Chapter 58: Zheng Qingqing Falls from Power

Too many people had died in the chaos at the Marketplace.

Even some in the Late Stage of Qi Refining had perished.

That was why Zheng Ling’Er was so worried.

Zheng Qingqing shook her head slightly and said to her,

"Don’t worry, that senior is fine."

"Is he still in the Marketplace then?"

Zheng Ling’Er blinked and asked again.

"It’s been so long, and I still haven’t had the chance to thank him in person."

"You’ll have a chance in the future."

Zheng Qingqing smiled, not revealing Li Chang’an’s identity.

It wasn’t the right time. At least in Zheng Qingqing’s eyes, the current Li Chang’an was not yet strong enough to stand against the entirety of Black Wind Mountain.

Therefore, the fewer people who knew the truth of the matter, the better.

...

With the conclusion of Zheng Jinbao’s funeral, the chaos in the Marketplace finally came to a close.

Qinghe Marketplace gradually returned to its usual tranquility.

「A few days later.」

A piece of news suddenly spread, catching Li Chang’an by surprise.

"The Eldest Miss is no longer in charge of the Marketplace?"

"Yes, I just heard as well."

Luo Kun had come to Li Chang’an’s courtyard to chat with him about it.

According to rumor, due to the recent chaos, the Zheng Family felt that Zheng Qingqing’s management had been incompetent, allowing a large number of Tribulation Cultivators to infiltrate the Marketplace.

News came from the Hundred Affairs Hall that another of the Zheng Family’s Celestial Prides, the Second Young Master Zheng Lingfeng, would be taking her place.

’Incompetent management?’

Li Chang’an was even more astonished.

It was utterly absurd for the Zheng Family to blame Zheng Qingqing for the Tribulation Cultivator chaos.

Logically speaking, that sort of thing was impossible to prevent.

After all, Tribulation Cultivators don’t have the words ’Tribulation Cultivator’ written on their foreheads.

If they didn’t make a move, it was very difficult to identify them.

"This so-called incompetent management is probably just an excuse."

"That’s what I was thinking, too."

Luo Kun sent a secret voice transmission.

"It’s said that Zheng Qingqing is a descendant of Ancestor Zheng Yuandao, while Zheng Lingfeng is a descendant of another Foundation Establishment Ancestor in the Zheng Family."

"I see."

Li Chang’an mostly understood. It was the same old story of internal family conflict.

He just couldn’t understand.

How could the Zheng Family still be fighting amongst themselves at a time like this?

’Ancestor Zheng Yuandao is injured and has little of his lifespan left,’ Li Chang’an thought. ’The Zheng Family should be united against external threats right now, not more divided.’

Li Chang’an frowned slightly.

Because of the incident with Zheng Jinbao, he and Zheng Lingfeng were already enemies.

’That Zheng Lingfeng’s character is far inferior to Zheng Qingqing’s. Having him hold power over the Marketplace is extremely disadvantageous for me.’

Li Chang’an pondered for a long time, his mood growing heavy.

...

「The next day.」

The Zheng Family held a banquet, inviting all the cultivators in the Marketplace with specialized skills.

This was done to appease these artisans.

As long as they remained in the Marketplace, the flow of trade would not be interrupted.

Li Chang’an’s true self had already returned to the Marketplace, and he accepted the invitation to the banquet.

He hadn’t wanted to go.

But Luo Kun told him, "This is a rare opportunity. I’ll take you to meet some Beast Masters and Spirit Plant Masters."

"Alright then, I’ll go and take a look."

Li Chang’an felt resigned.

His Body Refinement required far too much Spirit Medicine and Demon Beast Essence Blood.

He had no choice but to expand his network and get to know more Beast Masters and Spirit Plant Masters.

"Daoist Li, cultivating discreetly is fine, but you can’t just stay cooped up at home forever."

Luo Kun said, his face all smiles as he rambled on.

"You know the saying, ’Method, Companion, Wealth, and Location’? The ’Companion’ part doesn’t just mean a romantic partner, but also like-minded people. Every new comrade you meet is another channel for resources and information."

