The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1473: Bolie King (II)
Chapter 1473: Bolie King (II)
With a single step, Li Zhouwei arrived in the great void. Surging Radiant Light and white qi flowed from him, taking the shape of qilin beasts that circled around him. Though he held no weapon, he stood with hands behind his back, his voice like thunder, “Which Fellow Daoist comes to visit?!”
Flames grew from a point within the great void. True Fire blazed fiercely, like a waterfall coming down to form a river, spreading through the void and forming a domain of fire. Within it appeared a middle-aged man.
He looked to be in his middle years, and was dressed in elaborate attire. His upper garment was snow white, with a bright red robe hem. A black cloak draped over his shoulders. He was broad, imposing, and strikingly handsome, with a high nose bridge, fine beard, and thick brows.
Within his imposing eyes, True Fire surged and flowed. Even from afar, his gaze heated the great void, as though one stood within flames.
True Fire burned brightly, reflected within the void. The golden-eyed man said quietly, tinged with doubt, “So it is Bolie King!”
This man was none other than Gao Fu, Bolie King of the Gao Family. A mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivator with three True Fire divine abilities, he had been traveling south, persuading various families to surrender!
He was widely renowned and immensely powerful, a famous northern king. Long ago, he had earned a reputation for slaying demons at Ying Lake and bringing order to the Qi lands. During the conflict between north and south, when the balance of power was uneven, he had been invited to stand guard. Even Daoist Master Qiushui and Daoist Master Yuanxiu would give him due respect. Li Zhouwei immediately recognized him from the True Fire and his distinctive beard and brows!
Bolie King has crossed the river…
The Gao Family had not played a negative role in this matter, yet crossing the river like this still invited suspicion. Li Zhouwei could only nod slightly and said aloud, “I did not know Bolie King would arrive. I have failed to welcome you properly.”
Yet the king who commanded True Fire remained motionless within the flames, like a statue. True Fire burned within his eyes, yet he gazed at Li Zhouwei in silence, even with a hint of confusion.
A full breath passed before the famed, majestic king with the fine beard finally spoke. His expression was extremely complex. Though his voice was strong and resonant, it carried a trace of hoarseness.
“This humble king greets… greets… the young master.”
He did not address him as Daoist Master, did not ask for his Dao title, nor did he call him the lord of the lake or head of the Li Family. After several hesitations, he chose instead the title young master.
Li Zhouwei was slightly surprised and did not know how to respond. Li Zhouwei was not unaware of the Gao Family’s origins. Their original surname had been Shilou, bestowed upon them by the Wei Emperor, from which they rose to prominence. In their early years, the Gao Family had always upheld the Wei orthodox line, and the lands of Qi lay directly north of Ning State at the time. The two sides had supported each other to survive.
Even during the chaotic end of the Liang era, up until the fall of the Yan King, Murong Dechang, the Gao Family still upheld the banner of honoring Wei. This had caused the various families who had entered the pass to ridicule them, and there were even voices within the family calling for a return to their original surname, Shilou.
Back in the Great Ning Palace, some had even openly called the Gao Family nothing more than Shilou dogs and horses. Li Zhouwei had not expected that the current Bolie King would still show him this measure of goodwill, so he could only reply, “May I ask what brings the great king here?”
Most of the Hu people had deep-set eyes. Gao Fu’s True Fire-filled gaze seemed especially profound. He had already calmed considerably and said softly, “This visit is not for official matters. I have come with a personal matter to ask about.”
Li Zhouwei remained slightly wary. “Please, go ahead.”
Gao Fu sighed. “I have an aunt, surname Gao, named Xijiang. She cared for me greatly since childhood. Yet she wished to travel the world and often wandered across various lands. In earlier years she was in Jiangbei, and later she went to Jiangnan. Now that her lifespan has ended, I have come to bring her back. Whether it be returning her remains or only her clothing and bones, I will bury her in Ying Mound.
“Unfortunately, we no longer know the paths beyond Jiangnan. She also used a Dao title while traveling, so I have come specifically to ask here at the lake, hoping you might help me search for her.”
Li Zhouwei found it strange and raised his head. He replied, “I see. May I ask what Dao title your elder used? I will search on your behalf.”
Gao Fu’s eyes, reflecting True Fire, looked over. At last, he met Li Zhouwei’s gaze directly, his voice calm, “Her Dao title is… Master Jianghu[1].”
At these words, Li Zhouwei froze for a moment, meeting his gaze as his expression shifted several times.
The name Master Jianghu might be unfamiliar to Li Ximing, but Li Zhouwei recalled immediately who it was. Back when the Mifan Sect confronted Moongaze Lake and launched repeated incursions, until Li Ximing broke through to Purple Mansion Realm, some of the weaker and injured cultivators from Floating Cloud Cave had been captured and brought over. This had included a certain Master Jianghu!
At the time, Li Ximing noticed she was from Zhao State and found it somewhat unusual. Seeing the pure qi surrounding her, he allowed her to cultivate in the Wilderness around the lake…
But meeting Gao Fu’s meaningful gaze, Li Zhouwei suddenly understood in his heart, The Gao Family still harbors loyalty to Wei State. This old cultivator likely came south to observe the bloodline of Wei’s Li… Perhaps she did not dare to stand openly with the lake, so she chose the opposite path, residing at Floating Cloud Cave to watch how things would unfold…
Yet Li Zhouwei still had his doubts. Putting on a look of surprise, he asked, “So Master Jianghu is actually a senior of the Gao Family. To have remained silent all these years, my family has truly been discourteous… However, I have been in seclusion for the past few years attempting a breakthrough and have only just returned. I am not familiar with the situation of the rogue cultivators in the Wilderness, but I will inquire for you at once.”
Gao Fu’s eyes held a faint smile as he nodded lightly. His soft voice drifted quietly into Li Zhouwei’s ears through divine ability, soft and distant, “At her age, the old one holds death in mind in all things. How would she dare otherwise?”
The intent behind his words was obvious, perhaps too obvious. It could only be conveyed privately through divine ability. Li Zhouwei fell silent for a moment, then shook his head, “Please wait a moment, great king.”
He turned silently and sent someone to fetch her, while thoughts flickered rapidly through his mind, Master Jianghu has been in the Wilderness all these years. Do the other families know? They likely do not…
Gao Fu came personally. Could it really be just to retrieve an elder? When he appeared in the great void by the lake, did Tinglan notice?
No matter how he considered it, the man before him had already withdrawn his protective divine ability and seemed far more approachable, yet his eyes still regarded him with a heavy seriousness.
Li Zhouwei replayed his words in his mind, and a chill suddenly rose within him.
Master Jianghu’s joining Floating Cloud Cave was likely of her own will. But who arranged for her to end up in the hands of the Daoist Master back then? She was already frail and worn by age. If she had been killed by my people at that time, how would Gao Fu have responded? Would he still have come here in such a calm and courteous manner?
His golden eyes flickered slightly as his thoughts sank deeper and deeper, The Bolie King before me… may have already seen through everything. Someone wants discord between Gao and Li, and he has no choice but to endure it… And what of my family? At such a sensitive time, the Gao Family comes seeking the remains of an elder. Even the Supreme Yang Dao lineage would find nothing to smile about…
1. Master Jianghu first appeared in Chapter 1045 and is also in Chapter 1046, 1084. 1095. ☜
