Three Years

Li Jing Village had been in an uproar until late last night, yet at cockcrow the villagers were all up. The early-autumn morning air was sweet and fresh, the dew crystalline, but the village itself lay bleak and desolate.

The Liu and Li families had put out some dry provisions. The refugees huddled at the village entrance as they ate. The middle-aged man leading them gazed anxiously at the twenty-odd people beside him, thinking to himself: Now we truly had hardships we could not voice. We killed their man in charge—forget staying, we could not even get away.

The refugees stirred restlessly and all looked up toward the mountain road. Someone cried, "There are people on the road—look at that old man!"

Along the winding path came an old farmer with gray hair. His clothes and arms were spattered with blood. With his left hand, he struggled to drag along a dripping corpse, while from the hoe slung over his right shoulder hung a battered, ruined head with loose strands of hair.

"It's that assassin!"

Someone sharp-eyed recognized the headless corpse's clothing, and a chill ran down his spine. The man had escaped only last night, yet by morning his head had already been taken. Who knew what sort of person this old man was? The Li Clan truly wielded tremendous power.

As Old Man Xu drew near, the people on both sides hurriedly stepped back, making way for him.

Yet Old Man Xu was deathly pale. His eyes were vacant as he walked, sparing not so much as a glance for those around him and simply trudging on.

By the time he made his way to the Li Clan courtyard at the end of the village, tenants had already gone to report the news. The Li Clan opened their gates, and Li Mutian, looking exhausted, led the family out to greet him in front of the gate.

"Uncle Xu, this is..."

"That remnant of the Yuan Family... I killed him. The corpse is all here. Have Liu Linfeng and Tian Shoushui come identify him."

Old Man Xu hunched over, his limbs icy cold. He set the corpse down on the ground and sat down himself, gasping for breath.

Li Tongya hurriedly brought tea from the inner room and held it out to Old Man Xu. But the old man's hands and feet trembled so badly that he could not even take the cup, and could only sip as Li Tongya brought it to his lips.

Before long, Liu Linfeng and Tian Shoushui arrived together with the Xu Family's eldest son. Old Man Xu recounted the entire sequence of events before everyone once more. After several confirmations, this man truly was a remnant of the Yuan Family.

"Uncle Xu, my elder brother's great vengeance has been avenged. The Li Clan cannot thank you enough..." Li Tongya began with reddened eyes, but Old Man Xu laboriously waved his hand and spoke through tears:

"You need not thank me. I received Hu Er's kindness, so I killed this man for him. I will never use that favor to seek wealth and honor from your Li Clan. This old man does not have many years left to live. If you truly wish to thank me, then when that child is born, bring him to see me."

With that, he forced himself to his feet. Without heeding the Li family's calls for him to stay, he left the gate supported by the Xu Family's eldest son.

The Li Clan's funeral rites lasted several days, white mourning cloth and hemp garments filling the courtyard. Li Changhu had been generous and righteous in life, and so cries of grief came from every household. With affairs so busy, Li Tongya's preparations for his breakthrough were postponed again and again. Only two months after Li Changhu was buried did his state of mind settle. He condensed the Profound Scene Wheel and stepped through the gates of cultivation.

Two years later.

Bright morning sunlight fell across several sparse little trees in the courtyard, casting fine, fragmented shadows throughout the yard. Beneath the trees sat a handsome youth cross-legged, wholly absorbed in breathing exercises.

Before long, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, withdrew his hand seal, and smiled as he looked into the courtyard.

A boy of about two, clutching several wildflowers, came bouncing into the backyard. Laughing happily, he babbled:

"Uncle... hug..."

Li Chijing smiled and gently scooped him up, lifting the child high. He pressed his forehead against the child's little head and eagerly asked:

"Was Xuan Xuan good and obedient today?"

"Hug..." The child ignored him, giggling as he squirmed in Li Chijing's hands.

"Xuan Xuan! Come out quickly!"

Ren Shi did not dare enter the backyard and called softly from the courtyard gate.

Li Chijing set the child down and watched with a smile as he hopped into his mother's embrace. Then he said softly:

"This Circulating Movement Wheel truly is difficult to cultivate. A full year and a half has passed, and it is finally about to be complete!"

"Jing Er, you truly do not know contentment!"

Li Xiangping stood up behind him and softly laughed as he scolded, "We have only cultivated the second level of Fetal Breathing, the Bearing Light Wheel. We have not even brushed against the edges of the third level, the Circulating Movement Wheel, yet you complain that cultivation is too slow and wastes your time!"

Li Chijing gave a chuckle without answering, continuing on his own: "Tonight, I can begin condensing the Circulating Movement Wheel and show you what it means for spiritual power to flow in endless circulation."

"You child."

Li Xiangping burst into laughter. Seeing Li Mutian enter the backyard with his hands clasped behind his back, he lowered his head and called, "Father."

Li Mutian had changed greatly over the past two years. His hair had turned mottled gray, deep wrinkles lined his face, and he wore a stern, unsmiling expression all day long. He looked more than ten years older.

"Xuan Xuan truly is mischievous!"

At the sight of his grandson Li Xuanxuan, Li Mutian's face finally showed a hint of a smile. After Li Changhu's death, the old man had lost all appetite and was constantly weary. The birth of this posthumous child had undoubtedly breathed new life into him, and he had pulled himself together once more.

As soon as Li Xuanxuan was born, Li Mutian climbed out of bed, gathered the Li Clan, and had Li Xiangping select three lines of incantations from the "Guidance Method" to serve as the future generational order of the Li Clan.

After deliberating carefully for several days, Li Xiangping selected three lines from the book describing the Fetal Breathing method. They were:

"Profound Scene, abyss-clear; Xi Yue receives brightness.

Circulating through the crimson palace, then speaking of Azure Origin.

Jade Capital reflects its image; only Spirit Beginning is seen."

The sons of Li Tongya, Li Xiangping, and the others would take their names from Profound Scene: boys would use Xuan, girls would use Jing, and so on.

Li Mutian then asked Ren Shi. Ren Ping'er thought it over for a night and chose the character Xuan, thus naming Li Changhu's posthumous son: Li Xuanxuan.

"It is only because Father dotes on him too much."

Li Tongya smiled and shook his head, setting the Wooden Slip in his hand back onto the rack as he replied.

"Nonsense!"

Li Mutian feigned anger, blowing his beard and glaring as he shouted. Then his expression turned serious. "I want Ye Sheng to stay by my side and learn more."

"Li Yesheng?"

Li Tongya lowered his head to ponder for several breaths before saying:

"That is indeed a good idea. Li Yesheng is all alone and especially close to our family. We need to cultivate the methods and breathe in spiritual qi, leaving us no time for the mundane affairs of the Mortal World. Li Yesheng also carries Li Clan blood, so no one could be more suitable."

"I only fear that, after enough time, he may develop selfish motives and line his own pockets..." Li Chijing asked with a frown.

"This old man can live another ten years at least, and I can still keep him in check!"

Li Mutian's tone was forceful as he continued coldly:

"By the time ten years have passed, the younger generations will have grown up. How could it be his turn to entertain improper ambitions?"

"To govern others, kindness and authority must both be wielded. Once Li Yesheng marries and has children, everything will be easy to keep under control." Li Xiangping spoke blandly.

"Exactly."

Li Chijing took a Wooden Slip from the rack, blew the dust from it, and said with a quiet smile:

"Ten years of cultivation. It truly gives one much to look forward to."

Starting today, I will try posting two updates a day~ Thank you all for your votes!