novelraw Chapter 295 - 270 Upper Sect’s Call to Arms
Chapter 295 - 270 Upper Sect’s Call to Arms
The Li Family’s nuptial affair was sudden, but the wedding invitations were indeed delivered into every hand. All families above Qi Cultivation around the lake received an invitation, except for the Yu Family who did not show up. All of the Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators from the West Bank sent representatives to observe the ceremony. Interestingly, Fei Wangbai did not come himself but sent his direct grandson Fei Tongyu in his place.
Fei Tongyu maintained the usual grace of a Fei Clan gentleman, holding a fan in his hand while standing amidst the guests, speaking politely but without much joy. He observed the goings-on of the Li Family, and as he watched Li Yuanjiao, who held a cup at the head of the table, worries filled his heart.
"Li Yuanjiao... at the peak of Fetal Breathing... what rapid progress in cultivation. Although Li Qinghong is not seen at the banquet, with her talent, she must be at least at the fifth layer of Fetal Breathing by now! The Li Family’s power is becoming too brilliant; I fear this is not good."
Fei Tongyu set down his cup and glanced at a young man sitting quietly in a prominent seat, drinking silently. Seeing no sign of cultivation on him but sitting at the head, he must be an important member of the direct line. He addressed him:
"May I ask how to address you, sir?"
Li Yuanyun, deep in thought, was startled by Fei Tongyu’s voice. Fei Tongyu did not recognize him, an unknown member of the family, but he knew this direct line son of the Fei Clan. He replied politely:
"I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy, I’m just a common man. My name is Li Yuanyun, a humble member of the Li family’s direct line. I’m not worthy of such a title as ’Immortal’!"
Having traveled the lands below the mountains for several years, Li Yuanyun had long shed any trace of youthful naivety and acquired a streetwise slickness. He had also tried countless rumored methods that people believe could cultivate a Spirit Aperture, from praying to gods to worshiping Buddha, from scattering wealth to seeking talismans. Years of struggle had bent his back, aging him like a weary middle-aged man.
"May I ask about your relationship with Miss Qinghong..."
"Li Qinghong is my elder sister from the same mother."
Li Yuanyun responded. Fei Tongyu’s interest was piqued. Before he left, his younger brother Fei Tongxiao had begged him multiple times to bring over a dozen letters to Li Qinghong. Fei Tongyu had no choice. Unable to find Li Qinghong at the banquet, he quickly asked:
"May I inquire if Miss Qinghong is... perhaps in secluded cultivation in the mountains?"
"Exactly."
Li Yuanyun nodded, and Fei Tongyu continued:
"My younger brother..."
Seeing Fei Tongyu hesitate, Li Yuanyun shook his head and said:
"My elder sister warned me to mention that the cultivation technique she practices is extinct. Yuanyun won’t say more, just this one thing."
Fei Tongyu was no fool; pausing briefly, he calmed his thoughts and simply replied:
"Thank you, Brother Yuanyun."
Fei Tongyu himself had a favorable impression of Li Qinghong, but being naturally cool in temperament, his fondness was based on the union benefits between the Li and Fei families and appreciation for Li Qinghong’s talent and conduct. Being older than Fei Tongxiao, he was no longer obsessed with romantic affairs. Upon hearing that Li Qinghong could not bear offspring, he easily let go of the thought.
In a few moments, Fei Tongyu’s mind raced with thoughts, focusing on how to persuade his stubborn brother, and he started a half-hearted conversation with Li Yuanyun.
"On my way here, I saw that the number of cultivators from noble external families is quite high; I’m afraid even if my Fei and Yu families combined, we wouldn’t match up..."
Fei Tongyu cast a glance at the lower seats and asked with a smile. Li Yuanyun just chuckled dryly without answering, as the Li family, both legitimate and illegitimate branches, were sparse in number. Much of their vast spiritual fields were tended by external cultivators. The abundance of externals was indeed inevitable.
Seeing that Li Yuanyun did not wish to elaborate on this topic, Fei Tongyu shifted the conversation. Looking at the well-behaved Li family youngsters seated at the lower end, he said:
"But the rules of the nobility are strict. I have long heard of the stringent clan laws of the Li Family, and with the ancestor of Tongya in his prime years, there’s no worry of being unable to hold power."
