Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 117 - 108 Seeking Support
"In a few years, we'll have to go to the county to pay our tribute and report the news of the Li Family's Qi Cultivation. By then, it would be best to have saved up a hundred spirit stones to be sure we can invite an Array Master to set up a formation."
Li Xuanfeng had already gone into seclusion again a few days ago, with Fetal Breathing Peak so close to Qi Cultivation, it wasn't far off. Li Tongya handed over the "Golden Radiance Technique" and the Metal Stone Sharp Qi to him to help Li Xuanfeng break through to Qi Cultivation.
The "Golden Radiance Technique" from the Ji Family was also a Third Grade Cultivation Technique, no inferior to the "River Qi Decision," and even more suited to Li Xuanfeng's use of archery. Thus, Li Tongya gave it to him for his breakthrough, hoping that Li Xuanfeng could represent the Li Family at Guanyun Peak next time the tribute was due.
After all, although Li Tongya had broken through to Qi Cultivation, during the incorporation of the Deep Sea Long Whale Script into his body, he made consecutive breakthroughs and reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Training, his cultivation speed so astonishing it was considered a marvel. Last time he went to pay tribute, he was at the Fetal Breathing Peak, which inevitably attracted the attention of some interested parties.
Li Tongya was a cautious man, naturally unwilling to take such a risk. Although Li Xuanfeng, at fifteen, would be equally impressive with Qi Cultivation, it would be conspicuous if one were to consider Li Tongya's slow progress over the past thirty years, and then witness a breakthrough to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refinement within five years; even a fool could see there was a problem.
"Has Uncle Zhong entered seclusion?"
Li Xuanxuan asked, and then Li Xiewen spoke up:
"Uncle has been in seclusion for several days, saying he wants to solidify his cultivation level."
Having arranged the family's affairs for the past few days, Li Xuanxuan was about to get up when a clan soldier hurriedly came in from outside, and respectfully said:
"Reporting to the Family Head, people from Lichuan Entrance have come. A group of Shanyue from the west has arrived with a caravan of carts and goods and slaves, claiming to be from the Eastern Shanyue and seeking to submit."
"Seeking to submit?!"
Li Xuanxuan was stunned for a moment, nearly laughing out, and coldly said:
"We and the Shanyue belong to two great powers, regardless of how many villages seek to submit, we dare not accept them. What does this mean? It seems that Mu Jiaoman is truly afraid and can no longer sit tight."
The death of Ganixi had split the entire Shanyue into smaller factions within a year, resulting in scattered refugees and soldiers.
Li Xuanxuan's informants in the west had reported that Mu Jiaoman had united around six or seven villages neighboring the Li Family, claiming to have a hundred thousand Shanyue, also known as the Eastern Shanyue.
Among these hundred thousand Shanyue, only Mu Jiaoman had attained Qi Cultivation, and now Li Tongya's strength far surpassed his, making both Li Tongya and Li Xuanxuan covet his position. They had thought several times about crossing the border to extort Mu Jiaoman.
After all, Witch Mountain never paid much attention to the Shanyue beneath them, and as long as the Li Family did not overtly annex their territory, they mostly wouldn't intervene.
However, given the chaos within Shanyue territory, the cautious Li Tongya had yet to advance westward to confront Mu Jiaoman, not wanting to gamble his life on the temperament of Witch Mountain's people. Unexpectedly, Mu Jiaoman had sent envoys to their doorstep.
"That group of Shanyue say they are willing to establish marital ties, engage in trade, and offer tribute, just asking for one condition."
"What are they asking for?"
Li Xuanxuan glanced down, already anticipating the answer.
"They ask that the Li Family's cultivators do not cross the border."
Li Xuanxuan laughed heartily, releasing the pent-up frustration in his chest, and mocked:
"Truly arrogant at first, and then so respectful. We have been living in fear under Ganixi's threat for so many years, and now it's the Shanyue's turn to fear our house."
————
"Is this what the tribal settlement of the foreigners looks like?"
Mu Yalu cautiously led a large cart of animal skins and grain goods forward, as clan soldiers from the previous year began to converge, holding spears and long knives, eyeing them vigilantly.
"We've come to surrender!"
A member of the Shanyue beside him stepped forward and shouted, but the Li Family's clan soldiers ignored them, their eyes filled with suspicion.
Mu Yalu sighed softly, feeling not sorrow for leaving home, but filled with profound envy.
"These foreigners live in affluence, their expressions serene. The clothes they wear, not even Shanyue nobility could afford, and the swords in their hands and the armor on their bodies complete and of high quality. It's unbelievable."
"Now, locusts have ravaged fifteen villages, and even Great Jue Court has people starving to death. It's truly like heaven and earth."
