Chapter 33: Wang Teng Returns

The Grand Princess’s expression darkened as she departed in haste with Gong Mo and the others.

"Nourishing the Black Lotus with Holy Qi—what a bold, reckless claim!"

Jiang Qingyue rested her elbows on Li Xuan’s shoulders, her eyes brimming with flirtatious charm as she gazed at him.

Li Xuan chuckled and said, "Big Sister, when a man and a woman are alone in a room, the woman always ends up losing out. The way you’re looking at me, I’m getting a little scared!"

As Li Xuan spoke, his eyes darted around. The scene before him was so alluring that any man would find it hard to resist. Realizing something, Jiang Qingyue scoffed, though she immediately composed herself and sat upright. "You’ve shocked me once again. So, your Source Power can truly nourish the Black Lotus within Mo'er, can it?"

Li Xuan gave a non-committal shrug. He had said it to let Gong Jinglin understand the difficulty of the task; after all, they weren't related, and using Source Power to nourish the Black Lotus was a significant drain on his own cultivation. He had to demand some sort of compensation, didn't he?

"Li Xuan, you’re becoming hard to read. But I hope you aren't doing something you’re not prepared for. Anything the Holy Moon Imperial Court can give you, I can provide as well. Some things are not as simple as you imagine."

Jiang Qingyue’s warning was no idle threat. The Imperial Court and the various great families were already rife with undercurrents of conflict; one wrong step could bring disaster upon oneself.

Li Xuan laughed breezily. "What is there to fear? Don't I have you to shield me, Big Sister? The sky won't fall!"

Jiang Qingyue pursed her lips into a smile and patted his shoulder. Li Xuan, ever perceptive, immediately set to work, providing service that was nothing short of impeccable.

***

The next day, Wang Zifan was in high spirits, acting even more arrogant and overbearing than usual. He even lashed out at classmates he didn't like.

"Stop!"

As Li Xuan stepped onto the stone bridge, he encountered Wang Zifan, who called out to him coldly.

Li Xuan greeted him with a smile. "Classmate Wang Zifan, what can I do for you?"

Wang Zifan looked at Li Xuan, his temper flaring. As they parted, he said triumphantly, "My cousin, Wang Teng, is back! He has returned from those ruins!"

Li Xuan feigned pleasant surprise. "That’s great! It’s good he’s back!"

Inside, Wang Zifan sneered, *Great, my foot. The Li family’s trouble is coming soon, and you think it’s great!*

Li Xuan watched Wang Zifan’s retreating figure, a sense of dread rising within him.

Wang Teng!

A once-in-a-century genius of the Wang family, he had reached heights that everyone looked up to at a young age. He was the epitome of the younger generation, a cultivator at the early stage of the Profound Realm, with countless female admirers. Handsome, debonair, and from a prominent family, he was a "woman harvester," and his return was bound to stir up a storm.

Wang Teng was a notorious rake, a man of loose morals who frequented brothels and taverns. Despite his high cultivation, his character was abysmal.

What worried Li Xuan most was that Wang Teng was betrothed to his second sister, Li Chenxi. He must have obtained the "Tianlan Cardamom" and would likely head to the Li family soon. Li Xuan asked himself: what should he do now?

"What’s wrong?" Jiang Qingyue asked. "Don't tell me you’re scared silly just because you heard Wang Teng is back!"

Li Xuan took her arm. "With you shielding me, Big Sister, what is there to fear?"

Though he claimed he wasn't afraid, he knew the Jiang family wouldn't risk conflict with the Wang family just for his sake. Everything depended on his own efforts.

***

"That’s a good boy! I’ll give you a sense of security!" Jiang Qingyue pinched his cheeks, indifferent to the onlookers. "Tell me the truth, are you trying to get close to me just to deal with Wang Teng?"

Li Xuan looked into the distance. "Big Sister, do you know how humble I feel? For the sake of the Li family, my eldest sister, and my second sister, I would do anything. But the Li family today..."

Li Xuan’s eyes reddened. Subconsciously, he felt the Li family had finally seen a glimmer of hope after enduring so much suffering, yet he didn't know when it might be extinguished. Without sufficient strength, how could he navigate the power plays of the great families? Even the Holy Moon Imperial Court was the same, let alone a declining family.

Li Xuan looked at Jiang Qingyue and asked, "Big Sister, could you give up everything to protect the Li family?"

Jiang Qingyue’s expression froze, her red lips trembling. "I... I..."

Li Xuan gave an awkward smile. The tomorrow of the Li family was in his own hands; no one would sacrifice everything for them. He had to fight for it himself.

Wang Teng’s return was bound to bring disaster. His overwhelming power would surely gain the family’s support, allowing him to do as he pleased.

Jiang Qingyue said naively, "What are you afraid of? Just have Sister Xixi come over and live with us! Even if you gave Wang Teng ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare force his way into my estate!"

Li Xuan shook his head slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "That’s only a delaying tactic; it doesn't solve the root of the problem. Big Sister, please help me ask Mentor Mo Xier for leave. I need to return to the Li family."

He walked away as he spoke, and Jiang Qingyue called after him, "No need to rush!"

***

The Li family estate consisted of a row of ancient buildings with green tiles and red walls—a beautiful sight. Two bronze lions stood before the main gate, chest puffed out, having guarded the family for nearly a thousand years. With the family's decline, they had lost their former majesty and intimidation.

