Li Qingzhi, a Brother in Harmony

At sunset, Qin Enuo walked out of the medicine room.

Half an hour later, Li Ziye was carried out of the medicine room.

How could one describe him?

"Dead dog" was perhaps the most fitting description.

The Li Residence servants were too frightened to breathe loudly. In all these years, this was the first time they had seen their young master in such a miserable state.

Upon hearing the news, Li Baiwan and Li Youwei both rushed to Li Ziye's room.

The residence's physician came as well.

"The young master merely fainted from the pain. It is nothing serious."

The physician spoke after examining Li Ziye's meridians.

At this, Li Baiwan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Little brother."

Li Youwei sat beside the bed, looking at the unconscious Li Ziye with heartache on her face. A trace of anger toward Qin Enuo rose within her.

Qin Enuo was truly hateful. Couldn't she use a gentler method to clear little brother's meridians?

Seeing that Li Ziye was all right, Li Baiwan and the physician left the room. Only Li Youwei remained by his bedside, keeping watch late into the night.

"Sister Youwei."

In the still of the night, Li Ziye woke. He barely managed to open his eyes and softly called to the woman beside his bed.

"Little brother, you're awake."

Joy appeared on Li Youwei's face. "Does it still hurt?" she asked with concern.

"Not anymore."

Li Ziye answered with feigned ease. "Sister Youwei, it's late. Go back and rest."

"There's no hurry. I made your favorite lotus seed soup."

Li Youwei rose, brought a bowl of lotus seed soup from the table, and fed it to him a little at a time.

Li Ziye ate silently, a faint ache in his heart.

If anyone in the Li Residence treated him best, it was undoubtedly this elder sister of his.

Even Old Li, his own father, often fell somewhat short.

Moreover, his elder sister had managed most of the Li family's business over the years. It was hard work.

He, on the other hand, the Li Residence's legitimate son, spent his days doing nothing, either freeloading or dreaming his unrealistic dreams of becoming a sword immortal.

In all honesty, he felt he had let his adoptive sister down terribly.

"Sister Youwei."

Li Ziye spoke, wanting to say something.

"Rest early. Don't let your thoughts run wild."

Li Youwei seemed to see what was on his mind. She said softly, "As long as you're happy, your elder sister is happy."

With that, Li Youwei stayed no longer. She rose and left the room.

Inside, Li Ziye lay quietly on the bed, his resolve firmer than ever before.

He knew the Li Residence's current predicament. The imperial court had already begun moving against them, and with their present strength, they could not truly contend with it.

But if the Li Residence could produce one or two sword immortals, the situation would be entirely different.

So no matter how hard it was, he had to persevere.

Everyone he wanted to protect was in this residence. No matter what, he could not let it fall into decline.

After a sleepless night, Li Ziye climbed out of bed at the first light of dawn.

At breakfast, his hands trembled so badly that he could not even pick up food. Clearly, his shattered meridians had yet to recover fully.

"Little brother, don't rush."

Li Youwei placed the dishes before him and comforted him.

"Mm."

Li Ziye nodded, lowered his head, and hastily ate a few mouthfuls before leaving.

"What's wrong with Ziye?" Li Baiwan asked in bewilderment.

"Little brother carries more on his mind than we imagined," Li Youwei said with a soft sigh.

Not far from the lake, Li Ziye came to Qin Enuo's room and knocked directly on the door. "Fairy Master!"

With a creak, the door opened. Qin Enuo looked at him and asked indifferently, "What is it?"

"I'm better. We can continue," Li Ziye said with a grin.

Qin Enuo glanced at him and said calmly, "Your meridians haven't fully recovered. Are you certain your body can withstand it?"

"Certain." Li Ziye nodded firmly.

"Then let's go!"

Qin Enuo spoke indifferently, then stepped out and headed toward the medicine room.

Li Ziye followed without any hesitation.

Half an hour later.

Inside the medicine room, shrill screams rang out once more.

No one could endure the agony of having their meridians shattered.

Yet Li Ziye, his heart firm as stone, desperately held on.

Beside the lake, Zhang Lata silently drank from his wine jar. This time, he no longer gloated.

