Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

Qingyang City is located in the northwest of the Yan Kingdom, stationed at the border with the cities of Heishui and Shunyi, forming a triangular defensive position. It borders the Wei Kingdom to the west and overlooks the Qi Kingdom across the sea to the north.

Although the population does not reach the "metropolis" standard of one million, due to its economic prosperity, it has long been among the ranks of large cities in terms of comprehensive strength.

Especially in recent years, due to the civil war in the neighboring Wei Kingdom, a large number of refugees have gathered in the city, making a fortune in the export trade of weapons and warhorses. By the end of last year, the population in the city had approached nine hundred thousand, contributing more tax revenue to the court than some large cities.

In Qingyang City, there are countless prominent families, wealthy merchants, and small traders.

The mansions of the wealthy are mainly distributed in the eastern district where the city lord's mansion is located, while the martial arts families mostly reside in the southern district where the Independent Cultivators are located.

In addition to cultivators, the three major secular forces are the Cao Yun Gang, the Wan Ren Tang, and the Qingyang Martial Alliance.

The leader of the Cao Yun Gang, "Weihe," controls the port and docks, as well as official and private salt, warhorses, aquatic products, and transportation of goods such as silk, mostly in his hands.

The Wan Ren Tang is involved in various activities, including both large and small gangs inside and outside the city, slave trading, gambling houses, and brothels.

The Qingyang Martial Alliance includes martial arts families, including the Xue family. There are many martial arts halls and escort agencies, and their disciples are often sent to the army. In addition, they also have an arsenal.

The relationships among the three parties are complex, and competition and cooperation can change at any time.

Of course, behind these three forces, there is a balancing hand—the city lord's mansion.

To be precise, it is Qin Ben!

Qin Ben never follows the rules in his actions, and it is precisely because of this that Qingyang City has rapidly developed from a small city to its current size. Within three to five years, it will definitely rank among the major cities of the Yan Kingdom.

As for cultivators, they have to keep a low profile.

Even if they settle in the secular city, many Independent Cultivators still have fantasies about Foundation Building and longevity.

Therefore, even for people like Yang Yanqing and Li Henian who are determined to establish their own clans, they are rarely involved in secular industries, and they focus most of their attention on cultivation.

Half an hour ago.

Xue Peng, a well-known playboy in the city, walked the streets with his entourage, swinging his folding fan.

Wherever they went, the passersby and street vendors greeted them with low brows and smiles, afraid of offending them. Being beaten, looted, and even killed were common occurrences.

Especially for beautiful women, they were like encountering a plague. Those who were close would lower their heads in fear, and those who were far away would run away.

In fact, there were many women who wanted to climb the social ladder, but Xue Peng's notorious reputation spread far and wide in Qingyang City. Every woman he set his sights on had a bad ending. After playing with them, he would abandon them like worn-out shoes.

"Phew~"

Xue Peng took a bite of a jujube he picked up from a roadside stall, casually threw it away, and waved his hand, saying, "Smash it for me!"

The old vendor immediately approached and bowed, trying to please him, and said with a smile, "Young Master Peng, is there something wrong with this jujube?"

Xue Peng glanced at him.

His lackey immediately scolded, "How dare you! Young Master Peng thinks the jujube skin is bitter, so you must have put some medicine on it. The people living in the southern district are all noble, and if they get a stomachache from eating it, even ten heads won't be enough for you to chop off!"

The vendor, who had obviously been persecuted before and had gained some experience, quickly smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I understand the severity. Please, Young Master Peng, rest assured. This jujube from our stall has never been treated with medicine. I will send some fresh ones to your residence for the master and young ladies to taste. If they get a stomachache, I will apologize with my life!"

For small vendors like him who sell fruits and vegetables, how could they afford expensive fertilizers and growth enhancers?

There are plenty of reasons to cause trouble.

The lackey said, "Remember, don't give us any small green jujubes!"

"Yes, yes! Young Master Peng, please take care!"

The old vendor watched them leave, shaking his head and sighing.

As the group wandered, they passed by Yue Lai Restaurant. Xue Peng's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Who is that young lady? She is so beautiful and charming!"

It turned out to be Dongcao, who came to the restaurant to check the accounts. It happened to be mealtime, so she and her maid were preparing to dine here.

The lackey glanced over and smiled, "She looks unfamiliar. She should be a concubine from some family."

Then, he reminded, "But this restaurant is owned by the Li family. Young Master Peng, you should be cautious."

Xue Peng raised an eyebrow, "Li family? Which Li family?"

After hearing the explanation, Xue Peng sneered, "I wasn't afraid of the Xue family when Li Henian was around, let alone now that he's gone. Hehe~ I'm afraid he died in Mangdang Mountain and won't be coming back!"

Suddenly, he remembered something and looked lasciviously, "Didn't the Li family recently take in two concubines? I guess they didn't have time to enjoy them before Li Henian left?"

"It seems so."

"Let's go!"

Snap~ Xue Peng snapped open his folding fan and led a group of followers and thugs to stride towards the restaurant.

The lively and cheerful atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly fell silent. Everyone slowed down their movements and quietly ate and drank with their heads lowered.

Xue Peng went straight to the table where Dong Cao was sitting, looked down at her with a smiling face, and asked, "Miss, may I ask for your surname?"

Dong Cao felt uncomfortable under Xue Peng's scrutinizing gaze. She furrowed her eyebrows slightly, stood up, and greeted with a smile, "I am Zhong Dongshi. I have seen Young Master Xue. If you need this table, please take it."

After speaking, she made another bow and turned to leave.

However, Xue Peng quickly stepped forward, grabbed Dong Cao's arm, and pulled her towards him. "Miss, don't leave. Stay and have a drink with me!"

"Ah!" Dong Cao was startled.

"Outrageous!" Xiao Qing, the little maid, pushed away Xue Peng's wandering hand and stood in front of her mistress. She was young and small in stature, but fearless.

After Dong Cao regained her composure, she quickly pulled Xiao Qing behind her and smiled, "The servant is ignorant. I hope Young Master Xue won't take offense. Since you have invited me, I will offer a toast."

At the same time, the servant boy approached Xue Peng and whispered quickly in his ear, "There is only one Zhong Mansion in the southern district. The master is a Qi Refining fourth-level cultivator and a talisman master. He has good relations with many cultivators in the city. It might be better to give up on this, and I can find you a better..."

Xue Peng glared at him and then smiled, folding his fan and waving his hand. "I don't have the same level of knowledge as a servant. Innkeeper, bring out the best food and wine!"

Dong Cao went to the counter herself, picked up a bottle of wine and two cups, and returned to pour two glasses. She raised her cup and solemnly said, "To Young Master Xue!"

Xue Peng was very satisfied. He raised his cup and drank it all in one go, his eyes narrowed with a lewd expression. "Miss, you are truly beautiful. Your enchanting appearance is even more enticing than those brothel women. This young master..."

Before he could finish his insulting words, he suddenly screamed, "Ah~"

It turned out that Xiao Qing had called Yan Sandao, who had come with them, down from the second floor. She twisted his wrist and there was a crisp sound.

"You... you..."

With a kick, Yan Sandao lifted his leg and kicked him, sending him and his followers crashing onto the street outside the restaurant. Xue Peng's eyes rolled back, and he opened his mouth, unconscious and on the brink of life and death.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

"Wait, Second Sister!" Dong Cao's face changed dramatically, but she was unable to stop it in time.

The concubines of the Zhong Mansion rarely went out, but they had some connections with a few families, including the Li Mansion.

However, as the one in charge of the family's business accounts, Dong Cao had a detailed understanding of the forces in the city, including the Xue Mansion's background.

This act would cause big trouble.

"Peng Shao!"

After the shock, the servant boy's face also changed drastically. He hurriedly ran over and checked his master's breath, shouting urgently, "Don't move! Do you want to shake the young master to death? Go and fetch a doctor!"

"You go to the martial arts hall!"

"You go inform the Second Young Master and find a way to contact the master!"

"The rest of you, surround this restaurant. No one is allowed to leave!"

He arranged everything in an orderly manner.

Inside the restaurant, Dong Cao held onto Yan Sandao, her face pale, and her voice trembling. "What should we do? Second Sister, you don't know, this person is from the Xue Mansion..."

After hearing the introduction, Yan Sandao, with a frosty expression, couldn't help but furrow his brows.