You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?

Chapter 412: Chapter 259: Middle Fifth Grade

After a few pleasantries, Pei Qian said, "My sister should have already told you our purpose for coming to Shu State, Senior."

"The clan received a letter from my sister some time ago. We were all furious to hear that the Five Poison Sect had reappeared in Shu State and even attacked her."

"So Ah Ma sent me with some men to make the Five Poison Sect pay the price."

Chen Yi glanced at Pei Guanli and said with a smile, "So I’ve heard."

"The Five Poison Sect is plotting something big by coming to Shu State. It’s understandable that Granny Shan would make such arrangements."

"Senior, do you know their intentions for coming to Shu State?"

"I haven’t yet identified their specific target, but I can confirm they’ve come to Shu State to align themselves with Liu Zhaoxue, the third young miss of the Jing State Liu Family."

"The Jing State Liu Family... is that the same Liu Family as the current Consort Liu?"

Chen Yi nodded. "The very same."

"Originally, after my friend Liu Lang and I joined forces to kill their Elder, Yan Fusha, Liu Zhaoxue had already returned to Jing State."

"But five days ago, she came back to Shu State."

"And members of the Five Poison Sect came with her. It’s said to be their Great Elder, along with several Altar Masters."

After listening, Pei Qian’s brow furrowed. "So it really is him."

Before Chen Yi could ask, he continued, "Years ago, before Ah Ma led our clansmen to annihilate the Five Poison Sect, their Great Elder, Yan Xuechen, was severely wounded by Ah Ma’s Lifebound Gu."

"We all thought he had died from such a grievous injury, but to think he’s still alive."

"Thinking about it now, the Five Poison Sect’s reemergence in the Jianghu must be Old Monster Yan’s handiwork."

Chen Yi silently committed the name "Yan Xuechen" to memory and asked, "What is Old Monster Yan’s cultivation level?"

He would have to deal with Liu Hong next, which meant he would inevitably clash with Liu Zhaoxue and the Five Poison Sect.

To be cautious, he asked a few more questions.

Pei Qian said thoughtfully, "Decades ago, Old Monster Yan had already reached the Upper Three Grades Realm."

"After so many years, I’m afraid his strength is even more terrifying."

"Fortunately, my Mountain Race has a method for dealing with their potent poisons. As long as we’re careful, we should be able to take him down."

"That’s good to hear..."

Seeing the two men discussing serious matters, Pei Guanli sat quietly to the side.

But every time she heard her brother call him "Senior, Senior," she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

’If my brother knew Brother-in-law’s true identity, he’d probably want to find a hole to crawl into.’

Pei Guanli was well aware of Pei Qian’s feelings for Xiao Jinghong.

She had originally come to Shu State under the pretext of getting even for her brother, claiming she was going to teach Sister Jinghong’s husband a lesson.

If not for that, she never would have met Chen Yi.

At this thought, Pei Guanli turned aside, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle, causing the bell on her necklace to tinkle incessantly.

Chen Yi naturally guessed her thoughts and cleared his throat. "I have other matters to attend to today, so I won’t keep you any longer."

"However, if the Mountain Race needs anything in the future, you can have Guanli inform me at any time."

Although Pei Qian was puzzled by Pei Guanli’s reaction, upon hearing Chen Yi’s polite dismissal, he had no intention of overstaying his welcome.

"As it happens, this junior needs to return and inform the elders about my sister, so I won’t linger."

He then looked at Pei Guanli. "Sister, are you coming back with me, or..."

Before he could finish, Pei Guanli suppressed her laughter and said with a mock-serious expression, "I’m not going back."

Pei Qian shook his head with a wry smile. "Well, then I’ll have to trouble you to look after my sister for a while, Senior."

"Of course."

With that, Chen Yi stood up to see him out.

Just as they left the inner residence, Pei Qian seemed to remember something and said, "Before coming to Shu State, besides asking this junior to thank you for saving my sister, Ah Ma had one other matter for me to relay."

"Feel free to speak."

"Ah Ma asked me to tell you that Immortal Bai left the Wind and Rain Tower a few days ago."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Immortal Bai? Gongye Bai?"

Pei Qian nodded. "That’s him."

"Ah Ma said that after leaving the Wind and Rain Tower, Immortal Bai headed straight for Shu State."

"Ah Ma specifically instructed that if you happen to run into him, Senior, it would be best to keep your distance."

Chen Yi let out a wry laugh. "Immortal Bai and I have no history, no grievances between us. There should be no need to avoid him."

That’s what he said, anyway.

But upon hearing this news, he couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled.

’Immortal Bai has remained secluded in the Wind and Rain Tower for decades. Why would he head straight for Shu State the moment he emerges?’

Pei Qian, unaware of his thoughts, tried to persuade him, "You may not know this, Senior."

"While Immortal Bai isn’t a bloodthirsty killer, his tongue spares no one."

"If you were to unfortunately cross paths with him and have him read your fate, I’m afraid..."

