Chapter 18: Three Years

Lijing Village had been in turmoil until late last night, yet by the time the roosters crowed, the villagers were already awake. The early autumn morning air was sweet and crisp, with dew glistening like crystal, but a sense of desolation hung over the village.

The Liu and Li families had set out some dry rations, and the refugees huddled together at the village entrance to eat. The middle-aged leader looked at the twenty or so people beside him with deep anxiety, thinking to himself

"It is truly a bitter situation with no way to speak of it. Having killed their leader, let alone staying, we won't even be able to escape."

A commotion broke out among the refugees as they all looked up toward the mountain path. Someone shouted

"There is someone on the road! Look at that old man!"

They saw a gray-haired old farmer walking along the winding path. His clothes and arms were stained with blood; his left hand struggled to drag a bloody corpse, while his right hand carried a hoe upon which hung a mangled, hair-strewn head.

"It's that assassin!"

The sharp-eyed ones recognized the clothing of the headless corpse and felt a chill run down their spines. They had only escaped during the night, yet by morning, the head had been taken. They did not know who this old man was, but the Li family truly possessed immense power.

Seeing Old Man Xu approaching, the people on both sides hurriedly scrambled out of the way, clearing a path.

Old Man Xu, however, was pale-faced, his eyes vacant as he trudged along. He did not spare a single glance at the crowd, walking solely for himself.

By the time he reached the courtyard of the Li family at the end of the village, tenants had already sent word. The Li family opened the gates, and Li Mutian, looking exhausted, led his family members to meet him at the entrance.

"Uncle Xu, what is this..."

"That remnant of the Yuan family... told me to kill him. The corpses are all here. Have Liu Linfeng and Tian Shoushui come and identify them."

Old Man Xu's body was hunched, his hands and feet icy cold. He dropped the corpses onto the ground and sat down, gasping for breath.

Li Tongya hurried from the inner room with tea to offer to Old Man Xu, but the old man's limbs were trembling so much he could not even hold the cup; he could only sip as Li Tongya held it to his lips.

Before long, Liu Linfeng, Tian Shoushui, and the eldest son of the Xu family arrived together. Old Man Xu recounted the entire sequence of events before the crowd. After several confirmations, it was indeed that remnant of the Yuan family.

"Uncle Xu, my eldest brother has had his vengeance. The Li family is eternally grateful..." As Li Tongya spoke with reddened eyes, Old Man Xu made an effort to wave him off, speaking through tears

"You need not thank me. I received kindness from Hu'er, so I killed this man in his stead. I will never use this favor to seek the wealth or status of your Li family. This old man has only a few years left to live. If you truly wish to show your gratitude, then when that child is born, bring him to visit me."

Having said this, he struggled to his feet and, ignoring the Li family's pleas to stay, left the courtyard supported by the eldest Xu son.

The Li family's funeral lasted several days, with white banners and mourning clothes hanging throughout the courtyard. Because Li Changhu had been generous and righteous in life, weeping could be heard from every household. Amidst the busy affairs, Li Tongya's preparations for his breakthrough were repeatedly postponed, until two months after Li Changhu's burial that he finally stabilized his mind, condensed the Profound Landscape Wheel, and stepped through the gates of immortal cultivation.

————

Two years later.

The bright morning sunlight projected onto a few sparse small trees in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows across the grounds. Sitting cross-legged beneath the trees was a handsome young man, fully concentrated on his breathing exercises.

After a short while, he exhaled a long breath of turbid air, withdrew his hand seals, and looked into the courtyard with a smile.

A boy of about two years old, clutching a few wildflowers, came skipping into the backyard, laughing happily. He spoke in babbling tones

"Un... hug..."

Li Chijing smiled and reached out to gently scoop the child up, resting his head against the boy's small noggin as he asked warmly

"Was Xuan'er well-behaved today?"

"Hug... want..." The child ignored him, giggling and squirming in Li Chijing's arms.

"Xuan'er! Come out quickly!"

Lady Ren did not dare enter the backyard, calling out in a low voice from the courtyard entrance.

Setting the child down, Li Chijing watched with a smile as the boy skipped into his mother's arms. He spoke softly

"This Circulating Wheel is truly difficult to cultivate. After a full year and a half, it is finally about to be completed!"

"Jing'er, you are so ungrateful!"

Li Xiangping stood up from behind him, laughing and scolding in a low voice

"We have only just completed the second level of the Fetal Breath—the Bearing Light Wheel, and haven't even touched the edge of the third level, the Circulating Wheel, yet you complain that cultivation is too slow and wasting your time!"

Li Chijing chuckled and did not answer, continuing on his own

"Tonight, I can begin condensing the Circulating Wheel, so I can show you all what it means for dharma power to flow and circulate without end."

"You child."

Li Xiangping laughed heartily. Seeing Li Mutian walking into the backyard with his hands behind his back, he lowered his head and called out

"Father."

Li Mutian had changed significantly over these two years; his hair was graying, his wrinkles were deep, and he often maintained a stern, humorless expression, looking more than ten years older.

"Xuanxuan is truly a mischievous child!"

Upon seeing his grandson, Li Xuanxuan, a smile finally appeared on Li Mutian's face. After Li Changhu's death, the old man had lost his appetite and suffered from constant fatigue; the birth of this posthumous child had undoubtedly injected new life into him, allowing him to pull himself together again.

As soon as Li Xuanxuan was born, Li Mutian had risen from his bed and gathered the Li family, instructing Li Xiangping to find three incantations from the *Guiding Method* to serve as the generational order for the Li family henceforth.

After several days of careful deliberation, Li Xiangping selected three phrases describing the methods of Fetal Breath from the book. These three phrases were

"Profound Landscape is clear and deep, the dawn and moon bear the light. The circulation reaches the celestial gates, thus speaking of the primordial essence. The Jade Capital reflects the image, seeing only the beginning of spirit."

The names of Li Tongya, Li Xiangping, and their children would be taken from this "Profound Landscape" (Xuanjing): boys would take "Xuan" (Profound), girls would take "Jing" (Landscape), and so on.

Li Mutian had also consulted Lady Ren. Ren Ping'er had pondered for a night and chose the character "Xuan" (to declare/proclaim), thus forming the name of Li Changhu's posthumous son: Li Xuanxuan.

"It is perhaps that Father dotes on him too much," Li Tongya said with a smile, shaking his head as he placed a wooden slip onto a shelf.

"Nonsense!"

Li Mutian feigned anger, shouting with a twitch of his beard, before turning serious

"I want Ye Sheng to stay by my side and learn more."

"Li Yesheng?"

Li Tongya pondered for a few moments before speaking

"That is indeed a good idea. Li Yesheng is all alone and is exceptionally close to our family. As we cultivate incantations and breathe in spiritual energy, we will have no time to manage worldly affairs. Since Li Yesheng carries the Li bloodline, he is the most suitable choice."

"I only fear that as time passes, the man might develop selfish intentions and engage in embezzlement..." Li Chijing asked with a frown.

"I can still live another ten years; I can at least keep him in check!"

Li Mutian's tone was forceful as he continued coldly

"By the time ten years have passed and the grandchildren's generation has grown, there will be no chance for him to harbor any improper thoughts!"

"To govern people, one must balance kindness with authority. Once Li Yesheng marries and has children, everything will be easy to manage," Li Xiangping said calmly.

"Precisely."

Li Chijing took a wooden slip from the shelf, blew off the dust, and chuckled softly

"Ten years of immortal cultivation... it truly makes one look forward to it."