Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

Qingyang Inn, the most famous inn in Qingyang City, is under the jurisdiction of Wanrentang.

Its main branch is located in the east district, and besides the other three districts within the city, some towns under the jurisdiction of Qingyang City have also opened branches of varying grades.

The controversy surrounding Yuelai Restaurant has already spread throughout the city. After half a month of fermentation, it has become more and more intense, becoming a topic of discussion for the masses after their meals.

Especially now that Zhong Yan has returned from the market, everyone is speculating about the possible development of the event, and some have even started betting privately on who will back down first between the Zhong and Xue families. Some people who enjoy watching the excitement are secretly hoping for a fight to break out soon.

At this moment, in the three-story restaurant in the front courtyard of the inn, most of the customers are discussing this matter.

"Donglai, it seems that your friend doesn't have much support," said a man and a woman sitting by the window on the first floor. The woman in a white dress had a slender figure and a beautiful face. There was a hint of sharpness in her cold and elegant demeanor, but she blinked her big eyes to appear cute.

Hearing the discussions around her, she said, "But it's normal. Facing an Innate Eighth Stage martial artist with only the fourth stage of Qi Refining, there is indeed no chance of winning."

The man sitting to her right, also dressed in white, had a handsome face with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He took a sip of his drink without speaking and glanced at a table in the corner.

The woman in the white dress turned her head and saw a woman in a yellow dress who had just sat down. She was quite beautiful, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She felt displeased, as if the woman had shown obvious hostility towards her.

Their eyes met briefly, and Yu Qingyao quickly lowered her head, feeling her heart pounding. She wondered when two experts like them had arrived in the city. Although she couldn't see their cultivation level, she could sense that both of them were much stronger than her, especially the man, who was probably at least at the eighth stage of Qi Refining.

"Do they know me?"

"Why does that woman show such obvious hostility towards me?"

Yu Qingyao felt nervous and wanted to get up and leave immediately, but she was afraid of making things worse. She was sure that she had never seen these two people before, except for Zhong Yan, with whom she had already resolved her grievances. She hadn't provoked anyone else.

Meanwhile...

The young man in white pursed his lips and said, "I just saw a sixth stage Qi Refining cultivator for the first time in Qingyang these days. I was just looking at her. Don't think too much, Zhimei."

"I won't. It's you, Donglai, who is overthinking," she replied.

At this moment...

The noisy restaurant gradually quieted down until there was silence.

A carriage stopped at the entrance of the inn, and a man and a woman got off and entered the inn. It was Zhong Yan and his concubine Xia He.

The man in white was delighted and stood up directly, surprising the woman next to him.

Zhong Yan looked around and was also surprised.

First, there was the unfamiliar woman in white. He had only invited Huo Donglai, so even if he had a female companion, it shouldn't be this stranger.

Second, there was Yu Qingyao sitting in the corner. Her family was in the southern district, so it was strange for her to come to the inn alone for a meal.

"Fellow Daoist Huo!"

Zhong Yan stepped forward with a smile on his face. "Fellow Daoist Huo's visit to Qingyang is a great honor. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar. Please stay at the inn. Zhong Yan is truly inadequate."

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, there's no need to be so formal between us."

Huo Donglai held Zhong Yan's wrist and gestured to the woman beside him. "This is my junior sister, Shi Lingzhen."

"Nice to meet you, Fellow Daoist Shi!"

Zhong Yan respectfully greeted her. She must be an inner disciple of the Fire Cloud Sect, and judging from her appearance and temperament, she was not very old.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong."

Although she smiled and cupped her hands, Zhong Yan could see a clear arrogance in her eyebrows—a typical attitude of a strong person towards a weak person. He couldn't help but feel suspicious.

He looked around and said with a smile, "Please come to my humble abode. The food and wine have already been prepared in the mansion."

Huo Donglai: "That's my intention."

The four of them left the inn in full view of the crowd and got on the carriage.