The Li family's Ziye had truly exceeded his expectations.

He had thought the boy would retreat after experiencing that bone-deep agony yesterday.

He had never expected Li Ziye to have such unyielding bones.

Half a day later, the door opened.

Qin Enuo stepped out, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"Fairy Master."

Li Ziye's voice came from inside the medicine room. Today, he had actually not passed out.

"What is it?"

Qin Enuo stopped and asked calmly.

"Aren't you going to teach me the sword?"

Li Ziye asked wearily.

"Can you still stand?"

Qin Enuo asked.

"Yes!"

Li Ziye answered.

Qin Enuo nodded without another word and continued forward.

Only after nearly another hour had passed did Li Ziye finally manage to walk out of the medicine room. After his medicinal bath, his clothes were neat and his long hair was tied behind him-a graceful young gentleman of exceptional bearing.

Qin Enuo was already waiting beside the lake. Seeing Li Ziye approach, she asked, "What is a sword?"

"The sovereign of all weapons," Li Ziye answered.

Qin Enuo frowned. "Wrong. Answer again."

"The sword is the king among weapons," Li Ziye answered again.

"Wrong. Answer again!"

Qin Enuo's tone had grown markedly sterner.

Li Ziye fell silent. After a long while, he slowly said, "A sword is a tool for killing!"

"Correct!"

Qin Enuo nodded. In an instant, her presence changed, Sword Qi surged, and waves immediately rippled across the still lake.

"The sword is a tool for killing. Thus, no matter how exquisite a move is, it ultimately has only one purpose."

As she spoke, Qin Enuo curled her right hand around empty air. An ancient sword immediately flew through the air from a nearby room.

Qin Enuo grasped the sword and swept it out. In an instant, Sword Qi swept in all directions, cleaving the lake's waters apart with a thunderous crash.

Beside the lake, Li Ziye watched that astonishing strike. Though this was not the first time he had seen it, he was still deeply shaken.

"The essence of the sword is speed, precision, and focus. As for sword moves, their essence lies in nothing more than a sweep, a slash, and a thrust."

Qin Enuo explained calmly, "Starting today, you need only practice three moves: sweep, slash, and thrust. A thousand repetitions every day, not one fewer, until your sword strikes contain no unnecessary movement and no error, until they become entirely instinctive."

"Yes!"

Li Ziye cupped his fist, bowed respectfully, and answered.

Seeing the youth before her bow so formally for the first time, Qin Enuo's expression softened slightly. "If you can reach the level I described, then even if you ultimately fail to open your meridians, apart from a handful of martial grandmasters, no one in the Great Shang Dynasty will be able to disregard your sword."

Not far away, Zhang Lata drank quietly without saying a word.

Qin Enuo's words were indeed correct, but those in the world who could train their swordsmanship to such a level could be counted on one hand.

The pie she had painted was certainly large, but at least it gave the boy some hope.

Beside the lake, Li Ziye's confidence indeed grew considerably after hearing Qin Enuo's words.

"This sword is named Azure Frost. You may borrow it for now."

Qin Enuo handed the ancient sword to the youth before her and said earnestly, "But every sword cultivator has their own sword, so you must find one as soon as possible-a sword that truly belongs to you."

Li Ziye accepted the ancient sword Azure Frost and nodded lightly. "Thank you, Fairy."

Qin Enuo nodded and said nothing more, turning to leave.

Li Ziye remained beside the lake and began practicing, move by move.

"You actually lent him your own sword. It seems he really is different in your eyes. I never expected you to acknowledge him so quickly," Zhang Lata said nearby after taking a drink.

"The moment he walked out of the medicine room on his own, he earned the right to learn the sword from me," Qin Enuo said indifferently.

"Do you really think he can embark on the martial path?" Zhang Lata asked seriously.

"I don't know."

Qin Enuo said calmly, "But judging by his performance today, unless he truly dies, he won't give up."

"Rather than living comfortably as a rich wastrel, he insists on practicing martial arts. Asking for suffering," Zhang Lata remarked with faint mockery, then said no more.

