Chapter 47: The Young Miss Pays a Visit

"Don’t be anxious. Take your time and tell me what happened."

Zheng Qingqing said with a gentle smile.

Zheng Ming took a deep breath.

He then began to recount what he had experienced in the Secret Realm.

When he mentioned that Xu Fugui had used a large number of Middle Grade Talismans, Zheng Qingqing paused for a moment, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Are you suggesting that Li Chang’an gave him those Talismans?"

"I..."

Zheng Ming faltered.

Before he could even voice his own suspicion, Zheng Qingqing had already said it aloud.

"Yes, My Lady, I believe that’s what happened."

He nodded and continued speaking.

"I’ve known Xu Fugui for a long time. He has no special Skills, nor has he had any great fortuitous encounters. He’s even been scammed a few times buying Secret Realm Treasure Chests. The man is dirt poor; there’s no way he could afford so many Middle Grade Talismans."

"Alright, I understand."

Zheng Qingqing gave a slight nod, lost in thought.

「A moment later.」

She rewarded Zheng Ming with several bottles of Elixir Pills and a Low Grade Magical Artifact.

"I know you’re not content with a life of mediocrity, which is why you venture out seeking opportunities. But the world outside is far crueler than it is within the family. You must be extra careful."

"Thank you, My Lady!"

Zheng Ming was ecstatic, thanking her profusely.

The bottles of Elixir Pills were already what he had been hoping for.

The Magical Artifact was an unexpected, welcome surprise.

He then took his rewards and left, beaming with delight.

Zheng Qingqing glanced in the direction of Li Chang’an’s residence, her eyes as clear as still water.

’I had assumed that without a complete Talismanic Inheritance, Li Chang’an would eventually come to me seeking one.’

But what Zheng Ming had just described made one thing clear to her. Li Chang’an’s secrets ran deeper than she had imagined!

’I can’t believe he’s already a Middle Grade Talisman Master.’

Zheng Qingqing let out a soft sigh, calming the surprise in her heart.

This Li Chang’an always managed to exceed her expectations.

He repeatedly caused her to misjudge the situation.

Beside her, Zheng Ling’er found this hard to believe.

She blinked her large eyes, a hint of confusion on her face.

"Sister Qingqing, why do you assume he’s a Middle Grade Talisman Master? Couldn’t he have just bought those Middle Grade Talismans? Or what if Xu Fugui was just lucky?"

"Hmm, I plan to go ask him."

Zheng Qingqing stood up, tidied her hair, and prepared to go out.

She glanced at Zheng Ling’Er and asked with a smile, "Ling’Er, would you like to come with me?"

"I..."

Zheng Ling’Er’s expression shifted.

She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Sister Qingqing, I think I’ll stay here. It doesn’t have anything to do with me, anyway."

"Very well. You can focus on your cultivation."

Zheng Qingqing’s tone was gentle; she didn’t press the issue.

...

At that moment, two guests arrived at Li Chang’an’s residence.

One of them was Zheng Jinbao.

His visit was a genuine surprise to Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an didn’t recognize the other person.

"Steward Zheng, and this is...?"

He asked, looking at the young Cultivator beside Zheng Jinbao.

Zheng Jinbao forced a smile and made the introduction.

"This is Young Master Zheng Lingfeng. He’s also one of the supervisors of the Qinghe Marketplace, though he usually focuses on his cultivation and rarely appears in public."

"Ah, the Second Young Master."

Li Chang’an understood at once, guessing the origin of the Shadow-Chasing Puppet.

Within the Zheng Family, the younger generation was ranked not by age, but by talent and strength.

Therefore, Zheng Lingfeng and Zheng Qingqing were not blood-related siblings.

He was called the Second Young Master because his talent and strength were second only to Zheng Qingqing, placing him second in rank among the younger generation.

"May I ask what brings you two here today?"

"We’re here about Zheng Jinbao!"

Zheng Lingfeng said bluntly, his tone cold.

Beside him, Zheng Jinbao shuddered.

More than ten days ago, that Shadow-Chasing Puppet had entered Li Chang’an’s courtyard and never came out.

At the time, he had felt as if he’d been plunged into an abyss.

