Li Yun and the other walked by several corridors, there wasn't many servants on their way and the one that they glimpsed at were just standing respectfully bowing as they passed by; they soon reached a small path outside that led to a secluded corner.
They arrived before the entrance of a small peaceful courtyard with a beautiful garden where the birds were singing and a pond before it with goldfish swimming in, this was the perfect place to spend one's retired life, away from all the schemes and killing of the cultivation world.
An old man was seated in the residence before a door showing the view of the garden, he looked like a wise sage admiring the way of life with his long beard that must be very hard to maintain.
Sun Que faded from the entrance and appeared before the old man, he then said respectfully:
"Patriarch, I brought young master Li here, he have something to say to you." He then recounted everything that happened outside.
The old man stroked his beard as a light flashed in his eyes , he then said waving his hand :
" You can bring him in then, tell the other to go away but you can let Sun Jia come with you."
Sun Que was surprised but he acquiesced before going away.
"Yes patriarch."
The patriarch Sun Xiang continued to look at the pond silently, his expression was growing somber by the moment but it faded way when Sun Que came back with Li Yun who was admiring the sight up until now. There was someone else with them, it was a beautiful lady in her early twenties, she had long red hair tied with a hairpin on the head and wearing a long green dress, she showed a calm temperament but it couldn't hide the valiant aura that showed in her eyes, she was the woman that escorted Li Yun here but she was almost unrecognizable in this attire.
Everyone seated themselves after getting the old man's permission. Such Que went to his father and waited for him to say something, when Li Yun took the initiative, he knew that in this kind of encounter showing your courage was the key:
"Greeting Patriarch Sun, I am the youngest son of the Li clan, it's an honor to meet you."
The old man gave the kid before him a look before he snorted lightly and said:
"Humph, It's a pleasure to receive the Li clan young master, but I wonder what brought you to our humble residence?"
Seeing the old man was in a grumpy mood and getting directly to the topic, Li Yun didn't beat about the bush and said:
"I was sent here by the Patriarch of the Li clan to send something to you, there is a letter with it."
He them took the box containing the pill and gave it to the old man.
Patriarch Sun Xiang opened it, there was a letter inside and a sealed jade bottle.
The letter didn't have may words but when he read them, the old man showed a huge reaction, his eyes was filled with disbelief and a hint of dread; but he regained his bearing quickly, he put the letter down silently and turned to Li Yun asking calmly:
"What did nephew Li Yun think about the Yellow leaf city?"
Li Yun saw that the appellation changed, it must come from his great bearing that won the old man over. He then said seriously to keep the good impression:
"It is a greatly developed city that have its own uniqeness, but what marked me the most is the numerous interactions with the people from other regions and even beyond. It was an eye opener."
Patriarch Sun Xiang showed a faint smile as he said:
"I have to thank nephew Li Yun for the sincere praise, I will write a proper answer to your father's letter, during this time you can profit of your time in our residence."
He then turned to Sun Que who understood his meaning and brought Li Yun who seemed contented with himself out of the courtyard.
Patriarch Sun and the beautiful Sun Jia were the only left here, after several minutes of silence the young lady asked a question:
"Patriarch, excuse my impertinence but, what was that box, you seemed very troubled by the letter inside ?"
Patriarch Sun looked at her before giving the letter on his hand.
Sun Jia read it out:
"In front of calamity, people will find a way of life by working with each other. Patriarch Sun, this is a token to prove our sincerity. The Yang will be revived the Ying nourished, may the Dragon raise its head once again soaring to the sky reaching the high heaven.
Patriarch of the Li clan." There was a seal just bellow.
Sun Jia showed a very dreadfully expression, she was the disciple of her uncle Sun Xiang and knew his current situation, it was only from this knowledge that she could infer the meaning of this letter. This was an ultimatum!
"Bow to me and you shall prosper, otherwise perish." Patriarch Sun gave a bitter smile as he said that, this pill was something that he couldn't refuse, not like he wanted to either.
When, he heard that the bull headed president learned diplomacy he was feeling very skeptical; however, from the look of it, it was indeed the case. But, did he have to act so fierce even in this domain as well….
Sun Que then came in at this moment, he saw his father's look and sighed before saying:
"They already know about our contact with the Dark Miasma region, even that arrogant chap smelled that something was going on. Father, it's time to make a decision."
How could they not see through Li Yun's insinuations! What good relationship with the other regions and beyond?! He was pointing to their noses that they were colliding with outsiders and the worst enemy of the Li clan at that! A tiger father don't beget a dog son indeed. This visit was made despite that showing the last mercy of the Tyrant Saber God.
Patriarch Sun looked pensive for a moment, he was old and already left Sun Que to take care of the clan; but as the current pillar, he was still the one to make the final decision. He made his resolve as he took the jade bottle and took the pill inside, he then consumed it right away.
A pillar of light stood tall illuminating the darkness, that was the best description of the effect of the Great Yang rejuvenation pill, it was very effective indeed. Sun Jia returned her head, until thing calmed down.
