Chapter 1639: Exalted Position (I)

It’s probably related to the provincial boundaries from back then...

When Li Ximing had advanced to the Purple Mansion Realm years ago, the ones who came to the lake were Zhang Gui and Wang Long. The most distinguished purple-gold book they carried identified them as the Five Directional Envoys of the Provinces of Jiao and Yang.

Zhang Gui and Wang Long must have been Judge Yang's people.

There had once been some uncertainty about the matter, but the truth gradually became clear. By the time Li Ximing attained the Purple Mansion Realm, the Azure Pond Sect was already slipping rapidly into decline. The Yang Family also knew that the Supreme Yang Dao lineage was destined to wane. If the Li Family were left completely unchecked, they could very well end up harming the Yang Family's interests.

By sending those two Five Directional Envoys and revealing that the Yang Family possessed Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, Judge Yang had accomplished two things. First, he stabilized the relationship between the two families. Second, he sought to prevent any potential conflicts that might arise in the future.

Aside from this matter, the Li Family had spent a century in Jiangnan and gathered plenty of information. Another name was invariably tied to Judge Yang, who was also known as Yang Jinxin.

The Zhenan Office.

According to unofficial rumors, Judge Yang was the master of the Zhenan Office. He oversaw the handling of the phenomena and Metallic Essence left behind by the deaths of Purple Mansion Realm cultivators throughout Jiangnan. As the rumors put it, he was "in charge of the [Metal Affairs] of divine abilities."

I have no idea what standing an Office-level power holds within the Underworld's judiciary, or what role it truly plays. But one thing is perfectly clear. This is a position with genuine authority. To them, Jiangnan is merely one territory under their jurisdiction.

No matter what, the Yang Family before him was anything but an ordinary force. Calling them weak was utterly out of the question.

Li Zhouwei replied, "Your esteemed family is a distinguished imperial descendant, the foremost family in Jiangnan. Others cannot hope to compare, no matter how hard they try. And now, with the matter of seeking truth upon you... Fellow Daoist, you are far too modest..."

Yang Ruiyi laughed heartily before saying in a serious tone, "Imperial descendant is too generous a title. In truth, there are scarcely any families that could call themselves imperial descendants in front of you, fellow Daoist."

He meant every word. Regardless of Li Zhouwei's current circumstances, given enough time, he was destined to become one of the world's foremost masters of divine abilities. After all, the blood of the Qilin flowed through his veins. Unless Emperor Zhaowu of Zhao himself returned to life, or the Zhao Son of Heaven from the Fuqi Family within the Zhao Palace received some extraordinary blessing, no one would have the right to style themselves an imperial descendant before Li Zhouwei.

After the exchange of pleasantries, the elderly man who had been quietly seated by the window had already vanished. Whether it was Yang Ruiyi or Li Zhouwei, both breathed a deep sigh of relief. The tense, rigid atmosphere immediately eased.

Li Zhouwei raised a brow and took the opportunity to ask thoughtfully, "I have heard... that the lord behind you is affiliated with the Zhenan Office. May I ask what kind of Immortal Office it is?"

Yang Ruiyi's attention had clearly been fixed on the old man the entire time. Although he was the host, he had actually been even more nervous than Li Zhouwei, terrified of saying the wrong thing. Now that the old man had departed, it was as though he had come back to life.

Relaxing against the main seat, he smiled. "My lord's official post is not here, but in the hall. Positions in the hall often carry rank without any specific assignment. He concurrently oversees this office as his assigned duty, and so the world has a particular title by which it addresses him."

He raised his chin and said casually, "After all, the hall lies within the Profound Exile of the Underworld. The titles held there are generally not spoken aloud."

The old man's terrifying true form was still vividly etched into Li Zhouwei's mind, though he dared not dwell on it. He merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Yang Ruiyi, however, had no intention of elaborating and said perfunctorily, "The Zhenan Office has a long history. It originally oversaw this entire region. However, nowadays, discipline has fallen into disrepair, and many offices have faded from prominence. Numerous duties have been consolidated under the Zhenan Office. Whether it is the Beijiang Office or the Lingjian Office, neither holds authority equal to that of the Zhenan Office..."

Li Zhouwei could tell he was holding something back and speaking with obvious reservations, so he remarked casually, "So he really is a major figure in the Underworld!"

