Chapter 227 – Never to Change

Chu Jing’s words could persuade Zhang Yuchun, but they could not persuade Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu glanced at Chu Jing and said, “If making Si Feng emperor is the ending, it truly benefits Qingxiao Sect, but can you be certain that having Zhu Xian on the throne would be bad for us?”

Chu Jing instantly understood Li Qingqiu’s meaning and dared not speak again.

Li Qingqiu’s gaze shifted to Zhang Yuchun. “If Zhu Xian had died before you backed him, then world events could run their course. But he died after your support. Regardless of the motive of whoever is behind it, you represent Qingxiao Sect—this act is a slap in our face.”

Zhang Yuchun hesitated. “That may be so, but we can’t simply purge those behind the scenes. In the end, Zhu Xian wasn’t a member of Qingxiao Sect.”

“It isn’t for me to figure out the reasoning; they must prove their sincerity to me.”

Li Qingqiu declared domineeringly, his tone brooking no dissent.

“Investigate thoroughly why Zhu Xian died. If the Li Clan is involved, bring Li Da back here.” Li Qingqiu issued the order directly.

Zhang Yuchun fell silent for a moment, then accepted the command.

“If that really is the case, do we still let Sixth Junior Brother take the throne?” Zhang Yuchun asked after a pause.

“If he is willing, we follow his wish. If not, choose a virtuous, benevolent lord and help him sweep the realm and end this chaos.”

Li Qingqiu replied. His words secretly startled Chu Jing.

How domineering—accept the good the Li Clan has done while also warning them.

What a pity he refuses to be emperor.

The two immediately rose, bowed, and took their leave.

Li Qingqiu returned to the stone bed to continue Cultivating… Zhu Xian’s death shook the realm. In the three prefectures under his control, people panicked, uncertain of the future.

The other lords did not exploit the moment; the land sank into an eerie peace. No wars erupted, only lingering bandits born of long chaos, so the common folk still knew no peace.

Guzhou Prefecture was the most tranquil place under Heaven. As Qingxiao Sect grew stronger, Dongling and Nanchu Prefecture accepted its protection. More and more civilians flocked to these three regions, bringing prosperity that seemed to belong to a different age.

In the twelfth month, heavy snow blanketed the Taikun Mountain Range; heaven and earth turned vast and white.

That morning,

a young male Disciple climbed the mountain carrying a coffin on his back. Because he wore Qingxiao Sect robes, no one blocked his path; they only watched and whispered.

The Disciple headed straight for the summit of Qingxiao Mountain. Calm and slightly stooped, he kept the coffin from striking the steps.

“Junior Brother, do you need help?” A Law Enforcement Hall Disciple stopped him, asking with concern.

The coffin-bearing Disciple ignored him, stepped past, and continued upward.

The School had no rule against carrying coffins up the mountain, so the Law Enforcement Hall Disciple could not intervene.

Many curious followers trailed behind, wondering whom the coffin-bearer sought.

Had someone inside the School murdered a fellow Disciple?

If so, it would be a grave matter.

In Qingxiao Sect, harming a fellow Disciple was the greatest crime, no matter the method.

Yet the coffin-bearer walked past courtyard after courtyard, even passing the Law Enforcement Hall without entering, heightening everyone’s curiosity.

From the foot of the mountain, through the Xuanxin Realm, he walked two hours. Word of his deed spread; some Disciples even flew on swords to carry the news to other peaks.

After passing Xuanxin Hall he still did not stop, causing many Disciples to halt.

They realized: he meant to find the Sect Leader.

What grievance could compel someone to seek the Sect Leader himself?

Could the killer inside the coffin be a high-ranking member of the School, someone only the Sect Leader could judge?

The coffin-bearer knelt at the steps before Lingxiao Courtyard, the coffin still on his back.

A Disciple approached, frowning. “What is your business?”

He served Yuan Qi and normally received visitors wishing to see the Sect Leader.

The coffin-bearer clenched his teeth. “Disciple Liu Jing requests an audience with the Sect Leader!”

“The coffin on your back…”

“My mother’s body.”

Hearing Liu Jing’s words, the Disciple’s face changed. He told Liu Jing to wait and hurried up the steps.

Li Qingqiu had decreed that any Disciple with a grievance, no matter their rank, could see him.

Several dozen meters away, True Disciples and department heads gathered. Hearing Liu Jing carried his mother’s corpse, none dared approach, fearing trouble.

Chai Yunshang arrived as well, frowning at Liu Jing but saying nothing.

By bypassing the Law Enforcement Hall and seeking out Li Qingqiu, he was pointing to the Hall’s failure; yet since he had done so, she could not stop him.

She wanted to see who dared commit matricide beneath her watch.

Soon the messenger Disciple hurried out from Lingxiao Courtyard, came to Liu Jing’s side, and said, “The Sect Leader will see you. Here, let me carry that.”

Hearing Liu Jing’s mother had died, the messenger felt instinctive sympathy.

“No need, thank you.”

Liu Jing smiled, then climbed the steps with the coffin. Watching his trembling figure, everyone felt heavy-hearted.

The messenger escorted him only to the gate of Lingxiao Courtyard and stopped.

