novelraw Chapter 300 275 Dou Clan (Part 2)
Chapter 300 275 Dou Clan (Part 2)
Li Yuanping left the courtyard and quickly closed his fan with a "whoosh," his expression unchanged. He walked silently with Dou Yi trailing after him, the latter feeling guilty because he knew he had caused a problem and didn't dare to speak up. Suddenly, Yuanping stopped in his tracks, and Dou Yi, caught off guard, nearly tumbled forward as he hastened to exclaim:
"Master! Master!"
"Shut up!"
With one fan, Li Yuanping held him back. The young man slightly frowned and spoke softly:
"Which fool from the Dou Family took it upon themselves to replace that person from the Liu Family? You almost made me lose face in front of my elder brother... if Mother were to know, she would have you all beaten!"
"It's... it's..."
Dou Yi knew he would be following Li Yuanping around from now on but couldn't bear to blame his own father and take the fall for him. At a loss for words, he stuttered a response. Yuanping waved his hand dismissively and turned his head, speaking as he walked:
"Even if you don't say it, I know. It's probably that old Master Dou. When people get old and powerful, they start to get too crafty."
Dou Yi hurried to keep up, saying respectfully:
"It's also for the sake of Master. The Clan Head Courtyard has always been a transitional place for handing over the position of Family Head. Master Yuanjiao has mentioned several times his intention to return the authority. Now that Master has become the Clan Head, the position of Family Head is all but certain... My father is just placing more of his people to help Master when the time comes."
"Heh."
Li Yuanping was amused and chuckled:
"You speak with such certainty, but my father isn't trying to help me; he's trying to harm me! If he wanted to help, he would've simply waited quietly for three years, no need to be overzealous."
He frowned slightly, looking at Dou Yi, who had guiltily lowered his head, and responded:
"My father is merely leveraging his power to expand his influence, no need to pretend it's for my benefit. Your family is my maternal family; when I take charge, you will naturally have your deserved status. Why act in this way?"
"Don't think I'm young and naive enough to be bullied."
Dou Yi was covered in cold sweat when Li Yuanping flipped his fan and leisurely continued:
"I'm not concerned about whose orders you're under. Since my elder brother has assigned you to me, from now on, you will work for me and forget about your Dou Clan."
Dou Yi was momentarily dumbfounded, realizing that what Li Yuanping discussed differed entirely from his father's instructions, which had always been:
"Master Yuanping and the Lady of the Dou are our Dou clan's support. Rely on them to seek positions of power for our family... and our Dou Clan will soon become a prominent family."
Now, hearing the tone of Li Yuanping's words, it seemed as if they were not counting on the Dou Family at all but rather guarding against them, fearing the possibility of being dragged down by them! His heart soured and saddened, he lamented:
"Master, the Dou Family heeds only to Master, obeying none but you alone... The Tian and Liu families both rose to power by seizing opportunities, and being related to the family, why resist so...?"
But Yuanping stopped in his tracks, seemingly intrigued, and turned to look back at him with a smile:
"Cousin! My surname is Li! I am the legitimate eldest son of the direct line."
Having said that, Yuanping turned and walked away. Dou Yi was slightly startled and did not dare speak further, just following him closely.
After walking through the mountainous area, they entered a brightly lit courtyard. Li Yuanping waited for a while, and soon, a maid came hurriedly with a basin of water, asking with a warm voice:
"Has Mother gone to bed yet?"
"The Lady has just washed her feet and is waiting for Your Highness in the room!"
Dou Yi immediately understood that it was the courtyard of the Lady of the Dou Family. Recalling his father's foolish actions and this aunt's resolute temperament, he felt a chill and wailed inwardly.
"My old man's gone too far, and now it's us small folks who have to pay the price, how troublesome!"
Li Yuanping didn't care about his thoughts, bringing him into the courtyard, where they saw swathes of pale yellow, layers upon layers of curtains, flickering lamps, and the hazy scent of incense. Two maids stood respectfully by the bed. He bowed deeply and spoke with decorum:
"I've come to see Mother, to congratulate her for another breakthrough, with Qi Cultivation within reach."
