Volume One: When Youths Meet in Their Humble Days Chapter Eighty: Wan Kui’s Provocation

The name Li Xiyu was nothing short of legendary in the Li family of Tianshan. Li Xiyu was born with innate knowledge and an extraordinary talent for cultivating the Dao, a genius the likes of which had never been seen before. Such remarkable gifts, alas, lacked the foundational spiritual control that defined the Li family. This dramatic life left many sighing in regret.

In the end, he perished while carrying out a mission assigned to him. All information about Li Xiyu in the Li family amounted to just a handful of sentences. Those who knew nothing about him felt sympathy for his fate; those who understood, harbored deep regret. Yet, when it came down to the subtleties, the feelings varied from person to person.

For example, Li Xiqing felt only loathing and disdain toward Li Xiyu. Li Ximing was filled with an unspeakable sense of disgust. Among the collateral branches like Li Yan, there were those who felt puzzled, some who thought he deserved it, and others who could only sigh in helplessness.

Li Yan and his companions never expected Li Xiqing to mention Li Xiyu’s name. The other two did not understand why Li Ximing brought up that name, but Li Yan thought more deeply. He had not interacted much with Li Xiyu in the past, but had caught glimpses of him and gained some understanding. As he recalled the young man who had just appeared before them, he felt an inexplicable sense that the boy bore a striking resemblance to Li Xiyu.

Could he still be alive?

Li Yan did not know why Li Xiyu had been cast out from the Li family all those years ago. Familial strife was not uncommon; for those from the collateral branches, simply living well was already fortunate.

When Li Yu heard Li Xiqing call him by his old name, he pretended not to know who was being addressed and walked past them. As he passed, he paused, feigning curiosity and glanced back, but seeing the four unmoved, he continued on his way.

The four watched Li Yu gradually disappear down the alley, each silent and indifferent. Li Ximing glanced at Li Xiqing, as if asking, “Are we truly going to do nothing?”

Li Xiqing did not respond directly. He turned to the three who followed him and said, “You return first. I’ll go on alone.” Then, he reminded them, “And don’t spread news of this. If I hear anything about him, you know what that means.”

The three quickly agreed. They had heard of Li Xiqing’s methods—merciless and ruthless were not exaggerations.

Meanwhile, as Li Yu passed the four, he intended to act as though he had not heard Li Xiqing’s words and walk away unconcerned. Halfway down the alley, however, he realized that if he showed no reaction after being caught in that tense standoff, it would only make him seem more suspicious.

This alley was some distance from Xu Kaijiang’s house; there were few people around, just abandoned, decaying houses and crumbling walls—a perfect place, should someone wish to do anything.

Li Xiqing had certainly considered whether it would be better to kill now rather than let slip the chance. Yet, in Tianmen Town, many of his usual methods were restricted. He was no fool. The other’s aura hinted at someone on the verge of entering the Dao; even if he had ways to suppress true spirits, they could not be used here.

If they fought, he could not guarantee he could silence the other without attracting attention, given the suppression of the Dao in Tianmen Town.

Of course, Li Yu was not entirely at ease as he left. Until he neared Xu Kaijiang’s house, he remained hyper-alert, wary of a sudden attack from behind.

When he finally encountered Lu Ming and the others near Xu Kaijiang, Li Yu’s tension began to ease.

Though Li Yu hid his unease well, Lu Ming and Shen Xun still noticed something was amiss.

As they walked home together, Lu Ming asked casually, “Did something happen just now?”

Shen Xun looked at him with a questioning expression.

Li Yu shook his head. “No, nothing at all. Just that I was startled by a dog that jumped out when I returned.”

Shen Tang, oblivious to his unease, laughed, “So Little Fish is afraid of dogs! I thought nothing could scare you.”

“Sis, you’re mistaken. Of course I have things I fear—especially those soulless creatures. They frighten me the most,” Li Yu replied, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Shen Xun, hearing this, thought no more of it. In his view, with Li Yu under the protection of a Daoist in Tianmen Town, no one would dare provoke him.

Lu Ming, however, caught a flash of insight. Considering Li Yu’s past and the presence of the Li family in town, could they have met?

Only the Li family could have rattled Li Yu so deeply.

Lu Ming quietly asked Li Yu, “Was it someone from the Li family?”

Li Yu knew he could not hide it from him. He nodded. “It was them. And I think they recognized me.”

Lu Ming eyed him, “Was it your eyes?”

By now, Li Yu had already reverted his eyes back to normal. The little illusion spell could not last long, and letting others see would only invite unnecessary suspicion.

“No, I suppose the impression I left on them was too deep. After all these years, they still remember me!”

