Chapter 494 494: 392 Chapter Meng Taizhi_2

They were born of noble descent, receiving teachings of various strategies and spells from birth, with exceptional talents. The world before them was as sweet as honey, how could they not be composed? Everyone who met them dared not offend, always granting them some face, and with elders above to control them, they never grew too arrogant; they truly lived a blessed life.

'Whether magnanimous and poised or ruthless and cautious, it's hard to say whether it's good or bad, circumstances vary, and timing combines with fate; how can anyone be sure? But as for Xijun...'

Watching Li Xijun with those narrow eyes, he suddenly spoke:

"Jun'er."

Li Xijun looked up; he was much more handsome than Li Yuanjiao, with a slight frown, presenting an appearance of attentive listening.

Li Yuanjiao said in a low voice:

"Sometimes it's good to hide your edge, not to be too outstanding, to make small mistakes, to suffer small losses..."

Li Xijun appeared puzzled and looked up blankly; Li Yuanjiao continued more seriously:

"Ximing and Xihong can make mistakes, and mistakes can be corrected, which indeed puts my mind at ease. Only you, so astute, have not yet made any noteworthy mistakes, even harboring scorn towards the world; I have seen it all."

For the first time, Li Xijun's thoughts had been laid bare, and he felt a shock to his heart, staring blankly at him.

Li Yuanjiao spoke in a hoarse voice:

"My brother was also as astute and generous, naturally talented, and so magnanimous that in his entire life, he only made one mistake—picking up that Artifice Pearl."

"Fortune often slays the mighty; never underestimate the people of this world."

The tragic lesson of Li Yuanxiu's experience was profound, and over ten troublesome rules within the Li Family were added because of this incident. The intense suspicion and caution that Li Yuanjiao had gradually fostered were also inseparable from it. Li Xijun knelt and replied:

"The younger generation will take this lesson to heart."

Li Yuanjiao carefully instructed him further, yet he couldn't help the gnawing pain in his back and shortness of breath. Only then did he remember the unattended injury from the sting; it couldn't be ignored any longer. He instructed:

"I've suffered a minor injury and need to recuperate. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator sometimes secludes themselves for several years; I leave the family affairs in your hands. All your brothers will listen to you. Consult with your seventh uncle on all matters."

Li Xijun bowed in response, thoughtful, and as he watched Li Yuanjiao walk away, he picked up Li Yuexiang from the ground and said softly:

"Come, your brother will take you for a stroll!"

...

Lijing Mountain.

Li Yuanping sat in his usual place at the head of the table, his body draped in a brocade robe, his complexion pale, his eyes slightly sunken, but still appearing spirited. Having recently taken a Talisman Pill, he had broken through the Yujing Wheel and hence, his complexion had much improved.

"This is it..."

Although Li Yuanping had broken through the Yujing threshold with the help of a Talisman Pill, he was merely catching his breath; his Cultivation Level was precarious, and attempting another breakthrough could hasten his demise.

He put the letter in his hand down without any change in expression and motioned to Li Xihong to come over, whispering:

"Has the father and daughter from the Meng... come up yet?"

Li Xihong bowed:

"Meng Taizhi has just returned from Qi Cultivation; I've sent someone to summon them."

No sooner had the words fallen when an older cultivator entered the hall, of a dignified bearing and at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation. He stepped forward and bowed:

"Loose Cultivator Meng Taizhi, greetings to the Family Head."

Li Yuanping waved his hand and cut straight to the point:

"No need for courtesy, Elder Meng. You mentioned you can refine Fetal Breathing Magical Instruments; is this true?"

Meng Taizhi nodded and replied:

"I have some skills in Artifact Refining. Not to boast, but for Fetal Breathing Instruments, I am quite confident. If the Family Head is interested, I can refine Magical Instruments for the aristocracy, to count against Qi Cultivation expenses."

Li Yuanping smiled upon hearing this and inquired:

"It's not easy to gather Qi, Elder Meng. How much time can you spare for Artifact Refining?"

Meng Taizhi knelt and said:

"If the aristocratic family can provide the materials, I can manage one instrument every two months."

Li Yuanping nodded lightly and said:

"Sixty in ten years, that's no small number."

The Li Family's Magic Artifacts were mostly obtained from defeating enemies or purchased from others at a high premium. Fetal Breathing Magical Instruments were mainly used to consolidate authority over the peaks or as rewards for the younger generation. If they could secure this batch of instruments, things would be much easier in the future.

'We have the Green Crow Mine at our disposal, which is perfect for forging quality Fetal Breathing Instruments. With these instruments, it will be more convenient when establishing new peaks in the future.'

