Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 314 - 287 Morning Calm

Li Yuanping formed a spell, avoiding the golden barrier of the Great Formation of the Sun Ritual’s Xuan Guang, and ascended Lijing Mountain alone.

Ever since Li Tongya entered seclusion for cultivation and Li Yuanjiao went to Wutu Mountain, Li Yuanping had taken over the responsibilities of the Li Family, often spending months at the foot of the mountain, leaving Lijing Mountain sparsely populated. The wild millet in the rock crevices grew wildly, making the place look bleak and desolate.

When Li Yuanping ascended the mountain and pushed open the wooden gate of the side courtyard, he saw a round-faced girl drying books in the yard. Dressed simply, she spread the strings of Wooden Slips out, and her sleeves were sewn tightly, making her look not like the legitimate daughter of a Noble Family, but more like a busy domestic servant.

"Qingxiao!"

Li Yuanping’s pale face revealed a faint smile as he called out, and the girl looked up in surprise and joyfully said,

"Brother?! What wind has blown you up to the mountain?"

All the children of the Li Family had grown up together on the mountain and were quite fond of each other. Li Yuanping laughed heartily and replied,

"I’m here to see you, am I not?"

Li Qingxiao smiled slightly, teased him,

"I heard you’ve just married a lovely wife. I thought it was someone whispering sweet nothings to you!"

Li Yuanping’s face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and in an attempt to change the subject, he awkwardly said,

"You sure can stand living on the mountain; this place is eerily quiet."

Li Qingxiao’s lips curled up in a smile as she shook her head and replied,

"It’s bearable. My eldest sister often visits me on the mountain, and I don’t feel lonely reading books every day."

Li Qingxiao inherited more of Chen Donghe’s features, with none of her facial features particularly striking. If it weren’t for the gentle temperament between her brows and eyes, she would appear even more ordinary. Now she smiled earnestly, which disrupted the harmony of her features, making her look less elegant, and she candidly said,

"Although I’m on the mountain, I’ve heard a lot of gossip. They say the Dou Clan is overbearing and has privately owned Spiritual Fields."

Li Yuanping nodded slightly, his eyes widened with a gleam of insight. He was very sensitive to such matters, and though these words came from Li Qingxiao’s mouth, they made him instantly think of the Chen Clan and its branches. He asked her with a hopeful smile,

"What do you think about it?"

Li Qingxiao blinked and said without hesitation,

"I’m afraid the Dou Clan has offended our family’s branches!"

"What makes you say that?"

Li Yuanping lifted his head with interest and saw Li Qingxiao say,

"I’ve actually met Madam Dou. She is astute and firm, so how could she fail to control the Clan? The so-called overbearing Dou, is simply a matter of infringing on the interests of multiple families. Old Master Dou is shortsighted and not worth considering... As for privately owning Spiritual Fields..."

"This matter is not big nor small. Which prestigious family doesn’t secretly cultivate their own Spiritual Fields? It’s just an unspoken practice, yet they bring this up openly. If it were to be investigated, it wouldn’t just be a problem for the Dou Family alone; several prestigious families would be implicated."

Li Qingxiao blinked and laughed,

"Such aggressive targeting of the Dou Family, without fear of offending the prestigious clans, must naturally be the work of our Clan Elders and Uncles! They’re probably testing you since you’ve just taken over the household!"

The Li Family had its own standards for allocating Spiritual Fields. The Spiritual Energy was too sparse for the Li Family to care, but these prestigious clans were eager for them. Without having to check, Li Qingxiao already deduced that these people had likely cultivated their own Spiritual Fields in secret. Li Yuanping heard her analysis, laughed heartily, and nodded continuously in agreement,

"Correct, but you forgot about the Chen Family."

Seeing Li Qingxiao frown in confusion, Li Yuanping laughed and said,

"You live alone on the mountain, and the only reason you hear these rumors is because the Chen Family talked to your father about them. The fact that they’re not speaking well of us shows the Chen Family’s attitude clearly."

Li Qingxiao suddenly realized and clapped her hands in acknowledgment. Then Li Yuanping spoke seriously,

"In these five years, our family took over Jade Court Mountain and Huazhong Mountain, especially the Huazhong region which has an abundance of Spiritual Mechanisms, even better than the few towns of Lijing. The world bustles for profit, and conflict arises over it. Do not think that the branches of prestigious clans fight with each other for no reason; they’re all for the benefit of these two regions."

Seeing Li Qingxiao nod thoughtfully, Li Yuanping continued,

"The branches have been suppressed by us for decades, not allowed to be landlords, Wealthy Merchants, or even indulge in pleasures without hiding. How could they be content in their hearts? Naturally, they’re looking for a way out, eager to speculate in these two regions."

