Chapter 20: Chen Yinshan (Please add to favorites)

In the days that followed, Li Guanzhen continued earning a living by drawing talismans, worrying occasionally as usual. Life was much the same as before, except that there was now a woman in the house. Qin Jiyue was indeed quite honest and well-behaved, rarely going out—just once or twice a month—and spending most of her time keeping Wen Rongxin company.

The relationship between the two women grew ever warmer.

At the same time, Li Guanzhen worried that Qin Jiyue might fret over resources for spirit stones. When he went to the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion to sell his talismans, he would sometimes take her along, grandly claiming to employ her as his protector to ensure his safety.

Qin Jiyue would sometimes retort that, when she became successful one day, she would never forget Li Guanzhen, her little paramour.

Half a year later...

Only then did Li Guanzhen feel at ease letting Qin Jiyue take the talismans to the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion on her own.

“Remember, the talismans I make must not be sold to other shops. No matter how high they offer, you are to sell only to Manager Zheng,” Li Guanzhen said sternly. “You know better than I do the difference between a full meal every day and just the occasional one. Besides, the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion’s name carries great weight in the cultivation world. If we can connect with its owner, our future profits will be assured.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry… I know what I’m doing,” Qin Jiyue replied, her face full of anticipation as she waited for the talismans.

Helping to sell talismans meant she could earn a little extra without racking her brains for other ways to get spirit stones. Most importantly, it meant Li Guanzhen trusted her!

The estrangement and unfamiliarity between them had lessened greatly.

This was an auspicious sign for hearts united!

Li Guanzhen’s intention was also to prevent Qin Jiyue from engaging in dangerous pursuits, such as gathering intelligence outside or venturing to the outermost edges of the Ten-Thousand Mountains to hunt monsters or gather herbs.

Watching Qin Jiyue leave the house, Wen Rongxin’s eyes were full of satisfaction and happiness. She chuckled softly and said, “Sister Jiyue is becoming more and more dependable. This is all thanks to your guidance, my husband.”

“You give me too much credit. Qin Jiyue still has her own personality,” Li Guanzhen replied, shaking his head.

“In time, I’m sure Sister Jiyue will open her heart and formally become your wife,” Wen Rongxin said gently, massaging his shoulders.

“Let’s not talk about her now. Since she’s not home, let’s enjoy some time to ourselves,” Li Guanzhen said, taking Wen Rongxin’s hand and pulling her into his arms, a mischievous smile playing on his handsome face.

“It still… it still hurts…” Wen Rongxin’s face flushed instantly, her head burying into his chest, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“All right,” Li Guanzhen said, a hint of helplessness on his face.

It was all the fault of his “Dragon and Phoenix Soaring Art”—too vigorous for even a martial artist at the early stage of body refinement, and now they had abstained for six days.

Still, a month ago, Li Guanzhen had learned from Qin Jiyue that the “spiritual energy” emanating from the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree was not spiritual energy at all, but rather the legendary immortal energy.

Only immortal energy could grant longevity.

But Li Guanzhen felt that the pure energy from the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree was unlike immortal energy—rather, it was simply an energy suited to his cultivation. The details remained to be studied.

Qin Jiyue had shared this secret because Li Guanzhen had treated her well. In her view, they now understood each other somewhat, and with time, they might achieve true harmony. If she ever obtained the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree, Li Guanzhen would be the ideal partner for dual cultivation, hence her willingness to reveal such information.

“Old Chen and his wife have gone to the Ten-Thousand Mountains again. When you have time, help them tidy up their courtyard. They’d never waste spirit stones learning cleaning spells,” Li Guanzhen said softly.

After stabilizing his cultivation at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, Chen Yinshan occasionally took on small jobs and was now living quite comfortably.

This made the couple contemplate having a child. In the past, living in poverty, barely scraping by, having a child would only have been another mouth to feed, bringing hardship. Now, with Li Guanzhen’s talismans to protect them, as long as they weren’t greedy, they could always earn a living in the Ten-Thousand Mountains.

“All right,” Wen Rongxin nodded without further comment.

Li Guanzhen, holding her, gently stroked her firm and slender belly, speaking softly, “It’s probably because of my cultivation method that your belly hasn’t grown. Perhaps there will be a solution in the future… Trust me, don’t worry about it anymore. It will only affect your cultivation, understand?”

“To have you by my side in this life is all I could wish for,” Wen Rongxin replied, her lips curving into a smile, her eyes brimming with love.

Their gazes met, sparks flew, and they could not help but fall into a passionate embrace, which soon turned more intimate still.

…

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Guanzhen was now able to draw many high-quality talismans, though he was still far from perfection, so he continued to apply himself.

Then, one day, Chen Yinshan returned.

However…

When Li Guanzhen stepped out and saw Chen Yinshan, whose face was blank with despair and whose spirit was utterly broken, he was stunned.

“Old Li, I, I…” Chen Yinshan, upon seeing his old friend, could no longer contain the pain and hopelessness in his heart. Tears burst forth as he fell to his knees, wailing and banging his head against the ground until blood seeped from his brow.

In that moment, Li Guanzhen understood.

Zhao Guili had met with disaster!

Wen Rongxin, who had rushed out in delight, froze at the scene. Unable to accept such a reality, she fainted on the spot.

Fortunately, Qin Jiyue caught her in time and held her close.

“Take her inside first,” Li Guanzhen instructed, then walked over to Chen Yinshan, sat down cross-legged beside him, and said nothing—just quietly kept him company.

At such a time, words were useless.

All one could do was wait for Chen Yinshan to vent all his grief and rage.

When the ground cracked beneath him and his face was streaked with blood, Li Guanzhen finally handed him a towel and said quietly, “Guili wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

“It’s all my fault, damn it! I couldn’t resist greed, I provoked that late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, and Guili covered my escape… Damn!” Chen Yinshan slapped himself hard, tears and blood staining his clothes together.

Smack!

Li Guanzhen slapped him as well, throwing the towel in his face and saying coldly, “Are you done? If you’re done, pull yourself together and tell me what happened. Don’t just sit there bawling!”

Chen Yinshan choked back his sobs, steadied himself, and finally began to speak…