A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 78 The Third Sword: The Jade Maiden Sword
Qingzhou City.

Shiqiao Street, Li Family.

Li Weizhou returned from the fortified village, but before he could even enter the gate, he was stopped by an uninvited guest.

"Xiao Langjun!"

A carriage pulled up from the street corner. The curtain was drawn back, and Yanxue looked at him with delight, though her fatigue was also quite evident on her face.

The two, master and servant, stepped down from the carriage. Chu Mengjun was being rather polite today, wearing a forced, insincere smile.

She's just too beautiful, otherwise she would definitely be sleazy.

Li Weizhou suddenly understood why he felt Chu Mengjun was too contrived – it was because of her poor acting skills!
Compared to the natural and vivid acting of veteran actors on Earth, this woman's scheming is like a theatrical performance.

For natives who haven't been exposed to countless films and television shows, especially those featuring beautiful women in videos, this kind of thing is naturally very appealing.

But for Li Weizhou, an expert at spotting "bitches," this woman was not cute at all; she was not as natural, lively, and adorable as Yanxue.

So he greeted Yanxue first, saying, "Xiaoxue, what brings you here?"

Yanxue chuckled, but quickly realized what she meant and hurriedly said, "Young master, our young lady has something to discuss with you."

Li Weizhou chuckled and said, "The business matters have been settled. Apart from business, there's nothing else to discuss. It's more interesting to listen to you sing a song."

After speaking, he finally looked up at Chu Mengjun.

Chu Mengjun paused upon hearing this, hesitated for a moment, and then asked softly, "Young master, may I ask if I have offended you? Why do you despise me so much?"

Yanxue's smile vanished instantly. She looked around nervously, then whispered a fair word: "Young master, our young lady is a very kind person."

Li Weizhou nodded and smiled, "I didn't say she was a bad person, otherwise I wouldn't have made a deal with her. It's just that she's not as sincere as us. She's too scheming and too calculating... Of course, it might be because of her environment. If she didn't act this way, she would have been eaten long ago. I can understand that, but I don't want to get close to her."

Yanxue: "..."

She had already said all the right and wrong things, and she didn't know how to explain herself. She could only furrow her brows and look pitifully at her young mistress.

Chu Mengjun hadn't expected to receive such an evaluation from Li Weizhou. After her face changed color several times, she slowly said, "What you said is all right... However, I didn't want to get close to you, I just wanted to talk to you..." Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly took a deep breath and said, "Yanxue and I want to come to you."

Yanxue's eyes widened instantly, and she turned to look at Li Weizhou.

Li Weizhou was about to shake his head when Chu Mengjun said, "Don't worry, I will never use the name of the young master or the fourth young master to negotiate with the Jiangyou Merchants. I am a bit shrewd, but I won't be presumptuous. I have my own cards to play, and I guarantee that the trade with the Jiangyou Merchants will continue smoothly. Although the young master is exceptionally talented, he really doesn't have many capable generals under his command. Even the young master thinks I am cunning and shrewd, so I can..."

Before she could finish speaking, Li Weizhou shook his head and interrupted, "Miss Mengjun, how about this? After you leave the Jiangyou Merchant Guild and start your own business, you can become a partner of Baibaolou, and we can cooperate."

I can tell you the reason frankly: no matter how nicely you put it, you will ultimately offend the Jiangyou Merchants. I'm not afraid for myself, but I don't want to cause trouble for my fourth son. He has a hard life out there, and as his older brother, I can't offer him much help, but I certainly won't do anything to hold him back.

Whether you understand or not, this is my bottom line. Because I cannot let outsiders implicate my own brothers.

So what if someone is good-looking? So what if someone is capable?
Li Weizhou still knew which side was his true foothold.

Chu Mengjun was speechless for a moment. What a cold-hearted little man...

After staring at Li Weizhou for a while, she slowly nodded and said, "Okay." She paused and then asked, "When doing business with the Jiangyou Merchant Guild, is it only with them, or can we do business with them all?"

Li Weizhou laughed and nodded, "You're really good, you figured it out right away... For Xiaoxue's sake, I'll give you a foothold. Sure, as long as you can find some fine gold jewelry, or silver jewelry inlaid with red and green beads, I'll take it all."

When it comes to doing business, it doesn't matter who you do it with.

