Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 161: Goodbye Tan Qingxue

(Warm reminder: Chapters 154 to 160 have been rewritten. Interested readers can download and read them again without additional charges.

You can also continue reading, and the general plot can still be followed.)

...

The Jiang family is located on Xingluo Mountain, and every True Dan level expert has their own independent peak. Jiang Ribai resides on the "White Crane Peak".

The meeting took place in Jiang Ribai's private mansion. Li An entered the living room, and servants served top-grade spiritual tea. Li An waited for a long time before an old man in a white robe slowly arrived.

"Pay respects to the senior!"

Li An hurriedly stood up and bowed.

The old man in the white robe waved his hand, "No need for excessive courtesy."

He also sat down, his face quite round, naturally giving off a sense of kindness. He smiled and said, "Wu Qin, you have made great contributions to my Jiang family."

Li An said, "Senior overestimates, it's all what Wu Qin should do."

"My Jiang family will never mistreat those who have made contributions. Wu Qin, your mountain stronghold has been wiped out. From now on, it is natural for you to stay in the Jiang family. Moreover, Ruoli is also reluctant to part with you."

"Ruoli" is Lihua's current name. Returning to one's ancestral roots naturally requires taking a name according to the generation of characters in the clan.

"Heh, but at the clan assembly, there were a few ignorant individuals who said that Wu Qin was born a bandit and had an improper background. They believed that he should not stay in the Jiang family and should be given some spirit stones and sent away..."

He smiled and looked at Li An.

Li An's face showed a very unpleasant expression.

But in his heart, he was as cold as ice. Jiang Ribai, this old fox, was just laying the groundwork!

"Afterwards, I argued with them for a long time before they backed down... allowing you to stay in the Jiang family as a guest official."

Jiang Ribai said, "Are you satisfied, young friend?"

Li An was pleasantly surprised and stood up, saying, "To become a guest official of the Jiang family, Wu Qin feels deeply honored. Thank you, senior, for your guidance—"

"What kind of guidance is this!"

Jiang Ribai suddenly shook his head, "A mere guest official position is not enough to repay the great contributions you have made to the Jiang family. I argued with the family head on your behalf and obtained a position as a high official for you!"

A high official position!

Li An was stunned for a moment, and then showed extreme joy, even performing a grand ceremony.

"Senior's great kindness, Wu Qin will never forget!"

In his heart, Li An naturally understood the meaning behind Jiang Ribai's roundabout words.

This was to make Li An understand that everything he had was given by him!

To let Li An understand that from now on, in the Jiang family, he is the master.

Of course, Li An was also very pleased in his heart.

There are only two ways for outsiders to enter the Jiang family: marriage or as a guest official.

Marrying into the Jiang family or becoming a son-in-law and becoming a member of the Jiang family is the most solid bond.

The relationship between a guest official and the Jiang family is slightly looser, accepting the salary and resources provided by the Jiang family, but also having to do things for the Jiang family.

And being a "high official" among the guest officials is very prestigious.

In a large family like the Jiang family, only False Dan level experts generally have the qualifications to be high officials.

Li An's current cultivation level is only at the Foundation Building mid-stage, so it is indeed not easy to obtain such a position.

Jiang Ribai nodded in satisfaction, "However, the family head also said that if you don't perform well, this high official position... can be revoked at any time."

"So, from now on, you must work hard and understand?"

Li An nodded repeatedly and said in a deep voice, "From now on, whatever you ask me to do, I will do it! I will not slack off—"

A direct declaration.

Jiang Ribai became even happier. This Wu Qin... is indeed sensible!

He continued, "I heard that you are quite good at drawing talismans?"

This was information deliberately given by Li An. After all, without a specific skill, there is no value for the Jiang family to accept him.

"Yes."

"Can you refine third-grade talismans?"

"For now... I can't."

After Jiang Riba turned his head, he said, "After you go to Zhike Peak, familiarize yourself with the situation first."

"After a while, I will tell you what to do."

Li An nodded.

He was well aware that from now on, he would be Jiang Riba's "pawn".

It didn't matter.

Entering such a powerful force, one needed to find a backer, to lean on a big tree for shade.

If there was no one to cover for him, he would never rise to a higher position in his lifetime!

So, he could accept it.

Jiang Riba gave some more instructions, and then Li An left.

Having received the appointment from the Jiang family, Li An was taken by a steward to "Zhike Peak" where the guest officials resided.

Most of Zhike Peak belonged to the second-level spiritual vein area. Only those whose cultivation reached the False Dan stage or above, and who had accumulated enough merits for the Jiang family, could apply to be transferred to the third-level spiritual vein area for cultivation.

Although Li An had made contributions, his cultivation was not enough, so he could only live in the second-level spiritual vein area.

"Wu Shangqing, this is your residence. I will take my leave now--"

The steward brought him to the place and then left.

Entering the spacious courtyard, Li An was first served by maidservants and took a hot bath.

Comfortable.

Finally, he settled down in the Jiang family!

He would stay for a while first, and then find an opportunity to go to Baihu City and retrieve the elixirs.

