CG Chapter 180: The Snow Lotus, Flower Amongst Corpses
The mighty Li Clan, which was infamous for being one of the most unwelcoming clans in Jianghu to outsiders, now had its doors wide open for Aretius's arrival.
On the surface, it seemed like he was permitted to wander anywhere he wished within the Li Clan's territory. Nevertheless, Aretius understood that this was but a shallow illusion of cordiality, a facade displayed to get on his good side and win him over.
Not to mention the gentle guiding force of the old guard showing him the way. If he had truly dared to cross the bottom line by intruding into the Li Clan's Ancestral Hall or the sealed regions of the clan, all their welcoming warmth would quickly turn into hostility. As they demonstrate why the Li Clan was known as a force that no one in the surrounding area dared cross.
"Young lord, this old servant is known as Zhang Heng, but everyone here simply calls me Old Zhang. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
Aretius ignored the guard's humble tone. He guessed that if anyone other than Li Clan members called him Old Zhang, they would get a good beating. His gaze scanned the grounds of the clan to create a comprehensive understanding of the layout of the buildings and structures, in case he needed to sneak around later on.
He counted the steps, estimating the distance between each building and the others, the number of individuals, how many were martial artists, and even how long it would take him to escape or how to sneak in later if need be.
During that time, the oblivious Old Zhang merrily chatted away. He described the Li Clan's chronology while not forgetting to praise his masters.
"Young Master Li Wuyou has spoken of your great deeds in Wei Ji Village. Tsk-tsk! The bizarre creature there is truly lowly, not fearing either imperial or martial law. It is truly strange, however, how many creatures have popped up lately. The fall of the Han..." Old Zhang was about to continue speaking, but quickly held back what he was about to say, fearing that their new guest might have an association with the now-fallen Great Han Empire.
Aretius merely offered a faint smile.
By the time they stood facing the Patriarch Pavilion, he had already mapped a comprehensive understanding of the Li Clan's domain: the division of the Western and Eastern Servant quarters, the graveyards full of death-ki as if they were nurturing a peculiar varmint beneath them, the grand inner quarters of the clan, and the ancestral hall.
With a single step, Aretius crossed the threshold and stood within the true heart of the Li Clan. The brilliant lamps filling the Patriarch Pavilion shone with an ethereal feel, reflecting against the white wooden pillars of the hall.
The Pavilion's seating reflected the Li Clan's ruthless hierarchy. Lesser members were relegated to the outermost fringes, with the arrangement rising in importance from the young masters up to Li Wuyou, who smiled warmly from a position just below the clan's elders. Above them all was the person who ruled this place, the Patriarch of the Li Clan.
Li Muren. Just as Li Wuyou was considered today to be a rising dragon of the Jianghu, so was Li Muren during his time. It would be even more accurate to say that he belonged to a higher level than Li Wuyou and the rest of the younger heroes he met.
He was one of the most prominent Jianghu heroes, said to be born with a root of wisdom, and he had studied Confucianism despite residing within the Han Empire.
During his early years, he studied Confucianism under the renowned scholars of the Supreme Confucian Sect, one of the Three Great Sects, having traveled the continent before finally returning. At a time when any other young man would focus on spreading his own name, he instead chose to claim the mantle of the Li Clan's patriarch, allowing the clan to rise beyond what it was.
Having seen him today, Aretius understood that this man truly had a different aura about him, and why he was given the title of The Snow Lotus.
The middle-aged man, like the rest of the clan, was wrapped in a white robe, the embroidery of white jade lotuses gently flickering on his sleeves. His build was rather thin, yet that didn't take away from his imposing scholarly aura.
Meeting him head-on, one would feel as if one were facing the Grand Tutor of a Great Empire rather than a clan's patriarch.
However, that wasn't the most prominent feature. Seeing him, one's focus would naturally turn to his uncanny whiteness, as if they were seeing the corpse of a celestial being. His pearly skin felt purer than morning dew, his hair was whiter than snow, and even his white eyes felt as if you were staring into the snow itself.
On his left side was an empty chair, clearly meant for none other than Aretius himself. Seeing this, Aretius's posture remained natural. Internally, however, he understood that the Patriarch was about to ask something of him, and he even guessed that this seating arrangement might be a test. If he sat naturally, it would mean he didn't see through the act. As such, the Patriarch might view him as lesser.
