Gou Zai Liang Jie (a person's name) gathers Qi to attain enlightenment.

Chapter 85: Arranged Marriage

He Yu quickly finished reading, his brows furrowing slightly:

"So, what does the sect leader mean?"

Li Wuwei nodded slightly and said calmly:

"No rush."

He Yu nodded thoughtfully.

Li Wu continued:

"I never intended to flaunt my status as a guest elder of the Biyang Sect. If the Jingming Sect and the Hundred Flowers Valley want to curry favor with me, that's their business and has nothing to do with me."

He Yu nodded, then asked:

"What about Fellow Daoist Zhao?"

"Let Brother Zhao continue the discussion, however it may be."

Li Wu put down his teacup, his expression calm:

"The Jingming Sect and the Hundred Flowers Valley want to get close to me through him. They are the ones asking for help, not us."

"Brother Zhao is a smart man; he knows how to use this bargaining chip."

He Yu accepted the order and turned to write a letter.

Li Wu sat alone in the hall, his gaze passing through the hall door to the distant mountains.

With the Dayan Sect's allegiance, the situation in Youyang County has become completely clear.

Qingshimen is now the undisputed authority in Youyang County.

…………

Xiazhu County, market town.

Zhao Qianyuan received Li Wu's reply and read it carefully three times.

The letter contained only a few words, but it put his mind at ease.

"Brother Li is telling me to go all out and do it."

He carefully put the letter away, then paced back and forth in the shop, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

With Li Wu's words, he was no longer afraid.

He knew perfectly well what Jingming Sect and Hundred Flowers Valley wanted.

But he wouldn't be foolish enough to introduce them to someone.

Li Wu is right; you have to be respectful when necessary.

"Someone come here."

Zhao Qianyuan summoned a disciple of the Zhao family and instructed him:

"Go and send invitations to Jingming Sect and Baihua Valley, saying that I, Zhao, will be hosting a banquet at Zuixianlou in three days to invite Fellow Daoist Liu and Miss Qingluo for a chat."

The man took his orders and left.

Zhao Qianyuan stood at the entrance of his shop, watching the people coming and going in the market, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

In this round, he wants Jingming Sect and Baihua Valley to put up real money.

…………

Three days later, at Zuixianlou.

This is the best restaurant in Xiazhu County, catering exclusively to cultivators. It offers a full range of spiritual wines and dishes, and is quite expensive.

Zhao Qianyuan booked the largest private room on the second floor, which was decorated in an elegant and tasteful manner.

Liu Rufeng arrived first, still dressed in a blue robe, exuding a refined and scholarly air.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, we meet again."

Liu Rufeng cupped his hands and smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

Zhao Qianyuan smiled and offered him a seat, then personally poured him tea.

Before long, Qingluo arrived as well.

She had changed into a light green dress today, and was still holding a jade box in her hands as she walked in with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, the Valley Master heard that you are hosting a banquet, so he specially asked me to bring another spiritual ginseng over."

Qingluo placed the jade box on the table and glanced at Liu Rufeng with a smile.

Liu Rufeng's expression remained unchanged; he simply said:

"Jingmingzong has also prepared a small gift, which will be delivered to Chairman Zhao's shop another day."

Zhao Qianyuan laughed heartily and said:

"You two are too kind. I am unworthy of such hospitality."

The three sat down and drank several rounds of wine.

Zhao Qianyuan put down his wine cup and said seriously:

"Gentlemen, I am a businessman and I do not like beating around the bush. The reason for hosting this banquet today is to finalize our cooperation."

Liu Rufeng and Qingluo both looked at him at the same time.

Zhao Qianyuan held up one finger and said:

"A 10% profit margin, and the price of the spiritual items will be based on the market price. I will neither lower nor raise the price. This is my bottom line."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rufeng frowned immediately and said in a deep voice:

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, what we agreed on before was..."

"The past is the past, the present is the present."

Zhao Qianyuan interrupted him, smiling as he said:

"Fellow Daoist Liu, times have changed. You should understand this better than I do."

Liu Rufeng remained silent for a moment, then glanced at Qingluo.

