In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

"Which lady from Western Xia, along with Madam Wang and Sister Hongxiao, asked my husband to come out and greet the guests?"

Picking up guests?

Upon hearing Huang Rong's call, the women were taken aback at first, then chuckled.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaoshan also walked out of the study on the top floor with a dark face, glared at Huang Rong, and then looked at Li Qiushui and Madam Wang who were slowly approaching.

With an elegant leap, as if a fleeting glimpse of beauty, she landed gracefully on the deck.

Li Qiushui was already aware of Zhang Xiaoshan's good fortune with women, so she wasn't too surprised.

Instead, he glanced at the experts present, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"So it's Senior Li! We haven't seen each other for about ten years!"

"It must have been eleven or twelve years. I didn't expect that you would still be as handsome and youthful as ever."

"You flatter me, senior. This is not the place to talk. Please come inside!"

Li Qiushui nodded, glancing at the indifferent Huang Rong and Xuan Nu, and the ever-cold-faced Liu Sheng Piaoxu. Although Li Qiushui felt some anger, she did not let it erupt.

She vaguely sensed that these young girls were no less powerful than she was.

"Senior Li, have you come regarding the matters between Western Xia and Liao?"

Zhang Xiaoshan knew that although his actions were flawless, he couldn't hide it from Li Qiushui.

Moreover, Li Qiushui arrived just as something happened in Western Xia.

"Has the Western Xia offended you in some way, young master?"

"No, it's just that the Liao cavalry is preparing to march south, while the Western Xia are harassing the Song border. As a Han Chinese, this is what I should do."

Han Chinese identity!

Even Li Qiushui had nothing to say.

"Does the young master consider Han Chinese as human beings, while the people of Western Xia are not? Besides, the majority of the people of Western Xia are Han Chinese."

“Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts!”

Senior, there's no need to use Buddhist or Taoist ideals of equality for all beings as an excuse. The rulers of Western Xia were the Tanguts! They were a foreign race!

This is an indisputable fact.

Just like the later concept of science without borders, it was ultimately proven wrong.

Zhang Xiaoshan's determination and domineering nature even drew the attention of Madam Wang.

Moreover, knowing what Zhang Xiaoshan had done, even Madam Wang had to be extremely wary of him.

The Japanese Demon Blade incident, the Tibetan massacre, and the rescue of people from the Liao Kingdom—Zhang Xiaoshan's attitude towards foreign races and his horrific killings fully demonstrate his domineering nature.

It was only during this time that Madam Wang realized that Zhang Xiaoshan had truly been tolerant of her before.

Otherwise, given Zhang Xiaoshan's domineering nature, she would have died countless times already.

Moreover, this domineering nature was fatally attractive to her.

Chapter 481 Li Qiushui Entrusts Her Orphan

"Princess Yinchuan!"

Upon hearing Li Qiushui's purpose, Zhang Xiaoshan was somewhat surprised and suspicious.

Princess Yinchuan was, after all, a princess, especially since Zhang Xiaoshan had just stabbed the King of Western Xia in the back. Now that Li Qiushui was asking for a marriage alliance, even Zhang Xiaoshan doubted that he had heard correctly.

"Senior is joking. Princess Yinchuan is a noblewoman, while the Zhang family is merely a merchant family. They are not a good match."

Furthermore, Mr. Zhang already has a lawfully wedded wife and currently has no intention of divorcing her. Regarding the matter of Princess Yinchuan, I thank you for your kind intentions, senior.

"If it were a normal marriage, I would never mistreat Qinglu."

But now the Western Xia is besieged on two fronts, and I am nearly a hundred years old. If I do not plan for Qinglu, Young Master Zhang should be well aware of the cruelty of the royal family.

Royal families are often not in control of their own lives!

"Entrusting an orphan to someone!"

Zhang Xiaoshan immediately understood Li Qiushui's purpose.

This was an attempt to find a suitable husband for Princess Yinchuan while he was still alive.

Even he hadn't expected that Li Qiushui, who didn't care much about her own daughter Li Qingluo, would care about a granddaughter.

"Why don't you seek out the Duan family of Dali, senior? The Duan family of Dali also has a good reputation."

"It's better to rely on yourself than on others!"

Another reason I placed Qinglu by your side was that I hoped you would guide her in her cultivation.

After all, the maids around the young master are all top-notch experts, not to mention Qinglu's family background in martial arts, she will definitely be able to become a top-notch expert in a short time.

In Dali? Ultimately, I'm just a canary in a cage.

Moreover, the small kingdom of Dali, amidst the turmoil of the 19th century, may not necessarily escape this calamity!

Li Qiushui saw things clearly this time: the chaos among the states was different from the minor conflicts of the past.

As a Taoist master who was over a hundred years old, she could see further than the King of Western Xia, which is why she placed Li Qinglu by Zhang Xiaoshan's side.

The Zhang family does not participate in the struggle for supremacy. Even if foreign tribes cause trouble, as long as they remain in the Central Plains, they are a pillar of strength.

In addition, the women around Zhang Xiaoshan were not weak, making them the best candidates for entrusting her son to.

"Senior, have you thought this through? Princess Yinchuan, though of noble birth, is at most a concubine in the Zhang family!"

"I know perfectly well!"

Li Qiushui looked at Zhang Xiaoshan. If she didn't know Zhang Xiaoshan's character, she would really think he was a gentleman.

"If Princess Yinchuan doesn't mind, I, Zhang, will never let her down!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's agreement, Li Qiushui couldn't help but sigh.

If it weren't for the fact that time was of the essence, she would never have wanted to take this step.

Several years of peace would have been more than enough time for her to find a satisfactory place for Li Qinglu to rely on.

