Asked About The World Of Mortals

Chapter 21: Li Qinglin

This "welcome banquet" was nothing special. The Li siblings, who had just lost their eldest brother, clearly had no mood for drinking and revelry, especially at such an inappropriate time. It was just a customary gathering in the mansion, introducing Li Qinglin's trusted subordinates to Qin Yi.

These trusted subordinates, about four or five of them, were both civil and martial. Their attitude towards Qin Yi was quite official. After all, it was not easy to reach such a position without revealing one's likes and dislikes, even if some people might look down on this inexplicable Taoist. But they would never express their attitude.

All Qin Yi could see were smiling faces, filled with a faint scrutiny and distance amidst the respect.

Even Li Qingjun was no longer the casual camaraderie she used to have, maintaining a distance from Qin Yi. Her demeanor during the banquet was more dignified than anyone else's. Qin Yi even saw her covering her wine cup with her small hand and taking a light sip.

The woman in the pavilion, drinking from her gourd with her head tilted back, seemed like a fleeting moment.

"It feels very oppressive." Back in his guest courtyard, Qin Yi sat by the window, leaning against the windowsill, looking at the flowers in the courtyard. "I would rather travel the world with the Li siblings to vanquish demons than see them in the capital."

Li Qingjun had already bid farewell. She had her own residence and would naturally not stay at her brother's place. Li Qinglin had also gathered his trusted subordinates for a meeting, probably related to the position of the crown prince. Qin Yi didn't care to listen, and he returned to his guest courtyard.

Liu Su's voice was somewhat teasing. "Regretting joining them? Wasn't it carefree on Xianji Mountain?"

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Where one lives is not that important." Qin Yi took out his gourd and took a sip, only to find that it was already empty. He boredly tossed it aside.

"You can pretend all you want." Liu Su said, "Why didn't you bring your peach wood sword to this welcome banquet?"

"What for?" Qin Yi asked in return. "Even if there really are demons around Li Qinglin, it doesn't mean it's evidence of fratricide. It would only make me look like a violent person at the banquet. How can I continue to thrive in the future?"

Liu Su seemed to casually ask, "If he really killed his brother, would you still cooperate with him?"

Qin Yi stared at the courtyard absentmindedly for a long time before saying, "I don't know."

"Actually, even if he killed his brother, it has nothing to do with you. The only person you want to deal with is the national teacher." Liu Su's words contained some instigation. "It would be even better if Li Qinglin has ambitions for the throne. Dealing with the national teacher would be more certain."

Qin Yi remained absentminded, not knowing what he was thinking. After a long time, he said, "For now, I still trust him. When the crown prince was attacked, he was clearly still in the mountains looking for me. It's only because of a few words from an unfamiliar Taoist nun that my cooperation partner is being doubted. That's the one with a problem in their head."

Liu Su laughed, understanding Qin Yi's thoughts.

Qin Yi used a word, "for now." Liu Su knew that although Qin Yi said he trusted Li Qinglin, there was still a trace of confusion buried in his heart. At least, he would pay some attention to this matter in their daily interactions.

Suddenly, Qin Yi said, "By the way, can you control this sword? I don't want such an uncontrollable thing by my side."

Liu Su chuckled, "Come and cultivate with me."

Qin Yi sneered, "I don't think you can."

Then he saw a wolf-toothed club jump up in place. "Who said I can't!"

...

Li Qinglin was also in a secret room, discussing with his trusted subordinates how to deal with the changing situation. Everything was arranged properly, and it was already late at night.

The trusted subordinates bid farewell and left, and Li Qinglin sighed, sitting alone in the secret room, staring at the light of the night pearl, not moving for a long time.

In a corner where the light of the Night Pearl could not reach, a female voice suddenly sounded: "These past few days, a very powerful divine sense has been constantly enveloping the area nearby. I don't even dare to go out."

The female voice sounded somewhat young and cold, and if Qin Yi were to hear what she said, he would probably jump up.

There was no doubt that this was the demon that Ming He had captured!

Li Qinglin chuckled: "No wonder I said why you haven't left yet. We agreed that you would help me with this task and then leave."

"You still have the mood to laugh?" the female voice said coldly. "Do you know what this means? I've been exposed, and an unknown outsider cultivator has set their sights on me."

Li Qinglin's smile remained: "You said that if things don't work out, you will take your own life to repay the favor, and you won't cause me any trouble. I hope your so-called soul blood oath is more reliable than a human's."

There was a long silence in the shadows before a low sigh: "The blood oath is very effective, you don't need to worry... Did you bring back a Taoist priest?"

Li Qinglin countered: "Do you hope that he can help you get through this?"

"Even ants can survive, let alone me? I... of course, I don't want to die."

Li Qinglin thought for a while and sighed: "Since the other party hasn't entered the mansion, you should stay here for now. Tomorrow, I will talk to Qin Yi and then make a decision..."

"You..." the female voice was quite surprised. "You're willing to help me? This could get you into trouble and make Qin Yi suspicious of you."

Everyone knew that the best solution was to fulfill the oath and take one's own life. Not to mention the outside cultivators, no one would know that there was once a demon here, and the last clue to the Crown Prince's case would be completely erased.

The woman seemed unable to believe that Li Qinglin would actually choose to help her. This completely exceeded her understanding of Li Qinglin.

Li Qinglin didn't need her to consider, he said to himself: "Actually, this matter... it's not too difficult to understand that I keep a demon by my side. Qin Yi doesn't seem like the type to kill demons on sight. Who would connect the Crown Prince's case with you for no reason? It's fine to help me take care of the demon in my mansion, right?"

"Yes. But there are too many complications..."

"Enough." Li Qinglin waved his hand. "You said I'm helping you, but aren't I also using this opportunity to see the cultivator you mentioned? Qin Yi doesn't have much cultivation, and if his methods are insufficient, maybe the outsider cultivator you mentioned will be my last choice. It may not necessarily be someone from Donghua Zi."

The female voice fell silent again.

An outsider cultivator meant no connection to the local forces, and indeed, Li Qinglin could unite with them. The only cost would be her life.

"A person like you... aren't you afraid that this kind of precarious plan will eventually lead to a misstep?"

"Plans depend on people," Li Qinglin said calmly. "At least for now, everything is going smoothly."

The female voice said indifferently, "Calculating against me is one thing, but what about the Princess Zhao Yang, who happily went to seek immortality with her brother, all according to your plan, using the excuse of accompanying her? Don't you feel guilty?"

Li Qinglin pondered and said to himself, "Qing Jun is a lively monkey on the path to seek immortality, and the most pure. She will grow up eventually, I just don't know what the catalyst will be."

"A monkey?"

"Yes, a monkey. And I am a monkey who is currently fighting against the Buddha. If I didn't have some means, if I were still as naive as Qing Jun, then I would ultimately not be able to escape the fate under the Five-Finger Mountain." Li Qinglin's expression became calm again. "Right now, I am treading on thin ice. Where would I find the energy to take care of everyone's feelings?"

Thanks to Xiao Ming for joining the alliance. By the way, everyone, don't forget to vote... There are so many great immortal cultivation authors, I'm trembling with excitement.

(End of this chapter)