"Senior Brother, you'll never guess how my mission turned out."
Li Sifeng looked at Li Qingqiu with a serious expression, both hands wrapped tightly around his wine bowl as though trying to draw warmth from it.
Li Qingqiu fixed him with a calm stare. "With the way you're dancing around your words, it's obvious you didn't wipe out the Pei clan. You're not even angry—looks like you've eaten a few of their honeyed dates instead."
Li Sifeng's face stiffened with embarrassment. "Let me explain first! Just hear me out—then you can decide whether or not to scold me!"
Li Qingqiu didn't look angry. He knew his junior brother's temperament all too well. The boy had always been soft-hearted. The Pei clan had once caused him great suffering, and if Li Sifeng could forgive them, then there had to be another reason behind it.
He noticed Li Dongyue entering the courtyard and waved her over.
Li Sifeng turned to see her, and his eyes darted slyly—he decided not to start just yet.
When Li Dongyue took a seat beside Li Qingqiu, Li Sifeng finally began his account.
"I traveled all the way toward Zhenyang City, but along the way, I learned that the Pei clan had relocated to Dongling Prefecture. So, I turned east and headed there. Originally, I was ready to start a bloodbath, but I happened to arrive while the Pei clan was distributing food to the people. The common folk were full of gratitude toward them—though to me, it looked like nothing more than a show."
He took a sip of wine and went on, voice rising with emotion.
"I decided to wait until they were done giving out grain—at least that way, some of the starving would eat first. I stayed for a few more days. Then I heard about a vile noble who'd kidnapped a young woman, dragged her into his manor, and caused her death. When her husband came looking for her, he was beaten to death at the gate. The parents went to the authorities, but the officials ignored them until both died in despair, leaving behind only a small child, homeless and alone."
His voice sharpened. "And who am I? Li Sifeng, young hero of the Qingxiao Sect! How could I turn a blind eye to such evil? I was just about to storm that villain's manor when I found a crowd already gathered outside. Someone had beaten me to it. The people were cheering, praising the avenger. After asking around, I learned that it was none other than the Pei clan's patriarch's daughter who had punished the villain."
Li Sifeng's excitement grew with every word. Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue exchanged a glance, each understanding the other's thoughts without a word.
"The next morning," Li Sifeng continued, "I went straight to the Pei clan estate, demanding their patriarch face me and settle the score properly. I didn't want anyone later accusing Qingxiao Sect of unjust killing. But to my surprise, when I told him why I'd come, that patriarch immediately apologized. He even handed over the clansman responsible for the plot to seize the Emperor Xuan Sword, telling me to kill him myself. When the other clan members tried to stop him, he ignored them completely."
Li Dongyue frowned slightly. "So, you didn't kill him?"
Li Sifeng's eyes widened in outrage. "Fourth Senior Sister, what kind of person do you take me for? The disciples of Qingxiao Sect do not die for nothing! Of course I killed him—cut him down with one strike! But that wasn't enough. I demanded everyone involved in the matter be executed as well."
"The patriarch agreed without hesitation. He ordered a full investigation right then and there. Within less than one hour, one after another, members of the Pei family were dragged before me. At first, they all cried injustice. But soon, they began cursing their patriarch instead. I let them shout as much as they wanted—then I struck."
He exhaled deeply, eyes gleaming. "In that single bout, I executed thirty-four people. It was exhilarating. But the hired mercenaries they'd used were harder to track down."
When he finished, he looked at Li Qingqiu nervously, unsure of how his master would react.
Li Qingqiu sighed lightly. "That Pei patriarch is a clever man. Decisive. Ruthless."
Li Dongyue frowned and stared at Li Sifeng. "And you think that's the end of it? You killed more than thirty people inside their ancestral estate. Put yourself in their place—would you believe it was over? Even if that patriarch truly wishes for peace, what about the rest of his clan? Never underestimate the reach of a great family."