The clan soldiers quickly parted, and a sharp-looking young man clad in leather armor stepped forward. Mu Yalu hurriedly bowed in the manner of the foreigners, speaking softly:
"Are you the head of the Li Family?"
Before leaving home, Mu Yalu had made an effort to wash away the patterns on his body and learn all the etiquette of the foreigners. After being scolded several times, he had learned to speak softly and walk more carefully.
"I dare not. I am Li Xiewen, the overseer of the Li Family. Please come forward."
Li Xiewen motioned Mu Yalu forward, and, naturally, clan soldiers approached to confiscate weapons and ensure she had no cultivation before letting her approach Li Xuanxuan.
Li Xuanxuan stroked his chin as he looked at Mu Yalu, seeing a wild beauty, and said quietly:
"Why have the Eastern Shanyue sent people here?"
Mu Yalu hurriedly bowed and said,
"I am Mu Yalu, sister to Mu Jiaoman. I have seen the Li Family Head. We wish to engage in trade, tribute, and marital alliances with the noble family, asking only that the Li Family refrain from encroaching on our territory to kill."
The words of Mu Yalu caused an uproar among the surrounding clan soldiers. The Shanyue had invaded just last year, and now they were offering valuables to ingratiate themselves, a stark contrast that naturally astonished everyone.
"We have spent a long time searching for the people from the east taken by Ganixi and have sent them all back in the convoy following us. We are earnestly seeking peace! If the Family Head agrees, we are willing to forge a marriage alliance with the Li Family for generations to come, and I, Mu Yalu, will be the beginning of that alliance."
Mu Yalu referred to the Li Family's people as Easterners, not using the slightly mocking term 'outsiders,' showing the thoroughness of the preparations.
She presented a wooden box in her hands, inside which lay a shining white fruit. Mu Yalu spoke respectfully,
"Our king offers this Spirit Fruit as an apology for the incursion years ago, hoping that our two families can let bygones be bygones! This Spirit Fruit is also greatly beneficial to Qi Cultivation, and I hope the Family Head will accept it."
Li Xuanxuan looked at her and someone stepped forward to take the fruit. Li Xuanxuan spoke in a deep voice,
"Please wait, Envoy. We still need to discuss this matter."
Seeing Mu Yalu nod and step back, Li Xuanxuan whispered into Li Xiewen's ear,
"First, send someone to untie those people."
With that, he turned and led his group towards Lijing Mountain.
The clan soldiers below promptly approached to untie the frames and the bound people behind them. Instantly, members of the Shanyue shouted abuses,
"Your king hasn't agreed yet!"
Mu Yalu slightly frowned, wanting to speak up to stop them, but the Shanyue members were already knocked to the ground, faces bloody, missing three teeth.
"You!"
Mu Yalu quickly held back her people, shaking her head in sorrow, knowing that regardless of the outcome, they wouldn't be able to take back the valuables and slaves.
————
Li Tongya had just entered seclusion for a few days when the door to his Cave Mansion was knocked. He frowned slightly and said softly,
"Come in."
Li Xuanxuan pushed the door open and spoke respectfully,
"Uncle, the Shanyue have sent an envoy to seek peace."
After stating all the conditions one by one, Li Tongya listened carefully and spoke gravely,
"Mu Jiaoman is now nothing more than a man that can be dealt with a single sword strike. This man is lustful and reckless, able to maintain but not to advance - far inferior to Ganixi. He would be suitable to watch over our western side."
"If he were truly eliminated, a hundred thousand Shanyue would collapse overnight. Although it might cause chaos for a few years, who knows what monstrous villains might emerge from it. It's better to spare this man's life."
Li Xuanxuan nodded in agreement and said softly,
"The Shanyue are not skilled in mechanics, their craftsmanship and casting is extremely crude. As long as the Shanyue open up trade, it's as if out of thin air we gain a hundred thousand tenant farmers."
"Furthermore, Uncle, your Talismans can be sold at a high price. There's no need to compete in the market anymore. Once our family acquires the Alchemy and Artifact Refining inheritance, we can use the Eastern Shanyue as an entry point, much like the Green Pond Sect, transforming hundreds of thousands of Shanyue into our dedicated market."
Li Tongya stroked his chin and said in a deep voice,
"Indeed, take Mu Yalu as your concubine. Just marry off a girl from a minor sect over there - make sure to instruct them well, and choose the people we send carefully."
"Yes."
Li Xuanxuan bowed and affirmed, ready to leave when Li Tongya turned his head and asked, 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"How many sons does Mu Jiaoman have?"
Li Xuanxuan pondered for a moment and replied gravely,
"That, I am not sure. I will immediately send someone to check and report back to you, Uncle."
Li Tongya nodded, waved him away, then lowered his head, thought for a moment, dipped his pen in ink, and began drawing a Talisman.
