The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1474: Fuxun (I)
Chapter 1474: Fuxun (I)
Master Jianghu’s original intent should have been good. Otherwise, she would not have held firm in silence all these years. Gao Fu must truly owe her some past favor as well. As a lord of his standing, there would be no need for him to quietly show goodwill toward me, a descendant of the Wei’s Li line, at such a sensitive moment. There must be some helplessness behind it. But there is certainly someone in the north pushing things along with the tide…
Li Zhouwei waited quietly, his thoughts gradually settling, But Tinglan and Houfu are no fools. Perhaps it would have worked a hundred years ago, but after Kuiqi’s death forced them to put away their lofty airs, trying to deal with things using the same old methods now… will not be easy.
Sure enough, after a short wait, the great void rippled. Purple light cascaded down, revealing a woman in purple robes. Her features were delicate, with fine brows and graceful eyes. She gave a slight bow and spoke gently, “My respects, Bolie King.”
Her manner was deeply respectful. The king before her gave a slight nod and replied, “So it is Shuxiu[1]. Congratulations on achieving divine ability. Since you left Qi, several of the old masters of the Formation Dao there still speak fondly of you. When news of you reached them in recent years, they were all delighted. Word even made its way to my royal palace.”
Li Zhouwei suddenly understood, Daoist Master Tinglan was also originally from Qi State. She was personally taken in as a disciple by Daoist Master Zipei. From the sound of things, she has known Bolie King for a long time… and unlike the cultivators of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, she might even share a ruler and subject relationship with Gao Fu.
Daoist Master Tinglan blinked lightly and said softly, “You have treated me generously. Shuxiu has always been grateful. Hearing that your carriage crossed the river today, I came specially to receive you. If I have overstepped… I ask your forgiveness.”
With a gentle gesture, the three of them stepped through the great void and descended onto a cliff by the river. There, facing the sandy shore and the surging river, a pavilion stood guarded by two attendants. As they landed within it, Li Zhouwei quietly let out a breath of relief.
It had to be said; Tinglan had arrived at just the right time. Only she could properly host Gao Fu. Otherwise, the two would have remained in an awkward standoff within the great void, all while having to consider the stance of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage.
The woman had effortlessly taken control of the situation. After taking her seat in the pavilion, she began preparing tea and said softly, “Bolie King, since you have traveled south, has the matter been settled?”
The broad and imposing Gao Fu sat down in the pavilion with an air of authority. Stroking his beard, he said, “More or less… the Huai River circuit had been established by Emperor Zhao Zhaowu in the past. For all these years, it has existed in name only, governing merely one or two commanderies. After the Duke of Xu State died suddenly, the capital already had intentions of conquest, yet it dragged on for so many years…
“Now, Chengyun Gate, the Capital Immortal Dao, and Xuanmiao Temple have all pledged themselves to Zhao Shuo and been reorganized into the Huai River Dao lineage. Fortunately, it was resolved with little difficulty and few casualties.”
In truth, Gao Fu’s southern journey was a conciliatory gesture toward the three immortal gates. It was also the result of disunity among the Buddhist cultivators and mutual constraints among the various factions. It was already the best outcome one could hope for in such circumstances.
Tinglan held little resentment toward Gao Fu and simply asked softly, “I wonder, how is the Pavilion of Profound Order recorded among the three sects[2] of Jiangbei?”
There seemed to be no sense of division between north and south as Gao Fu calmly sipped his tea and replied, “Daoist Master Changyun of the Chengyun Immortal Gate cultivates [Geng Metal]. His Dao lineage has now been verified. It traces back to ancient cultivators and falls under Douxuan[3].
“Daoist Master Yehui of the Capital Immortal Dao cultivates the [Capital Guard] Dao. His lineage is even clearer, and undoubtedly part of the Douxuan Dao lineage. As for Daoist Master Sumian of Xuanmiao Temple…”
Gao Fu’s expression grew solemn as he paused briefly. “I know this Daoist Master Sumian. It is said in the mountains that he has taken Qi Qiuxin to the outer-sea to find a place for secluded cultivation, to help her break through to the Purple Mansion Realm. Even the grandmaster statue was taken with them, leaving behind only a handwritten letter.”
With a hint of amusement, he said, “When the Buddhists come, we turn to the Buddhists. When Qi State comes, we turn to Qi. Should the Daoist gate fall in a single day, we relocate to Gehu Peak.”
