The Journey and the Surprise

Chapter 245: The Journey and the Surprise

"Now that there are no outsiders present, madam, please speak frankly. I need to consider this carefully and make sure there are no oversights on my part," Li Huayuan said with a solemn expression.

The young matron glanced at Han Li, who was rubbing his head and wearing a bitter smile. Finally, she spoke.

"A couple of years ago, I happened to overhear some rumors whose truth I cannot verify. I heard that this female disciple of Senior Sister Hongfu was not exactly... discreet in matters of men and women. When she was still at the Qi Condensation stage, she was entangled with several male disciples. Some even fought duels over her in private, nearly causing a foolish incident of disciples harming one another. Senior Sister Hongfu was furious when she found out. She confined the girl to her cave dwelling under strict supervision and only released her after she had established her foundation. But soon after, rumors circulated again that she had become involved with that young man from the Feng Clan, and it seemed she intended to dual cultivate with him. But Senior Sister Hongfu has always detested the Feng Clan, so she naturally refused to permit it and confined her once more. In the two years since, no further news has come out. Since there was no solid evidence for any of this, I never paid it much attention before. That is why, when Senior Sister Hongfu arrived with her disciple today, I did not think of it immediately. But seeing how reluctant Han Li looked, I found it strange, and suddenly recalled these old stories."

The young matron's slightly apologetic words left both Han Li and Li Huayuan stunned.

Li Huayuan had never imagined that the young girl surnamed Dong had such a tarnished reputation. How could he possibly handle having so hastily agreed to Senior Sister Hongfu's request? Han Li, meanwhile, was shocked to learn that this girl had not only been entangled with that "Senior Brother Lu," but also had so many other supposed lovers—real or rumored. He was rendered completely speechless.

"Madam, is this true? Is the reputation of Senior Sister Hongfu's disciple really so unsavory?" Li Huayuan could no longer remain seated. He rose to his feet, still finding it hard to believe, and began pacing anxiously around the hall.

This was no longer simply a matter of Han Li's willingness to dual cultivate. If his own disciple were to marry a woman with such a reputation, his own name would surely suffer as well.

"I don't know. All of this was told to me by others in passing. Even those who told me probably don't know the truth themselves," the young matron said with a helpless sigh.

Han Li rolled his eyes internally. What do you mean 'truth or not'? At the very least, this girl definitely had something going on with that 'Senior Brother Lu'. Otherwise, why would he have so easily killed his previous female companion?

Naturally, Han Li did not voice these thoughts. He simply stood there with an awkward expression, putting on a show of "Master and Mistress, you now understand my predicament." Li Huayuan saw this and felt an even greater headache coming on.

Now that this mess had come to light, Li Huayuan could hardly continue to pressure Han Li into agreeing. Furthermore, he himself was beginning to regret the arrangement. But his Senior Sister Hongfu was not someone who accepted being dismissed so easily, and the reasons for backing out could hardly be stated openly. How could he not be deeply troubled?

Li Huayuan paced back and forth across the hall several times but still could think of no way out. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Han Li still standing there waiting for his master's decision, and his irritation grew.

"You may go back first," he said, his tone sour. "Once your master and I have discussed this, I'll let you know how we plan to handle it."

Han Li had been waiting nervously, afraid that his master would force the marriage upon him regardless of the circumstances. Hearing Li Huayuan's instruction, he felt an immediate wave of relief, knowing that the matter was likely as good as dead.

He happily acknowledged the order and slipped out.

Han Li, under the astonished gazes of Song Meng and Wu Xuan, who were waiting outside the hall, quickly flew away from the cave dwelling.

He returned to his residence in a single breath, filled with anxiety. Three days later, he finally received a transmission talisman from Li Huayuan. After listening to the results of the negotiation between his master and Senior Uncle Hongfu, Han Li could only raise his head and let out a long sigh.

...

Half a month later, in front of the waterfall at Green Wave Cave, Li Huayuan, his wife, and the Immortal Maiden Hongfu were seeing two people off. These two, about to embark on a long journey, wore stiff expressions. They nodded and mumbled their affirmations mechanically, showing none of the excitement typical of travelers.

The man and woman were none other than Han Li and Hongfu's disciple, Dong Xuan'er.

"Han Li, you and your junior sister must support each other on this journey and be careful! I hear the cultivation world has been unsettled lately. Cultivators have been disappearing one after another—at first Qi Condensation cultivators, but recently even Foundation Establishment cultivators have met with accidents," Li Huayuan said, offering a brief but heartfelt warning to Han Li that moved him deeply.

