Chapter 108: Li Longling, Hastening Her Father’s Demise
The moon rose above the branches, and the palace gates within Chi Long Mansion were already closed, the interior falling into silence. Through the window crack, Li Feng could be seen sitting cross-legged in the center of the hall, his brow furrowing and relaxing intermittently. He was surrounded by over eight hundred long-burning candle lamps, the majority of which had now extinguished, leaving perhaps only three to four hundred remaining. In layman’s terms, these lamps served as a barrier between yin and yang, preventing underworld emissaries from touching his soul. Once all the lamps were extinguished, a person would lose their protective barrier between the two realms, and underworld emissaries could claim their soul at any moment.
Li Feng exhaled slowly and glanced around. In the instant he looked up, he watched firsthand as the flame on one of the candle lamps flickered, trembled, and finally dissipated into a wisp of blue smoke.
“Cough— Only three hundred and seventy-two lamps left…”
Li Feng pinched his fingers and did a quick calculation. His remaining lifespan was only sixty days. A wry smile appeared on his face, and the image of Li Longling’s face suddenly flashed in his mind, filling him with regret. For the past sixteen years, he had searched for countless pills and medical methods throughout the Western Regions, yet he had still been unable to cure his daughter’s blindness. If he were to depart now, Li Longling would surely be alone from then on.
“Longling… Alas—”
After a sigh, two more candle lamps on his right side transformed into blue smoke and vanished. Upon seeing this, Li Feng immediately cast aside his despondency. He understood that if he continued to dwell on sadness, he might extinguish the remaining three hundred lamps himself tonight.
Bang bang—
At this moment, two soft knocks echoed from the palace gate. Apart from Li Longling, no one else would come here. Li Feng closed his eyes, calmed his emotions, and put on a smile. Though Li Longling couldn’t see, he knew his daughter had excellent hearing and could discern his joys and sorrows from his tone.
“Yes, Longling?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Come in.”
Hearing the reply, Li Longling outside the palace gate slowly pushed it open and entered. Due to a formation designed for privacy, she couldn’t use her spiritual sense to navigate. Therefore, after stepping over the threshold, she stopped. Li Longling sniffed and seemed to detect the scent of lamp oil, asking with confusion:
“Father, are you burning something?”
Li Feng glanced at the long-burning lamps within the hall and replied with a smile:
“Just lighting some candles, a small ritual.”
“I see…”
“It’s so late, what brings you here, Daddy?”
“This…” Li Longling organized her thoughts before stating, “Father, just now, a Core Formation Stage demonic cultivator appeared inside Chi Long Mansion.”
“…”
Upon hearing this, Li Feng’s expression immediately tensed. Instantly, two “pu pu” sounds came from behind him, and two more lamps extinguished. Hearing Li Feng’s prolonged silence, Li Longling tilted her head slightly in confusion and called out:
“Father?”
“Mm…” Li Feng quickly pretended to be composed, responding, and then asked, “Who is this person?”
“It’s a Dharma Protector from a branch of the Tian Mo Sect.”
“Mm…”
“Daughter also had someone check the registry of people entering and leaving Chi Long Mansion. At least for the past few months, the name of that demonic cultivator was not found. Therefore, daughter suspects that someone within Chi Long Mansion is colluding with demonic cultivators, otherwise, that person wouldn’t have been able to sneak in.”
Pu pu pu pu pu—
After Li Longling’s statement, Li Feng seemed to feel a gust of cold wind blow in from the door. Almost instantly, about a dozen more of the remaining long-burning lamps extinguished. Li Feng turned to look at his life lamps, took a deep breath, controlled his emotions, pondered for a moment, and advised:
“Longling, this matter involves demonic cultivators, leave it to me. You don’t need to…”
Li Longling shook her head slightly and cupped her hands, pleading:
“Father, please let your daughter try.”
“…”
“Father, although I cannot see, I am confident I can handle this matter well.”
