Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

The Li siblings had not yet spoken when Kongheng could no longer hold back. With a stern voice he said,

"How can you not have a shred of compassion! Even if it's a matter of sacrificing the few for the many, you shouldn't be so pleased with yourself! Do you mean to say that next year, if one fewer person is eaten, we should thank the Evil Dragon?!"

Zong Yan fell to his knees with a plop, somewhat terrified, he said,

"Mage! These words must not be uttered, Mage! If it weren't for the protection of the dragon offspring, we would have been eaten clean by the traveling Devil Cultivators and Demon Generals. How could we not be grateful..."

Kongheng was suddenly stunned, his face a mask of confusion, and after a few moments, he exclaimed in shock,

"Does minor evil no longer count as evil?"

Zong Yan couldn't read him and only looked up in fear, mumbling,

"But the dragon offspring did truly rescue us from a greater evil… Everyone understands the concept of choosing the lesser of two evils, so why must we be condemned outright in this situation..."

"But he clearly ate people, how can we thank him!"

"Enough..."

Li Qinghong tried to mediate, knowing that Kongheng and Zong Yan had completely different ways of thinking and that arguing until dawn would get them nowhere. Zong Yan meekly agreed, while Kongheng took a deep breath, apologized, and then appeared pensive.

After letting the two disperse, Li Yuanjiao stood with his hands behind his back, looking somewhat distracted, and slowly closed his eyes. Li Qinghong turned to look at him, and Li Yuanjiao said,

"There's a monster outside."

The two rode the wind outside and sure enough, they saw a green fish hovering in midair, oddly enough with a pair of scaled wings beneath its ribs, making it all the more bizarre. Li Yuanjiao rode the wind to greet it. The fish, with its large bulbous eyes, stared at the two, its mouth opening and closing as it articulated clearly,

"Where do you come from, Taoist Fellow? You are in the boundary of my Zhu Nan's Jiao Palace."

This fish demon was of the Ninth Layer Qi Cultivation level and had not established its Foundation. Since both members of the Li family were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, much more powerful than it, the demon was fairly courteous, though it still spoke on equal terms.

Li Qinghong courteously said,

"We siblings are from a small Sect near the Salty Lake. Our Sect collapsed, and passing by this area, we thought to settle down here. But being strangers in a strange land, we would appreciate any advice you could offer, Taoist Fellow."

"You flatter me, Taoist Fellow."

The fish demon folded its wings, stepped on a demon wind, its fish mouth curling up, its scales flipping one by one, dripping with mucus, seemingly crying or laughing, it answered,

"I am from the Hui Clan that dwells in the seaweeds, fortunate to patrol the sea on behalf of the Jiao Palace, named Hui Yao. If the two Taoists wish to pledge allegiance to our Jiao Palace, I will surely disclose all I know."

The fish drew its tail in, becoming half human and half fish, hideous and ugly, holding a fork in its hands, its gaze fixed on the two. Inside and outside the sea, the status of demons had reversed, and Li Yuanjiao and the others were now in the position of those seeking assistance, just like the deer demon Lu Ken in years past.

Li Yuanjiao was not one to take pride in stature, and despite the demon's grotesque appearance, he still wore a smile and said in a deep voice,

"Please lead the way, Taoist Fellow."

They rode the wind down together. Zong Yan had already rushed over to greet them, bowing down and saying,

"I have seen the Sea Patrol Grandfather, the tribute has been prepared!"

With a chuckle, Hui Yao shook his head and spoke,

"Heh heh! You're getting a real bargain. After all these years, there's finally a payoff!"

"Yes, yes, yes..."

Zong Yan nodded eagerly, looking flattered, and hurried his subordinates to make arrangements. They entered the Hall, and once the servants offered tea, Zong Yan knelt beside Hui Yao, presenting a Jade Bottle filled with a deep red liquid.

Hui Yao waved his hand dismissively and scolded,

"Look at you, so clueless! With honored guests visiting today, it's not appropriate to partake!"

Zong Yan, as if pardoned, retreated respectfully, while Li Yuanjiao maintained his composure, and Li Qinghong's smile grew even warmer. Hui Yao then said,

"My subordinate lacks manners, I apologize for the amusement."

Hui Yao was not foolish; with the flourishing Qi on their faces, these two were either Sect Cultivators from within the sea or disciples of some ancient Sect. Currently outmatched, Hui Yao had no intention of making an enemy on the spot, because even if they killed him, it wasn't guaranteed that the Dragon offspring would pursue the matter far.

After exchanging a few words with Hui Yao, Li Yuanjiao got straight to the point,

"May I inquire about the tribute expected by Sect Spring Island... what is the arrangement?"

Hui Yao looked him over and replied with indifference,

"This place is impoverished, the Dragon offspring have always been unconcerned, and it has already fallen under my Hui Clan's control, what I collect is mine to use!"

