The West Lake drying up was enough to shock the entire city of Rongcheng.
That afternoon, West Lake was packed with an influx of reporters and curious onlookers.
People studied the miraculous phenomenon, constantly offering their opinions. However, most of these were as fantastical as a fairy tale, making them highly unreliable. Despite this, reporters continued to interview the onlookers, and some citizens, seeking attention, even fabricated various lies.
Some claimed to have seen dragons in West Lake at the time of the event, and that the dragons had taken the water with them when they left.
Others said that an immortal had been cultivating at the bottom of West Lake, and after achieving enlightenment and ascending, the lake had dried up.
Even more suggested that a monster was hidden in West Lake, manipulating the earth's ley lines of Rongcheng, and that disaster would soon befall the city.
With everyone speculating, and a multitude of bizarre theories circulating, the drying up of West Lake was shrouded in a veil of mystery.
Later, experts drove along the past course of West Lake and discovered that the sudden drying up was caused by the upstream river abruptly changing its course.
As for why the West Lake water vanished so quickly, experts attributed it to underground rivers, stating that geological changes in Rongcheng had caused the West Lake water to flow rapidly into subterranean channels.
Although the experts' explanation seemed somewhat weak, it dispelled many people's doubts, and the sensationalist remarks were largely ignored.
However, the citizens still hoped that the West Lake water would return. After all, without water, West Lake became a foul-smelling mud pit, not only emitting an unpleasant odor but also potentially affecting property values in the surrounding areas.
Amidst this commotion and revelry, the Li family members were anything but cheerful.
In the topmost floor of West Lake Elegant Abode, more than a dozen core members of the Li family gathered. They gazed at the once clear and shimmering West Lake, now a stinking mire, their faces darker than the bottom of a pot.
Li Peizong sat in the main seat, his expression grave, and addressed the group:
"West Lake is the feng shui treasure land of our Li family. It is by harnessing the auspicious energy of West Lake that the Li family has achieved its prosperity. Now, someone has caused West Lake to dry up, clearly an act to sever our Li family's lifeline! Everyone present here holds significant influence within our Li family. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
The attendees exchanged glances, none daring to speak first.
The drying up of West Lake had been too sudden, and they were still in a state of shock. How could they dare to comment rashly? Any misspoken word now could have dire consequences.
After a prolonged silence, someone finally spoke:
"Could the Bai family have hired someone to do this?"
The Bai family had experienced rapid development in recent years, no longer giving the Liu family much regard. It was not impossible that they would now target the Li family.
Li Peizong replied, "Peihua saw the perpetrator. He appeared to be a young man who emerged from the room of the Lu Shan Sect's Sect Master. However, the Lu Shan Sect has always maintained a cordial relationship with us and should not have acted so abruptly. But given the close ties between the Lu Shan Sect's Great Elder and the Bai family, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Bai family is the mastermind. Nonetheless, the immediate priority is to ascertain the identity of the person who acted."
Someone inquired, "Peihua saw the perpetrator? Did he have any distinguishing features? Someone capable of such a feat must not be an ordinary individual, perhaps a renowned figure in the martial world."
Li Peihua, who had changed his clothes, shook his head silently. "He was dressed ordinarily and had no particular characteristics. It was impossible to tell which sect he belonged to. However, as he was leaving, he told us not to investigate his identity, stating that he would soon visit our Li family himself."
This statement caused a stir throughout the room.
A master who could cause West Lake to dry up was going to "visit the Li family"?
When coupled with his actions, the words sounded like a threat!
Everyone began to ponder whether they had recently offended any powerful figure that could have led to such a disaster.
Li Qing'er stood beside Li Peizong, feeling quite displeased.
What was supposed to be a pleasant family gathering had turned into such a significant event.
Causing West Lake to dry up was undoubtedly an attempt to sever the Li family's lifeline, a blatant insult to the Li family.
In Li Qing'er's life, she had never felt such humiliation.
In her eyes, the Li family was supreme.
She asked, "Dad, since that person emerged from the Lu Shan Sect's room, why don't we just ask the people from the Lu Shan Sect directly?"
Li Peizong shook his head. "The Lu Shan Sect has no dealings with our Li family, and their Sect Master, Lü Jingsheng, never interferes in matters between the three great families. Therefore, even if we ask, they will not tell us."
"What's so great about the Lu Shan Sect that they won't even show respect to our ancestor?" Li Qing'er said indignantly.
Li Fen quickly pulled Li Qing'er aside and whispered discreetly to her, "Our ancestor is, after all, a ghost. The Lu Shan Sect specializes in catching ghosts. Do you think they would show respect?"
Li Qing'er immediately understood but still felt a degree of resentment towards the Lu Shan Sect.
Li Peizong sighed, feeling quite helpless about the situation.
He pondered for a moment and then said, "All of you should find ways to investigate the identity of the perpetrator. Additionally, it would be best to find someone to restore West Lake to its original state as soon as possible."
To bring back the waters of West Lake, they would need someone skilled in extraordinary feng shui arts. Unfortunately, Li Peizong did not know anyone of that caliber.
Just as everyone was discussing their predicament, the door to the room was suddenly knocked. The manager from earlier said timidly,
"Mr. Li, the guests in the Qingzi room wish to see you."
Li Peizong was already troubled and had no time to see guests. He waved his hand impatiently, "I won't see them!"
The manager said, "The other party claims they are Daoist priests who sought enlightenment on Kunlun Mountain and, knowing of your troubles, have come to help you resolve the crisis."
Upon hearing this, Li Peizong's attitude changed instantly. He immediately said, "Quickly, invite the guests in!"
He was in dire need of someone skilled in feng shui, and now they had arrived. It seemed too coincidental. Li Peizong preferred to believe that they had foreseen this situation and had come in advance.
There is a saying in the Daoist tradition: "Southern Kunlun, Northern Chuma," and it is also said, "In the south lies Kunlun, where profound knowledge of feng shui resides; in the north is Chuma, which directly enters the underworld." Therefore, Daoist priests from Kunlun Mountain must be well-versed in the art of feng shui!
To the anticipation of the Li family, two Daoist priests, one old and one young, clad in white robes, entered the private room.
The older Daoist priest had a white beard and a youthful face, holding a whisk, exuding an air of immortal grace.
The younger Daoist priest had a gentle countenance and was quite handsome, possessing the aura of an immortal descending to earth.
Li Peizong immediately rose and cupped his fists in greeting, "Greetings, two Daoist priests. You have arrived at the perfect time. I am Li Peizong, the current patriarch of the Li family in Rongcheng. May I ask who you two are?"
The older Daoist priest glanced at the younger one. The younger priest cleared his throat and said,
"We are Daoist priests from the Miaoyu Temple on Kunlun Mountain. My master is an accomplished high-level practitioner. He has no name, only the courtesy name 'Fu Que Zhenren'!"
The younger Daoist priest paused and then added, "My surname is Gao, my given name is Jie, and my courtesy name is Zi Zhen. You may address me as Gao Zi Zhen!"
Before Li Peizong could utter any words of flattery, the seemingly formidable Fu Que Zhenren suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Yi," and then strode towards Dong Ting, his gaze fixed on the infant in her arms.
Dong Ting looked somewhat fearful. "Re-Reverend, is there a problem?"
Fu Que Zhenren stroked his beard, his expression somber, and said,
"How malevolent, truly malevolent! The one who has disrupted your Li family's feng shui has also placed a curse upon this infant. If it were not for my encountering him, this child would have been plagued by the curse on the night of their coming of age, losing all reason and slaughtering their entire family!"