ATPnovel Chapter 110: Heart-to-Heart Talk
Chapter 110: Heart-to-Heart Talk
"Greetings, Master Li Dan!" Lu Wenzheng immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"Master Li Dan, how have you been?" Yang Jiuli greeted him with a cupped hand.
"Greetings, Master Li!" From behind, Uncle Lu also came immediately upon hearing the news, bowing and paying his respects.
"Master Li Dan's presence at my humble abode is an honor, and I apologize for not being able to greet you properly!" said Old Master Lu Bingzhi, bowing respectfully.
"No need for formalities, everyone!" Li Yourong said gracefully, gesturing to everyone that there was no need for such formalities.
Uncle Lu, bowing slightly, felt uneasy, thinking to himself, "Why would Master Li Dan grace my Longhu Town with his presence?"
He bowed deeply, his face full of respect, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
"How is Grandpa Lu's injury recovering?" Li Yourong asked Grandpa Lu with a poised and generous manner.
"I've almost fully recovered!" Old Master Lu said with a smile. "Thank you for Master Li's concern!"
Li Yourong nodded slightly, then with a flick of her wrist, took out a storage bag and handed it to Old Master Lu, saying, "I came in a hurry and didn't bring any gifts. This is just a small token of my appreciation!"
"How can this be!" Old Master Lu said, gesturing with his hand in refusal.
"Wenzheng married into my Li family, so we are now family. There's no reason why this is inappropriate!" Li Yourong said.
"In that case, I thank Master Li!" Lu Bingzhi said, accepting the storage bag.
If we were to refuse again, it would only make Li Yourong lose face.
Li Yourong nodded slightly and looked at Yang Jiuli, saying, "Master Yang, things are not peaceful outside right now. Why don't you ask the family for a few late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to escort us?"
"How could I trouble you, sir, with such a small matter?" Yang Jiuli said with a cupped hand and a smile.
Beside them, Li Qianyun and the others suddenly realized that Li Yourong had come to Longhu Town for Yang Jiuli's sake.
"As expected of an alchemist... even the Li family must protect him carefully." Uncle Lu muttered to himself.
"Hehe, Master Li has come from afar. Please come into the humble hall and have a cup of spiritual tea!" Lu Bingzhi said with a smile.
"In that case, I'm sorry to have bothered you!" Li Yourong said.
She was then led into a living room.
The spiritual tea is ready.
Uncle Lu and Old Master Lu tactfully left.
Only Li Yourong and Yang Jiuli remained in the living room.
They knew that Li Yourong had come for Yang Jiuli, so she must have something to say.
"Why did Master Li come here alone? Are there any guards from the Li family?" Yang Jiuli asked, putting down his teacup after taking a sip of tea.
Li Yourong looked at Yang Jiuli, pondered for a moment, and then said, "To be honest, my trip to Longhu Town was not arranged by my family..."
"Oh?" Yang Jiuli asked, looking inquiring.
Li Yourong slowly began to speak.
She was escorting the family caravan when she suddenly received a message from the clan yesterday, asking her to return to the clan immediately.
Besides her, several other Foundation Establishment seeds from the Li family were also recalled.
After making several inquiries, Li Yourong finally learned that a sword immortal was suspected of having his eye on the Li family.
Fearing that their own Foundation Establishment seeds would be intercepted and killed, the Li family recalled them all to the clan.
After all, the Foundation Establishment Seed is the future hope of a clan, and it cannot be lost.
Upon her return, Li Yourong also received news that Yang Jiuli had left Yunmeng Lake and gone to Longhu Town.
She was worried, so she decided to come to Longhu Town to pick up Yang Jiuli and bring him back to the Li family, obviously because she was afraid that the latter would be attacked.
"A sword immortal?" Upon hearing this, Yang Jiuli showed a strange expression.
He thought to himself, "Could it be that the Li family misunderstood my actions last time?"
"This is just speculation. Perhaps they were just passing by. It shouldn't be a problem!" Li Yourong said. "If they were truly sword immortals, they wouldn't be hiding like this. They would definitely negotiate directly with my Li family..." She also had her own judgment on this matter.
A sect with a lineage of sword immortals must have a Core Formation ancestor, who would be a giant even in the Chu Kingdom.