Lu Ming asked, “Do you need my help?”

“No need, Brother Lu. The relationship between Great Sword Green Mountain and the Li family is already delicate. Even if they’re only suspicious, if they confirm I am the one who escaped years ago, you must not intervene, especially in Tianmen Town at such a sensitive time. It would do neither you nor Green Mountain any good.”

Lu Ming gazed into his eyes. “You know I don’t mind. Great Sword Green Mountain isn’t afraid.”

Li Yu was moved by Lu Ming’s resolute support. He had only ever felt such backing from his master. He fell silent for a moment, then said, “Really, Brother Lu, it’s not necessary. I can handle it myself. Besides, I have my master—he will help me, truly, believe me.”

Seeing this, Lu Ming did not press further. “Alright then. If there’s anything I can do, you must let me know.”

Li Yu smiled and agreed.

As they approached Xu Kaijiang’s courtyard, a burst of commotion and fighting erupted from within, and Xu Kaijiang himself was thrown out.

Li Yu and his companions hurried over. As they reached Xu Kaijiang’s side, several people emerged from the inner hall.

Li Yu watched coldly, suppressing his displeasure, unsure what had brought them here so suddenly.

After the group led by Wan Kui appeared, noticing several new faces beside Xu Kaijiang—including the boy who had previously provoked them—their expressions grew even colder.

Wan Kui addressed Xu Kaijiang, “We’re giving you a chance to join the Ten Thousand Beast Sect. You should be grateful. As for that medicine, your mother chose to take it herself. She sought death; what has that to do with us?”

Hearing the first part, Li Yu wondered at their supposed kindness in wanting to take Xu Kaijiang away. But upon hearing the rest, he finally understood the reason behind Xu Kaijiang’s mother’s death.

Li Yu looked at Xu Kaijiang, who sat slumped on the ground, blood at his lips, eyes filled with resentment, and couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you have to push him so far? He’s just an ordinary person—how could he possibly hinder you?”

Wan Kui replied, “We’re not trying to destroy him. We see his talent and want him as a disciple for Ten Thousand Beast Sect. Isn’t that an enormous opportunity for him?”

Li Yu pressed, “Even so, did you have to be so ruthless and cut off his mother’s life?”

This time, Zhang Yue spoke up. “You’re mistaken. It was his mother who didn’t want to burden him and chose death willingly. You know well, as long as she lived, he would never leave Tianmen Town. As for those we wish to take but refuse to leave, we cannot force them. For all parties, letting his mother leave him is the best choice—for him, for her, and for us.”

Shen Xun, unable to stand their attitude of acting in Xu Kaijiang’s interest, mocked, “You make it sound so noble, but did you ever ask Xu Kaijiang what he wanted? Is he not a person in your eyes, without the right to choose his own life? Must his future be dictated by your orders, lived according to your demands?”

Wan Yanyan sneered, “A person who can’t even feed himself, who can’t care for his own mother, what right does he have to speak of his life?”

“But in the end, it’s his life. What right do you have to decide for him?” Li Yu’s words were not only for Xu Kaijiang, but for his own past as well. Years ago, because he lacked spiritual control and the Heavenly Aperture, the family branded him a useless person and arranged a life of humiliation for him, without ever asking what kind of life he wanted. What right did they have to choose his future?

Wan Kui and the others did not answer, unwilling to continue the conversation. He led the group to stand over Xu Kaijiang, looking down at him. “Now your only tie is gone. We want you, and we’ll have you, so don’t think of running. I’ve already learned the rules of Tianmen Town—without family here, you have no reason to stay. I’m sure the lord of the town will be pleased to see someone leave for Ten Thousand Beast Sect.”

After saying this, he glanced at Lu Ming, who stood silently with his sword, “I presume you’re the sword immortal who broke through the realm here in Tianmen Town. Great Sword Green Mountain surely wouldn’t want to compete with Ten Thousand Beast Sect for this person. We’ve done everything we could; you can’t just take the prize without doing anything—that would be shameless.”

Lu Ming did not even look at him, eyes fixed forward as if even a glance would sully his sight. He replied, “Great Sword Green Mountain is certainly not shameless. We would never behave as some sects do.”

Wan Yanyan, stung by the insult, wanted to retort, but Zhang Yue pulled her back, shaking her head to warn against provoking him. Wan Yanyan had to swallow her anger.

Wan Kui, unfazed by such trivialities, said generously, “That’s best. We Ten Thousand Beast Sect aren’t as wealthy as Great Sword Green Mountain, so we must count every person and every matter closely.”

He then led his group away in high spirits.