Chapter 71 - 69: Entering the Game

The Zhao family hall was brilliantly lit.

Servants stood neatly and politely to one side, welcoming Li An and the two others to take their seats, the table laden with various precious Spirit Wine, Spiritual Food, and other delicacies, presented with grand ceremony.

"Please, Brother Li!"

"Please, Brother Zhao!"

The three took their seats, and Zhao Xian personally poured wine for Li An. After pouring, he raised his glass first, "Brother Li, this toast I drink first, to you!"

"Qingyang Market turned to ashes, yet Brother Li emerged unscathed, enough to shame the Demon Sect, truly admirable!"

He downed it in one go.

Li An smiled faintly, "Brother Zhao is too kind, Li An only survived the turmoil by mere chance."

"This toast is to Brother Li who, amidst the rubble, led the Zhao family to soar high, showcasing Brother Zhao’s remarkable talent and strategy."

He lifted his wine and also drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian was instantly filled with immense satisfaction.

His drinking first was a gesture of sincerity, proving the wine was untampered.

Li An followed suit, demonstrating trust, indicating his belief in him.

The three immediately engaged in a round of toasting, glasses clinking vigorously. Even the once simple and honest Wang Dazhu had evidently been through many such occasions, handling it with considerable ease, though worry still lingered in his eyes.

"Not enough joy, not enough joy! Someone, call my beautiful servant to pour wine for Brother Li!"

Zhao Xian shouted loudly in a state of intoxication. Soon, a beautiful woman stepped forward. Although dressed in servant’s garb, her presence was still dazzling.

Upon seeing her, Li An’s hand with the wine suddenly froze.

For the person before him... was actually Mu Qingwan!

She is here?

Wang Dazhu sighed lightly.

Seeing Li An, Mu Qingwan was inexplicably stunned too, her eyes seemingly filled with shame, she instinctively lowered her head, not daring to look at Li An.

"You wretch, aren’t you going to pay your respects?!"

Zhao Xian reprimanded coldly.

Mu Qingwan, like a frightened beast, hastened forward: "Greetings to Master, Honored Guest Elder Wang, and Immortal Li!"

Her voice clearly trembled.

"Brother Zhao, what is this?" Li An asked indifferently.

"Brother Li, let me introduce, this was once a distinguished disciple of the Profound Yang Sect, but now, she is a servant I’ve taken in. Seeing her widowed and helpless, I took in her and her daughter... hahaha!"

Zhao Xian spoke with delight, "You wretch, come and pour wine for Brother Li!"

Mu Qingwan approached with her head down, pouring wine for Li An, but seeming too nervous, her hand trembled, causing the wine to spill instantly, dripping onto the floor from the table.

"How dare you!"

Zhao Xian exclaimed: "Kneel and lick it clean!"

Mu Qingwan, trembling with fear, hastily knelt down, actually extending her tongue to lick the spilled wine off the floor.

"What a mood-spoiler,"

Zhao Xian rose, kicking Mu Qingwan on her bottom, "Let’s see how I’ll deal with you tonight!"

"Get out of here—"

Mu Qingwan stifled her sobs, quickly getting up and running out.

"This wretch won’t do, her daughter is more obedient... bring her daughter to accompany Brother Li!"

Zhao Xian waved again.

Immediately, a servant went to call for people.

Throughout the process, Wang Dazhu beside them hesitated several times, his eyes obviously full of compassion, yet he didn’t speak, clearly having spoken before, but to no avail.

Li An was very calm, even a hint of a smile at his lips.

"Brother Li, do you think I’ve gone too far?"

Zhao Xian said.

"Why would I? The grudge of my Foundation Establishment Pill being taken by that family has never been forgotten; if they fell into my hands, I’d make them wish for death."

Li An spoke calmly and indifferently, not caring about the fate of Mu Qingwan and her daughter; when Chen Cheng died at his hands, all grudges were settled.

He wouldn’t meddle further.

