I, Su Qing'an, Compete for a Bride

An attic.

Li Shishi combed her hair in front of the bronze mirror, her eyes lowered, and out of the corner of her eye, she could vaguely see the man's figure. She asked:

"Martial Arts Gathering?"

Li Yun toyed with the folding fan in her hand, using it to cover her lips, which, even with rouge, were not alluring. Her skin, weathered by time, appeared pale and rough under the makeup, and the slight upturn at the corners of her eyes vaguely outlined the charm of her youth. However, the slender figure she had more than ten years ago was gone forever.

At this age, if one continues in this line of work, one will naturally no longer be able to live comfortably by using one's looks to please others.

She was the madam of Zhen'an Ward, the head of the brothels in Tianshui Lane, the benefactor who saved Wang Shishi's life thirteen years ago, giving her a new surname and a future, and also the accomplice who locked the cage of the canary.

"Shishi, you don't know yet, do you?"

"The news you had those children spread has caused a huge uproar in the city, and it's only getting worse."

"Right now, let alone this Capital City, in a while, perhaps the entire martial arts world will know that a Master Su from our Zhen'an Ward has mastered the Qi Technique of the Immortal Chi Yuan."

Li Shishi vaguely realized that something was wrong. She knew that her every move could not be hidden from the other party, let alone the powerful and influential people above her. But not being able to hide it did not mean that she would be cared about or interfered with.

Therefore, when the girls of Zhen'an Ward talked about these stories, they encountered no obstacles, and the rumors spread successfully.

However, at present, it is completely impossible for it to cause such a public uproar.

Li Shishi had her own next steps as tools to spread and accelerate rumors, but she clearly hadn't taken any action yet, and everything had already progressed to a fever pitch. This was truly... very strange.

On the other hand, the girl wasn't surprised that she was only finding out now.

Her freedom and access to information were tightly controlled. The people she could see every day, the places she could go, and even her schedule from morning to night were all restricted to a single network, filtering out things that others did not want her to know in advance.

The fact that I only found out now only means that the other party thought I didn't need to know before.

As for why we need to inform you now, the answer can be found by thinking about it from the other side.

Li Yun smiled and said:

"But besides that, are you aware that word has spread that you are worried about the border defenses and want to gather patriotic and capable people?"

The girl's pupils contracted slightly, and the gold hairpin she was fiddling with trembled slightly.

The news of his being favored by the Emperor spread throughout the Capital City that very day, and it not only bore a resemblance to the current incident but also clearly showed a connection between them.

She almost immediately understood why the public opinion surrounding this incident had escalated so quickly.

Some people first announced to the world that they had donned the emperor's tiger skin, and then used their own name to gather patriots.

If His Majesty truly wished to summon extraordinary individuals who had mastered the art of Qi cultivation, he could simply issue an imperial edict or use other legitimate means to openly spread the word throughout the land. Why would he resort to such a roundabout approach?

This must have been orchestrated by powerful officials, and the reasons behind such actions, upon closer examination, would likely constitute a heinous crime that could lead to the extermination of nine generations of one's family.

Their wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious.

As for what will happen to me, who has been forced to get involved in this matter, it is really hard to say.

On the other hand, a situation that even a mere prostitute could see through and understand could still brazenly cause such a disturbance throughout the Capital City and even the entire country.

The so-called emperor, at this moment, is probably still indulging in pleasure and debauchery, completely unaware of this.

This country...

How long can it actually remain?

Li Shishi knew that plotting a rebellion and usurping the throne was not an easy thing, and this Martial Arts Gathering was at most a preliminary move and a test.

Even if the emperor were truly wise enough to discover this absurd matter and meticulously investigate it until the very end, it would be meaningless except for killing all those openly involved and exterminating their entire families.

She took a deep breath and said:

"Grandma, using that person's name is a crime that will implicate nine generations of your family."

This incident was less about preparing a rebellion and more about using the opportunity to test whether the emperor was truly as incompetent as he seemed.

Whether Zhen'an Ward will be implicated, and whether he and the other wandering knights who participated in the Martial Arts Gathering will be in danger, can only be hoped for if the other party is truly unaware of this for a long time, or if they know but are unable to see the truth beneath.

