The winding stone path was flanked by ditches, where autumn waters gently carried fallen crimson maples from the right ridge; when covered by winter snow, they competed for purity with the blooming winter plum on the left slope. As spring faded, peach and plum blossoms from distant boatyards drifted in, scattering fragments upon both sides. Now in high summer, pink and crimson lotuses flourished in the center. Beyond the moss-covered steps, green pines and bamboo, stood a courtyard constructed entirely from Wuzhang and Monan wood transported from Shu. Li Jincuo, striving to fulfill his late master’s vision of a secluded sanctuary and adhering to his desired color palette, had single-handedly overcome protests, financial hardship, and sabotage. To realize his benefactor’s dream, would he seek mere selfish survival?
Arriving after a day and night of travel, Li Zixian crossed the gate bearing the plaque “Qitu Mountain House,” descending along a spiral corridor. Gazing down into the garden, she saw herself, clad in the exclusive “Tianshuibian” long robe of the Li lineage, standing beside a Huangyang bench and table that had been carefully preserved in its natural posture. To seize this robe back in the morning and tear it to shreds! “Wishing the Xiang family peace and comfort.” From childhood, she had found this posture of bowing and kneeling unremarkable, but it allowed her to avoid the sharp gazes of her great-aunt and her, sharp as a pair of scissors.
Li Wanxue said, “Rise. I’ve just brewed some tea, have a cup to quench your thirst.” Seeing her expression, she always recalled her spirited sister, who only ever spoiled herself with her.
Li Zixian said, “Ying, she’s back.”
Alas, why would the one who was let go run back?
Seeing her lack of reaction, Li Zixian added, “She also brought a Song pig. The two of them, sword in hand, gave the ‘Twenty-Eight Constellation River Array’ of the Changxian Cave dwellers a thorough thrashing.”
Li Wanxue asked, “Are you injured?”
Li Zixian replied with a hint of indignation, “That Song pig’s swordplay seemed to constrain us everywhere.”
Able to wield swords together, yet capable of restraining everywhere – this Wang fellow is quite interesting. He was worth the eight years my grandson spent. Li Wanxue said, “It’s not surprising to be occasionally caught by a mere scale or claw. The martial arts passed down by the founding ancestress are vast and profound; ponder them slowly, and you will comprehend more mysteries.” I’ve created opportunities time and again for you to glimpse the martial secrets noted in the latter chapters… Alas, understanding your aptitude, it has indeed been difficult.
Hmph! Slowly! Is it not slow enough now? Let alone the latter chapters, you’ve only personally taught me one set, “Louchunjian Method,” from the private notes. If not for my painstaking efforts to gather fragmented yet practical… Li Zixian said, “Thank you for your concern, Xiang family. My worry now is that Ying, unaware of the situation, is easily swayed and might mess things up. I estimate that Jiang Chudao will either destroy them or recruit them if he can’t.”
Li Wanxue asked, “Do you truly believe we can no longer reconcile with the original cave dwellers? Will Wanyan Liang recognize the old promise of restoring the Tang, as Wanyan Zonggan once pledged? Is it not reliable trust built on mutual benefit, as spoken by the three surnames?” For these three parties, the Xiang family, throughout the generations, has trodden on thin ice. They have always advised you to grasp the standard, and not to be careless. This time, successfully provoked by the financiers, the struggle within the alliance between old and young, pro-Jin or not, and between different ethnic groups is extensive. Furthermore, the actions were swift and unexpected. To avoid internal strife escalating and allowing the financiers to exploit it and destroy us, we can only temporarily show weakness and submit to their arrangement… After all, the Mountain Alliance is no longer merely the fruit of the founding ancestress’s labor, but the result of everyone’s sacrifice. Perhaps we should first see how they handle the situation…
What intelligence are you trying to extract? Could you have guessed that they and I have a plan? A tremor in her heart, regretting that she hadn’t administered the will-controlling pills researched in Yuxi Valley at the time of the incident, fearing that once she lost her, they would have no restraint and couldn’t be controlled. “Aunt, you and Uncle Dong and Cun Mao can accept the amended positions in the Shang family. Increasing the Xiang family to six members, selection regardless of origin. Then, the matter will be settled. Jiang Chudao will then understand how to proceed and lead the caves to re-submit.” Li Zixian said, “The newly established Shang family unit will still be managed by Aunt. Combined with the new Xiang family positions, prioritize those from Dark Swordsmen backgrounds. After the change, my family’s influence will surely increase, not decrease.” Once the reform is successful, I will report the medicine to you, Wu Nanyong will assist me in controlling the Xiang family unit, and with that person’s assistance, the power unjustly seized from my mother will be reclaimed! Li Zixian suppressed the joy in her heart.
Li Wanxue thought to herself that Dark Swordsmen are not as reliable as the Zhan and Dong families. Fortunately, she had cultivated forces like Mao Ya within the stationed Jin troops for you. Kuai Shu Ge.
Li Zixian continued, “As for restoring the Tang, the financiers are poised to destroy the Song. Our contribution is not insignificant. It is not too late to strive for it when merits are awarded.” Li Wanxue agreed with this point. Dealing with Wanyan Liang could only be done by following the trend and using strategy. She was pleased that her handling of affairs had finally improved.
The tea boiled for three rounds. Li Wanxue ladled the tea into pale blue-white porcelain cups and handed one to Li Zixian, who sat opposite her. Glancing at her eyeing her own sleeve, she sighed that this green robe was indeed a heavy burden for her, and said, “Continue the Nan Tang dynasty, and work together to restore the land that belongs to us. This is what the founding ancestress wanted us to persevere in, and it is also the most effective way to unite all the surviving people.” Relying on this sliver of hope, everyone remained stable in their positions. Li Zixian said, “Understood. Then, shall I reply to Cao Kaixiu and proceed with the transformation matters?” The latest report received at the ferry crossing indicated that after the battle of the “Twenty-Eight Constellation River Array” yesterday, Ying and that Song pig had disappeared. She truly feared complications.
Li Wanxue nodded slowly. Li Zixian hastily rose to bow and leave.
“Wait.”
Hearing this, Li Zixian’s heart gave a jolt. She cursed inwardly: As expected, the killing blow is only revealed at the end of every affair! Li Wanxue said calmly, “If you encounter Ying, tell her that this place no longer bears her name, and that they should get out of the mountains.” Li Zixian did not dare to look back, merely softly uttered, “Yes,” and then lowered her head and walked away. In her heart, she complained that if she had known her aunt would agree so readily, she shouldn’t have agreed to their deception of Ying and keeping her as a hostage to threaten them. Now, it only created more complications. She then feared her aunt’s easy agreement, perhaps she had already foreseen the prowess of their dual swords and had another trick up her sleeve?
Forgive my selfishness, I am about to bring you great suffering! Li Wanxue turned her head to look at the retreating back of Li Zixian, who had just turned the corner into the corridor. Every time she saw it, she was reminded of her sister’s appearance when she set out for battle.
Just one month short, and this matter would be forty years old, on that early autumn night…