Once the trivial matters in Yinghai District were dealt with and the ssage of the Jiankou Islands’ purge was released, Light City would no longer send people.
With this event concluded, Song Ci went directly back to Da Du. He hadn’t returned there for several years, which was a perfect opportunity to see his wife and Nan Jin.
Gu Shen was also preparing to return to Changye, leaving the subsequent handling of the Donglai Family entirely to Shen Li.
He had left in a rush before.
Six years had passed since their parting.
He reawakened from the solitude under the Ice Sea.
Just as Little Iron Man had said, many had been working tirelessly for him... Six years passed, and many in the Five Continents had already forgotten him.
But so would never forget for a lifeti.
Gu Shen wanted to see these old friends from the past.
He first went to the Li Family. Among the people in Changye, the one Gu Shen missed and couldn’t let go of the most was Li Qingsui.
When he left that year, the little girl was already able to handle things independently. Although still immature and green, she had successfully taken the position of the Li Family Master.
Gu Shen used the Ghost Veil to change his appearance, hiding among the crowd in Snow Forbidden City. He donned the Divine Concealing Cloak, walked slowly along the Ning River, and eventually arrived at the gate of Li’s Ancestral Hall, crossing streets and alleys.
The ancestral hall, once destroyed by fire, had now been rebuilt.
Many young girls in ru skirts ca in and out of the ancestral hall. The Li Family was the most low-profile among the Five Families, and their etiquette the most elaborate. The direct descendants favored by the family had to spend half a day each week to attend "classes" in the ancestral hall.
Gu Shen transmitted the image of "Li’s Ancestral Hall" back to the Pure Land using his spiritual power.
He was showing it to Li Qingci.
After her life ended, Miss Qingci had been in the Pure Land for six years.
While the Pure Land was more lively than Divine Temple Mountain, Gu Shen had promised her back then that he would let her see the light outside Divine Temple Mountain.
"Sacrifice courses, Changye etiquette... Gu Shen, you’ve returned to Snow Forbidden City?"
Seeing this image, Li Qingci was first taken aback.
Then she said with a tone full of reminiscence: "The Li Family always placed great importance on etiquette. Back then, Qing Sui most hated attending this class. Before the Family Master’s illness, she always liked to skip class and run to Divine Temple Mountain."
"I’ll take you to see Qing Sui."
Gu Shen did not enter through the main gate of Li’s Ancestral Hall. He muted his presence and climbed over the wall.
Inside the ancestral hall, everything was flourishing.
The old houses and chambers, once collapsed, had been rebuilt. The Elder Council had also been shuffled and reconstructed. Perhaps because of the renovations, this ancestral hall looked exceptionally clean. Just as the sacrifice course ended, many children played under the shade of trees, accompanied by the murmuring of water and happy laughter.
Gu Shen’s gaze fell on the farthest spot, where there was a strong Spirit Barrier.
"If I guessed correctly, that should be the Li Family’s Divine Shrine... Qing Sui is probably inside."
Standing beneath a tree’s shade, Gu Shen whispered, "I can’t go inside now, I can only look from here."
Li Qingci smiled and said, "Just being able to look from here is enough."
...
...
"Regarding the trade details of Green Silver imports and exports in the Tundra District, I will personally confirm with the Lin Family tomorrow... Besides this point, does anyone have any questions about the current stage of ’rging’?"
At the long table of purple sandalwood, a woman occupied the chief seat.
Her hair reached her waist, her expression indifferent, and her gaze swept across the seats.
The mbers of the Li Family Elders all quietly assented.
"Agreed."
"No other questions."
Li Qingsui took a gentle sip and said, "Very well, this eting is hereby concluded."
She lightly tapped the table, causing the Spirit Barrier to dissipate. The imposing barrier dispersed, and the elders left their seats... Li Qingsui did not rush to leave. She sat alone in this ancient house, quietly reviewing, not knowing why her mind felt restless these days.
"Qingsui Family Head."
A soft voice sounded.
Li Qingsui turned back and quickly stood up: "Uncle Gao... I’ve told you many tis, you don’t need to call Family Head."
"You are indeed the Family Head now, it’s proper to call you that."
Gao Tian spoke with a smile: "Besides... the Li Family has always valued etiquette. It is a virtue that your father and ancestors have always guarded. Being able to call you that ans my mission is perfectly accomplished."
"What on earth are you talking about..."
Li Qingsui sighed deeply and said, "Uncle Gao, these years, the rging matter has troubled you a lot."
rging the two continents was no easy task.
Even though the Empress and Mr. Bai Shu both nodded to it, when it ca to implentation, the personnel changes of the two continents, trade exchanges, contract signing, technology sharing...
These trivial matters are extrely energy-consuming.
Back when Gu Shen served as the "hub," he appointed two wingn, one was Li Qingsui, and the other was Mu Qingyang. These two worked well together, with Mu Qingyang mainly responsible for liaising with the high-levels of the North Continent Army... whereas Li Qingsui collaborated with the Lin Family. She and Duke Zhuxue both invested a lot of effort into the rging over the years.
During the "rging," the Li Family gained considerable status. Not only did Li Qingsui beco the Family Head, but she also acquired enormous resources.
Such a massive cross-continent project like rging would drive countless industries and require a lot of fresh blood.
Li Qingsui first boldly reford the old rules within the clan. She abolished the rule that only direct descendants could enter Changye. Many mbers of the elder council are now collateral relatives from Jiangbei District.
Of course, entering the core circle of the Li Family wasn’t easy either.
Regardless of ability or character, everyone had to go through tests... Over the years, Uncle Gao also handled many opportunists with ulterior motives.
