Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

"Okay."

Li Xihong was very gracious as he let him leave, waving his hand, Chen Mufeng approached from behind, and Li Xihong said softly,

"This 'Mi Water Cold Iron' doesn't match the amount reported for the vein changes. Send out the Jade Courtyard Guards quietly to investigate... if someone is caught, have them report back to me first."

Chen Mufeng had been cooperating with him for many years and said in a deep voice,

"Such methods are too stupid... One look at the ore vein reserves will reveal the discrepancy, how much less there is compared to what was mined, there must be foul play at work, but how could they hide it?"

The Li Family possessed the 'Listening Earth Court' Spell, making vein changes obvious at a glance. All noble families had this tactic; that's why families like the Xiao Family could confidently let their subordinate branches mine the veins directly, with no room for concealment.

Li Xihong shook his head,

"The vein was reported to have one hundred and eighty-one catties, but I secretly sent someone to check the storeroom, and there's one hundred and ninety catties. No one has hidden it."

"It must be that seeing my initial management of the household, they tried to test me quietly. If I were to make a big fuss now, only on returning to the storeroom for a recount would it be found to be one hundred and ninety catties."

"In this way, at most I can accuse them of carelessness, and afterwards, put forward a minor Cultivator in charge of bookkeeping as the scapegoat to test my methods."

Li Xihong, who had followed Li Yuanping for nearly ten years, was not just for show. Regardless of his methods, he at least could see through the underlying twists and turns. With some hesitation, he said,

"You go and investigate first, report back to me once you have news. My aunt's matter is urgent; this issue can wait without harm."

Chen Mufeng left with his orders. After pondering for a while, Li Xihong got up, rode the winds, and headed towards Qingdu Mountain. He circled around and gently landed in an ordinary courtyard.

Knocking on the door, he entered to find Li Yuanping sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard, holding a brush and meticulously recording something.

Li Yuanping appeared to be in good spirits, though his hands were trembling slightly, struggling to hold the brush steady.

It was only then that Li Xihong approached. Li Yuanping asked,

"What do you intend to do with it?"

Li Xihong hesitated for a moment before replying,

"Regarding this matter... The minor Cultivator has been made the scapegoat. Starting with the minor faction is the way to go. Many brothers deeply follow me; it shouldn't be hard to find out who tampered with the numbers afterward..."

"But that would require finding another scapegoat."

Li Yuanping shook his head, whispering softly,

"I'll teach you one last thing..."

"This probe was to understand your preferences and test your limits. All the forces under your command stand to benefit, mostly with silent consent or support. That minor Cultivator is also a scapegoat pushed forward by the minor faction itself... If you start with the minor faction, it showcases your affections and trusts within the branch. Whether relying on the Jade Courtyard Guards, starting with the Dou Clan, or beginning with Fufeng, you would reveal your preferences."

Li Yuanping continued softly,

"The biggest taboo in this matter is that all the Cultivators under your command have united interests that conflict with yours. The minor faction, while seemingly the victim, has also agreed to it, and the only real victim is the innocent Cultivator."

Li Xihong listened intently, while Li Yuanping gave a cold laugh and said,

"All you need to do is send someone to the storeroom, secretly change that one hundred and ninety catties back to one hundred and eighty-one catties, and this mob will naturally fall apart without attacking!"

Li Xihong was stunned for a moment, then nodded in realization and exclaimed joyfully,

"Right!"

He nodded repeatedly, murmuring to himself,

"Now the implications have widened! The minor faction will surely not sit still, suspecting foul play and counter-accusing, with seven or eight powers unable to withstand the blame, they will inevitably bite each other. I just have to preside over the situation, make judgments, suppress the strong, support the weak, and maintain balance..."

Li Yuanping didn't respond, continuing to write silently. Li Xihong, with plans in mind, bowed deeply and left.

Li Yuanping continued to tally the days and compose the family history, only to see Li Qinghong step in riding on lightning, sitting beside him silently, her red lips pressed tightly together without a word, just sitting so.

The siblings sat quietly together, as the cool breeze of early spring gently blew in. Li Yuanping actually didn't see this sister often; they hadn't grown up together. After a pause, he finally spoke up,

"Things are strange with Zhang Huaide; I'd ask you to contain your anger... don't act rashly."

Li Qinghong simply replied softly,

"Of course, I understand. After enduring for so many years, I fear that constant suppression of hate may gradually lead to forgetting it."

Li Yuanping snorted quietly, put down his brush, and said,

"That's why we must make record of the history."