Li Zhouwei frowned slightly to himself and thought, Sumian does have some ability. At the very least, he foresaw long ago that it would be Gao Fu who came south to settle matters…
As for ‘when Qi State comes, we turn to Qi,’ Bolie King was, in fact, the King of Qi. However, there was once a Qi Emperor whose end was far from good, and the Gao Family has no Dao lineage blood inheritance from him. Naturally, they could not use the title of Qi, so they adopted the name Bolie instead.
And Gehu Peak is precisely the spirit mountain formed from Changxi’s death!
After all, Xuanmiao belonged to the Tongxuan[4] Dao lineage and held no strong stance between north and south. It had even formed ties with many northern cultivators. With its Purple Mansion Realm expert away, no matter what turmoil arises, Xuanmiao Temple would not face a truly disastrous outcome. The final fallback Sumian left for them was that mountain.
Li Zhouwei merely frowned, while Tinglan began offering thanks. Soon, a group approached from the cliffside. Chen Yang came forward carrying a box of gold and iron, and said respectfully, “My respects to all the Daoist Masters!”
Uncertain of Bolie King’s attitude, the Li Family did not send any direct descendants, only allowing Chen Yang to step forward and present the box respectfully. “Master Jianghu passed away a few days ago. Before her death, she exhausted her cultivation, drawing seven talismans in succession. Her cultivation and blood essence were spent completely, and no significant phenomenon appeared. Everything she left is now inside this box.”
Li Zhouwei took the box from his hands. In that brief moment of contact, his spiritual sense swept over it before he passed it along to Gao Fu. Bolie King accepted the golden box and opened it gently. Inside were seven golden talismans and a small letter.
Golden Armor Profound Art Talismans.
Li Zhouwei already knew what was inside and was not surprised. Though the [Golden Armor Profound Art Talismans] were Foundation Establishment Realm talismans, they were rather unremarkable. They could merely form a suit of mana armor to defend against enemy spell arts.
Gao Fu’s pupils, however, widened. He fell silent, his throat tight, and put the items away. His commanding eyes closed and remained shut for a long time. When he finally opened them to read the letter, it contained only eight words, Jiangnan is peaceful. I was fortunate to die well.
She did not mention the Gao Family at all, only emphasizing that she had died a good death. Bolie King closed his eyes as he accepted it and gave a slight bow. “My thanks, young master.”
He spoke no further, instead stepping into the great void and vanishing.
Li Zhouwei bowed in farewell. Beside him, Tinglan flicked her finger lightly, and a purple curtain of light instantly enveloped the pavilion. She said softly, “Fellow Daoist Minghuang is indeed no ordinary figure!”
“My respects, senior.” Light flickered in Li Zhouwei’s eyes as he replied, “Thank you for resolving the situation!”
At his words, a chill rose in Tinglan’s eyes. She closed them and let out a heavy sigh. “If I hadn’t come, this would have turned troublesome…”
She seemed somewhat vexed and said quietly, “I did not know that Senior Gao Xijiang was within your esteemed family’s territory. Fortunately, your family handled it well. Otherwise, I would not know how to account for it now!”
Li Zhouwei’s gaze darkened as he asked, “Does the Gao Family have a divine ability cultivator surnamed Shilou?”
The question carried deep meaning, striking directly at the core of the issue. Li Zhouwei did not know the internal workings of the Gao Family, but the will of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator was always absolute. Bolie King clearly held old favor toward the Wei’s Li line, yet there were still opposing voices within the Gao Family. There was only one possibility—the opposition also came from a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator.
There is one, perhaps even more than one Purple Mansion Realm cultivator within the Gao Family who wishes to restore the Shilou name and sever ties with the Wei State. They likely used Master Jianghu’s status as an elder to compel her to cross the river… This just happens to align with the north’s need to sow discord. With both sides applying pressure, it led to Bolie King’s move south.
If Gao Fu had not come personally, then it would have been members of the Gao Family bearing the compound surname [Shilou]. The situation would have turned extremely ugly. That is why he had to come himself.
Tinglan studied him for a moment before replying, “Indeed. Shilou Wei and Shilou Yingge are both figures of the Gao Family… Over the years, the Gao Family has always had entanglements when it comes to serving Wei…”
Being from the land of Qi, she naturally understood the matter well. Otherwise, she would not have rushed over so urgently. A cold light flashed in her eyes as she said softly, “Senior Xijiang holds great prestige. In her remaining years, her only wish was to see the descendants of Wei…
“If anything had happened to her in your hands, or if she had been mistreated in the slightest, the northern factions would likely have immediately sent a [Shilou] Purple Mansion Realm cultivator south to cause a great disturbance and seize the chance to sever ties between the Gao and Li Families at once!
