Chapter 588
As everyone knows, Elder Han He, hailing from a family of martial artists, is quite proud. Many members of his family have taken up official positions in the court, while he remains stuck in a single prefecture, wasting his potential.
This time, he would strike out as an elder representing a provincial power!
Every member of the Qingyuan Sect stood tall, for this was indeed a significant event for them.
They may have anticipated this day’s arrival, but they never expected it to come so soon.
After all, while the Qingyuan Sect was well-rounded, that was about all it had going for it.
“Old Qian, there’s something I need to discuss…”
“Use titles when we’re working, and pay attention next time. What’s on your mind?”
“I plan to open an alchemy shop in the provincial city. I hope the governor won’t look down on me.”
“Alright, alright, we’re all still here. What kind of decorum is this!”
It was only when Shangguan Wencang could no longer hold back the frown forming on his forehead that he interrupted the others.
As the only serious person in the Qingyuan Sect, he spoke earnestly:
“Do you all not understand how we’ve earned this honor? We are the elders, and it is because our juniors have succeeded and brought glory to our name that we share in this light.”
“Do you know how our Qingyuan Sect is viewed outside?”
“Others are known for their ‘Fengyun Sword’ and ‘Gangdou Heroics,’ and what about us?”
“We’ve only gained this honor because two of our own have achieved greatness, lifting us all up.”
“Woof woof woof?” Elder Qian felt scolded by the sect leader but found himself at a loss for words.
Because the sect leader was right; nowadays, people referred to the Qingyuan Sect as “that sect that produced Li Mo and Ying Bing.”
Once, the Qingyuan Sect had its glory days, known as the ‘Echo of the Great Merchant,’ but that was many years ago. Now, if one were to mention anything noteworthy, it would probably be that the ‘Merchant Dance’ could soothe a child’s night cries.
“Ahem, it was my moment of pride that made me forget my place. To forge iron, one must first be strong oneself.”
Elder Han He reined in his expression, suppressing the arrogant smirk at the corners of his mouth.
“Hmm… I’m already of an age where I should be breaking through to the outer realm,” Xue Jing sighed.
Elder Qian leaned closer to Elder Xu, who had come from Sword City, and whispered, “How many in the outer realm and how many in the Law Body at Hengyun Sword City? Can you share a bit?”
Elder Xu replied, “There are seven in the Law Body, fifty-eight in the fifth realm of the outer realm, but I’m afraid I can’t disclose more.”
So there were indeed some, but not enough to be shared with outsiders.
The members of the Qingyuan Sect fell silent. Hengyun Sword City was also a provincial power, and while it was among the stronger ones, the gap between it and the Qingyuan Sect was as vast as a chasm.
Of course, the difference didn’t lie with the younger generation.
It was mainly in the middle ranks, that is…
The elders exchanged glances, their previously straightened backs now bending again, feeling as if they were comparing their own children to others and realizing their own child was better, yet they were the ones holding them back…
“What? You mean to say that as a provincial power, Hengyun Sword City collects taxes every year but still doesn’t make a profit, and instead loses money due to high expenses?”
Elder Qian fell into silence after hearing Elder Xu’s words.
After all, swordsmen are all about appearances.
Old Qian didn’t care for appearances; he just wanted money, but the others likely disagreed.
Surely, when Xiao Mo and Xiao Bing get married, they can’t have a banquet where everyone can’t even have four dishes, right?
“Uh, you elders don’t need to belittle yourselves.”
Li Mo observed the smiles fading from the elders’ faces and said earnestly, “You’re still young, and the future is bright.”
“?”
Though it was meant as a comforting remark, it raised eyebrows, including Shangguan Wencang’s, who had a question mark hovering above his head. Some present could even send their great-grandchildren out to buy soy sauce.
What future was there to look forward to?
But Li Mo spoke with conviction: “Seventy or eighty years old is the prime age for adventure. There’s no need to worry about resources; with me around, and with Bing Tuozi, there’s even less to worry about in martial arts.”
“We are one family; there’s no need to divide into ‘you’ and ‘me.’ We should work together to grow stronger and create brilliance once more!”
Having gone through the trials of the heavenly tribulation, Xiao Li had matured.
Now, as he spoke with such conviction, even Bing Tuozi would be left in a daze by his confidence.
The elders were a bit skeptical, but it was reassuring enough, and they returned to their usual demeanor.
Li Mo let out a sigh of relief.
This way, it would be easier for him to invest later on.
