Chapter 765 540 Departure

Li Xijun felt a chill in his heart. Just this single assignment almost emptied the Li Family. After a careful count, the number of people was tightly constrained, exactly seventy percent of their own manpower.

He almost immediately signaled his family's dissatisfaction and blurted out,

"What?!"

Zhao Tinggui could only force a laugh. Li Xijun quickly composed himself and spoke softly,

"Xijun has been rude."

Zhao Tinggui waved his hand quickly, with a somewhat apologetic air. He didn't intend to offend the Li Family, but these were the very people he needed to bring along, matters that concerned life and property. Regardless of personal feelings or appearances, Zhao Tinggui ultimately could not relent and silently sipped his tea.

With his stance laid out there, Li Xijun had no choice but to speak up himself, whispering,

"To report to the envoy...this is completely unreasonable... typical Noble Families are never mobilized to such an extent. My family, guardians of Wangyue Lake, are directly facing the brunt of the impact, the barrier for Green Pond... I hope for your understanding..."

Although Zhao Tinggui was the senior brother of Moon Lake Peak, he hailed from a humble, ordinary family, and it was by chance that he became Ning Wan's disciple.

Now, as a supporter of the Ning Family, he didn't fear typical Noble Families. Yet, he felt somewhat intimidated facing the Li Family and said only,

"Tinggui is also acting on orders..."

The two were at an impasse for a while. Although Li Xijun didn't know which peak was involved, he had anticipated the few possible peaks and recognized Zhao Tinggui. Sensing some hesitation in him, Li Xijun thought there might still be some leeway:

'This man rose from humble beginnings, relying entirely on his talent and temperament to earn Ning Wan's favor, skilled in diplomacy, and his character somewhat kind. Perhaps with a bit of pressure... there might be room to maneuver.'

He gradually fell silent. After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Tinggui finally said through gritted teeth,

"After all, our families have a deep relationship... Tinggui will speak frankly... I have two requests..."

He said solemnly,

"Members of the nobility, especially those of the same generation as Xijun, those of the Direct Lineage... it would be best if they could go together..."

No sooner had he spoken these words, Li Xijun understood,

"So this is the aim of his request..."

Zhao Tinggui's intention was clear. As long as key members of the Li Family's Direct Lineage went with him, should anything happen on the battlefield, the members of the Li Family would certainly come to the rescue. Li Xuanfeng and Li Xizhi, who did not fall under the jurisdiction of Moon Lake Peak, would not stand idly by.

If the two got involved and the situation turned even more dire, they could even draw in the Yang and Xiao Families to the rescue...

Seeing clearly, Li Xijun sighed inwardly. If Zhao Tinggui came prepared, his intention was even clearer now:

"It seems that Yuexiang must go as well..."

Li Yuexiang was the younger sister of Li Xizhi. The affair with the Yuan Family had shown that Li Xuanfeng held her in high regard, and Zhao Tinggui's silent calculations that included her in his plans were likely made with this in mind.

After a moment of thought, he nodded silently and ordered,

"Ask Yuexiang to come here."

Seeing Li Xijun's action, Zhao Tinggui's expression brightened slightly as he continued,

"There is another matter. I have heard that the nobility possess the Wanling Flower, which can ease sorrows and sustain life... If your family could equip six of my fellow disciples from the peak with this item, Tinggui would be immensely grateful."

This request was not excessive. Li Xijun had already reserved some for his family's Direct Lineage, and although distributing it now would be somewhat difficult, their stores could last for one or two years, so he nodded lightly.

Zhao Tinggui appeared very pleased and responded,

"On behalf of my fellow disciples from the peak, I thank the nobility!"

Li Xijun's mind, however, was still on his family's arrangements. Zhao Tinggui paused before answering,

"As for the personnel arrangement, if it's difficult for the nobility, there's no rush to dispatch so many people."

"Four from the Qi Cultivating Late Stage, four from the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, nineteen from the early stage, and eighty Fetal Breathing Cultivators... How about that?"

Li Xijun understood it was the result of a two-sided compromise and sighed,

"An order has been issued within the sect, and the Li Family must, of course, comply."

As they were speaking, a woman entered the courtyard, with willowy eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, dressed in a flowing white dress, with a longsword strapped at her waist, seemingly just having finished her cultivation practice, her body still flickering with streaks of gold and red flames.

Li Xijun said softly,

"This is my younger sister, Li Yuexiang."

"This is the envoy from Moon Lake Peak, the respected Senior Zhao Tinggui."

Zhao Tinggui glanced at her, returned a salute, and although Li Xijun had his suspicions, he still asked his sister,

"Our family is garrisoned under Moon Lake Peak, yet we lack a Direct Lineage member strong enough to hold their own... Yuexiang, are you willing to take on this role?"

Li Yuexiang smiled and said,

"Sitting idly at home, at last I can lend a hand. Please arrange as you see fit, brother."

After Li Xijun introduced the two to each other, he turned to Zhao Tinggui with a smile,

"Envoy, please do not underestimate our family's women. Yuexiang is not one of those delicate ladies. She should be able to offer considerable help in the north."

Zhao Tinggui quickly agreed, and after hearing the arrangements between the two, Li Yuexiang softly said,

"I will go now to gather the personnel."

She left promptly, and Zhao Tinggui watched her departing figure, sipping his tea. Li Xijun, deep in thought, quietly said,

"Yuexiang is our younger sister, and we brothers dote on her very much. I kindly ask the envoy to take care and watch over her."

After all, Li Yuexiang's going indicated the Li Family's commitment, and they would naturally assist. Li Xijun certainly did not want this man to treat Li Yuexiang as a mere pawn and conveyed a hint of warning,

"My younger sister is in your hands, Taoist Fellow!"

Zhao Tinggui replied,

"Xijun can rest assured... Tinggui is not such a villain. Should anything happen to Yuexiang, feel free to hold me accountable."

"Good, then please follow Yuexiang down and select personnel from our clan together," said Li Xijun.

Zhao Tinggui nodded and took his leave. Li Xijun remained sitting in the hall. After a moment of contemplation, he filled the teacup before himself and whispered,

"Zhao Tinggui is still unmarried, only thirty-nine years old... It seems the Ning Family has inquired about marriage a few times, but he has always refused on the grounds of prioritizing his cultivation."