Chapter 354: Qi Yunxiao's Death

Volume 3

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 3

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Upon hearing this, Han Li chuckled lightly and immediately explained:

"Miss Xin, you've misunderstood. The person behind me isn't alive; it's merely an armored corpse I refined. A quick scan with your spiritual sense will clarify this."

After saying this, Han Li instinctively stopped moving, waiting for Xin Ruoyin, who had spoken, to identify Qu Hun's zombie status.

Sure enough, a moment later, Xin Ruoyin's voice rang out again.

"It was Ruoyin's mistake, Senior Han, please come in!"

There was a hint of apology in Xin Ruoyin's voice, but Han Li smiled casually, unconcerned, and piloted his Divine Wind Boat out of the passage.

As soon as Han Li emerged, his eyes brightened. The cluster of bamboo houses he had visited before appeared before him. Standing just visible in front of the bamboo houses were two women: Xin Ruoyin and her pretty maidservant. However, both were dressed in plain white, and Xin Ruoyin was adorned in the manner of a young widow, which made Han Li pause in surprise.

"The widow, Xin, greets Senior Han."

Upon seeing Han Li, Xin Ruoyin stepped forward and performed a light bow. Yet, her haggard, sickly face made Han Li secretly suspicious.

"Miss Xin, there's no need for such formality!" Han Li, full of questions, politely replied.

At this moment, the little maidservant behind Xin Ruoyin also stepped forward and bowed to Han Li. Han Li nodded distractedly.

Clearly, Xin Ruoyin had no intention of having a long discussion with Han Li right there. She forced a smile and led Han Li into a larger bamboo house.

As soon as he entered the room, Han Li was stunned. On a wooden table directly opposite the entrance, there was a jet-black memorial tablet. It bore the large inscription "Husband Qi Yunxiao," and in front of the tablet, a small incense burner held several lit incense sticks, gently emitting green smoke. Seeing this, how could Han Li not know what had happened? Qi Yunxiao had actually died, which was completely unexpected for Han Li.

After his initial shock, he let out a soft sigh, stepped forward, took a bundle of incense sticks from the table, lit them, bowed twice, and then gently placed them in the burner.

"Miss Xin, what exactly happened?" After paying his respects, Han Li turned back and asked softly.

"It's a long story. Senior Han, please come with me to another room, and I'll explain everything properly," Xin Ruoyin said, her eyes reddening and her voice somewhat weak. The current Xin Ruoyin bore no resemblance to the astute and capable woman Han Li remembered. She was completely a pitiful young woman. Seeing this, Han Li could only nod silently.

Thus, led by Xin Ruoyin, Han Li went to the adjacent room and sat down. The little maidservant nimbly brewed a pot of tea for Han Li and poured him a cup. Han Li took a small sip of the fragrant tea, then set down his cup and said in a deep voice:

"I never expected that after only a few months, Fellow Daoist Qi would meet with such misfortune. Fate truly plays cruel tricks on people! Oh, by the way, I wasn't aware when Miss Xin and Fellow Daoist Qi became husband and wife. Had I known, I would have certainly sent a congratulatory gift beforehand."

Hearing Han Li's words, Xin Ruoyin showed a bitter smile, but before she could speak, the pretty maidservant behind her answered for her.

"Senior, my mistress voluntarily married into the family to become a widow for Young Master Qi after he was murdered."

This statement greatly astonished Han Li, who couldn't help but look at Xin Ruoyin in surprise.

"Xiaomei, you spoke well! I indeed voluntarily chose to become a widow for Young Master Qi," Xin Ruoyin said, slowly nodding as she saw Han Li's gaze filled with astonishment and doubt.

"This..." Han Li was somewhat speechless.

"I owe Young Master Qi several life-saving favors, and I've long been unable to repay them. If Young Master Qi had remained safe, I would have married him sooner or later. Now, I've merely done what I ought to do!" Xin Ruoyin extended a fair, jade-like wrist, lightly tucked a strand of hair from her forehead, and spoke with calm composure.

Hearing this, Han Li naturally had nothing more to say. Xin Ruoyin then sorrowfully recounted the events of Qi Yunxiao's death to Han Li.

