The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1696: Cultivation and Martiality's Killing Intent (II)

Li Zhouwei immediately understood,and pondered for a moment.

True Monarch Taiyuan has indeed joined forces with Changhuai, but the Golden Feather Sect will not enter the contest for quite some time. The two sides are unlikely to truly clash in the near future, though when all is said and done, they will still have to fight.

Though Golden Feather Sect's goodwill had arisen from self-interest, it was nevertheless being openly displayed. Li Zhouwei considered this for a long while before suddenly raising his brows.

He said, "War between north and south, and between east and west, is now imminent... More Purple Mansion Realm cultivators will take action now than at any point in the past century. Cultivation and Martiality may act openly and honorably, but the northern Buddhists may not. If the struggle between north and south reaches the point where all rules are cast aside, I fear the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators will be the first to be slaughtered."

Tianhuo shook his head and replied, "With the Star of Cultivation and Martiality overhead, has the King of Wei discerned anything through the mystic of his golden eyes?"

"Oh?" Li Zhouwei paused before replying, "When I observe this star, I sense only that its fortune is coiled and intertwined, while its golden radiance shines brilliantly. Beyond that, I feel nothing else."

Tianhuo's expression turned solemn. "This star is no ordinary thing. It was not born for Song, nor will it perish for Shu. It is a manifestation of Tianwu's killing intent, and every land illuminated by True Essence falls under its jurisdiction. So long as Shenyang has not been driven into the great void, those lands will remain under this star's watch and protection. Ordinary people cannot look upon it, but you are the King of Wei and bear the weight of fate, so naturally, no such restriction applies to you.

"When ordinary cultivators gaze upon this star, however, they find its brilliance blinding and feel as though flames are scorching their hearts. The Buddhist cultivators in the north are no different. They feel a constant prickling at their backs, as though Cultivation and Martiality is watching them with boundless might... Charging and killing amid battle formations accords with the Dao of Cultivation and Martiality, so it is unaffected. But should any Merciful One raise the butcher's blade beneath this star's gaze and slaughter officials on a large scale, fate will inevitably come to exact its price.

"If one draws too much of that killing intent upon oneself, the light of Cultivation and Martiality will descend and claim one's life. In the end, they must still observe some measure of decorum."

Li Zhouwei had only just learned of this mystic and nodded inwardly. Tianhuo, however, sighed. "That said, if someone powerful truly chooses to prey upon the weak and kills hundreds or thousands of mortals along with one or two cultivators, it would certainly cause trouble, but not necessarily anything serious. War between north and south is one thing, but if someone truly casts aside all shame, how could a killing intent that merely responds on its own possibly stop them?"

His words contained a veiled warning. Li Zhouwei acknowledged it, and Tianhuo changed the subject. "The young lords may rest assured, however... As the King of Wei's legitimate sons, they are certain to receive Cultivation and Martiality's particular attention. So long as they have yet to attain divine ability, their fates will remain protected within the Star of Cultivation and Martiality. At most, you need to guard against them being surrounded by Master Monks. No matter what happens, they will not be converted and carried off by a great cultivator."

Li Zhouwei fell into thought, If that is the case... Jianglong and Jiangxia should be fine, while Jiangqian is about to attempt his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm. But Jiangchun and Quewan bear talisman seeds within them, so they may not necessarily fall under this star's jurisdiction. I wonder how they appear in the eyes of outsiders...

Although he possessed mystics, he ultimately lacked a Fate Divine Ability, so he could not perceive these matters as clearly as they could. After remaining silent for a long while, he quietly exhaled and said courteously, "The lake has finally found a rare period of peace. Daoist Master, you are welcome to visit and stay awhile if you find yourself with some leisure time."

Tianhuo raised his brows and fixed his gaze on him, saying solemnly, "Turmoil is spreading throughout the realm, subsiding in one place only to flare up in another, but this need not greatly interfere with matters of immortal cultivation. King of Wei, you may invite one or two friends to discuss the defense of your borders. Golden One is a sensitive matter, after all, so I can only come as far as Mount Xiping."

He abruptly stopped there and halted upon the mountain, smiling as he said, "Forgive me for being unable to cross the border or see you any farther. Having witnessed the King of Wei's present bearing... I have already gained more than enough from this journey."

