Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 277 254 Jade Courtyard Guards

Li Xuanxuan paused, allowing Li Tongya to absorb the good news before continuing,

"With this Jade Well, there's no need to undertake massive construction work. Now that father Zhongqing has reached the Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level, our Li Family has shallow roots and far too few Qi Cultivators. We don't have enough people to watch over our territory. Shouldn't we also distribute the 'White-haired Courtyard Bowing Scripture' to cultivate some cultivators with proper backgrounds?"

"Indeed!"

Li Tongya's eyes lit up. This Jade Well, which refines the Cold Armor Qi, wasn't something that could be easily constructed. It required many intricacies and had to be combined with numerous Talisman Scripts. With the Jade Well on Jade Court Mountain, this saved him quite a bit of effort.

After considering for a moment, Li Tongya replied,

"Then let's select some loyal and clean-background Spiritual Aperture Seeds. This Cultivation Technique can quickly gather the Six Wheels and train Qi Cultivators. Be careful not to teach it lightly, in case you cannot keep them in check."

Li Xuanxuan nodded and replied,

"I plan to select six loyal individuals to start training. On a daily basis, they will be placed under the Clan Head Courtyard's jurisdiction, handling enforcement matters. It's just that, I haven't thought of a name for this division yet."

Having spent decades in a position of power, Li Xuanxuan naturally knew the essentials. He approached with a beaming smile, took the pen and ink, and presented them with both hands. Li Tongya chuckled, took up the pen, and said,

"It's not that you haven't thought of a good name! You were waiting for me to do it."

So after another moment's thought, he wrote three characters with a silver brushstroke and golden hook, crisp and efficient, and explained,

"I have read both the 'White-haired Courtyard Bowing Scripture' and the 'Courtyard Guarding Scripture.' The Taoist Foundation in the former is called 'Jade Court General,' and in the latter 'Court Guard.' Let's just call them 'Jade Courtyard Guards!'"

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Eastern Shanyue.

The morning sun's brilliance rose from the east, climbing over the thatched cottages and fences. The commoners were just waking from their slumbers, hunters went to hunt, and farmers to the fields. In previous years, Eastern Shanyue suffered greatly from war, the ground littered with corpses. People from the Li Family, together with Shamo Li, had governed with great effort over the past few years, bringing many Eastern people and related systems to regulate officials and nobles, which had made life much better in recent years.

A rickety carriage rolled across the muddy road, catching the attention of many Shanyue who looked up. Shamo Li sat steadily inside the carriage compartment, a singing girl sitting on each side of his spread legs, leaning into his embrace. While Shamo Li's large hand caressed a girl's shoulder, his thoughts drifted far away.

"The dragon serpents certainly make an impressive display..."

Though the Li Family now had control over all of Eastern Shanyue, being a Qi Cultivator himself, Shamo Li was aware of the big commotion caused by the Li Family the night before. However, seeing the Dharma Light swirling on the eastern side and two dragon serpent-like Spells churning up and down made him quite uneasy.

"Could it be a conflict with the An Family... After all, Li Tongya is a peak Qi Cultivating Sword Cultivator. He shouldn't have a problem overturning An Zhiyan. Just don't start a fight with the Yu Family..."

Shamo Li was conscious that both the Yu and Li Families had strong backing within their sects, but the Yu Family had two extra Foundation Establishments, making them much stronger than the Li Family. If a fight broke out, the Li Family might not be able to withstand it.

"If the Li Family falls, how can I, the King of Shanyue, keep my seat? Even preserving my life will be difficult!"

Although Shamo Li was pressured by the Li Family, he was living comfortably. His greatest fantasy was for the Li Family to weaken rather than perish. He had heard that the Yu Family was ruthless in their actions, and if they attacked, Shamo Li could only pack up and become a Loose Cultivator.

"Shamo Li! Shamo Li!"

