Chapter 55 Love and the Pursuit of Love, Sincere Dedication to the One's Beloved...
A flying chariot quietly departed from the Forest of Ten Thousand Spirits, heading towards the desolate wasteland where sandstorms raged.
Li Qingyun put all the original ginseng from Saying County into his pocket, totaling seventy-two ginsengs, including those he had caught before.
The last nine remained in Qu Lingfeng's hands, lest the root return to its original place and he had to go back to become a forest, which would be a loss.
After this incident, Chang Yubai kept his gaze fixed on Li Qingyun.
Even though Master Chang, with his peculiar way of thinking, was often just spacing out, he could still ask after Li Qingyun made a move, "Where are you going?"
They are easily startled.
But the care overflowing in his eyes was genuine.
Li Qingyun had no idea what Master Chang was thinking, as if he was afraid of losing him.
"How could that be? I won't just disappear into thin air." Li Qingyun couldn't help but smile every time.
This time too.
The interior of the flying chariot was simply furnished. The master and disciple sat on the same side, one drinking tea and the other lost in thought, as peaceful as ever.
Looking up, Li Hongyi's lonely figure lingered at the tail of the flying carriage, seemingly blending into the scenery.
Li Qingyun got up, intending to go and question Li Hongyi.
“I’m going to ask him some questions,” Li Qingyun explained.
"...Can I come with you?"
"It's best not to." Although Li Qingyun's words left room for negotiation, her attitude was very firm in her refusal.
Chang Yubai nodded, not bothering him, but still worried: "Come back soon."
But what's there to worry about when talking to Li Hongyi?
Li Qingyun still couldn't understand what her master had figured out.
He wanted to take his master with him in everything, but that wouldn't work this time. He absolutely couldn't let Chang Yubai hear what he was going to say to Li Hongyi.
Li Hongyi sat quietly on the tail of the flying chariot, half of his body dangling in the air, yet he remained perfectly still.
The swirling yellow sand was kept out by the defensive formation, but it still blocked most of the view.
The closer they got to the desolate wilderness, the less they could see the scenery behind them.
Li Hongyi simply watched quietly, letting the forest turn into a black dot.
"Since you're so upset, why make yourself uncomfortable?" Li Qingyun suddenly sat down next to him. "I thought you only cared about your own pleasure."
"...How could I be such a selfish person?"
It seemed he was really in pain; Li Hongyi didn't even have the strength to refute.
Li Qingyun handed him a piece of spiritual candy, fruit-flavored, which sparkled brightly in the sunlight.
How could Li Hongyi not recognize this craft?
"cocoa……"
"Is the proprietress also your lover?"
"..."
"You're too sentimental," Li Qingyun commented.
This time, Li Qingyun's remark was not sarcastic, but rather a casual remark, which made Li Hongyi feel uncomfortable.
Li Hongyi popped the candy into his mouth, and after a few breaths, he adjusted his mindset and seemed to return to his usual carefree and indulgent self.
"Since ancient times, love has only brought regret." Li Hongyi rolled a piece of candy: "It's better than a dream that ends in nothingness."
"My master said that you're a scumbag."
“…I didn’t deny it.” Li Hongyi felt something was off about the situation. “Did you need something from me?”
Li Qingyun nodded.
"What's up?"
Teach me some techniques.
"Cough cough—" Li Hongyi almost choked on the candy in his mouth. "What the hell is this!"
"Aren't you a master of romance? Master said that a scumbag like you has the most tricks up his sleeve, and winning a lover's heart is just a piece of cake for you."
"Is this how the White Emperor sees me?!" Li Hongyi looked utterly astonished.
He's been wronged! He won his love through his own abilities!
He can admit he's a scumbag who betrays people, but you can't say he's manipulative!
Li Hongyi was not satisfied.
I'm extremely dissatisfied!
But instead of being resentful, his mind automatically produced something extraordinary.
Li Hongyi hesitated before speaking, "You wouldn't... want to ask me how to please people, would you?"
Strangely, Li Qingyun actually nodded.
Not only did he nod, but he also emphasized: "That person has never had any romantic thoughts, so the best way is to touch his heartstrings."
Li Hongyi: "...Hiss!" (Tactical lean back!)
"Really?" Li Hongyi lowered his voice. After thinking it over, he still felt it wasn't safe, so he lured out another illusionary butterfly for a secret conversation.
[Really?! You have someone you like! Who is it? Male or female? Does your master know about this?!]
Li Qingyun: "...Never mind."
[What if the White Emperor asks me about this? I don't want to die!]
"Don't worry about it, it won't trace back to you." Li Qingyun clicked her tongue. "Even if Master really knew, he wouldn't think you were the one causing trouble."
Li Hongyi's gaze became even more suspicious.
He didn't think Chang Yubai was as old-fashioned as a patriarch, but given how protective Chang Yubai was of his own, if he knew who had made Li Qingyun fall in love, or if Li Qingyun had taken the initiative to pursue him, he would rush to that person's side and investigate his ancestors for eight generations!
When the time comes, who gave the terrible advice? Li Hongyi?
Wouldn't he be finished in no time?
The risk was too high, and Li Hongyi was not keen on doing this job.
