Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 429 - 248: Ling Changqing: If They Can Come, So Can I...

「Qin Family Domain」

In the main hall of the family headquarters, the current Patriarch, Qin Zhongqi, leaned back in a Jade Chair, his expression so grim it looked like it could drip water.

"...So, the plan just failed like that?"

He asked grimly, the anger in his tone barely concealed.

Elder Qin Wuyan chose his words carefully. "The news came from Wuyang Ancestor. He said the operation was going quite smoothly and was on the verge of success when that Shangguan Qingying suddenly arrived, so..."

Since this was a matter of face, True Monarch Wuyang naturally wouldn’t go into too much detail. He only mentioned that Shangguan Qingying’s interference had caused the mission to fail at the cusp of success.

In any case, he was the only one to escape alive. The Qin Family had no way of learning the details for the time being, so he could spin the story however he pleased.

"Damn it all! And that old fool Zhou Qi is a good-for-nothing. He promised his Celestial Secret Shielding technique could fool Shangguan Qingying, but it turned out to be completely useless..."

Qin Zhongqi furiously slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, cursing in frustration.

This True Monarch Wuyang was an utterly vicious Evil Cultivator, the type of man who would do anything and everything except a good deed.

This time, Qin Zhongqi had paid a hefty price to persuade this old monster to come out of seclusion. He had him lead a team of his own men to assassinate the Zhao sisters and, while they were at it, see if they could also take care of that Elder, Zhao Qinghong.

To this end, Qin Zhongqi had also hired Zhou Qi, a Nascent Soul True Monarch skilled in the Path of Celestial Secret Art and Divination, to help shield the Celestial Secret in an attempt to hide their actions from Shangguan Qingying.

Yet, despite paying such a high price for a seemingly foolproof plan, it had still failed at the final hurdle.

Qin Wuyan said hesitantly, "Patriarch, Zhou Qi usually has a good reputation. As long as he takes payment, he always gets the job done. How could something have gone wrong this time?"

Zhao Hua, who was sitting nearby, added in a low voice, "I heard that Shangguan Qingying also knows a little about the Path of Celestial Secret Art and Divination. Could it be that she sensed something was amiss, and that’s why..."

He had mentioned this piece of intelligence to Qin Zhongqi when he defected, but the Patriarch hadn’t paid it much mind.

’Looking at it now, perhaps that’s the only credible explanation?’

Qin Zhongqi took a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down. He asked with a sense of resignation, "How are True Monarch Wuyang’s injuries?"

"It’s unclear,"

Qin Wuyan shook his head. "He’s supposedly gone into seclusion to recuperate. He also demands that we settle the final payment as soon as possible!"

These were the terms they had agreed to beforehand. Regardless of whether the mission succeeded or failed, as long as True Monarch Wuyang made his move, the Qin Family had to pay the full amount.

As for welching on the payment? The debt owed to an old assassin was not one that could be easily ignored.

Given True Monarch Wuyang’s ruthless and wicked nature, Qin Zhongqi wouldn’t dare try something like that.

As for Zhou Qi, he had already collected his fee beforehand. Whatever happened next, he bore no further responsibility.

His expression was foul as he agonized for a long moment. Finally, he gritted his teeth and nodded. "Pay him. Hmph! Just consider it tossing a bone to a dog.

Also, inform everyone in the family to go on high alert and prepare for any possible retaliation from the Zhao Family!"

The Qin Family had bled a great deal this time, yet the deed was left undone. It was unlikely the Zhao Family would simply swallow this insult, so Qin Zhongqi dared not let his guard down.

He could only hope that the Zhao Family would stick to their old strategy of biding their time and hiding their strength, choosing to tolerate the Qin Family’s provocation.

In terms of sheer numbers of Core Formation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, at least, the Qin Family still held a significant advantage.

If the two families were to truly go to war now, the Qin Family’s advantage would be undeniable, even without the Nascent Soul True Monarchs getting involved.

...

「Zhao Family Domain, inside Shangguan Qingying’s Inner Study」

Ling Changqing sat behind an Azure Jade Table, leisurely enjoying the spread of various Spirit Wines and refreshments laid out before him.

The sisters, Zhao Wanyi and Zhao Wanqing, sat on either side of him, personally feeding him Snoworbs.

Snoworbs were a special Spirit Fruit from the Cultivation Realm. The finest ones were as white as snow, with a sweet, tender, and smooth texture, and were impressively large and perfectly round.

Furthermore, this type of Spirit Fruit could only be cultivated by Female Cultivators; Male Cultivators were incapable of growing it. And it was Ling Changqing’s favorite indulgence; he had to have them every single day.

Ever since Shangguan Qingying learned of Ling Changqing’s habit, she had tasked the sisters with arranging it for him, making sure he was always completely satisfied.

"...That True Monarch Wuyang is no saint. After suffering such a major loss, I’m afraid he’ll be looking for a chance to get revenge in the future."

Shangguan Qingying, her robes as white as snow, her beauty both elegant and alluring, said in a low voice.

With no outsiders present, she had removed her Bronze Mask, revealing a face beautiful enough to topple nations. Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and her luminous eyes sparkled.

Ling Changqing replied, "That’s a possibility, but his injuries are quite severe. It will take him twenty or thirty years to recover, so we don’t need to worry too much."

Besides, Gong Ling had already memorized the man’s aura. In the future, Ling Changqing could easily find an opportunity to track him to his lair and quietly dispose of him and all his followers.

