Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 197 - 183: Discussion in the Hall

"Has the Li Family gone mad? Green Pond Sect drew a boundary with Shanyue, yet he dares to brazenly lead troops across the border... Even if the Zifu of Shanyue have been in seclusion for years, are the Foundation Establishment cultivators on Witch Mountain stones? To just watch idly?"

Yu Mugao rubbed his temple, his heart full of confusion, and looked at the two Qi Cultivating Peak subordinates lower down, speaking in a grave voice:

"Did you see clearly?"

"Reporting to the Family Head, the Li Family obtained the progeny of the previous king of Eastern Shanyue, under the pretense of reclaiming the throne... perhaps for this reason... Witch Mountain did not realize it and failed to stop them."

One of them stepped forward, clasped his hands, and explained, to which Yu Mugao glanced at him and replied:

"As if I couldn't see through Li Family's tactics myself. You don't understand; this is most likely offending Witch Mountain, a dangerous move, something not in Li Tongya's nature to do!"

"The few individuals on Witch Mountain are not the forgiving kind, though they are not fond of direct confrontation, their witchcraft is notoriously sinister. Back then, Li Xiangping did not know that Shanyue was guarded by Witch Mountain, led people deep into its territory, and was cursed to death by the people of Witch Mountain, a recent warning that should not be forgotten—Li Tongya is cautious by nature, how could he do this?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Yu Mugao's words left everyone below speechless, with bowed heads deeply in thought. He stroked his chin; in recent years, the Secret Forest County of the Yu Family had been troubled by many issues. Yu Mugao knew someone was behind the scenes stirring chaos, diverting the Yu Family's attention, yet he could not allow the situation to deteriorate, and before he knew it, the Li Family had caused another incident, making him utterly vexed.

"Could it be that there's something wrong with Witch Mountain..."

After ruling out many factors, Yu Mugao finally arrived at an unlikely conclusion and said in a deep voice:

"Bring me paper and ink, I will write a letter to inquire with Muxian."

His subordinates quickly handed over the paper and ink, and after Yu Mugao finished the letter, he saw his eldest son cautiously step forward and say in a low voice:

"Family Head, Eastern Shanyue has been forced to pay tribute to the Li Family, supporting the Li Family's various towns with the people's resources. The Li Family's actions seem to have simply replaced the ruler with a more loyal one from Shanyue, yet it seems to be of no significant gain to them…"

Yu Mugao was stunned, his chest felt tight, and he cursed:

"Idiot! Before they paid tribute to the Li Family, but henceforth Eastern Shanyue will become a vassal of the Li Family—the control over Spiritual Fields and Spiritual Objects entirely in the hands of the Li Family. The difference here is not slight; how could such words come out of your mouth?!"

The young man's face turned pale as he withdrew; Yu Mugao angrily slammed the table and shouted:

"You've been listening here in vain; get out, and let your younger brother come tomorrow!"

Watching his eldest son retreat in defeat, Yu Mugao's heart was filled with stifling irritation, and he said with narrowed eyes and a cold voice:

"Yet we can't let the Li Family do as they please indefinitely, letting Li Tongya grow too powerful. We must think of a way to suppress them."

————

As the capital of Eastern Shanyue, Muluk Town also had a population of a full twenty thousand, comparable to one of the Li Family's four towns. Mu Jiaoman, when in power, was still diligent, building four roads to the Four Territories, which greatly facilitated the movement of Li Family's troops, and in just one night, they reached Muluk Town.

The gates of Muluk Town were wide open, and in front of the gates, a slew of Shanyue nobles knelt, including two Qi Cultivators, standing with a bow, but the dark carriage simply disregarded them, driving straight into the city, heading for the palace.

The carriage, with a host of troops, entered the palace and stopped in front of the hall. In front of the bloodstained hall knelt a crowd of Shanyue ministers. Li Yuanxiu stepped down from the carriage, with Chen Donghe silently following behind, his gaze sweeping over the people and settling on the woman at the forefront.

Li Yuanxiu stepped forward and helped Li Feiruo up, smiling and saying:

"Auntie has preserved the palace's Array for our family, capable of withstanding the attacks of ordinary Qi Cultivators. Auntie is indeed a great contributor to this battle!"

Li Feiruo smiled faintly and stood up, speaking softly:

"The nobles, upon hearing of our senior's arrival, were so frightened that they were in disarray, all wanting to surrender. Feiruo hasn't done anything significant, I merely acted as a coordinator!"

After a modest exchange, Li Feiruo clapped her hands, and some Shanyue lifted two corpses forward, thudding them down in front of the steps. Li Feiruo explained:

"These two were Qi Mu's Shaman and his lackey Zhong Yudai, both of whom have been executed."

