Chapter 124: Face
Inside the Yunxi Pavilion.
The envoys of the Song family sat together, facing Li Guanxuan and Song Zhiqiao.
Both Song family envoys had heard of Li Guanxuan’s deeds.
Although he had slain powerful mid-foundation cultivators from the Thunderfire Sect and the Ink Pavilion, to those who had grown up within the clan’s headquarters, such feats stirred no waves of surprise or admiration.
In the Greater Heng Yongning Prefecture, even mid-Golden Core experts were quite common.
Though unperturbed internally, the male envoy named Song Jitang smiled politely and said, “Brother Guan Yuan is exceptionally talented; his swordsmanship has reached a realm of mastery. I did not expect his younger brother to be equally gifted and powerful. Zhiqiao is fortunate to be joined with you in marriage.”
Li Guanxuan smiled slightly. He naturally understood the respect was more for his elder brother, Li Guanyuan, than for himself.
But that was normal.
Born into such a prestigious family, Li Guanxuan had long seen through these facades and felt no surprise.
“It’s also because our two families have been close for generations that we could come together,” he replied with a smile. “Yunxi Pavilion is one of the great highlights of Silver Maple City; the dishes here are truly delicious. Please, enjoy.”
Song Zhiqiao smiled sweetly and gestured, “Please, help yourselves.”
“Then we won’t be polite,” said the female envoy Song Linbin, smiling as she picked up a piece of meat and tasted it.
The meat was infused with abundant spiritual energy and prepared with exquisite culinary skill, making the beast meat rich without being greasy, with an excellent texture.
“This is indeed good,” Song Linbin said with some surprise. “The spiritual energy within the meat remains intact. I didn’t expect that the demon tribes would have chefs so skilled in spiritual cuisine.”
To them, the demon tribes were northern barbarians, fierce cultivators who hunted demons. They were wholly ignorant of managing any cultivation-related enterprises.
Yet after tasting these dishes, Song Linbin could not help but ask, “Is the chef from our human clans?”
Li Guanxuan smiled, “They are demons. In Silver Maple City, there’s no division between humans and demons. The city lord, Cao Feng, advocates coexistence. Anyone holding the city’s identity token is a citizen of Silver Maple City.”
“That’s an ambitious vision,” Song Jitang commented.
Li Guanxuan couldn’t tell if there was sarcasm in his tone, but it did not matter.
After three rounds of drinks, both Song Jitang and Song Linbin felt Li Guanxuan’s warm hospitality.
Before handing over the Song family’s foundation cultivation manual to Song Zhiqiao, Song Linbin hesitated but finally said, “Brother Guanxuan, Zhiqiao, there is something I wish to speak about. I hope you don’t mind.”
Li Guanxuan thought it best not to say if it was troublesome, but he smiled and replied, “Please, say whatever you wish.”
Song Zhiqiao nodded gently.
Song Linbin lowered her voice, “I have some acquaintance with Yu Jingfang, the head of the Ink Pavilion. She sent me to visit Zhiqiao and asked me to say a few kind words, hoping you both can forgive her past mistakes.”
After speaking, Song Linbin placed a storage jade bracelet on the table, sliding it gently before them, lowering her voice further, “This is her token of apology.”
Li Guanxuan was momentarily stunned.
The Ink Pavilion had connections with the Song family envoys?
Song Zhiqiao’s expression grew solemn.
Yu Jingfang, the Ink Pavilion leader, had once come to Silver Maple City intent on killing her husband, with aggressive and hostile behavior that was hardly resolved by mere apologies or some compensation.
But now, with Song Linbin holding the foundation cultivation manual she needed, refusing reconciliation would mean she might not obtain the manual for some time.
That would only delay her cultivation progress…
Though deeply displeased, Song Zhiqiao could not show it openly.
The cultivation world involved battles and bloodshed, but also human affairs and relationships—unavoidable realities.
After all, she bore Song family blood.
Only the Song family’s cultivation technique was truly suitable for her.
This matter also strengthened Song Zhiqiao’s resolve to share Li Guanxuan’s idea.
They must find a cultivation method that truly suited them; otherwise, such incidents would recur.
Members from the clan headquarters often looked down on their dispersed descendants, thinking they owed them, and would impose excessive demands from time to time.
Song Zhiqiao glanced at Li Guanxuan. She could not make decisions on this matter; her husband’s word was final.