Zhao Xian laughed heartily, grabbing Li An’s hand, "Great minds think alike, to be honest Brother Li, I do this partly to avenge the humiliation of those years, and also to avenge your stolen pill!"

"Brother Li, this time our three brothers reunite, if we combine our hearts and minds, we can certainly carve a niche in the Cultivation Realm. I sincerely invite you to join my Zhao family, to serve as a Talisman Honored Guest Elder!"

"As long as you nod, the Zhao family’s future is yours and Dazhu’s as well!"

"Also, the Foundation Establishment Pill I promised to Dazhu last time, there’s currently a clue, and Brother Li will surely get one too!"

Li An’s expression shifted: "Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Yes, back then Dazhu risked his life to forge two Tier Two Magical Artifacts for my Zhao family. I promised him a Foundation Establishment Pill; it’s just difficult to find, but now there’s a clue..."

Zhao Xian smiled.

Li An instantly understood why Wang Dazhu wanted to leave the Zhao family.

Besides not being able to stand Zhao Xian’s torment of Mu Qingwan and her daughter, it probably has something to do with this matter too.

Li An said: "Thank you for the kind offer, Brother Zhao... but, I’ve grown used to being a Loose Cultivator these past years, I fear it would be hard to adapt all of a sudden."

"Brother Li, there’s no rush for such a matter, I know you have your reservations, feel free to stay at my estate for a few days, and see how Zhao conducts himself—"

Zhao Xian said generously.

At this moment, another beautiful young woman entered the hall, clearly dressed up, with a light touch of rouge, her beauty like a lotus emerging from water, especially with a sheer gown hugging her frame, her graceful figure faintly discernible.

This woman, Li An had seen once before.

Mu Qingwan’s daughter, Chen Qingling.

"Qingling, pour wine for Father,"

Chen Qingling approached gracefully, gently pouring wine for Zhao Xian, then with a clear voice, said: "Qingling pours for Uncle Li, Uncle Wang."

After the wine was poured, she stood by Li An’s side, a faint fragrance wafting in the air.

Three rounds of drinks.

"My good daughter, send Uncle Li to rest, take good care of him tonight,"

Zhao Xian laughed as he spoke, Chen Qingling immediately helped Li An up, entwining his arm in hers, coquettishly accompanying Li An out.

Li An said nothing.

Zhao Xian had arranged for Li An a standalone pavilion. After ascending the stairs with Li An, Chen Qingling closed the door.

Li An sat on the bed, gazing at Chen Qingling.

The Super Sensing Skill operated to the extreme, sensing the surroundings, while his Divine Sense extended outward.

Everything around was incredibly quiet, for as his Divine Sense swept through the pavilion, no monitoring devices were found.

Could Zhao Xian really only be using a beauty trap to win Li An over?

"Uncle Li, I’ve heard about you from Mother..."

Chen Qingling suddenly spoke. Eight years had passed, and she was no longer the child from Masho Ferry who couldn’t leave her parents. Now, though gentle, she possessed a certain intelligence and alertness.

"Mother said, Uncle Li is a good man, with a heart on the Great Dao... she also said, our Chen family owes you a debt of gratitude."

Li An said: "It’s nothing, everything is settled, we owe each other nothing."

Chen Qingling moved closer to Li An, sitting beside him, snuggling up, her delicate, fair arms wrapping around Li An’s neck, "Uncle Li, let niece serve you to sleep, shall I..."

Her breath was fragrant, slender hands caressing Li An’s back, gliding down to his waist, pausing at his thigh.

"Did Zhao Xian teach you all this?"

Li An suddenly asked.

Chen Qingling’s soft lips neared his ear, whispering: "Uncle Li, why ask so much?"

"Do you not trust my father?"

"Of course I trust him."

Li An replied calmly.

"No... you don’t trust him."

She suddenly panted softly, her gentle voice interspersed with intermittent whispers: "Uncle Li, Mother said, you’re a good man, surely you’ve sensed the danger, take me with you, I beg you..."

While speaking these enticingly tender words, she clung to Li An, her large eyes already filled with tears, so pitiful.

...