Chapter 1609: Crimson Radiance (I)

Brilliant Bright Light shone in every direction, its white radiance pure and luminous. Once one passed beneath the five-story terrace of the side tower, one came upon a circular platform around fifty-two meters across. Elevated corridors stretched between buildings like floating bridges. Beyond seven great halls and twelve facing towers stood the [Crimson Radiance Hall].

The [Crimson Radiance Hall] stood in the northern part of the prefecture, ranked just below the main hall. It had only been built in recent years, originally established when Li Jiangzong chose to place himself in the secondary position. Later, after the Li Family was enfeoffed as Wei, Li Jianglong likewise did not dare occupy the main seat and moved here as well. Over time, this place gradually became the center of power for both Moongaze Lake and Tingzhou.

The [Crimson Radiance Hall] of the present had yet to attain the prominence it would enjoy in later years, yet its foundations were already taking shape. As the oldest among the children, Li Suining followed closely behind Li Minggong. They had barely reached the pavilion when an elderly man in a long robe came forward to greet them, his face covered in smiles.

"My respects, my lady!"

Li Minggong replied with a smile, treating the old man with obvious respect. "You're too courteous, Elder Qu!"

The elder sighed softly and said, "Another batch of children has arrived... It feels as though Jiangzong and the others were still youngsters just yesterday. I wonder how many more times this old man will live to see such a sight..."

Qu Buzhi...

Li Suining recognized him at a glance and quickly lowered his head.

The old man had come south from Jiangbei. He had served successive family heads throughout his life. His cultivation had never amounted to much, but he excelled at managing spirit fields and rarely needed to venture out to fight. Later, when chaos had engulfed the lake region, he happened to be away and escaped disaster. Afterward, he had wandered from place to place, gathering news and enduring countless hardships before finally making his way to the southern border.

Yet he was simply too weak, and he possessed neither powerful backing nor special means. Upon reaching Black Lacquer Ridge, he happened to run into the Black Langur King during a mountain patrol. Although he invoked the name of the Li Family, it no longer carried any weight by then. He was swiftly captured and thrown into the Black Langur King's dharma artifact, the [Pit Water Gorge], where he dissolved into yellow earth and blood water amid the demon king's roaring laughter.

Li Zhouming had long regarded the matter as a lasting regret, and Li Suining himself had once gnashed his teeth in hatred over it while remaining powerless to help.

Now, seeing the old man standing before the hall with his sleeves tucked together and a smile on his face, he raised his head and stepped forward with a smile of his own. "My respects, Senior Qu!"

Qu Buzhi glanced at him in mild surprise, nodded repeatedly, then raised his brows and said, "Go on in, all of you..."

The children, old and young alike, filed into the hall one after another. Li Minggong, however, was stopped by Qu Buzhi. The old man's expression turned serious as he said, "Jiangzong has been looking for you! The second young master has just emerged from seclusion. Your arrival couldn't have been more timely!"

Li Minggong's eyes lit up. "Oh?"

She immediately strode inside. Li Suining had already reached the front of the hall. Lifting the hem of his robe, he knelt to pay his respects and caught sight of the two figures amid the shifting folds of fabric.

One wore garments of pale white, with orange-yellow cloth lining the collar. Embroidered upon the sleeve borders on either side were patterns of wandering sparrows formed from True Fire. His eyes shone brightly, and although he had yet to grow a beard, his demeanor was already stern and dignified.

It was the family's steward, Li Jiangzong, the only man of the Jiangque generation who was not a direct descendant of Bright Yang yet still possessed outstanding ability.

This clan uncle had once earned the Wei King's appraisal, ‘Broad-minded, humble, and prudent, sufficient to inherit the family's legacy’. For many years, he had held the position of Qingdu Clan Chief and managed the affairs of the lake region with impeccable order. During the Li Family's years of decline, he had worked tirelessly on all fronts, calling in favors and seeking assistance. With help from Li Zhouluo, he had preserved the family's bloodline through those difficult times...

Li Suining lowered his gaze slightly, yet could not resist stealing a look at the man seated on the other side.

The man's entire body seemed bathed in flowing radiance. His cultivation was profound, and golden-red light lingered around him. Dressed in crimson robes, he sat upon the seat of honor with a slight frown, a scroll in hand as he gazed toward them from afar.

A pair of golden eyes peered out from beneath his brows!

The second young master...

Warmth surged through Li Suining's heart. At the height of the Li Family's glory, they had been famed for producing four Purple Mansion Realm cultivators within a single family, while three Holders served together in the imperial court. This second young master had been one of those three Holders: the Profound Holder of the Purple-Gold Hall, Director of the Martial Reverence Hall, Prefect of Jiangjun Prefecture, holder of a fief of three thousand five hundred households, and the True Radiant Cloud Envoy, Li Jianglong!

The present Li Jianglong no longer wore robes woven with purple radiance and golden patterns, nor did he bear the sash of a True Envoy. He was merely a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator at the moment, yet when those brilliant golden eyes opened, they still inspired fear in all who met them.

Song produced three worthy heirs and still fell short of Wei... The brilliance of those days... was simply too dazzling...

Bitterness welled within Li Suining, and he lowered his eyes. Yang Zhuo, Emperor of Song, was a figure all but certain to attain the rank of True Monarch. Yet among all his sons, only three had amounted to anything. At the time, both the court and common folk praised him endlessly, but compared to the Wei King's four dragon-like sons, he still lacked one...

Looking back now... The elders must have had their own unavoidable difficulties. We juniors simply could not see clearly. Bathed in that brilliance, we took pride in it, never realizing disaster was already approaching...

He bowed before the steps with practiced ease. Compared to the other children, he appeared remarkably calm and composed. Li Jiangzong raised a brow and, as expected, those golden eyes turned toward him.

"And this one is..."

Li Jiangzong glanced through the register in his hand, checked the placement assigned to the boy, and said,"The Eastern Residence... he's from Lady Minggong's lineage. There's also the eldest legitimate descendant, Suikuan, whose innate ability appears even greater. After all these years, that lineage has finally prospered once again."

The moment Li Jianglong heard those words, he knew Li Jiangzong was deliberately being tactful. Li Minggong had never married and had no children. Strictly speaking, it was inappropriate to call them descendants of her lineage. They should have been described as descendants of Li Xixuan.

Unfortunately, it was that very elder who took the lead back then, and the Eastern Residence was torn apart by the schemes of his elder brother. Even their lineage has become something awkward to speak of.

Li Suining's situation is somewhat better... As for Li Suikuan, he should be a descendant of Li Chengzai, born from the legitimate line... making the matter even more awkward.

To prevent the two children from being burdened by the affairs of their forebears, Li Jiangzong intentionally avoided mentioning Li Xixuan. Li Jianglong, however, understood the situation perfectly. Taking a sip of tea, he glanced over them and nodded inwardly.

Meanwhile, Li Suining remained motionless and silently waited. Only after everyone had assembled did a sudden flash of bright light illuminate the hall. Multicolored radiance gathered together, and an uncanny stillness descended. Everyone present was startled and immediately bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Daoist Master!"

Li Suining raised his head slightly and saw a white-golden figure now standing before the main seat. He immediately lowered his head again as fast as lightning, and remained prostrated before the steps, unwilling to rise.

The Daoist Master stood before the steps with a faint smile and leisurely said, "Rise. There's no need for such formalities!"

The cultivators rose to their feet. The atmosphere remained solemn. Possessing the bearing of a Daoist Master, Li Ximing radiated an invisible pressure throughout the hall even without speaking.

Taking his seat, he swept his gaze across the assembly and nodded. "Not bad. These children all possess talent of some substance..."

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