Li Yuanxiu nodded lightly, and two people stepped forward to confirm their identities. Li Feiruo then had people bring out the three children of Qi Mu, announcing loudly:

"Qi Mu slaughtered all his brothers, now only Shamo Li and these three offspring remain of Mu Jiaoman's lineage. Feiruo thought they might be of use to the main family, so I detained them earlier, waiting for the Young Master to decide."

"What use could they possibly be, kill them."

Li Yuanxiu smiled faintly, bypassing everyone, entering the inner hall with Li Feiruo, as cries and screams echoed from behind. The two, as if they heard nothing, stood still in the sparkling clean inner hall, while clan soldiers swiftly took their positions on both sides, giving the empty hall a solemn appearance.

"What is this object?"

Li Yuanxiu looked up at the throne above and saw a brown spherical object hanging in the center, swaying as it overlooked the people below.

"The Eye of Ganixi."

Li Feiruo replied indifferently, causing Li Yuanxiu to pause briefly before Li Feiruo continued,

"Mu Jiaoman got hold of Ganixi's corpse, preserving his eyes from the Foundation Establishment Realm with sacrificial refinement so they would not rot, and hung them above the throne, looming over everyone…"

"The customs of the Shanyue are indeed chilling."

Li Yuanxiu glanced at the dark brown eye and felt a strange sense of familiarity, but he didn't dwell on it and quietly ordered,

"Take it down to be used in a sacrifice for Lord Xiangping."

"Yes!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than two clan soldiers stepped forward to remove the eye. Li Yuanxiu gave it another look before turning to Li Feiruo and saying,

"Aunt has never had children…"

"I did once, but they were harmed by Mu Jiaoman."

Li Feiruo stroked her belly, looking faintly weary. Li Yuanxiu, at a loss for words and feeling somewhat apologetic, said quietly,

"Aunt has had a tough time over the years. Is there something you desire…?"

A smile curved Li Feiruo's lips as she slowly knelt and replied,

"Indeed, there is one matter. I am barely over thirty, and I hope to take a cultivator from the family as my husband, to bear a son or a daughter for comfort in my remaining years."

Li Feiruo's answer surprised Li Yuanxiu, yet it also made sense. Li Yuanxiu nodded in agreement, just as the hall doors swung open without a gust of wind, startlingly wide, and the clan soldiers fell to their knees in unison. A middle-aged man landed in the hall on a gust of wind, a sword carried on his back and another by his waist, exuding a majestic aura as he walked in.

"Xiu'er pays respect to Great-Uncle!"

Li Yuanxiu's expression grew solemn, and he promptly knelt down. Although Li Feiruo didn't recognize the man before her, she could tell from everyone else's reaction, and she too knelt down, saying respectfully,

"Feiruo greets the great ancestor!"

"There's no need for such formalities."

Li Tongya nodded approvingly, looking over at Li Feiruo and saying warmly,

"Well done, you've saved our family a lot of trouble. Which branch are you from?"

"My father, Li Yesheng, was Lord Xiangping's steward… Li Xiewen is my elder brother!"

Li Feiruo replied with respectful deference, and Li Tongya smiled as he gestured with a sweep of his hand,

"So you are Yesheng's daughter, then you definitely can't be wrong, you have your father's style! Back then, I had Xuan'er send one of our sect's women over, never expecting it to be you."

Li Feiruo smiled and expressed her gratitude. Li Tongya extended his hand, and the eye flew from the hand of an attendant into his presence.

That dark brown eye had once been filled with ruthlessness and cunning, looking down upon all beings, but now it was left with only a dull lifelessness. Li Tongya looked closely and sighed,

"Ganixi... once forced our family into an embarrassing predicament, truly a man of talent. Fortunately, he died at the hands of a Zifu from Shanyue…"

Li Yuanxiu, being young, was not very familiar with that part of history. Li Feiruo, having spent many years in Shanyue, was somewhat acquainted with it and lifted her head slightly, explaining softly,

"I've heard that Ganixi was a son of a slave and half-brother to Mu Jiaoman, who acquired an ancient secret technique and attained Qi Cultivation. When he reached Foundation Establishment, he was merely in his forties, truly a genius."

Li Tongya's brows furrowed, and he pondered to himself,

"What ancient secret technique… Even with the technique, without the necessary Qi, it's likely that the Zifu of Shanyue deliberately arranged this opportunity…"

Slightly raising his eyebrows, he asked in a deep voice,

"Do you know what kind of Immortal Foundation Ganixi had cultivated?"

"Mu Jiaoman once mentioned, while crying over wine and reminiscing Ganixi, that the Immortal Foundation was domineering and vast, mysterious and unfathomable."

Li Feiruo thought for a moment, then with a slight pause, she declared in a serious tone,

"It's called 'Emperor's Mandate'!"