“…”
Li Longling reached out and gently took Li Feng’s aged right hand, saying with concern:
“You and Dan Yue Shang Xian previously fought against demonic cultivators together, so daughter worries that these demonic cultivators wish to take revenge on your 1200th birthday. Therefore, please be careful yourself these days.”
Li Feng nodded, gently patted her head, and asked:
“…Have you figured out how you’ll investigate?”
“Mm.” Li Longling nodded and stated, “The Tian Mo Sect cultivator who was killed was identified by two Xuan Xing Sect disciples.”
Li Feng knitted his brows slightly and asked, “Little girl Xiao and her companions?”
“It’s not Senior Sister Xiao and her companions, but other Xuan Xing Sect disciples. Daughter has already sent people to find them, and they should be found soon. At that time, daughter will invite them to join me in apprehending any other demonic cultivators hiding within Chi Long Mansion, and also find the traitor within the mansion to give you an explanation.”
“…”
Li Feng’s lips parted, and after a long pause, he managed to utter:
“Longling, remember, your current cultivation is only at Qi Refining Completion. Do not act impulsively. If you feel you cannot handle it, come find your father… Father will do it for you. This matter might still be too early for you.”
“Daughter is already of age for her coming of age ceremony.” Li Longling replied with a smile. She paused and then said, “Also, daughter wishes to write a letter to Xuan Xing Sect to invite Dan Yue Shang Xian, so I would like to borrow your official seal…”
Swish—
A gust of yin wind suddenly swept through the palace. Hearing that she wanted to write to Si Xuanji about the demonic cultivators, Li Feng panicked slightly. Unable to control his emotions, he interrupted her sharply:
“No!”
Li Longling was startled by his outburst and took a step back, her face showing a look of panic:
“Ah? Fa… Father?”
Li Feng realized his outburst and took a deep breath, explaining:
“There’s no need to make a fuss and trouble Xuan Xing Sect.”
“Ah… but… you and Dan Yue Shang Xian are old friends, if you could invite her…”
“It’s alright, Longling.” Li Feng quickly interrupted, explaining, “Chi Long Mansion is under Father’s protection. Even if demonic cultivators want to do something, Father alone can handle it. There’s no need to invite a Void Returning stage cultivator, and besides… she won’t come.”
“Father, but this concerns demonic cultivators…”
“Father said, it’s unnecessary.”
Seeing Li Feng’s insistence, Li Longling, though not understanding, had no choice but to lower her head and agree:
“…Yes, daughter understands.”
However, although she could not see her father’s expression, she could discern the danger in his tone. After a moment of thought, she pressed further:
“Father, have you thought of something?”
“No, Longling, just investigate boldly. Father will back you up.”
“Ah… Yes, thank you, Father… Also, Senior Sister Feng previously mentioned to daughter that she felt the formation suppressing the Extreme Flame Spiritual Energy might have a problem. Father previously said the spiritual脉 were unstable this year, but after thinking about it, daughter feels her words might be valid. Perhaps the people who inspected the formation this year didn’t find the issue. If Father has time, could you personally inspect it later? The Extreme Flame Spiritual Energy is too strong at the formation eye, and daughter cannot enter.”
“Mm… Father will find time to take a look later.”
Li Feng forced a smile and looked at the night sky outside the house:
“It’s getting late, you should go back and rest. Don’t get too tired. The Chi Long Convention is coming up soon, and you will be presiding over the opening.”
“Mm… Then daughter will take her leave. Father, you should also rest early.”
“Mm, go on.”
Li Longling cupped her hands in a salute and then retreated out of the palace gate. After Li Longling’s footsteps faded away, Li Feng let out a heavy sigh. He turned and looked at the long-burning lamps in the room again. When Li Longling had just entered, there were three hundred and seventy lamps. Now, the number had halved, with nearly one hundred and fifty extinguished. He rubbed his temples, his eye twitching for a long time. Then, a helpless, wry smile spread across his face. He looked up at the ceiling and sighed, “Being hastened to my demise by my daughter… Heh heh…”
