The Mirror Legacy

"Counting the years, it is indeed about time..."

Yang Ruiyi calculated the timing on his fingers. With Li Zhouwei injured so severely, he was already ninety percent convinced that Li Ximing would not remain completely idle.

He then said, "In that case, I should send a Daoist Master to the Wilderness to guard the border, allowing your highness to recuperate in peace... Do you have anyone in mind?"

Li Zhouwei glanced at Sima Yuanli beside him and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Sima would be a good choice, but if the north truly intends to cause trouble, even he may be unable to protect himself. We should have the King of Yuyang come as well."

Hearing Li Zhouwei include Chen Yin, Sima Yuanli secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "The King of Yuyang has now reached the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion Realm. It is not a small achievement, and his strength has improved considerably. He is highly dependable... He is also well acquainted with Daoist Master Cheng, making it easier for them to reinforce one another."

Li Zhouwei quietly kept his expression blank at the mention of Daoist Master Cheng. Meanwhile, Yang Ruiyi said indifferently, "Indeed. Now that the two Daoist Masters of Sword Gate have parted on bad terms and Ling Mei has entered seclusion, you need not worry about being unable to command him."

Sima Yuanli fell silent and swallowed uneasily, leaving the atmosphere momentarily strained. Fortunately, wind and clouds began churning beyond the mountain as yet another Daoist Master arrived upon divine ability and drifted gently to the ground.

This Daoist Master was quite beautiful, dressed in a pale jade Daoist robe with long hair cascading like a waterfall. She had a faint smile as she bowed slightly and reported, "Grand General, Lingu Lanying has returned to deliver her report..."

Yang Ruiyi glanced at her with a hint of a smile, only to notice a man standing amid the clouds behind her. Though his appearance was unremarkable, his armor was battered and stained, and he was covered in the dust of travel, as if he had only just fought his way out of the battlefield. His golden eyes still held a trace of killing intent, lending him an imposing air.

Li Zhouwei set down the cup in his hand, a ripple passing through his eyes. This man was none other than his own legitimate son, Li Jianglong, publicly known as the Li Family's second young master!

Li Jianglong remained perfectly composed before the assembled company and bowed. "Greetings, father! Greetings, esteemed Daoist Masters!"

Lingu Lanying smiled faintly and turned toward Li Zhouwei as well. "So this is the King of Wei. As expected, a tiger father will not have a dog for a son. The second young master routed the Buddhist cultivators in the Wilderness, joined forces with the Song army, and intercepted the defeated northern forces on our behalf... His military achievements were outstanding!"

"Oh?"

Yang Ruiyi's interest was piqued, and he quietly studied Li Jianglong as Lingu Lanying continued praising him, "The young master struck the Zhao army while they were still crossing the Wilderness, throwing its ranks into complete disarray and inflicting over ten thousand casualties. A significant number of Zhao troops were forced to remain in the Wilderness, and he even captured two direct descendants of the Gongsun Family... With the young master's contingent serving as a formidable surprise force, the scale of our victory increased more than tenfold!

"I arrived late, but I brought him here with me!"

Her smile was exceedingly courteous, as though she acted entirely out of goodwill. Yang Ruiyi took the opportunity to draw Li Jianglong closer and ask about his age and marital status before saying with a smile, "We must not forget your younger brother either. His name is... Li Jiangxia, was it? He deserves much of the credit for the Li Family fighting so fiercely without retreating this time. Although his achievements were not as conspicuous as yours, they cannot be overlooked."

The Grand General turned toward Li Zhouwei and said with a sigh, "I was still considering whom to appoint to command the troops in the Wilderness, yet I forgot that every one of your highness's sons is an outstanding talent. He would be the perfect choice to take charge of this matter. Why not let him return with me so that I may request a title for him from his majesty? It would serve as his reward as well!"

Yang Ruiyi gave none of them a chance to speak as he rose to his feet. He swept his smiling gaze across the three of them, and said calmly, "Have any of you heard of... the methods of the Celestial Dynasty?"

Lingu Lanying was briefly taken aback and shook her head hesitantly, while Sima Yuanli nodded awkwardly.