As the carriage departed, the crowd immediately erupted in discussion.

Yuying Yao in the corner bit her lip and thought to herself, "Zhong Yan really brought in a master. If I had run away last night, I would probably be exposed in the wilderness by now."

******

Xue Mansion, the main hall for discussions.

"You dare to threaten me, Zhong Yan!"

Xue Shanhut's face turned pale, and he slapped the letter on the table, shaking it to pieces, frightening the servants and causing them to tremble and kneel on the ground.

Important figures from the Xue Mansion who received the news quickly entered the hall.

Guo Qingxue picked up the letter and read it. "Zhong Yan only needs to publicly apologize, and this matter will be dropped. Otherwise, all hell will break loose. You may be able to kill my family, but if I manage to escape the city, you can expect endless revenge."

"Are you sure it's from the Zhong Mansion?" Guo Qinglin glanced at it and his face also turned cold. Killing someone was a mistake on the other party's part. If the Xue Mansion still had to publicly apologize for this matter, they would have no face to stand in Qingyang City.

For these high-ranking figures and forces, face was of utmost importance, sometimes even more important than life.

The servant immediately said, "Yes, it was personally delivered by the concubine that the Zhong Mansion recently married!"

Another man in black added, "This concubine and Zhong Yan left the mansion one after another. Zhong Yan left Wutong Lane and went to Zhengyang Main Street."

At this moment, a carrier pigeon landed and was caught by the man in black. After opening the note and reading it, his face slightly changed. "Zhong Yan went to the Qingyang Inn in the southern district, met two cultivators, and then invited them to return to the Zhong Mansion together..."

After listening to the details, the concubine Zhang Hongmei hurriedly asked, "Do you know their cultivation level?"

"No one present could see through it, but it is speculated to be at least the eighth level of Qi Refining, but it should not have reached Foundation Building," the man replied.

Xue Shanhut sneered, "If he can bring in a Foundation Building helper, I'll admit it and immediately go to his mansion to apologize and make amends."

Birds of a feather flock together, and people are divided into groups.

Guo Qinglin pondered and said, "Zhong Yan only broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining when he arrived in Qingyang. It's highly unlikely that he could make friends with someone at the Foundation Building level who is willing to help. And even if he paid someone, even if he is a talisman master with some savings, he doesn't have the financial resources for that."

After a pause, he asserted, "Being able to invite two cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining is already the limit."

Xue Shanhut chuckled, "Two cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining, can't my Xue Mansion handle them?"

The man in black stepped forward and handed the note to Guo Qinglin, saying to Xue Shanhut, "Master, according to the situation at the time, Zhong Yan and that man did indeed appear very close and familiar."

Guo Qinglin stared at the note and shook his head. "That's actually the flaw. These two stayed at the inn for four days. Zhong Yan returned to the city yesterday. How could he only go to the Zhong Mansion now, and in front of everyone? Hmph, it's counterproductive. Their relationship is not deep."

Zhang Hongmei said, "It would be best to find out the specific cultivation level of Chu so that we can be prepared."

Xue Shanhut gave a meaningful look to the man in black, who then turned and left.

Guo Qingxue, who had been silent all along, glanced around and said, "Zhong Yan's message at this time is arrogant, but it also has the suspicion of deliberately showing weakness. In any case, let's concentrate our forces to prevent him from taking advantage of our weaknesses and attacking us one by one."

Xue Shanhut nodded, "Summon everyone back to the mansion. The helpers he paid for cannot stay in Qingyang City forever. Let's see who can outlast whom!"

However, Guo Qinglin frowned and glanced at his sister. Although what she said was correct, he felt that she was hiding something.

Xue Hongyi looked at Xue Shanhut and asked, "Father, what about the people from the Martial Alliance?"

Guo Qinglin said, "Let them know. It would be best if they can come out and help."

Xue Shanhut snorted, "It doesn't matter if they don't help. After I finish dealing with this, I'll settle the score with them!"

