Chapter 1117: Arranging All Matters (II)
Qingdu oversaw the affairs of the family chief. In earlier years, it had managed the direct mortal bloodline, but as more direct-line cultivators emerged and the mortal bloodline spread into collateral branches, its staff had expanded and it had shifted its focus primarily to governing cultivators.
Later, as more outsiders and guest cultivators married into the Li Family, most of those captured by the Jade Court were also handed over to Qingdu's jurisdiction. The Jade Court retained its investigative authority, but trials and sentencing had shifted toward the lower-ranked cultivators across the sixteen prefectures, two peaks, and one Mountain, causing its status to gradually fall below Qingdu's.
When Li Chenghuai broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and mastered Untraceable Presence, a technique capable of discerning the authenticity of lower-tier Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators, it had little impact on the upper echelons of the Li Family. However, it became a significant reform for the governance structure of the entire peak administration. The investigation even exposed three direct-line elders, who were subsequently confined on the continent, elevating Qingdu's status even further.
Still, even at the very height of Qingdu's growing influence, there was still a secluded side peak, lush with trees, where not a single extra pavilion had been built and few people ever came or went. Upon arriving there, Li Quewan remained extremely respectful and spoke to the middle-aged man at the entrance, "Please inform the old lord... the Daoist Master requests an audience."
The middle-aged man was actually Li Quewan's own elder brother. He dared not speak much, and instead nodded repeatedly before going inside. Moments later, an elderly man came down the stairs.
The old man's cheeks had sunken in, giving his face a gaunt appearance, yet none of his warmth had been lost. His eyes, narrowed into dark slits by his smile, gleamed from within his wrinkles. His mouth parted slightly, and Li Quewan couldn't help but want to smile with him as she spoke softly, "Is the old lord still in good health?"
"Well... quite well!" Li Xuanxuan came forward quickly, and Li Quewan hurried to offer her hand to support him. The old man waved it aside and lifted his head. "Ximing has returned? Come then, come, let's go right away!"
Li Xuanxuan was likely the only one who still dared to call Daoist Master Zhaojing by the name Ximing. Li Quewan followed as they took to the air, and Li Xuanxuan sighed. "A few months ago... that He Jiumen died of old age. He used too much of his blood essence for artifact refinement and only lived to one hundred and fifty. Such a pity... and he didn't even manage to pass all his knowledge to Queyi[1] and the others. The old man couldn't even die peacefully!"
He Jiumen had been an old cultivator from the western shore and had maintained good relations with Li Xuanxuan in recent years. Li Quewan had not known he had passed away, and before she could respond, Li Xuanxuan continued, "Donghe hasn't said a word in the Jade Court these past years. And An Zheyan has gone traveling again. Qiuyang, at least, knows how to let things go; he's gone boating on the lake. As for me, I've no one to talk to on this mountain. The few who come in twos and threes only do so because they think this old man still has some influence. Their false politeness is tedious..."
Aside from Li Qinghong, Li Quewan had followed Li Xuanxuan from the very beginning of her time on the mountain. Hearing his words filled her with guilt, but Li Xuanxuan said, "An Zheyan has only a few years left to live... yet they still sent him north. And Guest Cultivator An has run into trouble too... What sense does any of this make? I must have a good talk with the Daoist Master about it later."