News

"Uncle Li, you're too kind."

"Li Baling and I grew up together. Since he's in trouble, I naturally can't just stand by and do nothing."

Qin Yang waved his hand.

"It seems Baling has a better eye for people than I do."

Li Tong laughed heartily, then shifted the topic. "Nephew, what exactly is this strange illness that's befallen Baling?"

"Uncle Li, do you believe in spirits and gods?" Qin Yang asked seriously.

"Talk of spirits and gods has been around since ancient times. Of course I believe it."

Hearing Qin Yang say this, Li Tong could already guess a thing or two.

"This time, Baling was unlucky. He went somewhere he shouldn't have and stirred up some evil at a place called Spring Orchid Courtyard in Huaxiang Tower."

Qin Yang didn't hide anything and explained the matter at Huaxiang Tower clearly.

After Li Tong heard this, his face darkened. "I told him not to go to those pleasure houses, or he'd bring trouble on himself sooner or later."

"Once he's recovered this time, I'll have to find him a good girl and get him married."

Qin Yang fell silent.

But the fire still turned on him.

"Nephew, you don't seem to be betrothed either, do you?"

"With your father gone now, you should hurry up with matters of marriage."

"As they say, there are three unfilial acts, and having no heir is the worst."

"Don't worry, I'll arrange that for you too."

"With your talent, those families in the Inner City would be eager to form a marriage alliance with you."

Li Tong chuckled.

"Uncle Li, I'm in no rush for now. Help Baling find a good girl first."

Qin Yang had no interest in that at the moment.

The world was chaotic, cults were sprouting up, and evil lurked in the shadows. Surviving was what he needed to focus on.

Marriage and children—he didn't want to think about that for now.

"Don't be like that. I'll scout a few candidates for you first. When you have time, go meet the girls. Who knows, you might find a good match."

Li Tong wouldn't let it go.

"We'll see. But there is something I'd like your help with, Uncle Li."

Qin Yang turned serious.

"Go ahead, Nephew." Li Tong nodded.

"Uncle Li, I'm looking for a Qi Gathering Cultivation Method. You have a wide network in the city—keep an eye out for me."

Qin Yang said softly.

"A Qi Gathering Cultivation Method. Could it be that you, Nephew..." Li Tong's expression was shocked.

"No. Just preparing for the future." Qin Yang shook his head.

"Alright, I'll definitely find out for you." Li Tong nodded lightly.

Li Baling was now asleep, so Qin Yang didn't disturb him and took his leave.

Back at the manor, Qin Yang threw himself back into cultivation.

"The Other Shore Cult has already infiltrated the Inner City. It's only a matter of time before it causes a disaster."

"Linjiang City is probably heading for real chaos."

Qin Yang felt the pressure mounting. Only by constantly training and sensing himself growing stronger could he find some peace of mind.

Another three days passed quietly.

Seeing that the Outer City was gradually returning to calm, Qin Yang had Laifu Inn and Daliang Pharmacy reopen for business.

This time, each shop was equipped with three guards to prevent any mishaps.

Because after the recent riots in the Outer City, order had all but collapsed into utter chaos. Daylight robberies were nothing new anymore. Without a few people to keep things in check, business simply couldn't go on.

Inside the courtyard of Qin Manor.

Qin Yang gripped a large chopping knife and swung it. The blade spread like a great bird's wings, stirring up a fierce gale.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~~

The sound of air churning grew more intense.

"Chop!"

Qin Yang let out a low shout, as if gathering the howling wind into that single strike, and slashed out fiercely.

Shwish!

A blade wind swept through the air, landing on the wooden stake ahead.

With a pfft sound!

The stake split cleanly in two.

Qin Yang stopped there, resting for a moment.

These past few days, he had been focusing on cultivating the Po Jun Saber Technique, striving to reach Great Accomplishment as soon as possible.

Just as he was about to pick up the saber and continue training, Xiao Huan walked in from outside.

Nowadays, only Qian Hai and Xiao Huan could freely enter and leave this small courtyard in the Qin Manor.

"Young master, Master Li is here to see you."

Xiao Huan said crisply.

"News so soon?"

Qin Yang's eyes flashed with surprise.

He had previously asked Li Tong to find information on Qi Gathering Cultivation Methods, never expecting results this quickly.

Qin Yang quickly walked out of the small courtyard and arrived at the main hall, where he saw Li Tong sitting on the left-side chair.

Compared to a few days ago, Li Tong's complexion was much better. Seeing Qin Yang enter, he also stood up: "Nephew, that Qi Gathering Cultivation Method you asked me to find—there's finally some leads."

Joy surged in Qin Yang's heart, and he smiled: "As expected, Uncle Li gets things done."

"Let's sit down and talk first."

After Li Tong sat down again, he said seriously: "Nephew, this Qi Gathering Cultivation Method won't be easy to get."

"I understand that. Uncle Li, tell me the situation." Qin Yang nodded lightly.

Li Tong took a sip of tea and said softly: "Three days from now, there's an auction in the Inner City."

"At that auction, there will be a Qi Gathering Cultivation Method."

"An auction?" Qin Yang frowned slightly.

"Yes, it's hosted by the He Family in the Inner City."

"I asked around many people—five years ago, they also auctioned a Qi Gathering Cultivation Method."

"Back then, the price was fifteen thousand taels of silver. Now it'll likely be even higher, because I hear this method is of a very high grade, and several Inner City families are already stirring."

"In terms of wealth, even if our two families pool our resources, we can't compete with those Inner City families."

Li Tong sighed softly.

"That expensive?!"

Qin Yang frowned deeper.

The Qin Manor currently had only a few thousand taels in its accounts. Even selling off the two medicine shops and the tavern would barely add up to less than ten thousand taels.

Though he had made a decent haul from the Other Shore Cult recently, fifteen thousand taels was still an astronomical sum for Qin Yang—he couldn't scrape it together even by selling everything.

"Yes, so I think the chances for this opportunity are slim." Li Tong said softly.

"It's fine. Uncle Li, can you take me to tomorrow's auction?"

"I just want to take a look."

Qin Yang smiled.

He wanted to see what that Qi Gathering Cultivation Method actually was.

"That's easy enough." Li Tong agreed without hesitation.

After they settled on a meeting time, Li Tong took his leave.

Qin Yang pondered for a while in the main hall.

He wasn't about to let this Qi Gathering Cultivation Method slip away.

He definitely couldn't come up with the money, so he'd have to think of another way.

It all depended on whether this method was worth his effort.

The next evening.

Qin Yang, dressed in a black form-fitting outfit, entered the Inner City.

As agreed, he first went to the Li Mansion.

Li Tong had specially set up a banquet at the mansion to warmly entertain Qin Yang.

Li Baling, that kid, was all gloomy-faced, constantly pouring out his grievances to Qin Yang.

Something about being grounded by Li Tong these past few days, forced to train martial arts, and endlessly set up on blind dates with girls—no freedom at all.

He knew his brother here could put in a good word with his father.

But Qin Yang saw through Li Baling's little scheme at a glance, said he couldn't help, and suggested Li Baling just get married and have kids soon.

After dinner, Qin Yang and Li Tong boarded a carriage, heading toward tonight's auction venue.