Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 766: Mutual Trust

Inside the estate lay a garden, centered around a Daoist field inscribed with the Eight Trigrams.

A young Daoist priest sat in a cross-legged position at the heart of the formation.

This youth was Li Zhiheng, the son of Li Xinnian.

Years prior, he had arrived in Perennis Immortal City and wedded Sun Sixiu—a daughter of the Sun family, a titan within the Duravia Trade Prefecture. Since then, he had established his household and roots here.

Throughout Perennis Immortal City, his true background remained a mystery to almost everyone.

His marriage to Sun Sixiu had been conducted with extreme discretion; in this penchant for maintaining a low profile, he most closely resembled his father.

Daily life for Li Zhiheng was defined by the constant rhythm of Cultivation.

"I have reached fifty years of age. Though I have attained the Golden Core realm and condensed a Heavenly Core, my talent is far below what my father possessed in his youth.

My aptitude must be too lackluster; I am simply far too slow-witted."

Li Zhiheng released a breath of stagnant Qi.

At that moment, Sun Haotian, the patriarch of the Sun family from the Duravia Trade Prefecture, was seated across from him.

Upon hearing the young man's lament, the Sun family Head smiled and remarked, "Zhiheng, oh Zhiheng, within the boundaries of our two prefectures, who would dare claim your aptitude is poor or your mind is dull? You really shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

"Mm," Li Zhiheng replied with a detached indifference.

He was well aware that his great-grandfather-in-law was merely offering empty comforts.

Whenever he journeyed back to Merit City, he sought the guidance of various Elders regarding his techniques.

The deeper his understanding grew, the more he realized that with his current talent, dreaming of a place among the top hundred geniuses of Merit City was pure fantasy.

And that was only within Merit City; if he were to step out into the vast world, what hope would he have?

Noticing the flickering hesitation in Sun Haotian’s eyes, Li Zhiheng spoke up, "Great-Grandfather, is there something weighing on your mind?"

Hearing the question, Sun Haotian let out a heavy sigh.

"Zhiheng, ever since the friction started between the Sun family and the Ding family at that Zhao Clan banquet years ago, the Zhao Clan has increasingly marginalized us.

The Sun family is currently in a precarious position, yet your father refuses to offer his assistance.

I was wondering... would you be willing to travel back to the Li family with me and intercede with your father on my behalf?"

A sense of powerlessness washed over Sun Haotian as he spoke.

Years ago, as the feud with the Ding family escalated, he had tried every tactic to secure a marriage alliance with the Li family.

When Li Zhiheng agreed to marry his great-granddaughter, he had been ecstatic, believing he could finally rest in the shade of a massive tree and no longer fear the Immortal Zhao Clan.

How could he have predicted that Li Zhiheng would be obsessed with nothing but Cultivation? Even his great-granddaughter, Sun Sixiu... had been influenced by her husband's ways.

Now, residing within the two Daoist fields of the Li estate in Perennis Immortal City, the couple had become entirely aloof from the world, refusing to lift a finger for the Sun family's interests.

"Great-Grandfather, I do not understand the intricacies of family politics, but from what you say, it sounds as though the Sun family has been trying to play both sides."

Li Zhiheng’s gaze was so honest that Sun Haotian found it impossible to get angry.

"I haven't interacted with many people, but I know many enjoy speaking in circles. Your dealings are so convoluted; how can there be any genuine trust between you?"

"This..." Sun Haotian’s face stiffened.

"I am different. People call me dull, yet they believe every word I say without hesitation, because I have never told anything but the truth."

Li Zhiheng offered a small smile.

"Contribution must be mutual. On the night of our wedding, I asked Sixiu: Does your Great-Grandfather's family simply want to extract benefits from mine?

That night, we looked each other in the eye and laid everything bare. Since that moment, we have lived with mutual respect."

"Great-Grandfather, do you and my father truly trust one another?"

Sun Haotian met Li Zhiheng’s unwavering, direct stare. His own eyes eventually shifted away. Finally, he exhaled a sigh and stood up to leave.

Dammit, I just got lectured by a junior.

But how could things possibly be that simple?

The Zhao Clan and the Li family had been locked in a cold war for years without ever descending into total conflict.

Everyone in the Duravia Trade Prefecture knew the score: the Zhao Clan was biding its time, waiting for the Human Emperor to pass away.

The moment the Li family lost their protector, the Zhao Clan would move in for the kill.

The hidden cards held by both sides were unknown, which was exactly why he remained paralyzed by indecision in this chaotic era.

"Mutual trust... that requires choosing a side permanently. But such a wager involves the lives of my entire bloodline."

Sun Haotian looked toward the sky and gave a deep, weary sigh.

In moments like this, he envied Li Zhiheng—able to live a life devoted only to Cultivation, acting with blunt honesty and carrying no burdens.

As he stood there, a graceful figure emerged from the other Daoist field in the Li residence.

It was a woman in Daoist robes, her hair elegantly pinned up.

Approaching him, she performed a formal bow. "Great-Grandfather."

Seeing Sun Sixiu’s eyes, which were now as clear and piercing as Li Zhiheng’s, Sun Haotian felt a pang of frustration.

Sun Sixiu had once been the brightest spark of the Sun family's younger generation, known for her vibrant spirit.

Now, after years with Li Zhiheng, she was virtually a Daoist nun.

Sun Sixiu spoke with a calm voice, "I overheard your conversation with my husband.

I have only one thing to tell you: The Li family has a history of a mere six centuries, while the Immortal Zhao Clan has endured for one hundred and sixty thousand years.

Nevertheless, my husband and I are pouring every ounce of effort into our Cultivation. If the Zhao Clan dares to strike, regardless of how small our strength may be, we will not back down."

As his great-granddaughter walked away, Sun Haotian remained rooted to the spot, speechless.