Chapter 1 : Li Yunqing

Chapter 1: Li Yunqing

Great Yu Imperial Dynasty, Qingzhou City.

Li Residence Inner Courtyard, Ziyun Pavilion.

Li Yunqing wore a light purple long dress, reclining sideways on a soft couch.

Her left hand supported her chin against a cushion, while the fingertips of her right hand lightly pinched a page of a book. Her clear, bright eyes were filled with focus.

The afterglow of the setting sun was like golden threads, streaming through the window and spreading across the pavilion. Multicolored flowers were all covered in a golden sheen, filling the entire chamber with fragrance.

The evening breeze gently brushed past, teasing the strands of hair on her forehead as they danced before her eyes, only to be caught by her jade-like slender fingers and tucked behind her ear.

“Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting experience +1.”

The constantly flickering characters gathered and dispersed before her eyes, dispersing and gathering again.

After a long while.

“Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting reached Perfection, trait derived: Unparalleled Comprehension.”

At that moment, she felt as if her spirit had been washed by a clear spring, becoming vibrant and lively. Her eyes grew even brighter, like stars falling into them, shimmering with countless points of light.

“Finally perfected!”

Li Yunqing murmured softly. She set down the book and stretched her body. Her clothes tightened instantly, revealing her delicate and graceful curves.

Her exquisite facial features and jade-like fair skin emitted a faint glow under the sunset’s radiance.

“Each of the four arts—once perfected—will inevitably derive a trait.”

“If one is fortunate, even at the stages of Minor Mastery, Proficiency, and Major Mastery, there is also a chance to derive one.”

Her clear eyes flickered slightly as a panel appeared before her.

Name: Li Yunqing.

Lifespan: 15/∞

Skills: Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting (Perfection)

Traits: Single-Minded Focus, Photographic Memory, Vigorous Spirit, Natural Spiritual Grace, Eight Tones Enter the Soul, Unparalleled Comprehension.

“Not bad, six traits already added to my body.”

Looking at the panel, joy filled her eyes, yet suddenly, a trace of sorrow arose: “Longevity plus grinding experience—an infinite future… yet unfortunately, I am in a woman’s body!”

“In this chaotic age of demons and monsters, if I cannot protect myself, where can a woman even go?”

Thinking of her previous life, her expression turned gloomy, her heart filled with tangled contradictions. She even felt that the Soup of Forgetfulness had been diluted.

Otherwise, she would not have awakened the memories of her previous life after merely fifteen years.

The memories of two lifetimes had blended seamlessly, indistinguishable from each other. She had accepted the fact of her female body.

But there were some things she could never accept.

“Miss, the family head asks you to go to the front hall!”

A soft and crisp voice sounded at the pavilion door.

Li Yunqing gathered her thoughts and looked toward the newcomer: “Xiaolan, did Father say what it was about?”

Xiaolan hurried over to her side and whispered softly into her ear: “At noon, the head of the Jiang family came to visit. It’s likely a marriage proposal.”

“Miss, Young Master Jiang is as elegant as jade, with outstanding talent in both scholarship and martial arts. He is the ideal husband countless young ladies dream of marrying.”

“With Miss’s beauty, it’s definitely a perfect match!”

Hearing Xiaolan’s whisper, Li Yunqing’s heart skipped a beat, and her small hands clenched tightly.

If she had not awakened her past-life wisdom, it would not matter whom she married.

But with the memories of her previous life, how could she possibly marry?

At the mere thought of being pressed beneath a man, goosebumps spread all over her body, and deep resistance surged within her.

“No! I absolutely cannot marry!”

She steadied her emotions, quickly stood up, and walked toward the front hall, completely failing to notice Xiaolan behind her, whose face was full of longing.

The Jiang family was a great clan of Qingzhou, with hundreds of years of enduring legacy. Every generation produced men of extraordinary talent and aptitude, supporting the family’s prestige.

Especially Jiang Yu of this generation—a martial prodigy. At only eighteen years old, he had already reached the upper rank of the Initial Realm.

The Jiang family head often boasted: My son Jiang Yu possesses the bearing of a supreme grandmaster.

Such a man was indeed the ideal match and dream lover in the hearts of countless young ladies.

Front Hall of the Li Residence.

As soon as Li Yunqing stepped in, she saw her father, Li Yansong, holding a teacup with a face full of smiles as he sipped lightly.

Though in his forties, he seemed several years younger, full of vigor and radiant with energy.

“Yunqing has arrived!”

Seeing her, the smile on Li Yansong’s face deepened.

His daughter had been nurtured in Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting since childhood. Her temperament and beauty ranked among the best in all of Qingzhou.

If not for her overly quiet nature and reluctance to go out, her reputation would not be inferior to the young masters and ladies of other families in the slightest.

