Chapter 469: Chapter 468: Korean Li Family

Goryeo Kingdom, Jeollanam-do.

Jeollanam-do is located at the southwesternmost point of Goryeo Kingdom, with its territory boasting more than 6000 li of coastline that includes over 2000 islands, three-quarters of which are uninhabited.

Since the “Unknown Recovery Event,” coastal defense had become the top priority for this small country by the sea.

To protect their land, the Goryeo Kingdom’s high officials had issued a series of decrees more than a decade ago, one of which was to open up full rights to these islands. Families who deemed themselves capable could select an island to develop themselves and possess permanent ownership of the island.

Of course, these families that settled on the islands would have to fulfill certain obligations.

The original intention of this decree was to leverage the power of major forces to fend off dangers from the deep sea; unfortunately, those clan forces were not fools–they would not let the so-called ‘permanent ownership’ damage their own interests, and so these islands gradually became playgrounds for mutant creatures.

Of course, there were a few exceptional families.

On an unnamed island overseas in Jeollanam-do, the natural scenery was exquisite, and the environment was stunning, with the entire island covered in lush, tall trees.

Hidden within the dense forest was a group of ancient structures in the style of the Great Xia, built with the traditional central-axis symmetry of the Great Xia. Pavilions, towers, pools, water pavilions nestled among green pines and cypresses; rockeries, strange rocks, flower beds, pot plants, vines and green bamboos presented an exceptionally unique landscape.

Under the shroud of nightfall, the ancient buildings were brightly lit. If not for the security guards in black suits patrolling with their pets, one might think they had traveled back to ancient times.

Straight ahead on the central axis, there stood a majestic hall, which, compared to other buildings in the compound, had particularly dim lighting. The mahogany floors reflected bits of candlelight, while in the southeast corner of the wall was a soy purple bookcase. The serene moonlight poured through the open carved wooden windows into the hall, casting the shadow of magnolia flowers onto the zither on the main desk.

The beige gauze curtains fluttered with the night breeze, bringing in some petals through the window, which scattered over the zither strings. Gentle wafts of sandalwood incense rose from the censer, spreading throughout the entire hall.

Thump!

The elderly man, dressed in a loose Hanfu, knelt behind the desk and plucked a string, causing the petals on the trembling string to lightly dance.

The old man’s slender fingers moved back and forth, and the zither produced clear, melodious tones.

On either side of the lower desk, two people were knelt, also dressed in loose, solid-colored Hanfu, one middle-aged and one young.

They lowered their heads slightly, as if listening to the old man’s zither.

“Tai Xuan,” the old voice called out amidst the sounds of the zither, tinged with an imperial city accent.

“Grandfather, I am here.”

The young man’s body shook slightly, and he raised his head to look at the elderly man.

“You’ve been training so long at home this time, do you feel confident about the national competition?” The old man’s eyes were half-closed, his slender fingers dancing on the strings.

“Grandfather, rest assured, during these days of dedicated training, the Combat Training Master invited by our family is no longer my match,” Li Taixuan said, with a hint of pride on his face as he looked to the middle-aged man, “If grandfather doesn’t believe me, my second uncle can testify on my behalf.”

The middle-aged man returned a warm smile to Li Taixuan, his eyes showing a hint of pity.

“Father, Xiao Wu’s progress has indeed been good these days.”

Disaster!

Seeing his second uncle’s expression, Li Taixuan felt a sudden sense of dread, his face showing a look of wanting to cry without tears.

“Hmm,” that aged voice spoke calmly, “Modesty and prudence are wise, but boasting about one’s intelligence is not. The wisdom in modesty is great wisdom; boasting about one’s courage is not. The courage in modesty is great courage.”

“Although our Li Family is no longer in our homeland, we must not forget the teachings of our ancestors. Before you return to the homeland to compete, Tai Xuan, copy the ‘Disciple’s Admonitions’ three times to temper your disposition.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Li Taixuan slumped his face and responded reluctantly.

The old man nodded slightly and then asked, “Fengting, how is the clan’s business doing recently?”

“Father,” Li Fengting’s expression became serious as he answered respectfully, “Things are still manageable in Goryeo Kingdom, and back in Great Xia… in our homeland, I’ve left the business to Fangyan to manage. With that girl’s capabilities, there should be no worries.”

The elderly man nodded slightly, “I was wondering why that girl hasn’t come to bother this old man in so long.”

At this point, the elderly man’s tone shifted, “Fengting, how long has it been since you last visited the homeland?”

Li Fengting knew he had misspoken and could only reply stubbornly, “These past few years have been so busy, I really haven’t had the time…”

The sound of the zither stopped abruptly, and its reverberations lingered in the hall.

The old man’s hands pressed the strings and he opened his eyes to sternly look at his second son.

“Is it that you haven’t had the time, or that you don’t wish to return?”

Faced with the elderly man’s interrogation, Li Fengting hung his head and muttered softly, “Father… Fengting admits his mistake.”

The zither music resumed, and the elderly man closed his eyes again, “Although the Li Family has left the homeland for nearly a hundred years, you must always remember the roots of your lineage.”

“Goryeo is a small, narrow-minded and arrogant country with a shortsighted vision; I hope you will not adopt their ways.”

Li Fengting and Li Taixuan exchanged glances and bowed in agreement, “Your son/grandson will remember.”

“It is just as well.”

The old man continued playing, but he felt increasingly restless, as if he could no longer maintain the state of calmness from before.

“I just can’t seem to calm my heart.”

“That girl Fangyan is on her own in the homeland, unfamiliar with the place, and her safety…”

Li Fengting got the hint, “Father, rest assured, I’ve chosen Bin City for her, where our Li Family has been operating for decades. We have eyes and ears everywhere there.”

“Before she left, I also sent quite a few bodyguards with her, and besides, she’s just handling some business and won’t be allowed to come to harm easily.” Li Fengting laughed, “I think you are just too worried about Fangyan, that’s why you’re restless.”

The old man felt there was reason in his son’s words and slightly nodded, “It is just as well.”

The ancient zither music tinkled in the hall, as Li Fengting and his nephew prepared to take their leave.

Just then, a series of urgent footsteps echoed from the hallway.

“Master! Is the Master here?”

Before the person arrived, their voice had already carried over.

Li Fengting and Li Taixuan quickly stood up to greet the newcomer, saying respectfully, “Uncle Qi, Father is playing the zither, what is so urgent?”

Uncle Qi, clad in a Tang suit and likely around seventy years old, seeing Li Fengting, tried to calm his rapid breathing and saluted the two with a fist wrapped in a palm, “Second young master, fifth young master.”

“Enough with the formality with the kids,” the old man said with a chuckle, watching Uncle Qi, “After so many decades of service, why have you become as flustered as a child in your old age? Take your time telling me, I plan on having you old chap around for a few more years yet.”

Uncle Qi’s smile stiffened, and he didn’t know how to deliver the news on the tip of his tongue.

Seeing this, the old man’s smile faded, and he looked at Uncle Qi, speaking in a grave voice, “What has happened?”

Uncle Qi’s lips quivered, “Master, you should go see the young miss, she… she has been seriously injured!”

Crack!

The zither strings snapped, and the old man stood up abruptly.

Magnolia petals slowly drifted down from the zither.

(PS: Does anyone still remember this Tai Xuan?)