29: Chapter 29 The Rise of Inner Demons

"Hmph, although I am old, these old bones of mine are still enough to clean house."

Li Zhenshan nodded, then remembered something else.

"Right, the Spirit Ape Health-Preserving Technique that Changsheng brought back from the Black Iron Mine, along with the fist techniques he improved, have already been secretly taught to reliable Disciples."

"The results... are shockingly good."

"That kid, Li Changhu, is almost touching the threshold of the Xiantian Realm."

Mentioning Li Changsheng and the future of the Family, their grave expressions eased slightly.

"Changsheng is truly the Qilin of our Li Family."

Li Qingsong sighed with emotion.

"Zhenshan, no matter what, protecting Changsheng's smooth growth is the Family's top priority right now."

"All potential threats must be strangled in the cradle."

"I understand."

Li Zhenshan looked out the window. In the night, in the direction of the courtyard where Li Changsheng lived, there was still a faint light that had not been extinguished.

"The burden on this child's shoulders is heavier than we imagined."

"We old folks must at least hold this home for him."

The two discussed secretly for a long time until the east began to pale with dawn.

Li Qingsong left quietly.

Li Zhenshan sat alone in the study, bringing the papers with evidence close to the candlelight, watching them slowly turn into ashes.

The flickering firelight reflected on his face, shifting between light and shadow.

The shadows within the Family seemed even more elusive than external enemies.

And at this moment.

In another quiet courtyard of the Li mansion, the Second Elder, Li Zhenchuan, was also not asleep.

He stood before the window, holding an old jade pendant with a dull color and cracks at the edges in his hand.

On the back of the jade pendant, a blurry character "Chuan" was carved.

Outside the window, a withered leaf spun as it fell.

In his murky eyes, the brightening morning light was reflected, along with bottomless, complex emotions.

Some debts, once owed, can they ever be cleared?

Some paths, once taken wrongly, can one still turn back?

The layout of Qinghe Town completely stabilized after the Wang Family was destroyed and the Zhao Family submitted.

The bluestone road in front of the Li Family mansion was now polished as smooth as a mirror by the carriages and horses of those coming to pay their respects.

The once tripartite balance of power had become the dominance of a single Family.

Li Zhenshan sat upright in the position of Family Head, handling the suddenly increased Family affairs and town affairs, but there was little joy between his brows, only added fatigue.

The Grand Elder, Li Qingsong, spent most of his time in seclusion.

Attempting to use the profoundness of the Spirit Ape Health-Preserving Technique to break through the Realm that had stagnated for many years.

Among the younger generation.

Li Changhu had stabilized at the Minor Achievement of the Xiantian Realm, and several others, including Li Changqing, had also broken through to the Houtian Ninth Level; the Family's strength was rising steadily.

As for Li Changsheng, after digesting what he had gained from the simulation of the low-magic cultivation world, he had once again begun a reclusive period of seclusion.

The Jade Slip of the Qinglan Sword Sect was kept close to his body; it contained not only an entry qualification but also a trace of pure Sword Intent and basic Spiritual Qi guidance methods.

Comparing it with the Small Heavenly Cycle Qi Induction Mantra, his understanding of Spiritual Qi cultivation deepened day by day.

Li Changsheng's goal was very clear.

Before heading to the Qinglan Sword Sect, consolidate his foundation as much as possible.

And try to find more possibilities for combining his existing cultivation with Spiritual Qi cultivation.

While the Li Family appeared prosperous on the surface, there was one person whose heart was filled with unresolved gloom, and as time passed, it grew and tangled like a poisonous vine.

The Second Elder, Li Zhenchuan.

His courtyard was located on the west side of the Li mansion, relatively secluded, just like his increasingly marginalized status in the Family.

Since Li Zhenshan and the Grand Elder began to gradually take over core affairs, the power in his hands had visibly withered.

Nowadays, he was only responsible for some unimportant rituals, sacrifices, and...

Guarding the Black Iron Mine.

Yes, guarding the mine.

This should have been an important duty, but after Li Changsheng brought back the Spirit Ape Health-Preserving Technique from the mine, the depths of the mine had been listed as a Forbidden Ground, guarded by Li Zhenshan's direct personal guards.

