely a newly established Dragon Clan herding sea. Zhou Baiyun shook his head in confusion. Li Zhouwei could only recall Dongfang Heyun’s words, that the Lie Sea lay east of the Reef Sea, beyond the Unison Sea and into the outer-sea, and thus said, “Then take a map of the Reef Sea.”
Zhou Baiyun hurried off. Li Zhouwei remained alone in the pavilion, reading secret techniques for a time. When the man returned and respectfully handed the map over, Li Zhouwei smiled and said, “Gongsun Baiyun. Your elder brother serves under the Baiye Capital Immortal Dao. How could he bear to let you remain here in the Unison Sea as a rogue cultivator?”
The man was instantly stricken with fear. He was not ignorant of inland affairs, and Moongaze Lake had once fought against the Baiye Capital Immortal Dao. He could only bow and reply, “My elder brother formed his Immortal Foundation long ago and spent many years of savings to help me, his foolish and incompetent younger brother, reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. Yet he did not wish for two birds to perch on the same branch, fearing that if anything happened, we brothers would perish together.
“He said that although the mainland is prosperous, it is extremely dangerous. One side is the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, while the other is the Capital Immortal Profound Mountain. He would not allow me to go, nor allow me to use the Gongsun surname, yet each year he sends resources to the outer-sea. When one day I have enough to establish myself, build a household, and found a sect, only then will he be at ease.”
1. Referring to the Pit of Pit Water. ☜
2. Referring to the Radiance of Radiant Fire, and Radiant Light. ☜
