Chapter 444: Borrowing Money

Qianzhou City, Qin Manor.

Qin Shutong had been listless and melancholy lately, often staring blankly in one direction, unresponsive to conversation until repeatedly called.

“Ah…”

Associate Magistrate Qin stood on the veranda, gazing at his daughter in the garden, and sighed softly. “Fate hasn’t arrived yet. We can’t force it.”

His wife, standing beside him, said with heartache, “It’s Tong’er who suffers most. She poured her heart into Young Master Liang, only to end up like this.”

Associate Magistrate Qin felt helpless. Liang Yongzhuo was clearly no ordinary man. If Qin Shutong weren’t his own daughter, she might not even be worthy of him.

“Time will heal her wounds.”

“Let’s hope so…”

Just as the couple was about to leave, a servant announced, “Master, Young Master Liang requests an audience.”

“Who?” Associate Magistrate Qin raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Who?!”

Qin Shutong’s voice suddenly rose sharply. Her ears seemed to have miraculously recovered, her starry eyes gleaming as she stared at the servant, her face flushed with excitement.

“Young… Young Master Liang.”

The servant recognized Xu Sanyan instantly, having seen him before.

Qin Shutong didn’t ask any more questions. She sprinted toward the main gate with astonishing speed—faster than she had ever moved, even on the martial arts arena.

The gates of Qin Manor stood wide open. Xu Sanyan stepped inside.

“Brother Liang!”

Before Xu Sanyan could even register his surroundings, a fragrant figure rushed toward him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as if terrified he might vanish again without a word.

Xu Sanyan felt a warm embrace envelop him, the girl’s unique floral scent filling his senses—utterly enchanting.

“Tong’er, your uncle is watching,” Xu Sanyan said, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. He gently tried to push her away, but she wouldn’t budge.

“I don’t care!” Qin Shutong retorted, her tone tinged with reproach as she tightened her grip.

Associate Magistrate Qin, however, didn’t mind at all. He watched the pair with a warm smile, refraining from interrupting.

Xu Sanyan sighed helplessly and began patting her back soothingly. It took a while before he finally managed to disentangle himself.

“Virtuous nephew, where have you been these past few days? Why did you leave without a word? We were terribly worried.”

Xu Sanyan clasped his hands in a respectful bow. “This junior couldn’t bear the pain of parting, so I had to leave quietly. Please forgive me, Uncle.”

“Heh, it’s good you’re back,” Associate Magistrate Qin replied. “Things have been quite turbulent lately. Riding the chaos stirred up by the Chaotic Cloud Mountains, demonfolk have emerged from who knows where to wreak havoc. Lord Li hasn’t had a moment’s rest.”

Xu Sanyan expressed his admiration. “Lord Li truly cares for the people, working tirelessly without complaint. He’s truly admirable.”

As they chatted, the group entered the main hall. Associate Magistrate Qin spoke up, “The old residence is still vacant. Virtuous nephew, you may continue to stay there.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Xu Sanyan’s expression grew troubled, as if burdened by an unspeakable secret.

“Brother Liang, what’s wrong? Is there something you want to say?” Qin Shutong asked with concern.

Associate Magistrate Qin shook his head inwardly. Women are hopeless, he thought. They’re not even married yet, and she’s already siding with him.

Xu Sanyan’s expression was clearly meant for his benefit, even Qin Shutong could see it. How could Associate Magistrate Qin, a seasoned official, fail to understand? He had deliberately refrained from asking, waiting for Xu Sanyan to speak first, which would give him more room to maneuver.

But with the matter now out in the open, Associate Magistrate Qin couldn’t pretend not to notice. He had no choice but to add, “Virtuous nephew, feel free to speak your mind.”

Xu Sanyan pressed his lips together, his expression slightly embarrassed. “To be honest, Uncle, I urgently need a large sum of spirit stones. My sect is too far away, so I had no choice but to shamelessly ask for your help…”

Hearing this, Associate Magistrate Qin breathed a sigh of relief. Just spirit stones? This is a trivial matter for me.

“Virtuous nephew, how much do you need? Don’t hesitate to ask.”