Liu Jing saw Li Qingqiu standing in the courtyard, drew a deep breath, and mustered his courage to enter.

He walked behind Li Qingqiu, knelt, and said, “Disciple Liu Jing greets the Sect Leader.”

Li Qingqiu turned but did not lift the coffin from Liu Jing’s back.

“Lay your mother down; don’t let her jolt any longer,” Li Qingqiu said quietly, his calm eyes revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Liu Jing obeyed at once, yet as he set the coffin down his arms trembled, terrified it might crash to the ground.

Once the coffin rested on the floor he looked up at Li Qingqiu; under that gaze his heart pounded, certain every thought had been laid bare.

Though panic churned inside him, he forced himself to speak. “Sect Leader, I beg you to uphold justice for me—and for this realm!”

Li Qingqiu studied him. “And what justice would that be?”

Liu Jing drew a deep breath. “If the sect refuses to bear the burden of the world, then let us choose enlightened rulers and return the land to peace. One is not enough—give us two, even three.”

Interest flashed in Li Qingqiu’s eyes. “You would see the Nine Provinces divided?”

“The Great Li Dynasty shattered not only because Zhao Zhi was cruel, but because the realm is vast; imperial power could not reach every corner. With the Nine Provinces as they are, unification is unwise. Only when Qingxiao Sect’s Formations and Magical Artifacts reach new heights will integration be possible. Precisely because the land is so large, the warlords feud without end and the chaos drags on.”

“Some claim unity brings lasting peace, yet beyond the Nine Provinces stand other dynasties. Under a despot the people can suffer darkness worse than chaos; there is no perfect order, only the order that fits. Today the realm should not see another Great Li Dynasty. Two, even three kingdoms side-by-side would be better. Rulers could govern each region promptly, balanced by Qingxiao Sect, and the realm would still know peace—while the kingdoms keep one another in check.”

Liu Jing’s proposal intrigued Li Qingqiu.

The dream of grand unification was shared by many, yet scarcely anyone dared speak against it.

Privately Li Qingqiu agreed the Nine Provinces were too large; Guzhou alone rivaled half of the China of his previous life, and without technology the movement of information, supplies, and armies was a crippling burden for any Dynasty.

The earlier campaign against the Northern Barbarians who held Cangzhou had failed largely because the allied lords arrived exhausted; only after half a year of rest had their true strength surfaced.

“The Great Ancestor of the Great Li Dynasty was magnificent, uniting the Nine Provinces and forging a new culture. In time the realm must unite again—but not now. Within a century any forced union would only bring oppression. Even if common folk wished to petition the throne, their voices would never reach it. Qingxiao Sect may tower above the world, yet how many can cross mountains and rivers to climb this otherworldly Qingxiao Mountain?”

Liu Jing spoke on, his face anguished.

Li Qingqiu fixed him with a stare. “What is your relation to Liu Lin?”

“Liu Lin is my grandfather, but I have met him only once. My mother was not his principal wife; my father held no influence in the family, and I spent my years cultivating on Qingxiao Mountain. While I was away my mother was bullied into despair and died, and I never knew. My father tried to see my grandfather, but being out of favor could not gain audience. Among the Liu clansmen in the sect my Aptitude is unremarkable, so they still ignore me. Sect Leader, for a single man this world is truly too vast—so vast it crushes all hope.”

By the time Liu Jing finished, his eyes were red.

Seeing such open grief, Li Qingqiu’s coldness thawed.

Liu Lin, one of the three great warlords, could vie for the realm against Zhu Xian, though his reputation suffered; he ruled the west and cared chiefly for pleasure.

Li Qingqiu did recall Liu Jing, and hearing the name brought the memory back—an able administrator, a useful destiny. Yet in present-day Qingxiao Sect such destinies were not rare.

As they spoke he summoned the dao lineage panel and searched for Liu Jing’s portrait.

At last he found it.

Name: Liu Jing

Gender: Male

Age: 19

Loyalty (Sect Leader/Sect): 91/89 (max 100)

Cultivation Aptitude: Mediocre

Comprehension Ability: Mediocre

destiny: Gift of Governance, Benevolent Heart

Gift of Governance: possesses political and administrative talent, takes keen interest in statecraft

Benevolent Heart: cherishes all life with compassionate love; whether as ruler or minister acts with virtue, embraces high and low alike, and counts the safety of the common people his personal duty

The Gift of Governance was common—many Disciples shared it—but Benevolent Heart appeared only here, so Li Qingqiu marked the name for future promotion.

He had never imagined Liu Jing would arrive today carrying his mother’s coffin.

Understanding the man’s origin and purpose, Li Qingqiu asked outright, “What do you want? What do you wish the sect to do?”

Clenching his teeth, Liu Jing said, “Help me seize the Liu clan and found a kingdom. I wish to be emperor. I will rule for the people, never fail the sect or you. My Dynasty shall be your sword, holding the realm in balance.”

“Within a century the house of Liu will unite the land and usher in a true golden age—something the Great Li Dynasty never achieved!”

“Should I take the throne and my descendants prove unworthy or lose the people’s trust, Qingxiao Sect and you may depose them. I will enshrine this in the founding laws, never to be changed!”

His voice rang firm, his manner earnest rather than fanatic, full of entreaty.