The Lady of the Dou, reclining at the top of the room, was dressed in luxurious attire, looking young, with a presence that had already reached the Fetal Breathing Peak; one step away from Qi Cultivation, she had become one of the top foreign Cultivators almost unnoticed.
Over the years, Madame Dou not only relied on her own methods to keep Li Xuanxuan's numerous wives and concubines in line but also managed to elevate the farming Dou Family to greater heights. Her cultivation level never fell behind either.
"Yuanping, there's no need for such formalities,"
Although Madame Dou was a stern woman, she was unreservedly affectionate with children, urging him to sit down repeatedly. Li Yuanping nodded, recounting the evening's numerous events in detail, including the contents of Li Xuanxuan's letter. After listening, Madame Dou in the head seat left Dou Yi feeling tingling in his scalp and fearfully raising his head, only to meet a pair of eyes cold as frosty stars.
"Come here,"
Madame Dou spoke softly and gently. Dou Yi hurriedly moved in front of his aunt, only to see a jade-like hand stretch out from within the chamber, three inches of jade armor dyed with Phoenicia flowers. Staring blankly at the hand, Dou Yi was caught off guard when Madame Dou gave a slight flick.
"Slap!"
Dou Yi received a firm slap on the face, turning half of his cheek bright red. Without daring to show any anger and trembling in fear, he repeatedly bowed deeply and cried out:
"Auntie, please spare my life! Auntie, please spare my life!"
Madame Dou's words floated down lightly:
"Take this slap back to your father and relay my message,"
She parted her red lips and uttered a few words:
"If there's any more mischief, you can forget about keeping your little life."
————
Jade Court Mountain.
Li Qinghong took a deep breath and exhaled a strand of white qi, which rested on her lap. The spear in her grasp radiated Dharma Light, and as the woman opened her eyes, mana warmed her gaze, making it glow brilliantly in the darkness of the chamber.
"Qi Cultivation second layer."
In the past five years, Li Qinghong had mostly sequestered herself on the mountain to practice cultivation. She broke through to Qi Cultivation in the first three years and advanced to the second layer in the next two. Now in her early twenties, Li Qinghong's pace of cultivation was considered rapid compared to the normal rate of one breakthrough every three to five layers. Only because Li Yuanjiao bestowed the "Cultivating Qi Devouring Spirit Talisman" did she gain an edge.
Rising with her spear in hand, a faint purple light danced in the young girl's eyes, looking especially enticing. The "Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique" truly lived up to its reputation as a once Fourth Grade Thunder Dharma. Li Qinghong's aura was powerful, far surpassing an ordinary practitioner of the second layer of Qi Cultivation.
"Cousin sister..."
The young man waiting outside the stone chamber stood there cautiously. He was another of Li Xuanxuan's illegitimate sons, but without a Spirit Aperture, he had always been inconspicuous among Li Xuanxuan's numerous offspring and had been assigned to manage a small town on Jade Court Mountain.
"Speak."
Li Qinghong's red lips parted slightly, and with just two words, the young man respectfully said:
"There have been men disappearing these past few days, continuing for three months without a trace. Cultivators from our clan have investigated but found nothing. Even worse, three days ago, nine families died successively. We reported it to the main family, received permission, and that's why I dared to disturb cousin sister."
Li Qinghong nodded slightly, her curiosity piqued:
"What about uncle?"
The young man understood she was asking about Chen Donghe and quickly responded:
"Along with An Gonfeng, he went to the market to escort furs and Spiritual Objects. Without their presence to guard the clan, the Family Head went to seek mountains within the Shanyue territory and has yet to return, hence..."
"Mhm."
Li Qinghong nodded, lifting him as they soared on the wind. She gently questioned him about the situation. This was the first time in his life he had ridden the winds and controlled qi, causing him to feel heady and intoxicated. Looking down at the small town beneath and the passing Floating Clouds and birds, his heart was full of envy. He diligently answered Li Qinghong's questions and pointed out the direction, secretly thinking:
"How utterly thrilling!"
Guided by his directions, Li Qinghong descended to find several empty houses and traces of blood on the ground. With a sweep of her Dharma Eye, she sensed many oddities beneath her feet. After setting down her cousin, she deftly sketched some Talisman Script in midair and released a Talisman.