A small family like the Li family wouldn't warrant such a person personally getting involved.
The Li family members were afraid to gamble, which is why they recalled the man.
After all, the more critical the moment, the less they dare to take any risks that could affect the overall situation.
"Even with sword immortals surrounding me, Master Li still traveled a great distance to protect me. Jiuli will forever remember this kindness!"
Yang Jiuli stood up and bowed to Li Yourong. Regardless of the circumstances, Li Yourong had indeed shown her good intentions.
If she had time to come to Longhu Town, she could have already gone to the Li family in Yunmeng Lake to enjoy peace and quiet. Why would she need to come here and take on any more risks?
The fact that Li Yourong came is enough to demonstrate her affection for Yang Jiuli.
"You are a master alchemist I have watched grow up. If I were to carelessly let you perish in the wilderness, I would regret it a hundred years from now." Li Yourong picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then blinked her beautiful eyes as she looked at Yang Jiuli.
Her tone was calm, and her true feelings were evident.
"Furthermore, you are a talented person, and as a member of the Li family, we should protect you!" She smiled brightly.
"Haha, no matter what, I will remember Master Li's kindness!" Yang Jiuli laughed heartily, and felt a bit more favorably disposed towards Li Yourong.
This woman is kind and loyal; she's worth befriending.
"When do you plan to return?" Li Yourong asked with a slight smile.
"Dusk..." Yang Jiuli said.
Li Yourong nodded slightly, "Alright, night is the perfect time to travel."
Yang Jiuli took a sip of tea, then looked at Li Yourong, hesitating to speak.
"What's wrong, Master Yang? Do you have something to say?" Li Yourong put down her teacup, fluttered her eyelashes, and asked.
"There's something I shouldn't say, but Master Li has been so sincere to me, so I can't keep it to myself!" Yang Jiuli said.
"Since that's the case, Master Yang, please speak freely," Li Yourong said.
"What do you think the immortals from various races seek when they come to the Li family to learn alchemy?" Yang Jiuli asked.
"Of course, I'm seeking a future, seeking hope!" Li Yourong said.
"But in the past seven years, the Li family has been in arrears with the alchemists' dividends, which has obviously disrupted the expectations of many alchemists. If this continues, some people will inevitably have ulterior motives, thus ruining the Li family's plans and resulting in more harm than good," Yang Jiuli said.
"This..." Upon hearing this, Li Yourong's heart skipped a beat.
She was also aware that the Li family was in arrears on the alchemists' dividends.
However, over the years, she has been sent out to escort caravans, and unknowingly, seven years have passed since then.
She was even owed some dividends.
However, as a direct descendant of the Li family, she had the support of her elders and was not so eager to obtain those dividends.
After all, as a member of the Li family, she naturally wasn't worried about not receiving her share of the profits.
At this point, Yang Jiuli said that she also felt it was inappropriate.
However, Li Yourong was also in a dilemma. Her great-grandfather had mentioned that the Li family was using all its strength to assist the immortal sect's ancestor in forming his core.
This is a family strategy, and it will absolutely not be changed.
She couldn't influence the family's will either.
"There's nothing I can do about this!" Li Yourong said quite honestly.
"The Li family's strategy is certainly correct, but as outsiders, immediate interests are more tangible... After all, the matter of Core Formation is too far in the future, and to outsiders it is like a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water. It looks beautiful at first glance, but after a while it becomes like a beautiful dream. Once the dream ends, people's hearts will change." Yang Jiuli said, "If the Li family is too hasty in this matter... others will definitely take advantage of the situation."
"I will keep Master Yang's words in mind. When I return to the clan, I will definitely find an opportunity to mention this matter to the clan head."
Li Yourong said solemnly.
"I shouldn't have said much about this matter... but Master Li has been so sincere to me that I couldn't help but say something out of turn." Yang Jiuli raised his teacup, gesturing for Li Yourong to drink tea. He appeared calm and collected, having already presented the pros and cons of the matter.
Even if things change in the future, he has fulfilled his responsibilities.
He didn't care what the Li family thought.
In this life, all you need is a clear conscience.
He only seeks a flawless mind.
In this way, when striving for higher realms in the future, no inner demons will arise to hinder one's path.