There was indeed some truth to what he said.

Li Chang’an didn’t refute him.

Before long, the two of them arrived at the restaurant where the banquet was being held.

Many artisans had already arrived, most of them fairly well-known.

The crowd was lively, with people chatting and laughing with one another.

Luo Kun’s eyes darted around, quickly scanning the main hall, before he sent a voice transmission to Li Chang’an:

"Daoist Li, first, let me introduce you to a senior in the Talisman Dao. He’s the number one Talisman Master in all of Qinghe Marketplace!"

’The number one in the Talisman Dao?’

Li Chang’an was secretly surprised.

That was no small title.

"Can that senior create Tier Two Talismans?"

"No, no. High-quality Tier One Top Grade Talismans."

’I see.’

Just as Li Chang’an had understood before, there were no Tier Two Talisman Masters in the entire Marketplace.

The man Luo Kun wanted to introduce to Li Chang’an was named Chen Yuanshan.

He was also a Honored Guest Elder of the Zheng Family.

"Elder Chen’s Talisman Art is simply divine, but more importantly..."

As he spoke, Luo Kun revealed a strange smile.

He said to Li Chang’an, "Elder Chen has a daughter. She’s also a Talisman Master whose Talisman Art has reached the Tier One Middle Grade. She’s exceptionally beautiful, about your age, and doesn’t have a dao companion yet."

"What are you telling me this for?"

Li Chang’an shot him a glance, feeling like the old man was up to no good.

Luo Kun chuckled slyly.

"Many of the young talents in the Marketplace want to become dao companions with Elder Chen’s daughter to get their hands on his Top Grade Talismanic Inheritance, but not a single one has succeeded."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an finally understood.

"You want me to try?"

"Daoist Li, you’re handsome and talented! You might just succeed!"

Luo Kun said with a grin.

If he weren’t too old, he’d want to try himself.

"Once you succeed, you’ll get the Top Grade Talismanic Inheritance!"

"Let’s just forget it."

Li Chang’an wasn’t interested.

He was already a Top Grade Talisman Master; there was no need to waste time on something like this.

As they spoke, the two of them arrived at one side of the main hall.

A father and daughter stood there, drawing a lot of attention, surrounded by a crowd.

This father and daughter were none other than the Top Grade Talisman Master, Chen Yuanshan, and his daughter, Chen Qianya.

"Elder Chen!"

Luo Kun, his face wreathed in smiles, grabbed Li Chang’an and squeezed through the crowd.

He deployed his specialty: shameless flattery.

After some schmoozing, he grabbed Li Chang’an and made the introduction.

"Elder Chen, this is Li Chang’an. Don’t let his youth fool you; he’s already a Middle Grade Talisman Master."

"Oh?"

Chen Yuanshan’s expression was calm as he sized Li Chang’an up.

Among Middle Grade Talisman Masters, Li Chang’an was indeed considered young.

"Young friend, you have yet to become a Honored Guest Elder of the Zheng Family? Why haven’t I seen you before?"

"This junior is indeed not a Honored Guest Elder of the Zheng Family."

Li Chang’an replied politely, his expression respectful.

Next, Chen Yuanshan asked a few more casual questions.

Watching from the side, Luo Kun was secretly pleased, feeling that Li Chang’an had a shot.

’But this kid is still a bit stiff. I’ll have to teach him a thing or two in the future!’

Luo Kun was confident he could teach Li Chang’an, as he was an expert in this area, after all.

Soon, with Luo Kun deliberately helping him along, Li Chang’an managed to integrate into the circle of Talisman Masters around Chen Yuanshan.

He also got the chance to exchange a few words with his daughter, Chen Qianya.

"Miss Chen."

"Greetings, Daoist Li."

Chen Qianya wore an indigo long dress. With brows like crescent moons and deep, profound eyes, her appearance was indeed extraordinary.

But her attitude was extremely cold.

This wasn’t just toward Li Chang’an; she was the same with all the other young talents.

She felt that all of them were only there for the Talismanic Inheritance, so she didn’t show a pleasant face to any of them, a faint trace of disgust hidden in the depths of her eyes.