It turned out that for some time after Han Li left, Qi Yunxiao and Xin Ruoyin, following Han Li's instructions, were very cautious and rarely left their residence. However, two months later, Xin Ruoyin urgently needed a very rare material for her array research and had no choice but to plan a trip to a nearby market. As it happened, Qi Yunxiao, who was earnestly pursuing Xin Ruoyin, unintentionally learned of this. Naturally, he took it upon himself to make the trip for her.

However, it turned out that the cultivators Han Li had killed previously while saving Xin Ruoyin were from the Fu family, one of the largest cultivation families in Yuanwu Nation. With so many direct descendants mysteriously disappearing, the Fu family naturally launched a thorough investigation. As a result, after wandering in the vicinity for a month or two, the Fu family cultivators stumbled upon Qi Yunxiao, who had suddenly appeared.

If Qi Yunxiao had been more shrewd and experienced, he might have been able to navigate this situation, even without concrete evidence against him. But unfortunately, he was far too honest. After just a few related questions, he panicked. This naturally aroused the Fu family's suspicions, and they immediately moved to restrain him and take him back for detailed interrogation. Qi Yunxiao naturally refused to surrender. Relying on his good magical artifacts, he forcefully escaped from several Qi Condensation cultivators of the Fu family and immediately fled back to his residence.

This act, however, brought deadly peril upon Qi Yunxiao! The Fu family cultivators soon tracked him to his dwelling. After Qi Yunxiao's grand array killed over a dozen cultivators, the Fu family, enraged, dispatched a Core Formation stage grand master. After half a day of relentless assault, the outer grand array was forcibly breached. Unexpectedly, seeing the grave situation, Qi Yunxiao hurriedly set up a more powerful illusion array behind the main one, which surprisingly managed to temporarily trap the Core Formation cultivator. He then seized this opportunity to escape.

The other Fu family cultivators, of course, would not let him go so easily. Although Qi Yunxiao managed to escape the encirclement by relying on the remaining formations, the loyal steward and servant died on the spot. Qi Yunxiao himself sustained extremely severe injuries and passed away as soon as he reached Xin Ruoyin's residence. Meanwhile, the Fu family, still unaware, furiously searched for Qi Yunxiao everywhere, and even left people to monitor his residence day and night. This led to the scene where Han Li killed the elderly and young Fu family cultivators.

After listening to Xin Ruoyin's account, Han Li felt a pang of sadness. Although he wasn't exactly a close friend with Qi Yunxiao, the man was indeed quite decent. To think he died so soon, truly unpredictable are the ways of the world!

"Senior Han, you've come here about the ancient teleportation array, haven't you?" Xin Ruoyin, having finished recounting the events, suddenly asked with extreme calm.

"Oh, that matter isn't urgent..."

This remark brought an awkward expression to Han Li's face. After all, her nominal husband had just died; now was certainly not the appropriate time to inquire about that matter.

"I've almost finished repairing that teleportation array; it should be completely done in another month!" Xin Ruoyin, as if sensing Han Li's discomfort, continued speaking slowly.

"Really?" Han Li's spirits immediately lifted, and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

"It's true. Not only will I fully repair the teleportation array, but I also have two items to give to Senior Han!" Xin Ruoyin said calmly, then immediately took out two jade boxes from her storage pouch and placed them on the table.

"What are these?" Han Li was genuinely stunned, his face filled with surprise.

"These two boxes contain my husband's 'Cloud Sky Insights' and his collection of artifact refining manuals in one, and in the other, all my accumulated knowledge of array formations along with numerous array scriptures. I hope Senior will accept these items," Xin Ruoyin said faintly.

Hearing Xin Ruoyin's words, Han Li's heart tightened. After glancing at the two jade boxes, he looked at Xin Ruoyin and asked with an unchanging expression:

"Miss Xin, what is the meaning of this? Why would you give me such extremely valuable items? Miss Ruoyin, if you have something to say, please speak plainly!"

Han Li's voice carried a hint of coldness.

"I'm giving these items to Senior Han because I only want one promise from you!" Xin Ruoyin did not flinch from Han Li's gaze, a determined expression appearing on her face.

"What promise?" Although Han Li faintly guessed her intention, he still asked in a deep voice.

"If, one day, Senior Han truly reaches the Core Formation stage, I hope you can avenge my husband and me by eradicating the Fu family, making them completely disappear from Yuanwu Nation."

Xin Ruoyin's voice was as cold as ten-thousand-year-old profound ice. Even Han Li shivered, stirred by the intense hatred in her words.