Return of the Celestial King

Half Moon Bay Villa.

No matter what, Chen Man Ni insisted that Qin Tuo stay by her side.

So, Qin Tuo had no choice but to give up his cultivation for the night, staying with Chen Man Ni until she could fall asleep peacefully.

The night passed peacefully. Early the next morning, Qin Tuo received a call from Qiangwei.

He slipped out of the room quietly, afraid of waking Chen Man Ni.

Once outside the villa, Qin Tuo asked seriously,

”Qiangwei, how did it go?”

Qiangwei nodded and replied with a smile,

”Don’t worry, Celestial King. The money has been transferred to Medicine King Valley. Now we just have to wait and see when they’ll ship the goods.”

Qin Tuo was very pleased with Qiangwei’s efficiency. He was now eagerly awaiting the delivery of that batch of precious medicinal herbs from Medicine King Valley.

Then, Qiangwei couldn’t help but ask,

”Celestial King, when are you planning to return to the Provincial City?”

With Qin Tuo away from the Provincial City, Qiangwei felt like they were missing their backbone, so she was eager for him to return and take charge.

But Qin Tuo thought for a moment before saying gravely,

”There’s no rush. I’ll take a few days. I’ll let you know when I’m heading over.”

Chen Man Ni had suffered such a scare last night, so Qin Tuo felt he had to spend some time with her before he could return to the Provincial City with peace of mind.

Hearing this, Qiangwei didn’t ask any more questions and simply hung up the phone.

...

「Meanwhile, within Medicine King Valley.」

The steward, Old He, looked hesitant as he went to Sun Liyi’s room.

He had just received the payment from Qiangwei, but he had yet to ship the medicinal herbs.

Now, he needed to ask the Medicine King Valley Master, Sun Liyi, for a decision on what to do next.

The steward, Old He, asked earnestly,

”Valley Master, we’ve received the money. Should we still ship the goods?”

Sun Liyi looked up and said seriously,

”Of course we ship. Why wouldn’t we? And remember, not a single herb is to be left out!”

Old He’s face was a mask of astonishment. He quickly asked,

”Oh? But why, Valley Master? Liao Feiying is already dead. It’s Rose Hall that’s continuing the trade, just using Liao Feiying’s name. We don’t have to fear Rose Hall at all. We don’t even need to bother with them!”

It turned out that with Medicine King Valley’s formidable intelligence network, they had long known that the Liao Family had been completely destroyed.

Now, it was Rose Hall using the Liao Family’s contract to continue the trade in medicinal herbs. Therefore, the initiative was entirely in Medicine King Valley’s hands.

Even if Medicine King Valley were to unilaterally break the contract, Rose Hall wouldn’t dare to say a word!

After all, Medicine King Valley’s business was with the Liao Family, not Rose Hall.

Besides, with Medicine King Valley’s great strength, they had no reason to fear a minor organization like Rose Hall.

However, Sun Liyi frowned and said,

”Old He, have you not heard about that young man in his early twenties?”

Old He clearly knew who he was talking about, but he seemed rather dismissive.

Sun Liyi continued,

”Let me tell you, that young man is the one backing Rose Hall. He even managed to kill Wu Jing of the Blood Moon Pavilion, which shows his strength is immense. We in Medicine King Valley are destined for a battle with the Blood Moon Pavilion. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Winning this person over would certainly be a good thing.”

Hearing this, the steward Old He finally understood Valley Master Sun Liyi’s careful reasoning and nodded repeatedly.

But then, he couldn’t help but ask,

”Valley Master, the Liao Family has backers in the Capital City. Aren’t you worried that the Liao Family members there will be displeased by this?”

The fact that the Liao Family’s Liao Feihu had become a Chief Instructor in the Capital City was well-known among all the major powers, so even Medicine King Valley had to consider it carefully.

But to his surprise, Sun Liyi just sneered and said dismissively,

”The Liao Family has backers in the Capital City. Do you think my Medicine King Valley has no one to help us there?”

The steward’s eyes lit up as realization dawned on him. He quickly gave a thumbs-up.

”Of course, Valley Master! How could I have been so muddled? In the Capital City, who would dare to oppose the Zhu Family?”

Sun Liyi smiled with satisfaction and waved his hand.

”Old He, since that’s settled, hurry up and get it done. And... don’t forget to pay close attention to the Martial Artist Tournament!”

Not daring to delay, Old He nodded and quickly departed.

Just after Old He left, a young master as refined and gentle as jade stepped out from behind a screen in the room.

The moment this young master appeared, Sun Liyi didn’t dare to put on any airs. He hurried forward, bowed his head respectfully, and said with a smile,

”Second Young Master!”

’He understood deep down that although this young man wasn’t old, his status and power were terrifying. He was an existence Sun Liyi absolutely could not afford to offend.’

This refined and elegant young master appeared to be only in his twenties, yet he naturally exuded the majestic aura of a superior, one that made it impossible for others to look at him directly!

Moreover, his aura clearly revealed his strength: a sixth-rank Grandmaster, a cut above the deceased Liao Feiying.

And his background was just as frightening—he was none other than the Second Young Master of the Capital City’s Zhu Family, Zhu Zifeng!

Seeing Sun Liyi being so respectful and polite, Zhu Zifeng also nodded and responded courteously,

”Valley Master, you don’t need to be so formal.”

Only then did Sun Liyi relax. He quickly stood up straight, putting on an ingratiating smile.

Zhu Zifeng recalled what Sun Liyi had instructed the steward Old He about and couldn’t help but ask,

”By the way, Valley Master, you just mentioned that you’ll be holding a Martial Artist Tournament soon, is that right?”

Sun Liyi chuckled,

”Yes, Second Young Master. Could it be that you’re also interested in this Martial Artist Tournament?”

In Sun Liyi’s view, a figure like Zhu Zifeng shouldn’t have any interest in a so-called Martial Artist Tournament.

After all, with the Zhu Family’s status in the Capital City, they had no need to get involved in such events!

However, Zhu Zifeng shook his head and slowly explained,

”Valley Master, there is something you don’t know. My Zhu Family has lost a very precious Spiritual Artifact. This Spiritual Artifact has the miraculous ability to nourish the body and turn misfortune into good fortune!”

Hearing this, Sun Liyi already had a vague idea of what was coming.

And as expected, Zhu Zifeng continued,

”So, I came this time to see if there’s a chance I might find this Spiritual Artifact at the Martial Artist Tournament.”

’The Martial Artist Tournament will gather Martial Artists and members of various great families from all over,’ Zhu Zifeng mused.

’Perhaps, if my luck is good, I might actually find the precious Spiritual Artifact our family lost.’

But after hearing this, Sun Liyi asked with a look of utter astonishment,

”Second Young Master, is there really someone in this world who can steal something from the Zhu Family?”

Zhu Zifeng didn’t answer his question. He just waved his hand casually and said,

”You don’t need to ask about that. In two days, some of the Zhu Family’s servants will arrive. Just be sure to receive them well.”

Sun Liyi didn’t dare to ask any more questions and could only nod repeatedly, respectfully agreeing.

Zhu Zifeng then added a serious instruction,

”Also, don’t let word of my presence here get out. Understand?”

Sun Liyi nodded again and again, reassuring Zhu Zifeng.