He knew the Puppet must have fallen into Li Chang’an’s hands.

But there was nothing he could do.

He didn’t dare ask Li Chang’an to return it, nor could he bring himself to tell Zheng Lingfeng the truth. His only option was to make inquiries everywhere, intending to buy a new Shadow-Chasing Puppet to replace it, no matter the cost.

However, no Shadow-Chasing Puppets were for sale in either the regular Marketplace or the Black Market.

Left with no choice, he had to ask someone to make inquiries in Yellow Crane Immortal City.

But...

Before any news came back from the Immortal City, Zheng Lingfeng had shown up, demanding the Shadow-Chasing Puppet back.

In the end, unable to hide it any longer, he was forced to confess the truth.

"What a useless oaf!"

Zheng Lingfeng was furious when he learned the truth.

After that, he had dragged Zheng Jinbao directly to Li Chang’an.

"Li Chang’an, I hear you’ve had some conflict with Zheng Jinbao?"

"Conflict?"

Li Chang’an looked surprised.

He paused to think for a moment, then said as if just remembering, "That was all years ago. It wasn’t a major conflict, and Steward Zheng and I reconciled long ago."

"Is that so?"

Zheng Lingfeng shot a cold glance at Zheng Jinbao.

Zheng Jinbao kept his head down, his heart pounding with fear.

Li Chang’an continued, "Yes. In fact, Steward Zheng has taken great care of me over the years, treating me like one of his own. I’d long forgotten any past unpleasantness."

Hearing this, Zheng Lingfeng frowned.

He didn’t beat around the bush, saying coldly, "If that’s the case, then return my Shadow-Chasing Puppet!"

"What Puppet?"

Li Chang’an asked, his face a mask of confusion.

He already had his story prepared.

However, before he could continue, a pleasant voice sounded from the doorway.

"The Shadow-Chasing Puppet is one of the Protective Treasures the Patriarch gifted to him. The Puppet can track enemies by their Qi."

Zheng Qingqing appeared at the doorway, a smile gracing her features.

Li Chang’an immediately clasped his hands in greeting.

"Greetings, My Lady!"

Zheng Qingqing nodded slightly, then walked into the courtyard and glanced at Zheng Lingfeng.

Her gaze was gentle.

It didn’t seem particularly intimidating.

But Zheng Lingfeng’s imposing aura immediately diminished, and his voice became much quieter.

"Sister Qingqing."

"Lingfeng, Daoist Li is a friend of mine. You are not to make things difficult for him."

"But..."

Zheng Lingfeng gritted his teeth, wanting to say more.

But faced with Zheng Qingqing’s gaze, he couldn’t get the words out.

In the end, he could only back down.

No matter how unwilling he felt, he had no choice but to leave with Zheng Jinbao.

After they left, Li Chang’an clasped his hands toward Zheng Qingqing in thanks.

"Thank you, My Lady."

"It was a small matter."

Zheng Qingqing chuckled softly. She was aware of the history between Li Chang’an and Zheng Jinbao.

Given the scene today, she didn’t need to be told the details; she could already guess what had happened.

"Daoist Li, if you truly wish to thank me, then become an Honored Guest Elder of my Zheng Family."

"This..."

Li Chang’an was taken aback.

"But my Talisman Art..."

"There’s no need to hide it any longer, Daoist Li."

Zheng Qingqing smiled gently and recounted what had happened in the Secret Realm.

After hearing her explanation, Li Chang’an understood.

"So that’s how it was."

’It’s only my Middle Grade Talisman Art,’ he thought. ’It’s no great loss to have that exposed.’

’Besides, I’ve already mastered Top Grade Talisman Art.’

’Considering the timeline, mastering Middle Grade Skills at this point was a little fast, but still believable.’

As for Zheng Qingqing’s offer to become an Honored Guest Elder, Li Chang’an didn’t give it much thought before politely declining.

"My Lady, I am currently focused solely on cultivation and am truly unwilling to divert my energy to other matters."

"Daoist Li, there’s no need to refuse so hastily."

Zheng Qingqing said in a gentle voice.

"The Cultivation Technique you practice is just the most common Evergreen Technique, is it not?"