The Zhao Clan’s grand hall was brilliantly lit.
Servants stood neatly and respectfully to the side, welcoming the three as they entered. The table was laden with a lavish spread of spiritual wines and delicacies—glistening jade platters filled with rare treats, making the occasion feel especially grand.
“Please, Brother Li!”
“After you, Brother Zhao.”
The three of them took their seats. Zhao Xianchuan personally poured wine for Li An. Once the cup was filled, he was the first to raise his glass and declared, “Brother Li, let me toast you first!”
“For surviving the devastation of Bright Sun Market District unscathed—that alone is enough to shame the Demon Sect and command admiration!”
He downed the drink in one go.
Li An gave a faint smile. “You flatter me, Brother Zhao. I merely clung to life amidst chaos—pure luck.”
“This one is for you, Brother Zhao—for leading the Zhao Clan to soar through the clouds amid the rubble. Truly a testament to your great talent and foresight.”
He raised his cup and drank it all as well.
Zhao Xianchuan’s eyes lit up with satisfaction.
His drinking first had been a gesture of sincerity—proof there was no poison in the wine.
Li An drinking next showed trust—proof he believed him.
The three exchanged toasts and banter. Even the once-honest and clumsy Wang Dazhu now handled himself with practiced ease, clearly accustomed to such occasions, though a trace of worry still lingered in his eyes.
“Not nearly festive enough! Servants—go summon my beautiful attendant to pour for Brother Li!”
Zhao Xianchuan called out loudly in high spirits. Before long, a beautiful woman stepped in. Though dressed in a servant’s garb, her radiance was unmistakable.
But the moment Li An saw her, his hand holding the wine paused.
Because the woman before him… was none other than Mu Qingwan!
She was actually here?
Wang Dazhu let out a quiet sigh.
When Mu Qingwan suddenly saw Li An, she froze. Shame seemed to flood her eyes as she instinctively lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
“You wretched woman, what are you waiting for? Greet the guests!”
Zhao Xianchuan snapped coldly.
Like a frightened beast, Mu Qingwan quickly stepped forward. “Greetings, Master. Greetings, Guest Elder Wang. Greetings, Dao… Immortal Li!”
Her voice trembled noticeably.
“Brother Zhao, who is this?” Li An asked calmly.
“Let me introduce you, Brother Li. This woman used to be a lofty official disciple of the Clear Sun Sect. Now, well… she’s a servant I took in. Her husband’s dead, she had no support, so I took in her and her daughter. Hahaha!”
Zhao Xianchuan laughed heartily. “Wretch, pour wine for Brother Li!”
Mu Qingwan stepped forward, head still bowed, to pour Li An a drink. But her hands trembled so much that the wine spilled, dripping from the table to the floor.
“How dare you!”
Zhao Xianchuan roared, “Kneel! Lick it clean!”
Mu Qingwan shuddered in terror, immediately dropped to her knees, and actually extended her tongue to lick the wine from the floor.
“Disgraceful thing.”
Zhao Xianchuan rose and kicked her hard. “Wait and see how I deal with you tonight!”
“Get out!”
Mu Qingwan stifled a sob, scrambled to her feet, and ran off.
“This woman’s no fun—her daughter is much more obedient… Very well, bring her daughter here to accompany Brother Li!”
Zhao Xianchuan waved again.
A servant went to carry out the order.
Wang Dazhu looked as though he wanted to speak up several times. His eyes were filled with pity, but he remained silent. Clearly, he had already tried—and failed.
Li An, however, remained utterly composed, even wearing a faint smile.
“Brother Li, do you think I’ve gone too far?” Zhao Xianchuan asked.
“How could I? That family once robbed me of a Foundation Establishment Pill. I’ve never forgotten that. Had they fallen into my hands, I would have made sure their lives were worse than death.”
Li An’s voice was calm and detached. Mu Qingwan and her daughter’s fate did not concern him. When Chen Cheng had died by his hand, all debts had already been settled.
There was no need to interfere.
Zhao Xianchuan burst into laughter and clasped Li An’s hand. “Great minds think alike. To be honest, Brother Li, part of the reason I treat them this way is to avenge the humiliation of the past. But more than that—it’s to avenge your stolen Foundation Pill!”
