Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
The news of Li Xuanxi's return to the Cangyuan Realm spread throughout the world the next day.
Even the many sects of Yunhuang had received the news, and everyone was shocked by it.
That was Li Xuanxi, once one of the Four Saints of the human race!
With the Heavenly Maiden Sword in hand, she was almost undefeated.
She was the strongest sword immortal of that era.
Later, rumors had it that the Four Saints of the human race joined forces to enter the Black and White Forbidden Zone, seeking its secrets. In the end, three of the powerful saints died within, with only Jiang Tianyun returning alive, a catastrophe for the human race.
Who would have thought that Li Xuanxi would return alive today?
It was truly inconceivable.
The news shocked all the powerhouses of the world.
When Li Changqing heard the news, he too was surprised. Li Xuanxi's return to challenge Jiang Tianyun.
Of course, Li Changqing knew who Li Xuanxi was.
Wasn't she Lu Qiaoqiao's past life?
This news was also relayed to him by Luo Xiaochuan, who came to the White Snake Path to stop Li Changqing, to prevent him from ruining Lu Qiaoqiao's good fortune, causing her to fail in obtaining Li Hengsheng's soul and opening that door.
Because Luo Xiaochuan also wanted to use Lu Qiaoqiao's hand to severely damage Jiang Tianyun.
Luo Xiaochuan once said that he always felt that fate was fixed, that Jiang Tianyun, who was blessed by the heavens and earth, should be the Cangyuan Realm Master.
But now at this level, he also wanted to see if this fate could be reversed.
He wanted to see if the Cangyuan Realm Master could really only be Jiang Tianyun.
Although Luo Xiaochuan didn't say the rest, Li Changqing guessed that Luo Xiaochuan also wanted to try and see if he, Luo Xiaochuan, could sit in the position of the Cangyuan Realm Master.
So Luo Xiaochuan wanted to sit back and watch the tigers fight.
Li Xuanxi versus Jiang Tianyun.
No matter who wins or loses, it would benefit Luo Xiaochuan.
Luo Xiaochuan surely had many backup plans.
Using one of the Four Saints of the human race, Li Xuanxi, as a chess piece, Li Changqing had to admire Luo Xiaochuan's courage.
Initially, Li Changqing felt these matters had nothing to do with him and did not want to cooperate with Luo Xiaochuan, but Luo Xiaochuan told Li Changqing, "Your chess player will appear after this battle."
This made Li Changqing take notice.
Since he was a chess piece, then who would be the chess player?
With this curiosity, Li Changqing decided to cooperate with Luo Xiaochuan.
As for how to cooperate, Luo Xiaochuan had yet to send any news.
Meanwhile, Li Changqing was also quietly waiting for his chess player to appear.
Regarding this battle, Li Changqing was also considering whether to go and watch it, and what his son, Li Hengsheng, would think upon hearing this news?
What status does Lu Qiaoqiao hold in his son's heart now?
Li Changqing felt his son's emotions were very complex.
Over the past two days, Li Changqing visited the Mu residence daily, taking Yin Qing to do radio calisthenics twice a day.
After reporting these radio calisthenics to Yin Fengqi, he became curious and came to watch.
After watching, Yin Fengqi felt that this could strengthen the body and exercise every muscle, and if promoted in the military, it would definitely be very effective.
Even ordinary people could practice it well.
So Yin Fengqi quickly inquired if Li Changqing could promote this exercise in their military.
Li Changqing naturally did not mind.
But Li Changqing also wanted Yin Fengqi to understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch, so he hyped up the radio calisthenics, leaving Yin Fengqi utterly baffled.
Eventually, after receiving a fee of one million taels of silver from Yin Fengqi, Li Changqing reluctantly made the decision against his ancestors' wishes.
He agreed to let Yin Fengqi promote the radio calisthenics.
Although Li Changqing was not short on silver now, who would complain about money being handed to them?