Qingluo smiled and said:

"President Zhao speaks his mind, and Hundred Flowers Valley has no objection."

Liu Rufeng's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly recovered and nodded, saying:

"Jingmingzong had no objections."

Zhao Qianyuan was overjoyed, but remained outwardly calm as he raised his wine cup:

"In that case, it's a pleasure to cooperate."

The three of them drank the wine in their cups.

Liu Rufeng put down his wine cup, hesitated for a moment, and then asked:

"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Zhao and Senior Li Wu have some connection?"

coming.

Zhao Qianyuan sneered inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he chuckled lightly:

"Brother Li? He's alright. We've only known each other for a little over ten years. Back then, Brother Li was only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

"Now he has transformed into a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator and has even become an elder of the Biyang Sect."

After saying this, Zhao Qianyuan shook his head, looking melancholy, and then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

These words shocked Liu Rufeng and Qingluo.

In just ten years, he went from the mid-stage of Qi Refining to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment? And he even cultivated lightning magic.

Does Li Wumo have some kind of special physique?

Qingluo had read in ancient books that some people in this world were born with extraordinary talents and bodies, which was beneficial to their cultivation.

Almost every cultivator with a strong physique possesses the potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage.

"So, Li Wu is even more worthy of our friendship than the Biyang Sect?"

Both of them thought the same thing.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao and Senior Li Wu have a deep friendship, which is truly enviable."

Qingluo smiled and said, her tone becoming more intimate.

Zhao Qianyuan laughed heartily and said:

"Not at all, it's just a chance encounter from our early years."

He didn't continue on that topic, but instead changed the subject and talked about the specific affairs of the Chamber of Commerce.

Liu Rufeng and Qingluo didn't press him further and could only go along with what he said.

After the banquet, the two parted ways.

Zhao Qianyuan stood at the entrance of Zuixianlou, watching the two figures from behind, a smile playing on his lips.

I never imagined that a problem that had troubled me for so long could be solved so easily now.

"Indeed, strength is everything." Zhao Qianyuan shook his head.

Unfortunately, his cultivation aptitude is average, and he will probably find it difficult to even reach the Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime.

…………

Gas extraction area.

The State of Qin.

Shaoyang City was the capital city.

Since arriving in the Qin state, the Qi family has been treated with great courtesy, and they have been provided with a residence to house their clansmen.

Qi Zhengchu, the head of the Qi family, was also granted the title of "Marquis of Longevity" and a stipend of 800 households by King Ji of Qin.

At this time, at the Qi residence.

Qi Zhengchu was putting on his court robes and felt awkward all over, so he turned to look at Qi Yu sitting to the side and said:

"Yu'er, why don't you take on the title of Marquis of Longevity? I'm really not used to it."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu waved his hands repeatedly and said:

"Father, I need to go into seclusion and cultivate diligently in order to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm as soon as possible. I don't have time to attend court."

"But... I haven't studied court etiquette, and I'm afraid I'll embarrass myself if I attend court," Qi Zhengchu said with a troubled expression.

"Oh, Father, don't be afraid."

Qi Yu shook his head and advised:

"Father, after you go to court, just stand there. We are just marquises, we don't have any specific duties. Who knows, we might not have to go to court anymore in the future."

"Moreover, your son, I cultivate the [Longevity Qi], and the Qin royal family even wants to win me over in order to gather the three Qi of fortune, longevity, and prosperity for the Qin state."

The Qin state possesses two lineages of "Fortune Qi" and "Prosperity Qi," lacking only "Longevity Qi." Therefore, Qi Yu's status in the Qin state is self-evident.

"Besides, I am also familiar with Crown Prince Ying Zichu of Qin, so Father, don't be afraid."

Hearing his son say this, Qi Zhengchu felt somewhat relieved, but then he thought again and felt something was amiss, so he frowned and said:

"That's true, but what if the King of Qin asks me to say something auspicious or to express my loyalty? I'm not good with words, what if I say something wrong?"

"Father, just remember one sentence."