Li Sifeng shook his head. "I'm not that naïve. But the patriarch said something that struck me deeply—'it is better to resolve a grudge than to deepen it.' He offered his daughter's hand in marriage as a gesture of sincerity. To ease my doubts, he even told me to bring her back to Qingxiao Mountain and ask for your approval. If you agree, we could hold the wedding here, and the Pei clan will come bearing great gifts."
Li Dongyue blinked in disbelief. "A marriage alliance?"
It was as though she were seeing Li Sifeng for the first time.
His face flushed red. "I'm not the kind of man easily swayed by sentiment. But I've done my homework on the Pei clan. They've split into countless branches all across the land—killing them all is impossible. If peace is an option, then maybe it's the better path."
Li Qingqiu asked evenly, "You're certain that woman truly is the Pei patriarch's daughter?"
"Absolutely certain," Li Sifeng said at once. "She's the one who punished that corrupt noble. I saw it with my own eyes. At that time, I hadn't revealed myself yet—there's no way the Pei clan could have known I was coming. It's impossible they planned such an elaborate setup. Besides, on the road, Pei Miao told me her father despises the martial world's obsession with techniques and divine weapons. He's long been disgusted with those of his clan who seek trouble with cultivators. So when I came seeking vengeance, he actually saw it as doing him a favor."
He trailed off, voice softening at the end. "Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Sister… Pei Miao's already staying in the guest courtyard. I wanted to ask if you'd both agree to this marriage."
Li Qingqiu was momentarily dazed.
The once-brash little boy had grown up to the age where he could marry and take responsibility. Time truly flew.
As he looked at the twenty-year-old Li Sifeng fidgeting awkwardly, he felt both proud and concerned.
Li Dongyue turned to him and said softly, "Senior Brother, his reasoning makes sense. If the grudge can be resolved, all the better. Whether or not it works out, we should at least meet this Miss Pei Miao first."
Li Sifeng gave her a grateful look.
Li Qingqiu's face remained calm—so calm that it made Li Sifeng's heart pound with unease.
"Ask her if she's willing to join Qingxiao Sect. If she agrees, let her become a disciple first—then we'll discuss the marriage," Li Qingqiu said calmly.
Li Sifeng's face lit up with joy. He jumped to his feet, bowed deeply to Li Qingqiu, and then darted off, leaping over the courtyard wall in a blur of lightness technique.
Li Dongyue shook her head with a faint smile, then turned to Li Qingqiu. "Senior Brother, what do you think?"
Li Qingqiu replied, "If what he said is true, then this marriage is indeed the best way to settle their feud. But if it's a lie, then the Pei clan's intent is sinister—if they dared set such a trap, they must be eliminated."
Li Dongyue nodded thoughtfully. "You know, I used to wonder which of the seven of us would marry first. I always thought it'd be Third Brother, not Sixth."
Li Qingqiu chuckled. "Why Third Brother?"
"He's handsome, cool-tempered, and mysterious. Women love that type."
"Oh? More handsome than me?"
"Of course, not quite as much as you, Senior Brother."
"Then why didn't you think I'd be the first to marry?"
"I just had a feeling you wouldn't."
"You're right. I won't bend for love or desire. My goal lies beyond such worldly feelings."
"Yes, Senior Brother is the greatest."
…
That evening, Li Qingqiu gathered all his junior brothers and sisters to discuss the matter. Their reactions varied widely.
Li Sijin was the first to explode. She cursed Li Sifeng for being blind and bewitched by beauty. She even tried to storm off to confront Pei Miao, but Li Dongyue quickly pulled her back.
Zhang Yuchun, on the other hand, was delighted. He thought that if the story was true, it could actually be a good thing.
Jiang Zhaoxia offered to travel personally to the Pei clan and investigate the matter thoroughly.