"We are all family."
Gao Tian shook his head with a smile.
Even though he said this, Li Qingsui gazed at Uncle Gao with eyes full of apology... She still rembered when she was young, how dashing Uncle Gao was. As one of the most powerful titled individuals in Changye with spiritual power, he was not bound by the Five Families, going wherever he wished.
Over the years.
Uncle Gao’s hair had begun to turn slightly gray.
Although faint, there were also fine lines at his temples.
"Alright, Miss... There is another banquet in Snow Forbidden City tonight. It’s about ti for you to depart. Mu Qingyang and several high-level fortress officers from the North Continent will be there."
Gao Tian opened the door for Li Qingsui.
...
...
Under the shade of the trees, Gu Shen saw these two old friends from afar... After the Spirit Barrier of the Divine Shrine dissipated, he released his spiritual power, but did not dare to get too close.
Thus, regarding the conversations within the [Divine Shrine] barrier, he only vaguely heard so of it.
There’s a banquet tonight in the Snow Forbidden City... Li Qingsui will be there, and Mu Qingyang will go too. Presumably, the high-level people involved in the "convergence" project will all attend. If he wants to et these old acquaintances, perhaps this banquet is a good opportunity.
He’s very aware of Uncle Gao’s strength.
Years have passed.
Uncle Gao seems to have a touch of weariness now, yet his posture remains upright, his spirit still vigorous, and just by eavesdropping, Chi Huo already sent a "danger" signal!
In terms of strength alone, to suppress Li’s Gao Tian, it’s definitely not sothing Xuan Turtle or Cloud Tiger can compare to.
Moreover, compared to six years ago, Gao Tian is even more unfathomable.
Presumably, he has improved further.
Gu Shen smiled with emotion.
This level of titled individuals has extraordinarily keen intuition... If his "Chi Huo" gets closer, it might get caught.
In the Pure Land, Li Qingci was staring intently at the spiritual images coming from Gu Shen.
She looked at the young woman who pushed open the door to the Ancestral Hall, her eyes unwittingly becoming moist.
The soul arrives in the Pure Land, appearing neither old nor dead, feeling no pain.
But her spirit still remains, and the worldly emotions, joys, and sorrows, are instead magnified.
Li Qingci’s voice trembled slightly, but more so was a comforting smile: "My Qingsui... has grown up."
Six years have passed.
Li Qingsui is no longer the immature little girl she once was.
She has grown into a graceful and elegant young woman, the stubbornness and naivety of the past washed away by ti. Now, there’s no trace of her forr innocence; though not a beauty that would topple a kingdom, she is bright and generous, with a unique charm.
"I wonder if Qingsui... still harbors any resentnt towards now?"
Seeing this scene, Gu Shen suddenly felt a bit complex.
The truth about Qingci’s death back then, he chose to conceal.
This lie lasted for many, many years.
Even when Gu Shen went south to the sea, Li Qingsui didn’t know the truth, and resentnt remained in her heart, blaming Gu Shen for not saving her sister.
The Prayer Technique took a whole ten years.
What it ultimately exchanged for... was an untily death.
In her heart, Gu Shen is just a liar, and she would have rather he never ca to the Li Family, nor t her sister. This way, her sister might have lived a few years longer, instead of leaving the world so early.
Years have gone by.
I don’t know what Li Qingsui thinks about this past matter now?
Gu Shen doesn’t know if his death in Sangzhou Cave will fill so of the resentnt in her heart?
With a light sigh.
Gu Shen vanished under the shade of the tree.
"...Hmm?"
In the distance, at the Ancestral Hall, Li Qingsui pushed the door open and suddenly felt sothing was off, as if soone was watching her.
Moreover, soone familiar.
This feeling of "being watched" wasn’t unpleasant.
She unconsciously glanced towards the spot where Gu Shen previously stood under the trees, but didn’t see anything... The place was empty, devoid of any figure.
The wind blew past.
A few leaves fluttered down desolately, sowhat bleak.
"Miss?"
Gao Tian had prepared a thin coat for Li Qingsui, ready to drape it over her, noticing her strange behavior.
He also cast his gaze towards the spot under the trees.
And the result was the sa.
Nothing was there.
"Miss... what’s wrong?"
Gao Tian said gently, "It’s cold outside, the typhoon from the East Sea will hit Changye in the next few days. Wear the coat to avoid catching cold."
"...Yeah."
Li Qingsui nodded, wearing the coat. She suddenly spoke, "Uncle Gao."
Gao Tian paused in his steps.
He turned back, puzzled, looking at the young lady.
"It’s nothing..."
Li Qingsui wrapped her coat tighter, her voice sowhat hoarse, and said, "Just feeling a bit nostalgic for my sister."
Gao Tian was stunned for a second, then smiled.
He softly asked, "Will you have ti to visit Qingzhong tomorrow?"
Li Qingsui quietly uttered a sound of agreent, but after that, she still stood at the door, staring blankly, not moving.
The young lady didn’t leave.
Gao Tian didn’t leave either.
The breeze passed by, and the two stood in front of the Ancestral Hall for a long ti.
After a long while, when Li Qingsui ca back to her senses.
Gao Tian spoke.
Patiently, he asked, "Miss, is there anything else?"
"...There’s soone else."
Li Qingsui spoke sadly, "I miss him too. If only he hadn’t died."
...
...
(PS: Everyone, I’m really sorry. My biological clock has been off recently, and the plot is difficult to write, requiring a lot of ti to finalize the outline, so updates can’t be done at a fixed ti... but it will still be updated three tis a day, that won’t change.)
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