Chapter 48 : It Smells Very Good

Chapter 48: It Smells Very Good

“Xiaolan, go back to the courtyard first. I’ll go find Master Liu.”

Stepping into the martial hall, ignoring the gazes falling upon her, Li Yunqing walked straight toward the courtyard where Hall Master Liu resided.

Morning sunlight filled the courtyard, and the begonia flowers were still in full bloom.

Hall Master Liu reclined half-lying on a rocking chair, quietly basking in the sun, looking completely at ease.

At that moment, as if sensing movement, he slowly opened his eyes and looked toward Li Yunqing as she approached.

“Have you decided?” Hall Master Liu spoke.

“Mm!” Li Yunqing nodded and said seriously, “But I still have some questions.”

It had already been two days. Whether or not to join the Mingyu Sect—she had made her decision and naturally needed to give Master Liu an answer.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, she still felt some longing for the Mingyu Scripture.

After all, it was of the same lineage as her Mingyu Fist and the future Mingyu Divine Art.

If there were a way to obtain it without joining the sect, that would be best.

A sect was like another kind of family. No matter how small, it would still be fully structured.

With her current strength, if the sect learned of her talent and appearance, unexpected situations might arise.

Even within Qingzhou City, Zhou Ke had dared to frame her openly and act without restraint.

Within a sect of even greater power, there might be those even more reckless and unrestrained.

The world was vast—there were all kinds of people.

She had to be cautious.

“What do you want to know? Go ahead.”

Hall Master Liu’s voice was aged, yet gentle.

“After a woman joins a sect, has there never been an exception—someone who could remain independent?”

Li Yunqing asked with some confusion.

Though life was difficult for women, and daughters of ordinary families began preparing dowries at eleven or twelve, marrying by fifteen or sixteen—

There were still women whose martial talent and temperament were no worse than men’s. There should be some who could remain independent, right?

“Yes. About twenty years ago, there was one.”

Hall Master Liu nodded.

“What happened to her now?”

Li Yunqing’s eyes lit up. If someone else could do it, then she could as well.

“She died.”

Seemingly understanding Li Yunqing’s intent, Hall Master Liu did not hide anything.

“She died?” Li Yunqing’s expression stiffened.

“That woman had exceptional talent. After joining the sect, she reached the Qi Realm in just a few years.”

“Later, when she came of age, the sect naturally brought up marriage and gave her two choices.”

“One was to form a marriage alliance with a stronger sect. The other was to marry the sect leader’s son at the time.”

“She chose neither, instead accumulating strength and leaving—but was then hunted down by the sect.”

“You should understand—sect and family inheritances are of utmost importance. Once violated, it becomes a life-and-death matter.”

At this point, Hall Master Liu paused slightly, a trace of reminiscence appearing in his expression.

“And then?” Li Yunqing pressed.

“Later, that woman grew stronger and stronger during the pursuit, eventually becoming a Grandmaster—so powerful that almost no one could suppress her.”

“Unfortunately, she met a man—a man who would risk his life for her.”

“What followed was that she was ultimately moved by him and bore a child.”

“Once there was a child, there were ties. Her heart finally had a place to belong.”

“Later, that child was gravely injured and on the brink of death. To save him, she sought out famous physicians at all costs. In the end, she suffered severe injuries, her cultivation completely dissipated, in exchange for her child’s survival.”

“After that, rumors spread that the man had used and deceived her—whether true or not is unknown. Not long after, she died.”

Hall Master Liu’s voice was filled with sighs.

That was a Grandmaster—a realm countless people dreamed of—yet she died before even reaching forty.

If she hadn’t died, with her talent, she might have stepped into the Divine Realm.

Li Yunqing fell into silence.

Would a woman truly change after having a child?

‘Wait… why am I thinking about children?’

She suddenly shivered.

“Was she really deceived?”

Li Yunqing asked, her tone carrying regret.

The wise avoid love.

Even if she wasn’t particularly wise, in this life, she would never fall into love.

“Perhaps. Whether she was deceived or not, only they themselves would know.”

