Chapter Eighteen: Entering the Li Residence

Xue’er glanced at the time and suddenly remembered she had lost track of it while wandering around. She had originally planned to stay overnight at a friend’s house, but at this hour, her friend was surely already asleep.

“Dao Sansheng, let’s find a carriage to return to the inn,” Xue’er said guiltily to Dao Sansheng.

“It’s not very convenient to go back so late, but I know there’s an inn up ahead. I’m not sure if there are any rooms available,” Dao Sansheng explained to Xue’er.

The two of them, one leading and one following, arrived at the inn. Dao Sansheng had been here before when he worked as a servant in Dao Manor. He’d once come to the city with Third Uncle to buy supplies and spent a night here. Third Uncle had said it was the shabbiest inn in town, but also the cheapest. He knew the innkeeper and had introduced Dao Sansheng.

“Welcome, honored guests! Are you here to stay or just for a meal?” the attendant greeted them.

“To stay. We need two rooms,” Xue’er said directly.

“I’m sorry, miss. We only have one room left,” the attendant replied.

Dao Sansheng stammered, “Then just one room, we’ll stay together,” handing over his spirit stones.

The attendant led Dao Sansheng and Xue’er upstairs, opened the door near the staircase, and then left.

Neither spoke as they entered and closed the door behind them.

Xue’er lay down on the bed. “This spot is mine. Find somewhere else to rest.”

Dao Sansheng simply sat cross-legged in a corner.

The inn was a bit rundown, the windows not quite sealed, and wind slipped through the gaps. Xue’er, meditating on the bed, felt a chill and draped the quilt over herself.

“If you’re cold, come up here,” Xue’er called to Dao Sansheng, who was meditating nearby.

Dao Sansheng pretended not to hear, but after Xue’er called several times, he finally joined her on the bed to meditate.

Dao Sansheng sat quietly meditating until dawn. At first, Xue’er was a bit anxious, but later she relaxed and focused on her practice.

As the morning light crept in, Dao Sansheng and Xue’er prepared to leave the inn and rendezvous with Dao Huichun and Fatty.

“Did you sleep well last night? I won’t charge you for the room,” the innkeeper greeted them.

“How can that be? It’s our first time here, and we don’t know you,” Xue’er replied.

“I wasn’t talking to you; I was talking to him,” the innkeeper pointed at Dao Sansheng and continued, “He comes often. We’re well acquainted. This time, there’s no charge,” handing the money back to Dao Sansheng.

Dao Sansheng was left awkwardly uncertain whether to accept or refuse.

When Xue’er heard the last sentence—“He comes often, we’re well acquainted”—she immediately dashed out.

Last night, she’d thought this fellow was a decent person, but now she realized he was quite the opposite.

Dao Sansheng chased after her, searching the street for a long while without finding her. He decided to check the inn where Dao Huichun and the others were staying to see if Xue’er had gone there.

As soon as he entered, a little girl confronted him.

“You made Sister Xue’er cry. You’re a bad person. Please stay away from her in the future,” she said and walked off.

Dao Sansheng was baffled, but since he hadn’t checked his spoils yet, he took the opportunity to do so.

Fatty came out to greet him, telling Dao Sansheng that some rooms had been vacated that morning. The bearded man had just booked rooms for the brothers, allowing them to rest separately. Dao Sansheng and Fatty were assigned to one room.

Dao Sansheng returned to the room and opened his storage ring. Three storage pouches lay before him—his hard-won prizes.

He opened the first pouch, finding an invitation and a list of gifts. Dao Sansheng couldn’t be bothered to read and went straight to examine the items.

One by one, he unpacked them. They were all pretty but useless—ten boxes, eight of which contained food.

Opening the second pouch, he found a gleaming silver longsword and nothing else.

He scanned it with his cultivator’s detection mirror: a low-grade magical longsword, suitable for the Qi Refining stage.

The detector explained: Cultivation world weapons are divided into attack weapons, defense weapons, auxiliary tools, and daily-use items. Attack weapons are for fighting enemies; defense weapons shield against attacks; auxiliary tools enhance cultivation; daily-use items make life easier.

Weapons are ranked in four tiers: Magical Tools, Spirit Tools, Treasures, and Ancient Artifacts. Each tier has upper, middle, and lower grades.

Finally, Dao Sansheng had something useful. He checked the third storage pouch.

Inside was an invitation and a single box.

Opening the invitation, he discovered it was from the Wu family. Dao Sansheng opened the box and found a bead inside—clear and translucent, evidently extraordinary.

He scanned it: Water-Repelling Pearl, mundane artifact. Effect: Hold it in your mouth underwater for free movement. Just a few words, but rather unimpressive.

Dao Sansheng marked the longsword with his own spiritual imprint, finally owning his first weapon.

Days passed, and soon it was the eve of the Seventh of July. Dao Huichun and the others planned to bring Dao Sansheng and Fatty to the Li Residence that afternoon.

Outside the Li Residence, carriages lined the street. Dao Sansheng hadn’t yet seen the mansion itself, but the queue of vehicles showed just how grand the wedding would be.

As the procession moved forward, Dao Sansheng finally caught sight of the Li Residence gates. The red wooden doors and the five-meter-high gate tower bespoke splendor; the courtyard walls indicated vast grounds.

A middle-aged man in a red brocade robe and gauze cap stood at the entrance, loudly announcing the names of guests and their gifts. The stone lions flanking the doorway were adorned with large red flowers, strikingly festive.

Soon, it was Dao Huichun’s turn to present their gifts. Two attendants in red cotton tunics led them inside and arranged their stay in guest quarters.

The Li Residence was much larger than Dao Manor. They passed through three courtyards before stopping, where Dao Sansheng and his companions found their rooms and settled in.

The wedding was tomorrow. They would rest here tonight and could leave in the afternoon. Dao Sansheng didn’t dare relax; tonight, he planned to see the bride.

Was she the one who haunted his thoughts day and night? If they met, how should he speak?

The night deepened. Dao Sansheng was ready. He summoned Fei Jiu to join him.

Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, two men standing at the entrance blocked their way.

“Honored guest, please wait. If you need anything, let us know. We’ll prepare it for you,” one said.

Dao Sansheng had no choice but to retreat obediently.

“Fei Jiu, go watch those men at the gate. If they change shifts, let me know.”

Fei Jiu flew off at once.

After a while, there was still no sign of the bird’s return. Dao Sansheng grew anxious; time was slipping away. He couldn’t help but ask Fei Jiu, “Haven’t they changed shifts yet?”

Fei Jiu transmitted what he’d observed. Dao Sansheng, through his spiritual sea, saw the gatekeepers—still alert as ever.

“Fei Jiu, I’m really afraid I won’t outlast them.”