Upon hearing this, Chu Mengjun finally smiled, and not just a polite smile, but a genuine one. She gracefully curtsied and said, "Thank you, young master." She then glanced at the beaming Yanxue, hesitated for a moment, and said, "If young master truly likes..."

Li Weizhou waved his hand and said, "You are like sisters, and I am not a bully. Besides, I can barely take care of myself right now, and I can't protect others. If there is an opportunity in the future, we can talk about it another time."

Little Yanxue pretended not to understand, blushed, and lowered her head to draw circles with her little feet.

Chu Mengjun smiled and then took her leave with her maid.

Before leaving, I glanced into the doorway one last time.

Before getting into the car, Yanxue looked back at Li Weizhou with reluctance, waved goodbye, and said goodbye.

……

"..."

The moment he pushed open the door, Li Weizhou stared speechlessly at the group of old men in the doorway.

The doorman was somewhat apprehensive, bowing and scraping as he apologized, "My esteemed sir... my esteemed sir forbade me to speak."

Li Weizhou nodded without saying anything, though he knew those two would definitely go to the farm to farm afterwards.

He frowned and scolded Li Changning, "What are you doing, sneaking around like that?"

Li Changning, perhaps feeling somewhat guilty, remained silent for a moment. Li Chang'an stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "It was me, it was me, it was me who told them not to make a sound. I originally wanted to go out and greet you, but when I heard that the famous Miss Mengjun was coming to see you, I couldn't bear to disturb her. Sanlang, why don't you want her? She's the top courtesan of Qimeng Pavilion. Last time, when Su Yiyun, one of the Four Great Talents of Jiangnan, traveled here for his studies, he saw Miss Mengjun and was amazed by her beauty! She's come to seek refuge with you, and you're still turning your back on her?"

Li Weizhou generously replied, "If you want to talk to her, go find her."

Li Chang'an was almost furious. He could have gotten it, so why was he arguing with this kid?

Li Changning recovered and looked at Li Weizhou, saying, "Third Brother, I can handle most things. You've never held me back. You're my brother, how can helping you be considered holding me back?!"

Zhao Yuanzhi nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, Third Brother, there's no need to be afraid of the Jiangyou Merchants. Last time, when the Princess of Tiannan came to the capital, she brought me a bunch of gifts. If you're worried about them, I can give them a heads-up."

Li Weizhou smiled and said, "Thank you, but it's alright." Then he said to Li Changning, "If you owe favors to important people for these trivial matters, they might make you pay with your life. Since ancient times, debts of gratitude have been the hardest to repay. Silang, it's not that I'm being sentimental, but as long as you live well, you can deter those who harbor ill will towards our family, and they won't dare to act rashly."

If you can do this, you will make the greatest contribution to me and our family. Don't sacrifice the fundamentals for small gains.

Besides, to need to use your name for other things? Isn't that underestimating your second brother?

Everyone: "..." Isn't he the third son?

Zhao Yuanzhi giggled again.

Li Chang'an laughed angrily, "Why are you dragging me into this? I'm not as capable as you two kids, it has nothing to do with me!"

Li Weizhou laughed and said, "You're too modest, Second Brother. The reputation of Li Erlang from Qingzhou is already quite well-known."

Li Chang'an laughed heartily, patted his younger brother's shoulder, whose face looked somewhat dejected, and said, "Don't be unconvinced. Sanlang's words are the most comprehensive. As long as you are well, we have no great worries. This is the most remarkable care we can offer."

Zhao Yuanzhi and Zhang Wanyi exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away, clearly disliking each other.

But they were all deeply moved, for they had never seen such fraternal affection in their respective extended families.

None of the families they knew were like that.

No wonder Li Changning always misses home; who wouldn't?

……

After returning to the main hall and taking their seats, Li Weizhou asked Li Chang'an, "Where is Ximei?"

Li Chang'an chuckled and said, "Aren't you going to the horse market with Si Lang tomorrow? Your mother is at home preparing your luggage. It's snowing heavily and cold there, and Xi Mei is helping your mother and sister-in-law pack your things. The horse market will be open for a month, so we can't be careless. Si Lang and the two noblemen also have quite a few people with them, and they all need to be prepared. We don't have enough people at home, so we've arranged for some to come over here."

Zhao Yuanzhi was still a little embarrassed and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Li Weizhou smiled and said, "Don't be so polite."

Li Chang'an asked, "Where did you go last night? I looked everywhere for you but couldn't find you."

Li Weizhou said, "I went to Shenji Valley to take care of some things... Wait a moment." With that, he got up and went to the east wing. He returned shortly afterward, carrying a sword of the same style as those worn by Li Changning and Zhao Yuanzhi. He handed it to Zhang Wanyi and said, "Last time I only saw Aning and the princess; you didn't come back. Now that you're back, as your older brother, I can't show favoritism, so I'm giving you one as well. You are all good friends and colleagues, and I hope you can accompany each other on your journey and look after one another. Aning is a bit aloof; if he does anything wrong, I hope you and Yuanzhi will be understanding."

Zhang Wanyi looked at Li Weizhou in surprise. After he finished speaking, she looked down at the sword in his hand. It was indeed similar to the two swords that had pierced her heart for so long. However, the inscription on the scabbard was different. It had three characters engraved on it: Jade Maiden Sword!
Zhang Wanyi never accepted gifts from other men, and she rarely spoke to other men, except for Li Changning.

Because Li Changning had risked his life to save her during a mission, and they had supported each other to escape, and because their personalities were very similar, they became acquainted.

But she simply couldn't resist Li Weizhou's gift...

Every time she saw Li Changning and Zhao Yuanzhi using the same sword, she felt very sad and hesitated.

Li Weizhou smiled and reassured him, "We, as family, respect your decision and will not interfere. It's entirely up to you. I only hope that you can always maintain a sense of friendship. If you can always call me 'Third Brother' whenever you see me, that would be wonderful. Here, take this."

Zhang Wanyi was moved by his words. After taking another deep look at Li Weizhou, she accepted the sword and said softly, "Thank you, Third Brother."

Li Weizhou smiled brightly, then turned to see Li Changning staring straight at him. He frowned and said, "What are you looking at? Didn't I give it to you last time? You want it again? Do you really think I'm a blacksmith?"

"..."

Li Changning was furious, but seeing his humiliated state, Zhao Yuanzhi burst into laughter again, and Zhang Wanyi lowered her eyes and pursed her lips.

Li Changning snorted and said, "I didn't say I wanted more... I just wanted to ask you, is there anything you want?"

Li Weizhou thought for a moment and said, "There really is... Could you keep an eye on the manuals for the last three levels of the 'Golden Bell Cover' and see where they're sold? Let me know if you find out, I need them."

Li Changning frowned and said, "That's one of the five treasured secret manuals of the Guiyuan Scripture Pavilion of Leiyin Temple... Even if you get the manual, without the secret medicines of Leiyin Temple and the corresponding cultivation insights, outsiders can't master it..."

Li Weizhou frowned and said, "If I ask you to do something, do it if you can, and if you can't, I'll find another way. Why are you making excuses?"

Li Changning said helplessly, "I'm asking you, do you want the precious medicine and the stance training method?"

Li Weizhou asked in surprise, "You can get it?"

Li Changning shook his head decisively: "No."

Just kidding, the Eight Princes are led by the Qi Prince's Mansion, while the Eight Sects are led by the Leiyin Temple.

Yuanjian Mountain's strength may not be inferior to Leiyin Temple, but compared to the hundreds or thousands of Buddhist disciples of Leiyin Temple, the number of Yuanjian Mountain's disciples who have descended the mountain throughout the ages is really insignificant.

Let alone Li Changning, even if his master asked for it himself, it would be impossible to obtain the stance training and precious medicine needed for the last three levels of the Golden Bell Cover technique.

It wasn't even in the Imperial Armory.

"You can't just say 'cucumber'!"

Li Weizhou laughed angrily, "You really are one of us, Old Li—Old Li family? Don't worry, it's just a secret manual, enough to feast your eyes on. What's the point of Buddhist stance training? You can't be a monk for the rest of your life."

Li Chang'an burst into laughter. Zhao Yuanzhi glanced at Li Changning, chuckled softly, and said to Li Weizhou, "Third Brother, I'll think of a way! If it's just a secret manual, it's not a big problem."

Just as Li Weizhou was about to express his gratitude, he heard Zhang Wanyi say softly, "No need, I have some at home."

……

P.S.: Just so you know, the next chapter will have some urban elements, but I think it's well-written. You can decide for yourselves.

(End of this chapter)