Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

The Jade Courtyard Guards hurried off, and Chen Mufeng's face fell into shadow. Li Chengliao sipped his tea and asked,

"Thousand Household, what has happened?"

Chen Mufeng turned back, respectfully answering,

"Reporting to the young master, it's just a minor matter... allow me to…"

Li Chengliao amiably placed a cup of tea for him, softly saying,

"There are no minor matters, all are family affairs."

Chen Mufeng's expression shifted subtly as he hastened to say,

"It's only about that Miss Liu... she has a childhood sweetheart, a young master from a family in the town, with the surname Xu, possessing some family property… His ancestors were stewards of a district. The Liu Family had originally thought to climb the social ladder through Miss Liu's engagement, but who knew the Family Head would take interest and suddenly change his mind... stirring up some trouble…"

"Oh?"

Li Chengliao gave an enlightened smile, playfully saying,

"It looks like I've become the scoundrel that steals wives in storybooks!"

Chen Mufeng felt awkward, lowering his voice to say,

"Just now, two men from the residence were sent to invite Miss Liu... but they were beaten and driven out by that person. Though those two men possess cultivation levels, they are no match for him."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengliao's smile vanished in an instant; he peered intently at the middle-aged man before him and quietly said,

"In the territory of my Li Family, with my branch in charge, we sent for her, and she dares to have our men beaten and driven out? What does she take my family for!"

"If she does not wish to marry, no one has forced her; it's a matter that could be settled with a single word. Why create such an embarrassing scene!"

Chen Mufeng fell silent, his head bowed as he said,

"Subordinate has already dispatched the Jade Courtyard Guards..."

"Wait a moment."

Li Chengliao frowned, replying,

"It's not easy for me to come down from the mountain; don't blow this out of proportion. Some family uncles dislike such disturbances; do not draw their attention, it would be unseemly."

Chen Mufeng nodded repeatedly, and Li Chengliao said,

"Call two of the Jade Courtyard Guards; I will go see for myself."

He adjusted his brocade clothes as Chen Mufeng accompanied him downstairs, saying,

"That Xu Family young master is quite odd. In the past he was mute, trapped at the Second Layer of Fetal Breathing for many years. It was only in recent months he made a breakthrough and started speaking. Everyone praises him for his accumulated breakthrough..."

…

The Liu Family's large courtyard.

Though the Liu Family had fallen into decline for many years, they once shone brightly. The courtyard, though grey and old, covered a large area, with its bricks and stones showing signs of their past grandeur. There was an exquisitely made stone table in the courtyard, and a young woman was leaning against it, her face full of worry.

Her features were delicate, her bearing aloof and cold, yet her slightly furrowed brow betrayed her anxiety. Standing opposite her was a robust youth, handsome and dashing, his vitality astounding.

"Wulang... you were too impulsive... The might of the Li Family is immense and deeply entrenched. They even have a genius cultivating in the Sect, engaged to the Immortal Clan. Why would you provoke them like this?"

"They came to the door, I could've found an excuse to appease them. Instead, you beat those two and sent them packing. Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill!"

Xu Wulang crossed his arms and shook his head, his cold laughter ringing out,

"You don't understand, how many times can excuses work? As long as that grand young master keeps coveting you, they will continue to send people to entangle us. The Liu Family won't pass up the chance to climb higher. We must make enough of a scene to scare them off!"

"The Li Family cares about their reputation and follows strict rules, I fear nothing more than not making a big enough fuss!"

Liu Lingzhen gently shook her head with a soft voice,

"You've stayed within the courtyard walls for years, and previously couldn't speak. You don't understand the power of the Li Family..."

"Don't worry!"

Xu Wulang laughed heartily, declaring proudly,

"I've broken through in Qi Cultivation! The great path lies just before me!"

"What!"

Liu Lingzhen was startled, saying with surprise and joy,

"It has only been a few years! You've made another breakthrough?"

After a pause, she added regretfully,

"It's a pity that it was two years too late, you're already twenty-five, and that portion of nature's spiritual energy was given to your older brother by the Xu Family..."

"It doesn't matter."

Xu Wulang raised an eyebrow, and disdainfully said,

"I don't even care for that! It's just a portion of 'Cave Spring Che Qi', and I have access to something better."

"I've broken through so quickly that I cannot yet reveal it to others. Although I have a secret technique to conceal it, the Li Family might possess some Pupil Technique that could see through it. Give it a few more years..."

He then sneered,

"Just waiting for those lackeys to come knocking. If they dare to lay their hands on us under broad daylight, what use is it even if Li Chengliao is a grand son? The Clan Head Courtyard's overseers are on the lookout, ready to report to Qingdu; he'll have plenty of trouble!"

Liu Lingzhen calmed down significantly upon hearing this, whispering,

"I just fear the Clan Head Courtyard may cover for them..."

"Hahaha."

Xu Wulang assured confidently,

"These past few days, I've checked the records. The Clan Head Courtyard has always used investigations of the wealthy to facilitate promotion... If there's wrongdoing, they surely blame those with power first."

He scoffed,

"As long as we don't lose our footing, even the Jade Courtyard Guards can't do anything to us! And above that, there's the oversight of the Immortal Sect, upholding justice; they won't let us suffer!"

Liu Lingzhen nodded in puzzlement, trusting in her beloved's words, when Xu Wulang's Spiritual Sense stirred, he said in a deep voice,

"Someone is coming!"

Indeed, a sycophantic voice from a Liu Family Clan Elder came from outside, and the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked upon. Then followed two creaks as the voice of Liu's mother called out,

"Zhen'er! Quickly open the door!"

Liu Lingzhen's color drained from her face; she tugged at Xu Wulang, urging him to leave. But Xu Wulang remained unmoving, he said coldly,

"It's too late, they likely can't see through my cultivation level; let them in!"

Liu's mother did not wait for her to open the door, she pushed it open with a creak. The first to enter was a young man in a light-colored vestment robe, with a spear slung on his back, his gaze sweeping over the two before him, he waved his hand.

The middle-aged man behind him bore the cultivation level of the Fifth Layer of Qi Training. With a mere push, he sent a group of Liu Family Clan Elders and uncles out the door, which slammed shut with a bang. The young man had a certain heroic air about his brows, simply stating,