Chapter 131 Rain

The wind in the cemetery swept through the withered leaves.

It swirled around the brand-new tombstone.

Engraved on the tombstone were the words "Li’s 27th Family Head, Li Quhu."

Li Qingsui, draped in mourning robes, knelt before the tombstone. She wiped both the new and old tombstones. The attendants behind her had already dispersed… Qingzhong was a quiet place. The elders had remained outside, leaving this final tranquility to her.

She had been here for a long time.

In fact.

She had nothing to say to her father… She just wanted to stand here.

It was very quiet here.

Quieter than anywhere else in the world.

It was just… the outside world was noisy not because it was inherently so.

Wherever there were people, there would be noise.

Li Qingsui remained standing before the tombstone for two hours. The elders waiting outside the cemetery began to lose patience.

The elders exchanged glances. They didn’t know what the girl was doing standing before the tombstone.

Not saying a word.

Not making a move.

More than a fallen tombstone, that silhouette resembled a stone monument.

"What is she doing?"

"She's not doing anything?"

"She's just standing there..."

"How long is she going to stand there?"

The cemetery remained quiet.

But the mental transmissions were filled with such noisy voices.

Logically speaking, after the tombstone was interred, the ceremony was over, and those who had come to pay their respects should have left… But the Li Family was one of the ancient Five Families, possessing complete and solemn etiquette.

The Family Head was dead.

Although the "succession" ceremony had not yet been held, Li Qingsui, the Family Head's appointed successor, was the new Family Head.

She had not left.

So the elders could not leave.

If she didn't move an inch, the elders would have to wait outside the cemetery, unable to move either.

Another thirty minutes passed.

The Second Elder sighed softly and slowly walked over. His expression was gentle as he consoled her, "Miss… please accept our condolences."

The girl standing before the tombstone slowly raised her head.

She calmly looked at the old man before her. Her voice was not loud, but all the elders waiting not far away could hear her.

Li Qingsui said, word by word.

"Call me Family Head."

The Li Family’s Second Elder, with his white eyebrows and beard, maintained his gentle expression. A complex meaning flowed in his deep eyes… Without the slightest hesitation, he changed his address: "Family Head, it's getting late, and…"

He raised his head.

The clouds were low in the sky.

It hadn’t been raining when they arrived.

But now, the sound of muffled thunder could be heard faintly.

Changye was like this every winter, cloudy, rainy, and snowy.

"If we stay any longer, it might rain."

In less than a second.

Li Qingsui said, "I'm waiting for the rain."

These words caught the Second Elder off guard.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Since everyone is willing to accompany me here, you must all be very sad…"

Li Qingsui glanced at the sky, turned to look at the elders, and said calmly, "Since that's the case, let's all stand in the rain together."

She had deliberately chosen this day to stand in this rain.

Since the rain wasn't coming.

Then everyone… please wait with me.

…

…

When Gu Shen left the inner cemetery.

It had been raining for half an hour.

He climbed to the top of the small mountain, and through the mist, he looked into the distance and saw a young girl, soaked to the bone but with a straight back, and a group of elders who had been turned into drowned chickens.

These people stood before the tombstone, maintaining a strange solemnity.

It was truly a rare sight.

Normally… it was hard to imagine that the pampered Five Families elders would be in such a sorry state.

Logically speaking, the funeral should have ended long ago.

Those who had come to accompany them had all left, and those who remained should all be the core members of the Li Family, as well as the elders.

Li Qingsui had not left…

Was she deliberately standing in the rain?

Gu Shen did not approach. He stood in the mist and watched from afar. He soon discovered a noteworthy detail…

Gao Shu didn't seem to have attended the funeral. At least, Gu Shen didn't see him.

In addition, some people in the rain stood still, and even at this moment, their expressions were still solemn, maintaining their upright posture.

But there were also some who no longer maintained the most basic etiquette. Their standing posture and demeanor were somewhat weary and no longer tense.

This was a very important matter.

The Li Family was an ancient clan that placed great importance on "etiquette." This was also why these people had not left until now. If Li Qingsui didn't leave, they couldn't leave… But the real reason they stayed here should be composed of two parts: reverence for the "old Family Head" and support for the "new Family Head."

The conversation in the hospital room showed this.

Some elders were already showing their true colors, unwilling to endure any longer.

On this matter, Gu Shen couldn't understand… Since they had already endured for so long, why not endure a little longer?

He thought of the Li Family Head's last words before his death.

["Those who are eager to jump out… are nothing more than…"

"Insignificant, petty people…"

"You might as well think about it… what makes them dare to jump out…"]

Before falling into eternal slumber.

When Li Quhu said these words, he seemed to be smiling.

The spiritual link with the Shrine Mountain didn't surprise him. Perhaps this Family Head had known what would happen after his death… and his final choice was to maintain a "balanced" situation for his daughter before he died.

And he gave Gu Shen such a reminder.

The reason why those who feared the fierce tiger dared to jump out.

It wasn't because the fierce tiger was sick, weak, or had fallen… or even because the fierce tiger was dead.

Cowardly people were always cowardly.

