Chapter 139: Li Qiwen

More than half of the Wang family members over the age of forty submitted suggestions after hearing about the substantial reward.

Wang Mingcai, still grieving the loss of his son, was not in the mood to work. Wang Mingzhi was preoccupied with searching for Wang Changxue. Consequently, Wang Mingyuan had no choice but to enlist Wang Mingzhan and Wang Mingzhong to help him review the family members' suggestions.

Wang Mingzhan reviewed several of the submitted letters and remarked with a smile, "We used to think brainstorming was enough, but it clearly wasn't broad enough. Changsheng's suggestion for a 'Listening to the Wise' box is excellent. Third Brother, you'd be surprised, some of these ideas are genuinely insightful. For instance, Eighth Uncle proposed teaching younger family members puppet carving from an early age, then selecting the most talented among them to train as puppeteers."

"Indeed! Some suggestions are quite good, while others are simply laughable. Oh, by the way, Third Brother, Changyu has been spending a lot of time recently with someone named Li Qiwen. Are you aware of this?"

"Li Qiwen? I haven't heard of him. Seventh Brother, how do you know about this? What's his background?"

Wang Mingyuan was typically too busy to notice, so without someone bringing it to his attention, he had no idea who Wang Changyu was associating with closely.

"I've seen Changyu and this Li Qiwen strolling around the market town together several times, always chatting and laughing. I had someone investigate, and it turns out he's a rogue cultivator with a basic understanding of talisman crafting. My concern is that Changyu might repeat the mistakes of Fifth Sister."

When Wang Mingmei was young, she fell in love with a rogue cultivator she had met. However, she was gravely mistaken about his character; he was involved with multiple women. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Wang Mingmei chose never to marry.

It was this concern about Wang Changyu being deceived that prompted Wang Mingzhong's question.

"What's so difficult about that? We'll just chase this Li Qiwen away. I doubt he'd dare to linger."

Wang Mingyuan mused for a moment before saying, "Here's the plan: first, we'll send someone to discreetly investigate Li Qiwen's background. If his character proves to be problematic, we'll simply send him away. However, if his character is sound, we'll let him continue seeing Changyu. Changyu made up her mind long ago to find a live-in husband, and it wouldn't be appropriate for us to interfere too much. As long as Li Qiwen's conduct is acceptable, we'll let Changyu decide."

"So be it."

In a secluded courtyard, Wang Changyu was conversing with Wang Changyue.

Wang Changyue held a string of candied hawthorn berries, savoring each bite.

"Seventh Sister, if you need to speak with Brother urgently, I can fetch him for you."

Wang Changyu smiled faintly, shaking her head. "It's alright. I'll just wait for Ninth Brother to emerge here."

At that very moment, Wang Changsheng's voice suddenly rang out, "Seventh Sister, are you looking for me?"

Wang Changyu looked toward the sound and saw Wang Changsheng approaching her.

Wang Changyu had now reached the seventh layer of Qi Condensation. The cultivation technique she practiced allowed for rapid progression in the initial stages but slowed considerably in the later ones.

She offered Wang Changsheng a gentle smile and politely asked, "Ninth Brother, I hope I haven't disturbed your cultivation."

"Not at all, Seventh Sister. Just say what you need. I'll definitely help if I can; you're family. Changyue, where did you get those candied hawthorn berries?"

"Seventh Sister bought them for me, Brother. Here, have one. They're really tasty."

Wang Changyu glanced at Wang Changyue, a troubled expression on her face.

"Brother won't have any. Go play now. Brother needs to speak with Seventh Sister."

Wang Changyue acknowledged him and walked away, still holding her candied hawthorn.

"Ninth Brother, at the last Jadefield Dharma Assembly, I met a rogue cultivator named Li Qiwen. Fellow Daoist Li has a basic understanding of talisman arts, and we get along quite well. I've grown somewhat fond of him, but I don't know much about his background. I'd like to test him; could you help me with that?"

A faint blush crept onto Wang Changyu's cheeks as she spoke softly.

"Test him? How would you like to do that?"

Wang Changyu moved her lips slightly, explaining her plan. Wang Changsheng smiled and nodded in agreement.