“Brother Li, now that the three of us have reunited, if we work together with one heart, we can surely carve out a kingdom in the cultivation world. I sincerely invite you to join the Zhao Clan as our talisman guest elder!”
“So long as you agree, then all Zhao Clan enterprises—whatever’s mine, will also be yours and Dazhu’s!”
“Also, the Foundation Establishment Pill I promised Dazhu—there’s finally some progress. When the time comes, you’ll have a share too!”
Li An’s eyes shifted. “Foundation Establishment Pill?”
“Yes. Years ago, Dazhu nearly gave his life to refine two Second-Grade magic tools for the Zhao Clan. I promised I’d find him a Foundation Establishment Pill. It’s hard to get, but I’ve finally found a lead…”
Zhao Xianchuan smiled.
In that moment, Li An understood why Wang Dazhu wanted to leave the Zhao Clan.
It wasn’t just about the way Zhao Xianchuan treated Mu Qingwan and her daughter—it was probably also about this very matter.
Li An replied, “Thank you for the generous offer, Brother Zhao… but I’ve grown used to the free life of a wandering cultivator. I fear I’d have a hard time adjusting.”
“No rush, Brother Li. I understand that such a major decision comes with hesitation. Just stay at my residence for a few days and see what you think of me.”
Zhao Xianchuan was completely candid.
Just then, a young woman stepped into the hall.
She was clearly dressed with care, her light makeup doing nothing to conceal her natural beauty—like a lotus emerging from clear water. She wore only a thin silk gown, her graceful figure faintly visible through the sheer fabric.
Li An had seen this girl once before.
Chen Qingling, daughter of Mu Qingwan.
“Qingling will pour wine for Father.”
Chen Qingling stepped forward gently, gracefully poured wine for Zhao Xianchuan, then turned and said, “Qingling will pour wine for Uncle Li and Uncle Wang.”
After pouring, she stood beside Li An, a faint fragrance wafting from her.
Three rounds of drinks later—
“Good daughter, go show Uncle Li to his quarters. Take good care of him tonight.”
Zhao Xianchuan laughed loudly. Chen Qingling immediately helped Li An up, slipped her arm into his, and left with him like a delicate bird resting in his embrace.
Li An said nothing.
The room Zhao Xianchuan had arranged for him was a separate pavilion. After they went upstairs, Chen Qingling closed the door.
Li An sat on the bed, watching her calmly.
He activated his Super Sense Technique to its limit, sensing the surrounding environment. His divine sense also swept outward.
All was quiet. He had scanned the entire way here and found no surveillance devices hidden within the pavilion.
Could it be that Zhao Xianchuan truly only wanted to use a beauty trap to win him over?
“Uncle Li, my mother mentioned you to me…”
Chen Qingling suddenly spoke. Eight years had changed her—no longer the girl who clung to her parents at Masha Ferry Crossing. Though gentle, she now carried an air of cleverness and alertness.
“Mother said Uncle Li is a good man, a man who walks the true path… She also said our Chen family owes you a debt.”
Li An replied, “No such thing. Our grudges are already settled—neither side owes anything.”
Chen Qingling walked over and sat beside him, pressing herself close. Her slender, snow-white arms wrapped around his neck.
“Uncle Li, may your little niece serve you tonight… alright?”
She breathed softly against him, her delicate hands caressing down his back and sliding to his thigh.
“Zhao Xianchuan taught you all these tricks?” Li An asked suddenly.
Chen Qingling’s soft lips brushed against his earlobe, whispering, “Why are you asking so much, Uncle Li?”
“Don’t you trust my father?”
“Of course I do,” Li An replied flatly.
“No… You don’t.”
Her breath quickened. Amid the seductive sounds of her whispering, she murmured in broken phrases: “Uncle Li… Mother said you’re a good man… You must sense the danger… Please, take me away… I beg you…”
As she pleaded sweetly, wrapping herself tighter around him, her large eyes filled with tears—beautiful and pitiful.
…
(End of Chapter)