Yang Ruiyi smiled as he explained, "The methods of the Celestial Dynasty were first created by the Emperor of Wei and evolved from the ancient methods of incense worship and mountain governance. He was a peerless genius favored by Bright Yang, and elevated this art to an unsurpassed pinnacle.

“After the fall of Wei's Li, the Buddhist cultivators also learned these methods, completing the final link in the Buddhist land's Dao of cultivation. The reason the Maha and Merciful Ones are able to walk the Dao so widely is because they likewise draw upon these methods.

"Although our Song court does not follow the Dao of the Celestial Dynasty, we are likewise favored by Heaven. Thus, the Star of Cultivation and Martiality shines upon us and bestows its blessings upon the officials. His majesty constructed the [Purple-Gold Hall] in the imperial capital precisely to gather the light of Cultivation and Martiality and wield its profound methods."

Sima Yuanli raised his head thoughtfully, a trace of astonishment shining in his eyes. Yang Ruiyi lifted his chin and continued solemnly, "Those who enter the [Purple-Gold Hall] receive the protection of Heavenly Cultivation and Tianwu. Their spiritual thoughts are clarified, while their fate, weapons, and dharma bodies are elevated, greatly aiding their future breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm. Those who cultivate diligently, uphold martiality, and cultivate profundity become [Profound Holders]."

His lips moved softly, and his otherwise ordinary face unexpectedly took on an air of immortality. "And when a [Profound Holder] marches to war for the emperor... he may borrow a Tianwu divine ability."

The moment these words were spoken, Lingu Lanying's brows shot up as mountains collapsed and seas roared within her heart, No wonder... No wonder he mentioned the Celestial Dynasty. No wonder he brought up the Maha and Merciful Ones!

Under the Celestial Dynasty methods once practiced by Wei's Li, holding office meant wielding power. Whether one had previously been an ordinary mortal without any cultivation or an insignificant low-level cultivator, taking up an official position would grant a corresponding level of cultivation. The present [Profound Holders of the Purple-Gold Hall] were modeled after Wei's Li!

No wonder the Song court is not remotely concerned about its northern border. No wonder the Cheng Family's attitude changed so dramatically after entering the palace, and they began sending their disciples into the commanderies. Even if the Merciful Ones and Maha press them aggressively, the court still has the means to respond and defend the border!

With this, what family could resist flocking to secure official positions in the Song court? Even if several Daoist Masters bear no goodwill toward the Song court, what about their disciples and descendants? Who would not desire the blessing of Tianwu? Who would not want a divine ability bestowed upon them?

Once someone has tasted the power of a divine ability, how could they ever be willing to return to being ordinary? So long as those who enter the palace covet their positions and cannot bear to relinquish them, do they still belong to their clans, or do they belong to the Song court? They are pulling the firewood out from beneath the cauldron... This is a true stratagem of the Underworld's judiciary!

Yang Ruiyi's seemingly casual statement stirred towering waves within her heart. Likewise, Sima Yuanli had one hand pressed tightly against the table as he struggled to find words. Silence enveloped the entire mountain, broken only by the howling wind.

Yang Ruiyi turned his head and asked with a smile, "What does the King of Wei think?"

Li Zhouwei remained composed as he looked down at his son. Li Jianglong had always been exceedingly obedient. The blood of the Chen Family flowed through his veins, and his appearance was rather unremarkable. He did not resemble Li Zhouwei as much as Li Jiangxia did, but he was far more well-behaved and had installed few personal confidants. He had managed the family on the island for years, handling affairs both great and small without ever showing partiality.

Yet this ever-obedient child now knelt respectfully on the ground without speaking or raising his head. His golden eyes remained fixed upon the floor, leaving only his profile visible to his father.

At that moment, the long, gently arched brow on his face carried a familiar air. Li Zhouwei's gaze froze, and his lips moved faintly. Perhaps his wounds were simply too painful. In the end, the King of Wei said nothing.

Only after slowly exhaling did he smile and say, "Second young master, why have you not yet expressed your gratitude?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!