After some discussion.

Everyone dispersed and made preparations in their respective areas.

Guo Qinglin passed by his sister and coldly reminded her, "At this time, you better not cause any trouble. Without Xue Shanhuzi, do you think you can control the Wumeng? Don't forget, it was me who saved both of us from a pile of dead bodies! Hmph!"

Guo Qingxue clenched her fist, feeling a twinge of guilt in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

For over twenty years in the Xue Mansion, she had wholeheartedly assisted Xue Shanhuzi. But ever since their eldest son died, how had he treated her?

Blaming her for not bearing a child, he married one concubine after another, yet still couldn't produce an heir. What was a yearly conjugal visit between them now?

She even suspected that Xue Peng was not Xue Shanhuzi's biological son, but rather a wild seed born from the sixth concubine and some man from outside.

"Without me, do you think you would have what you have today?"

"I'm just protecting myself..."

Thinking of this, Guo Qingxue couldn't help but touch her belly, making a resolute decision.

******

City Lord's Mansion.

Qin Ben also received various pieces of information about Zhong Yan, even more detailed ones, knowing the specific cultivation and background of Huo Donglai and Shi Lingzhen.

From Uncle Li, he learned that the Foundation Building cultivator had nothing to do with Zhong Yan. Now that they had invited a Qi Refining cultivator, even if it was only at the peak of the ninth level, as long as they didn't have a strong background in the Fire Cloud Sect, he no longer had any concerns. On the contrary, he paid even more attention to Zhong Yan.

"With just these two people, it's not enough to deal with the many martial artists in the Xue Mansion, let alone the other people who might be involved with the Wumeng."

Zhang Shun said, "Although I don't know what secrets are hidden in that letter, Zhong Yan definitely has other tricks up his sleeve. The confrontation is already set, we can enter the scene."

This guy is cautious enough, even gathering soundproof barriers at home... Qin Ben muttered to himself, nodding, "Get ready, be discreet, don't let the Xue Mansion notice anything."

Before Zhang Shun turned to leave, he added, "By the way, she also mentioned that there is a painting hanging in Zhong Yan's cultivation room with the words 'Only for Immortality', and there are many manuscripts in the study."

"Only for Immortality?"

Qin Ben was astonished, then burst into laughter.

A cultivator with inferior Four Spiritual Roots, in his forties and still at the fourth level of Qi Refining, even Foundation Building would be unlikely. And yet, he still fantasized about immortality?

He must be crazy, delusional.

"Hahaha..."

He laughed until tears came out.

But as he laughed, Qin Ben's smile gradually faded, and he became serious, suddenly remembering the four characters "Dreaming of Qingyang" in his study, and turned to look at the map of the entire Eastern Region on the wall.

If others knew that he aspired to rule the entire Eastern Region and become an unprecedented supreme emperor, they would probably think he had gone mad.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a resonance in his heart, a sense of camaraderie with Zhong Yan, as if they shared the same ambitions and could conspire together for a great cause.

This was an unexpected gain that Zhong Yan had not anticipated - he had only assumed that Tang Xiaoshu was sent by the City Lord's Mansion and casually mentioned it to Qin Ben, assuring him that he had no desire to compete with worldly matters and would not shake his fundamental rights.

At this moment...

A soldier came in to report, "Reporting to the City Lord, there is a confrontation between the Wanrentang and the Caoyun Gang at the West Harbor Wharf. There are over a thousand people on both sides, and people from both sides are constantly rushing there. The situation is temporarily under control..."

Qin Ben frowned, "What's the matter?"

The soldier said, "It is said that the Wanrentang's delay in delivering a slave ship caused losses, and the Caoyun Gang deliberately caused trouble. The two sides are constantly arguing."

"Eating their fill and getting bored! They get worked up over trivial matters every day!"

Qin Ben snorted coldly, waving his hand, "Just keep an eye on it, no need to intervene. Let's see if they can make a big fuss!"

