Novel Full Chapter 1498: Senior Brother (I)
Chapter 1498: Senior Brother (I)
Jiutian Pavilion.
Within the pavilion, wind stirred and clouds churned. Bells hanging from the racks rang with sharp chimes, while the sounds of sparring echoed through the air. First came the clang of swords, then surging azure clouds twisting and colliding, accompanied by the howl of rushing wind.
A man in silver robes with a crimson mantle sat upright in the middle of the pavilion, his hands forming seals over his qihai as he quietly regulated his breathing. Hearing the commotion rise with the wind, he lifted his handsome, rounded face and asked, “What is all that noise?”
A voice called from outside the door, “The senior and junior brothers are just horsing around outside!”
Quan Yuduan[1] laughed, jumped down from his seat, and pushed open the door as he said with a smile, “Master has gone into seclusion in the Eastern Sea, and they choose now to start sparring. So early in the morning too, disturbing people’s quiet cultivation!”
As soon as the pavilion door opened, he saw a black-robed cultivator seated on the steps before the hall. Hearing him, the man turned, shook out his robes as he rose, and said with some helplessness, “These days, one has been in the north, one in the south, and from time to time they have to run off to the Eastern Sea. It has been a long while since they’ve seen each other. Whether they’ve improved or let their cultivation slip, they can only find out by crossing hands.”
“True enough!” Quan Yuduan laughed heartily and strode out into the courtyard, crossing the steps in two quick strides as he said, “Uncle Wushao, it’s rare to see you! How has Zhouluo been these past two years?”
Li Wushao folded his arms and, rare for him, showed a hint of a smile. “Nothing but cultivation. Yunqing[2] wanted a suitable art, and I also needed to cultivate a footwork technique, so this was a good chance to visit Jiutian Pavilion. There are plenty of things here after all. Your master has accumulated a great deal of merit, and we may as well make use of that Azure Pond Sect guest cultivator status.”
Li Wushao had gained too many benefits during these years at Li Xizhi’s side. Whether it was the spirit items or spirit pills casually given to him, ordinary demonic creatures might not gather such resources in one or two hundred years. Without drawing notice, his foundation had already grown deep and solid, and he had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment Realm.
On top of that, the early nourishment of [Supreme Yin Moonlight] combined with many spirit items, transformed through the [Six Dams Life Matching Unique Technique] into the profound wonders of the Azure Manifestation Dao, had refined and nourished him again and again, making his bloodline ever purer. It had not been obvious in earlier years, but as his cultivation gradually neared completion, its power had become increasingly apparent.
Yet he rarely made a move, and had silently protected Li Xizhi’s juniors for all these years. Though Quan Yuduan could tell his mana was profound, he did not truly know the extent of his strength, and secretly thought, Though Uncle Wushao came from an ordinary background, looking at him now, even ordinary Azure Pond Sect’s sect disciples would probably be no match for him…
For a demonic creature, this was already the highest praise. To be not born of some noble bloodline, yet able to contend with disciples of an immortal sect… Demonic creatures like this could likely be counted on one hand even in Jiangnan.
Looking into the courtyard, he saw Zhao Junwei[3], cold blade in hand, locked in a fierce and exhilarating fight with his junior brother Si Xunhui. Sword light and arts intertwined, casting the courtyard in alternating flashes of brightness and shadow.
Though Quan Yuduan was the senior brother, he could not match Zhao Junwei in temperament, nor could he compare to his junior brother Si Xunhui in background. Now, seeing the swordsmanship and Dao attainment of the two, he felt only shame in his heart and lowered his head in silence.
Though Zhao Junwei’s temperament and resolve were most recognized by Li Xizhi, Si Xunhui’s own temperament was no less solid, and he was equally diligent. With the support of a great family behind him, Zhao Junwei naturally could not compare.
After fighting for around fifteen minutes, he was already defeated and sighed, “Junior brother’s arts truly live up to master’s great name!”
Si Xunhui quickly withdrew his hand and shook his head. “I cannot be compared to our master. At my level of cultivation, he was already fighting on the rivers, while the world had yet to recognize his talent. That is the true Orthodox Dao of concealing one’s edge and preserving one’s fortune.”
