Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 69 Retreat
Li Xiangming pointed out the way forward, and sure enough, Tang Xueyan looked at Nie Rong, wanting to say something but not daring to.

How she wished that Nie Rong could recognize her and together they could avenge their master.

But Nie Rong remained silent.

Gradually, Tang Xueyan's eyes dimmed. Her gaze, filled with both earnest anticipation and disappointment, made even Li Xiangming feel a pang of sadness.

Of course, he didn't show anything.

“Nie Rong has almost no memory of anything that happened before he was ten years old. If you want to reunite with him, you can only wait until he comes to his senses. Only in this way will you have a chance to avenge the Northern Cold Clan.”

Li Xiangming ultimately did not reveal the fact that Nie Rong was already a puppet.

He couldn't imagine how Tang Xueyan would react upon hearing this news.

It's better to preserve a sliver of hope and let her believe that Nie Rong has always been Nie Rong, only that she has lost her memory.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xueyan slowly nodded.

Li Xiangming then seized the opportunity to say, "Changyang Valley is not usually open to the public. You must be quite uncomfortable living here. Why don't you join the Service Institute?"

"Service Bureau?"

Tang Xueyan was puzzled.

"The Service Institute is an institution established by my Li family specifically for visiting cultivators and even mortals. The Li family regularly issues bounty missions there, and once completed, there are generous rewards."

Of course, you don't need to worry. The Logistics Department only cares about missions and rewards. Even if you join, it doesn't mean you're joining the Li family. The Li family won't restrict your freedom. You can leave anytime you want if you don't want to work there anymore.

"Is it only by joining the Logistics Department that I can see my senior brother?"

Tang Xueyan frowned; she had always disliked trouble.

“What you said is not wrong. If you are not even willing to enter the Logistics Department, the Li family has no obligation to keep you in Changyang Valley.”

Li Xiangming revealed his hand.

After much negotiation, Tang Xueyan finally compromised and agreed to join the Logistics Department, taking on the mission of guarding Xulong Township.

Tang Xueyan's idea was simple: as long as she stayed by her senior brother's side, one day he would remember her, and then everything would be alright.

Li Xiangming sighed inwardly at this.

After saying goodbye to Tang Xueyan, Li Xiangming went to find Jiang Liang.

As expected, Jiang Liang was the one who had angered his master. Master Lingwu was already furious, and Jiang Liang happened to return with the True Youth-Preserving Pill, claiming that his master's pill must be fake. This only fueled Master Lingwu's anger, and he was severely scolded and even told to get out of the mountain.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming was filled with emotion.

Jiang Liang went to great lengths to investigate the matter of the genuine and fake Youth-Preserving Pill. Even if he ultimately failed to salvage the situation, he shouldn't have ended up like this.

Of the three families, only Master Lingwu received a personal reception from Li Qianxiong.

As expected, Li Qianxiong knew the inside story.

Don't be fooled by Master Lingwu's smiling face when you first meet him; he's actually the one with the worst temper.

“Brother Jiang, there’s no need to worry. Master Lingwu is just acting out of anger. He’ll remember you soon.”

"hope so."

Jiang Liang sighed.

Seeing this, Li Xiangming had an idea and asked Jiang Liang if he wanted to join the Li family's service institute.

"Thank you for your kindness, Steward Li. As a disciple of Lingwu Sect, I am in a difficult position. I came to Changyang Valley to express my gratitude in person. Afterwards, I will be heading to Pushui Market."

Jiang Liang declined, even though Li Xiangming repeatedly assured him that joining the Service Institute would not affect his status in Lingwu Gate.

But Jiang Liang was still very worried. He had already angered his master, and his master was angry with the Li family. If he got involved with the Li family again, wouldn't he never be able to return to Lingwu Sect?
Seeing this, Li Xiangming said nothing more.

Jiang Liang, though blinded by his own involvement, could see clearly that the fact that Master Lingwu could take his anger out on Jiang Liang because of a lover showed that Jiang Liang was not favored by the Lingwu Sect.

Moreover, Jiang Liang ranked third among the disciples of Lingwu Sect, and even after the Venerable Lingwu passed away, he would not have the opportunity to take charge.

Lingwu Sect will not be his final destination.

