Chapter Fourteen: Li Yun

He stood motionless for a long time before finally stepping into the city of Immortal Seeking. Before he had even entered, two outer-sect disciples descended from the sky on their swords, bowing respectfully, “Greetings, Martial Uncle.” Yang Nan’s traveling light landed outside the city, and many within had caught sight of it—he was not surprised, for in such a vast city, it was only natural for inner-sect disciples of Kunlun to serve as stewards.

Seeing their robes embroidered with the sword-shaped insignia of the outer sect, Yang Nan knew at once these were the outer-sect stewards of the city. He waved his hand and asked, “No need for formalities. Tell me, who is currently in charge of Immortal Seeking City?”

A taller young disciple replied respectfully, “Reporting to Martial Uncle Yang, it is Martial Uncle Li Yun.”

Li Yun? Yang Nan’s heart gave a chill. He asked, “Is Senior Brother Li Yun related to Li Guo or Li Changqing?”

The disciple answered with continued deference, “Martial Uncle, Li Yun is the uncle of Senior Brother Li Guo and the third younger brother of Senior Brother Li Changqing.” In Kunlun, rankings within the sect superseded birth order, so vast differences in seniority among brothers were nothing uncommon.

Yang Nan was inwardly shaken. It appeared that Li Yun was, indeed, of the Li clan—then they were foes, not friends! And for a disciple to hold such authority, he could hardly be an ordinary figure.

As he pondered this, a tall Daoist strode out from the city. Though his steps seemed slow, he crossed two or three paces and was suddenly before Yang Nan! Compared to ordinary shrinking-the-land techniques, his movement was several times more profound.

Yang Nan was startled; his vision had grown keener, and he immediately recognized the man was using a superior Wind Step. With a single stride, he could traverse dozens of yards—a truly marvelous art.

The man’s face was calm and gentle, his eyes faintly luminous, and his body exuded a palpable aura of power—clearly, his cultivation was profound. He gazed at Yang Nan with a smile that appeared sincere, yet sent a chill through Yang Nan’s heart.

It is not the fierce or venomous men who are most terrifying, but those who speak serenely and act mercilessly with the turn of a hand.

Coming to stand before Yang Nan, the man’s smile grew even more cordial. “This must be Junior Brother Yang Nan? I am Li Yun, currently entrusted with the affairs of Immortal Seeking City. Should you require anything, do not hesitate to speak.”

Yang Nan noted Li Yun’s refined features; he looked more like Li Guo’s elder brother than his uncle. A faint chill enveloped him, suggesting mastery of water arts—of which ice was the most fearsome.

Bu Xu once said that among the many Kunlun Elders, there was one known as Master of Gentle Void who wielded ice-forged divine weapons. When unleashed, she could freeze all within a thousand miles, eradicating all life, body and soul turning to snow and ice—a most formidable power indeed.

Thus, water-forged divine weapons must never be underestimated.

Now that Li Yun had come, Yang Nan, as the junior, could not forgo formal greetings. “Greetings, Senior Brother Li. What brings you so fortuitously outside the city today?” Inwardly, Yang Nan scoffed—Li Yun was not here to welcome him, but rather to show his strength.

Li Yun’s smile brightened. “Junior Brother Yang is young and promising—soon to be entrusted with the Demon Valley. Truly a cause for celebration. I have come to offer my congratulations.”

From their first exchange, their words were laced with hidden barbs, veiled in courtesy. The outer-sect disciples stood by in fearful silence, hardly daring to breathe—either martial uncle was far beyond their capacity to offend.

Li Yun’s ability to anticipate his arrival meant he must have investigated Yang Nan’s background thoroughly. Only now did Yang Nan realize the Li family’s power within Kunlun was truly formidable—the confidence of a family steeped in cultivation was not to be underestimated.

Yet what had Yang Nan to fear now? Whether his stewardship of Demon Valley would bring fortune or disaster was uncertain, but having already crossed the Li family, he could not expect courtesy from them. So much for brotherly affection—without power, even the closest kin could not be relied upon.

Yang Nan would not bow his head. Li Yun stood aloof; why would he extend a hand in friendship?

With a faint smile, Yang Nan said, “Your kindness is appreciated, Senior Brother. I have urgent matters to attend to—another day, I shall seek your guidance.”

Li Yun’s smile remained radiant as ever. “As you wish, Junior Brother.” Throughout, both men kept their composure, as if truly kin; yet both knew that their enmity now ran even deeper.

There are times when a single glance can win you friends, and times when it breeds mortal enemies. So it is, even among those who pursue the Way.

After Yang Nan entered the city, Li Yun’s smile abruptly faded. A flash of light descended, and Li Guo appeared at his side, grinning slyly. “Uncle, that Yang Nan is nothing special. He’s off to throw his life away in the Seventy-two Demon Valleys.” Li Guo was delighted that his uncle’s presence had overwhelmed Yang Nan; he deeply resented Yang Nan for destroying his treasured artifact and now relished his misfortune.