The brothers sat in the hall and began chatting with great enthusiasm. Zhao Junwei chose to speak only of matters in the Eastern Sea and said, “On my way back from the Reef Sea, I heard of something rare. The people of Crimson Reef Island and Thunder Island fought near there over some treasure, and the commotion was enormous. They fought until the Dragon Clan stepped in to mediate, though no one knows whose hands the treasure ended up in. But it seems an important direct lineage descendant of Thunder Island died in that battle. In any case, they have torn all pretense apart.”
Neither of those factions was any good, so the two simply took it as amusing news and thought it a good thing. Quan Yuduan, however, gestured for them to look over and said seriously, “I have news of my own.”
The two turned toward him together. Quan Yuduan lowered his voice and said, “Do you still remember the master of Qingsui Peak?”
“Of course!”
Si Xunhui was less familiar, but Quan Yuduan and Zhao Junwei could never forget the name Yuan Chengzhao. This martial uncle had repeatedly sought to harm their master. How could they forget? Quan Yuduan gave a cold laugh and said, “We only saw that he had gone silent these past years, staying in seclusion day after day, not emerging even when the Yuan Family descended into chaos. But these past few days, Qin Xian[4] seems to have gotten some news. He had people inspect the formations and discovered that no one has entered or left that cave dwelling for years… Even the provisions sent over had gone unused.”
“Oh?”
Both men’s expressions shifted slightly. Quan Yuduan sneered. “Qin Xian feared something had happened to him, so he ordered the cave dwelling opened at once, only to find it empty! It seems Yuan Chengzhao secretly sealed the cave dwelling and slipped away to wander the world long ago!”
There was much to be said about that. With Si Boxiu dead, Yuan Chengzhao naturally had reason to be afraid. Though Li Xizhi had said the matter was written off, Yuan Chengzhao had offended an immortal family. How could he possibly rest easy?
A trace of mocking amusement appeared on Li Wushao’s face as he turned away in silence and thought to himself, With Qin Xian and the others watching, the Si Family still cares about appearances. It would not do to kill the donkey after it has turned the millstone. Better to give him an early chance and let him leave. As for what happens to him afterward… Si Tongyi does not have the nerve for harsher measures. Most likely he was simply released to fend for himself.
Li Wushao turned back and prepared to choose a footwork technique, but unexpectedly, the brothers’ quiet discussion drifted over on the breeze and passed by him.
“Have either of you senior brothers heard… There seems to be movement at Pristine Gui Pool!”
That single sentence shook Li Wushao to the core. The foot he had already placed over the threshold froze at once. After hesitating for a breath, he stepped inside and stopped before rows of shelves.
But he did not close the door, and the brothers’ voices still floated lightly into his ears. “Senior brother is always well informed. I live in the outer sea and do not know the inside story… What kind of movement is it?”
Then came a clear voice deliberately lowered, that of the junior brother seated nearby, Si Xunhui. “I heard from the elders of my family… It seems the Grand Daoist Master has returned.”
Those words struck like a thunderclap, nearly causing Li Wushao’s expression to change several times as he thought, The Grand Daoist Master?! Elders… What elder does the Si Family even still have?
“Daoist Master Suiguan!”
Quan Yuduan’s astonished voice rang out almost at the same moment as his thoughts. That name clearly struck fear into everyone present. Daoist Master Suiguan had emerged from a grotto heaven, and rumor said he possessed an almost inhuman bearing. Forget the people of today, even the Chi Family of those years had regarded him with both suspicion and fear!
The pavilion seemed especially quiet at this moment. The three brothers sat gathered around the table. Zhao Junwei sighed as he filled tea for the other two, while Quan Yuduan, his expression complicated, said, “It’s him…”
He turned his face slightly, looking somewhat restrained, and said, “I only heard that Daoist Master Qiuhu summoned Lin Wuning and Qin Xian… The two showed no outward change when they came out. I only heard they have begun reallocating manpower, shrinking the scale of several market towns, and increasing tribute demands, but I have heard nothing more. In the end, junior brother’s information is still sharper.”
It was not just the two of them feeling the weight of the news. Si Xunhui’s expression was no better!
1. The first disciple of Li Xizhi. First appeared in Chapter 1026. ☜
2. Pang Yunqing, the wife of Li Zhouluo. ☜
3. The second disciple of Li Xizhi. First appeared in Chapter 1026. ☜
4. The husband of Fei Qingyi. First appeared in Chapter 1198. ☜