However, Li Yuanping would never believe that Meng Taizhi would be so generous to offer his services without expecting anything in return. As he mulled over the letter in his hand, he thought to himself:

'Having Xiao Yuansi's letter in hand, the Meng father and daughter could have mined qi by themselves, yet they insisted on joining us, most likely harboring ulterior motives.'

Li Yuanping did not wish to owe any favors. Glancing over at Li Xihong beside him, he smiled and said,

"After all, a visitor from afar should not be troubled like this. My family still has some foundation. How about we employ you for artifact refining and also provide some subsidy for elder Meng."

Meng Taizhi clasped his hands in response, following his lead and said,

"The Family Head is too polite. Offering some modest assistance is hardly a trouble, but..."

Li Yuanping was waiting for his 'but' when he saw Meng Taizhi continue,

"My daughter has the talent to condense pills with her heart fire, alas, I am merely an artifact refiner and cannot teach her."

With that, he bowed respectfully and went on,

"I am already one hundred and eighty years old and fear I have not much time left. My only concern is this daughter for whom I cannot rest easy. I wish for her to inherit an Alchemy Dao to establish herself... If we are granted the Alchemy Dao of your noble clan, we shall never divulge it to others!"

"Refining magic artifacts for the noble clan is but one aspect. Should there be any arrangements, this old man will do everything within his power without refusal!"

'So that's what he's aiming for!'

Only then did Li Yuanping feel that matters were in order. Placing the letter on the table, he spoke in a gentle tone,

"There's no need for such formality, elder Meng. There are no urgent matters within my family currently, and this Alchemy Dao inheritance is quite significant. I'll need to consult with the elders of my family first."

"Please trouble the Family Head!"

After thanking him several times, Li Yuanping asked for some details, spoke briefly on some trivial matter, and then dismissed him.

Li Xihong, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward with clasped hands and said,

"Family Head, the Meng father and daughter, one possessing a secret technique and the other an extraordinary talent, why not invite them into our family? Once Meng Zhuoyun becomes a Pill Master, she can significantly alleviate Ming brother's burden..."

"Hmm."

After listening to his suggestion, Li Yuanping gathered the small letters on the table, moving them to the corner, and said warmly,

"Have a look."

Li Xihong stepped forward and looked through the small stack of letters,

"Your subordinate has reached the East Sea Red Jiao Island market... This place has never had a Meng-refiner... nor have I heard of any refiner leaving..."

"Your subordinate has reached the East Sea Pure Unity Island..."

"Your subordinate has reached the East Sea Bamboo Creek Island..."

After Li Xihong finished reading, Li Yuanping then explained,

"I have already dispatched people to check various islands. Based on the origins of the spiritual objects that Meng Zhuoyun and others used, we have never heard of a Meng cultivator skilled in refining, nor any recent news of a refiner leaving the East Sea."

"Even the locations extracted from Meng Taizhi's mouth showed no traces."

He tapped on the desk and continued in a mild tone,

"Perhaps Meng Taizhi is obscure and thus hard to trace, but how can we casually accept him into the family without first clarifying his origins?"

Seeing that Li Xihong appeared contemplative, Li Yuanping then said,

"There's no rush on this matter. We have a full ten years to look into it. With careful precautions, we will eventually uncover the truth."

He instructed Li Xihong as if entrusting a duty,

"I have arranged for several people. When you take charge of the household, just follow the procedures to continue the investigation."

Li Xihong nodded, feeling the heavy burden in his heart. He had followed Li Yuanping for years, and only now did he understand his brother Li Ximing's difficulties. Taking over the reformed Li Family was troublesome enough, let alone the numerous challenges Li Ximing had faced back then.

After Li Yuanping had finished speaking, a report came from the clan soldiers below. An Zhiyan and his two sons had returned, and the vein exploration on the southern shore was complete.

"Good! Please have him come in immediately."

Li Yuanping was instantly joyful, coughing twice. The three who were brought in stood before him. The one in the lead, with a shiny bald head, at the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation, clasped his hands and said,

"An Zhiyan pays respects to the Family Head."

Li Yuanping nodded. An Zhiyan had a physique as burly as a bear, yet his voice was very humble,

"I have ascertained that, among the fourteen anomalies in the Earth Vein on the southern shore, there are three mineral veins and seven water veins, all of substantial value. Congratulations to the Family Head!"

"Three mineral veins?!"

Li Yuanping quickly stood up, pressing for details,

"Which mineral veins exactly?!"