"I’ve just started managing our household and haven’t used any harsh measures yet; naturally, these people are restless. The Dou Clan appears arrogant and unruly, but in fact, they are a good dog. They are at odds with the branches, useful to us."

Li Yuanping picked up a Wooden Slip from the case, gently flipped it over, and said,

"Once all the Jade Courtyard Guards in my family break through to Yujing, obtaining Spiritual Sense and effortlessly investigating matters in both Huazhong and Jade Court, and once I have control over the family from top to bottom, those collateral branches will have no loopholes to exploit, and that will be the right time," said Li Yuanping.

Li Qingxiao nodded silently and replied,

"The families on the lake have always been wary of those with different surnames, favoring collateral branches. Brother, you are doing the opposite, and it seems you are most cautious of the collateral branches."

Li Yuanping laughed and said,

"Among the collateral branches, there are loyal Cultivators who naturally deserve promotion. More of them, however, are parasites and profligates, and they also have kinship ties. If I don’t arrange things properly, they would be even harder to deal with once they are of a lower generation. The Lu Family and the Yu Family are cautionary tales that we must heed."

The two exchanged a smile, and it was then that Li Yuanping remembered the purpose of his visit and suddenly asked,

"What do you think of Xiao Xian from Yu Mountain?"

While they were discussing significant clan matters, Li Yuanping changed the topic so swiftly that it caught Li Qingxiao off guard, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Ah," before bowing her head. Li Yuanping took a careful look at her and laughed,

"Matters of men and women are clear without words."

Li Qingxiao quickly raised her head, her cheeks slightly flushed as she protested,

"What are you talking about, brother? That man is frivolous, visiting our Li Family daily. Everyone up and down knows of his deep admiration, making it very embarrassing for me!"

"Hahaha."

Li Yuanping laughed a few times and simply said,

"He is indeed sincere. Given his status from the Yu Mountain lineage, he is making quite a humble effort."

"Indeed,"

Li Qingxiao smiled, calmed her heart, and after a moment of cool reflection, said solemnly,

"He may appear affectionate, but I am not a sheltered girl who thinks a bit of cordiality means he’s a good match. After all, we’ve merely shared a ride and met a few times; I know his face but not his heart. I still need to consult with the elders."

Li Yuanping nodded slightly and answered,

"He is gentle by nature, from a distinguished family; neither his looks nor his intellect is poor, and he is sincere and loyal. It would be hard to find someone better, and I have already sent for our uncle and brother."

"Good."

Li Qingxiao softly replied, then gathered up her long hair and whispered,

"I have also made inquiries about those children of different surnames in our clan, and none of them seem to be capable; their characters are even more improper than the last. If one could be found from outside, from one of the Noble Families, it would certainly be better than a suitor with a desirable surname."

Li Yuanping nodded with a pale face and said with a smile,

"Yuanjiao’s several children are also on the mountain. You’ve been with them day and night, how do you feel about them?"

At the mention of this, Li Qingxiao hesitated, organized her thoughts, but couldn’t speak, simply shaking her head with a look of regret and sorrow.

Li Yuanping looked puzzled for a moment, opened his mouth and whispered,

"Both our great ancestor and Uncle Xuanling had exceptional dispositions; how did it end up like this with the later generation..."

Li Qingxiao used a look to silence him and said with implied meaning,

"Yuanjiao left the mountain early in the years to go to the Eastern Shanyue Region, seeking the method to open the Spirit Aperture from witchcraft. He hasn’t returned to the mountain for many years now..."

Both fell silent. Everyone knew Li Yuanyun had no Spirit Aperture, but no one dared to mention it, treating it like a taboo to be hidden away. Among all the legitimate sons and daughters, he lived in the most muddled state.

Nevertheless, it was clear to everyone that if there was indeed a method to open Spirit Apertures, it wouldn’t be found in a minor place like the Eastern Shanyue Region, nor was it likely to be of any use. Li Yuanping sighed and said,

"Uncle Xuanling has already gone to travel Xu Country, and my elder sister is in closed-door cultivation. The elders feel guilty towards him and never constrained him, allowing him to do as he pleases, so it’s not easy for us to bring it up..."

"I have also asked our brother, and the consensus is to let him be. His collecting witchcraft in the Eastern Shanyue Region, as long as it does not harm the heavens or involve Blood Sacrifices that harm people, could be good for soothing his frustrations and resentment."

Li Qingxiao sighed softly and murmured,

"That would be good... that would be good."