Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 432 361_3

Chen Donghe laughed and said,

"This is the Temple Master, Bai Yinzi, who has helped me a lot over the years. Whether it was provisions or spirit veins, he has supported me wholeheartedly. His heart is kind and honest."

Li Yuanjiao gave a clasped-hand salute by way of introduction, while Bai Yinzi waved his hand and laughed,

"Over the years, Taoist Fellow Donghe has also helped me quite a bit, defeating several opponents for me during temple fairs. I have certainly gained from it and have not provided food and lodging in vain."

He spoke sincerely. Chen Donghe smiled warmly, and Bai Yinzi continued,

"Taoist Fellow Donghe has an extraordinary generosity, even his defeated foes admire him greatly. These years, he has gained a great reputation in this vast desert!"

The two chatted and laughed for a while, and Bai Yinzi then pulled them into a banquet that lasted until the middle of the night. Chen Donghe then took Li Yuanjiao back to the courtyard.

As soon as the courtyard door closed, the array that separated the inside from the outside began to operate, and inside sat an old woman with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and on her forehead. She was holding an oil lamp, writing something. Upon noticing their entrance, she looked up and said softly,

"So it is Yuanjiao who has come."

"Aunt..."

Li Yuanjiao was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses. The woman before him, Li Jingtian, was already over fifty years old, completely different from the person in his memories. Aside from those still soft and warm eyes, her youthful appearance was nowhere to be seen.

The mortals of Da Li Mountain rarely lived to this age, but because Chen Donghe had spent spiritual objects to nourish Li Jingtian, she looked comparatively healthy and showed no signs of decline. She smiled and asked,

"How is everything at home? I wonder how your father is doing?"

Li Yuanjiao was so proud and strong, but upon hearing this question, he could not help but have tears well up in his eyes. He closed his eyes tightly, pressed his five fingers to his sword, and even the Green Ruler Sword began to buzz, as he said mournfully,

"The old ancestor has passed away, succumbing to Taiyin..."

Li Jingtian's face turned pale, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Chen Donghe was even more shaken, his complexion changing several times, standing rigidly in place.

"Eventually... this moment, eventually... this moment."

Li Jingtian's face was pale. She had heard some news at home, and now she was better at accepting it. Chen Donghe, however, was devastated, as if struck by lightning out of a clear sky, he exclaimed,

"Impossible! How could this be possible!"

All control over his expressions was lost. Chen Donghe, who had never changed color even in the face of life-and-death, was now visibly unsettled. His eyes darkened as he staggered several steps back, unbelieving as he said,

"Only Zifu could kill my father! Who else could have done it!"

In his agitation, he blurted out, even calling his father 'father', his complexion flushed as he stood gasping. Li Yuanjiao hurriedly reached out to steady him, sorting out the qi flows in his body, after which Chen Donghe finally spat out a mouthful of black blood with a 'puh' sound.

He had internal injuries already, and this release made him look much better. He looked up and asked,

"Was it because of an old injury left by Maha?"

"Yes..."

Having received the reply, Chen Donghe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said in a low voice,

"The heavens are jealous of the talented... The four sons of Lijing... to have departed without a trace!"

Li Yuanjiao slightly averted his head. The death of Li Chijing had not been acknowledged by his family; Chen Donghe, who had been the backbone of the family for many years, must have his own sources, but kept them hidden in his heart. Now, in the heat of emotion, he had voiced them.

After soothing him for a while, Chen Donghe quickly recovered and said with his head lowered,

"I have embarrassed myself."

Li Yuanjiao was unable to speak words of consolation and silently tended to his qi flows. Chen Donghe then said,

"Donghe is wounded. Allow me to rest and be tended by my subordinates. Tomorrow I shall take the young master to Valley Smoke Workshop."

Li Yuanjiao nodded repeatedly, and the couple supported each other into the inner courtyard.

Before long, muffled sobs were heard coming from behind the doors.

Li Yuanjiao sat in silence, feeling lost and melancholic, sitting alone in the courtyard. The cup of tea on the table remained untouched, reflecting a bloody-like hue in the dying red sun.

He placed his hands on his knees, casting his gaze toward the red sunset at the edge of the great desert. Desert smoke, alone and vast, like dragons and whales, like wolves and snakes, surged across the sky, slowly heading toward the dark red distance.