At this point, Hall Master Liu added a faint warning, “So, if someone treats you well for no reason, you should be cautious.”

“Think about what you have that would make others treat you—”

His voice halted as his gaze swept over Li Yunqing’s appearance and figure. His lips twitched. “Forget I said that.”

Li Yunqing lowered her head to glance at herself, her expression stiffening. “……”

Wait—wasn’t Master Liu supposed to be a stern old man? Why was he making jokes?

“Then is there any way to obtain the Mingyu Scripture without joining the Mingyu Sect?”

She no longer dwelled on joining the sect.

She was still too young. Even with great talent, becoming strong required time. Encountering old monsters would be truly dangerous.

As for engagement—she would never go through that a second time.

“You really dare to think that!”

Hall Master Liu’s lips twitched as he glared at her. “Inheritance concerns the survival and continuation of a force or family.”

“If outsiders obtain it, it becomes a life-and-death struggle—unless you can suppress an entire sect alone.”

“If you had that kind of strength, a mere high-grade technique like the Mingyu Scripture wouldn’t even catch your eye.”

Li Yunqing fell silent for a long while.

With the Longevity Panel, she truly didn’t mind having more techniques—they were all traits and accumulation of foundation.

“In that case, I won’t join the Mingyu Sect for now.”

At this point, Li Yunqing hesitated slightly, then said somewhat embarrassedly, “If I don’t join, will Master Liu still protect me?”

“Once you form a good connection with the Sword Saint, you probably won’t think much of this old man!”

Hall Master Liu shook his head, yet still said firmly, “I can only ensure you won’t die. Everything else depends on yourself.”

“The same applies even to true disciples.”

He didn’t have the energy to manage every disciple’s affairs—being able to keep them alive was already rare.

Li Yunqing smiled. “Thank you, Master Liu.”

After bidding farewell, she headed toward the small courtyard of the Medical Hall.

She wasn’t a foolish woman.

If someone liked her, that was their business—it had nothing to do with her.

But anyone who tried to touch her or take her by force—she would show no mercy.

As she had once said: kindness would be repaid, enemies would be slaughtered—and those who tried to take her by force were enemies.

“Once my Yin Spirit grows stronger, Zhou Ke must die as well!”

Thinking of what happened on the street two days ago, a cold light flickered in her eyes.

When it came to grudges, she couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand.

Anyone who dared act against her—she would never forget.

“Morning! What are you thinking about? You’re not even watching where you’re going.”

Jiang Jing’s voice suddenly sounded, interrupting her thoughts.

Seeing Jiang Jing already seated in the courtyard early in the morning, Li Yunqing’s expression instantly returned to calm, without ripples. “Morning.”

She said no more and entered the pharmacy, beginning her alchemy.

As always, quiet.

Medicine King Scripture experience +1.

Medicine King Scripture experience +1.

By the time all the medicinal ingredients had been refined, an hour had already passed.

“Let’s begin.”

Li Yunqing pointed toward the side room, saying nothing more.

They had already gone through the treatment process twice—there was no need for further instruction. Jiang Jing already knew what to do.

Thinking of how the Medicine King Scripture would improve again, and how her strength and Sword Intent would grow, her mood lightened.

At this rate, by the next treatment, she might reach perfect skin tempering and step into the Middle Tier of the Initial Realm.

This speed was faster than taking pills.

Moreover, in three or four days, her Mingyu Fist would likely reach perfection, and the Sword Saint would arrive.

The Poison of Nine Infants could also enhance the Medicine King Force, accelerating the tempering of her body.

Inside the side room.

Jiang Jing, dressed in a light beige inner garment, sat inside the bath barrel, circulating his True Qi and absorbing the medicinal power.

But the moment Li Yunqing approached, a faint fragrance drifted into his nose.

Upon smelling it, Jiang Jing suddenly opened his eyes.

A sentence slipped out instinctively.

“Did you change your cosmetics?”

“What kind of fragrance is this? It smells very good!”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but inhale lightly, his heartbeat suddenly accelerating.

Li Yunqing: ???