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

The sun rises in the morning.

Stepping into October.

The sea breeze blowing from the Wei River, passing through the harbor, crossing the mountain villages and wilderness, blowing all the way to Qingyang City.

Damp and cool.

Suddenly, it creeps into the collar, giving a sense of coldness.

Li Qiu adjusted her dress and looked at the young man on the martial arts field, his fists fierce and powerful, a beautiful smile of satisfaction spreading across her face.

Seeing him finish his practice and stand up, she quickly took the tea cup from the tray held by the maid beside her, her smile blossoming even more.

"Wen'er!"

"Mother! Why are you here?"

Li Qiu handed him the tea, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, and wiped the sweat from her son's forehead, her face filled with doting. "Are you tired?"

"Not tired, I'm just getting started!"

"Xiaozhong wakes up at the hour of the rabbit every day, practices for an hour, works at night, and practices for at least two hours before going to bed!"

"If he surpasses me because he has been practicing martial arts for a shorter time and calls me Young Master Wen when we meet, I would feel embarrassed."

Li Shangwen casually said as he drank the tea.

"Slow down!" Li Qiu lightly patted her son's back and smiled, "He is a servant, what are you comparing yourself to him for?"

But Li Shangwen said, "All people are born equal. My current status is given by my father. If I don't work hard, I may not be able to surpass those ordinary people who work hard in the future, let alone servants or even refugees."

Li Qiu was taken aback, "Is this what your Uncle Zhong taught you?"

Li Shangwen smiled, "Uncle Zhong taught Xiaozhong. Although he is a poor servant, if he works diligently and wholeheartedly, he can also become a literary giant, a wealthy merchant, a general, or a city lord in the future. Everything is possible, the same goes for me."

Li Qiu was moved in her heart. In less than half a month, her son seemed like a different person. He had never gotten up so early to practice before, let alone said such things.

She said seriously, "Wen'er, if Uncle Zhong is willing to teach you, you must learn well. When your father returns, he will also look at you with new eyes."

"I know, I'm going to greet Auntie and have something to discuss with her."

"Okay, go ahead."

Li Shangwen bowed and quickly left the martial arts field, returned to his residence to change his clothes, and went to the courtyard where Li Yang was.

"Shangwen greets Mother!"

"Get up, why are you here so early today?"

Li Shangwen stood up and approached, "Mother, have you made a decision? When will Big Brother come back?"

Li Yang's gaze flickered, "Shangwen, did Uncle Zhong tell you about your father's news in Mangdang Mountain?"

"No, we haven't received any news from the Fang family yet."

Li Yang fell silent for a while and said, "This is a matter of great importance. If it is not handled properly, it will affect the Li family. You said that the Zhong family can handle it on their own, so we don't need to intervene. Last time, we already gave them enough face by stepping in."

"A person like Xue Shanhua is easily captured by Uncle. We don't need to help. What we gave was our attitude, which is only beneficial to our Li family."

After a pause, he continued, "Forgive me for being disrespectful, but it has been almost two years since Father left. If he doesn't come back, we will be surrounded by enemies in Qingyang City. Without the support of cultivators, our best choice is to leave Qingyang as soon as possible. Mother, you should understand this better than I do!"

Li Yang stared at him for a while, paced back and forth, and took out a black token from her sleeve. "Shangwen, you have grown up. This is the last trump card of the Li family. Be careful not to expose yourself..."

"Okay!" Li Shangwen's eyes brightened, and he immediately reached out to take it. "What is this? How do I use it?"

Originally, he just wanted Auntie to arrange for the martial artists in the martial arts hall to help, but he didn't expect such an important item to be brought out.

But Li Yang suddenly retracted her hand, "Let me accompany you on this trip!"

"Mother personally going is for the best!"

...

The Zhong residence.

Early in the morning, Dongcao hurriedly arrived at the main hall and saw Xiaohuan. She immediately pulled her aside and asked in a low voice, "How long has it been since you last delivered food to Second Madam?"

Xiaohuan bowed and replied, "Replying to Sixth Madam, it has been several days. I only delivered once. Second Madam has the fasting pills given by Master and said she is in seclusion and not to be given any food."

Jiang Ping heard the commotion and walked out with her pregnant belly, asking, "Dongcao, what's the matter?"

Dongcao quickly approached with a worried expression, "Eldest sister, second sister is not in her room!"

"Last night, I secretly went to see second sister, wanting to bring her some food. But she wasn't there. I waited for a long time but she didn't return to her room. This morning, I went again and her bed was cold. Xiaohuan might not have delivered food for a long time. Eldest sister, maybe second sister has already run away..."

Jiang Ping's heart stirred and she thought for a moment before asking, "Has anyone else been told about this?"

Dongcao shook her head, "Not yet. I wanted to tell eldest sister last night, but it was too late and you were already asleep."

Jiang Ping said, "Let's pretend nothing happened and not tell anyone."

Dongcao hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Xiaohuan followed suit, "Yes, I will remember."

Jiang Ping walked to the entrance of the main hall and spoke sternly, "Yan Sandao has committed a grave mistake. Master is merciful, and while she may escape death, she cannot escape punishment. From now on, no one is allowed to deliver food to her!"

The maidservants in the courtyard and corridors all stopped and lowered their heads.

"Yes, Madam!"

Jiang Ping asked, "Xiaohuan, has Master woken up?"

Xiaohuan replied, "Not yet, Madam. Early this morning, I saw Seventh Madam going to Master's cultivation room."

...

Cultivation room.

[Insight into cultivation techniques +1, experience in talisman dao +1, progress in cultivation +1]

Zhong Yan finished his morning exercises on the tree and glanced at the system panel, coldly snorting.

Tang Xiaoshu helped him dress and straightened his collar, then looked at the calligraphy hanging on the wall.

"Husband, did you write that?"

"How is it? Not bad, right?"

"Of course, Husband's calligraphy is naturally gifted, with profound brushstrokes. You will surely achieve your grand ambition in immortality."

Bullshit!

It's as if a chicken claw wrote it.

In his previous life, he was used to using ballpoint pens. Now that he was in the Immortal Martial Continent, he was already doing well if he could learn to write. Who has time to practice calligraphy?

Everyone loves to hear sweet words, but if they don't match the true thoughts in one's heart, there is no joy at all.

Even though the woman in front of him was stunningly beautiful, Zhong Yan felt a bit annoyed with her, but he smiled and said, "Come again tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Husband."

Before long, the two of them left the cultivation room and arrived at Courtyard No. 9.

Zhong Xiaozhong quickly stepped forward and greeted, "Master, Seventh Madam."

"Master, the Lord of the City Mansion has sent a message, inviting you to a banquet at the third day of the third month, at the hour of the dog."

Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow, realizing that it was earlier than expected. "The third day?"

Zhong Xiaozhong replied, "Yes, the messenger just left."

Tang Xiaoshu noticed his expression and asked cautiously, "Husband, is there a problem?"

"You go rest, Xiaozhong will come with me."

After saying this, Zhong Yan led Zhong Xiaozhong to the study.

Sitting at the desk, he cast a soundproof barrier and asked, "Is there anything unusual at the dock?"

"They haven't delivered any seafood today, Master. Could it be that the Second Madam has returned early?"

Zhong Yan pondered for a moment and asked, "Who usually delivers food to the soldiers outside?"

"Xiaoqing and Xiaocui."

"Besides them, who else has contact with them?"

Zhong Xiaozhong replied directly, "Xiaohuan accompanied the First Madam and General Hou and said some words of gratitude. The Fourth Madam and the Seventh Madam also went together to offer a toast once. Other than that, no one else. The servants guard the outer courtyard every day."

"You go wait, come and tell me later."

"Yes, Master."

Zhong Yan pursed his lips and pondered. There must have been some detail he overlooked that led to this change.

Without releasing any signals, Qin Ben's best response would be to wait and see.

However, now the negotiation time has been determined, and there are only two days left.

"The sixth day... shouldn't be a big problem."

After some thought, Zhong Yan took out several sound transmission talismans and cast a spell to activate them one by one.

Zhong Xiaozhong returned again, followed by Li Shangwen and Li Yangshi.

"Uncle!"

"Liu'er greets Uncle."

Li Yangshi, dressed in a light blue palace dress, curtsied and went straight to the table, placing a black token engraved with the character 'year' on it.

"I know Uncle wants to compete with the Xue family. The Li family is willing to assist wholeheartedly. This is our Li family's 'Black Year' token, which controls three hundred dead soldiers, distributed in various industries inside and outside Qingyang City... Apart from my husband occasionally inquiring about news, it has never been used. It may be of some help to Uncle."

Zhong Yan was surprised and glanced at Li Shangwen. Even with his persuasion, Li Yangshi must have had enough courage to bring out such an important thing.

Li He's wife, Li Yangshi, is indeed a good wife.

