Young Li Ping'an

"Senior Sister Caiyi, how old are your nephew and niece now?"

In the sky, Chen Qianqian sat on the back of Marquis Colorful Feather and asked a question with a curious expression.

"Almost eighteen."

As Chu Caiyi spoke, her thoughts drifted back to eighteen years ago, to the time when the kingdom fell. At that time, she entrusted her newborn children to her trusted palace maid to take out of the palace, and gave her a large sum of money, hoping that she could raise her children to adulthood.

Over the years, she often missed her two children in the quiet of the night, but she thought of her own constitution, which was considered a scourge to the country and its people.

She doesn't even dare to acknowledge her children, and she doesn't know how they are doing now.

Fortunately, Senior Brother Bai brought back news that they had all grown up safely.

Once I reach the Southern Yan Kingdom where those two little ones are, I will be able to see them.

Seeing that her senior sister Caiyi was deep in thought, Chen Qianqian and Bai Qian did not interrupt her.

Bai Qian patted Marquis Colorful Feather's back. "Colorful Feather, fly quickly."

"Promise."

After responding, Marquis Colorful Feather quickened his pace.

The Southern Yan Kingdom is an insignificant, secular little country in the Profound Continent.

Although there are cultivators in charge of the country, most people are ordinary mortals. Everyone in the country dreams of cultivating immortality, but unfortunately, they cannot find the path to immortality.

Southern Yan Kingdom, Ningzhou City, Northern Outer City.

This place is inhabited by all sorts of people, from peddlers to laborers; it's a chaotic and mixed place.

In the early morning, a ray of sunshine falls on the earth, bringing a touch of warmth to people.

Every household opened their doors, and people peeked out to make sure there was no danger outside before gradually venturing out.

A strong stench of blood permeated the streets, and passersby could occasionally see dried bloodstains on the ground.

However, they were already used to this. Not only in the outer city of the north, but throughout the outer city of Ningzhou Prefecture, large and small gangs would engage in all sorts of battles every night in order to seize territory.

In Parasol Tree Alley, a robust, handsome young man with a long knife at his waist slowly walked into the depths of the lane.

The people along the way did not show any fear or disgust when they saw the young man; instead, they greeted him with smiles.

"Young man of the Li Lineage, you're back."

"Um."

"Young man of the Li Lineage, have you eaten?"

"Have eaten."

Li Ping'an greeted every neighbor he met in a very warm and friendly manner.

Unbeknownst to him, Li Ping'an arrived at a small courtyard. He reached out and gently knocked on the door three times in a rhythmic manner, then paused, knocked twice more, and repeated this three times.

The door opened with a creak.

A small, dusty head peeked out, and upon seeing Li Ping'an, she called out sweetly.

"Brother, you're back."

"Um."

Li Ping'an responded, looking at his younger sister Li Yingying with great affection.

Was everything alright at home last night?

"It's alright. The Black Tiger Gang knows this is your home; no one will come to bother you."

Li Yingying said very obediently that since her adoptive mother passed away three years ago, she and her brother have been relying on each other for survival.

To protect himself from harm, the older brother resolutely gave up the opportunity to continue his studies and chose to join the Black Tiger Gang, living a life of constant danger.

At first, she was afraid of the dark night, but gradually she got used to this kind of life.

"I brought you some delicious food, come on in."

As Li Ping'an spoke, he walked into the courtyard and took out a package from behind him.

Li Yingying immediately took the package, opened it, and was surprised to find a basket of fragrant meat buns and a roast chicken inside. Her eyes lit up.

But soon, a look of suspicion appeared on her face, and she asked, "Brother, why did you bring so much delicious food today? Weren't you going to save money for cultivation and then go to the royal city to find Sister Jiahui Hui?"

Li Ping'an smiled and said, "I'm going to find Xiaohui, but I can't let you suffer, little sister."

Li Yingying smiled sweetly, "Brother, you're the best. I'll help you save money."

"You little money-grubber."

As Li Ping'an spoke, he gently patted Li Yingying's head.

The brother and sister sat around the stone table, chatting and laughing as they ate breakfast.

After breakfast, Li Yingying took half a roast chicken back to the kitchen to use for lunch and dinner.

Li Ping'an returned to his room to treat his wounds. Before joining the Black Tiger Gang, he had learned some basic martial arts and medical skills, but he mainly focused on studying.

But after joining the Black Tiger Gang, Li Ping'an's daily life consisted of fighting and cultivating.

His reasons were twofold: first, to protect his younger sister; and second, to save money to marry his fiancée, Liu Jiahui.

By the time he finished treating his wounds and rested for a while, it was already noon.

Just as Li Ping'an was about to practice the Black Tiger Saber Technique, he heard a knock on the door.

Thump thump thump...

"Who?"

Li Ping'an asked coldly towards the door.

"Peace is my blessing."

A familiar middle-aged man's voice came from outside the door.

Upon hearing this voice, Li Ping'an's face lit up with a bright, sunny smile, and he strode towards the door.

creak...

Li Ping'an opened the courtyard gate and saw a middle-aged man dressed in jewels standing at the door.

"Uncle Liu, please come in."

No, thank you.

Uncle Liu refused in a somewhat cold tone, "I've only come to tell you one thing today, and then I'll leave."

Li Ping'an was able to make a name for himself in the Black Tiger Gang, so he was naturally not the kind of person who only knew how to fight and kill. With just a simple sentence, he sensed that something was wrong with Uncle Liu.

"I wonder what Uncle wants to talk to me about?"

Snap, snap...

Uncle Liu clapped his hands, and soon one or two servants carried over a box.

"Open."

"Yes, sir."

After the two servants responded, they slowly opened the box, revealing a box full of silver.

This scene naturally attracted the attention of many people around, and when they saw the silver in the box, they all gasped.

Some people even started talking about it.

"How did the impoverished Liu Lineage suddenly come up with so much silver?"

"Shh... Keep your voice down. It's said that the eldest daughter of the Liu Lineage has been favored by an immortal in the royal city. The Liu Lineage is now truly blessed by one person's success, and even their chickens and dogs have risen to heaven."

"..."

Li Ping'an wasn't deaf, so he naturally heard what others were saying, but he was a very stubborn person, and he asked, "Uncle, what do you mean by this?"

Uncle Liu laughed and said, "Ping An, I won't hide it from you. The rumors around us are indeed true. Jiahui has already joined the immortal sect, and they require her to sever all worldly ties."

Your family gave my Liu Lineage one hundred taels of silver to help us through our difficulties, and I personally promised to marry Jiahui to you.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans. You two are destined not to be together. The only thing I can do is repay you tenfold. Please don't think the money is too little.

"Is this Jiahui's intention?"

Li Ping'an asked indifferently.

"Good."

Uncle Liu agreed without hesitation.

"Since it's her wish, then this marriage is off. I don't want the thousand taels anymore; just give me the hundred taels from before, plus all the money I've given her over the years."

Li Ping'an's words surprised everyone.

Only Uncle Liu looked displeased. "Ping An, are you looking down on the Liu Lineage?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire alley changed instantly...