Wu Man'er simply grinned and said nothing, watching the chaos with amusement.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister," Li Sifeng stood up anxiously. "Please, believe in Pei Miao. Can't you give her—and me—a chance? It's not like the marriage has to be decided now. Just like Senior Brother said, we can observe first."
Hearing that, Li Qingqiu silently called up the Dao Lineage interface, scrolling through the list of disciples to find Pei Miao's portrait.
The portraits were arranged by the time of initiation, so he only needed to look toward the end.
Soon, he found her entry.
[ Name: Pei Miao ]
[ Gender: Female ]
[ Age: 17 ]
[ Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 83 / 72 (max value 100) ]
[ Cultivation Aptitude: Fair ]
[ Comprehension: Mediocre ]
[ Fate: Deep Love, Bitter Hate / Twin Dragon Empress ]
[ Deep Love, Bitter Hate: Will give everything—including life—for the one she loves. But if betrayed, that love turns into boundless hatred. ]
[ Twin Dragon Empress: Blessed with the destiny of an empress. Will give birth to two Heaven's Mandate Emperors. An extraordinary Fate. ]
…
Li Qingqiu's tense heart eased slightly when he saw her loyalty. High loyalty meant she was likely sincere.
As for why her loyalty was that high—it was obvious that on the journey back, Li Sifeng must have told her many stories about him and Qingxiao Sect.
Her aptitude and comprehension were acceptable—nothing special, but solid.
However, when Li Qingqiu saw her Fates, his brows furrowed.
"Deep Love, Bitter Hate"—that was fine. If Li Sifeng ever betrayed her and she turned on him, that would be his own fault. As long as he treated her well, this Fate could actually be a blessing.
But "Twin Dragon Empress"…
She was destined to become an empress?
So now what—should the marriage proceed, or not?
If it didn't, Pei Miao would marry someone else. And what would happen to Li Sifeng then?
But if it did, then…
Li Qingqiu's heart grew heavy. No matter how he looked at it, neither outcome felt right.
He would rather see Li Sifeng walk the path of cultivation toward immortality than get tangled in royal affairs. If the boy truly became emperor someday, his spiritual growth would be stunted forever.
Then Li Qingqiu remembered Li Sifeng's own Fate—Wolfish Ambition and Ruthless Means.
If he gained the Pei clan's support, that ambition could easily grow into something monstrous.
Yet if he forbade the marriage and the Pei clan chose another suitor—making Pei Miao someone else's empress—then with her "Deep Love, Bitter Hate" nature, she might turn into an enemy of Li Sifeng… even of Qingxiao Sect itself.
A chilling thought crossed Li Qingqiu's mind—a brief, dangerous urge to kill Pei Miao before things could spiral out of control.
But it was only a flash. He quickly suppressed it. He couldn't act rashly—not without considering Li Sifeng's feelings.
Besides, Pei Miao's Fate—bearing two Heaven's Mandate Emperors—was no ordinary one. Could she be a once-in-a-generation prodigy, perhaps even on par with Zhao Zhen?
As Li Sifeng argued heatedly with Li Sijin and Jiang Zhaoxia, he noticed Li Qingqiu's furrowed brow. His stomach dropped instantly. The sight made him panic, his anger vanishing like smoke.
To him, his Senior Brother was like a father. If Li Qingqiu disapproved, then no matter what, he would never proceed with the marriage.
Earlier, Pei Miao had said that if his Senior Brother didn't agree, they could elope together. He'd been furious at her for even suggesting it. Betraying his Senior Brother was unthinkable.
If his Senior Brother truly said no, then he'd abandon the marriage without hesitation.
So now, he went quiet—not out of fear of his siblings, but because he didn't want to anger Li Qingqiu.
He realized he might not understand women—or even people in general. But one thing he was sure of—his Senior Brother would never lead him astray.
Noticing his sudden silence, both Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sijin followed his gaze. When they saw Li Qingqiu's troubled expression, they too fell quiet and slowly sat back down.