Otherwise, the consequences are predictable.

Although the emperor's behavior has generally led people to believe that there will be no major problems, the very existence of such a risk is a nerve-wracking matter.

Li Yun maintained that smile and said softly:

Do you think we have a choice?

"Shishi, accept your fate."

"We are all pawns to be manipulated, but at least you have the option of currying favor with the emperor to gain some leverage and peace of mind. Isn't that already quite good?"

She scoffed:

"Or perhaps, you'd rather have died in the snow thirteen years ago?"

"In our line of work, remaining untainted by the mud is merely a way to wait for a higher price; aloofness, elegance, and pride are just ways to raise one's value. If you think you can simply wipe your face and become a virtuous person, you might as well dream."

"You've found the best buyer. As long as you accept sincerely, given his personality, even if he finds out, he won't do anything to you, let alone not discover it."

"You're smart, you should understand, right?"

Li Shishi remained silent; she understood what the other person meant.

If Zhao Ji could see through this, he would surely understand that he and even Zhen'an Ward were merely pawns passively moving forward.

If Li Shishi is categorized as one of the woman he favors, then she naturally wouldn't become the target of his anger.

These words, ostensibly sincere advice and comfort, were in reality nothing less than a clear threat and coercion.

Everyone knows how unrealistic this assumption that nothing will happen is.

It would not be surprising if anyone who spoke ill of others were arbitrarily killed.

To put it bluntly, there was no emotional foundation between the young girl and Zhao Ji; the latter was merely attracted to her beauty and her talent, which allowed him to communicate with her.

How strong can a relationship of this caliber be?

It's probably thinner than paper.

Grandma Li's words were nothing more than an implication that if she obeyed Martial Arts Gathering's arrangements, she would most likely be safe and sound no matter what happened afterward, thanks to this connection.

However, if one were to cause trouble, their connection with the Emperor would be of little use and would only lead to a tragic end.

She asked softly:

"What are the rules of the Martial Arts Gathering?"

Li Yun looked delighted; having raised the child, she naturally knew just how stubborn he was.

If it were the other Courtesan, they could be coerced, bribed, or treated arbitrarily, and they would have no choice but to obediently submit.

But Li Shishi was different.

It should be noted that the methods used on disobedient women in brothels were extremely cruel. Even if they were concerned about preserving their value and could not directly violate their chastity or crush their dignity, they still had a complete set of methods for mental oppression and physical punishment that would not leave scars.

Under such intense PUA, an ordinary person would have succumbed long ago.

But the other girl, who had experienced the same thing as the other girls he had raised, still had this ridiculous personality.

Such people are born with an unyielding nature, so it's not surprising that they would do things that are suicidal.

So after hearing the other party's hints of relenting, the woman's attitude softened considerably. She sat down beside Li Shishi and spoke gently:

"Shishi, the main attraction of this Martial Arts Gathering is that Miss Su you brought. Under the pretext of 'cultivating the mind in the mortal world,' let those martial artists who have mastered Qi techniques show off their skills. Then, just have her go up and play the zither as usual."

Li Shishi said softly:

"Do you really think Su Su is just a gimmick? Putting aside the realities of this Martial Arts Gathering, at least on the surface, your publicity is the same as a martial arts contest to find a husband. I don't think those people would risk revealing the real nature of it directly."

"But to make the whole performance a success, it's probably not as simple as Grandma described, like playing the piano."

Li Yun's smile grew even more fervent, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm within it:

"Shishi, the champion of the Martial Arts Gathering will surely be a renowned figure in the martial arts world, whose Qi cultivation and martial arts have reached a state of perfection. His subsequent status will be extraordinary, and it won't be unfair to that young lady."

"Isn't it already a good thing to find a home in this world early?"

"Think about it, these Wandering Knights and martial arts practitioners are not as heartless as those powerful and wealthy families. They are all chivalrous and kind-hearted, and they will definitely treat her well."

The girl gazed at her beautifully painted eyebrows and eyes in the bronze mirror, carefully applying rouge to her lips, and pursing her lips against the red paper that faintly carried the fragrance of flowers.