Li Qingyun rolled her eyes at him and emphasized several times that Chang Yubai would never make things difficult for him after the matter was accomplished, and might even reward him.
Li Hongyi: "Do you think I look stupid?"
Li Hongyi: [Tell me quietly, who is it?]
Li Qingyun: "...Will you teach me or not? If you don't, I'll kick you off the stage right now."
That's a bit like cheating.
Chang Yubai was keeping a close eye on this side. If Bai Huang saw Li Qingyun kick him off, the flying chariot would probably start running at top speed in the next second, making it impossible for him to catch up.
Li Hongyi surrendered at lightning speed: "Oh, let me make this clear first, I don't really know much."
Li Qingyun nodded silently.
Li Hongyi wasn't modest at all. He always showed his sincerity to girls by being serious and responsible when he pursued them. Over time, the girls also witnessed his persistence. If the girl had suffered, she would find it even harder to resist his care.
However, not everyone falls for this approach. Li Hongyi focuses more on the other person's needs. Take Ling Yu'er and Tang Yuke from Zhongzhou, for example. The two of them are not lacking in material satisfaction, and they are often pursued by men who bring them treasures.
But Li Hongyi never placed himself in a position with strong ulterior motives.
He was humorous yet tasteful, never intrusive, and his gifts were always within the recipient's budget, neither absurd nor disrespectful. He wasn't self-deprecating when pursuing love, and he would get angry if offended. He was often difficult with Ling Yu'er, and would argue back with Li Hongyi if she insulted him.
From the very beginning, he had a clean and likable image, and later, he became a suitor who was sensible and knew his place.
As they got to know each other better, the girls witnessed his humility and sincerity.
If a powerful, wealthy, considerate, and polite person of the opposite sex pursues you intensely, even the hardest rock will be moved to some extent.
But when this theory is applied to Li Qingyun, well... it just feels a bit strange.
Li Hongyi thought to himself silently.
However, as a temporary "teacher," Li Hongyi still thoughtfully warned Li Qingyun not to blindly copy everything, since courtship relies on one's own image, and borrowed tricks are ultimately unreliable.
"A good first impression, and then hard work..." Li Qingyun looked at the sand flying everywhere, feeling rather uncomfortable.
He wasn't really sure how Chang Yubai viewed him.
Below the flying chariot lies the territory of the Great Wilderness, where he and Chang Yubai's origins lie. However, before this, Li Qingyun had never reminisced about their first encounter.
That wasn't exactly a pleasant memory. How good could the image of a child bought from a fabric shop, full of suspicion and calculation, be?
If Chang Yubai were to be reminded of his childhood by the sight of the scenery, and recall his foolish appearance when he was young, I wonder if he would feel disgusted.
...Probably not.
But Li Qingyun still cares a lot about this image.
At least at this crucial juncture, if he wants to move Chang Yubai, he can't show too many of his own flaws.
Just like the aloof look that he played most often before, which is the kind of cool and aloof appearance that Chang Yubai loves to see the most.
Now... perhaps it's time to let Master see my attitude.
Li Qingyun thought so.
...
Even after waking up the next day at the inn in the city, Li Hongyi remained somewhat apprehensive.
There was no other reason than that the topic of Li Qingyun on the flying chariot was too torturous.
No way, could this brat really have someone he likes?
Li Hongyi now desperately hopes that his so-called request for guidance is just something Li Qingyun said to tease him.
Judging from Li Qingyun's appearance of only having Chang Yubai as his number one, it's hard to believe he could be attracted to anyone else. It must be just something said to tease him!
Li Hongyi was on tenterhooks and didn't get a good night's rest.
The sun rises very early in Tianzhu City; the sky, which is usually still dimly lit, is now as bright as noon.
When Li Hongyi went downstairs to eat, he saw that Chang Yubai and his apprentice were already having a meal.
The scene was a bit strange.
"Master, eat this."
"Master, I'll pay the bill."
"Master, the secret realm later, blah blah blah..."
It's so noisy.
Li Hongyi looked up at the ceiling, finding it hard to imagine who this sparrow-like figure in front of him was.
Sure enough, he saw a blank look on Chang Yubai's face.
But it's not the noisy sparrow Xiaoyun that's scary; what's scary is the person's constant interruptions.
What does it mean to say, "I know this is your favorite flavor, so I ordered it specially"?
Did he use that as a teaching material to tell Li Qingyun yesterday?
[Li Qingyun!!!]
Li Hongyi roared inwardly.
He seemed to suddenly realize something; no wonder Li Qingyun said not to worry about his advice, as Chang Yubai would chase after him.
These emotional tricks are meant to be used on Chang Yubai!
He thought he had discovered some incredible secret, and was so worried that he didn't sleep well all night.
The secret is indeed remarkable, and the thought processes of these two, master and apprentice, are equally extraordinary.
But the problem is... Bai Huang's reaction wasn't normal at all when he was being pursued!
A series of actions as fierce as a tiger, but the score was a mere 250.
These two little brats!
Li Hongyi covered her face, she simply couldn't bear to look.
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Author's Note: I'm finally almost at the synopsis! [doge emoji with rose in hand]
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