Seeing Li Guanxuan still fixated on the storage bracelet and sensing the atmosphere grow tense, Song Jitang hurriedly intervened with a smile, “Brother Guanxuan, we are all family. When away from home, misunderstandings happen. It’s best to talk them through, wouldn’t you agree? Besides, Yu Jingfang has close ties with one of our Song family True Lords. We would not have come to plead on her behalf if there were any other way, nor would we want to trouble you.”
Li Guanxuan continued to gaze at the jade bracelet in silence, making Song Jitang somewhat embarrassed and displeased.
After a moment, Song Jitang reached to take back the bracelet, smiling and saying, “No offense meant. Perhaps your heart is not yet at ease. If you desire, we can have Yu Jingfang come in person to kowtow and apologize; maybe then you will feel better.”
There was a hint of mockery in his words.
After all, Yu Jingfang was a Genuine Core cultivator, albeit a lower-rank one. For her to kowtow before a mid-foundation cultivator like Li Guanxuan would depend on whether he could accept such a gesture.
At that moment, Li Guanxuan looked up at Song Jitang and smiled, “You overstate it, brother. This was just a minor misunderstanding. The real culprit was the Thunderfire Sect. Now that the Thunderfire Sect has been destroyed, the grudge naturally ends.”
Upon hearing this, Song Jitang and Song Linbin exchanged knowing smiles, as if everything had gone according to their plan.
Song Linbin then readily took out the Song family foundation cultivation manual and handed it to Song Zhiqiao, smiling, “Zhiqiao, you have found a good husband. Cherish him, don’t be capricious—you represent our Song family.”
Song Zhiqiao smiled and nodded politely, but in her heart, receiving the manual felt like swallowing a bitter fly.
Once the two envoys left, Song Zhiqiao’s mood soured.
“They are shameless, using this matter to blackmail us!” she said angrily.
Li Guanxuan sipped tea to soothe his throat, smiling reassuringly, “Don’t be angry. The Ink Pavilion was merely a pawn of the Thunderfire Sect all along. They gained nothing from this and suffered losses in both reputation and offerings. In fact, they lost more than they gained.”
“But the Ink Pavilion leader must harbor resentment toward you; she may cause trouble in secret,” Song Zhiqiao frowned.
“There are many who hate me now. One more or less makes no difference. We only need to focus on steady cultivation,” Li Guanxuan said calmly, smiling confidently.
No matter what, Song Zhiqiao must obtain the Song family foundation manual.
The two envoys were clearly here to smooth things over for Yu Jingfang; Li Guanxuan had to maintain face, lest the manual’s delivery be delayed indefinitely.
...
After settling the bill and leaving Yunxi Pavilion, Li Guanxuan escorted Little Green Tea home, then headed toward the Third District Market, intending to share some insights on second-tier talisman crafting with Han Lian.
After all, Han Lian was about to become a second-tier talisman master.
As Li Guanxuan passed by a shop, he spotted a familiar figure.
“Zuo Xiao?”
He was surprised and called out.
The man turned and smiled warmly. “Senior Li!”
Recognizing him, Li Guanxuan said seriously, “No need for such formalities. Just call me as before.”
This was Zuo Xiao, a guard in the Shanggu City defense battalion.
Zuo Xiao had once helped him; when attending an auction in Shanggu City, if not for Zuo Xiao’s timely intervention, the old ancestor of the You family would have kept a close watch on him.
Zuo Xiao bowed and said, “I humbly accept.”
Li Guanxuan asked, “What brings you to Silver Maple City?”
As a city defense guard, Zuo Xiao’s salary should be decent enough to live in Shanggu City.
Zuo Xiao smiled wryly, “There is fierce internal power struggle in Shanggu City, with heavy taxes and difficult living conditions. If I don’t leave, I’m bound to suffer a major setback.”
He added with some relief, “When I came to Silver Maple City, I sought to obtain an identity token to settle down here. Fortunately, after the city lord learned of my close connection with Brother Li, he allowed me to live in the inner city with 70% off rent and helped me find a job in the marketplace. When the time is right, I’ll be transferred to the city defense battalion.”
Li Guanxuan was momentarily stunned. Cao Feng knew so much about him?
But it was probably during investigations into Shanggu City that he came across Li Guanxuan.
