Chapter 790: Having A Child (II)
The Li Family household.
Winter snow fell with a soft rustle. This year, the snowfall was heavier. Cold snow gathered atop the long stone wall along the riverbank, painting it in stark gray and white. A few pedestrians hurried past, clutching new quilts in their arms.
This riverside dam had originally been constructed after two sects exploited the flood caused by the Yuan Family patriarch’s death. The lake had long since receded, leaving behind a long, gray-white dam wall.
Li Zhouwei walked casually down the snow-laden path, cloaked in a black robe. An Siwei and Chen Yang were following behind him.
His father, Li Chengliao, had already reached the late stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm and had gradually handed over family affairs to him before heading up the mountain to cultivate. Though Li Zhouwei had yet to formally inherit the patriarch's position, the responsibilities of the household had already fallen to him.
The Li Family had already begun separating secular family affairs from the immortal matters of Qingdu in previous generations. This was the trend under the likes of Li Yuanping, Li Yuanjiao, Li Xicheng, and Li Xijun. But now, things had changed.
Since Li Xijun was severely injured on Mount Qingdu and Li Ximing in seclusion, authority now rested with Li Zhouwei. Li Chengliao had relinquished power, and even the affairs of the central hall were now handled by Li Zhouwei.
He handled it all with composure. Each day, he would sit briefly in the central hall, with his brush sweeping like a dragon. Dozens of complex family affairs would be resolved in mere moments. Then, with a flick of his robe, he would return to Mount Qingdu, never wasting time.
Now that he had been cultivating for some time, he even had moments to observe the livelihoods of the common people by the lake. Golden light shimmered faintly in his eyes. A small blue bird was perched on his shoulder; it was the manifestation of the dharma artifact Azure Manifestation, a gift from Yuan Tuan. The spirit bird conjured from it appeared lifelike and animated.
"How have the arrangements for the seven remnant families gone?" Li Zhouwei asked softly, arms folded across his chest.
Chen Yang promptly responded, "They’ve been assigned to various towns and are following orders. As families with a history of wrongdoing, they’ve been quite diligent, though their status is ranked below that of the other families."