Of course, there's no need to say these things aloud and provoke people.

After seeing Jiang Liang off, Li Xiangming went to Changtai Township and summoned Li Tong and others.

"Lord Li is living quite comfortably lately."

Looking at Li Tong's increasingly round belly, Li Xiangming's words had a hidden meaning. "Not at all, not at all. I've been busy with affairs in both townships, and I seem to have even lost weight from working so diligently these past few days."

As he spoke, Li Tong touched his chubby face.

Upon seeing Li Tong feigning madness, Li Xiangming immediately sneered: "What a fine example of diligence! If that's the case, why have families been destroyed and lives lost in both villages?"

"Family destroyed and people killed? Immortal Master, please calm your anger. I was unaware of this. May I ask what the Immortal Master is referring to?"

Li Xiangming was too lazy to waste words with him and had Li Xiangqi take out a list.

Li Tong took the list, and was so frightened that he fell to the ground. It listed seven or eight names, densely detailing the crimes they had committed.
The worst part is that there was a distant relative of his among them.

“I’ve asked you to reorganize these two townships, not to let you become local tyrants. From now on, the taxes in these two townships will be collected once a year. Tax officials are not allowed to go to the villages without a legitimate reason.”

"I know. I know."

"You know how to deal with these people, right?"

"They...they deserve to die, they deserve to die!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming nodded. Li Tong was indeed perceptive; he could continue to serve as the head of the township for a few more years.

Of course, he can no longer be called the village head.

Li Xiangming gestured for Li Xiangqi to speak, and Li Xiangqi immediately announced that the title of Township Head would be changed to Township Chief, meaning the head of a township.

They also promoted a middle-aged man named Li Qiu to be the head of Xixiang Township.

Li Tong was the head of Dongxiang Township, and the two were of equal status.

Li Tong was completely deflated, like a frostbitten eggplant, but she managed to force a smile because Li Xiangming was present.

After helping Li Xiangqi establish his authority, Li Xiangming completely handed over the task of reorganizing the two townships to Li Xiangqi.

Although this young man's cultivation level was only average, he was intelligent and had his own ideas, and Li Xiangming had high hopes for him.

Next, Li Xiangming inspected the construction in Xixiang and the teaching at the Youxue Hall.

They then returned to Tailai Peak.

On Tailai Peak, the family head, Li Qianxiong, had been waiting for him for a long time.

Are you all ready?

"Ready."

Li Xiangming replied softly that he should actually meet with Li Xiangzhen as well.

However, Li Xiangzhen has the guidance of Li Chengsi from the Fourth Branch and the instructors from the Qingmiao Academy in her cultivation, and her mother takes care of her in her daily life, so whether she sees him or not doesn't matter.

Shaking his head, Li Xiangming followed Li Qianxiong to the Daihu Cave.

The experience of this gathering in Changyang Valley had a great impact on Li Xiangming.

In the past, he was often praised at home as the best of the younger generation of the fourth wife, and even got the nickname "Four Heroes".

In just a few days, he witnessed the talents of Luo Silin, Nie Rong, and Li Xiangyu, as well as extraordinary individuals such as the blind man, the hunchbacked man, and Madam Zhen. Finally, he met Hou Xianbo, the leader of the Mang Cult, who was suspected to be a Golden Core cultivator or even a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Without exception, all of these people were far stronger than him.

Li Xiangming felt a strong sense of crisis. After subduing Nie Rong, he immediately asked the family head for permission to go into seclusion.

Li Qianxiong did not refuse. He vaguely remembered that he had promised Li Xiangming that he would let him cultivate in the Tihu Cave for half a year after the Changyang Valley gathering.

The two arrived at Tihu Cave and first paid their respects to the old man, Li Huinan.

Upon hearing the purpose of his visit, Li Huinan asked in surprise, "How long have you been gone? It seems like only a few days?"

It's been over a year since they left.

Li Xiangming cursed secretly.

Li Qianxiong replied awkwardly, "This kid has accumulated some merit. At most, he'll bother you for half a year."

"I don't mind, at least you can keep me company. Come in."

Li Xiangming was overjoyed and dashed into the Ambrosia Cave, taking a deep breath as if even the air felt fresher.

(End of this chapter)