Li Qiwen, thirty-five years old, was a four-spirit-root cultivator. His ancestors were once disciples of the Purple Cloud Sect, enjoying a period of prominence. However, their family later declined, and he was reduced to a rogue cultivator, barely scraping by through talisman crafting.

His aptitude was mediocre, and his talisman crafting skills were not highly refined. Without many spirit stones to purchase elixirs, he remained at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation.

Despite his family's decline, he had received a good education in his youth, which was reflected in his refined speech and proper demeanor.

Early that morning, Li Qiwen rose promptly, not to cultivate or craft talismans, but to bathe and change his clothes.

He stood before a bronze mirror, meticulously adjusting his attire.

After repeatedly checking and confirming everything was in order, he finally left with confidence.

That day, Li Qiwen wore a blue scholar's robe and carried a blue folding fan, exuding a scholarly aura. An uninformed observer might have mistaken him for a secular literati or scholar.

Standing at the inn's entrance, Li Qiwen gently fanned himself with his folding fan, presenting the image of a refined young gentleman.

Soon after, a young woman dressed in a blue skirt approached him.

The woman in the blue skirt had delicate features and a pair of beautiful, clear, and flawless eyes.

Upon seeing the woman in blue, Li Qiwen's face lit up with joy. He cupped his hands respectfully and greeted her with a smile, "Fairy Wang, good morning!"

The woman in the blue skirt was none other than Wang Changyu.

Wang Changyu offered a sweet smile and replied, "Good morning, Fellow Daoist Li. Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I haven't eaten yet, Fairy Wang. How about we go to that Huang Family Noodle Shop we visited last time? Didn't you mention you wanted to try their 'fish-fragrant shredded pork' noodles? Let's head there for some noodles."

Li Qiwen answered truthfully.

"The prices at the noodle shop are a bit high. I've prepared some pastries myself; if you don't mind, we can simply eat those along the way."

"Pastries made by Fairy Wang are undoubtedly exquisite."

Li Qiwen and Wang Changyu chatted and laughed as they walked out of the market town.

Over an hour later, the two arrived at the summit of a heavily vegetated mountain.

Li Qiwen took out a piece of white silk cloth and spread it on the ground. Wang Changyu then produced an exquisite picnic box, from which she served two plates of pastries and a pot of hot tea.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please try the osmanthus cake I made."

Li Qiwen took a piece of osmanthus cake without hesitation, put it in his mouth, and then furrowed his brow slightly.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

Seeing his reaction, Wang Changyu said with a hint of disappointment.

"It's a bit too sweet for my taste; I generally prefer savory dishes. However, Fairy Wang, your osmanthus cake is still delightful—it's the best I've ever tasted. By the way, Fairy Wang, you're out alone. Have you informed your family? We wouldn't want them to worry."

Wang Changyu smiled sweetly and said, "I informed Third Aunt. She was a little concerned, but we've known each other for quite some time now, and I trust that Fellow Daoist Li is not a bad person."

Li Qiwen nodded. "Of course," he said. "Fairy Wang, let's continue discussing the refining method for the Wind Wall Talisman, shall we? I believe that when crafting a Wind Wall Talisman, one must pay attention to..."

Li Qiwen's sudden discussion of talisman arts was quite a mood killer.

Wang Changyu, however, didn't mind. She appreciated Li Qiwen's honest and straightforward nature; he always spoke his mind without any pretense.

The two continued chatting and laughing, losing track of time, until before they knew it, it was already midday.

Li Qiwen glanced at the sky and said, "Fairy Wang, it's getting late. Allow me to escort you back. We wouldn't want your family to worry if you return too late."

Wang Changyu nodded and packed away the picnic box.

The two began their descent down the mountain, but they hadn't gone far when Wang Changyu suddenly stopped. She looked towards a specific area and said in a low voice, "Who's hiding over there, lurking suspiciously?"

Hearing her words, Li Qiwen's face instantly became guarded. He pulled out several gleaming talismans.

"I didn't expect you to discover us, but it doesn't matter; you're going to die anyway."

A rather chilling male voice then rang out.

No sooner had he spoken than a man and a woman emerged from behind two large trees.

The man, around forty years old, had a full beard and was at the seventh layer of Qi Condensation. The woman was short and stout, with an unattractive face, and was at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation.