#1091 - Silver Light (12 chapters added after Edelgard's reward)

Chapter 1057: Silver Light (Aidel Jate's Reward Update 1/2)

Si Min.

The light of dawn scattered among the layers of pavilions. The newly built official residence appeared majestic. Several carriages hurriedly stopped in front of the residence, carrying heavy boxes, one by one, into the mansion.

“Lord, we've arrived at Military Advisor Li's residence.”

The servant following in front of the carriage asked in a low voice. The curtain of the carriage was immediately opened, and a man stepped out. He wore Qingbai clothing, with handsome features and a cyan-purple mark between his eyebrows, depicting a purple-gold python pattern, making people forget the mundane upon seeing him. He nodded to the servants in front of the door and said:

“Please inform the master of the house that Li Jiangliang, Privy Envoy of the Fengwu Hall, requests an audience.”

The servant immediately went inside, taking two steps as one, and arrived inside the residence. Only then did he see a strong young man stride out, clasping his hands in front of the door and saluting, saying:

“Greetings, Lord!”

Li Jiangliang raised his eyebrows, and two pairs of golden eyes met for a moment. He saw him smile and say:

“Long time no see, brother, you still look the same.”

Li Jiangxia quietly stared at him for a moment, grinned, and replied:

“Please come in, Lord.”

Li Jiangliang waved back the people around him, asking them to move all the generous gifts inside. He followed his elder brother forward, passing through the hall and entering the main room, sitting down in this magnificent residence, and then sighed:

“Brother, you've become estranged.”

“Oh?”

Li Jiangxia laughed upon hearing this, his golden eyes appearing bold and generous. He shook his head and said:

“I am not Li Jianglong. I don't have such a narrow mind. You've become capable today, and I'm very proud. It's not estrangement, but a difference in status. You dare to let go and venture out, gaining divine powers. You deserve to be called 'Lord'.”

The cyan-purple mark between the eyebrows of this fourth brother, Li Jiangliang, became even more intense. His aura had already transcended Foundation Establishment, possessing the power of supernatural abilities!

With Yang Zuo becoming Emperor, he was clearly one of the first to benefit!

However, Li Jiangliang did not agree with his words. He shook his head and said:

“Brother, that's not right. There's no such thing as daring to let go and venture out. It's just that the current situation requires me. I know my own capabilities.”

Li Jiangxia was clearly only at the Foundation Establishment stage, but his power seemed even greater than his. He smiled and replied:

“The Emperor's rewards are very generous, including official residences, spiritual resources, and beautiful women. I can't bear it.”

Mentioning this matter, Li Jiangliang said solemnly:

“The Emperor has mentioned to me several times that among the generals, he loves you the most and intends to promote you beyond your rank, inviting you to hold the Xuan in the palace… Compared to that, this official residence and spiritual resources are not worth mentioning.”

The position in the Zijing Hall was not achieved overnight but was granted based on territory and power. The highest position was holding the Xuan. Yang Zuo's meaning was clear: he wanted him to be the head of the military generals.

Seeing that his elder brother remained noncommittal, Li Jiangliang sighed slightly. Li Jiangxia was more concerned about his supernatural abilities. He narrowed his eyes and asked:

“What is your current state?”

Li Jiangliang raised his eyebrows and said:

“It's even better than that. It should be on the Golden Lotus Seat, below the Mahayana.”

This made Li Jiangxia's expression solemn. He replied:

“That's more than enough… What about your own supernatural powers? I vaguely remember… you cultivated the Li Fire! Is there still a chance for supernatural powers? How confident are you?”

Mentioning this matter, a trace of hesitation flashed between Li Jiangliang's eyebrows. He replied:

“My immortal foundation is complete, nourished by the mysteries of true qi, becoming increasingly perfect. However, I believe my cultivation is not high enough. I estimate that… it will take at least ten years to impact supernatural powers.”

Li Jiangxia put down the cup in his hand, a trace of suspicion flashing in his heart. He raised his eyebrows and said:

“You can still achieve supernatural powers!”

Li Jiangliang did not deny this. He nodded and said:

“That's right. It's even very beneficial to my achievement of supernatural powers. Once my supernatural powers are achieved, combined with the two, I will immediately have the power to surpass ordinary Purple Mansions with one supernatural power!”

Li Jiangxia was silent for a long time and asked:

“How many positions do you hold now?”

Li Jiangliang replied:

“The Emperor controls water and fire. Water represents civil officials, and fire represents military officials. The Fengwu Hall where I am is essentially a military hall for defending against enemies outside. If we really want to calculate, I am now considered half a military official, with an extra honorary title of Founding Duke… considered the head of all officials.”

Li Jiangxia breathed out slowly and asked:

“What did the Emperor ask you to come and convey?”

Li Jiangliang said solemnly:

“The Emperor wants to welcome you to hold the Xuan, but he has no excuse. Considering that the various witch kingdoms in the Southern Border have not yet submitted, the Emperor intends to send troops to pacify the six neighboring kingdoms, stabilizing the rear for the Jinghai Jiedu.”

He waved his sleeve, raised his hand forward, and said softly:

“The tiger tally and seal are outside. Brother, if you hold it, you can hold the Xuan and go out to guard one side. As long as the Emperor doesn't make you come back, brother, you can hold this Xuan on his behalf, the same as us!”

In Li Jiangliang's view, Yang Zuo's favoritism towards Li Jiangxia was extremely obvious, not just because he liked his temperament and personality, but also involved more aspects…

'Second Brother was brought back by General Yang, obviously as a confidant. I don't know what benefits General Yang promised him… Second Brother's actions are extremely cautious. After seeing the Emperor… he was soon ordered to go out and lead troops, only meeting me in a hurry…'

Li Jiangliang couldn't figure out whether this Second Brother was relying on Yang Ruiyi's command, but the Song Emperor was obviously uninterested in him. Instead, he favored this Third Brother, who had arrived in the imperial capital later and had a forthright personality… Li Jiangliang didn't dare to say that there was any conflict between the Song Emperor and the Yang family, but at least… the Song Emperor didn't like the Yang family interfering too much.

With this reason, Li Jiangliang had long been certain that Third Brother Li Jiangxia would hold the Xuan earlier than Second Brother, but he was still extremely shocked when he received this order this morning:

'This is too rushed…'

His expression was complicated. Li Jiangxia, facing the temptation thrown out by his fourth brother, did not show much interest. Instead, he stared firmly at his pair of golden eyes and said softly:

“Liang'er, you're starting to look like a member of my Li family.”

Li Jiangliang was caught off guard, but he reacted quickly, smiled slightly, and said:

“I thought brother would mention Cui Keqing.”

Li Jiangxia laughed, stood up, walked to the window, shook his head, and said:

“Among our five brothers, only Jiangnian is inferior, just ordinary. The least benevolent is Li Jiangqian—you probably don't know, right? Our eldest brother is very fierce. He is the most unscrupulous. Once he gets ruthless, he can give up everything.”

He took a step forward and emphasized:

“No matter what.”

Li Jiangliang showed a bit of contemplation. Li Jiangxia smiled and said:

“Li Jianglong, your second brother, is also dissatisfied with him in his heart, but he also understands that he is actually very similar to this eldest brother. He cherishes his life and is selfish, but he lacks a ruthless streak. Therefore, I don't like him.”

“And you are more like me. At least… I read the files. After the army killed, it was a scene of devastation. Only you and I would consider the mortals. The words you sent home, the eldest brother disdained, but I believed. You said you joined the Song Dynasty for your ambitions, and I believe it too.”

“I also know that you feel guilty.”

Li Jiangliang was struck by lightning, staring blankly at him. His elder brother smiled and said:

“But there's no need to.”

“Now that Tianwu has ascended to the world, rather than saying that I came to Si Min unwillingly under orders, it's better to say that I came with ambition. In this respect, we are both like Father.”

He pushed open the palace door, looked at the golden tiger tally and cyan-purple ribbon seal held in the hands of the Xuan official, quietly placed on the jade plate soft cushion, and said indifferently:

“It's impossible for you and me to sit and wait for death under his wings—no one's ambition is greater, more arrogant, and requires more sacrifice than his.”

… …

The setting sun was falling, the white cloth in front of the palace fluttered, and a bit of fragmented gold was sprinkled in the shadows. Li Suining waited for a while in the corridor, and then saw Li Zhoufang coming out of the palace in a hurry.

Li Qiuyang had a lot of weight, but for most of the Li family, his death or life was harmless and no one cared. This funeral was actually held with a lively taste. Even Li Zhoufang, a direct descendant of the Li family, who came out from inside, did not have much sadness on his face, only a bit of worry about Li Xuanxuan's health.

Behind the middle-aged man, the young man looked around, and two parts of his upper garment were casually tucked into his belt, revealing a bit of the white lining, appearing absent-minded.

It was Li Suiqing.

Li Suining sighed in his heart.

Li Zhoufang was actually very happy that his son Li Jiangzong became the head of the clan, not because he was noble among his peers, but simply because his child was promising and could share the worries of the clan. But after Li Suining's few years of seclusion, Li Zhoufang was obviously much older, revealing only deep exhaustion.

He was a little happy to see Li Suining, but the grandson behind him was obviously bored for a long time and couldn't help but want to leave. Li Zhoufang turned his head and glared at him, but the child was not afraid, staring straight at him, and was about to open his mouth to ask. Li Zhoufang gritted his teeth and felt bitter in his heart:

'Child, ah… your brother is exceptionally talented, and you, this incompetent fellow, will have to rely on him in the future… If you don't get closer now, what will you rely on in the future!'

But he was afraid of making it too ugly, so he could only wave his hand to let him get lost, and looked back at Li Suining's smiling expression, and sighed:

“I made you laugh.”

Li Suining shook his head, and the elder immediately took his hand and walked forward, worriedly saying:

“In these years, Suiqing's incompetence and wickedness have intensified. Your Jiangzong uncle only has such a son. The uncle-grandfather manages him back and forth, and the more he manages, the more he feels that he is hopeless…”

Li Suining was about to speak, but Li Zhoufang waved his hand and said:

“Don't use Zhou Ming's matter to comfort me. It's different. Zhou Ming may have been playful when he was young, but when he saw us, there was always a smile on his face, and his temperament was not bad.”

“But Suiqing doesn't know where his stubborn temper comes from. Not to mention his treacherous mind, the more you scold and beat him, the more fierce his energy is. Even if he is suppressed in the clan justice courtyard, unless you kill him in one breath, he will have that fierce and evil aura.”

He stared blankly at Li Suining, with crystal clear color in his eyes, and replied:

“I and the old man still think he can be saved. Your Jiangzong uncle scolds him every time he sees him, and has told me several times in private that he really has the heart to kill him with one palm.”

Li Suining actually knew that this younger brother was just useless and brought too much gossip to their family, but he didn't think it was something that could be ended by slapping him to death, and saluted:

“Just add more restraint, don't let uncle see him…”

Li Zhoufang shook his head bitterly and replied:

“My talent is extremely poor, and I can't even touch the possibility of Foundation Establishment. A few years ago, I wanted to take it a step further and hastily took medicine, only to cause my Qi Sea to shake and my blood to be greatly damaged. I can't avenge my grudges. Only Wei Wang remembers me and killed Nvsaki for me. I still hate it, and I secretly feel it's not enough. I still feel there's hope for great revenge, but Suijing is now in this state, making me feel ashamed and hate even more helplessly.”

He vented his emotions in a few words, shook his head in a daze, and smiled:

“You want to break through Foundation Establishment… I have already reported it to the Real Person. He specially asked you to go to Zhijing Mountain once, probably to prepare elixirs for you.”

Li Suining felt a little sorry for him, but after all, she couldn't say any comforting words, so she could only nod silently and ride the wind to Zhijing Mountain.

From a distance, she saw the mountain full of white flowers. Li Suining had no intention of admiring them. With her mind full of thoughts, she landed at the pavilion at the foot of the mountain and found that someone had already stopped here early.

This person was wearing a cyan-gold feather coat and a cyan-soap crown. His clothes were extremely mysterious and gorgeous, which also set off his unremarkable appearance with a bit of majesty. His face was like white jade, his breath was full, and he stood with his hands behind his back.

Li Suining was stunned at first. When she saw the pair of golden eyes, she immediately reacted and said:

“Second Uncle!”

This person was Li Jianglong, who had returned from Song Ting.

Li Suining just observed slightly and found that his cultivation was extremely complete, his power was infinite, and he was faintly connected with the Cultivation Star in the sky. She knew that he had entered the [Purple Gold Palace]. Although he could not hold the Xuan yet, his supernatural powers were in front, which was undoubtedly a great happy event, and immediately congratulated:

“Congratulations, Second Uncle!”

Li Jianglong's expression fluctuated slightly, as if judging the meaning of her words. He nodded slightly and said to her:

“Suining, you have a heart.”

Li Suining smiled at him at first, but the smile became less and less. She felt a strange feeling in her heart—being reused for meritorious service on the battlefield was supposed to be a time of joy and rapid progress, but her second uncle was not proud, and even a little gloomy and secluded.

Li Suining's arrival did not shift his attention much. His hand was on his wrist, tapping lightly, showing the restlessness in his heart.

Only then did she see the court guards arrive in front of the pavilion, saluting and inviting the two to enter.

Li Ximing didn't like luxury. The mountains had a fairy-like atmosphere. This Real Person sat quietly in the mountains, with a tall pill furnace placed beside him. The agile red and white flames jumped at the bottom of the furnace, occasionally revealing a bit of terrifying fluctuations.

And sitting at the table was actually another Real Person, wearing a cyan-black dress, with a smile on his face, looking a little restrained. As soon as he saw the two coming up, he carefully looked at Li Jianglong.

It was Guo Nanwu.

Li Jianglong didn't recognize him, but Li Suining suddenly became sensitive and thought:

'It's Real Person Nanwu. So he entered the Lake so early…'

Among the Real Persons, the one closest to the Li family was Real Person Yuanbian, Liu Changdie, but this Real Person guarded the East China Sea and never entered the inland. Among the Real Persons who came to the Lake, Real Person Nanwu and another Real Person Kuang Yu came the most.

It's just that the Real Person's power is infinite, so she didn't dare to think about it and silently lowered her head to restrain her thoughts.

Guo Nanwu was doing things for the Li family, and had just returned from Poluo. This trip was naturally to deal with the sending of the letter and the [Light Scarlet Fiend Fire] obtained by Li Ximing from Minghui!

This [Light Scarlet Fiend Fire] was originally a good thing, but unfortunately it was tossed by the Buddhist cultivator for a hundred years, making it very troublesome to deal with. Li Ximing carefully asked the Fire Sparrow Huoyang, but received her lukewarm reply.

This is not difficult to understand. What Li Ximing wanted were other spiritual fires. In addition to the [Red Pheasant Chongli Flame], Huoyang must also have spiritual fires, which may not be worse than the [Light Scarlet Fiend Fire]… But for Huoyang, why bother to exchange a mottled flame that has been tossed by Buddhist cultivators for a hundred years for a good spiritual fire? Even with Li Ximing's methods, it would be difficult to dispose of this thing, let alone others.

This trip naturally ended without success. He only took Huoyang's spiritual objects to refine pills for her. Tu Longjian has not returned yet. Li Ximing thought about it and had to accept this result:

'It's not easy to find a fool. This thing will eventually have to be disposed of by myself. Whether I use it myself after cleaning it up, or wait for a deal to come to my door… it's always useful, instead of being stuck in my hands like it is now.'

So he entrusted Guo Nanwu to go to the East China Sea to exchange for some spiritual resources. Guo Nanwu agreed, but did not leave for a long time. Instead, he wanted to ask about Li Jianglong's whereabouts.

Song Ting still had many secrets in front of the Purple Mansion. A group of Real Persons in the South China Sea are still restless. This Real Person obviously wanted to see him, so Li Ximing happened to want to see him too, so he casually invited him up and smiled:

“This is Li Jianglong.”

While he was introducing, he took a closer look and only felt that Li Jianglong's body was full of bright Yang energy, and layers of subtle True Qi were faintly emerging, constantly nourishing his cultivation. So he put two fingers together, 『Under Heaven Bright』 responded, and a wisp of invisible light jumped at his fingertips.

The Fate Divine Power was activated, and he finally noticed Li Jianglong's strangeness:

'His fate is different.'

Li Ximing's Fate Divine Power was successful, and he had secretly observed Li Zhouwei, only to feel that his Divine Power was at its peak, like the sun in the world, boiling and unstoppable! But now Li Jianglong vaguely had purple light on his body, as if connected to some mysterious and infinite secret treasure.

Li Ximing withdrew his Fate Divine Power and asked:

“Nanwu, what did you see?”

Guo Nanwu nodded slightly. He practiced the 『Lesser Yang』 path, including the 『Evil Absolute Seeking』, and had wonderful abilities in observation and shuttling. He also had the great mystery of transforming Lesser Yang into Yin, and his vision was extremely high. This glance actually made a sense of crisis rise in his heart, and he suddenly had a premonition, using his divine power to transmit sound:

“If I kill him, disaster will definitely fall on me!”

“How powerful… No wonder they are not worried about Buddhist cultivators taking action. Not to mention converting him… Even murderous intent is extremely inappropriate.”

Li Ximing narrowed his eyes slightly and had already heard a lot of things.

Guo Nanwu also sensed the pressure of the Cultivation Star, but in this way, it made him feel really strange… For the so-called threat of the Cultivation Star, he had no feeling at all.

Li Ximing watched for a long time without saying a word, but Guo Nanwu had a bottom line after watching for so long, so he got up to say goodbye.

Li Ximing's expression was natural, and he asked with a smile, without showing any strangeness. Li Jianglong bowed down in the mountains and respectfully said again:

“Congratulations to the Real Person for leaving seclusion and achieving great success in supernatural powers!”

Li Ximing's smile deepened a lot and asked:

“I still have to congratulate you! Tell me, how much magical power do you have?”

Li Jianglong's expression was natural and he respectfully said:

“Reporting to the Real Person, this junior has just entered the court. The monarch has appointed me as a Zhishi in the Fengwu Palace, a small cultivator in the Purple Gold Palace, to know the affairs of the Jiangjun County, lead the Great Song soldiers and horses to guard and respond to the Ting Prefecture, and listen to the orders of my father and the Great General!”

The so-called Jiangjun County is located in the current wilderness, and it is no exaggeration to say that it responds to Wangyue Lake. Li Ximing quickly understood the intentions of the south and listened to Li Jianglong saying:

“As for the magical powers… it can't compare to the fourth brother, but I control one or two methods of True Qi, increase some cultivation, and need to establish another meritorious service to go further.”

Li Ximing said with interest:

“How is Jiangliang?”

Li Jianglong said in a low voice:

“Fourth brother is now the head of all officials, holds the Xuan in the Purple Gold Palace, and is in charge of the Tianwu supernatural powers! He is already a Purple Mansion!”

Li Ximing took a breath, his heart was extremely complicated, and he sighed secretly:

'Seeking the Tao, seeking the Tao, but it is only nature and fate. If nature and fate are not cultivated by oneself, but bestowed by others, what is the difference from pity and Maha!'

'It's just… it's so easy! It will inevitably make the world flock to it.'

His eyes were complicated, but Li Jianglong looked a little frightened and replied:

“As for these magical powers… I'm afraid I can't demonstrate them to the Real Person…”

Li Ximing frowned and asked:

“Why?”

Li Jianglong smiled helplessly and shook his head:

“My father has the Mandate of Heaven and is conferred by the monarch. He is autonomous in a country, and Cultivation Star is not involved. Even the first immortal official of the dynasty will be beaten back to his original form when he arrives in our Wei Kingdom… Not only can he not hold the Xuan, but even those magical powers that assist in cultivation are lost!”

“Oh?”

Li Ximing's original guess was suddenly confirmed, and he slowly understood in his heart, but he was still a little skeptical:

'Is there really such a thing? Is it really so effective? Even the north can be illuminated by the Cultivation Star. The so-called enfeoffment has such a magical effect… Could it be that only dividing the land and establishing a country has this kind of influence?'

He was puzzled in his heart, but his face was very calm, and he pretended to be suddenly enlightened and smiled:

“So that's how it is… It seems that none of you brothers… are suitable to stay on the Lake.”

Li Jianglong lowered his head slightly and replied:

“The Real Person is wise. The Great General recommended this junior to know the affairs of Jiangjun County, which is also based on this consideration. It can both be illuminated by the Cultivation Star and take care of the Lake, which is the best of both worlds…”

Li Ximing listened for a while, turned to look at the pill furnace, as if to adjust the heat in it, and let Li Jianglong kneel, thinking for a long time in his heart, and secretly decided:

'I still have to invite the Immortal Artifact to take a look!'

With a thought, he moved his eyes slightly, restrained his spiritual consciousness, and responded to the Immortal Artifact!

Everything in front of him suddenly became clear. The purple light on Li Jianglong's body slowly thinned, and he saw clusters of thread-like purple light gushing out of his Rising Yang Mansion, like broken strings, floating alone in the air.

'It seems that when it comes to this place, the power of the Cultivation Star is like rootless water… and cannot be connected to the star in the sky… Is it really as he said, because this place is the land of the princes…'

There was no joy in his heart, but a sudden condensation:

'If this is the case… can the rules of the Cultivation Star still take effect on the Lake?'

If the rule that the Cultivation Star sends out murderous intent cannot take effect on the Lake, it means that the north can slaughter Wangyue Lake at will…

His heart was heavy, but he didn't ask any more questions. He slowly moved his eyes away, but unexpectedly a silver light suddenly crashed into his vision!

Li Suining, who was kneeling beside him and seemed to be fine, was suddenly flashing with intense silver light, a hundred times thicker than the Cultivation Star light on Li Jianglong's body, almost to the point of being dazzling!

At that moment, Li Ximing was no different from discovering a demon beside his bed. His hairs stood on end, and countless terrifying guesses floated in his mind, and a strong sense of crisis rushed straight to his face, almost jumping up from the spot:

“What?!”

Main characters in this chapter

—

Li Ximing [Early Stage of Purple Mansion]

Li Jianglong 『Yetianmen』 [Peak of Foundation Establishment] [Purple Gold Palace]

Li Suining [Ninth Level of Qi Refining]