Xiao Guiluan questioned carefully, while Li Yuanjiao above listened in silence, also calculating in his heart. Upon hearing that the Xiao Family had not detained those devil cultivators but instead ca up empty, Xiao Guiluan let out a sigh of relief.
Li Yuanjiao raised his brows, speaking in a low voice:
"Are you afraid this was Xiao Guitu's deliberate doing?"
No wonder husband and wife grew suspicious; Li Yuanjiao, as their brother-in-law, was quite shrewd and ambitious, always harboring intentions to beco a vassal to the Li Family.
Yet perhaps later Xiao Chuting gave orders, so Xiao Guitu sohow let go of that idea, and gradually there was no movent; thus, Li Yuanjiao relaxed his guard.
Now, however, it seed Xiao Guitu's sches might resurface, hence his question. Once uttered, all present looked startled.
At the side, Li Xihong mused, sword-like brows relaxing. He cupped his hands and said:
"I too suspect this is Xiao Guitu's ploy, luring our family to act and giving them an excuse. Once this precedent is set, if chaos breaks out in our clan in the future, the Xiao Family could likewise intervene as a matter of course."
With this direct explanation, suspicions were laid bare, leaving Xiao Guiluan and Li Qingxiao both briefly stunned.
"My elder brother would not go so far."
Xiao Guiluan shook her head, pondered deeply for several monts, and explained:
"My brother is proud and favors the way of kings. Even should he wish to strengthen his hold over our family, he would never employ such tricks, let alone…"
She paused for a beat before continuing:
"If this were a planned sche, he would surely have set up an ambush at Yu Mountain, letting the devil cultivators massacre the mountain first and then feigning a late arrival to exterminate them—accomplishing two aims at once, rather than weakening himself internally and tolerating chaos externally, thus losing the people's trust."
Li Yuanjiao rely harbored suspicions, but upon careful thought sensed the flaw, promptly saying:
"Exactly. The Xiao Family, having just taken a loss, urgently needs to display might—lest they seem prey for a pack of wolves. This is hardly the ti to plot against us. Xiao Guitu is not so petty."
Li Xijun nodded slightly, his expression unchanged, replying:
"I was overthinking."
His face betrayed no emotion, making Li Xuanxuan glance aside, secretly wondering if Li Xijun had spoken on purpose. anwhile, Xiao Guiluan had already spoken up:
"No need for worry. Since this was not my brother's design, then the matter leaves much room for us."
She took Li Qingxiao's hand, her voice gentle, and said:
"My father holds high rank in the clan with considerable influence, and the eldest son manages household affairs. His words carry weight, yet he's greedy and narrow-minded."
"Take so spirit stones, dispatch people to Xianyou Peak, speak to him with softness and courtesy, shower him with lavish gifts. Secure the ownership of Yu Mountain's master-seat on the peak first."
On the side, Li Yuanping had already taken out a storage bag, counting out over seventy spirit stones, and said warmly:
"Sister, here are the family savings; take them for your use first."
Li Qingxiao shed tears as she received them with trembling hands. Before she could speak, Xiao Guiluan continued:
"Even if my brother intends nothing, this precedent must not be set. I have two close friends still in the clan, with influence over the Xiazhong and Dongshan branches. I'll write a letter asking them to lend you several Xiao Family cultivators, to support your household."
"Good… good…"
Li Qingxiao accepted the spirit stones. Xiao Guiluan picked up brush and ink to write. Li Yuanjiao stepped forward, saying in a low voice:
"I also have a Foundation Establishnt talisman here. Take it for your body's protection—it can deter petty villains."
After all, as an elder brother, he said little more, pressing the talisman into her hand and warning her of its taboos. Li Qingxiao nodded, watching Xiao Guiluan hand her the letter. Li Yuanjiao then added:
"The family will send a trade caravan to Yu Mountain. If the situation changes, consult with us frequently."
"Thank you… Thank you, brother. I truly have nothing with which to repay…"
Li Qingxiao was moved to reply at once, humbly accepting, bowing her head deeply, and stating on behalf of Yu Mountain's lineage:
"For the family's kindness, Yu Mountain will bear it. Once Yu Mountain is stable, I will repay it all."
With no one presiding over Yu Mountain, every extra mont she delayed only elevated the risk. She spoke no further and departed on her flying shuttle.
"Yu Mountain's lineage was never known for accomplished cultivators. With these asures, handling ordinary folk should suffice."
Seeing Li Qingxiao gone, Xiao Guiluan did not speak further, only leaving a gentle remark:
"I must return to the Xiao Family for a spell. One, because my family is in difficulty—I cannot stand by; two, to observe my brother's attitude on Yu Mountain."
"It's hard on you!"
For a wife like this, Li Yuanjiao was deeply moved and agreed at once. Xiao Guiluan gave a soft, gentle laugh and rode the wind away.
After she left, Li Yuanping sighed and shook his head, saying:
"Xiao Xian and Xiao Jiuqing were both worthy, what a pity."
He once had a brief acquaintance with Xiao Xian—not profound, but Xiao Xian had left a most reliable impression.
Li Yuanjiao, however, harbored other thoughts, murmuring:
"I fear Perfected Chuting is still nowhere to be found!"
Li Qinghong, having listened all this ti, happened to be pondering the sa matter, so she spoke up:
"Brother is right. If Xiao Chuting were on Xianyou Peak, how could he let devil cultivators rampage so brazenly across Yu Mountain? Xiao Guitu's claim that the Perfected Person has returned is no more than a ploy to reassure the people."
Li Yuanjiao sighed, feeling a mont's concern for the Xiao Family, then moved on:
"Matters of Zifu-level intrigue are above us—what power do we have to intervene? Should the devil cultivators move towards Wangyue Lake, I fear chaos will erupt in our ho as well."
He glanced around; all present were core mbers of the direct lineage, within their family's formation, so he spoke freely:
"Our clan's Immortal Mirror discerns the secrets of heaven and earth. Taiyin Moonlight wields great power. Yet the Immortal Mirror is such an exalted artifact, using it constantly for divinations might be disrespectful. For now, we must be ever more vigilant on our own."
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