Chapter 41 Farewell Banquet (Please Keep Reading)

Hearing these words, Wen Rongxin smiled gently and said, “Sister, you needn’t worry. My husband knows his own limits.”
Qin Jiyue, however, remained stern as she replied, “Sister, this woman is anything but ordinary. I’ve spoken with her a few times recently, and nearly fell into her trap. Fortunately, I realized in time and managed not to reveal anything.”
Wen Rongxin was taken aback. By rights, with Qin Jiyue’s intelligence, she shouldn’t have made such a minor mistake.
Could it be…
This neighbor surnamed Song truly possesses extraordinary abilities?
“I just remembered…” Wen Rongxin said in a low voice, “My husband has spoken to me about her before and advised me to avoid conversing with her too much, so as not to be taken advantage of.”
Wen Rongxin hadn’t paid it much heed at first, but recalling that ambush in the shantytown, her face paled slightly.
“What’s wrong, Sister?” Qin Jiyue noticed the change in Wen Rongxin’s complexion and asked with concern.
“It’s nothing… I was just reminded of something from the past.”
Wen Rongxin forced a smile, then slowly recounted the events involving Bi Zhou and Shu Yao.
Upon hearing that Li Guanzhuan and Wen Rongxin had once been ambushed, that the assailant was a neighbor, and that the perpetrator had wiped out an entire family beforehand—
Qin Jiyue suddenly recalled the massacre in the shantytown on the city’s western outskirts.
She had investigated that case herself and found it involved an inner-sect disciple, but before she could act, the Valley Master had summoned her.
Her husband must have looked into it as well; otherwise, he wouldn’t have known to suggest those two outer-sect disciples as leads. It seems likely that Bi Zhou and Shu Yao, who once tried to assassinate him, are now dead…
At this realization, Qin Jiyue’s heart grew cold.
Her husband was far more ruthless than she had imagined.
…
Song Zhiqiao, dressed in a flowing verdant gown, stood at the doorway. She looked at the handsome Li Guanzhuan, bowed slightly, and smiled.
“Young Master Li, Manager Zheng has been promoted ahead of schedule and will soon be leaving Qing’an City. Before his departure, he’s hosting a farewell banquet at his residence. He asked me to deliver this invitation to you—the gathering will be in three days’ time, in the afternoon at his estate.”
Upon hearing this, Li Guanzhuan was momentarily startled. Was Zheng Huangjin leaving so soon?
Wasn’t he supposed to remain for another four or five years?
Had something happened again?
Li Guanzhuan accepted the invitation and replied with a smile, “Thank you, Daoist Song, for letting me know.”

As he was about to close the door, Song Zhiqiao sighed and said, “I truly envy you, Young Master Li. Your home is always so lively, unlike mine—each day I’m all alone, and now I must cook for myself yet again.”
…
Li Guanzhuan silently grumbled to himself; clearly, she was hoping for an invitation to stay for a meal.
Of course, that was out of the question.
Were he to let Song Zhiqiao in, the three of them would soon be at each other’s throats.
But turning her away outright seemed impolite—after all, as neighbors, some courtesy was expected. Li Guanzhuan smiled and said, “Why not seek out a suitable companion to share your days? That’s how my wife and I got through those times.”
Song Zhiqiao sighed, “I wish I could find a considerate and gentle partner like you, Young Master Li, but such men are too rare. Besides, I don’t even know how to get along with men… Might you have time someday to give me some guidance?”
Ah, this young woman is no novice… Li Guanzhuan couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
If he weren’t nearly fifty years old at heart, perhaps he’d have felt sorry for her.
“I’m afraid I don’t know much about that myself. Let things take their natural course—treat people with sincerity, and I’m sure you’ll find your ideal partner one day…”
He smiled, then added, “Forgive me, I have cultivation to attend to. Another time, perhaps.”
With that, Li Guanzhuan closed the door.
He dared not continue the conversation—if it went on any longer, “Young Master Li” might soon become “Brother Li.”
If Wen Rongxin and Qin Jiyue heard that, they’d be beside themselves—
No, that’s not right…
Rongxin wouldn’t be upset; his wife was understanding. It was Jiyue who would seize every opportunity to hold something over him…
At this, Li Guanzhuan swore silently to himself never to let his household fall into chaos, nor to create any fearsome scenes of jealousy.
Meanwhile, outside,
Song Zhiqiao’s face showed a trace of surprise as she watched Li Guanzhuan close the door without hesitation.
After dropping so many hints, did he really not catch on?
No, he must have understood—he simply didn’t wish to invite her in.
With this in mind, Song Zhiqiao narrowed her clever, almond-shaped eyes, then smiled.
“It’s just as Senior Zheng said—what makes Fellow Daoist Li so remarkable is his ability to feign ignorance while fully understanding, combined with his caution. Though his talent isn’t the highest, his future achievements will be, and he’ll live a long life because of it…”

Song Zhiqiao recalled these words as she walked slowly home.
Yet what surprised her more was that, as a marginal member of the Li clan, Li Guanzhuan had forged a real reputation for himself after all these years in the Immortal Ruins.
Though he was now only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, judging by Zheng Huangjin’s words, he at least had the potential to reach Foundation Establishment.
Back home, Song Zhiqiao gave the matter no more thought, turning instead to her cultivation, all the while formulating her own plans to leave…
After all, Zheng Huangjin had also warned her not to linger in Qing’an City for long.
This time, it wasn’t just Zheng Huangjin who was leaving—the entire Myriad Phenomena Pavilion would be relocating.
…
Three days later, in the afternoon.
Li Guanzhuan, accompanied by Wen Rongxin and Qin Jiyue, attended the farewell banquet.
Zheng Huangjin’s residence was in the inner city, assigned to him by the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion upon his success in Foundation Establishment.
The manor was imposing and ancient, with a constant flow of carriages and horses at the entrance—it was obvious many had come to celebrate Zheng Huangjin’s promotion.
Li Guanzhuan presented his invitation and a congratulatory gift to the steward.
“Master Li, the talismanist, has arrived!”
The steward accepted the gift without inspecting it, announcing the guests in a loud voice.
With his wife and concubine, Li Guanzhuan entered the Zheng residence, where he was immediately enveloped in dense spiritual energy that nourished his entire being.
Li Guanzhuan couldn’t help but marvel—this was the advantage of a residence built atop a spiritual vein. Here, the aura was so rich that a talented cultivator could easily break through their bottleneck after a few years of practice.
Many guests turned to look, their faces showing surprise at the sight of a sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator entering the Zheng estate.
For someone of Zheng Huangjin’s Foundation Establishment status to associate with a mere sixth-level Qi Refiner?
“Hahaha! Brother Li, you finally made it. If you’d been a moment later, I’d have come to drag you here myself!”
Zheng Huangjin strode out with a broad smile. Glancing at the two women beside Li Guanzhuan, he teased, “I’ve known you for years, but you’ve never brought these beautiful ladies to meet me before.”
Li Guanzhuan clasped his hands and laughed, “That’s my fault, entirely my fault…”
“Come, come, this way please… Ladies, you’ll have your hands full tonight—if I don’t drink him under the table, he’s not allowed to leave!”