Zhong Yan smiled, stood up, cupped his hands, picked up the token, looked at it, and handed it back to her. "Thank you, sister-in-law. Let's keep this for a critical moment. The current situation is still manageable for me."

Money can make the devil turn the millstone.

He has been in Qingyang for a while now, and he has good relationships with many cultivators, soldiers, and local bosses. He has sent gifts during festivals and has a network of connections.

Take the chaotic area in the western district, for example. There have been no incidents involving his family's business there.

Moreover, he just visited Yang Yanqing last night and spent more than eight spirit stones to buy information about Yu Qingyao. Yang Yanqing's influence in Qingyang City is not comparable to Li He's.

Li Yangshi and Zhong Yan locked eyes for a moment, then she lowered her head and looked at the token, accepting it with a curtsy. She smiled and said, "I was overthinking it. Uncle, if you have any requests, please don't hesitate to ask."

"You don't have to trouble yourself, sister-in-law. With the relationship between the Zhong and Li families, there's no need for us to be so formal. Liu'er, you don't need to disturb us further."

"Yes, Uncle. Liu'er won't bother you anymore."

Li Yangshi curtsied again and turned to Li Shangwen. "Wen'er, stay here and help your uncle run errands."

"Mother, take care!"

He watched her leave, and Li Shangwen immediately stepped forward and said, "Uncle, my aunt is also a formidable character. I didn't say much about your matter to her, but she brought out the 'Black Year Order'. I didn't know we had such a thing in our family before."

Zhong Yan nodded. Li Henian usually only taught the children and focused his thoughts on cultivation and his side business. All the household chores were taken care of by his wife and steward.

He looked at Zhong Xiaozhong and asked, "What's the situation?"

"I have carefully inquired. There were three conflicts and fights at the West Harbor Pier yesterday, but this kind of situation is common. In addition, there have been no changes in the rotation of the city guards."

Zhong Yan frowned, suspecting that Qin Ben was trying to force him and create an opportunity against the Xue Mansion.

However, he couldn't confirm yet whether Tang Xiaoshu, the spy, was sent by the City Lord's Mansion.

He pondered for a long time.

Zhong Yan said, "In that case, Xiaozhong, go find Li Mingqiang and have a drink with him. Leak the news about the Cao Yun Gang to him. Do you know what to do?"

Zhong Xiaozhong thought for a while and said, "I will tell him to help establish connections and arrange for me to work at the Wanren Hall."

Zhong Yan nodded and waved his hand.

Li Shangwen looked at Zhong Xiaozhong as he walked away quickly and asked, "Uncle, are the Cao Yun Gang and Wanren Hall also involved?"

"They won't bother if there's no benefit, but whether they participate or not is not up to them."

"But won't that offend them?"

"No, it won't."

Li Shangwen was full of doubts and asked again, "Then what do I need to do?"

"You?"

Zhong Yan glanced at him and smiled, asking, "Do you have a woman you like?"

"Huh?"

Li Shangwen looked confused.

Zhong Yan said, "I heard that the third concubine of Xue Laohu is quite good-looking. She used to be known as the second beauty of Qingyang. Have you seen her?"

Li Shangwen blinked his eyes. Uncle wouldn't be waiting to destroy the Xue Mansion and then give that concubine to me, right? He thought to himself, "I have seen her from a distance. She is indeed decent, but she is already in her thirties. I don't like women who are too old."

Zhong Yan glanced at him and said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "I heard that the first time you went to the brothel, you called for a woman in her thirties."

"..." Li Shangwen widened his eyes, his face turning red. How did he find out about such a secretive matter?

"You go and seduce her."

Li Shangwen's mouth twitched. "Uncle, she's at the Innate Triple Realm. She could crush me with a slap!"

Zhong Yan threw two talismans in front of him and said, "There is evidence of Guo Qingxue and Xue Hongyi inside... like this... these talismans are disposable. Just give them to her. If you like her and she is willing, she will be yours afterwards."

Li Shangwen's face changed repeatedly as he listened, and finally smiled and said, "Yes, I will do it well!"

Seeing the excitement in his eyes, Zhong Yan couldn't help but laugh.

Afterwards, he picked up a brush and wrote a letter, then left the study and called Tang Xiaoshu.

"You will deliver this letter to the Xue Mansion."

Tang Xiaoshu was taken aback.

Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Afraid of being detained?"

Tang Xiaoshu immediately took the letter and said, "Yes, husband, I will change my clothes and go."

Zhong Yan then called Xia He and, amidst the many soldiers and hidden spies, swaggered out of the mansion.

...