Chapter 502 396: Madam_2

Li Xuanfeng's palm heated her delicate arm, causing it to flush red. Ning Hemian looked at him emotively, the man's sharp brows and eyes bright and spirited as he stared at her:

"Within the clan, there may not be allies, outside the clan, there may not be enemies."

Ning Hemian chuckled softly, leaning against his chest, and whispered:

"The Ning Clan is a friend to nobility, as for who is the enemy, both of us understand in our hearts."

Li Xuanfeng let her frolic in his arms for a while, already ignited with passion, and now carried her horizontally, saying fiercely:

"What's this 'my Ning Clan'? You've already married over, you and I are one, stop talking about two families!"

"Hmm!"

Ning Hemian responded melodiously, and for the first time, there was no sense of distance between them like that of guests. The woman arched her back and lifted her head, smiling considerately.

...

Qingdu Peak.

During winter on Qingdu Peak, originally covered with Du Ruo, it just had a heavy snowfall, turning everything snow white. After the rain and snow ceased, the sun was even brighter.

Xiao Guiluan was cultivating in her quiet chamber, her phoenix eyes charming, simply dressed in a black bound skirt.

Xiao Guiluan had now reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Training. She had decent talent, and over the years, she had advanced methodically. Although she couldn't catch up to her husband Li Yuanjiao, her progress was considered very swift.

Xiao Guiluan didn't particularly like black, but Li Yuanjiao favored the mysterious patterns in dark hues, so she followed suit and wore it too.

Xiao Guiluan had always been low-key within the Li Family. If Li Yuanjiao were the Family Head, her approach and influence would undoubtedly be different, but knowing that Li Yuanjiao disliked it, she obediently cultivated on the mountain.

Exhaling a breath of clear Qi, Li Yuexiang had already come in from the courtyard. Glancing at her, she asked:

"Mother, where is father?"

Li Yuexiang, being sensible, had only a few times spent with Li Yuanjiao, which was supposed to be unlike. Xiao Guiluan understood his difficulties and solely raised Li Yuexiang by herself.

As she was chatting and laughing with Li Yuexiang, suddenly, the door of the Cave Mansion boomed open with a creaky sound, and Li Yuanjiao strolled out. His expression was relatively relaxed, and it seemed his Cultivation Level had somewhat advanced.

"Husband!"

Xiao Guiluan greeted him joyfully. Li Yuanjiao embraced her, and after a long time not seeing her, he too was very pleased. Yet, his first words were:

"How is everything at home?"

Xiao Guiluan answered:

"Kong Tingyun has already accepted the invitation and opened the Fire Vein at Wutu. A member of the Xuan Yue Sect has been left there to guard it, and the Array Plate has been taken away."

Although Li Yuanjiao had prepared himself, he still felt regretful. He inquired about the details and then said:

"What a pity! If not for the injury from the Foundation Establishment attacker from Shanyue, and then going to the East Sea to capture a demon beast, it wouldn't have been a problem! The timing would've been perfect."

All this was within Li Yuanjiao's expectations, and he followed with another question:

"Is there anything else?"

During the two years of Li Yuanjiao's seclusion, some events had happened, rather significant ones. Xiao Guiluan whispered:

"Madam Lu, who failed to break through Qi Cultivation years ago, shortened her Lifespan... She is nearly seventy now... she has no more chances to break through and is stuck at this stage. Just a few days ago, we received word that the old lady passed away."

"She died lying on her bed, holding a food box and two jade chopsticks in her arms. She practiced her cultivation in seclusion, with only two old maids by her side."

"Madam Lu?"

Li Yuanjiao was slightly startled, then he remembered. Madam Lu, named Lu Wanrong, was the widow of Li Xuanling, who had lived alone in the forest for many years.

Li Xuanling had been killed by Maha, and Lu Wanrong, overwhelmed with grief, had nearly taken her own life, stagnating at the fourth cycle of Fetal Breathing for ten years.

With the potential to break through Qi Cultivation lost over those ten years, her path was resolutely cut off. Later, when her youngest son Li Yuanyun was killed in the marketplace, Lu Wanrong reached the depths of despair.

Although her daughter Li Qinghong was still quite promising, Lu Wanrong had lost her drive and secluded herself in the forest, only waiting for her end.

Hearing this news now, Li Yuanjiao could only sigh softly:

"Qinghong should be able to break through next year, but I fear... she won't make it in time. Let Xijun and Xihong take care of the arrangements."

Xiao Guiluan nodded, organized her thoughts, and said softly:

"Mother… probably doesn't have many days left."