"Report~"

A urgent voice came, and the soldier in dark red armor holding a flag rushed into the inner hall without the need for notification.

Qin Ben and Zhang Shun couldn't help but stand up and look at each other. This was military information!

The soldier clasped his fists and knelt down, urgently saying, "Reporting to the Lord of the City, urgent military information! Ten large ships have appeared one hundred and twenty miles southwest of the Wei River, flying the flags of the Qi Kingdom, and they are heading towards our western port. Judging from the situation on the deck, there are at least three thousand people, all wearing armor. We still don't know how many troops are behind them!"

"The Qi Kingdom?" Qin Ben raised an eyebrow and walked quickly to the wall, looking at the map. "Has the Qi Kingdom sent an envoy to our Yan Kingdom recently?"

Zhang Shun shook his head with certainty. "Just yesterday, we exchanged official documents with the city of Wangyi, and there were no abnormalities in Heishui and Shunyi. It shouldn't be..."

Although it was called the "river," there was a large stretch of sea between the Yan Kingdom and the Qi Kingdom, and the closest distance would take more than two months of sailing.

It would be a waste of manpower and resources for the Qi Kingdom to attack the Yan Kingdom. It would be a difficult and thankless task.

Since the founding of the Yan Kingdom, the Qi Kingdom had only launched one ambitious attack one hundred and fifty years ago, which ended in mutual defeat.

"Are you sure they are soldiers wearing armor, not a caravan?"

"Well, it's a bit far away..."

The soldier hesitated for a moment and said, "Each ship is flying a battle flag, and the armor in the front row reflects light. They are in neat formation, undoubtedly warships! General Mu has sent a small team to investigate further!"

Qin Ben waved his hand. "Report any news as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Suddenly, Zhang Shun thought of something and blinked. "This is strange. On the day Zhong Yan went to the market, the Caoyun Gang suddenly sent out more than a dozen large merchant ships within a day."

Qin Ben was taken aback. "With over three thousand people, how did Zhong Yan manage to create such a big commotion?"

Zhang Shun also doubted, "There shouldn't have been many people on the ship at that time, otherwise there would definitely be news coming. But if these ships belong to the Qi Kingdom's navy, it is possible that they are very small in number."

Qin Ben nodded and frowned. "Could it be that he conspired with the Caoyun Gang?"

"It shouldn't be." Zhang Shun pondered for a moment and said, "However, if Zhong Yan paid to rent ships to go out to sea, the Caoyun Gang would have no reason to refuse the business."

Qin Ben fell silent for a moment, then suddenly his eyes gleamed and he said, "What a clever deception!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another soldier rushed in and urgently reported, "Lord of the City! Two helmsmen from the Wanren Hall and the Caoyun Gang have started fighting, and both sides in the city have mobilized their forces. The situation is getting out of control!"

"Damn it!"

Qin Ben cursed, then his gaze flickered and met Zhang Shun's.

Qin Ben laughed and said, "It must be Zhong Yan causing trouble! This guy has quite the courage. He has involved the Caoyun Gang and the Wanren Hall, and he's not afraid that I, the Lord of the City, can't handle the situation!"

While scolding, he had a satisfied smile on his face.

"In that case, he has given me a great gift! Mister, there is no need for the Martial Alliance to exist anymore. How about establishing a Guest Ministry?"

Zhang Shun rarely smiled. "Lord of the City, this move can shorten the time for your great cause by three to five years!"

Qin Ben's eyes were shining as if talking to himself. "Except for the weapons factory, let the industries under the Martial Alliance benefit the Wanren Hall and the Caoyun Gang. With this great opportunity brought by Zhong Yan, I can't hold back. Let him see if I, Qin Ben, have the courage!"

"I will make arrangements." Zhang Shun turned and left.

Qin Ben shouted loudly outside the hall, "Someone come!"

"I'm here!"

"The Qi Kingdom bandits have launched an attack. Order all the troops to prepare for battle..."

...