Qi Yu picked up his teacup and slowly said:

"Whatever the King of Qin says, just nod and say that Your Majesty is wise. If anyone asks you what your opinion is, just say that your subject is foolish and dull, but will obey Your Majesty's command. You're guaranteed to be right."

Qi Zhengchu's eyes widened: "It's that simple?"

"It's that simple."

Qi Yu put down his teacup and waved his hand, saying:

"Your son's [Longevity Qi] is the greatest source of confidence for our Qi family."

"What Qin wants is you as a person, not for you to manage any political affairs. Don't worry, those people in the court are very shrewd. They would be better off if you knew nothing, so that you wouldn't have to fight with them for power."

"OK."

Qi Zhengchu nodded.

Qi Yu then looked at Qi Yao beside him and said:

"Sister Yao, you should also switch to cultivating [Longevity Qi] from now on."

Qi Yao is only at the second level of Qi Refining, so she wouldn't feel bad even if she had to disperse her Qi and start over. Besides, she is only cultivating the third-grade [Wood Virtue] path.

Its upper limit is far less than that of [Longevity Qi].

After all, the [Longevity Qi] inheritance in Qi Yu's hands points directly to the fruition level.

Moreover, the Qi family is now the only aristocratic family in the entire world that cultivates [Longevity Qi].

"Okay." Qi Yao nodded.

Qi Yu nodded slightly and then said:

"In addition, I will leave a [Longevity Qi] inheritance at home so that the main lineage of the clan can cultivate it. As for the branch lineages... it is better to cultivate other lineages."

[Shouqi] has relatively weak combat ability in front of the Purple Palace, so it needs branch disciples to protect the main lineage.

Currently, there are over a hundred members of the Qi family, but if we consider Qi Zhengchu as the main lineage, there are only a handful of them.

…………

The next day.

The Qin Dynasty court.

Inside the main hall, the courtiers stood on both sides.

King Ji of Qin sat high on his throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled ministers before finally settling on Qi Zhengchu. He smiled and said:

"Lord Changshou, this is your first time attending court. Are you settling in well?"

Qi Zhengchu was taken aback, and quickly stepped forward, bowing as he said:

"Your Majesty, I... am used to it, I am used to it."

"That's good."

King Ji of Qin nodded slightly and said:

"Qi Qingjia, there is no need to be reserved. Now that you have been granted the title of Marquis of Changshou, you are an important minister of Qin. In the future, you may speak freely in the court."

Qi Zhengchu's forehead was sweating. Remembering his son's instructions, he quickly said:

"Your Majesty, I am foolish and dull, but I will obey your command."

Upon hearing this, several ministers in the court displayed subtle expressions.

Left Chancellor Ying Liang frowned slightly, while Right Chancellor Zhang Lu smiled slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

King Ji of Qin laughed heartily:

"Qi Qingjia is indeed honest. Very well, you are new here, so I will not make things difficult for you. Just stand and listen for now."

Qi Zhengchu felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly returned to the ranks.

The court meeting continued, and the topics discussed were nothing more than border military affairs, the allocation of provisions, and the appointment and removal of officials.

After finally enduring the court session, Qi Zhengchu was about to leave with the crowd when a eunuch called out to him:

"Lord Changshou, please wait. His Majesty requests that you have a conversation in the side hall."

Qi Zhengchu's heart tightened, and he followed along with a stiff upper lip.

In the side hall, King Ji of Qin had changed into his everyday clothes and was drinking tea. When he saw Qi Zhengchu enter, he raised his hand to gesture for him to sit down.

"Qi Qing, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit."

Qi Zhengchu sat down cautiously, placing his hands on his knees, not daring to move.

King Ji of Qin put down his teacup and said slowly:

"I have heard that your son, Qi Yu, is still unmarried?"

Qi Zhengchu was taken aback upon hearing this, and then alarm bells rang in his mind.

Although he didn't understand court politics, he was old enough to understand the meaning behind those words.

The King of Qin is proposing a marriage alliance.

"Your Majesty, my son is indeed... truly unmarried."

Qi Zhengchu carefully considered his words and said in a low voice:

"It's just that my son is single-mindedly devoted to the Dao, spending all his time in seclusion cultivating, saying that he wants to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm as soon as possible. This old minister... this old minister can't control him."

