Chapter 708 511: News from Two Sides

Yi Shan City.

The formation atop Yi Shan City glimmered, its patterns piercingly sharp against the winter snow, golden light streaming in from afar, settling upon the city walls.

"Greetings, General!"

Li Xuanfeng rode the wind in, still gripping a scaly beast in his hand, its green eyes staring blankly at the sky, long dead; the guards on either side quickly stepped aside, calling him General.

He nodded, descended the steps, made his way to his own mansion, pushed the door and entered. There were no attendants within, the place somewhat dim; a youth was squatting there, holding a longbow, meticulously adjusting it.

The sound of Li Xuanfeng opening the door lasted but a moment before the youth raised his brows; his appearance resembled Li Xuanfeng by seven parts, especially those sharp eyebrows, bearing a certain rebellious air. With just a glance, the youth arched his brow and said:

"Father is back."

He showed no sign of excitement, his lips trembling with some inexplicable emotion, then called toward the courtyard:

"Mother!"

Li Xuanfeng stood quietly. The temperature in the mansion chilled noticeably due to the Heshui Qi seeping from the beast in his hand; the old man watched as the youth turned his back to him, his expression still calm.

"Husband!"

Ning Hemian hurried out from the courtyard. She was older now, her Qi Cultivating Late Stage cultivation evident. She moved quickly to his side, her gaze lingering on the ghastly wound at his neck, her voice tender and choked:

"Ai..."

Li Xuanfeng stroked her back, tossed the scaly tail he held aside; his hands were covered in wounds that resembled fish scales. He spoke in a low voice:

"It's mostly a crowd of juniors. In the urgency of battle, injuries were inevitable."

Li Yuanqin stood at the side, glanced at the wounds on his father's hand, one hand hidden in his sleeve, the other gripping his bow, apparently pondering something.

Ning Hemian sobbed twice against his chest, then quickly masked her emotions, responding:

"Since you've returned, go see the Perfected Person at once. His moods have grown fickle these years; our brothers have suffered many setbacks."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly, turned the scaly water beast sideways, slit open its belly, and retrieved dozens of brocade pouches. These pouches were all tied together, blood-soaked and strung on that Jade Talisman.

He gathered these things, concealed his presence, and slipped quietly out of the mansion.

Li Yuanqin witnessed everything clearly, remaining silent at the side until Li Xuanfeng vanished from sight. Only then did a faint look of realization and sullen resentment rise on his face. Ning Hemian called softly to him twice, and he finally returned to himself, murmuring:

"Mother."

Ning Hemian furrowed her brow, her tone grave:

"Your father manages to return home only a few times in ten years. Why do you show not a hint of joy?"

Li Yuanqin uttered no word. Suddenly, a bright voice of youth rang out at the mansion's entrance:

"Brother Qin, are you home?!"

"It's those two brothers from the Chi Family again!"

Ning Hemian seemed somewhat displeased, but said no more; Li Yuanqin grasped his bow and strode quickly out of the courtyard, his face lighting up with enthusiastic cheer. He pushed the mansion gates open; before him stood two youths, both with Qi Cultivation Level.

The leader was shrouded in clear Qi, striking in appearance, arms cradling a treasured sword. He smiled lightly at Li Yuanqin and said:

"Brother Yuanqin."

"Brother Fu Xuan."

The three greeted each other heartily and made their way onto the street. Li Yuanqin apparently unaffected by his father's injuries, wore an utterly carefree air. The brothers exchanged a glance, and the leading youth asked:

"I heard the General has returned to the city. How is he?"

"Him, ah..."

Li Yuanqin gazed with interest at his longbow, answering unconcernedly:

"He entered and went straight to the Perfected Person. How would I know his plans? All I hope for is to inherit his archery skills—yet he won't pass them on to me!"

The two laughed heartily; Li Yuanqin swung his arms behind his back and strutted down the avenue, his bearing flamboyant, one eyebrow raised, mouth opened wide:

"Let's drink!"

The two brothers exchanged glances, threw their arms around him, their eyes shining with wild delight.

The Chi brothers merely followed quietly behind him. One snickered to himself and sent a message by Spiritual Sense:

'Li Xuanfeng's been away ten years, not overseeing this brat for a decade. He's long since become our plaything, all according to clan arrangements—truly ingenious! As long as this boy remains under your family's hand, once Yuansu dies and Li Xuanfeng fails to protect the clan, he'll be forced to become our family's hound.'

The other stroked his beard in satisfaction, and replied likewise through Spiritual Sense:

'All the more so, Li Yuanqin is of a prime generation. In another fifty or sixty years, he'll be top-ranked among the Li Family—once sent back to Qingdu, the Li Family will lose half its autonomy.'

Their thoughts turning complacent, they looked toward Li Yuanqin ahead. Li Yuanqin was smiling too; with the fierce features inherited from his father, his grin carried an inexplicable, chilling sharpness.

...

Li Xuanfeng rode the wind into the Cave Mansion, mist blanketing everywhere, the gate already opened, waiting for his arrival.

He stepped inside; Yuansu Perfected Person, as always, sat at the seat of honor, his face now veiled by clouds and mist, shrouding his features completely.

Opposite him sat a young man in blue and white robes, handsome, brows arched prettily, with a hint of femininity. He held a Jade Cup in hand, sipping carefully, gazing down at him with a gleaming smile.

"Xuanfeng greets the two Perfected Persons."

From his bearing alone, it was clear this was also a Perfected Person. Li Xuanfeng bowed deeply, as one toppling gold and jade pillars; the handsome youth nodded slightly, while Yuansu gestured with his hand and said:

"Li Xuanfeng."

Having finished speaking, he cast his gaze upon Li Xuanfeng, motioning:

"This is Pu Yu Perfected Person, Sect Master of Penglai ."

Li Xuanfeng bowed again; Pu Yu Perfected Person spoke first, his voice warm: