As a faint red glow appeared on the horizon, the palace welcomed an uninvited guest.
"Immortal Venerable Jinyun".
The morning breeze made Wu Xiyu's imperial robes flutter, and the five-clawed dragon's eyes were wide open, proclaiming the emperor's majesty.
"The new emperor." Immortal Venerable Jinyun stood not far from him. The morning light fell on his shoulders, making him appear like an immortal descending to earth, radiating divine light.
"I didn't know you, Immortal Venerable One, had graced us with your presence. Are you here to celebrate your recovery?" he asked with a smile.
"No." Jinyun Immortal's gaze passed through him, searching for something behind him. "I've come to pick up my disciple."
"Disciple? Immortal Venerable, are you referring to Mingke?" He gently stroked the ring on his hand. "Immortal Venerable, you are too late. Although I very much wish she could stay, she is not with me."
Upon hearing this, Immortal Venerable Jinyun didn't waste any more words and turned to leave.
"Why doesn't the Immortal Venerable ask where she went?" Wu Xiyu asked from behind him.
"There's no need to ask anymore," came his slightly indifferent voice.
Who could take her away without the new emperor being able to stop her? She simply returned to the Li family.
"Immortal Venerable!" Just as he touched the ground with his toes and was about to fly away, Wu Xiyu called out to him, "I wonder what the Immortal Venerable thinks of this only disciple?"
He paused slightly, "Teaching carefully and guiding patiently."
"Is that so?" Wu Xiyu smiled.
He bowed respectfully and said, "Respectfully seeing off the Immortal Venerable."
Cultivators have very keen senses; even after flying a great distance, Immortal Venerable Jinyun could still feel the gaze upon him.
That cunning brat...
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something must have happened between him and Li Mingke!
The Li family.
Li Mingke was playing with her younger sister. Because of the loss of the disguise pearl, she hadn't stepped out of the Li residence for the past few days, spending her days eating, drinking, and having fun inside.
When the Immortal Venerable Jinyun arrived, she was being chased and slashed by her younger sister with a spear because she had angered Li Pinyue. Their personal maids were used to this and were huddled together eating melon seeds and looking at pictures of handsome men from the Three Realms.
Li Zengqing was no longer the gentle and virtuous woman he used to be in front of his family. He was aloof and handsome, and every step he took carried an aura of authority that commanded respect.
"Immortal Venerable." She bowed, then gave a glance, and the maids behind her all bowed their heads and left.
"Master of the family." He also cupped his hands in greeting.
"May I ask what brings the Immortal Venerable to my humble abode?" Li Zengqing invited the Immortal Venerable Jinyun to the seat of honor and personally poured him a cup of tea. "My Li family's things are not comparable to those of Yixiantian, please forgive me, Immortal Venerable."
Jinyun Immortal ignored the sarcasm in her words, took a sip, and said, "Good tea."
Li Zengqing refilled his cup, saying, "Different people have different tastes. Although it's a fine tea in the eyes of the Immortal Venerable, my family doesn't drink it often."
"Why is that?" he asked.
"Because my son doesn't like this tea."
Although the teapot was placed gently on the coffee table, it still made a slight, soft clinking sound.
The air froze for a moment.
"Patriarch." Jinyun Immortal Venerable stood up. "I have come here to take Mingke back." He took out a brocade box from his arms. "As a teacher, I have not been able to teach and impart knowledge. I only occasionally answer questions, which makes me feel deeply guilty. Moreover, I also bear a great responsibility for this matter. Mingke's injury is also my fault. Therefore, I have come here specifically to apologize."
He opened the brocade box, inside which was a snow lingzhi of excellent quality.
"Please accept this, patriarch."
Only then did Li Zengqing take a closer look at him.
The man was handsome and had an extraordinary bearing, but a faint trace of sorrow lingered between his brows and eyes.
She sighed, but didn't take it.
"I know that you are very busy, and there are many matters in the Three Realms that require your attention. However, I really cannot accept this Snow Spirit Mushroom. I apologize."
"What do you mean by that, Master?"
“My son is unruly and dull-witted. He was injured during his journey to Tianjiang, so I hope he can rest at home for a couple of days. That’s one reason. The other reason is… to be honest, Immortal Venerable, Mingke always carries a precious pearl with her, which I obtained from overseas when she was young. It has the effect of warding off illness and protecting her. Without this pearl, she becomes ill. Now that she is bedridden, it is really not appropriate for her to accompany you back to Yixiantian.” A trace of heartache appeared in her eyes.
"Is Mingke seriously ill?" he blurted out. Seeing Li Zengqing's slightly surprised expression, he then composed himself slightly.
"...It's alright, he just can't get out of bed." Li Zengqing carefully observed his expression.
"Is there any way to make her better? I will do everything in my power to help." He cupped his hands in greeting to Li Zengqing.
"Since the Immortal Venerable has spoken, I will not hide anything. My family has indeed been troubled by this matter." She flicked her sleeves and clasped her hands together in a fist salute. "The bead is currently in the hands of the Demon Lord. We beg the Immortal Venerable to bring the bead back. My entire Li family will be eternally grateful!"
Li Zengqing spoke sincerely, and the Immortal Venerable Jinyun pondered it carefully.
"Alright, please rest assured, Master, Jinyun will definitely bring back the pearl."
So what if he's a demon lord? At worst, we'll just have a fight. He never expected his disciple to be so pitiful, getting injured every time he went out. This time, it seems he's injured and sick at the same time. How could such a healthy person be so unlucky?
It seems I can't leave his side for even a moment from now on.
"Please accept this snow lingzhi. Then, I have a favor to ask."
"Please speak, Immortal Venerable."
"I want to see Mingke."
"..."
The maids in the courtyard were arguing about who was the most handsome man in the Three Realms when suddenly a steward rushed in from the back door, said a few words, and immediately frightened the maids.
"Young Master, Miss, stop fooling around! The Immortal Venerable is coming! Quick, quick, quick! Get ready!"
The maid's shout startled Li Mingke.
"You...who did you say came!"
"It's your beloved master—Immortal Venerable Jinyun! He's almost at the door!" The maidservant practically whispered in her ear.
We've arrived at the door!
Li Mingke was extremely anxious.
What should I do? What should I do? She can't face anyone like this!
Seeing her sister frantic like a cat on a hot tin roof, and the maids also in a flurry of activity, Li Pinyue threw the spear aside, hoisted Li Mingke onto her shoulder, kicked open the door to Li Mingke's room, tossed her onto the bed, covered her with a blanket, and then lowered the curtains.
"Ouch, Yue'er, be gentle, my old back..."
"Shut up!"
“…” Li Mingke cried.
After doing all this, she clapped her hands, turned around, and raised an eyebrow at the dumbfounded maids.
"Just say that the young master is unwell and cannot be exposed to light or wind. Under no circumstances should the Immortal Venerable Jinyun lift the curtain. But if he insists on lifting it, you will all risk your lives to stop him! Choose between dying at the hands of the Immortal Venerable or dying in the dungeon of the manor!"
The maids looked at each other, then knelt down in unison, saying, "We will certainly not fail in our mission!"
Even if a celestial being were to strike, it might not necessarily kill anyone, but the dungeon would definitely be the death of them!
From this moment forward, they will form an impregnable defensive line! Not even the most powerful immortal in the world, Jinyun Immortal Venerable, could breach them!
Li Mingke had barely lain down when a maidservant came running in, panting, saying that the patriarch and the immortal had arrived.
Everyone in the room held their breath and prepared.
Li Mingke sensed that familiar presence approaching and nervously closed his eyes tightly.
A long shadow was cast on the curtain.
Sweat beaded on the foreheads of the maids.
The Immortal Venerable Jinyun gazed at the taut curtain for a long time, then reached out his hand.
Everyone was shocked, and Youju, one of Li Mingke's personal maids, suddenly knelt down at the feet of Jinyun Immortal Venerable.
"Immortal Lord, my young master has just fallen asleep and cannot be exposed to the light. Please, Immortal Lord, show mercy!"
Youju trembled all over. She had heard the legend of the Immortal Venerable, who had drawn her fiancé's heart blood without hesitation and almost killed her!
It would be easy for someone like that to kill someone!
However, the young master had done her a great favor, and she would not hesitate to do so for his sake!
Jinyun Immortal looked silently at the trembling girl at his feet, and finally lowered his hand.
Those around also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Take good care of her." That was all he said.
"Yes," Yuju replied softly.
The Immortal Venerable Jinyun has departed.
Finally, Li Mingke took a deep breath.
That almost scared her to death! She was so nervous she nearly suffocated!
The little orange cat threw itself into her arms, "Waaah, young master, waaaah..."
She really thought she was going to die!
Li Mingke patted Youju's back, "Don't cry, don't cry. You were so brave just now. Your monthly allowance will double this month, and I'll also take you to get two new outfits made, okay?"
Not just the young orange, everyone in this house received an extra monthly allowance.
Seeing the previously lifeless crowd brighten up again, Li Pinyue whispered to Li Mingke, "There are rules about how much money each person in the manor receives. You can't just give more as you please. But we can't not give it to anyone now. How about this, I'll go and talk to the steward and deduct it from your allowance."
Li Mingke's smile vanished instantly. "Yue'er..." Then he received a flick on the forehead.
Waaah, that's all the pocket money she has left!
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