Amid rows upon rows of lifelike yet deathly silent clay effigies, Li Shun finally found his younger sister.
Within Imperial Mausoleum Commandary, only the Qian Emperor alone was permitted to be “buried.”
As for all other living beings, regardless of their status in life, once dead they would be molded into human effigies, destined to serve eternally at the emperor’s side.
The Great Qian Dynasty had stood for five hundred and seventy-three years. Yet within Imperial Mausoleum Commandary, several thousand years seemed to have passed.
The effigies were arranged in grim order according to the time of death.
Over the long accumulation of centuries, this place had already formed a dense, boundless army of clay figures, stretching beyond sight.
Standing among them, one could not help but feel a chilling wind pierce the bones, a cold dread rising from the depths of the heart.
And yet, the people of the mausoleum commandary had long grown accustomed to such eerie burial customs.
“Xiao Yuan… she passed away at the age of one hundred and thirty-two.”
“She borrowed seventy-six years from the heavens, yet still failed to break through into the Primal Simplicity Realm and borrow life once more,” Li Qing said hoarsely, his eyes reddened.
His hand trembled as he gently stroked the face of Xiao Yuan’s effigy.
Her expression was eerily serene. Her eyes gazed quietly into the dim distance, so lifelike that it almost seemed as though this cold shell still contained a living soul.
Recalling his own past in this mausoleum county, Li Shun could not help but frown slightly.
“Since when did our tomb-guarding clan gain the ability to cultivate?”
“I spent twenty-seven years as a laborer in Lengshan Town, and only after a fortunate turn of events and meritorious service did the court grant me the Twelvefold Longevity Methods.”
Li Qing slapped his forehead. “Ah, I almost forgot to tell you, brother. After you were taken away that year, Xiao Yuan and I lost all support. We had no choice but to beg on the streets every day. We nearly starved to death.”
“Fortunately, Lao Wei took pity on us and took us in. That’s how we survived.”
“Our cultivation and longevity… all of it was bestowed by him.”
Li Shun’s gaze flickered upon hearing this.
Back in Lengshan Town, he had once questioned Zhou Xunzhen about the Twelvefold Longevity Methods. Yet the latter had only revealed seven words:
“The Emperor used this method to subdue the Hundred Schools.”
He had also claimed that even he would suffer backlash if he disclosed more without official permission.
At the time, Li Shun had not fully grasped the weight of those words.
Only after witnessing Zhou Xunzhen breakthrough the Celestial Phenomena and step into Creation did he finally understand.
“A Celestial Phenomena expert wouldn’t dare casually pass on the methods of longevity cultivation… just who exactly is this Lao Wei?”
After bidding farewell to Xiao Yuan’s effigy, Li Shun followed Li Qing and finally met this so-called “Lao Wei.”
Dressed in simple, earthy yellow linen robes, the old man crouched by the doorway, smiling warmly as he watched children playing in the street.
His face was lined with deep wrinkles, his expression kind and gentle.
He looked no different from an ordinary elderly neighbor, with none of the bearing of a hidden expert.
“Brother, Lao Wei has looked like this since I was little. So many years have passed, yet he hasn’t changed at all.”
Li Qing’s quiet reminder caused Li Shun’s heart to tremble.
Steeling himself, Li Shun stepped forward and greeted him.
“Lao Wei, this is my elder brother, Li Shun!”
“The one I’ve always told you about! He’s returned from his service in Lengshan County!” Compared to Li Shun’s restraint, Li Qing appeared far more relaxed, like a child greeting a beloved elder.
Lao Wei raised his head and looked toward Li Shun.
His cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened.
In that instant, Li Shun felt as though the entire world around him had vanished. Only he and Lao Wei remained, locked in each other’s gaze.
Under that stare, it was as if every secret within him had been laid bare, nothing left hidden.
The sensation lasted only a fleeting moment.
The next moment, Lao Wei withdrew his gaze and spoke in a hoarse voice, “Your brother… I cannot teach him.”
Li Qing hadn’t even had the chance to speak before he froze in surprise.
Then he grew anxious. “Why not?”
Lao Wei slowly rose from his crouched position and replied unhurriedly, “Each person has their own fate. The path your brother must walk does not align with mine.”
“Lao Wei…” Li Qing still wanted to plead, but upon seeing the expression on the old man’s face, he knew there was no room for persuasion.
He could only sigh helplessly, then turned to Li Shun with a look of guilt.
“You know our family situation. Our parents died early, and it was all thanks to my brother that we were raised.”
“At the time, he was only a few years older than me, yet every morning at dawn, he would go out to find food for us. Sometimes we didn’t even have our next meal secured, but whenever there was food, he always made sure we ate first.”
“Later, the court came to our town to conscript laborers again. With no adults in our family and no one to rely on, we were forcibly assigned. For our sake, my brother stepped forward on his own.” Li Qing’s eyes gradually reddened again.
Seeing his pitiful state, Lao Wei seemed somewhat helpless and let out a faint sigh.
“Very well. You left home young and only returned after half a lifetime. As an elder, it would be improper for me not to give a meeting gift.”
Lao Wei glanced toward a ginkgo tree not far outside the house.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the tree swayed despite the absence of wind.
A single branch snapped off and flew into his palm.
As if carved by an invisible blade, it was continuously shaped and refined.
Li Shun watched as the branch gradually shortened and thinned.
At the same time, an ancient, weathered aura slowly emanated from it.
“This will be my gift to you.” Once finished, Lao Wei casually flicked his wrist, sending it flying toward Li Shun.
Though its purpose was not explained, Li Shun could faintly sense its extraordinary nature.
He quickly accepted the branch and bowed in gratitude.
“That’s enough. You two youngsters shouldn’t disturb an old man sunbathing. Go catch up elsewhere.” Lao Wei lazily crouched back down at the doorway.
Li Qing beamed with joy as he bid farewell, then pulled Li Shun back to his home.
The house was empty and lifeless, as though no one but Li Qing lived there.
Li Shun could not help but frown. “Little Tuanzi, after all these years… you haven’t started a family?”
Li Qing’s face immediately fell.
“In Lengshan, we have to use our own blood essence every day to cultivate spiritual plants. Just surviving takes everything we have. There’s simply no condition to carry on the family line.”
“And you? From what I see, your life back home wasn’t too bad. You have an unfathomable master, and a group of brothers bold enough to stir up trouble…”
Li Qing waved his hand and cut him off. “Forget it. Continue the family line? Bring children into this world only for them to guard the Qian Emperor’s tomb, and then be turned into burial figurines after death? I’d rather remain single forever!”
“Besides…”
Li Qing suddenly sized Li Shun up. “If we’re talking about continuing the family line, isn’t there still you? You look to be in your prime now, strong and full of vitality. How about I find you a marriage? Guaranteed to your satisfaction!”
As he spoke, he noticed the amused expression on Li Shun’s face and abruptly stopped.
The two brothers exchanged a glance, then shared a knowing smile, tacitly dropping the topic.
Li Shun realized that, whether in his words or deep in his heart, his younger brother held little reverence for the Great Qian court.
Among the tomb-guarding clans, such an attitude was utterly unthinkable.
Note:- 老 (lǎo) — literally means “old”, but when placed before a surname, it’s a respectful and familiar title indicating seniority, experience, or friendly closeness, not just age.