The mother referred to here wasn't Madam Dou, but Li Yuanjiao's biological mother—Mu Yalu, who was a concubine of Li Xuanxuan and had married over from Shanyue. She was now nearly seventy years old.

"What?!"

Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, the news struck Li Yuanjiao's heart. Unable to restrain the pallor that washed over his face, he immediately rose on the wind and hastened towards the town center.

Xiao Guiluan followed, offering words of comfort, but Li Yuanjiao paid no heed. Landing in the courtyard of the town, he was recognized by an old servant holding a basin, who called out:

"Young Master!"

Li Yuanjiao waved and entered, where an elderly person lay on a cot.

Mu Yalu had been in the bloom of youth when she married into the Li Family; now, she had aged beyond recognition. Although a mortal, her high status had afforded her excellent care, allowing her to live over a decade longer than most.

Barely managing to lie on the cot, her spirit lifted considerably upon seeing Li Yuanjiao enter, and she struggled to sit up, speaking urgently:

"Jiao'er...I heard you were injured by Shanyue...are you alright?!"

However ruthless and brooding Li Yuanjiao might be outside, he could no longer hold back after hearing these words. With a thump, he knelt before her, choking up:

"Mother! I'm unharmed!"

Mu Yalu only smiled at him, observing his demeanor and bearing.

In the eyes of many, Li Yuanjiao was synonymous with suspicion and ruthlessness, not bearing the appearance of a good man. Yet to Mu Yalu, he couldn't be more outstanding, as she simply held his hand, continuing to smile.

Xiao Guiluan ushered the servants out and secured the door before noticing someone sitting in a chair beside them, thin as a rail and clad in a grey robe that hung from his frame like a piece of deadwood, quietly leaning to one side.

"Father."

Li Xuanxuan opened his eyes and nodded, his gaze resting on Li Yuanjiao. He had had the worst of times over the years, plagued by hallucinations. Squinting, he seemed to be recalling something as he looked at Li Yuanjiao.

The atmosphere among the family of three was extremely somber. Poor at expressing warm sentiments, Li Yuanjiao merely knelt motionless on the floor, watching Mu Yalu struggle for breath.

Mu Yalu continued to smile at him, as if there was nothing left to say, and yet as if she had said everything. Eventually, her lips turned cold, her limbs turned icy, and her arm turned a dark shade of blue and black.

Li Xuanxuan, a pipe in hand, silently smoked, thin white plumes of smoke filling the room. The three remained mute as they watched Mu Yalu's breath become more and more labored, her vitality ebbing away.

"Heh!"

Li Xuanxuan coughed, rising to say something when Li Yuanjiao, carrying his mother, only left on his own, leaving Li Xuanxuan alone amidst the clouds of smoke.

The sun was high, its piercing light illuminating his gnarled visage through the doors and windows. Li Xuanxuan's face was devoid of expression, yet his trembling hands betrayed his deeply unsettled heart.

He coughed twice, approaching Xiao Guiluan. From his storage bag, he drew three stacks of talismans adorned with complex and colorful patterns of various kinds. He spoke:

"Guiluan! I drew these this year!"

Xiao Guiluan, somewhat stunned, accepted them. Li Xuanxuan, mumbling to himself, flew off on the wind towards Lijing Mountain to fetch blank talisman paper.

For a moment, Xiao Guiluan stood alone, uncertain whether to hold onto or store the talismans. Her heart was a mix of agony and irritability. Setting them on the desk, she followed after Li Yuanjiao.

...

Xiao Guiluan, riding the wind, finally found her husband.

Li Yuanjiao stood before Li Tongya's grave, his expression already calm, devoid of apparent grief. Resting his hand on his sword, he remained silent.

The grave behind him belonged to his brother, Li Yuanxiu, and was scattered with ash. Years of caressing had smoothed its sharp edges. Like over half of the graves in the Li Family cemetery, it was a dressed grave.

Li Yuanjiao exhaled, his gaze briefly sweeping over Xiao Guiluan before asking:

"Is there anything else at home?"

Xiao Guiluan nodded, her state unreadable. Hesitantly, she spoke softly:

"Monk Kongheng has left."

"Left."

Li Yuanjiao appeared unfazed, replying:

"Heading back to the Northern regions or to Heavenly Thunder Peak? And Li Xijun?"

Xiao Guiluan whispered:

"He went to Heavenly Thunder Peak."

"Heavenly Thunder Peak"

Li Yuanjiao's face darkened slightly as he spoke in a low voice:

"Let's go, return to Qingdu Peak for a while, and ask Xijun."