The inner realm required vast resources, and since he needed to see returns, it was better to invest in his own people—after all, it’s best to keep the good stuff at home.
Earlier, he had heard about the rare treasures in the Eastern Sea and planned to take a look.
“…”
The King of Zhen Nan watched as everyone debated, thinking to himself that as the one delivering the imperial edict, he was truly superfluous. Indeed, no one seemed to care about sending him off…
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Chapter 681: Pure and Innocent, Two Born
News that the Qingyuan Sect was about to become the sect of Zhenzhou spread like wildfire.
Yet, the Autumn Water Pavilion remained unchanged. Shang Qin Qing and Qin Yu Zhi were completely uninterested, finding it even less engaging than the latest art album.
Moreover, after so long of pursuing Bing Tuozi and the childish one, they were about to get engaged, and she couldn’t keep up with all the excitement.
“The wedding segment in ‘The Overbearing Empress Fell for Me’ is written so unprofessionally. It’s clear the author has never had a wife, and every time it gets to the exciting parts, they leave it blank. They must have never been in love.”
The goddess of love in the Great Merchant was pointing at the art album.
“Yeah, it seems they lack experience,” Qin Yu Zhi agreed wholeheartedly.
She had entered many people’s dreams and had seen countless thrilling scenes.
Shang Qin Qing clicked her tongue:
“It’s still not as good as the real-life experiences of Xiao Bing and Li Mo. By the way, Xiao Bing, what was it like when you two were dating?”
“We didn’t really date…”
Ying Bing’s hair was braided and hung over her shoulder, dressed in a simple white dress, but the fine silk couldn’t compare to her icy beauty.
Recalling the past, a soft glow appeared in her eyes, hazy and enchanting.
Shang Qin Qing: “?”
Qin Yu Zhi: “?”
The atmosphere shifted; they hadn’t even dated?
The cold fairy, who seemed to have melted, still had such a hard shell over her lips?
Ah, right, they hadn’t even dated, and they were already thinking about names for their children—two, in fact.
“How have you two interacted all this time?” Shang Qin Qing munched on sunflower seeds, feeling as if she had missed something, like not getting all the candy.
“When I first came to the Qingyuan Sect, he jumped into the Qingyuan with me, but we were being chased at the time, so it doesn’t count.”
“Hmm, that’s reasonable.”
“Later, when we returned from the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm, we took a bath together, but that was just a coincidence.”
“A coincidence… that’s somewhat reasonable.”
“He liked to take off my boots to practice his finger techniques. Feeding him candy was a reward, so that doesn’t really count. Then later…”
As Ying Bing spoke, her voice grew softer, and her gaze became more distant.
She was starting to doubt:
“Does that count as dating?”
Qin Yu Zhi’s eyes widened, murmuring, “That’s definitely not dating. Who dates like that?”
“I, a lecher, find it awkward.”
Shang Qin Qing gasped, her expression shifting to that of a werewolf.
The two of them exchanged glances, and the two blind souls discovered a spark.
Little Bing had previously been like an ice block, radiating coldness, completely oblivious to human emotions, making her a challenge to approach.
Yet, Xiao Li was a childish one, evoking no sense of wariness. Doing many things with him felt inexplicably reasonable.
To call him childish, he still had a vibrant energy, like a gentle sun that didn’t blind.
It was this unassuming closeness that gradually melted the ice fairy.
Didn’t she notice?
Perhaps she did, occasionally feeling like she had fallen for a certain gentleman’s trap, but when she thought of his silly protective demeanor, she felt it was okay to indulge him just a bit more.
The result was that, while indulging him, the cold fairy became the spoiled one, unwittingly taking on the form of a childish one herself…
“Hiss…”
Shang Qin Qing and Qin Yu Zhi exchanged glances, both struck by a thought.
So, is it true that those who know nothing about love understand it best?
If Xiao Li hadn’t encountered the cold and aloof ice fairy, this wealthy and generous, slightly foolish childish one might have ended up questioning life if he fell for a bad woman.
It was precisely because they were both so naive about ‘love’ that they ended up with the best.
“So it turns out Xiao Bing and Xiao Li are the ultimate love experts.”
Qin Yu Zhi pondered.
“Thank goodness the little monk is a monk…” Shang Qin Qing said, looking relieved.
Ying Bing frowned slightly: “He’s just a childish one…”
“Right, right, no problem. You just keep spoiling him, and innocently give birth to two little childish ones.”
Shang Qin Qing gave a thumbs up, helping the cold fairy to deceive herself.
“…”
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