Preparing for the Foundation Establishment stage!

The news of the arrival of the new chief official also spread throughout Zhike Peak. On his first day, many guest officials came to visit him.

The Jiang family was large and had a large business. Zhike Peak alone accommodated more than forty guest officials, almost all of them talented individuals such as talisman masters, puppet masters, weapon refiners, alchemists, and doctors.

These many guest officials were divided into three halls: Zhuque Hall, Baihu Hall, and Xuanwu Hall, each managed by a chief official.

Yes, the chief official in Zhike Peak played the role of "manager"!

The chief official could nominate and recommend new guest officials to the Jiang family, as well as nominate the expulsion of unqualified guest officials.

Moreover, the chief official's salary was more generous, reaching five hundred spiritual stones per month. In addition, they had the same qualifications as the internal members of the Jiang family, and could obtain ordinary resources from within the Jiang family.

Of course, the most core resources were definitely not accessible to guest officials. After all, they were outsiders.

Zhike Peak had one chief guest official and three chief officials.

According to the roster Li An received, there were a total of thirteen guest officials in the "Xuanwu Hall" under his management, covering a wide range of specialties.

Most of those who came to visit tonight were these "subordinates".

"Chief official, these few are the experts of our Xuanwu Hall. Brother Chen Rong is a doctor, highly skilled in medicine. Sister Wang Yue is an alchemist..."

The people sat facing each other, and one particularly attractive woman took the initiative to introduce the situation to Li An warmly.

This woman's name was Sun Jinxue, a puppet master and talisman master. It seemed that she held a certain position among the group.

Everyone presented a gift, and Li An returned the gesture.

The people chatted happily, exchanging warm pleasantries.

The people dispersed.

"Fellow Daoist Sun, please stay,"

However, Li An called out to Sun Jinxue.

"Do you know these three, Feng Yuancheng, Lu Song, and Zhang Meng?"

Only these three didn't come to visit!

"Fellow Daoist Feng is also a talisman master, highly accomplished. He was highly regarded in Xuanwu Hall before, and there were even rumors that he would become the new chief official..."

Sun Jinxue didn't hide anything and directly told Li An.

Li An instantly understood!

His "parachute" arrival might have snatched Feng Yuancheng's position, so that's why he didn't come.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Sun, for clarifying."

"You are too polite, Lord," Sun Jinxue smiled gracefully. "By the way, Lord, I am currently seeking the help of Master Wang Yuedan to refine a batch of Chongling Pills. We are currently lacking a second-grade ingredient called 'Iris Spirit Flower.' Could I ask for your help in purchasing it? I will provide the required spiritual stones, and once the pills are completed, you will have priority in receiving half of them. How does that sound?"

Li An's heart stirred.

Ordinary guest officials purchasing supplies from the Jiang family would not receive internal prices and would be more expensive.

But asking him to help with the purchase and giving him half of the Chongling Pills... this was deliberately showing goodwill and surrendering!

"Alright. Thank you very much," Li An also smiled. "If you need anything in the future, feel free to let me know."

Sun Jinxue was overjoyed.

...

Over the next two days, Li An carefully learned about the situation in the Xuanwu Hall.

It was more complicated than he had imagined.

Feng Yuancheng, originally a disciple of another True Pill Elder, Jiang Ridong, would have been promoted to Lord according to common sense.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ribai had little influence on the side of the Zhi Ke Peak.

But later, because of Ruo Li's appearance, the descendants of Jiang Ridong were kicked out of the core candidates.

At the same time, Jiang Ribai took the opportunity to make a move and pushed Li An, who had no foundation, to a higher position.

The reason was the great achievement of welcoming Ruo Li!

The family head finally agreed to Jiang Ribai's proposal.

Only then could Li An come over.

A small position change at the bottom could be a microcosm of the power struggle at the top!

And Li An's identity in the Jiang family was well known. He was originally a bandit, but now he had a protective halo, welcoming the important descendant of the Jiang family, and he had been the guide for the talented Ruo Li.

It could be said that as long as Ruo Li continued to shine, Li An would be able to thrive in the Jiang family.

This was also the reason why Sun Jinxue and the others actively showed goodwill towards Li An.

Feng Yuancheng had already lost power, but Li An had a promising future.

"Perfect, with this batch of Chongling Pills, I can smoothly break through to the later stage of Foundation Building. Then, after a few more years of cultivation, I can reach perfection. By then, I can propose to the family to borrow land for pill refinement..."

Now that he was in the Jiang family, he had a backing and a foundation. Pill refinement only required time.

After all, if he could form a pill, it would definitely be a good thing for Jiang Ribai and would enhance his influence in the clan.

During this period, it was natural to do things like eliminating dissidents according to Jiang Ribai's wishes...

In a few days, he would design to kill Feng Yuancheng!

Having once held power in a cultivation family, Li An was already well-versed in these cunning methods. Although Feng Yuancheng had been a guest official in the Jiang family for several years, he was only a casual cultivator. In this regard, it would be too easy for Li An to play him to death.

