Chapter 637 - 297: Qinghe City
Chapter 637: Chapter 297: Qinghe City
Three days later.
Qinghe City.
This is the third city among the three cities and twelve towns under the jurisdiction of the Zhenyang Sect.
Qinghe City is not as large as Zhenyang City and Qinglian City, but it ranks first in prosperity.
Because Qinghe City is located at the border of the Zhenyang Sect territory and the West Imperial Dynasty, there are many cultivators and merchants coming and going, bustling with activity and commerce.
This has created the prosperous scenery of Qinghe City.
Unlike Zhenlian City being dominated by the Xu Family, Qinghe City does not have a city lord, but is governed by two major families.
The Cheng Family, whose first generation patriarch was a disciple of the Zhenyang Sect, was sent to Qinghe City, then just a small town, three hundred years ago. Through hardships with the cultivators, he led to the establishment of today’s Qinghe City.
The Li Family, at the birth of Qinghe City, coincided with a beast tide. The Cheng family’s patriarch died, and the Li Family stepped forward, sacrificing most of their family to protect Qinghe City.
Since then, the Cheng and Li Families have co-governed Qinghe City.
However, two tigers cannot share one mountain, and for over two hundred years, the two families have had many conflicts, which cannot be considered peaceful.
Until twenty years ago, during another beast tide, Li Qinghe, the eldest daughter of the Li Family, was saved by the patriarch of the Cheng Family. Her heart secretly set, and the two families then formed a bond, slightly easing relations.
After marriage, Li Qinghe and her husband, Cheng Yu, were affectionate, going into seclusion for a year, and when they emerged, a baby girl was already in Li Qinghe’s hands.
This child, a descendant of both families, was named Qing Yun after her parents to show family harmony and marital love.
From an early age, Cheng Qingyu displayed extraordinary cultivation talent, attaining her Golden Core at thirteen and was sent to the Zhenyang Sect at seventeen.
"That’s all I’ve found out."
In an inn, with one hand holding a water jug and pouring water, Ming Hu spoke to Su Xin and Wei Wan, accidentally choking a little and coughing.
Su Xin furrowed her delicate brows slightly, "No one’s competing to drink the water with you, slow down."
Three days ago, Ming Hu, this thick-skinned fellow, had been sticking closely to her. She couldn’t get rid of him, and couldn’t beat him, so Su Xin, helpless, had to let him follow.
The three arrived at Qinghe City. Su Xin and Wei Wan first planned to gather information about the two families from the market rather than directly approaching the Li and Cheng Families.
However, the two women’s appearances were so stunning that it was inconvenient to gather information openly. Ming Hu patted his chest, claiming he could surely handle the task for Junior Sister Su.
He went out to gather information for most of the day and returned anxiously to find Su Xin.
Upon hearing Su Xin’s mild reproach, Ming Hu was overjoyed, "Junior Sister Su, are you concerned about me? I used to like our little junior sister and pursued her fervently, but she never showed such care to me!"
"..."
Su Xin was momentarily speechless, while Wei Wan couldn’t help but laugh. "Senior Brother Ming, who pursues someone they fancy by talking about their former lovers?"
"Junior Sister Wei!" Su Xin, flustered and embarrassed, lightly slapped Wei Wan on the back of her hand, who chuckled quietly.
After unraveling the mystery of her parents and breaking away from Chen Qingmo, Wei Wan finally let go of a burden that had haunted her for years, her nature much more cheerful.
These past few days, spending every moment with Su Xin, the two women grew increasingly like sisters, more genuine and close than the polite façades of senior and junior sisters at the Zhenyang Sect.
"Oh, right!"
Ming Hu set down the empty water jug, slapping his forehead:
"There’s also something strange. Since the birth of Cheng Qingyu, the patriarch Cheng Yu seems to have never appeared again, and Li Qinghe also keeps a low profile, rarely seen by people."
