Li Qinglin

This "Welcoming Banquet" was rather unremarkable. Li Qinglin and his sister, having just lost their elder brother, were clearly not in the mood for drinking and revelry, nor would it have been appropriate. It was simply a regular dinner held in the residence, where Li Qinglin introduced his trusted confidantes to Qin Yi.

There were four or five so-called confidantes, a mix of civil and military officials. Their attitude towards Qin Yi was quite official. After all, people in such positions rarely reveal their likes or dislikes easily. Even if some might have looked down on this inexplicable Fangshi, they wouldn't show any attitude.

All Qin Yi could see were smiles as warm as a spring breeze, carrying a hint of scrutiny and distance within their politeness.

Even Li Qingjun was no longer the casual, close comrade she had been. She also maintained a distance from Qin Yi. During the banquet, her demeanor was more dignified than anyone else's. Qin Yi even saw her delicately covering her wine cup with her small hand and taking a light sip.

The woman who had tilted her head back in the pavilion, drinking from his wine gourd, seemed like nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

"It's a very oppressive feeling," Qin Yi said, returning to his guest courtyard. He slumped onto the windowsill, leaning against it as he looked at the flowers in the courtyard. "I'd rather travel the jianghu with the Li siblings and slay demons than see them here in the capital."

Li Qingjun had already taken her leave. She had her own residence and naturally wouldn't stay at her brother's place. Li Qinglin had also gathered his confidantes for a discussion, likely related to the Crown Prince position. He didn't ask Qin Yi to listen, and Qin Yi didn't care, so he returned to his guest courtyard.

Liu Su's voice held a hint of teasing: "Regretting coming out of the mountain with them? It was so carefree on Immortal Trace Mountain, wasn't it?"

"A distant heart makes any place feel remote. Where I live doesn't really matter." Qin Yi took out his wine gourd, took a sip, and realized it was empty. He tossed it aside, feeling a bit bored.

"Just pretend," Liu Su said. "Why didn't you bring your peach wood sword to this welcoming banquet?"

"What for?" Qin Yi retorted. "Even if there really is a demon by Li Qinglin's side, it doesn't mean it's evidence of fratricide. It would just make it look like I was going to suddenly attack someone during the banquet. How would I get along after that?"

Liu Su asked casually, "If he really committed fratricide, would you still cooperate with him?"

Qin Yi stared blankly at the courtyard, and after a long time, he said, "I don't know."

"Actually, even if he committed fratricide, it has nothing to do with you. All you want to deal with is the National Teacher," Liu Su said, her voice laced with encouragement. "It's even better if Li Qinglin has ambitions for the throne. You'll have a better chance of dealing with the National Teacher."

Qin Yi remained lost in thought, wondering what he was thinking about. After a long while, he said, "Anyway, for now, I still believe him. When the Crown Prince was assassinated, he was clearly still in the mountains looking for me. It would be foolish to suspect a cooperative partner just because of a few words from a Daoist Nun he doesn't even know."

Liu Su smiled, understanding perfectly.

Qin Yi used the word "currently." Liu Su knew that although Qin Yi said he believed him, a thread of doubt was inevitably planted in his heart. At the very least, he would pay a little attention to this matter in his daily interactions.

Qin Yi suddenly said, "Speaking of which, can you control this sword? I don't want such an uncontrollable thing by my side."

Liu Su chuckled, "Cultivate with me."

Qin Yi said disdainfully, "I doubt you can."

Then he saw a Wolf Tooth Club jump up from the spot: "Who says I can't!"

In a secret chamber, Li Qinglin was also discussing with his confidantes how to deal with the changing situation. After arranging everything properly, the night was already deep.

The confidantes took their leave, and Li Qinglin sighed, sitting alone in the secret chamber, looking at the light of the Night-Shining Pearl. He didn't move for a long time.

In a corner not reached by the light of the Night-Shining Pearl, a female voice suddenly came: "A very strong divine sense has been constantly covering this area for the past two days. I don't even dare to go out."

The female voice sounded a bit childish, and also very cold. If Qin Yi had heard her words, he would have probably jumped up directly.

Undoubtedly, this was the demon Minghe was trying to catch!

Li Qinglin laughed dumbly: "No wonder I was wondering why you haven't left yet. You said you would leave after helping me with this job."

"You still have the mood to laugh?" the female voice said coldly. "Do you know what this means? It means I'm exposed, and an unprecedented external cultivator has set their eyes on me."

Li Qinglin's smile remained unchanged: "You said that if the matter failed, you would commit suicide to repay the favor and wouldn't cause me any trouble. I hope your so-called Soul Blood Oath is a little more reliable than a human's."

There was a long silence in the shadows before a low sigh was heard: "The blood oath is very effective, you don't need to worry... You invited a Fangshi back?"

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

"Even ants cling to life, let alone me? I... I certainly don't want to die."

Li Qinglin thought for a moment, then sighed and said: "Since the other party isn't entering the residence, you'll stay here for now. I'll talk to Qin Yi tomorrow and then make a decision..."

"You..." The female voice was quite surprised: "You're still willing to help me? This could get you into trouble, and it's even more likely to make that Qin Yi suspicious of you."

Everyone knew the best solution was to fulfill the oath and commit suicide. Not to mention the cultivators outside, no one would ever know there was once a demon here, and the last trace of the Crown Prince case would be completely extinguished.

The woman seemed truly unable to believe that Li Qinglin would choose to help her; this completely exceeded her understanding of Li Qinglin.

Li Qinglin didn't need her to consider, and spoke to himself: "Actually, this matter... After all, it's not too difficult to understand that I keep a demon by my side. Qin Yi doesn't seem like a simple-minded person who kills demons on sight. Who would casually link the Crown Prince case to you? Helping the demon I keep in my residence is something that can be talked about, right?"

"Yes. It's just that complications have arisen after all..."

"Alright." Li Qinglin waved his hand, "You say I'm helping you, but why wouldn't I also want to take this opportunity to see the cultivator you mentioned? Qin Yi doesn't have much cultivation after all. If his Fangshi techniques aren't sufficient, perhaps this foreign cultivator you mentioned will be my last option, and they might not be Dong Huazi's people."

The female voice fell silent again.

A foreign cultivator meant someone with no ties to the local powers, indeed someone Li Qinglin could potentially unite with. The price to pay would likely just be her head.

"Someone like you... aren't you afraid that this kind of calculation, walking on the edge of a cliff, will eventually lead to a misstep?"

"Man proposes." Li Qinglin said indifferently: "At least for now, everything is going smoothly."

The female voice said indifferently: "Calculating the enemy and calculating myself, so be it. You used the excuse of accompanying Zhaoyang Princess to seek immortals, not only inviting a Fangshi back but also using the opportunity to create proof that it's unrelated to the Crown Prince case. Everything is proceeding according to your plan. The only one being completely used is Zhaoyang Princess, who is happily going to seek immortals with her brother. Don't you feel any guilt in your heart?"

Li Qinglin pondered, muttering to himself: "Qing Jun is a carefree monkey on the path of seeking immortals, with the purest truth. She will eventually grow up, I just don't know what the catalyst will be."

"Monkey?"

"Yes, a monkey, and I am a monkey gambling with the Buddha, striving with all my might. If I don't have some means and remain as naive as Qing Jun, then I will ultimately be unable to escape the fate under the Five Finger Mountain." Li Qinglin's expression became calm again: "I am treading on thin ice right now, so where would I find the energy to care for everyone's feelings?"