"I understand!" Li Yourong blinked her long eyelashes, looked at Yang Jiuli, and said softly.
The young man before me had a sincere gaze, and his face showed little emotional fluctuation.
It was clearly from the heart, and not an attempt to use Li Yourong's words to demand a share of the profits.
This warmed Li Yourong's heart slightly.
In this cultivation world, it's not easy to find a true friend.
This man now seems to be one.
She sipped her tea, lost in thought.
During this conversation, she realized the seriousness of the matter and decided to find an opportunity to subtly bring it up with the head of the family.
……
As night fell.
Yang Jiuli, Lu Wenzheng, and Li Qianyun boarded Li Yourong's flying boat and left Yunmeng Lake.
Grandpa Lu saw them off by the lake.
Lu Wenqing then took his leave.
"Wenqing, Grandpa doesn't have much to give you, this is just a small token of my appreciation." As they parted, Lu Bingzhi handed a storage bag to Lu Wenqing. Lu Wenqing was slightly taken aback and quickly pushed the old man's hand away, saying, "Grandpa, how can I accept this?"
"How can it not be?" Lu Bingwen said, "You are my granddaughter... You have been cultivating alone all these years, and I haven't been able to help you much... Now that I'm old, this is all I can do. If you can achieve something, that would be even better. If not, there's no need to force it. You've already reached the late stage of Qi Refining at such a young age, and in my eyes, you are already the most outstanding!" The old man looked at his granddaughter with a face full of doting affection and tenderness.
He vaguely remembered how bright and cheerful the little girl was when she was young.
But now he is full of worries and is anxious all day long.
The old man felt sorry for him.
"Grandpa!" Hearing the old man's heartfelt words, tears streamed down Lu Wenqing's face.
She couldn't help but throw herself into her grandfather's arms.
Over the years, she has been ridiculed and hated herself for being so untalented.
But right now, Grandpa is proud of what he has achieved.
She was moved.
Perhaps only her closest relatives would treat her with such sincerity?
"Silly girl... I only wish that you and Wenzheng can live peacefully, love each other, and support one another." Lu Bingzhi said, wiping away Lu Wenqing's tears with his somewhat aged hand.
"Grandpa, I'll be alright, and my brother will be alright too!" Lu Wenqing choked up, and all his words were contained in this sentence.
"Alright, alright!" Lu Bingzhi said, "Go ahead with peace of mind! You don't need to worry about the clan's affairs." As he spoke, he stuffed the storage bag into Lu Wenqing's hand.
"Yes!" Lu Wenqing released the old man, took his storage bag, nodded heavily, and said, "I will definitely live up to your expectations, Grandpa. I will revitalize the Lu family!"
"Good, good!" Lu Bingzhi nodded repeatedly with a smile. In his opinion, it would be even better if his grandson could achieve something.
If you don't become famous, it doesn't matter; as long as you're safe and sound.
They have always had a place in the clan.
"Grandpa, take care!" Lu Wenqing hugged the old man again, then let go, and with a flash, flew into the air.
She summoned the flying boat and leaped onto it.
After saying goodbye, I left Longhu.
"Take care..." Lu Bingzhi watched the flying boat depart.
As Lu Wenqing flew away from Longhu, his mind was focused on his storage bag.
Inside were eighty low-grade spirit stones and a letter of encouragement from the old man.
"Grandpa..." Seeing the eighty low-grade spirit stones and the letter, tears welled up in Lu Wenqing's eyes.
"I must reach the Foundation Establishment Realm... to revitalize the Lu family... I can... I definitely can!" Lu Wenqing's gaze was firm.
Lu Wenqing had always longed to become stronger and to establish his foundation.
However, she lacked willpower and had a negative self-image, which meant she was destined to fail in building a foundation.
Now her resolve is firm and unwavering.
For the sake of the old man, she had to do it.
As for talent...
What about the ridicule and stares of outsiders...
She had already put it all behind her.
She had only one belief in her heart.
Foundation building!
As she whispered, she thought of Ninth Brother, who was over forty years old but still at the seventh level of Qi Refining.
"Tranquil and detached, with a mind as steady as a mountain," Lu Wenqing murmured. "If I could be like Ninth Brother, I would surely be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage."
……