Li Guanxuan didn’t think Cao Feng was spying on him; his deeds were public knowledge. Even if investigated, it was only natural.
Moreover, Cao Feng’s actions were clearly supportive, so there was no cause for concern.
“Is Shanggu City really so chaotic now?” Li Guanxuan asked.
Zuo Xiao nodded slightly. “Although Luan Pei took over Shanggu City, he initially couldn’t reach the peak of foundation cultivation. An elder from the Luan family surpassed him and achieved that rank first.”
“Later, Luan Pei used alchemy to reach foundation peak but was poisoned by internal alchemical toxins, so he can only slowly detoxify without the strength to form a core.”
“That elder is close to forming a Genuine Core, so Luan Pei grew anxious and raised taxes, seizing various rare spiritual materials, hoping to form a core first.”
Li Guanxuan understood then that the Luan family in Shanggu City was split into two factions.
Only with a Genuine Core cultivator in command could the city be truly pacified.
Their family’s assets would not fall into others’ hands.
Smiling, Li Guanxuan said, “Brother Zuo, City Lord Cao is hospitable. Even 30% rent for the inner city isn’t cheap. You must cultivate hard to reach Qi Refinement Stage Nine. When you do, come to me for a foundation pill.”
Zuo Xiao was shocked. “That won’t do; I can’t accept a foundation pill.”
To Qi Refinement cultivators, such pills were extremely valuable.
Li Guanxuan smiled, “Compared to when you stood up for me in Shanggu City, a foundation pill is nothing. Besides, Silver Maple City needs experienced people like you to maintain order. Strength is essential.”
“I will try to gather enough spirit stones to buy it from you,” Zuo Xiao said earnestly, clasping his fists respectfully.
He owed Li Guanxuan much and would not take the pill for free; paying was more honest.
“Very well,” Li Guanxuan nodded.
“Where do you work now?”
“At the auction house in the Third District Market,” Zuo Xiao replied.
After understanding Zuo Xiao’s situation, Li Guanxuan took his leave.
He then went to the Wanxiang Pavilion in the First District Market.
After immersing himself in the art of smooth negotiation and the merchant’s way for three days and nights, Li Guanxuan finally visited the city lord’s mansion.
Seeing that Cao Feng’s injuries had improved and his complexion was much healthier, Li Guanxuan felt somewhat relieved.
“This is a specially made healing pill, crafted with spiritual herbs prepared by my master,” Li Guanxuan said, handing over a jade vial.
Cao Feng accepted it gladly, then smiled, “Have you heard about the situation in Shanggu City?”
Li Guanxuan nodded slightly, “Luan Pei is showing his true colors now. It’s not a long-term strategy. If he fails to form a core, he will likely lose his position.”
“Not just lose his position; with his actions, death is probably the only outcome,” Cao Feng said with a laugh.
“He’s thoroughly disrupted Shanggu City, angering the Luan family elders. If he succeeds in forming a core, fine. If he fails, he will have to atone with his life.”
Li Guanxuan smiled and said he was not very interested in who would ultimately control Shanggu City, then asked, “I heard Huajing Immortal City has fallen back into the Hua family’s hands?”
“More precisely, Hua Bai of the Green Bamboo Sect acted and reclaimed the Hua family’s assets,” Cao Feng said with a sigh.
“Hua Bai is quite a figure. Though once at odds with the main lineage, after reclaiming the family’s assets, he set aside grudges, welcoming many Hua cultivators back to settle. The former collateral branches have become the main line.”
“What about the Green Bamboo Sect?”
“Still under his control. That way, he can keep the remaining former main branch factions in check,” Cao Feng said with a smile.
“With Lei Gongwang’s death, many profited. After plundering the Thunderfire Sect’s spoils, many hope to form their cores soon.”
Li Guanxuan was surprised. One mid-Golden Core’s death yielded so many treasures?
But it made sense—the Thunderfire Sect had tyrannized for years, so their treasury surely held many coveted items.
“Looks like I’ll need to disguise myself and suppress my aura again on this trip,” Li Guanxuan sighed.
Cao Feng laughed heartily, “Thanks for your hard work, brother.”
...
After spending half a month in warmth with his beloved wives, Li Guanxuan and Qin Jiyue left Silver Maple City for the Chilian Mountains.
The Flame Demon Bear was about to break through to Third-Rank Demon King.
(End of chapter)