A glint flashed in King Ji's eyes, and he laughed:

"Qi Qingjia, your son has such ambitions at such a young age, which I greatly admire. However, a man should marry when he comes of age, and cultivating Taoism will not prevent him from starting a family, don't you think?"

"Your Majesty is right, Your Majesty is right."

"I have a daughter who is sixteen years old. She is exceptionally beautiful and has excellent aptitude. She has already reached the seventh level of Qi Refining."

King Ji of Qin picked up his teacup and smiled:

"I intend to betroth the princess to your son. What is your opinion, Minister Qi?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhengchu's breathing became heavy. King Ji of Qin was indeed a monarch, and every word and action he took put a lot of pressure on him.

Qi Zhengchu said in a deep voice:

"Please ask my son about this matter when I return."

King Ji of Qin chuckled:

"It is indeed necessary to ask. Then you may go and pay your respects, my dear minister."

…………

The Qi family mansion.

Qi Yu was sitting at a stone table in the courtyard, with an old silk scroll spread out in front of him, densely covered with his insights on the cultivation of [Longevity Qi].

He heard footsteps, looked up, and smiled:

"Father, you don't look too good. Is the King of Qin making things difficult for you?"

Qi Zhengchu plopped down on the stone bench, picked up the teapot on the table, and gulped down two mouthfuls before letting out a heavy sigh and saying:

"Yu'er, the King of Qin wants to marry his princess to you."

Qi Yu paused in his hand as he flipped through the silk scroll, his brows furrowing slightly before relaxing again. He then slowly rolled up the scroll and placed it aside.

"Princess? Which princess?"

"The King of Qin did not mention his name, only that he had a daughter, who was sixteen years old and had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining."

Qi Zhengchu said with a worried expression:

"What do you suggest we do? I didn't dare refuse at the time, I just said I'd ask you when I got back."

Qi Yu was silent for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly twice on the stone table and chuckled softly:

"Sixteen years old, Qi Refining Level 7, this princess is quite talented and worthy of me, the 'son of the Marquis of Longevity'."

"So, are you going to agree or not?" Qi Zhengchu asked anxiously.

"Of course we'll agree."

Qi Yu nodded slightly and said:

"Fortune, longevity, and prosperity are all one family. I have cultivated the [Longevity Qi], and now I am in the Qin Kingdom. Compared with the Taoist traditions of other countries, I have long since severed all ties with it."

"Moreover, the Qin state has gathered the three elements of fortune, longevity, and prosperity, and is backed by Jade Forest Mountain, the Dragon Realm, and the Thunder Palace. If it were to regain its former glory as a celestial dynasty, my family would also benefit."

"After all, my family is only a Foundation Establishment family, so marrying a princess is considered a step up for me."

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhengchu shook his head and said:

"Alright, think it through."

Having said that, Qi Zhengchu did not linger and turned to leave.

No sooner had Qi Zhengchu left than the white jade turtle crawled out of Qi Yu's clothes.

"Oh, oh, oh, you're going to marry the princess, huh?" the white jade turtle said sarcastically.

Qi Yu rolled his eyes, but he had expected this, since marriage alliances were a common occurrence for families.

"Princess..." Qi Yu stroked his chin, pondering:

"I need to go find out what's going on from Brother Zichu."

Although he knew she was a princess, Qi Yu was still somewhat worried, so he thought of going to find Ying Zichu, the crown prince of Qin, to find out more.

…………

Ying Zichu was sitting in the study of the East Palace, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

As the crown prince of Qin, he naturally had to handle some state affairs.

"Your Highness, the son of the Marquis of Changshou requests an audience."

Upon hearing the eunuch's report that Qi Yu had come to visit, he immediately put down the bamboo slip and a smile appeared on his face.

"Please come quickly."

Qi Yu strode into the study, and without any ceremony, plopped down opposite Ying Zichu and picked up the teacup on the table to drink.