Yang Ruiyi smiled and immediately changed the subject. "Since the White Qilin has honored us with your presence, I won't waste time on pleasantries. The lords hold you in very high regard. They call you the foremost pillar of our kingdom, and your esteemed family has conducted itself with remarkable prudence, earning their favor. The main reason I've come today is to discuss this very matter."

Li Zhouwei looked at him in silence as Yang Ruiyi let out a sigh. "If, for the Underworld's sake, you are willing to lend strength to our dynasty... the Yang Family will naturally compensate you!"

Li Zhouwei took a sip of tea. He already knew the answer in his heart, yet he still asked, "You want me to become your subject?"

Yang Ruiyi fell silent. This was by no means a simple matter. Whether it was the Chen Family or the Lingu Family, bowing to the Yang Family was inevitable, and they were in no position to negotiate otherwise. The Li Family was not much different. The compensation Yang Ruiyi had mentioned was directed specifically at Li Zhouwei himself.

Li Zhouwei cultivated the Bright Yang Dao lineage, which by its very nature was not one that bowed to others. Ordinary cultivators might not be so constrained, but Li Zhouwei was one especially favored by Bright Yang itself, and possessed an extraordinary destiny. Ever since his birth, the Li Family had addressed him only as the heir, never by his given name. They permitted him neither to kneel nor bow, all to preserve and fulfill the destiny that was his.

Now that he had set his sights on Fruition Attainment, if he were to serve another according to the rites of a subject, it might seem inconsequential at first, but it would inevitably hinder his pursuit of Fruition Attainment.

Li Zhouwei is, after all, a child of Bright Yang. Even if he has endured humiliation while in a lesser position, ambition still burns within him. With the world in its current state, he is certain to seize this opportunity to strive for Fruition Attainment.

Severing another's Dao lineage was a blood feud that could never be reconciled. Likewise, obstructing someone's pursuit of gold or placing obstacles in their path toward Fruition Attainment was enough to earn lifelong hatred. How could Yang Ruiyi possibly afford to be anything but cautious?

What's more, my family stands to benefit from this as well.

But the same reasoning applied to Yang Zhuo's side. Li Zhouwei's destiny was extraordinary. If he were to bow his head to Yang Zhuo, it would not only greatly benefit the new dynasty established by the Yang Family, but also elevate Yang Zhuo's own destiny.

Yang Ruiyi understood these concerns all too well, which was why he had carefully observed Li Zhouwei's expression. Li Zhouwei, however, remained silent. His golden eyes rested on Yang Ruiyi, as though waiting for him to continue.

After a brief exchange of glances, Yang Ruiyi did not keep him waiting. Smiling, he explained, "White Qilin, there is no need to worry. We will fully support your pursuit of the True Monarch position. The matter is not as grave as you imagine. We will do everything possible to reduce its impact to the absolute minimum.

"After all, the new dynasty does not govern harshly. Both the Chen Family and the Lingu Family are vassal states that have submitted to us. They retain the title of king and keep the territories within their prefectures as hereditary fiefs. Though they must answer to our summons, their fiefs remain self-governing. As for the Li Family, your terms would be even more generous."

He smiled. "We will certainly do everything in our power to preserve your inherent rank and ensure the White Qilin is satisfied."

Li Zhouwei was not surprised. In fact, neither the Yang Family nor the Li Family found this unexpected. There had never been any room for negotiation. The involvement of three generations of the Li Family, from Li Xizhi to Li Zhouluo and Li Jiangliang, had itself been a clear indication.

The Yang Family's grand design requires the Li Family's participation. Their subtle protection in years past and the assistance they gave our predecessors may have been idle moves to them, but every one of them came with a price attached. Whether that price is fair or not, whether the Li Family is willing or not, the time has come to repay it.

Yang Ruiyi’s words also made something else abundantly clear. From another perspective, the Underworld's judiciary held much the same stance as Luoxia regarding Li Qianyuan. The Li Qianyuan they wished to see was one who was dead, or at the very least half dead. That was why they were so eager to 'fully support' this matter.

No wonder Luoxia has never been concerned. The Li Family resides within the jurisdiction of the Underworld's judiciary. Even if Luoxia does nothing, the Underworld's judiciary will naturally keep a close watch. They have no urgency to damage my destiny... If anything, they seem more inclined to help fulfill it.

With this, the attitude of the greatest power in the world has become clear. The final piece has fallen into place. That lord father of Bright Yang has maneuvered Luoxia and the Underworld's judiciary into working together, while the Dragon Clan has been half willing and half compelled to go along with it...

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