Qin Enuo said nothing either, her gaze resting on the youth ahead. Everyone had something they held fast to. Perhaps he, too, had something he wanted to protect, which was why he pushed himself so desperately.

As the sun traveled west, Li Ziye was still practicing beside the lake, sweat pouring like rain. His clothes and hair were soaked through, plastered against his body.

The meridians in his arms had still not fully recovered. Every swing brought pain that pierced to the marrow.

Faintly, blood seeped out, staining his sleeves red.

"Little brother."

In the distance, Li Youwei watched, unable to bear the sight. But she understood her little brother's temperament and did not step forward to stop him.

Only at sunset, after completing a thousand repetitions, did Li Ziye stumble groggily back to his room and collapse onto his bed, his consciousness already blurring.

The last light of sunset faded, and night arrived. Beside the lake, Zhang Lata was just about to return to his room to rest when his gaze suddenly sharpened, turning toward the far reaches of the darkness.

An expert!

A young man in silver-gray robes emerged from the darkness. His expression was cold and stern, unsmiling, and his icy presence sent chills down the spine.

"Second Young Master!"

The servants froze upon seeing him, then hurriedly bowed.

Li Qingzhi paid them no heed and headed straight for the study.

Beside the lake, Zhang Lata narrowed his eyes slightly.

So this was the Li Residence's legendary second young master? To possess such cultivation at such a young age.

The study.

Li Qingzhi entered and bowed respectfully. "Adoptive Father, Elder Sister."

"Qingzhi."

Both Li Baiwan's and Li Youwei's expressions warmed upon seeing him.

"May I ask why you summoned me back, Adoptive Father?"

Li Qingzhi asked calmly.

"Let your elder sister explain."

Li Baiwan looked toward Li Youwei beside him. "Youwei."

"Mm!"

Li Youwei nodded and looked at the young man before her. "Qingzhi, you already know that the Third Prince came to Yuzhou City. Do you know what else he came for, besides seeking to become Qin Enuo's disciple?"

"I don't." Li Qingzhi shook his head.

"To probe the true strength of our Li Residence, and to attempt to meddle in our family's business in the imperial family's name."

Li Youwei said gravely, "The capital's Zhangsun Family, the Merchant Alliance, and the Yin Family Bank. These are the choices the Third Prince gave us, and we have no choice but to choose."

Li Qingzhi fell silent. A moment later, he asked, "What would you have me do, Elder Sister?"

"In a while, I'll travel to the capital to discuss business cooperation with those three. At that time, I want you to secretly send people to sabotage their relations. Can you do it?" Li Youwei asked calmly.

Li Qingzhi thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

"Qingzhi, you may only send others to do this. You must not act personally," Li Baiwan reminded him from the side.

"Yes, Adoptive Father," Li Qingzhi answered respectfully.

"Go."

Li Baiwan waved his hand.

"I take my leave."

Li Qingzhi bowed, then turned and left.

Li Baiwan rose and walked to the study's entrance. Watching his retreating figure, he sighed softly. "Qingzhi's disposition is growing colder and colder. If something happens to me one day, Youwei, you'll be the only one who can keep him in check."

"Adoptive Father."

Li Youwei parted her lips and said, "Although Qingzhi harbors resentment, his heart is still with the Li Residence. And he isn't entirely without affection for little brother."

"Perhaps."

Li Baiwan smiled wryly. He could not speak for anyone else, but when it came to Ziye, Qingzhi would absolutely never show him a pleasant face.

Early the next morning, Li Ziye practiced his swordsmanship by the lake.

Just then, on the other side of the lake, Li Qingzhi strode over in a silver-gray robe.

Seeing him approach, Li Ziye was just about to speak when his vision blurred, and he instinctively raised his sword across his body to block.

In the blink of an eye, Li Qingzhi swept across the hundred-foot distance, thrusting two fingers of his right hand toward Li Ziye's sword hand.

With a single thud, Li Ziye felt his right hand go numb, and the ancient sword flew from his grasp.

"You can't even hold on to your own sword. Trash!"

Li Qingzhi spoke coldly, then turned and left.