Li Yun’s gaze swept over Li Guo with lightning intensity. Coldly, he said, “You little scoundrel. Were it not for your decent spiritual roots, I would have disposed of you already.”

Li Guo’s grin vanished. Both aggrieved and fearful, he protested, “Uncle, what have I done wrong now?”

With hands clasped behind his back, Li Yun gazed skyward and sighed. “You rely on our family’s power to run roughshod over others. If you do not restrain yourself, you’ll bring calamity to our house. Remember, Kunlun does not belong to the Li family! Do you think Yang Nan is ordinary? If we had not confirmed he had no ties to Elder Bu Xu, would we dare to plot against him?”

The Li family had never been so overbearing, but with a figure like Li Guo, trouble was inevitable. Yang Nan unsettled Li Yun, but reconciliation was out of the question.

Still, knowing Yang Nan’s true background, Li Yun had his own designs.

Li Guo sneered, “What is Yang Nan but a mere Weapon Master? How dare he act so arrogant? Unless he’s taught a lesson, how will he know the might of the Li family?”

Li Yun’s face darkened. “Silence! Think: three years ago, Yang Nan was a novice. Now he is a third-tier Weapon Master. How many in this world progress so rapidly? Given time, in ten years he’ll be a Grandmaster, and within a hundred, perhaps a Venerated One—possibly even transcending mortality! For us cultivators, all is illusion but the pursuit of immortality. If you fail to achieve longevity, what use is worldly power? In a hundred years, when he comes to settle the score, what will you do to stop him? If you persist in your folly, you’ll meet utter destruction—and our entire clan may be swept away!”

Li Guo, stung by his uncle’s rebuke, grew both alarmed and anxious. “Then what are we to do? If he subdues the demons and cultivates for centuries, won’t he wipe out our Li family?”

A trace of coldness flickered in Li Yun’s eyes. “Only now do you realize fear? Cultivators may appear detached, yet they settle scores with equal passion. Are there not enough ruthless Daoists in this world? Yang Nan is no ordinary man. If you have not wronged him, let it be. But if you have made an enemy, he must be cut down to the root, eliminating all future threat! Otherwise, should he turn on you in the future, what will you do? For now, he is not yet a force to be reckoned with—it’s too soon for him to move against us.”

Li Guo, disconcerted by his uncle’s resoluteness, hesitated. “If Yang Nan is so exceptional, what if he succeeds in securing the Demon Valley? Uncle, you must think of a way to eliminate him for good.”

Li Yun sighed. Since Li Guo had provoked Yang Nan, the Li family had spared no effort investigating Yang Nan’s origins, talents, background, and character. Nothing Yang Nan had done on the Hun River escaped their notice. His ruthless patience and astonishing progress were what Li Yun feared most.

Li Guo had made many enemies, but few amounted to anything, and the Li family rarely pursued total destruction—at worst, they settled for reconciliation. But Yang Nan was different: of esteemed birth, deeply scheming, decisive in action; in just over three years, he had become a Weapon Master—a rate of cultivation that defied belief. In thousands of years, any who reached that level in such a short time became supreme experts, even saints.

Along the Hun River, Yang Nan subdued demons and slew river bandits with ruthless methods, won the favor of Bu Xu, and gained entry to the sect. Coupled with his scholarly lineage and boundless potential, his patience and cunning made him the type the Li family would normally seek to befriend, not offend.

Alas, Li Guo had crossed him first, and judging by Yang Nan’s character, he never forgave a slight and struck without mercy. If given enough time, even the ancestral Master Changxu could not suppress him.

Should the Li family now bow to a youth like Yang Nan? Unthinkable!

Thus, to resolve this enmity, it would be better to kill him in the cradle.

Li Yun looked at his wayward nephew, thoughts churning. Were it not for Li Guo’s extraordinary talent, he would have long since offered his nephew’s head to Yang Nan in apology. But in centuries, only one Master Changxu had emerged from the Li family, and now only Li Guo bore the highest-grade spiritual traits—hence his indulgence.

In any case, so long as Yang Nan lost his status as an inner-sect disciple, he would pose no threat.

Strong as he may be, Li Yun was not one to yield easily.

His gaze grew even deeper as he stared into Immortal Seeking City.

At their first meeting outside the city, Li Yun’s cultivation and temperament had left Yang Nan secretly apprehensive. For now, Li Yun held the advantage; if he made a move, Yang Nan could not refuse. At present, Yang Nan lacked both power and influence—the Demon Valley was Li Yun’s move, and Yang Nan could only respond.

“Whether I succeed or fail depends on my journey to the Demon Valley,” Yang Nan resolved, and strode into the city.

Within, Immortal Seeking City was as bustling as ever. Now, as warlords carved up the land and the world grew ever more chaotic, this city had become a haven. The wealthy and commoners from across the continent flocked here, seeking refuge under the protection of Kunlun, hoping to escape the ravages of war.