Xu Sanyan slowly extended a finger. “One million.”

“Huh?” Associate Magistrate Qin froze, stunned. One million?

“Ah?” Qin Shutong gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. “That’s so much?”

Xu Sanyan immediately stood up. “I apologize for my lack of consideration. Please pretend I never mentioned this. I’ll find another way.”

Feeling he had made an unreasonable request, Xu Sanyan grew even more embarrassed, bowing repeatedly in apology.

This only made Associate Magistrate Qin appear stingy.

Qin Shutong glanced at her father, but she didn’t dare speak up.

“Hmm…”

Associate Magistrate Qin tapped his fingers lightly on the table, turning to exchange a look with Madam beside him. After a brief silent exchange, Madam nodded, and Associate Magistrate Qin made up his mind.

The First Madam managed most of the Qin family’s assets, so even Associate Magistrate Qin wasn’t entirely sure how many spirit stones the Qin Manor could spare. Since Madam had nodded, it meant they had enough spirit stones available.

However, whether to lend them and how to structure the loan were matters Associate Magistrate Qin needed to consider carefully.

“It’s not entirely out of the question…”

Xu Sanyan was overjoyed. With these spirit stones, he could finally take the final step.

“May I ask what you intend to use so many spirit stones for, virtuous nephew?” Associate Magistrate Qin inquired curiously.

Xu Sanyan lowered his gaze. To buy you out, of course.

But he couldn’t say that, so he fabricated a story. “My cultivation method is unique, requiring periodic absorption of spirit stones. I left in a hurry and didn’t prepare enough, so…”

“I see.”

Associate Magistrate Qin nodded slowly. He could lend the spirit stones. At their level, spirit stones had long ceased to be essential, no longer as important as one might imagine. Still, given the substantial amount involved, he felt it prudent to ask.

Associate Magistrate Qin hoped to cultivate a good relationship with Xu Sanyan, and if possible, marry his daughter to him. That would be ideal, making them family, and the mere spirit stones would be insignificant.

Xu Sanyan, however, planned to sacrifice them, using their spirit stones to achieve his own ends.

The million spirit stones were more than enough. Xu Sanyan had originally intended to ask for more, leaving room for negotiation, but Associate Magistrate Qin generously lent him the full amount.

While the First Madam went to retrieve the spirit stones, Associate Magistrate Qin and Xu Sanyan engaged in casual conversation. Somehow, the topic drifted to the incident at Chaotic Cloud Mountains.

Associate Magistrate Qin’s face clouded with worry. “This calamity is unprecedented. Recently, Your Majesty sent a seven-member expedition to investigate Chaotic Cloud Mountains, but all contact has been lost. The group included Lord Xu of the inner cabinet and Lord Wu, the Imperial Guard Commander. Lord Wu is a Peak Stage void harmony realm expert, yet even his fate remains unknown. What exactly is happening within those mountains…?”

Xu Sanyan’s eyes flickered, his mind recalling the flesh giant hidden within the dense mist—its towering form radiating overwhelming pressure. Even a sage might struggle to secure victory against such a being.

“What does the imperial court… intend to do?” Xu Sanyan asked, his curiosity piqued.

Associate Magistrate Qin shook his head. “I’m not sure. They might eventually ask one of the sages to intervene.”

“A sage…”

Xu Sanyan had only ever heard of sages by name, never actually seen one.

Legend held that there were only five sages in the Central Region, each presiding over one of the Five Great Sects. Although the Qian Kingdom was the largest in territory, it lacked a sage to oversee it, placing it implicitly beneath the Five Great Sects.

“Then why didn’t they ask sooner? Weren’t the lives of the people in these provinces sacrificed in vain?”

“Heh, it’s not that simple. Look at the Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect, already shrouded in mist—have you seen a sage intervene?”

“Why not?”

“Because of the cost…”

Associate Magistrate Qin sighed, reluctant to elaborate further.

Just then, the First Madam returned, handing the storage pouch to Associate Magistrate Qin, who in turn passed it to Xu Sanyan.

With this, the final condition had been met.

(End of the Chapter)