Li Yuanyun laughed heartily, making a joke in return:
"Not just severe, but there are rumors within our clan that the Clan Head Courtyard is like the Senluo Hall, and this clan rule is to roast all the disciples over the fire!"
Both of them laughed heartily, cracking a few more risqué jokes. Fei Tongyu’s thoughts still lingered on his brother, responding to Li Yuanyun, while his gaze swept back and forth over the gathering.
After three rounds of drinks, Fei Tongyu made up his mind, then left his seat to get some air in the woods; the setting sun gradually vanished among the undulating mountains. Fei Tongyu jostled the letter in his sleeve and conjured a vibrant red flame with a pinch.
With the other hand, he took out the neatly-arranged letters that Fei Tongxiao had revised countless times from his sleeve. Fei Tongyu gave a bitter smile as he threw them into the fire, watching the letters dim in the flames, murmuring,
"Tongxiao, oh Tongxiao, since the Goddess herself has gone to the heavenly mountains without a care for mortal love among kings and lords, let go of your feelings... let go of your feelings..."
Fei Tongyu had made up his mind and was going to talk to Fei Tongxiao as soon as he went back, to tell him all the letters had been handed to Li Qinghong. Li Qinghong hadn’t said a word, in hopes that Fei Tongxiao would let go of his sentiments. Now, watching these poignant words turn to ashes in the fire, Fei Tongyu ultimately couldn’t bear it entirely, offering a rueful smile as he said,
"What are all these affairs about? I’m afraid it’s because us Fei men have always been wayward, hence this retribution..."
After attending to the matter at hand, Fei Tongyu sat down on the steps to drink quietly, the faint glow illuminating his face. He blankly raised his head to view the deep red sky, trying to identify the object above, before exclaiming,
"How is that possible?"
Splendid rosy clouds had already begun to adorn the edge of the sky, radiant and colorful, especially dazzling against the dim night sky. The layers of rosy clouds, like waves in the sea, came from the southeast. Ahead of them floated a giant ship moving like a large bird, extending four pairs of wings that glowed with the light of rosy clouds, soaring steadily yet swiftly.
The banquet beside him quieted down, and everyone gaped, staring dumbfounded at the sky, overwhelmed by the majestic presence of the rosy cloud boat, looking at each other in disbelief.
"The Rosy Cloud Boat... people from the Upper Sect have come! What... what’s happening!"
"We’re clearly not yet due to present our tribute..."
"The Rosy Cloud Boat!"
Fei Tongyu was struck with fear and uneasy, sensing a great disaster looming. Among the three major families around the lake, only his Fei family lacked its own standing within the sect, having to spend money to bribe a few managers for information.
The sudden arrival of the Rosy Cloud Boat likely meant it was either Li Chijin or Yu Muxian behind it. If it were Yu Muxian, both the Li and Fei families would not fare well. If it were the Li Family, his own Fei family not having any information probably also spelled trouble.
Fei Tongyu’s face lost all color as he waited in silence, watching the Rosy Cloud Boat fly past Lijing Mountain in the east and land in Secret Forest County before his expression eased, and he levitated into the air with a couple of steps, seeking out Li Xuanxuan.
————
"The Rosy Cloud Boat..."
Yu Mugao stared, fascinated at the scattering colors. The Rosy Cloud Boat slowly docked on the mountaintop, and the intricate patterns on it began to brighten, the intimidating power of the array relaxing. A person descended from the boat.
This young man in green robes, from his crown to his boots shimmered with the flow of Dharma Light, radiant and multicolored. Handsome in appearance, he wore a constant frown and pursed thin lips. The Yu family members promptly knelt on the ground and bowed en masse. The young man surveyed them with a glance and frowned,
"Where is Yu Xiaogui! It’s fine if Yu Yufeng doesn’t show, but how is Yu Xiaogui nowhere to be seen!"
Yu Mugao quickly defended,
"This lowly one is Yu Mugao, at your service, envoy! My father has entered a life-or-death retreat, and as for the elder ancestor... he has yet to return!"
The young man frowned, disdainfully scanning the crowd at his feet, replying,
"Out of respect for Muxian, I won’t settle scores with you lot... My name is Chi Zhiyan, the foremost disciple of Yuanwu Peak. I am here today to summon representatives from the various families around Wangyue Lake to go to Yi Shan City, and I request that the Yu Family Head lend a hand."