Ying Zichu wasn't annoyed at all, and smiled:

"When Marquis Changshou went to court today, I heard that he said, 'Your subject is foolish and dull, but will obey Your Majesty's command,' which amused all the civil and military officials."

"I taught him."

Qi Yu remained expressionless, and waved his hand, saying:

"It's better than saying the wrong thing."

"That's true."

Ying Zichu nodded, his gaze sweeping over Qi Yu's face, and said with a half-smile:

"You didn't come to see me just to have tea, did you?"

Qi Yu put down his teacup, looked at Ying Zichu, and went straight to the point:

"The King of Qin wants to marry your sister to me. I'd like to ask you, what kind of person is this princess?"

Ying Zichu was taken aback upon hearing this, then laughed, a laugh that was quite meaningful.

"My father is quick to act."

He shook his head, leaned back in his chair, and said softly:

"My younger sister is named Yingyu, and she is my father's most beloved daughter."

"The most favored?" Qi Yu raised an eyebrow.

"That's right."

Ying Zichu sighed, his tone quite helpless:

"She has a terrible temper. In the entire Qin Kingdom, only my father can control her."

"Last year, a nobleman asked someone to propose marriage to her, and she simply threw the betrothal gifts out of the palace gates."

Qi Yu paused slightly in his hand as he picked up the teacup.

Seeing this, Ying Zichu added:

"However, her aptitude is indeed quite good. At the age of sixteen, she had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, which would rank her among the top three among the younger generation in Qin. She cultivates the [Blessing Qi] path."

"What does she look like?" Qi Yu asked directly.

Ying Zichu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"You're quite straightforward. Don't worry, my sister is exceptionally beautiful, and many people throughout Qin have their eyes on her."

Qi Yu nodded. "As long as she's pretty, that's fine."

He hesitated for a moment, then said:

"She has a bad temper, but is she reasonable?"

"That depends on who it is."

Ying Zichu stopped smiling, thought seriously for a moment, and said:

"She is naturally obedient to her father and respectful to me, her elder brother. As for others... she has her own ideas and is not the kind of person who can be manipulated by others."

"That's fine then."

Qi Yu picked up his teacup and slowly said:

"I'm not afraid of people with big tempers, I'm afraid of people who are unreasonable."

Ying Zichu gave Qi Yu a deep look, then suddenly lowered his voice and said:

"However, there's something I need to remind you of."

"explain."

"My father wants to marry Yingyu to you, not just for the sake of a political alliance."

Qi Yu put down his teacup, gesturing for him to continue.

Ying Zichu stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Qi Yu, and slowly said:

"In recent years, the Qin state has been consolidating the major aristocratic families within the country. The Left Chancellor Ying Liang holds military power, the Right Chancellor Zhang Lu controls the government, and there are also those old-established aristocratic families, none of whom are willing to submit to the others."

"My father needs someone who doesn't take sides, yet is important enough to balance the situation."

"Do you think I am that person?" Qi Yu asked.

"It's not a matter of whether you take sides or not."

Ying Zichu turned around, looking intently at him, and said in a deep voice:

"You're not even part of this scheme. You cultivate the [Longevity Qi]. There's no one else like you in the entire Qin state. You have no cronies, no foundation."

"Isn't your father afraid that once I establish a foothold, I'll also become a powerful force?"

Ying Zichu smiled and said:

"By the time you have a firm foothold, the Qin state will probably no longer be the Qin state it is today."

Qi Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed:

"Did your father tell you to say these words, or did you say them yourself?"

"Yes, we have them all."

Ying Zichu calmly sat back in his chair and shook his head, saying:

"My father asked me to test your attitude, and I also want to see what kind of person you really are."

"So what kind of person do you think I am?"

"A smart person."

Ying Zichu poured a cup of tea, pushed it towards Qi Yu, and said with a smile:

"A smart person wouldn't do anything stupid, so I feel comfortable marrying my sister to you."

Qi Yu took the teacup and clinked it with Ying Zichu's, thus finalizing the matter.

"But then again..."

Qi Yu took a sip of tea and suddenly said:

Does your sister know about this?

Ying Zichu's smile froze for a moment.

"They probably... don't know yet."