The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1628: Lead And Follow (II)

Li Jiangliang found the spectacle difficult to watch. It was not as though he knew nothing of the Deng Family's true nature. If they had genuinely harbored such deep hatred, they would not have remained as quiet as mice during the Chi Family upheaval back then. In the end, they were simply following the benefits.

Yet Yang Zhuo had a great need for him. He granted him control of three towns, and according to the future arrangements, he would also receive a Founding Military Merit Title, [Origin Hall Attendant], which was also a minor noble rank of the sixth grade.

Li Jiangliang let out a quiet sigh. "Qin Lianfu, Si Xunlong, Zheng Shuyan, Li Quantao, Quan Yuduan... All of them have received fiefs... Once the state is formally established, they will all be entered into the ranks of the Military Merit Nobility. How many noble clans will that create..."

The woman turned back toward him and asked gently, "Isn't that a good thing?"

Li Jiangliang shook his head. "It's not that it's bad. The Yue State has suffered too many disasters. There are vast stretches of wasteland and countless displaced people. Without the local clans, we simply don't have enough manpower to hold everything... But... this is still too much. There is no need to reward everyone with land."

Hesitation filled his face as he continued softly, "I understand that my lord wishes to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but for a power as great as the Azure Pond Sect, only the chief culprit, Qin Xian, died... Yet within a single day, seventy-one territories in Simin were granted away. Once the state is established, this prefecture alone will, by precedent, contain seventy-one noble houses of varying rank...

"I just can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. I'm afraid it may bring harm..."

Yang Tianyou lowered her gaze slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes as she interrupted him. "My elder brother has his reasons...

"We have not yet reached the point of raising the great banner. The Azure Pond Sect's rule may exist in name only, but if we completely topple this giant, we could indeed seize all of the Yue State's territory. But what about the Eastern Sea and Southern Sea territories? As long as that banner remains unraised, the various factions will simply play dumb and carve everything up among themselves.

"That is also why my brother stopped at the foot of Mount Azure Pond. Otherwise, this affair might well have cost the life of a divine ability cultivator! We still need this giant to linger on its last breath. Only by luring people with benefits can we bring the entirety of the Azure Pond Sect under control. The Si Family now walks the same path as we do...

"Mount Azure Pond still possesses immortal decrees that connect to the Eastern and Southern Seas. Only through them can those outer-sea territories barely be maintained. After all, our people already hold key positions within the mountain itself. My brother had Si Tongyi establish the [Immortal Administration Bureau] and maintain the Azure Pond Sect's official registry, ensuring that all those people and territories remain firmly in our grasp...

"Not long ago, disturbances broke out across Azure Pond Sect's islands in the Eastern Sea. Had it not been for Daoist Master Qinghu of the Si Family and Daoist Master Ning of the Azure Pond Sect stepping in, those holdings would certainly have been divided up amidst the chaos. If that had happened, expanding our influence overseas in the future would have become exceedingly difficult."

She sighed and continued, "We are not the Supreme Yang Dao lineage. Whatever outer-sea territories we can legitimately inherit are all we can claim. Further expansion is nearly impossible. Likewise, once such territories are lost, recovering them is extraordinarily difficult."

Yet this was clearly not the answer Li Jiangliang had wanted to hear. It was not as though he was unaware of these principles.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "What worries me are the common people. If noble clans truly spread across the entire realm, what chance will ordinary folk have to rise? And if these people are being rewarded so lavishly, what of the immortal families?

"And do commoners have such opportunities today? What about Qin Xian?"

Yang Tianyou's expression remained calm as she smiled. "As for the immortal families... they shall be granted kingship!"

Li Jiangliang fell silent for a moment before asking, "Have the noble titles been decided yet?"

Yang Tianyou seemed quite amused, covering her mouth as she laughed. "It's still far too early... But does your family's noble title even need any thought?"

Li Jiangliang's heart stirred. He unexpectedly felt somewhat comforted and quietly mused to himself, My lord said that a noble title brings tremendous benefits. Besides, once we're counted among kings and nobles, the family will carry greater prestige wherever they go. At least I can be said to have done something for the clan.

Given Yang Zhuo's attitude toward the great clans, his family would most likely not lose its place among the kings and nobles even without him. Still, having rendered the merit of following the dragon, he could secure additional territory for his clan.

After pondering this silently, he changed the subject and asked with concern, "I heard the Karmic Fire has passed through the Wilderness and already reached Lixia. My lord has been in seclusion for quite some time. Has there been any news?"

