Corpse Recovery Diver-Chapter 499 - 90 (Continued!)_3

Aunt Liu sounded somewhat inexplicably familiar when introducing herself to Li Zhiyuan.

Li Zhiyuan once counter-asked if his own family would also be implicated during the river crossing.

Aunt Liu’s reply was that since one’s family name is used during the river crossing, it’s inevitable that the family will be implicated, no matter which family it is. When a disciple crosses the river, the family will always give a lift for the first leg, as long family assets are robust, they can withstand it.

But after escorting one on the first leg, the rest of the journey still needs to be undertaken by the individual themselves.

Firstly, whether one can ultimately transform from a serpent into a dragon still depends on oneself; secondly, as one progresses, the stakes and entanglements become greater, even if the family is sizable and wealthy, it can’t support everything.

To put it bluntly, river crossing is a gamble for both the individual and the family behind them, the nature being to win big with little. If one truly bets all their assets, then it loses meaning.

When Aunt Liu mentioned "sizable and wealthy family," Li Zhiyuan subconsciously looked towards the full shrine table in the room.

If not for Run Sheng, Binbin, and Yin Meng coming today, a real "family member" breakfast could have perhaps been done with just a wooden stool.

This truly is... a sizable and wealthy family.

However, with Uncle Qin, Aunt Liu, and Liu Yumei around, during the initial period of my river crossing, I would still be able to rely on a helping hand, but after the initial stage... I fear my relationship with Liu Yumei and the others might become like it was back at the Grandmaster’s House.

Able to dine and live together, yet unable to intervene in matters outside the normal worldly affairs.

As for the third candle, "The Phoenix Perching on the Tree," those who succeed in river crossing naturally do not need to light it; it is only lit by those who temporarily withdraw and wish to stop. Uncle Qin has lit it before.

This way, it is the equivalent of giving up on this opportunity.

Liu Yumei, dressed in an elegant green outfit, sat on the left, and to her right, sat Alii, wearing a red outfit.

At today’s event, Liu Yumei represented the Liu family, Alii surnamed Qin, representing the Qin family. Even if the generational difference was significant, at this moment, they still had to sit side by side; this was the tradition of accepting disciples on behalf of the ancestors.

Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu, respectively wearing red and green martial arts uniforms, stood on either side.

Aunt Liu should bear the surname Liu, but at Li Sanjiang’s house, to masquerade as three generations of ancestors, she had to swap out her own Liu surname.

In fact, from the dragon and phoenix on the lamps, as well as from the python patterns they wore, one could see that had it been ancient times, such families must have been extremely powerful.

The iron-clad Water Transport Gang, the flowing court, throughout countless chaotic eras, the Water Transport Gang has always played a role.

Moreover, such families of their kind tend to pay attention to luck and Feng Shui. They do not show themselves in front of others, which allows them to carry on their heritage for a long time in the shadows.

Li Zhiyuan stood in front of the meditation cushion.

Behind him, Yin Meng, Run Sheng, and Tan Wenbin all held lit incense sticks.

Space was limited, so the three could only stand pressed against the wall.

Liu Yumei spoke: "Apologies for the modest accommodations."

Li Zhiyuan: "It is not the depth of the water, but the presence of the dragon that bestows spirit."

Liu Yumei smiled and nodded; she had the means to hold a lavish ceremony, having an old residence in Jinling, yet she deliberately chose this small place, this cramped spot.

With a smaller space, the sentiment feels stronger.

"Rumble rumble!"

The thunder outside the window grew fiercer, lightning interweaving continuously.

Liu Yumei couldn’t help but look out the window, thinking today really provided a good view.

The shrine table only held some valuable pieces of wood. So, are you all watching from outside the window?

Liu Yumei looked to Aunt Liu, who then spoke: "Begin the ceremony."

Li Zhiyuan first performed the Liu family’s ritual towards Liu Yumei, who then stood up to return the gesture.

Next, Li Zhiyuan performed the Qin family’s ritual towards Alii.

Uncle Qin took a step forward, standing in front of Alii, ready to respond on her behalf.

However, Alii proactively stood up.

Uncle Qin had no choice but to step back.

Alii returned the gesture to Li Zhiyuan.

Many things, she knew how to do, she just didn’t want to, because it depended on the person.

Aunt Liu chuckled inwardly, but at such a serious occasion, under the rolling thunder, she could only try her best to restrain the corners of her mouth.

She recalled how in Mountain City at the Ding family’s place, the old lady had Xiao Yuan stand in for Alii to greet guests and take a seat.

The old lady’s mouth had only loosened up recently, but her bodily actions had been honest for quite some time.

Today, seeing the two kids perform rituals towards each other, the next thing to look forward to was the next round.

Indeed, life is full of anticipation.

Anyways, she took a liking to watching these two children together, from when Li Zhiyuan first walked up to Alii and led her by the hand.

Every morning before cooking breakfast, she would lean on the kitchen door, admiring the two children reading or playing chess on the terrace, her mouth sweetened by the view, before moving on to cook.

After the formal rituals were complete, it was time to choose the heritage.

Liu Yumei was determined to have these two shoulder responsibilities together, but the necessary procedures had to be followed, letting him choose one first before she would suggest he take on another.

The thunder roared outside, and Liu Yumei gave a glare: What’s the rush!

Clearing her throat, Liu Yumei asked:

"Li Zhiyuan, with the Qin family and Liu family before you, which family’s doors will you enter?"

Li Zhiyuan looked towards Alii and asked, "Alii entered the Qin family’s doors?"

Liu Yumei shook her head: "Our Alii has not yet been initiated."

Not yet initiated, and she was already so troubled by those things. Once officially initiated, one fears those things would entangle her even more fiercely.

It was also for this reason that Liu Yumei had yet to conduct the initiation ceremony for Alii.

"Will Alii be initiated in the future?"

"When Alii recovers from her illness, of course, she will be."

"Then which family’s doors will Alii enter?"

"Whichever one you choose, Alii will, in the future, enter the other."

Both a Miss Liu and a young mistress of the Qin family, Liu Yumei had to be impartial.

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