Depending on how he reacted, how they treated him would change, and he understood this well.
Cupping his hands in a respectful manner that was neither arrogant nor too subservient, he confidently said. "This one thanks The Snow Lotus for the generous hospitality. I believed that this generation of heroes was unmatched, but witnessing the demeanor of the Patriarch, this one understands the rise of a clan is predestined by the birth of a wise dragon."
Hearing his words, the Patriarch remained silent, looking around at his clan's members. The elders held their chins as they nodded in satisfaction, clearly proud of what they had just heard.
Surprisingly, the one who spoke was none other than Li Wuyou. In an amiable tone meant for intimate brothers, he said, "Brother shouldn't undercut himself. Having glimpsed your prowess in Wei Ji, I can confidently proclaim you were born to dominate this era."
The Patriarch nodded once more. "Turbulent times are the catalyst of rising dragons, for only in the most frenzied of storms would the ferryman learn of the soundness of his boat. The Li Clan has always believed that those with virtue should rise to the occasion and that those with merit would naturally take their rightful place. Your achievements both in Wei Ji Village and from what I see today have truly established both the virtue of ability and the merit of saving our heir. Our Li Clan name is renowned throughout the Three Great Empires. We lack neither resources nor reputation. Nevertheless, what we truly seek are skilled heroes. I would like to invite you to act as an outer elder of the Li Clan, as we provide you with both resources and backing to take your rightful place in the Jianghu."
The younger clan members stiffened. They understood what the offer meant and that the Patriarch had made it without notifying them. Only Li Wuyou's expression remained unchanged, as if he had known of the Patriarch's intent before any of them.
Still, Aretius did not directly reply. Instead, he started walking to his designated seat next to the Patriarch. The Patriarch kept his gaze locked on Aretius, and the moment he sat next to him, he beamed, believing that Aretius had accepted his offer.
Yet Aretius's reply left him speechless. "This one thanks the Li Clan's Patriarch for the offer. However..."
He stopped talking for less than an instant. "This one has not yet earned what is so generously offered from your esteemed selves. This humble Daoist has some attainment in the Confucian arts. While this one does not dare to proclaim myself a master, I still understand that a wise man does not chase quick success. He who chases quick glory, forgetting his foundation and building on soft ground, will only turn into a fleeting star in the sky before turning into dust. As such, I don't wish to tarnish the clan's honor. If you allow me, then I would like to continue acting as a guest of your respected clan until I have reached a standing that makes me worthy of becoming part of it."
Once these words landed, he watched as the features of the people in the hall shifted and changed, causing a grim, deathly aura to consume the space, as if the corpses from the Li Clan's graveyard were about to awaken from their resting places.
The Snow Lotus, a man who was not easily startled, remained silent for a long period. He took long sips from the lotus brew in front of him.
His gaze seemed to try to see through Aretius, to understand his heart. He was destined to fall short. How could the schemes of a fox compare to those of the ancient demonic beast that Aretius truly was?
If the Patriarch did not know better, he would have guessed that Aretius was trying to take advantage by claiming the power of the clan without contributing to its prosperity, refusing to become part of the clan's power structure and pyramid.
A young man, no matter how scheming, should never have the ability to scheme that deeply. Even as the Patriarch of Li Clan, the thought only crossed his mind for less than a beat before he laughed out loud.
"Good! Good! Good! I see that the young hero's understanding of Confucianism truly runs deep. This one has truly been enlightened by your words."
He looked at the elders sitting next to him before shifting back to Aretius. "Hear my decree. From today onward, the Violet-Blood Ghost Asura shall be treated as an outer elder with the title of an honorary guest, until he sees fit to take his rightful place as a true outer elder."
With his laugh, the heavy atmosphere that had engulfed the clan just moments ago completely melted away into a gentle spring breeze. The harmony of the guest and the clan was thus established.
The fox sees only what foxes see. He measured the youthful hero by his own measure, and Aretius allowed himself to be measured. As the wise man standing in the high castle, he only saw the people as ants to be manipulated from high above, ignoring that the lowly ones could abandon everything to rise.