Patriarch Sun was giving a different feeling right now, his look was the same as before but he radiated a great vigor that threatened to shadow the sun amazing his son Sun Que.
With his hands behind his back, he said to the two youngsters:
"Get ready with the shadow guards, it's time to tidy up the city." No matter the circumstances he will always put the clan first, such a great devotion...
...
Li Yun was seated in a guest room of the Sun clan residence, he was accompanied by Liu Guan who was led here by a maid earlier; this one remarked that the young master seemed to be in a goog mood, he was muttering something like 'it's expected for a main character' or 'reading is not useless in the end' but he could only take them as the incomprehensible rambling of a genius.
They were served quite well, with a tea pot of Spirit silver leafs, that can help in meditation, the cost of half a tale was half his yearly income, such was the lavishness of the rich…
After a while when Li Yun finally came back on earth and the tea pot was half finished, the door of the room opened and patriarch Sun walked in but there was no one beside him.
They stood up to welcome him which the old man stopped with a wave of his hand:
"There is no need for so much politeness nephew Li Yun, I am just here to give you the letter and have some talk with you."
Liu Guan saw that it was better for him to go out so he excused himself to get more tea. On his way he couldn't help but think that the Sun Clan's Patriarch seemed completely different from what he imagined, like his aura…
Li Yun found himself alone with this rejuvenated old man, as he got a closer look at the effect of the pill he couldn't help but sigh at the wonder of the system, he then said to patriarch Sun:
"I am happy that everything went well, uncle Sun would have to go out of retirement now though." He was trying to make a little joke, but the old man responded seriously:
"I am indeed in a better condition now, but I think of dedicating my time to raise the youngsters in the clan, I will leave the representative position in the company to Sun Que."
Seeing this, Li Yun also showed seriousness as he said:
"What about your decision?"
"The Sun clan will support the Li corporation and the president to reach a greater height." He said that before handing a box to Li Yun.
Li Yun showed a faint smile when the old man asked suddenly:
"By the way nephew Li Yun, my niece is still not engaged what would you.."
He couldn't finish his words as Li Yun bid him farewell before leaving saying that he needed to deliver this important message to his father, his shadow left the Sun Clan residence in a swift manner. Talking about engagement, what a joke! Look like he wasn't interested in female ninja, such a pity…
...
When Li Yun took his leave from the residence, the cleaning of the Yellow leaf city was completely done, there was no trace left of any unclean thing anymore.
On the front gate, some people were waiting for him and Liu Guan, it was Clan leader Sun Que and the young lady Sun Jia, the man learned his lesson as he didn't give Li Yun the opportunity to say anything:
"I came here to bid you farewell Young master Li Yun, Sun Jia will be the representative of the Sun Clan as a liaison with the Li clan, she is still inexperienced so I hope you can take care of her." He then bowed before sending them off in a luxurious car filled with many presents inside.
The mantis stalk the cicada not aware of the orioles behind, such was the way of diplomacy, they would make you feel you manged to get the win before overwhelming you with gifts and unexpected surprise blocking any hope of talking your way out.
The car sped away to the distance of the city, while Li Yun still couldn't recover from his sense of loss…
...….
The car cruised on the Blue sky, it wasn't under stealth mode as that is a particularly of the Li clan's vehicle one of the few thing they could be proud of…, but this one had great defensive measures on it, no beast in the area would be able to breach it, so they could be reassured.
Li Yun was beginning to find the air a bit stuffy, the young lady Sun Jia wasn't of many words so he was feeling awkwardness with the silence, he wanted to break the glass away several time but he couldn't find the right opportunity; why wasn't there a chat option on the system? it would be so convenient to ask for advices in this kind of moment right, but life wasn't so easy.
Li Yun decided to take the dive down, he was about to say something when Liu Guan who was conducting interrupted him saying:
"Young master, there is something heading to the car at a great velocity up ahead, how do we deal with it?"
Li Yun lost all his momentum, look like Liu Guan will have a black star on his evaluation.
He then looked up ahead and saw the object coming closer, as it neared he could see that it wasn't another car passing by the wilderness, it was a human figure! And the person didn't seems to be slowing down at all.
In the end Li Yun said with a sigh:
"Stop the car for now."
The person headed their way continued seeing that they stoped, soon they could see that it was a man in his thirty, he was wearing a grey robe that was full of blood.
He went to the car and looked inside; his face fell when he saw who was seated here, but running away now would be a futile attempt with his current wounds so he greeted them with a smile that was uglier than crying.
"Fellow daoists, could you please give me the way to the mount Everfrost, I am new in this region and couldn't find my way around."
Li Yun took the lead to answer him:
"We are going on the same way then, it's not far from the Blue Sky city, we will take you here." He learned that as he toured around the city with his sister while waiting for three days.
Hearing the Blue Sky city name, the guy was becoming even more nervous, but he could only follow them entering the car like a sheep entering a tiger's den.
The car then took it's way forward.
In the Yellow leaf city, Sun Que received a communication:
"The package was delivered successfully."
"You can go back then." He answered before cutting the transmission. This gift was the most valuable one, he hoped that the Li clan would appreciate it...