Lost in thought inside the carriage, Shamo Li was startled when the curtain was suddenly lifted and a young man with short eyebrows and long eyes squeezed in. Shamo Li's expression turned sour for a moment, but he quickly put on a smile and answered,

"It turns out to be Brother Tian Rong. What brings you to me?"

Tian Rong's gaze lingered reluctantly on the singing girl, annoying Shamo Li, until he seemingly realized and shifted his gaze, saying,

"There isn't much to do in Shanyue, apart from enjoying your company."

Tian Rong was indeed the son of Tian Youdao; having been driven to the Shanyue region, Tian Rong, who had always been a debauched playboy, naturally latched onto Shamo Li. At first, Shamo Li thought he had connected with the Tian Clan and was overjoyed, treating him with great hospitality.

But after just three days, Shamo Li realized that this man was a total waste, not only stubborn but also very restless. The words he spoke were so unbelievable that even Shamo Li, of half-baked Shanyue origin, wished he could drive him out of the palace.

Although Tian Rong was a waste, he was the only son of Tian Youdao from the Tian Clan, and Shamo Li did not want to make enemies needlessly. He could only dodge and hide by driving his chariot. Little did he expect that Tian Rong would be so oblivious and chase him all this way, leaving him at a loss for what to feel.

"Alas."

Shamo Li sighed, listening to Tian Rong's nonsensical filthy talk, and thought to himself:

"I heard that Tian Youdao was quite formidable, being a senior member of the Li Family. How could he have such a son! Life is truly unpredictable…"

As Shamo Li was dozily listening, his ears suddenly perked up when he heard a clear voice outside:

"Tian Zhongqing pays his respects to the Great King."

"Come in quickly!"

Eager to interrupt Tian Rong, Shamo Li suddenly sat upright. Although Tian Zhongqing could not compare to the main family's cultivators, he was considered a not too big, not too small genius among the external surnames. Shamo Li was instantly delighted and unceremoniously interrupted Tian Rong.

"Whoosh!"

The thick curtains were lifted in an instant, letting in the brilliant sunlight outside. Tian Zhongqing had a well-proportioned face and looked steady. Although he did not think highly of this barbarian, he still gave him enough face and said politely:

"Great King!"

With a quick glance, the sneaky-looking Tian Rong in the corner caught his eye. Tian Zhongqing was shocked, and a burning rage surged in his heart as he exclaimed:

"What are you doing here!"

Tian Rong kept his head down and said nothing. Shamo Li's face turned awkward, and he felt extreme disgust for the man. Not offering Tian Rong any way to save face, Tian Zhongqing immediately understood from their expressions and thought angrily:

"I told him not to get too close to Shamo Li… but it went in one ear and out the other!"

Tian Zhongqing's heart was pounding, wishing he could slap the man to death, but Tian Rong was the only son of Tian Youdao. Tian Youdao not only had great kindness towards Tian Zhongqing, but was also the main pillar of the Tian Clan, so Tian Zhongqing had to suppress his rage and said to Shamo Li with a bow:

"The Family Head has summoned you; please go to Lijing Mountain and pay a visit!"

Shamo Li was suddenly shocked and asked tremulously:

"May I ask, sir, if anything was mentioned about the matter?"

Tian Zhongqing shook his head and replied:

"Just to pay a visit."

After saying that, he bowed, waved his sleeve, and left, jumping off the chart and walking away. Tian Zhongqing became angrier the more he thought about it, but then his anger turned to fear, and he thought to himself:

"My mistake that led to the family's exile to the west might not be entirely bad; Tian Rong's nature is bound to cause trouble sooner or later…"

After waiting for a while, Tian Zhongqing still couldn't wait for Tian Rong to come down. Listening carefully, he could still hear Tian Rong's complaints and Shamo Li's impatient responses coming from inside the chariot. Tian Zhongqing felt his anger was uncontrollable and said bitterly:

"The one sure to bring disaster in the future will definitely be this kid!"