Her eyelashes fluttered, reflecting the color difference between her pearly teeth and lips in her eyes, and she smiled as she spoke:

"Grandma, do you know that the object of this worldly training must be one that Susu herself is satisfied with?"

"In other words, the ultimate victor of this fight will still need to engage in combat with him to test his mettle."

"If the top-ranked player at that time couldn't even defeat a girl who was barely a teenager, wouldn't your Martial Arts Gathering become a laughing stock?"

"Therefore, it would be best if Grandma considered this carefully."

The woman's smile remained unchanged, but it had taken on a colder edge. She said:

"What? Could it be that Master Su actually knows the Qi Technique passed down by the Immortal Chi Yuan?"

"A mere girl with a small frame, it's already quite remarkable that she has some skill in playing the zither. Do you really think she's some kind of peerless talent who has cultivated profound Qi techniques?"

Li Shishi parted her lips slightly, her eyes upturned at the corners, revealing a pure and alluring charm. She said earnestly:

"What if I told you that he really knows the Qi Technique of the Immortal Chi Yuan?"

Li Yun shook her head.

Having lived to this age, she has gained a certain understanding of martial arts practitioners and qi cultivation techniques in the martial world.

Although there are quite a few women who possess exceptional talent in Qi cultivation, and there are even historical figures who have reached the level of being able to defeat ten thousand men through Qi cultivation.

For example, the swordsman who first entered the martial world hundreds of years ago dressed in red, and then descended the mountain again to wield the Ruoshui.

This peerless swordsman named Xiao Yun is someone who truly received some of the true teachings of the Immortal Chi Yuan.

Before receiving instruction from the immortals, she possessed the spirit and strength to fight the Demonic Beast Qiongqi for three days and three nights, staining a hundred miles with blood. After entering Mount Taixu, she obtained divine weapons and Daoist arts, making her the pinnacle of the mortal world.

Xiao Yun dedicated his life to slaying demons and monsters, leaving behind countless anecdotes in the martial world. Such a figure is rare, appearing only once every few centuries. Many wandering heroes and chivalrous figures in the martial world admire him, yet find it difficult to even get close to him.

This is like two completely different levels and barriers.

A wandering traveler and a terrestrial immortal.

The most crucial element that creates this difference is the Immortal Chi Yuan, who has existed eternally since the beginning of recorded history.

What kind of Qi technique is transmitted by such a majestic being?

It's nothing more than a few mysterious notes in the zither, yet they dare to claim they've mastered the true teachings of immortals; it's utterly absurd.

Even if Li Shishi presented the fact that Su Su had cultivated Qi techniques without providing any evidence, she still wouldn't believe that it was the Qi techniques of the Immortal Chi Yuan.

On the other hand, what if it really were true?

To put it bluntly, the legacy left behind by the Immortal Chi Yuan is actually quite extensive.

Going back several hundred years in history, this immortal's presence was much more frequent than in recent times, and he occasionally interacted with the mortal world.

However, it is rumored that the mysterious Qi techniques that can truly enable one to reach the level of being able to defeat ten thousand men are all unique.

Apart from the original inheritor, all subsequent inheritors, even if they passed it down orally, could hardly reproduce even a fraction of the glory of this Qi technique, and it was not much different from other ordinary Qi techniques.

The reasons behind this have only gradually become clear after later generations studied history and the biographies of these individuals.

The reason is simple.

All humans who have ever seen the true form of the Immortal Chi Yuan and received his inheritance are born with exceptional and unique talents and powers.

Even if such a person's Qi cultivation technique is only ordinary, they still possess unstoppable power.

Xiao Yun is a clear example of this.

Immortals would impart different Qi techniques and methods to these individuals based on their different constitutions and inclinations, thus creating peerless masters who would be remembered in history.

In other words, what good is it if you master the Qi cultivation technique passed down by the Immortal Chi Yuan?

You are ultimately not the ancient person who was truly tailor-made and taught the techniques, so you cannot unleash any of the mysteries of this inheritance and are no different from an ordinary martial artist.