Although the Holy Moon Imperial Court had granted the Li family the title of a first-tier noble house, making everything look brand new, Li Xuan felt a heavy burden in his heart.

"Young Master, you’ve returned!" Uncle Chen said with a beaming smile, bowing to greet him.

Li Xuan gave a soft acknowledgment and strode toward the main hall. From afar, he could see wooden crates decorated in red, piling up to fill the entire hall.

"Young Master Li Xuan, you..."

Old Hei, who had become the Li family's guard per Li Xuan's request, had shaved his beard and changed into a new outfit, looking quite spirited.

Li Xuan nodded slightly and walked straight to Li Chenxi. "Second Sister, are you alright?"

Li Chenxi was staring at the portrait of their ancestors, her voice calm. "I am fine, Xuan’er. Why have you returned?"

Li Xuan turned to Uncle Chen. "Uncle Chen, take these damned things and return them to the Wang family. Tell them..."

Li Chenxi whirled around, her face pale with anger. "Xuan’er! You’re afraid? As a scion of the Li family, you are actually afraid? Kneel down!"

She raised her hand high, but it landed heavily on her own fair cheek instead. She cried, "I want you to swear to our ancestors that you will not interfere in the affairs of the Li family! I am willing to marry for your sake. As long as Wang Teng presents the Tianlan Cardamom, even if the Wang family is a den of dragons and a pit of tigers, a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, I am willing to fulfill the promise. This is my affair, and it is the path that must be paved for the rise of our family!"

"Second Sister!" Li Xuan shouted, but she forced him to swear. At that moment, his desire for power reached an unprecedented level.

"Xuan’er, for the Li family to survive, I must endure this humiliation. Only if you live well will the Li family have hope and a future. When our parents return, our family will surely shine for eternity."

Li Chenxi spoke earnestly, her eyes brimming with tears but filled with unwavering resolve. "Uncle Chen, tell the Wang family: the moment the Tianlan Cardamom is delivered is the day I, Li Chenxi, leave the family to be wed!"

***

Li Chenxi’s mind was made up; Li Xuan could no longer change anything. The Wang family’s aggression would only sharpen his resolve to move forward and wash away today’s humiliation.

"Xuan’er, go back to the Holy Dao Academy!"

Li Chenxi didn't want to see him in pain. Busy training would not only increase his cultivation but also help him forget. As long as he could grow successfully, every sacrifice would be worth it.

Li Xuan closed his eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks. "Old Hei, see me off."

Old Hei followed behind him and whispered, "Young Master, what is it?"

Li Xuan furrowed his brows. He wanted to vent, but remembering Old Hei’s loyalty, he said, "The situation in the Li family is as you see. I consider you an older brother, so you don't have to call me Young Master. Just act as you did before. Are those things prepared?"

Old Hei suddenly realized what he meant, patted his forehead, and said, "Look at my memory! It’s all taken care of!"

Li Xuan patted Old Hei’s shoulder. "Thank you for your hard work. Send all those fabrics and provisions to the Qingye Tribe. First, we must solve their livelihood issues. Also, give this to Chief Yue Wu and tell them to build according to the diagrams!"

Old Hei took the blueprints, puzzled. "What is this?"

Li Xuan smiled and explained. The blueprints detailed the dimensions of the "Repeating Zhuge Crossbows" and the placement of the bow body and strings. His modifications were exceptionally ingenious.

The Repeating Zhuge Crossbow could not only attack from a distance but was also highly accurate. Even a master of the Profound Realm wouldn't dare approach when thousands of arrows were fired at once; its lethality was immense. Li Xuan had racked his brains over this; he had improved the design to create a dual-purpose crossbow capable of launching "Source Heaven Thunder," a feat requiring extremely high craftsmanship.

"Brother Li Xuan, if our Li family could possess a hundred of these, our defensive strength would reach a whole new level!" Old Hei was so excited he could barely contain himself. With such a divine defensive weapon, they wouldn't have to fear even the people from the Black Night Imperial Roll.

Li Xuan nodded and instructed, "I’ve thought about it carefully; this must be kept absolutely secret, which is why I’m having the sisters of the Qingye Tribe build them. There is a natural Source Pattern array there that can block outside prying. Also, exchange some Source Crystals and send them over so the sisters can begin their cultivation. It will help them protect themselves and their families!"

Old Hei was fired up, rubbing his palms in excitement. After seeing Li Xuan off, he went straight to work.

However, on his way back to the Li family, Old Hei ran into Kong Linghui.

"Speak! Why did that brat Li Xuan return to the Li family?"

Old Hei grew nervous, stammering and speaking only of trivial matters, never mentioning the Repeating Zhuge Crossbows.

"Hmph, if you try to pull the wool over my eyes, just wait and see how I deal with you!"

Kong Linghui was no saint; for the things he desired, he would use any means necessary to obtain them.

Old Hei stared blankly in the direction where Kong Linghui had vanished, then pulled out a whistle and blew a nightingale’s tune. In the darkness, a figure emerged.

The figure stood gracefully, cradling a snow-white cat. The cat’s blue eyes looked at Old Hei, letting out a sharp, mournful "meow."

Old Hei’s heart tightened, and he confessed everything.

The figure gave a few instructions and then vanished into the night.