With the monthly dividends from the Changqing Trading Company, Li Changqing could no longer count how much money he had in his account.
At this moment, Li Changqing realized that when money reaches a certain amount, it truly becomes just a string of numbers.
Yin Qing also had a great interest in mathematics.
Starting with simple numbers, Li Changqing taught her, and Yin Qing was very diligent in learning.
After finishing classes in the morning and having nothing to do in the afternoon, Li Changqing returned to his own Changqing residence and continued carving wood sculptures.
Li Changqing needed to carve powerful Painting Treasures to enhance his strength.
Not only treasures but also many human statues, Li Changqing tried to see if he could comprehend any powerful techniques from the characters he carved.
However, after trying, Li Changqing found it useless.
Contemplating his own carvings had almost no effect.
But Li Changqing was not discouraged and continued carving; what he couldn't use, others could.
Relying solely on himself, he couldn't stir up any waves, but these items could be used to enhance the strength of his allies.
"Who wants to use me as a chess piece? Just try it," Li Changqing felt quite annoyed.
He hadn't provoked anyone, yet he was being calculated against.
Even a clay figure has a temper.
If strength isn't enough, treasures will make up for it.
This was Li Changqing's current policy.
Just yesterday, Li Changqing received a letter from Xue Qianbai, saying that he had gone to Changting Town to look for Li Changqing.
Upon hearing that Li Changqing had gone to the North Cold Country, he wrote to express his concern.
Moreover, Xue Qianbai also told Li Changqing about the Su Family and Guanglan Palace's anger, with Su Zheng already asking someone to buy intelligence in Tianhai City to find Lu Shiran's whereabouts, and it was very likely they would also trouble Li Hengsheng.
He warned Li Changqing to be careful.
"The Su Family is probably going to find Lu Shiran," Li Changqing thought solemnly upon reading the letter, knowing that in Tianhai City, there was the most terrifying intelligence organization in the entire Cangyuan Realm, with very powerful intelligence.
As long as you have money, you can get any information; as long as you're willing to spend, you might even know which leg Luo Xiaochuan steps with first when going to the toilet.
Although this was an exaggeration, it also indirectly proved the strength of the intelligence organization.
This organization was the Cangyuan Pavilion.
Almost as mysterious as the Blood Shadow Sect.
But many top secrets were not exchanged for money; they required supreme treasures in exchange.
Once, someone exchanged a very precious Painting Treasure for information.
It was painted by a top Painting Sage.
The Cangyuan Pavilion answered directly to the Cangyuan Realm Master.
Apart from Jiang Tianyun, no one knew the identities of the people in the Cangyuan Pavilion.
But it was said that the people in the Cangyuan Pavilion were all dead set on their tasks; they could not be bought or replaced.
Even the Longevity Sect, which was so powerful back then, could not make the people of the Cangyuan Pavilion become their followers.
At this moment, Li Changqing thought, if only he could plant someone inside the Cangyuan Pavilion, how good would that be?
Unfortunately, such thoughts were just wishful thinking.
Perhaps countless forces in the entire Cangyuan Realm had thought about this issue, but they eventually realized it was unsolvable.
However, Li Changqing was grateful for Xue Qianbai's letter and reminder.
Taking two days, Li Changqing carved a Painting Treasure, then sealed it up, not letting the Cangyuan Escort Bureau handle it, and directly had the Changqing Trading Company deliver it to Dao Mountain Ancient Land for Xue Qianbai.
Xue Qianbai was also one of the people Li Changqing wanted to win over.
Although he knew Xue Qianbai was strong, with the title of Qianxue Sword Sovereign, Li Changqing still wanted Xue Qianbai to advance further.
Previously, seeing Xue Qianbai draw his sword and tie with Zhao Beiming, Li Changqing later realized that Xue Qianbai, at the Grandmaster level, had comprehended 'momentum,' which was already a very impressive feat.
Most Grandmasters couldn't comprehend this level.
