Chapter 22: A Man Three Parts Drunk, Acting Until Tears Fall

Around nine in the morning, Wen Rongxin awoke, her limpid apricot eyes looking at Li Guanxuan, still holding a glimmer of hope within them.
Li Guanxuan told her everything as it was.
Wen Rongxin sat in silence for a long time, then got out of bed and went to the adjacent courtyard to sit for a while.
To her, Zhao Guili was half mentor, half friend; she had never had a true friend, and now her heart was unsettled, unable to find peace.
Li Guanxuan quietly accompanied her.
Qin Jiyue had never seen Wen Rongxin in such low spirits before.
In her eyes, Wen Rongxin was always an optimistic, spirited person.
Ping'an Courtyard entered a period of sadness.
…
Half a month later.
The four great powers—Blood Hand Sect, Deadly Kill Tower, Azure Thunder Sect, and Falling Moon Valley—had launched a full assault on Joyful Mountain.
By the mountain gate, rivers of blood flowed, and corpses piled up like hills.
The mountain-protecting formation of Joyful Mountain was in a precarious state.
Outside, the chaos was so intense it seemed brains would spill out from the fighting, but Qing'an City was largely unaffected.
After all, the four factions targeted only Joyful Mountain’s sect, not intending to spread their conflict to the surrounding spirit cities. Once Joyful Mountain fell, they would enter the spirit city to divide the spoils.
“Li Guanxuan, Joyful Mountain won’t last much longer.”
Qin Jiyue, upon receiving this news, was unusually excited.
“Blood Hand Sect and Deadly Kill Tower are both assassin organizations; they aren’t very interested in Joyful Mountain’s territory, so it’s likely Azure Thunder Sect or Falling Moon Valley will take control of Joyful Mountain.
In this sect war, many disciples and stewards have died, so they’ll definitely recruit new disciples. With my current talent and cultivation, I’m sure I can join Falling Moon Valley or Azure Thunder Sect, and gradually become an inner disciple, reaching the root of the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree!
By then, I’ll be able to find out everything about the spirit tree!”
Li Guanxuan was taken aback—this girl had already planned everything?
He sighed inwardly; the sect war had ended so quickly, he hadn’t even fully gotten to know Qin Jiyue, let alone confess the truth about the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree.
But if he didn’t say anything, Qin Jiyue would certainly join a sect to search for the spirit tree.
Yet the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree was within his body; no matter how hard Qin Jiyue searched, she would never find it.
It would only be wasted effort.
Li Guanxuan was caught in a dilemma.
With their relationship as it stood, he did not feel comfortable revealing the truth of the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree.
So…

He feared he could not stop Qin Jiyue’s plan.
“Things are chaotic right now. Don’t rush into anything; you might attract the attention of those with ill intent,” Li Guanxuan advised.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be extremely, extremely careful. If I sense anything wrong, I’ll withdraw immediately; I won’t linger even a moment!”
Qin Jiyue’s face was solemn. “I’ll act under the name ‘Qin Wuji’ outside, never revealing my true identity to trouble you, nor will I let anyone threaten your safety or my sister’s. Please trust me!”
Li Guanxuan was momentarily stunned, then nodded helplessly.
“By the way, let me tell you another secret. Many cultivators nearby are actually my informants; most of them owe me a favor. Whatever I need, they’ll help me at once, and never question my motives!”
Qin Jiyue proudly lifted her exquisite chin. “I built these connections by helping others whenever injustice arose!
Don’t be fooled by their low cultivation—they’re all between early and mid-stage Qi Refining. If anything stirs around here, they’ll use my network to quickly gather information and disperse without being noticed or caught!”
Li Guanxuan was dumbfounded.
No wonder Qin Jiyue occasionally went out—she was out recruiting undercover agents!
This girl… not using her talents in espionage would be a waste indeed.
No wonder she dared to covet the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree with only sixth-level Qi Refining cultivation; she had already mapped out a clear plan in her mind.
“You’re something else…” Li Guanxuan managed to say.
“When I obtain that treasure, you’ll be my dual cultivation partner, little consort!”
Qin Jiyue placed her hands on her hips and laughed heartily, full of lofty ambition. “By then, I’ll lead you and sister to roam the world and seek eternal life!”
“Stop fussing over these fanciful schemes; focus on raising your cultivation first. Without enough strength to protect yourself, it’s all just empty talk,” Li Guanxuan said.
Qin Jiyue snorted. “Relax, I could have broken through to Qi Refining Level Seven long ago. But to join a sect and quickly become an inner disciple, I suppressed my cultivation on purpose.”
Li Guanxuan was surprised at her words.
If he remembered correctly, Qin Jiyue wasn’t even twenty yet.
A near-seventh-level Qi Refiner under twenty…
Such talent would make anyone envious.
Li Guanxuan suddenly asked, “By the way, I never asked about your background. For someone so young to reach Qi Refining Level Six, you must come from an extraordinary lineage?”
If they were to become dual cultivation partners in the future, he needed to understand her origins.
He didn’t want to get into any unnecessary trouble.
Qin Jiyue didn’t joke with him, but answered frankly, “My parents are gone. I had a brother, but we lost touch long ago. I don’t know where he is, but he’s not one to die easily.”
Li Guanxuan understood.
Qin Jiyue’s brother was likely “Qin Wuji.”
From her tone, her brother seemed to be a troublemaker, using the name “Qin Wuji” to uphold justice. Perhaps she was trying to accumulate virtue for him?

That was only Li Guanxuan’s guess.
For now, his priority was to ensure Qin Jiyue’s safety.
“Remember, be cautious outside. Don’t get into disputes; it’s fine to suffer a little loss. We’re not after short-term gains; we seek longevity, understand?” Li Guanxuan warned sternly.
“I understand.”
Qin Jiyue nodded solemnly.
She could see Li Guanxuan genuinely cared for her.
After dinner,
Li Guanxuan entered the cultivation room, laboring intensely over talisman drawing.
He needed to prepare defensive talismans for Qin Jiyue, as well as purification, concealment, speed talismans, and more…
He worked late into the night, never leaving the cultivation room.
Qin Jiyue watched his busy silhouette through the window, her heart softened, a tinge of tenderness appearing in her charming, heroic fox-like eyes.
Li Guanxuan was truly worried for her safety, and so he labored at talisman drawing…
“When I obtain the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree, I’ll share eternal life with you,” Qin Jiyue silently vowed.
Over this period, she had grown fond of the little family.
Here, she felt warmth and affection she was reluctant to leave behind.
Suddenly,
She saw Li Guanxuan’s figure swaying, as if exhausted, so she hurried in and supported him.
“Go rest… you’ve drawn talismans all day,” Qin Jiyue said, both worried and caring.
“It’s fine, just one more,” Li Guanxuan replied, pale but smiling.
He gently patted her hand, then sat cross-legged to adjust his breath.
Seeing she couldn’t persuade him, Qin Jiyue sighed and stayed by his side to guard against accidents.
Little did she know…
A man feigns three parts of drunkenness, until you shed tears for him.