Su Xin and Wei Wan exchanged glances. The "Cheng Yu" is Chen Qingmo in disguise. He’s still busy being Sect Leader in the Zhenyang Sect, making it understandable not to show up.
But the disappearance of the Li Family patriarch was indeed suspicious.
Wei Wan asked, "What about the beast tide a few months ago? Did Li Qinghe not appear then either?"
Ming Hu was momentarily stunned, smiling awkwardly, "I didn’t think of that at the time, forgot to find out, hahaha!"
Su Xin said helplessly, "Senior Brother Ming, please go and inquire a bit more, thank you."
"Haha, for Junior Sister Su, it’s no trouble at all, I’m off!"
With a hearty laugh, Ming Hu’s figure flashed as he flew out the window.
This guy comes and goes with the wind, rash and impulsive, giving Su Xin a headache.
Wei Wan teasingly said to Su Xin, "Sister, that Senior Brother Ming is quite straightforward, very suitable for you."
"Sister, you’re teasing me too!"
Su Xin said irritably, "Right now, I only want to figure out Chen Qingmo’s identity, and I have no thought for anything else!"
Wei Wan nodded, "True, Senior Brother Ming was once enamored with Su Hongling, and now he pesters you, so his fickleness isn’t quite desirable."
"Sister, drink some water."
Su Xin quickly poured a glass of water for Wei Wan. After a moment, she suddenly said:
"If Chen Qingmo really is a villain, he will surely kill us to silence us. Shouldn’t we keep Senior Brother Ming from getting involved?"
Wei Wan’s expression grew more serious, "In that case, once Senior Brother Ming gathers the information, we’ll ditch him tonight."
Su Xin softly bit her lip, nodding, "Okay."
Ming Hu soon returned, looking parched and ready to grab the water jug. Su Xin had already set a cup of tea before him.
"Drink slowly."
"Hehe, Junior Sister Su is so kind to me!"
Ming Hu was elated, gulping down the cup before speaking to the two of them:
"This matter is truly peculiar. During the beast tide, Qinghe City was breached; a Sixth Grade demonic beast, leading a legion of beasts, charged into the city. Li Qinghe appeared, yet before she could act, the Sixth Grade demonic beast retreated."
Su Xin was amazed, "She appeared and scared off a Sixth Grade demonic beast? Didn’t anyone find that strange?"
Ming Hu slapped the table, "Su Xin, you truly understand me so well! I also thought the same and asked many people. But they just said it was Li Qinghe blessed with fortune, with the Cheng and Li ancestors’ spirits protecting Qinghe City."
Wei Wan asked, "Is that what the people of Qinghe City all think?"
Ming Hu nodded, "Everyone I asked said the same thing, like their minds are controlled, all giving the identical explanation. Damn, it’s weird!"
Su Xin contemplated, "So it’s not only Cheng Yu that’s odd; even his wife, Li Qinghe, is strange."
Ming Hu chuckled, "How about we explore the Li Family tonight?"
Su Xin stood up, "No rush. Senior Brother Ming, you’ve worked hard gathering information for us. I’ll cook a few dishes to express my gratitude."
After saying this, she stepped out, returning shortly with a few dishes.
The dishes were fragrant, flavorful, and visually appealing, making one’s appetite tingle. Ming Hu was amazed:
"I didn’t expect Junior Sister Su to be not only beautiful and with superb cultivation, but also such an excellent cook. A perfect wife and mother!"
Su Xin glared at him, "Senior Brother Ming, eat before the dishes get cold."
"Alright, alright, I’ll eat now!"
Ming Hu quickly devoured all the dishes, and then with a thud, collapsed onto the table.
"Senior Brother Ming, I’m sorry, but tonight we can’t let you get involved in something so perilous and unknown. Please take care."
Su Xin bowed to Ming Hu and walked out of the room.
Wei Wan was already waiting outside, dressed in black. The two women exchanged a glance, their figures flickered, and they vanished into the night.