He, this nominal "Guarding Elder," actually didn't even have the qualification to approach the core mine tunnel.

At this moment, Li Zhenchuan sat alone in a quiet room.

The candlelight was dim, reflecting on his face, which was crisscrossed with gullies.

He held a cold jade plaque in his hand; it was the "Nourishing Jade" bestowed upon him by the Family after he was seriously injured years ago, said to have the effect of nourishing Meridians.

But after so many years, the luster of the jade plaque had dimmed, his damaged Meridians were only barely maintained, and his cultivation was stuck firmly at the Peak of the Houtian Ninth Level, with no further progress.

"Damaged Meridians... Damaged Meridians..."

He repeated these four words in a low voice, his eyes churning with unwillingness, resentment, and a trace of jealousy that even he was unwilling to admit.

Why?

Why did he, Li Zhenchuan, end up in such a state after covering for the Family back then?

And Li Changsheng, who also had damaged Meridians and suffered Qi Deviation, was able to recover to his original state in just a few short months.

Even having his cultivation skyrocket, breaking through all the way to the Xiantian Realm, and being noticed by an Immortal Sect?

Just because he had a good father who left behind a secret?

Just because he was "destined by heaven"?

He was not convinced!

The mine...

The depths of the Black Iron Mine!

Li Changsheng's father, Li Zhenyue, had been there, and Li Changsheng had also been there; both had brought back things that changed their fates.

There must be a huge secret hidden there!

Perhaps it was a holy medicine that could repair Meridians, or perhaps a Legacy that could make one reborn!

This thought, like a wildfire, had been burning in the bottom of his heart for a long time.

Especially after witnessing Li Changsheng defeat the Withered Bone Elder with one punch and being gifted a Jade Slip by a Qinglan Sword Sect Disciple, this fire burned so intensely he couldn't rest day or night.

"I need an opportunity..."

"An opportunity to enter the core mine legitimately."

Li Zhenchuan's withered fingers tightened, the edges of the jade plaque almost embedding into his palm.

The opportunity came quickly.

Before Li Changsheng went into seclusion, he had mentioned to Li Zhenshan and the Grand Elder that although the "Spirit Devourer" demonic intent sealed deep in the mine had been temporarily reinforced, the hidden danger had not been eliminated, so the Seal needed to be checked regularly, and one needed to watch for any abnormal Spiritual Qi fluctuations.

This task had little benefit, great responsibility, and required absolute loyalty to the Family.

Li Zhenchuan volunteered.

"Big Brother, Grand Elder."

In the Family meeting hall, his expression was earnest, carrying a bit of loneliness.

"My cultivation is currently hard to advance, and there is not much I can do for the Family."

"Guarding the mine and checking the Seal, although boring, requires carefulness and caution."

"I am willing to go; it can be considered... making a meager contribution to the Family and atoning for... atoning for the past."

He said these words with genuine sincerity, even carrying a hint of self-imposed exile.

Li Zhenshan looked at his gray hair and hunched back, remembering that high-spirited younger brother who had covered for his father and brother to save them back then, and his heart finally softened.

Coupled with the fact that the Grand Elder had been observing him in secret and hadn't found any suspicious movements recently, and instead, he had been more diligent and low-key in Family affairs.

"Very well."

Li Zhenshan finally nodded.

"Second Brother, then I will trouble you. Remember, only perform routine checks on the periphery of the Seal; you must not go deep. If there is any abnormality, report back immediately; do not handle it on your own."

"Zhenchuan understands."

Li Zhenchuan bowed to accept the order; in his lowered eyelids, a flash of imperceptible heat flickered.

Black Iron Mine, entrance to the core mine tunnel.

The cold rocks emitted a faint scent of metal and dust.

Li Zhenchuan sent away the accompanying guards, and alone, carrying a specially made miner's lamp, walked into the deep and winding tunnel.

Footsteps echoed in the hollow tunnel, adding to the desolation.

According to the map and instructions left by Li Changsheng, he quickly found the secluded cave entrance covered by vines.

Pushing aside the vines, the familiar, artificially carved traces carrying the aura of time were revealed.

Li Zhenchuan took a deep breath and stepped inside.