“But after waiting and waiting, Master Jianghu remained safe in your household. She still had a breath left, could discern right from wrong, and even left behind her final words. They had no choice but to settle for the next best move, forcing Gao Fu to come in person. On one hand, it stirs discord. On the other… this planted piece has instead turned to target Bolie King himself!”
She had only laid out half the scheme, yet Li Zhouwei already understood. His eyes narrowed as he picked up the thread. “The northern factions have just joined forces to scheme against the Buddhist cultivators and reap the benefits. Now retaliation has already arrived, forcing Bolie King to cross the river, yet no one is paying him any mind. The depth of their internal scheming and mutual harm is clear for all to see!”
In the current awkward situation for Wei’s Li, Bolie King, as a foreign-surnamed king of Zhao State, already had to bear significant suspicion. Yet when facing the Wei’s Li line, he remained courteous… Still, this same Bolie King, Gao Fu, was a man of loyalty and gratitude. Even in the same situation, he refused to utter even a simple ‘Fellow Daoist.’
Bolie King, together with Master Jianghu, bears no ill will toward my family. Master Jianghu’s original intent was merely to take a look at us…
Tinglan nodded lightly and said softly, “With things as they are, word will surely spread throughout the Huai River circuits that the Gao Family harbors ties to the Wei’s Li line. This is far from a good development for Bolie King.”
Li Zhouwei clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the surging river below the mountain. After a long silence, he said softly, “Bolie King carries himself with great presence. He has just persuaded the three immortal sects and holds little hostility toward the south. Naturally, there are many who wish to drive him away. They will not tolerate him for even a moment.”
Daoist Master Tinglan took a sip of tea in the pavilion and finally let the matter pass, asking instead, “Why is Zhaojing not here?”
Li Zhouwei understood what she meant. Had they known of the current situation beforehand, it would have been better for Li Ximing to come personally. But first, they had not known that Gao Fu would come south, nor the significance of his journey, making it impossible to prepare. Second… Li Ximing was not present.
Thus he said, “My senior is seeking spiritual flames. He has already gone to the outer-sea and will not be able to return anytime soon.”
“Spiritual flames…” Tinglan showed a trace of confusion and replied, “Is it being sought for you… There is no need to be so urgent…”
Seeing the concern in her expression, Li Zhouwei considered briefly and replied, “No. It is for a hereditary secret technique that requires Radiant Fire to perform. Since we have yet to obtain it, he has gone out to search for clues.”
Only then did Tinglan understand. After some thought, she said, “When it comes to Radiant Fire, it is known that only Hengzhu Dao Gate in Yue State possesses a portion. As for Wu State, the Qing family once had it as well, but they are all proud and aloof. Spiritual flames are not like ordinary items and are difficult to obtain through exchange.”
She spoke of Radiant Fire, but in truth, as long as his family obtained a portion of spiritual flames, they could likely exchange it for Radiant Fire using the [Yang Nourishing Technique]. However, Li Zhouwei understood its value and did not reveal it lightly. He simply shook his head with feigned disappointment.
Tinglan, however, took it seriously and said, “I previously suggested he look into the southern border. He could try there. I will also make some inquiries on my end. Once I have news, I will inform you.”
Li Zhouwei was somewhat surprised and nodded. Just as he was about to take his leave, Tinglan said softly, “These past few days… Zhugong’s injuries have continued to worsen. Compounding injuries are already troublesome, and a few days ago her dharma body even showed signs of collapse. It cannot be treated in the short term.
“Back in the Eastern Sea, Hengxing already held great dissatisfaction toward her and refused to have anything to do with her. A few days ago, Houfu examined her, but it proved difficult to handle. This time, I came originally to seek out Zhaojing.”
Li Zhouwei frowned to himself. He was not familiar with Zhugong, nor would he make decisions on Li Ximing’s behalf. He was even less inclined to get involved further, so he replied, “My senior will not be gone for long. When he returns, I will be sure to inform him.”
Tinglan nodded silently and soon departed from the pavilion, leaving Li Zhouwei standing in the mountain wind. Below him, the river surged, jagged rocks jutted out, and white waves crashed endlessly. Only when the sun finally set did he let out a long breath.
“Who can truly be free!”
1. This is the first appearance of this name. ☜
2. This is referring to the Three Sects: Azure Pond Sect, Golden Feather Sect, and Yue Cultivating Sect. ☜
3. One of the Three Profoundities. Refer back to Chapter 1291. ☜
4. One of the Three Profoundities. ☜