But given the current situation facing Western Xia and her approaching 100-year age, this was the only way to proceed, almost like entrusting her orphanage to Zhang Xiaoshan.

Li Qiushui was at ease with Zhang Xiaoshan's attitude towards the women around him.

The only thing I'm worried about is Zhang Xiaoshan's numerous romantic entanglements.

"Humph!"

Suddenly, a cold snort rang out in everyone's ears. It was Huang Rong outside the cabin, who had been listening to everyone's conversation.

Li Qiushui's entrustment of her son to her caused her immense jealousy.

However, she shouldn't be a villain in this situation.

Ultimately, for a princess to be forced to this point, she had absolutely reached the end of her rope.

If it weren't for her wise Taoist grandmother who planned for her, one can imagine what her fate would have been if the country had fallen and her family had perished.

In chaotic times, without Li Qiushui's support, he would inevitably become a political sacrifice.

And the culprit behind all of this is Zhang Xiaoshan.

She didn't take Li Qinglu's threat seriously, considering her a mere weak woman.

Moreover, based on his understanding of Zhang Xiaoshan, if the other party truly harbored ill intentions, he would have already refused.

For example, another stunning beauty from the Li family—Wang Yuyan!

With a reproachful look in her eyes, Huang Rong pulled Xuan Nu up to the top-floor lounge. As for Li Qiushui and Madam Wang, they were sweating profusely.

Huang Rong's scolding was just one example.

Just moments ago, a terrifying killing intent had been lurking in the shadows, suddenly locking onto them and enveloping them. Even with their unparalleled and peak-level strength, they felt as if they were in purgatory before this killing intent, utterly chilled.

"That was Lady Xuan Nu, the guest elder whom I invited from the Western Regions."

"Grandmaster?"

"almost!"

Hiss...

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's confirmation, even Li Qiushui and Madam Wang were extremely shocked.

They never expected that the seemingly beautiful and ethereal young woman was actually a Grandmaster. If they hadn't personally experienced her terrifying killing intent just now, they would never have believed it.

At the same time, this strengthened Li Qiushui's resolve. After all, with a Grandmaster's female relative protecting her, the Zhang family's defenses were practically impenetrable.

Outside, there was also a Grandmaster-level Xingyin, who presided over the Blood Droplets!

Such a Zhang family is enough for her to entrust her with peace of mind.

"Young master, my Yu Yan..."

"Hehe, Madam Wang, please don't mention this matter. You should know that I just killed Murong Fu. Miss Wang might want to tear me to pieces right now."

"It's because Yu Yan is unlucky!"

As a princess, Wang Yuyan's status was naturally not much lower than that of the Princess of Yinchuan. However, Zhang Xiaoshan knew too much about Wang Yuyan's background, so he was not well received at all.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Zhang Xiaoshan had just killed Murong Fu, and Madam Wang knew that Wang Yuyan absolutely hated Zhang Xiaoshan.

As for the Duan family of Dali?

Duan Yu was one of the people who went to rescue her, so he naturally knew the reason and wouldn't play along with Wang Yuyan's nonsense.

After Li Qiushui and Madam Wang left, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but look at Liu Sheng Piaoxu to the side:

"Piaoxu, send a message to the Nanyang caravans, and have the Vajra Arhat Qiu Long come to the Central Plains while the nearby Nanyang fleet is available."

"Yes, son!"

Li Qiushui's words just now served as a reminder to Zhang Xiaoshan.

With war raging everywhere, even the south is not safe. Business in Southeast Asia is one of the Zhang family's main sources of goods, so it cannot be taken lightly.

Old Master Gu is already in his seventies and probably won't last much longer.

Among the four leaders of the caravan who were respected and had a strong sense of the big picture, Zhang Xiaoshan valued the Vajra Arhat Qiu Long the most.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan naturally chose the other party to become the successor of Juexiang.

In this way, the Vajra Arhats suppress the Southeast Asia, while the existence of the Awakening Form suppresses the Vajra Arhats, creating a layered suppression.

As for why it's not enlightenment?

This is related to the Buddhist precept against killing. The Zhang family is in business and needs absolute deterrence.

In this feudal era where human life was cheap, killing was undoubtedly the simplest and most effective way to deter others!

Qiu Long appears kind, but his ability to lead caravans along the Tea Horse Road shows he is not a saint, but rather decisive and ruthless. This is another reason why Zhang Xiaoshan values ​​him.

···

Three days later, at the back mountain of Shilong Dojo!

Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the well-prepared Shi Long. This time, he helped Shi Long break through to the peerless realm, and his purpose was to suppress the evil forces of Ghost Street.

As for resources?

Over the years, Shi Long has earned rewards in Ghost Street, and he has at least three thousand-year-old ginseng roots in his possession. This time, Shi Long prepared a thousand-year-old ginseng weighing thirteen ounces himself and simmered it for a whole day.

It also contains ingredients such as golden thread gum, fire lingzhi, and century-old he shou wu...

This pot of all-purpose tonic soup can enhance one's health for at least thirty years; it's priceless.

It should be noted that the most expensive medicinal soup for martial arts training at Shilong Dojo, the Qianjin Formula, was given to him by Zhang Xiaoshan.

Under normal circumstances, a dose of herbal soup for strengthening the body and bones costs at least ten taels of silver.

Even if all the medicines were century-old, it would only cost a hundred taels of silver at most!

As Shi Long drank the potent tonic in one gulp, Zhang Xiaoshan immediately used his Pure Yang Finger to strike Shi Long's Tanzhong acupoint, concentrating all the medicinal power into his fingertip.

Even when Shi Long felt the heat surging and condensing within his body, he was still extremely shocked by such domineering methods.

At the same time, the power of the Dragon Pearl descended upon the Baihui point of the stone dragon.