Li Yuanxiu stepped onto the bluestone path and ascended the mountain, where the courtyard was silent and empty. Most of the elders had already entered seclusion for cultivation, only Li Xuanling was in the garden holding a teacup, his other hand holding the white jade slip of "River Rapids Step," as he read. Seeing Li Yuanxiu walking in with a face full of joy, he said softly,
"What kind of good news has brought you such delight?"
"Eastern Shanyue was attacked by monsters, Mu Jiaoman has died violently, and his son Shamo Li has defected to our family, now waiting at the foot of the mountain."
Li Yuanxiu succinctly finished speaking, and Li Xuanling hurriedly put down the teacup, retracted the jade slip in his left hand, and nodded with a beaming smile,
"Indeed, that is good news!"
Seeing Li Yuanxiu's eyes burning with eagerness, yet hesitating to speak, Li Xuanling asked,
"It looks like you've got a plan in mind?"
"Exactly,"
