The night was as black as ink. The Li family courtyard was quiet to an eerie degree, with only the chirping of unknown insects in the corner occasionally slicing through the silence.
Li Gengye stood by the melon shed holding a long blade, its edge gleaming with a cold light under the moon. He had just stepped out of the house, intending to make a round of inspection, when he keenly sensed something amiss in the melon patch. Before he could shout a challenge, a black shadow burst from the melon vines, fleeing in panic without watching its step.
"Stop!"
Li Gengye gave a low shout, his figure swaying as he blocked the intruder's path. The man's legs turned to jelly from fright, and he collapsed to the ground. Under the moonlight, Li Gengye realized it was his own good-for-nothing nephew.
"Uncle, spare me!"
Li Yesheng was scared out of his wits. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he curled into a ball, hugging Li Gengye's legs and trembling, his voice laced with sobs.
"Ah! Spare me, Uncle, spare me, Uncle..."
He never dreamed that he would run into the uncle he feared most, appearing like a ghost just as he succeeded in stealing a melon to satisfy a craving. He was stiff with fear, and seeing the cold, gleaming long blade in Li Gengye's hand, his gall bladder nearly burst; even his wailing changed pitch.
"Yesheng?" Li Gengye looked closely, his brows knitting together. His expression fluctuated as he stroked the stubble on his chin, staring fixedly at the boy.
Li Yesheng was the son of Li Gengye's eldest brother. Because his father was bedridden all year round, Yesheng had grown up without discipline, idling about and sponging off relatives.
Two youths hurried over upon hearing the noise. Li Tongyan raised his long staff, pressing it directly against the hollow of Li Yesheng's shoulder with such force that the boy wept tears and mucus. Li Changhe lifted the boy's head to get a closer look, his expression changing slightly.
"Cousin?" Li Changhe let out a long breath, asking in confusion.
"Why are you here?" Li Tongyan asked coldly, his staff still pressing down without easing.
"Stealing your family's melons!" Seeing Li Yesheng stammering, unable to form a sentence, Li Gengye answered for him with a cold face. He sheathed his blade and turned back into the house.
"My apologies, Cousin."
Li Tongyan also withdrew his strength and staff, dropping this line before following his father inside. Only Li Changhe remained in the courtyard. He helped Li Yesheng up, wiped the mud from his face, comforted him with gentle words, and politely escorted him out.
————
Inside the house.
Li Chixi and Li Yunping sat dumbfounded by the table. The Mystic Mirror was tucked tightly inside Li Yunping's robes; his body was stiff, daring not to move. Fortunately, before long, his father and second brother entered the main room.
"Where's Eldest Brother?"
Li Yunping looked behind them and asked hurriedly.
"Seeing a guest off."
Li Gengye shook his head, his expression grave.
"I know Yesheng comes often to sponge off us, but I fear tonight's events might leak even a hint of news. If word gets out, I'm afraid our entire family will be reduced to ash and smoke."
Li Tongyan found a small stool and sat down. Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Li Yunping, about to ask a question.
*Creak."
The courtyard gate let out a dull closing sound. Eldest Brother Li Changhe looked puzzled. He sat on a stool and spoke to his father, Li Gengye:
"Father, why was that necessary?"
He shook his head lightly.
"Yesheng only stole a melon. Instead of doing him a favor, you went out of your way to offend his family."
"What 'his family' or 'my family'? There is only one Li family in Lixi Village. Besides, there is a distinction between the direct and the branch lines."
Li Gengye leaned by the window, listening to the sounds outside, then waved to the woman and young child in the room: "You two go keep watch at the front and back gates. If you see anyone coming, call out immediately."
The two responded and withdrew. Li Gengye turned to close the doors and windows tightly, then patted Li Yunping's shoulder, speaking in a deep voice:
"Speak!"
Li Yunping nodded vigorously, lowered his voice, and began:
"Today, I went to catch fish in the Qingxi River and found a rare object in the silt at the bottom."
Saying this, he looked at his father, Li Gengye. Seeing the slight nod, he carefully took the Mystic Mirror from his robes.
Li Changhe looked at his younger brother, then at his father, reached out to take the grey-green mirror, and examined it back and forth, but couldn't figure it out.
Li Gengye took the mirror from his eldest son, found the small hole in the roof that let in light, moved a stone bench, and placed the mirror steadily beneath it. He then narrowed his eyes to look at his two sons.
The moonlight rippled like water, gathering above the mirror surface like a swallow returning to the forest. Gradually, a pale white halo, like a gemstone, emerged.
Li Changhe shot up from his chair, staring dead at the halo on the mirror, his breathing rapid. Li Tongyan also paled, staring thoughtfully at the ancient mirror.
For the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Li family stared silently at the mirror. No one spoke, though their expressions varied.
Although Li Yunping was seeing this for the second time, he was still shocked, muttering to himself:
"I've grown up and never seen such a beautiful sight..."
"Haha, not just you, even your old father has never seen such a fine thing."
Li Gengye laughed low, but there was no smile on his face. Instead, his eyes revealed a ruthless glint.
"This is likely an immortal's artifact."
Li Tongyan spoke quietly, picking up his long blade to wipe it. He stared at the mirror, appearing calm, but his trembling hand betrayed his inner terror.
"If news of this leaks, it will bring extermination upon our family."
Li Changhe paced back and forth in the hall, anxious yet unable to suppress his excitement.
"If an immortal lost this, they will cast a spell to find it tomorrow. How should we handle ourselves then?"
Li Tongyan stared fixedly at his father, speaking with worry.
Li Yunping nodded, lowering his eyes and mumbling:
"If the immortal blames us, or bestows a reward... whatever it is, our family would benefit endlessly."
"Bullshit."
Li Gengye waved his hand, shouting decisively:
"I've heard immortals are often a bloodthirsty lot. We cannot rely on luck! This Mystic Mirror has been in the water for who knows how long. If they wanted it back, they would have retrieved it by magic long ago. How could mere mortals like us stumble upon it? In my view, that immortal has likely met with an accident."