The siblings exchanged a glance, understanding they were now in the palm of Hui Yao's hand. Li Yuanjiao was greatly troubled, but Hui Yao made an offer, saying,

"Taoist fellow, do you practice Heshui? Can you reveal its divine subtleties?"

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. A Qing-grey Jiao snake rose in the courtyard before him. Hui Yao glanced at it and nodded, saying,

"It is indeed the 'Jing Dragon King'! No wonder I felt a sense of kinship upon seeing the Taoist fellow... My palace's dragon offspring also cultivates this technique, also known as the 'Jing Dragon King'."

Muttering it to himself, Hui Yao then spoke earnestly,

"Since the Taoist has established a base here, this tribute is beneficial for both you and me, and I do not wish to make things difficult for your noble house."

He extended his fish-like hand and said leisurely,

"One medicinal person every year, in addition, ten Fetal Breathing spiritual objects and two Qi Cultivation spiritual objects. Minerals or spiritual objects, either will do... As for the yao creatures passing by and how to extort them, the two of you can deal with them on your own."

Yao creatures have little need for spirit stones, so his demands were mostly for spiritual objects and human resources. These terms were far more demanding than what Zong Yan had initially encountered with the three hundred people every five years. Hui Yao said he wouldn't make things difficult, but the price he was quoting was far from generous. Before the two could speak, Hui Yao went straight on to say,

"The rules of my Jiao Palace... No matter where the two of you come from, once you're on Dragon Kind's territory, you must obey Dragon Kind's commands..."

Hui Yao was just a step away from saying "Don't put on airs with me." His words were unpleasant to hear. Zong Yan was sweating profusely, afraid that the siblings lacked sophistication and would get angry at the slightest provocation. He knelt down with a plop, hugged Hui Yao's fishy foot, and cried,

"Patrolling Sea Grandfather! It's my shortsightedness, not having inquired about the news properly. Grandfather, considering the hard work I've done over the years, please spare me a way out..."

Hui Yao pursed his lips and kicked him away, but Li Yuanjiao did not get angry. Instead, he said politely,

"I understand your intentions, Taoist fellow, but this matter of the medicinal person contradicts our family's rules. I wonder if it could be replaced with something else?"

"Something else?"

Hui Yao laughed mockingly, saying,

"Others use medicinal people to compensate for spiritual objects, but you are doing the opposite, which is quite unwise. Do you understand its value? What could you possibly bring year after year to trade for it!"

Li Yuanjiao took out a jade box from his storage bag and said softly,

"How about this item?"

Hui Yao looked down and saw a small flower lying in the jade box. He sniffed and said,

"A Foundation Establishment spiritual object?"

"Correct, one flower compensates for five years."

Li Yuanjiao put it away swiftly, not giving him a chance to look closely. Hui Yao wiped his mouth and argued forcefully,

"Five years? Where would you get so many!"

Li Yuanjiao replied,

"Think carefully, Taoist fellow. This is a floral spiritual object from within the sea, dignified enough to be offered to a Demon General. I have only managed to obtain this through some favors and dealings with the Han Family."

Hui Yao's face brimmed with covetousness, while Li Yuanjiao paused slightly before asking,

"Could this suffice?"

"Yes! Of course!"

Hui Yao agreed repeatedly, but Li Yuanjiao hesitated, saying in a serious tone,

"It's a pity... this item cannot be shown to others... Alas... Perhaps it's better to switch back to providing medicinal people!"

"Taoist fellow! Taoist fellow! What do you mean by that?"

Hui Yao's expression changed, and Li Yuanjiao spoke softly,

"This item was obtained through some underhanded dealings, and the Han Family has always kept tight control over information regarding it... If it gets out, it could lead to disaster!"

Although the Wanling Flower was not unique to his family, when combined with the characteristics of the two, it became quite distinctive. Having considered countless possibilities, Li Yuanjiao was unlikely to have overlooked this point. He was now plainly enticing the yao onto his ship with benefits.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Hui Yao's expression changed as all kinds of possibilities flashed through his mind. Li Yuanjiao smiled and said,

"I came to the East Sea seeking only a place to establish myself. If things do not work out, I can always pack up and leave. The Jiao Palace won't be able to pursue me back to the mainland. Think carefully, Taoist fellow!"

His tone was gentle, yet the hint of a threat emerged. Hui Yao remained silent for a moment, then realized that in the space of just a few sentences, Li Yuanjiao had quietly approached him, one hand on his sword.

Hui Yao was startled, vaguely perceiving the pale blue sword light flowing in his hand. His legs went weak with fright, astonished at how quickly the situation had turned. In just a few words, the power he had been leaning on had dissolved, and it seemed he had no choice but to comply with this person.