His Senior Uncle Hongfu's parting words to the young girl, however, were a real eye-opener.

"On this journey, you will listen to everything your Senior Brother Han says. Follow the rules. If you cause any more trouble, don't blame me for being an unfeeling master." The harsh words from Hongfu left the girl pale-faced, nodding frantically, looking pitifully helpless.

And so, Han Li and Dong Xuan'er rose into the air on their magical artifacts, heading south until they disappeared into the horizon.

Li Huayuan watched the fading specks of light, then turned to Hongfu with some concern. "Senior Sister, are you really comfortable sending those two to represent us at the Yan Clan's Treasure-Grabbing Assembly? They've only just established their foundations. They don't stand a chance!"

"What, Junior Brother Li? Are you worried that not sending your strongest disciple will harm your reputation, or are you simply disappointed about missing out on the Yan Clan's Talisman Treasure, the 'Heaven-Encompassing Pagoda'?" Hongfu shot Li Huayuan a sidelong glance, leaving him with a wry smile.

"Of course that's not what my husband meant," the young matron interjected gently. "But wouldn't it have been better to send your strongest disciples, Senior Sister? Han Li and Miss Dong would be no match for the true Foundation Establishment experts. Or could it be that Senior Sister also hopes to use this opportunity to bring them together?"

"Junior Brother Li, you have a truly virtuous wife," Hongfu said with a hint of a smile. "To be honest, I'm not entirely without that intention. If they do develop feelings on the road and make a match, that would be ideal. But that is not my primary goal. My main reason for sending her on the Yan Clan trip is to let her experience some setbacks and temper her arrogance. I've heard that the Yan Clan's little girl with the Heavenly Spiritual Root will also be attending this assembly. That way, Dong Xuan'er can see the gap between herself and a true genius. She needs to understand that she is not so extraordinary among Foundation Establishment female cultivators, and stop being so insufferably proud."

"Before this, because she was the only child of my deceased elder brother, I spoiled her too much. She dared to engage in scandalous behavior, carrying on with male disciples—what kind of behavior is that? She ruined her own reputation as a young lady! If I hadn't verified her virginity several times and confirmed that she has indeed kept herself chaste, I would have crippled her long ago—to save everyone from thinking that our Dong family produced a shameless girl."

The red-clad woman spoke coldly, her final words carrying a pointed implication. Li Huayuan and his wife, sensing the underlying meaning, exchanged awkward glances.

That day, Li Huayuan and his wife had gone to see Senior Sister Hongfu, hesitantly broaching the subject of backing out of the marriage. To their great surprise, the usually ill-tempered senior sister let out a soft sigh and agreed. The couple was overjoyed.

However, Hongfu still raised a condition: she hoped that Han Li would accompany Dong Xuan'er on a trip to attend the Yan Clan's "Treasure-Grabbing Assembly."

This "Treasure-Grabbing Assembly" was an event hosted by the Yan Clan, the number one family in the Yue Kingdom's cultivation world. It invited disciples of Core Formation experts from neighboring countries to gather together, with the aim of building good relations with many cultivators and benefiting the Yan Clan's future development. For this purpose, the clan had brought out the legendary Talisman Treasure, the "Heaven-Encompassing Pagoda," as the top prize. Naturally, there were also many other rare treasures, magical tools, and elixirs on offer.

Thus, many of the invited Core Formation cultivators had indeed sent their strongest disciples to attend. After all, even a Core Formation cultivator would covet a Talisman Treasure like the Heaven-Encompassing Pagoda.

Of course, due to the distance, it was unlikely that too many Core Formation cultivators from outside Yue would send representatives. The event would mainly feature cultivators from the country itself.

At the time, Li Huayuan had considered the condition. He felt that sending the still-weak Han Li to such a major event was a bit of a waste. But on second thought, his strongest second disciple was away on business and couldn't make it. If he sent any other disciple, winning first place was out of the question. And if they only managed to get a lower ranking, winning some ordinary magical tools, Li Huayuan wouldn't be interested anyway. So he had agreed.

Li Huayuan and his wife thought the matter was settled and were about to take their leave. But Hongfu suddenly insisted on keeping the young matron behind for a private conversation. She sent a puzzled Li Huayuan out alone.

Half a day later, the young matron returned from Hongfu's cave dwelling and told Li Huayuan a piece of news that left him completely dumbfounded.