And Zhao Beiming was also a standout among Grandmasters, which is why they were able to tie.
In terms of comprehension, they were actually comparable to ordinary Great Martial Sect existences.
If the treasure sent by Li Changqing could significantly improve Xue Qianbai, then even facing a Great Martial Sect, Xue Qianbai would have the power to fight.
In the afternoon, Li Changqing went out to find Yin Fengqi.
He asked Yin Fengqi to keep an eye on the Su Family's movements, and if the Su Family's people really came to the North Cold Country, he must be informed immediately.
Yin Fengqi naturally agreed.
The North Cold Country also had its own intelligence network, and if the Su Family from the Southern Wilderness really came to the North Cold Country, Yin Fengqi would definitely take it very seriously.
Over the past two days, Li Hengsheng felt tormented.
He was almost always in a daze.
It wasn't until the morning of the third day that Li Hengsheng finally regained consciousness. He woke up groggily, feeling himself lying in bed.
But when Li Hengsheng moved, he found something was amiss.
He abruptly threw off the quilt.
To his shock, he discovered a white, bare body under his quilt.
Lying on top of him, also soundly asleep.
Li Hengsheng was startled.
He and she were both unclothed.
What had happened?
"Wake up."
Li Hengsheng hurriedly nudged Lu Shiran awake.
Lu Shiran opened her sleepy eyes, then looked around in confusion. When she saw that both she and Li Hengsheng were undressed, she didn't mind at all and asked, "Husband, you're finally awake."
"What happened?" Li Hengsheng quickly put on his clothes, then wrapped Lu Shiran in the quilt.
"What do you mean?" Lu Shiran asked adorably and innocently.
"You didn't… while I was unconscious, did you?" Li Hengsheng's face changed. Did Lu Shiran take advantage of his unconsciousness?
No way, right?
"Oh." Lu Shiran seemed to understand, then said, "Husband, your body was really hot. During the day, I could go out and fetch water to wipe your body and cool you down, but at night, if I went out to fetch water, I would be discovered."
"You wouldn't want to be discovered, right?"
"So, I had no choice but to take off your clothes and use my body to cool you down."
Lu Shiran explained as if it were the most natural thing.
Li Hengsheng was stunned; so that was what happened.
At this moment, Li Hengsheng looked at Lu Shiran and saw deep red marks on the exposed skin, as if burned.
"It's okay, husband, look." Lu Shiran said, then opened the quilt.
Suddenly, a vision of spring appeared before Li Hengsheng.
Lu Shiran's stunning beauty, coupled with her indescribable body, almost made Li Hengsheng bleed on the spot.
He quickly turned his head away, unable to help saying, "Girls shouldn't casually show their bodies to others, you know?"
"I didn't." Lu Shiran calmly put on her clothes, then said lightly, "You are my husband, what's the problem with me showing you? Besides you, husband, I haven't shown anyone else."
Hearing this, Li Hengsheng could only give a wry smile.
Before, when Lu Shiran chased after him calling him husband, he could refute that he wasn't, and then clear his relationship with her.
But now what?
Now he had tarnished her innocence, and at this time, to say "I'm not your husband."
That would be despicable.
And more importantly, seeing those burns on Lu Shiran's body because of him, Li Hengsheng's heart was also moved.
For a moment, looking at Lu Shiran, he felt a bit of heartache.
"You must not have slept well last night; sleep a bit more," Li Hengsheng said, touching Lu Shiran's head.
How could she sleep well lying on this furnace of his?
Lu Shiran nodded, clearly still very sleepy, then lay down to continue sleeping.
Li Hengsheng covered Lu Shiran with the quilt, then walked out the door.
He hadn't come out for three days.
If he didn't come out now, people outside might start to suspect.
"Senior brother, you finally showed up."
Seeing Li Hengsheng come out, Wu Santong hurriedly greeted him.
Recently, Li Hengsheng hadn't come out, and when asked, Lu Shiran replied that Li Hengsheng was a bit tired and sleeping.
This made everyone suspect that Li Hengsheng might have used some secret technique that was now backfiring, causing him to sleep.
This aroused everyone's speculation.
"Three days."
Li Hengsheng looked at Wu Santong, then smiled and said, "Three days have passed, hasn't the Hua family come knocking?"
Hearing this, Wu Santong was startled.
Then he tentatively asked, "Could it be that senior brother, you were deliberately waiting for the Hua family to come?"
"Too bad they didn't come."
Li Hengsheng looked regretful.
Li Hengsheng knew there were traitors in the Inspector's mansion, but he had never exposed them, wanting to use them to convey messages to the Mu residence and the Hua family.
Now that the Mu residence was almost finished, and the Hua family hadn't dared to come knocking.
Li Hengsheng was not surprised.
Even if the Hua family's ancestor at the peak of Innate Realm had left seclusion, he probably wouldn't dare to come looking for trouble with him, right?
Mu Zhan was killed in a breath by him; how could he dare to come knocking?
So recently, there was no movement from the Mu residence or the Hua family.
At the same time, Li Hengsheng said this to let them know that he wasn't coming out just to enforce the law by fishing, and it wasn't because of any side effects.
"By the way, senior brother, there's been a very big, very explosive piece of news these past few days. Do you want to hear it?"
Wu Santong excitedly leaned in to speak.
"Then tell me." Li Hengsheng stepped back two steps in disgust, "Your spit is all over my face. If I don't let you speak, you might burst."
"Hehe, senior brother, one of the four saints in our human race's history, Li Xuanxi, has appeared!"
Wu Santong said while looking for a shocked expression on Li Hengsheng's face, hoping to see some surprise.
Unfortunately, after he finished speaking, there was no surprise on Li Hengsheng's face.
Just a touch of melancholy.
This was a bit different from the normal reaction.
Wu Santong exclaimed in astonishment, "Senior brother, you don't know who Li Xuanxi is, do you? She's one of the four saints of our human race, the number one female sword immortal of the land, the Heavenly Maiden Sword that dominated an era!"
"The Heavenly Maiden Sword?"
Li Hengsheng sneered.
Of course, he had seen the Heavenly Maiden Sword.
Not long ago, that Heavenly Maiden Sword had pierced through his body, and that one of the four saints of the human race, Li Xuanxi, had used it to end her life.
And Li Xuanxi was his once most beloved Junior Sister Lu.
Lu Qiaoqiao, the amnesiac Lu Qiaoqiao, the Heavenly Maiden Sword Li Xuanxi.
Li Hengsheng could no longer distinguish who was who, who was real, and who was fake.
"Senior brother, what's wrong?"
Wu Santong felt strange.
"It's nothing." Li Hengsheng shook his head.
"Two months from now, Li Xuanxi has challenged the Cangyuan Realm Master to a battle at Mount Wan Jie!" Wu Santong said excitedly again, "A battle between two land immortals, that's an unprecedented grand event! Right now, outside, countless people have opened betting pools, and many powerhouses have left seclusion early, wanting to go to Mount Wan Jie to watch the battle."
"After all, it's a battle between two land immortals. Seeing it once in a lifetime is very helpful for one's own cultivation!"
"How about it? Senior brother, shall we go watch it?" Wu Santong looked forward with anticipation.
"No."
"Do you understand the battle of land immortals?" Li Hengsheng said with a smile, "You and I, not even reaching Innate Realm, going to watch the battle of land immortals, and if we leave, what will happen to the White Snake Path? Won't the Mu residence turn the world upside down?"
"That's true."
Wu Santong nodded, still looking regretful.
"Let's go, let's see Mu San and Hua Xianggu." Li Hengsheng said, "Now that we have their evidence of guilt, it's time to give everyone an explanation."
"Okay." Wu Santong nodded.
But just as they stepped out the door, they saw Xu Kui approaching.