Shangguan Qingying nodded. "As long as you’re here, I’m confident that man will no longer pose a threat."

Zhao Wanyi had told her before that Ling Changqing was proficient in the Path of Celestial Secret Art and Divination, but she hadn’t quite believed it at the time.

Now, however, it seemed Ling Changqing hadn’t been exaggerating in the slightest.

If not for him, the Qin Family’s conspiracy would have succeeded. The Zhao Family’s current plight was easy to imagine; the Qin Family would have likely launched a full-scale attack by now.

Moreover, Ling Changqing had Rank Four Daoist Soldier Puppets at his side—and more than one. This showed that the family he hailed from possessed extraordinary power.

After all, even with their status, neither Zhao Wanyi nor her sister had a Daoist Soldier Puppet of such a high rank for protection.

"Changxing, regarding these two girls... do you truly have no feelings for them? They feel so strongly about you..."

After a moment’s hesitation, Shangguan Qingying couldn’t resist asking.

"Mother, why are you bringing this up again..."

The sisters’ faces instantly flushed red, and they protested in a shy, quiet tone.

Although their affection for Ling Changqing had skyrocketed after the assassination attempt, hearing their mother say it out loud still made them unbearably shy.

Ling Changqing replied with a serious expression, "As the Patriarch now knows, I have a family of my own. Therefore, it’s impossible for me to marry into the Zhao Family. I can only apologize for being unable to accept your kind intentions."

Shangguan Qingying said, "In that case, we can drop the matter of you marrying in. You can simply engage in Dual Cultivation with the two of them, and any children born from your union will belong to the Zhao Family. What do you think of that?"

What she meant was that Ling Changqing and the sisters would maintain a secret relationship as Dao Companions, meeting only in private.

Publicly, Ling Changqing would retain his status as the family’s Independent Guest Elder, free to come and go as he pleased. The sisters, in turn, would one day inherit the authority of the Zhao Family Patriarch and would never marry outside the family.

"If they are willing to accept, I have no objection."

Ling Changqing said after a moment’s thought. As long as he wasn’t forced to marry into the Zhao Family, everything else was negotiable.

The sisters, faces flushed bright red, turned away, unable to meet his gaze.

Shangguan Qingying breathed a sigh of relief and said gently, "Excellent. Why don’t you go wait in the Pill Hall? I need to have a private talk with these two."

Ling Changqing nodded, stood up, and left the Inner Study.

The Pill Hall was currently under heavy guard by the family’s Secret Guards, but Ling Changqing held the Command Token given to him by Shangguan Qingying, allowing him to pass through unimpeded.

Upon entering the Pill Hall, Ling Changqing silently activated the Array Restriction, prepared the medicinal ingredients, and planned to first refine a batch of Third Grade Celestial Splendor Longevity Pills.

At his current skill level, the process was second nature; he could do it with his eyes closed and not make a single mistake.

A moment later, the twin sisters walked in, having changed into gorgeous, light dresses. Their lovely faces were faintly flushed, and their beautiful eyes shimmered like pools of light.

The necklines of their dresses were cut somewhat low, offering an unobstructed view of their bright red tube tops, the majestic snowy peaks of their chests, and the bottomless ravine between them. Below, the long, shapely contours of their legs were tantalizingly visible beneath the hems of their skirts.

The two sisters sat down silently beside Ling Changqing, not saying a word.

Since they had reached an agreement, from now on, they were Ling Changqing’s Dao Companions.

The change in their relationship left the sisters at a loss for words. Or perhaps, it was that they had not yet grown accustomed to their new identities.

"Regarding the future, does the Patriarch have any plans?"

Ling Changqing took the initiative to speak, breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Zhao Wanyi blinked her sparkling eyes and asked softly, "Hus... Husband... do you mean how we should deal with the Qin Family?"

She had now changed how she addressed him. Though it felt a little awkward, she quickly composed herself.

"Exactly. The Qin Family can’t just keep provoking us endlessly. We have to teach them a lesson and make them learn their place!"

Ling Changqing said.

Zhao Wanqing mused, "Mother is also furious, but our family lacks the strength right now. I’m afraid we don’t have any good options. I wonder... Husband, do you have a more viable suggestion?"

Although the Qin Family’s assassination attempt failed, it still cost the Zhao Family a number of its Core Formation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The losses were not insignificant.

Meanwhile, the Qin Family must have already strengthened their defenses, leaving the Zhao Family with no opportunity for revenge.

Ling Changqing smiled. "In a conventional war, the family is indeed no match for them. But that’s alright. In a few days, I’ll personally pay a visit to their territory and teach them a lesson they will never forget."

"Husband, you don’t mean to go alone... Isn’t that a bit too risky?"

Zhao Wanyi looked alarmed and instinctively objected.

"Don’t worry. You’ve both seen my strength. It’s impossible for them to catch me."

Ling Changqing said. With his Celestial Secret Technique and Divination abilities providing cover, it would be impossible to corner him, even if both of the Qin Family’s Nascent Soul True Monarchs were to act.

He could employ hit-and-run tactics, striking once before rapidly retreating, just as he had when dealing with the powers in the Chixue Sea Region.

Of course, with Rank Four Daoist Soldier Puppets at his side, Ling Changqing had no fear of a direct confrontation, even with a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

"In that case, Husband, take us with you then. Our cultivation can still be of help."

Zhao Wanyi added. Now that they were Dao Companions, it wouldn’t be right to let Ling Changqing face the danger alone while they sat back and reaped the rewards.