Chapter 661 486 Five Waters Form Array

Yuan Fuyao listened to these words, and a wave of panic washed over his heart. With a sigh, he began to speak:

"That's one thing, but sitting idle here day after day isn't the way to go, especially when I have no talents in the arts of cultivation. Who would stay in their cave mansion all the time after joining a powerful family? I need to find a job to do."

An attendant by his side quickly spoke up:

"Young Master, you were once appointed by our ancestor to manage the agricultural affairs of the family and you have ample experience. The Li Family is known for their good governance over their people. Why not seek a position there? It would certainly earn you some respect."

"Quite so!"

Yuan Fuyao's expression gave way to excitement, and he hastily put on his shoes, hurrying out of the cave mansion with his attendants. After walking along the path for a while, he soon found his way to the Li Family's Central Hall.

After waiting quietly at a lower seat to the side of the hall, he saw a bustling line of people emerge, seemingly centered around a child dressed in white and gold finery.

Although Yuan Fuyao was curious, out of politeness he restrained himself from probing with his Spiritual Sense, merely glancing subtly and quietly asking an attendant beside him:

"Who might that be?"

The Yuan Family attendants, not knowing much, could only pull over a nearby guard. This person, being on duty inside the hall, had no intention of engaging in conversation, but when Yuan Fuyao approached him with a question, the guard hesitated and then replied in a low voice:

"That would be our Princely Heir."

'Princely Heir?'

Yuan Fuyao mulled over the term, finding it quite archaic, and assumed it referred to someone of the direct lineage. He stepped forward, crossing over the threshold, when suddenly he twitched his nose.

"What's that scent?"

He detected a delicate fragrance of flowers permeating the air. After pondering for a moment, a Yuan Family attendant whispered:

"This servant seems to recognize this scent... overpowering and pungent, yet lacking in elegance—this must be peony."

"Oh!"

Yuan Fuyao assumed it was a scent left by one of Li Chengliao's wives or concubines and paid it no further mind, quickly moving past it to ascend the steps, and bowed:

"I have the honor of meeting the Young Master!"

Li Chengliao, who rarely had the chance to see the child, was softly reading aloud to him. Yuan Fuyao's visit was untimely. Upon hearing that Yuan Fuyao was waiting outside his hall, Li Chengliao reluctantly instructed Li Zhouwei to attend to the matter and then summoned Yuan Fuyao inside.

Addressing Yuan Fuyao with courtesy, he asked:

"May I know the reason for the Young Master's visit?"

"I dare not claim it's a pressing matter, merely that I do not wish to be idle."

He smiled and responded:

"Back home, I was always in charge of managing agricultural matters—not quite a Young Master's duty. Now that I have come to your noble family, I have unwittingly become a master. I hope the Young Master can assign me some tasks so that I do not live off your hospitality without contributing."

Li Chengliao was taken aback, assuming it was just polite talk and tried to deflect several times. Realizing that Yuan Fuyao was sincere, he sifted through some documents for a moment and spoke softly:

"Our family has been negotiating with Shanyue about the Foundation Establishment on the lands recently acquired by Shanyue. The lands had been prospering, but the recent heavy rains have delayed many things, and some towns have collapsed."

"Since the Young Master is willing, why not go to Shanyue and manage the affairs of three towns, as a trial to begin with?"

Yuan Fuyao immediately nodded, cheerfully accepting the assignment, and quickly departed with his men. Li Chengliao watched him leave with a peculiar look and muttered:

"I wonder how the Yuan Family cultivates their kind; this man is rather peculiar… so eager to go and manage agricultural matters!"

...

Liu Changdie cried for a while but was eventually persuaded to calm down by Li Xuanxuan. Having rushed here all the way from the East Sea without a moment's rest, his mana was completely depleted, and he first sought a cave mansion to recover.

Li Xuanxuan quickly stepped into the grand hall, and as expected, saw Li Xizhi and Li Yuexiang chatting away.

Li Yuanjiao and his wife were both intelligent, and Xiao Guiluan had a methodical approach to teaching their children. As the two of them talked, each responding to the other, they felt a connection as if they were confidants. The family affection that had not been shared for many years was also slowly resurfacing.

Yang Xiao'er was leading Li Chenghuai by the hand. The boy was nine years old now, with slightly raised eyebrows and a focused demeanor. Perhaps loneliness and suffering hastened maturity. Upon seeing his father, his expression remained composed.

He was holding a small book in his hands and quickly approached as his father beckoned, bowing respectfully:

"Father!"

Li Xizhi nodded, his look complex. As Li Xuanxuan aged, he enjoyed discussing family hierarchy, saying:

"Among Chengming's generation, it should now be Chengliao, Chenghuai, and also Chengyi, and those at Minggong who have already begun Qi Cultivation. Once Ximing's offspring are born, the family lineage will be complete."

"Hmm."

Li Xizhi beckoned him over, noticing he was reading a history book, and simply nodded:

"Read more, it can enhance one's strategic thinking, but you must also get involved in managing affairs, otherwise, it's all just idle talk."

He turned to his eldest son, casually flipping a page, and began explaining softly:

"Look at this phrase, 'In the sixth month, the Tian Clan and the Liu Clan were at odds, clashing in the streets. The Young Master was ordered to supervise mining operations as punishment, thus forming the Eastern Tian Clan's branch veins…'"

"The book doesn't elaborate, but once you've read it, you should think about it. Who did the Liu Clan rely on at that time? What was the Tian Clan's status? And why such a punishment... reflect on it carefully tonight and tomorrow I will personally test your understanding."

Li Chenghuai quickly nodded, retreating behind his mother with a contemplative expression. Li Xuanxuan praised:

"Xizhi has a good grasp of teaching his children…"

"Eh!"

Li Xizhi gestured dismissively, replying softly:

"I dare not take credit. It is but a reflection of our mother, who insisted on teaching us by going through every character in the books one by one. I am merely following her example."

Li Yuexiang nodded with a smile. After a few exchanges, Li Yuexiang's thoughts turned to her brother and mother, who were secluded in their cultivation, striving for a breakthrough in a life-and-death trial. The heavenly signs had not returned for many years, leaving her unsure whether it would affect them both.

As they were conversing, someone approached from the courtyard outside, causing a commotion. The person was wearing a light grey robe, with three diamond-shaped patterns on the back and five Talisman Scripts on the front, clearly the attire of a contemporary Array Master.