"Young master, have you rested well?" Xu Kui asked.
"I've rested well."
"Your letter." Xu Kui handed over the letter.
Li Hengsheng looked down and saw that the sender was Li Changqing.
A smile appeared on Li Hengsheng's lips. Ever since the day he was invited by the ancestor of the Longevity Sect to tell him in a dream that Li Changqing was indeed his father, Li Hengsheng's heart felt much more comfortable.
Since his father had not been possessed, and Li Changqing was his real father, it meant that his father's great changes must have been due to some unavoidable difficulties before, right?
Li Hengsheng preferred to believe this explanation.
Otherwise, there was no other explanation.
As for what identity his father had and how capable he was, Li Hengsheng didn't care; he just needed to know that Li Changqing was still his father.
That was enough.
His brother was gone.
His love was gone.
Fortunately, his father was still there.
He was already content.
Opening the letter, Li Hengsheng read it. It was all ordinary greetings, and Li Changqing had sent him some more money.
A full one million taels.
Li Hengsheng was also quite astonished at the amount. It seemed that the Changqing Trading Company was indeed making a fortune.
After reading the letter, Li Hengsheng did not rush to the prison but wrote back to Li Changqing, telling him that he was well and not to worry.
In the afternoon, he went to the prison to interrogate Mu San and Hua Xianggu. Both were still defiant towards Li Hengsheng.
But Li Hengsheng didn't care anymore, as the evidence above had been confirmed.
The next day, a court was held in the Inspector's mansion, and Mu San and Hua Xianggu were sentenced to death, to be executed in five days.
Such a verdict made the citizens of the White Snake Path cheer.
Even the small families and merchants in the city did not expect Li Hengsheng to actually execute Mu San and Hua Xianggu.
But recently, both the Mu residence and the Hua family had been silent.
Even after the news came out, they made no move.
At the Hua family.
With Hua Xianggu absent, the person in charge of the Hua family was his wife, Zheng Mojue.
Today, Zheng Mojue heard from the Hua family's scouts that Li Hengsheng had been waiting for them to show up for three days without leaving the house, which made Zheng Mojue shiver with fear.
Initially, she indeed wanted the family's ancestor to leave seclusion and rescue Hua Xianggu, because rumors said that after Li Hengsheng killed Mu Zhan, he was incapacitated by the side effects of the secret technique used.
So Zheng Mojue hesitated whether to take the risk.
Now, the news made Zheng Mojue extremely fearful. Fortunately, she had not let the family's ancestor take action, otherwise, if they had shown up…
Wouldn't Li Hengsheng have an excuse to kill all of their Hua family?
"We can't wait any longer."
Zheng Mojue muttered to herself.
Then she called someone over.
"Go find Mu Hongxue, tell her I agree to what she said, and it must be done as soon as possible!"
Zheng Mojue knew they were running out of time, only five days left.
They thought their plan was flawless, not knowing that their plan had been overheard by a little animal sent by Zhen Wanshou.
And Zhen Wanshou had told Li Changqing about the plans of the three families.
"Heh." Li Changqing chuckled after hearing it.
The Mu residence, the Hua family, and Caohe Manor's strategy were indeed interesting, but unfortunately, they would not succeed.
The next day.
At the Prefect's mansion.
The Prefect of Kingdom Zhen was enjoying tea and playing with birds in the backyard when Lao Hu came in from outside.
"Master, someone is asking to see you."
Lao Hu approached and said.
"Who is it?"
"A person from Caohe Manor in the White Snake Path," Lao Hu whispered, "named Ma Hengdao."
"White Snake Path? Caohe Manor?" The Prefect glanced at Lao Hu and smiled. A mere person from Caohe Manor came to ask for an audience, and Lao Hu actually came to report, which meant he must have received quite a few benefits from the other party.
"Let him wait in the side hall."
After the Prefect finished speaking, he continued to play with the birds in the cage, not taking Ma Hengdao seriously at all.