There was only one reason why they dared to jump out.

There was an existence that was more powerful and terrifying than the original fierce tiger.

…

…

The rain lasted for an hour.

Some of the elders waiting in the cemetery were already trembling from the cold. Because Li Qingsui didn't hold an umbrella, they naturally couldn't hold umbrellas. And because Li Qingsui didn't use her Extraordinary abilities, they couldn't use their Extraordinary abilities either.

They just stood there in the rain, enduring, tolerating, and suffering.

Just as someone was about to lose their patience.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

Li Qingsui finally spoke. She turned and left, without the slightest hesitation, and walked towards the outside of the cemetery.

And most of those who were waiting breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had been granted amnesty.

They exchanged glances with each other, filled with dissatisfaction.

She was simply a crazy girl.

At the funeral, she dragged all the members of the elders to stand in the rain with her…

Outside the cemetery.

As the crowd dispersed, the Second Elder stopped Li Qingsui. His tone was still gentle, but it no longer held the same respect as before.

"There is something that I would like to inform you of on behalf of the elders."

Even now, the Second Elder had not completely torn off his mask.

Li Qingsui was still acting as the Family Head for the time being.

So even he needed to address her with the honorific "you."

However… the age difference between the two was too great, a difference of several decades. When he said the last word, he deliberately drew it out with a profound meaning.

It sounded like a reminder, reminding Li Qingsui to also pay attention to his "honorific."

If she knew what was good for her, she could take the initiative to cancel it.

Then he would cancel it as a matter of course.

"What… is it?" Li Qingsui stopped and looked at the old man calmly.

She deliberately emphasized the first word, which was also a kind of reminder.

She had heard it.

But… she didn't use the honorific.

"Oh… a trivial matter."

The Second Elder smiled and said softly, "Regarding the proposal to restart the 'Seeking the Light' Project, the elders have held a new round of voting, and the results are out… We have decided to oppose it again."

"Reason," Li Qingsui said coldly.

"The reason is that we cannot estimate the true benefits that this project may bring to the Li Family… It has been a long time since any member of the elders has entered a place like Shrine Mountain." The Second Elder said calmly, "To evaluate its value, we must personally inspect it. At the very least, we need to have the right to know."

Li Qingsui narrowed her eyes.

She looked at the old man, who was almost sixty years older than her.

"Shrine Mountain only allows the Family Head, the Guardian, and those with a talisman to enter… This rule has not changed in the past hundred years." Li Qingsui said slowly, "You want to break this rule?"

The Second Elder smiled.

He shook his head.

"No, no, no… I have no intention of offending."

The old man looked down at the little girl before him. He had also stood in the heavy rain, but his robe quickly evaporated the moisture under the effect of his Transcendental Source Quality, returning to its dry state. It billowed out, and the raindrops above his head were repelled by his mental power, as if a large umbrella had been raised. However, that umbrella did not cover Li Qingsui's head.

In contrast.

The figures of the two were like a large mountain and a fledgling bird.

"In the past hundred years… the members of the elders have all received a talisman. This means that we have the right to enter the Shrine Mountain… Not going up the mountain to check the situation is just the elders' respect for the Family Head and the Guardian."

The Second Elder shook his head and said, "But now… the situation is different. The elders cannot trust a fifteen-year-old child. If something goes wrong with Shrine Mountain, can you really solve it…"

Li Qingsui took a deep breath.

She raised her head, wanting to say something.

A wisp of invisible flame burned in the rain!

"Chi chi chi—"

The crackling raindrops were burned and shattered by the flames, turning into a large amount of steam.

A warm palm rested on the little girl's shoulder.

Gu Shen walked out of the rain. Not a drop of rain touched his body. When his fingers touched Li Qingsui's robe, the searing fire turned into a warm current, instantly warming her cold body.

Like the old man.

The "damp moisture" on Li Qingsui's body was instantly evaporated and expelled.

A warm domain, like a large umbrella, was raised above her head.

She turned her head to look at that familiar face, losing herself for a moment, but she quickly came back to her senses.

Li Qingsui raised her voice and said coldly, "So… you don't recognize my status as Family Head?"

This was a very unsolvable move.

She knew… why none of the elders dared to disobey her today. It wasn't just because they followed etiquette and rules.

It was also because… Gao Shu was behind her.

When she wanted to end a certain argument, she only needed to bring out this identity…

And the argument would end.

The Second Elder had nothing to say.

He did not argue with Li Qingsui about the so-called identity dispute, but said meaningfully, "But Family Head… you must be clear that the Li Family is an ancient clan, and everything we do has clear rules. Even the Family Head cannot do whatever they want and needs to abide by the rules."

These words no longer used honorifics.

He had lost his last bit of patience and said, "The existence of the elders is to monitor and supervise the Family Head's actions… If we oppose it, then this proposal will inevitably fail to pass."

Li Qingsui was silent.

She knew… that what the Second Elder said was correct.

If the "Seeking the Light" Project was suspended due to the failure to pass the vote… then no matter how she proposed it, it would be useless.

"Do you know… how much money the Li Family has spent on collecting antiques this year?"