Li Qinghong glanced at the pages he had set down and spoke,

"Although Xihong isn't very forceful, at least he did his best. I've seen all the changes over the decade, and it's like he's a whole new person."

Li Yuanping nodded and replied,

"I understand."

...

Li Qinghong had practiced her spear on the mountain for a few days. Before the details about the devil cultivators to the north were clear, a deer demon came from the south, sensibly landing at the foot of the mountain. An Zhiyan and others were informed to make a report before it obediently entered the mountain.

Claiming to be looking for Li Yuanjiao, the demon deer knelt on its four legs in front of Li Qinghong, able to speak human language:

"To report to the Upper Immortal, my master has already found clues to the 'Blood Tum Fruit.' May I ask the senior to accompany me to meet with my master to discuss further."

"Good!"

A smile flashed across Li Qinghong's face, and she nodded, calling Li Wushao from the lake to keep a close watch on their home, while she followed the deer demon, riding the wind into the mountain.

Li Yuanjiao had spoken to Li Qinghong about this Foundation Establishment deer demon, Lu Ken. He had already set up a Demon Cave in the North Foothills, choosing a not particularly tall mountain, with gentle slopes at its base, where he had moved a good number of deer herds.

Li Qinghong and the small demon had just arrived at the entrance of the cave when Lu Ken naturally came to meet them, with his dark hair and eyes—slightly startled:

"May I ask who you are…?"

"I am Li Qinghong. My brother Li Yuanjiao is away on clan business, so I came in his place," she replied with a smile, to which the deer demon blinked and nodded:

"I am Lu Ken. I have seen Taoist Fellow."

Lu Ken didn't dawdle upon meeting her and said with a clasped fist:

"Your brother entrusted me to find a Precious Medicine, the 'Blood Tum Fruit.' Now that I have found a clue, I came to inform your noble family."

Li Qinghong nodded, and he continued,

"I have inquired in many places. A Taoist Fellow from the south foothills responded to my letter, saying they saw a Tiger Demon display it in the Demon Cave of Quanwu Mountain. The description in the letter matches perfectly, it must undoubtedly be the 'Blood Tum Fruit'."

Li Qinghong nodded slightly, and Lu Ken shook his sleeves decisively:

"This demon has some status in the Quanwu Demon Cave, but unfortunately, it's not really a big shot, quite easy to bully."

"Instead of choosing a day, it's better to seize the day. Why not ride the wind there now and take its precious medicine, to avoid any unforeseen changes over time?"

Lu Ken stated it as a matter of course:

"We should seize the Spirit Fruit first, then try to see if we can kill it. It's best if we can. If not, then so be it."

"If we can't seize it by force, we'll try another way to buy it."

Li Qinghong could only nod. After all, creatures of different species act directly and much more openly among themselves. She inquired:

"What's the Cultivation Level of this Tiger Demon?"

"Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

Lu Ken glanced at her expression and understood her concerns, responding,

"He's just a Demon King with no Taoist Lineage, unable to learn Human Race spells, with only brute demonic power. There's no need for the Fairy to worry."

He laughed:

"It will be just a month or two. You'll understand once you see it."

Li Qinghong nodded, feeling assured by sensing the Mysterious Thunder in her Sea of Qi Thunder Pool. She politely said,

"Please."

Thereupon, she followed him, riding the wind. As they flew into the clouds, Lu Ken seemed to be estimating her age and sighed,

"The heritage of your noble family is truly exquisite... Even among the Noble Families, the speed of your brother and sister's cultivation is considered fast... making us old creatures who have cultivated for centuries quite ashamed."

Li Qinghong responded modestly, and Lu Ken continued,

"May I ask which Taoist Foundation you are from? Since we'll be joining forces against the enemy soon, it's best to let each other know."

Speaking, the deer demon demonstrated its mana, a pair of large antlers emerging on its forehead, its voice growing more robust, riding a fresh and pleasant demonic wind, full of vitality. He said in a deep voice:

"I cultivate the 'Soaring Cloud Wood,' capable of healing, controlling qi, nurturing Spirit Plants, and tending Earth Veins, transforming into plants and vegetation..."

When his Immoral Foundation was revealed, the speed of their flight distinctly quickened. Li Qinghong lightly tapped her forehead and purplish lightning appeared beneath her feet, her speed a notch quicker. She was clad in Jade Armor that glinted with purple thunder light and softly said,

"'Mysterious Thunder Moor,' steering thunder and strategizing lightning, dispelling demons and suppressing evil."