Gou Zai created a blessed land in the immortal abode

Li Chengming put aside his thoughts and focused his gaze on the specific contents of the letter.

"Brother Li, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person:"

Several years have passed since we parted at Yuehu. I have wandered from place to place, but finally managed to secure a place in the Liu family. Although the Liu family is not as powerful as the Kong family, they treat their retainers very well. I am currently in charge of the acquisition of spiritual materials for the Liu family's outer workshops, which is quite stable.

That day, the evil cultivators invaded, and I left in haste without saying goodbye to Brother Li, for which I have felt deeply ashamed ever since. This letter is firstly to apologize, and secondly to reminisce with Brother Li about our past friendship. There will be a small banquet for guests at the Liu family's outer neighborhood in three days; I humbly invite Brother Li to attend, hoping to apologize in person.

"Hiss, so Zhao Yuan is inviting me to meet him at Liujiafang Market?"

Li Chengming frowned. Liujiafang City was about six or seven hundred miles away from Guangling Mountain.

It's not that far.

"The Liu family... perhaps we can take this opportunity to learn more about their current situation."

After thinking it over, Li Chengming first informed Kong Shaowen, then borrowed the flying shuttle and flew towards Liu Family Market.

…………

Travel slowly along the way.

Half a day later, the outer courtyard of the Liu family was in sight.

The outer neighborhood of the Liu family was much smaller than Guangling Market, but it was still quite well-organized, with shops lining both sides of the street, most of which were businesses run by the Liu family themselves.

Although there weren't many cultivators coming and going, they were all dressed smartly, clearly indicating that they were all quite wealthy.

As soon as Li Chengming landed, he was surrounded by several cultivators.

"Who goes there?"

Li Chengming glanced at them and saw the badge on their waists, immediately realizing that the people in front of him were guests of the Liu family.

So he cupped his hands and said:

"Li Chengming, a disciple of the Kong family, has come to attend the meeting at the invitation of fellow Daoist Zhao Yuan."

The retainers lowered their heads and discussed it for a moment, then nodded and said:

"Fellow Daoist, please come in."

After receiving permission, Li Chengming strode into the market, glancing at the patrolling cultivators who moved in groups of ten every ten steps, and muttered to himself:

"Is the tight security at Liujiafang Market due to fears of a repeat of the Yuehu Market tragedy?"

"But this is for the best, at least it's much safer."

With this in mind, Li Chengming hurried to the largest restaurant in the market.

Then I saw a familiar figure standing outside.

"Brother Li!"

Zhao Yuan cupped his hands in greeting, beaming, "You've finally arrived! I was worried you wouldn't do me the honor of showing up."

After a long absence, Zhao Yuanyi looked much better. He was wearing a blue robe and a jade belt, and his cultivation had risen to the sixth level of Qi Refining. He looked quite like a manager.

"Brother Zhao, you're too kind."

Li Chengming returned the greeting, "Judging from your demeanor, you're doing quite well in the Liu family?"

"No, no."

Zhao Yuan smiled and led the way, "Come on, the banquet is about to begin. Today's guests are all former retainers from Moon Lake Market, as well as some wandering cultivators from elsewhere. I'll introduce you to them."

As they walked and talked, Zhao Yuan still felt lingering fear when he talked about what happened at Sun Moon Lake.

"The evil cultivators arrived suddenly that day. Seeing that things were going badly, I ran away first. Later, I heard that the Kong family's spaceship took away many people. Brother Li, were you on that ship?"

"Yes, the Kong family has treated me well."

"That's for sure. I've heard that Brother Li is now highly skilled in alchemy and is in high demand everywhere."

Zhao Yuan lowered his voice as he spoke, "However, the Liu family has also been recruiting alchemists recently, with better benefits than the Kong family. If Brother Li is interested, I can help introduce you..."

Li Chengming looked at him for a moment, then shook his head with a smile:

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhao. I'm quite content staying at the Kong family's place and have no plans to move for the time being."

Zhao Yuan didn't press the matter and just laughed it off.

Zhao Yuan led Li Chengming inside. There were more than a dozen tables in the lobby on the first floor, with food and drinks already laid out on them.

One after another, cultivators took their seats, most of them around the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining, and a few at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Li Chengming sat down and looked around.

Among this group of cultivators were many familiar faces, all of whom were retainers who patrolled the Moon Lake Market back then.

The Kong, Liu, and Zhao families all possessed it.

"By gathering the retainers of these three families here, does the Liu family intend to take them all in?"

Li Chengming counted them and found that there were at least twenty mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators here. It would be difficult to recruit them all as retainers, or even poach them from the existing ranks.

Before long, almost everyone had arrived.

A man who looked like a butler stepped up to the head of the table, cupped his hands, and said:

"Fellow Daoists, the Liu family has prepared this small banquet today for two reasons: first, to reward our guests for their hard work over the years, and second, to make some new friends. Please make yourselves at home and don't stand on ceremony."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became lively.

Li Chengming was eating when he suddenly felt someone watching him.

He looked up and saw a young cultivator standing by the second-floor railing. He was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, dressed in luxurious clothes, and was looking down at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Just as Li Chengming was wondering what was going on, Zhao Yuan appeared from somewhere:

"Brother Li, the second young master of the Liu family wishes to see you."

Is he the second son of the Liu family?

Li Chengming looked up and met the gaze of the person on the second floor.

The other person smiled slightly and raised the wine glass in their hand.

He suddenly smiled and said, "I'll trouble you to lead the way, Brother Zhao."

Li Chengming followed Zhao Yuan up the stairs. The private room on the second floor was much quieter than the first floor, with exquisite dishes and wine laid out on several rosewood wooden tables.

The second young master of the Liu family stood by the railing. Seeing Li Chengming approach, his smile deepened, and he gestured for him to come closer.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please have a seat."

Li Chengming bowed respectfully and sat down opposite him.

Zhao Yuan tactfully stepped aside, but did not leave; instead, he stood not far away and waited.

"My name is Liu Yunhe. I have long admired Fellow Daoist Li's name."

Liu Yunhe personally took the pot and poured a cup of wine for Li Chengming.

"I've heard that you are a master alchemist and have been favored by Senior Kong Shaowen. I am truly envious."

Li Chengming raised his wine glass, neither humble nor arrogant:

"I was just lucky. For example, when I entered Yuehu Market, I was able to study under Master Kong and learn some alchemy techniques from him."

"Fellow Daoist is too modest."

Liu Yunhe smiled and then said:

"I invited Fellow Daoist Li up here today for two reasons, firstly, to make your acquaintance, and secondly..."

"My Liu family is currently expanding its outer workshop and urgently needs an alchemist to oversee it. As for the compensation, the monthly salary is fifteen spirit stones, the pill materials will be provided by the Liu family, and the profits from the finished pills will be split 50/50. If you are willing, I can also arrange for an additional independent courtyard with two acres of spirit fields."

A monthly salary of fifteen spirit stones, plus two acres of spirit land—this man is undeniably generous.

What puzzled Li Chengming was why the Liu family, a family specializing in talismans, would spend so much money to recruit an unknown alchemist.

Moreover, this person was a retainer of the Confucius family.

Li Chengming pondered for a moment, then looked up at Liu Yunhe, his gaze calm:

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Second Young Master. However, the Kong family has treated me well, and Elder Kong has been especially kind to me. It would be unjust for me to leave now. I hope you will forgive me, Second Young Master."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yunhe seemed to have expected it, and the smile on his face did not fade.

"I admire Fellow Daoist Li for his loyalty and righteousness. Since that's the case, I won't force him to do anything against his will."