The Second Elder asked coldly, "Do you know how many people are laughing at us? The Jiangbei branch disciples, the hired Transcendent, many of them don't even have Sealed Items, and what are you doing? Buying a large number of soulless, broken things…"

"Sorry…"

Gu Shen spoke at this moment.

He smiled and said, "If I remember correctly… the 'Seeking the Light' Project should have only been launched for a year. The lack of Sealed Items in the Li Family's Jiangbei should not have happened this year, right?"

The Second Elder's words sounded very forceful.

As if Li Qingsui had made a very stupid and heinous decision… But in fact, for a large Transcendent power like the Li Family, there were many plans that required spending secular items every year, and the "Seeking the Light" Project was just one of them.

Increasing revenue and reducing expenditure was certainly possible.

But placing the reason here was a bit ridiculous.

Gu Shen had always disliked this kind of situation, so he simply pointed it out directly.

"What… do you want to say?"

The Second Elder's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"What I want to say is very simple…"

Gu Shen said lightly, "If you really want to solve the problem of the Jiangbei branch disciples not having enough Sealed Items, the best way is to distribute the excess Sealed Items in Snow Forbidden City, reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, and achieve internal and external balance."

A blatant sarcasm.

None of the Five Families could weaken the strength of Snow Forbidden City to support the so-called "Jiangbei branch."

But… it was very correct.

Because this was just an excuse.

"In addition, I would like to remind you that it was Mr. Quhu who approved the plan in the first place, which means that the expenses and maintenance of 'Seeking the Light' were all approved by the previous Family Head." Gu Shen said leisurely, "Perhaps you can explain why you only thought of opposing this proposal today."

The Li Family's Second Elder looked deeply at the young man before him.

He looked at the inner cemetery with some trepidation, thinking of Gu Shen's various identities, the heir of Divination, the S-level member of the Tribunal, suspected to be Gu Qilin's godson, etc… In the end, he chose to restrain himself.

"Gu Shen… considering that this is Qingzhong, I'll give you some face." He said in a deep voice, "I will not pursue today's matter for now…"

"There's no need."

Gu Shen said lightly, "Whether I'm in Qingzhong or not, there's no need to give me face… I know very well that the reason why you didn't fall out today is not giving me face, but giving face to Master Qianye, Gu Qilin, Gu Nanfeng, Tree, Senior Sister Tian Tong, Madam Lu… these people."

Gu Shen directly recited the names of a series of backers.

The Li Family's Second Elder was stunned.

He had never dealt with Gu Shen before and never expected that… this young man's moves would be so unconventional and shameless.

The words just now were very sarcastic and very real.

What if Gu Shen was not in Qingzhong?

There was always a higher mountain.

The Li Family's Second Elder had to admit that the names Gu Shen had just mentioned… were the true top figures in East洲 (East Continent). The combination of their forces could almost control most of East洲's lifeline. With his identity, how dare he offend any of them?

Since Gu Shen was not playing by the rules.

Then he had no choice but to tear off his mask and issue a warning.

"Think carefully about your surname? Do you really want to interfere in the Li Family's affairs?"

Gu Shen smiled lightly and asked, "If I don't have the Li surname, I can't interfere?"

The Second Elder nodded coldly and said, "Those with other surnames… better have self-awareness and stay away."

As soon as he finished speaking.

A large hand rested on his shoulder.

The Second Elder's expression was terrified.

The person behind him was like a ghost, coming and going without a trace.

"If you don't have the Li surname, you should stay away?" Gao Tian said softly, his voice like a ghost.

The Second Elder felt that all the sounds were blocked in his throat.

He had been tricked.

They knew Gao Tian was coming… and were leading him to say these words.

At this moment, he wanted to explain, but he couldn't open his mouth. He could only say in a low voice, "Mr. Gao… this is certainly a misunderstanding…"

"You need to know… what I was like in Changye twenty years ago."

Gao Tian patted the old man's shoulder and said softly, "Don't go too far. If you touch my bottom line, I can do anything."

The Second Elder lowered his head and said nothing.

It had to be said that the elders of the Li Family seemed to have a talent for "admitting defeat."

Gu Shen had seen them admit defeat and remain silent more than once.

After a moment, the Second Elder adjusted his expression and looked at Li Qingsui, saying calmly.

"I'm just here to give a routine notice."

"Since the Family Head said before his death that everything should be done according to the rules… then all proposals and plans will be voted on by the elders according to the rules. If they object, then they will not be approved."

Before leaving, he once again looked at Gu Shen.

But this time, his eyes were full of warning…

Gu Shen understood the meaning in the Second Elder's eyes.

It probably meant that although you, Gu Shen, are the heir of Divination, and you have the Tribunal, the Gu Family, and Qingzhong behind you…

But if you overstep your bounds.

Then… don't blame me for being impolite!

He just smiled.

"Gu Shen—"

As the two passed each other, both stopped for a moment.

The Second Elder used mental transmission to simply make clear the meaning of his previous eyes.

He asked coldly, "You have the support of a giant wall, how majestic… but who knows when the giant wall will collapse?"