At the mention of the Karmic Fire, Yang Tianyou showed no sign of concern. Instead, a faint smile appeared on her face as he said, "That is Que Liyu. There's no need to worry about him. He's here for reincarnation. Once Que Liyu reaches Simin Prefecture, he'll naturally meet my elder brother."

Li Jiangliang nodded thoughtfully and was about to speak when someone hurried up the steps and reported in a low voice, "My lord! A secret letter from Lord Chen!"

Interrupted, Li Jiangliang turned around, took the letter from the messenger, and glanced over it. A peculiar expression appeared on his face. "The heavens over Linhai have changed. There are shamanic winds, owl feathers, owl cries, and ghostly wails..."

He looked toward Yang Tianyou and asked, "Did she succeed or not?"

When it came to matters involving divine ability, the Yang Family, or rather the Underworld's judiciary, naturally understood them better than anyone.

Yang Tianyou nodded and replied seriously, "The old Sword Immortal poured his heart into nurturing them. How many members of the Lingu Family have already been spent in the process? First there were Lingu Yi and Lingu Dan, then later Lingu Rao. How many spirit items were consumed? How many precious pills were used? After all that effort, they finally raised a talent like Lingu Lanying. They even came to seek help from our family. What other family outside the Lingu Family could enjoy such favorable conditions? Of course she succeeded!

"Others may not know, but we do. Besides Lingu Lanying, there are still two more in hidden seclusion. Their chances of breaking through aren't high, so they're merely contingency plans. Yet the Lingu Family has practically staked all of its geniuses on this gamble... Sword Immortal Louxing is truly ruthless!"

Li Jiangliang sighed in admiration and shook his head. "That's not quite fair. This is a matter of righteous duty, not ruthlessness. If the Lingu Family weren't so lacking, a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator from their family should have entered the highest stage long ago."

Yang Tianyou sighed. "Even now, it isn't too late."

Li Jiangliang nodded and said, "The senior's painstaking efforts were not in vain. Now that Lingu Lanying has emerged, Linhai Prefecture can be considered saved. Even if Great Xiukui Temple seals its mountain, the Lingu Family can still protect the mortal Lin Family of Linhai and its many branches... while also allowing Great Xiukui Temple to remain uninvolved. One cannot deny the brilliance of the arrangement."

Yang Tianyou sighed again. "Brilliant it certainly is, but it is also ruthlessly cold. To preserve the integrity of Great Xiukui Temple, Sword Immortal Louxing would rather withhold the truth from Houfu and Kuiqi. He would rather risk his life opposing Xue Yang at Qinling for even the slightest chance of success. That alone shows how unwavering his sword heart is..."

Li Jiangliang could only sigh in respect. Then he saw his wife smile as she said, "No matter what, your family has benefited greatly. Your uncle's title has already been submitted to the hall. After discussion among several people, it will be at least a third-rank title, with his fief located in Lixia. As for yours..."

The uncle she referred to was naturally Li Zhouluo. The Li Family had not been deeply involved in this turmoil, thus only Li Jiangliang and Li Zhouluo had earned noble titles.

Li Jiangliang shook his head and said, "You don't need to concern yourself with me. A nominal title is enough. I have no desire for a fief."

A smile appeared on his face, and his eyes filled with anticipation and hope. "Once my lord's great undertaking succeeds, Jiangnan is at peace, and the people have homes and livelihoods, I'll leave worldly affairs behind and take you back to the lake. We'll manage a small pavilion on the island, collate the Orthodox Dao Collection, organize the various Dao lineages, and when there's nothing to do, drift across the lake in a boat, warming wine and sleeping in contented drunkenness."

Yang Tianyou turned her head away and did not look at him. Forcing a smile, she said, "With your talents, husband, and as the man personally chosen by my brother to govern and bring peace to the realm, how could you be limited to managing a mere small pavilion?"

Li Jiangliang chuckled. His gaze remained fixed on the scroll in his hands as he shook his head and said with a sigh, "You don't understand. My elder brothers are the truly remarkable ones. As for an ordinary fellow like me... even on the island, I'd be fit for nothing more than overseeing a small pavilion!"

His voice was gentle, and a smile lingered between his brows. "When the time comes, I'll show you the scenery of Moongaze Lake as well."

Yang Tianyou answered softly, not daring to meet his eyes.

The smile that usually adorned the face of this direct daughter of the Yang Family, this favored daughter of heaven with a Golden Core bloodline, gradually faded. She feigned composure and looked out the window, yet the slender hand resting on the sill repeatedly tightened and relaxed. Her beautiful eyes closed and her lips pressed together in silence, while a sudden ache stirred within her heart.

You fool...