Fortunately, the Jiang family had a keen eye and came to propose marriage.

Once allied with the largest family in Qingzhou, with the Jiang family’s support, along with himself and his talented eldest son, the Li family would certainly rise to a higher level.

In the future, they might even enter the ranks of Qingzhou’s great families.

Such an opportunity was simply rare beyond measure.

“Father, I don’t want to marry!”

Hearing this, Li Yansong’s smiling face suddenly froze: “Nonsense!”

“Marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers—how can you say you won’t marry and expect that to be acceptable?”

Seeing her father angered and hearing his words, Li Yunqing felt helpless, yet she still insisted: “Father, I truly do not want to marry!”

Li Yansong frowned tightly, staring straight at her.

His daughter had always been extremely obedient and well-behaved since childhood, never once contradicting him. Gentle and quiet by nature, intelligent and refined.

The Jiang family was a great clan, and Jiang Yu excelled in both scholarship and martial talent, with an excellent reputation. He was destined to become the next family head.

Such a person was unquestionably a good match.

He simply could not understand why his daughter refused to marry.

But this matter allowed no discussion. Rejecting such a great family might cause the Li family to lose its standing in Qingzhou altogether.

“Yunqing, your marriage to Jiang Yu is not just about the two of you—it concerns both the Jiang and Li families.”

“It concerns the future of the entire Li family!”

At this point, Li Yansong’s expression grew even more serious:

“When you go out, you have carriages, guards, and servants ensuring your safety.”

“When you want to eat delicacies, someone finds them for you.”

“When you study the four arts, I spend great sums to invite renowned masters to teach you.”

“Your food, clothing, and daily needs—everything is the best in Qingzhou. Since you have enjoyed the family’s benefits, you must bear the responsibilities you should bear!”

“This is a family alliance. Even if he were ugly or incompetent, you would still have to marry!”

Li Yansong’s tone gradually softened: “Jiang Yu is elegant as jade, with both character and talent. Such a man is absolutely a good match.”

“You should feel fortunate, not resistant.”

Listening to her father’s words, Li Yunqing fell silent.

She understood what he meant.

In this Chaotic Martial World, where demons ran rampant, having a family to rely on was a rare blessing for anyone.

If she were a commoner, she could never live so comfortably, free from worries about food and clothing.

But to marry—she simply could not do it.

This was not only because of her previous life’s instinctive rejection of the opposite sex, but also because after obtaining Longevity and the ability to grind experience, marriage was no longer something she would ever consider.

Given enough time to grow, she could protect her family for countless ages without decline.

There was no need for a marriage alliance at all.

Unfortunately, some things could not be spoken or explained.

Her father wished to rely on the Jiang family and make the clan prosper further—she understood and agreed, yet she could not comply.

In the dozen days since awakening her memories, she had not dared reveal even a hint of her determination not to marry.

Moreover, in this martial world plagued by demons, with her appearance, without family protection, she might not even have the chance to grow.

Without the strength to protect herself, she was destined to be unable to escape such a fate.

Thinking this, Li Yunqing stopped arguing and instead said, “Father, I want to practice martial arts!”

With the traits brought by Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, if she could cultivate martial arts, she would surely soar to great heights.

Combined with the Longevity panel, as long as she came into contact with martial techniques, she would certainly be able to take control of her own fate.

As long as she became strong enough, who could—who would dare—force her to marry?

“Practice martial arts?”

Li Yansong was slightly stunned. Looking at his daughter’s frail figure, he could not help but laugh.

“Yunqing, don’t be ridiculous!”

“Martial training is bitter and exhausting—you absolutely won’t be able to endure it.”

Martial cultivation began with strengthening the body and blood, generating force, and tempering the physique and internal organs. Every step was extremely difficult.

Even those powerful body-strengthening fist techniques were not something her delicate frame could withstand.

Not to mention the later Qi Realm, which required sufficient comprehension to cultivate internal techniques, open meridians, and draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to circulate through the body and form true qi.

But seeing the stubborn look on her small face, and recalling his earlier scolding and refusal, he felt a trace of reluctance.

Since childhood, she had been obedient and never caused him worry. Gentle in nature, beloved by everyone in the family.

Even he cherished her deeply, even more than his eldest son.

But women must eventually marry and bear children.

As if thinking of something, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said gently: “How about this—tomorrow, I’ll send you to a martial hall to try it out.”

“You must act within your limits!”

Hearing her father’s words, Li Yunqing finally let out a sigh of relief. Taking this first step meant infinite possibilities ahead.

The marriage discussion had only just begun. The subsequent steps—betrothal gifts, name inquiry, auspicious confirmation, setting the date, dowry, and wedding procession—would take at least one to two years.

Especially for great families, which valued propriety even more. She was only fifteen, having just reached adulthood. She still had at least a year.

“Thank you, Father!”