...

On the third day, Li An went to visit the other two Lords and the Chief.

These three people naturally had their own backgrounds in the clan.

The Chief was in seclusion, so Li An did not see him.

Han Jiche, the Lord of the Azure Dragon Hall, was a pseudo-pill master who was said to be able to refine third-grade magical artifacts.

Although he saw Li An, he was quite indifferent, which was normal. After all, in terms of cultivation and skills, Li An was not comparable to him!

Li An was just being polite, going through the motions before leaving.

"Lord of the White Tiger Hall, Tan Xue, a spirit beast healer..."

Waiting outside the residence of the Lord of the White Tiger Hall, Li An was quite curious about this Tan Xue.

Spirit beast healers were very rare.

Similar to the secular "veterinarian," spirit beast healers could treat injuries to spirit beasts.

And in the Jiang family, there should be no shortage of talents in this area. In the case of the Jiang family's abundance, the fact that Tan Xue could become a Lord indicated that she must have extraordinary abilities.

"Please come in,"

The servant who went to report respectfully led Li An inside.

Entering the living room.

A woman in white sat at the head, and she looked up at Li An.

Upon seeing this woman, Li An's heart trembled instantly!

This...

The woman in front of him was clearly Tan Qingxue!

How is this possible?

Since their separation in Qingyang Fangshi, Li An's last interaction with her was through a letter, telling her to seek refuge in Liuyang River Fangshi. Since then, he had never seen Tan Qingxue again.

But Tan Qingxue should have died a long time ago!

After all, Li An was now 248 years old.

Tan Qingxue had no chance of reaching the Foundation Building stage in the past. With only a cultivation level of Qi Refining, her lifespan would have been limited to 200 years.

However, Li An had a deep connection with Tan Qingxue, and he was very familiar with her aura and scent. After confirming with the Life-Nurturing Immortal Casting Technique, Li An was certain that the person in front of him was Tan Qingxue.

Tan Xue, Tan Qingxue, only one character difference.

"Wu Shangqing?"

Tan Qingxue smiled slightly.

Li An quickly snapped out of his daze, suppressing his doubts, and regained his composure. "Greetings, Lord Tan!"

"Wu Shangqing, please have a seat. I feel uncomfortable sitting while you're standing."

Tan Qingxue smiled brightly, and Li An sat down, feeling a little dazed. He was reminded of their parting in Qingyang Fangshi.

At that time, Tan Qingxue wanted a child as a support in her old age, but Li An was fully devoted to the Dao, focusing on his cultivation and ignoring her pleas for a child.

In the end, Tan Qingxue left. On the day of her departure, she wore light makeup and a white dress, and she only said one sentence to Li An:

"I hope that when you reach higher realms on the path to immortality, you will remember that there was a woman named Qingxue who once accompanied you."

"Junior Brother Li, farewell."

Over the years, Li An had actually forgotten about her.

But he never expected to see her here.

Although his heart was slightly stirred, Li An quickly regained his calm and analyzed the situation carefully.

After the great calamity of Xuanyang Sect, it seemed that Tan Qingxue had encountered something extraordinary!

The current Tan Qingxue had already reached the later stage of Foundation Building, a great perfection cultivator.

"Be careful of her eyes," came the voice of Shangguan Xiaoxiao in Li An's spiritual consciousness. "If you're not careful, she might see through you."

Li An was alerted.

"Wu is new here and knows very little about the affairs of Zhike Peak. From now on, I hope Lord Tan can provide guidance. This is a small token of respect..."

Li An stood up and presented a gift box, but he regretted it deeply in his heart.

In order to establish himself in the Jiang family, he had revealed his ability to make talismans, and as a result, he had given talismans to the guest officials and superiors of Zhike Peak.

Inside the box he gave to Tan Qingxue were two second-grade "Breaking Restriction Talismans."

If he had known it was Tan Qingxue, he should have casually given her some beauty-enhancing pills or something.

After all, Tan Qingxue had spent time with him day and night. Now, who knows what opportunities she had encountered? Who knows if she would discover anything...

"Wu Shangqing is too polite."

Tan Qingxue smiled slightly, accepting the box with both hands, and then returned a gift, obviously prepared in advance.

"By the way, I heard that Wu Shangqing personally retrieved the Qingyan Divine Sparrow egg from the Abyss of Ten Thousand Fathoms?"

She suddenly asked another question.

Li An's heart slightly tightened. Tan Qingxue actually knew such detailed information!

It seemed that Tan Qingxue's position in the Jiang family was not simple.

"Yes, in fact, that divine egg belonged to Jiang Rihua's grandson. Young Master Jiang Ruolin personally obtained it, and I just helped carry it for a while..."

"Does Wu Shangqing know whether the strange aura that appeared in the divine egg was there from the beginning or appeared later?"

She looked at Li An's face.

Li An's heart tensed slightly!

At that time, on the cliff of the Abyss of Ten Thousand Fathoms, he had injected a lot of sinister aura himself...

... (End of this chapter)