Chen Yi had heard about this, but he still felt he wouldn’t be that unlucky.

Unless Immortal Bai’s target in Shu State was the Xiao Family, he wasn’t really worried.

’If I can’t beat him, can’t I at least avoid him?’

Before long, Pei Qian left.

Chen Yi watched him walk away before turning back to the main hall and calling for Zhang Dabao to help him remove his disguise.

Pei Guanli sidled up to him and said with a grin, "Brother-in-law, I didn’t give the game away, did I?"

"You were clever enough."

"It’s all because you taught me well, Brother-in-law. You just praised me for being pure and kind-hearted... Brother-in-law, now that my brother has found this place, should we relocate?"

Chen Yi shook his head. "No need."

The Mountain Race had close ties with the Xiao Family, and because of the Five Poison Sect, they were at odds with the Jing State Liu Family.

He wasn’t worried that Pei Qian would let word get out.

Besides, Pei Guanli was still here. For that reason alone, Pei Qian wouldn’t allow any danger to befall this place.

Soon, Chen Yi finished removing his makeup and asked, "Has there been any word from Yan Hai?"

Zhang Dabao carefully peeled the mask from his face as he replied:

"Yesterday evening, Shopkeeper Yan sent a message back. He said he’s finished investigating the situation in Guangyuan County."

"Oh? What did he say?"

"The letter wasn’t very detailed. It only said the situation there is rather complex."

"There are many medicine halls, but they are all backed by Noble Families. In particular, Commander Zhu of the Capital Commandery’s medicine hall basically has a monopoly in Guangyuan County."

Chen Yi nodded impassively. "And the others?"

That man, Zhu Hao, was insatiably greedy and likely had some kind of partnership with Liu Hong.

He was bound to clash with him eventually, so this business with the medicine hall wasn’t a huge surprise.

Zhang Dabao continued, "The other medicine halls are doing alright. Shopkeeper Yan tried to contact one of them."

"He said they weren’t opposed to cooperating with Hundred Herbs Hall."

"Which one?"

"Let me think... I think it was the Fu Family Medicine Hall. Yes, the Fu Family’s."

Chen Yi’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

As far as he knew, there was only one Fu Family in Guangyuan County—the family of Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Jinghong’s maternal grandfather.

What a coincidence. He had just learned that Fu Wanqing wasn’t dead...

Lost in thought, Chen Yi gave his instructions, "Guanli, you stand guard here."

"Dabao, you should also come here as little as possible for now. Stay at the residence behind the tailor shop. I’ll notify you in advance if I need you for anything."

Zhang Dabao bowed in acceptance, and Pei Guanli naturally had no objections.

She hadn’t found it boring or tedious guarding this place these past few days.

Zhang Dabao brought her everything she needed, and her days were spent doing nothing but cultivation. She was actually quite diligent.

Chen Yi glanced around to make sure nothing was amiss, then quietly left Chuansi Street and headed straight for the Xiao Family estate.

Now everything was in place. He was just waiting for the grain shipment from Lou Yuxue to arrive, and then he could set his plan in motion.

***

「Night fell quickly.」

The sky was exceptionally dim. Dark clouds had been gathering for a day or two, and a torrential downpour began just before nightfall.

Throughout Spring Lotus Garden, the roar of the downpour was audible everywhere.

In the wooden building, Xiaodie and Xiao Wuge had long since gone to sleep.

Only Chen Yi remained, sitting cross-legged on his bed, practicing the Four Symbols Skill.

In fact, ever since returning to the estate from Chuansi Street, he had given Xiao Wan’er a brief update on Hundred Herbs Hall’s progress and then spent his time cultivating in his room.

His cultivation was now progressing rapidly.

The next moment, Chen Yi opened his eyes and let out a long breath. "Finally. Middle Fifth Grade."

It had taken him ten days in total to break through to the Middle Stage.

It might not seem long, but compared to his previous rate of advancement, taking ten days to break through a minor realm was already considered slow.

Fortunately, this one minor realm advancement at the Fifth Grade brought a significant increase in True Essence, nearly doubling the amount within his three great Seas of Qi.

This greatly increased his burst duration in combat.

Coupled with the amplification to his various techniques from the Four Symbols Skill’s Spiritual Essence Divine Position, the improvement was by no means small.

Just then, a golden light flashed:

[Daily Intelligence · Profound-rank Middle Grade: At the fifth quarter of the zishi hour, at the tailor shop in the West Market, the Hidden Guards—General, Lady Tiger, Simurgh Phoenix, and others—will retrieve intelligence. A very small amount of Opportunity can be obtained.]

Chen Yi scanned the message, and the moment he finished reading, he immediately stood up to change his clothes.

There wasn’t much time left until the fifth quarter of the zishi hour. He had to hurry.

Moreover, with several of the Hidden Guards present tonight, it was clear that the secret dispatch they were receiving was of the utmost importance.

’Lou Yuxue will be there too. This is a good chance to press her about the grain shipment.’

’I’ve already paid the deposit. She owes me an update...’