It's even quite normal for someone with such a strong bias, whose bias is not suitable for themselves, to experience a reversal of the flow of Heaven and Earth Qi, leading to qi deviation and demonic possession.

Li Shishi was ultimately too young; she was unaware of this kind of information and therefore could not understand Li Yun's certainty and disdain at this moment.

On the other hand, if it were the old Su Qing'an, he would have quickly understood the truth behind these invincible warriors.

The so-called extraordinary talent is essentially nothing more than an extremely rare person who has awakened Stigmata.

The Qi technique passed down by the Immortal Chi Yuan for such people is merely a gateway to unleash their respective Stigmata powers; it is not particularly special in itself.

Therefore, those descendants who did not possess the Stigmata could not reach the level of their ancestors no matter how hard they practiced.

Whether or not one possesses Stigmata is something determined at birth.

Even without knowing the core of the matter, Li Yun's conclusion was not wrong.

The Qi Technique transmitted by the Immortal Chi Yuan was nothing more than an eye-catching gimmick.

What truly attracts those renowned and skilled masters is the Emperor's name and the glimpse of wealth and prestige.

Therefore, at that time, guests with even a little knowledge and experience will not care about the so-called Master Su and the Legend of the Immortal.

At this moment, what Li Shishi said was even more ridiculous.

However, to avoid upsetting the other person, the woman refrained from making sarcastic remarks, instead offering comforting words and speaking softly.

"If Master Su has truly mastered the Immortal Qi Technique, then naturally she will not lose to the martial arts practitioners who have come."

"If we win, the other side will be someone of status and position, and they won't cause any trouble."

She responded softly, without saying anything more:

"Good."

A while later, Li Shishi watched the madam's retreating figure as she left the room, remaining silent.

The girl was naturally unaware of his previous inner thoughts.

Although she didn't know much about the levels of martial artists due to her status, age, and experience, she still understood that probably no one in the world, except for that True Immortal, could withstand a bolt of lightning from that person's fingertip.

If I had known about this a few days ago, I certainly wouldn't be as indifferent as I am now.

After all, besides going along with Granny Li, their only other option was to fight to the death.

But now it's a different story.

Li Shishi has come to realize that her actions have now shifted from protecting Su Su to providing Su Su with a stage and opportunity to demonstrate her strength, thereby earning respect and awe, and freeing her from the interference of the powerful and influential.

Even if there were truly martial artists in this world capable of opposing beings who could change the Celestial Phenomenon and wield thunder, they would certainly not come to a Martial Arts Gathering join in the fun.

How could such an accident as Su Qing'an happen twice in a short period of time in the Capital City?

Throughout history, biographies, unofficial histories, tales of the strange and unusual, and even stories written by idle people, I have never seen anything so outrageous.

Therefore, it was exactly the opposite of what Granny Li thought.

After calming down a bit and taking the fallen immortal she had found into account, she was no longer opposed to the Martial Arts Gathering tournament.

Rather than being forced to demonstrate its power later, it's better to take this opportunity to announce a message to the world—at least to the Capital City.

That is to say, this seemingly obedient, beautiful, and incredibly innocent little girl is not so easy to manipulate.

After that, the power of the mortals and the so-called imperial power were as fragile as thin paper, not worth mentioning.

Even if the Great Song were truly powerful and possessed a million-strong army, let alone its long-standing weakness, what good would that do?

The recent torrential rain and thunder alone were enough to break a spine to pieces.

Wanting peace and respect is incredibly simple.

It was only at this moment, when she truly extended her thinking to reality, that the girl suddenly realized what the difference between immortals and mortals really meant.

But for some reason, instead of the vanity and sense of security that should arise from being protected and close to the other party, she could only feel a sense of loneliness and loss. The heavy emotions spread from her chest like clouds into her limbs and bones, making her feel cold and desolate.

I can't stay with him for long.

I don't deserve to stay by his side for long.

Li Shishi believed that the other party's strength was not without reason, and perhaps this child would eventually pick up everything he had and return to the journey of slaying demons and monsters.

As a mere mortal, all she could do was witness the moment before that scene unfolded.