Li Zhouwei withdrew his gaze and exchanged a few courteous words with them. Only after the two entered the great void and departed did the smile on his face slowly fade.

Subsiding in one place only to flare up in another... the defense of the borders...

He turned around somewhat hastily and ordered, "Zhouda."

Li Zhouda and the others had been waiting among the mountains. Hearing the summons, the burly man hurried over, bowed before him, and said respectfully, "Your highness!"

Li Zhouwei walked a few steps, gazing out over the mountains shrouded in dense white mist, cold drizzle, and a faint breeze. He said quietly, "The Shu troops have withdrawn and will not return for some time. The spiritual energy at Mount Xiping is sparse, so have Miaoshui lead a contingent of troops to Smoke Valley Temple at the foot of the mountain and maintain the formations as before."

"Yes!"

Li Zhouwei raised his brows. "Xinghan and the members of the Zhuang Family have been brought back, I presume."

Li Zhouda answered, "They have already been brought into the mountains..."

He listened as his elder cousin continued in a slightly hurried tone, "Have the two of them remain at Smoke Valley and assist Miaoshui... The Zhuang Family will still be useful. Tell Zhuang Pingye to recruit some rogue cultivators from the area around the foot of the mountain and establish a firm foothold there."

Li Zhouda sensed something amiss in his words and hurried away. Li Zhouwei descended at an unhurried pace with his brows furrowed, while his two sons stood silently upon the mountain, with visible distance between them.

Li Jianglong and Li Jiangxia had both reached the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. One wore an ornate crown and crimson robes, while the other possessed a handsome and imposing appearance.

As Li Zhouwei descended step by step, Li Jianglong, who now oversaw the affairs of the clan, immediately stepped forward and said respectfully, "Father."

Li Zhouwei said gravely, "Draft two memorials for me. The first will be addressed to the Song emperor to affirm our loyalty. The second will commend the Zhuang Family for its service in defending the realm and declare that Zhuang Cheng is wholeheartedly loyal to Song... Request that the Song court grant the Zhuang Family a noble title and establish their fief in the desert, so that he may guard the border."

Li Jianglong was exceptionally perceptive and immediately understood his intent. Smoke Valley Temple lay on the border between the two states and was also a troublesome burden. If the Song emperor agreed to issue this decree, Great Song would effectively have to deploy some of its troops to defend Smoke Valley, indirectly easing the pressure on the lake.

He nodded at once, then said hesitantly, "The Song court enfeoffed our lake as a kingly domain precisely to serve as a bulwark... I fear this request will not be easily granted."

Li Zhouwei nodded. "This is Tingzhou's first memorial to the throne, and it is fully justified. The Song court cannot reject it outright, though it may delay and make excuses... This is merely a way to test what intentions the Song emperor truly harbors toward the lake. If he genuinely bears us any goodwill, he cannot refuse to send these troops."

Li Jianglong immediately nodded, and Li Zhouwei continued, "Once you have dealt with this matter, take Chen Yang, Qu Buzhi, Li Zhoufang, and the other cultivators into Milin Prefecture immediately. Activate the great formation and contact the cultivators on the eastern shore, so they can withdraw into the mountains at any time."

Li Jianglong's expression changed at once. He bowed slightly and hurried down the mountain. Only then did Li Zhouwei turn toward Li Jiangxia.

This young man was the tallest and most imposing among all the brothers. He had since cultivated a footwork technique and now stood in armor like an immovable mountain, his expression unchanged as he said in a deep voice, "Father!"

Li Zhouwei fixed his gaze on him and said solemnly, "In the past, I refused to let you two brothers take the field because fate weighs heavily in the conflict between north and south. There was no telling whether some covetous figure might interfere and prey upon the weak. But now we are defending the lakeshore in a war between states... I leave the northern shore to you. Ding Weizeng and the others will be placed under your command!"

Li Jiangxia cupped his hands solemnly and immediately went to make preparations. Li Zhouwei, meanwhile, paced back and forth twice in hesitation.

When I visited the Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance a few days ago, granduncle was at a crucial stage. With the aid of so many treasures, his chances of breaking through are quite good... If I forcibly summon him now, not only will all his previous efforts go to waste, but he may even suffer an injury...

He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before ordering, "Invite Daoist Master Sima to the lake for a discussion!"