Chapter 23: Wang Clan of He Dong (Part 1)

"Even if you refuse to marry this boy and have set your mind on him for this lifetime, there's no need to come over to find your father right now, is there?"

The dignified middle‑aged man, after hearing the Taoist's words, also turned his gaze toward Wang Wu and his party.

Immediately, he naturally saw Wang Wu standing beside Wang Lan.

He gave Wang Wu a glance, raised an eyebrow, then looked at his own daughter and said the words above.

The middle‑aged man clearly had a good relationship with his daughter; even being disturbed by her in this situation didn't make him angry.

He even teased his daughter.

The Taoist's status was extraordinary, and it was evident that the middle‑aged man was very deferential when facing him.

"No, that's not it! Father! I came to see you because I have something very important!!"

Being teased like that by her own father, Wang Lan's face didn't flush; her expression remained normal, and she now looked anxiously at her old dad and shouted.

Of course, her earlobes were a bit reddened now, but that didn't matter.

"No matter how important the matter is, I have to wait for Li Xian…" The middle‑aged man waved his hand, cutting off his daughter's words, about to tell her it wasn't the right time. But his sentence was immediately interrupted by the young Taoist.

"It does seem like a very important matter; Brother Wang, why don't you listen to what your Lan is about to say?" the young Taoist interjected, urging.

"I can also listen on the side, if Brother Wang doesn't mind. If there's a place where I can be of use later, perhaps I could lend Brother Wang a hand."

"Oh? Then I'll trouble Li Xian…" The middle‑aged man showed a pleased expression, then looked at his daughter, gesturing, "Lan, come over, first pay your respects to Li Xian."

"Li Xian." Wang Lan led Wang Wu over, bowing respectfully to the man called 'Li Xian.' Following her, Wang Wu also mimicked her and bowed to the 'Li Xian.'

"Haha, no need to be so formal." Though he said so, it was clear Li Xian appreciated it.

"Speak, what's the matter?" After glancing at Li Xian's expression, the middle‑aged man gave a silent nod to his daughter and the possible future son‑in‑law, then asked.

He was still quite pleased with the young man, mainly regarding his appearance. The boy was indeed good‑looking, no wonder his daughter was attracted to him, and his build was solid.

Except his aura seemed a bit odd, everything else was perfect.

"The matter is like this, Father…"

Thus, Wang Lan recounted in full the story Wang Wu had previously told her. After hearing it, Wang Yin looked at Wang Wu, his expression changing.

"Young gentleman, your willingness to return these silver coins to my Wang Clan truly reflects noble virtue; I, Wang, admire you." Saying so, he solemnly clasped his fists in a salute to Wang Wu:

"From now on, whenever the young gentleman can be of use to my Wang Clan, just call out, and my clan will give full support. I, Wang Yin, swear to Heaven here; should I break this oath, may thunder strike me, and after death I become a vengeful ghost forever."

"There's no need to make such a harsh oath…" Wang Wu opened his mouth after hearing Wang Yin's words, intending to say it, but ultimately couldn't.

"Haha, Mr. Wang, you're overpraising me." Wang Wu waved his hand, laughing:

"It's merely a trivial effort; besides, these silver coins bear your family's mark. Even if I wanted to sneak them away, I couldn't use them, right? No need to think of me as so noble, it's not that…"

His words made Wang Yin pause in surprise, but when he looked back at Wang Wu, his respect deepened.

This kid is truly impressive.

The more he looks at him, the more pleasing he finds him; if his own daughter truly has feelings for him, it's not beyond consideration. It's evident his daughter has some affection, as he saw her blush when he teased her earlier.

But that's understandable; after all, such a man doesn't exist in this county.

Even though Wang Lan, as the manager of the Wang Clan's trade caravan, travels far and wide, a handsome man of this caliber is still rare.

Monsters aside, it's clear this young man cannot be a monster. If he were, Li Xian would have seen through him long ago and slain him.

"I wonder, in that monster's great pit, did you also see any other boxes belonging to my Wang Clan?" After formally thanking Wang Wu, Wang Yin asked.

"Yes," Wang Wu nodded. "I can't recall the exact number, but there definitely were, and aside from me and the two who couldn't escape the monster's mouth, likely no one else touched them."

"Oh!?" Hearing Wang Wu's answer, Wang Yin instantly felt uplifted. After all, the batch of silver lost three years ago outside the city was a huge sum even for the Wang Clan, enough to cause serious trouble.

Now, hearing this young Wang gentleman say that several boxes are still intact, if the lost silver could be recovered…

At that thought, Wang Yin couldn't help but glance at Li Xian beside him. Turning his gaze, he found Li Xian also looking at him.

"It seems Brother Wang truly needs help," the 'Li Xian' said with a smile.

"If Li Xian is willing to help me this time, I will present thirty percent of the recovered silver with both hands! As tribute to you!" Wang Yin rose, solemnly bowing to Li Xian and making the request.

"The silver coins aren't necessary; a few yellow‑white items will do." Li Xian waved his hand. "Brother Wang, just keep an eye on that matter I mentioned earlier; if you truly find anything, please inform me promptly."

While speaking, Li Xian stood up, using his hand to pull the bowing Wang Yin up.

"If it can truly be found," he said, "for the next ten years I will serve as a devotee of the Wang Clan, taking not a single coin."

"This, this…"

After hearing Li Xian's words, Wang Yin's voice trembled, "This perhaps, perhaps puts Li Xian at too much a disadvantage…?" he asked tremblingly.

"No problem." Li Xian waved his hand.

"This matter is nothing to me; I don't expect you to truly locate that heavenly treasure. But if it can be found, ten years is but a blink for us cultivators."

Having finished, he turned to Wang Wu, looked at him, and bowed.

"Young hero, your righteousness and sincere heart earn my admiration; I, Li Yuan, can only sigh at my own inadequacy," he smiled. "I sense you are not ordinary; do you know where the spider demon's lair you encountered in the forest lies? What is its aura like?"

"Aura?"

Wang Wu heard his question, feeling the energy fluctuations around him, stroked his chin, and pondered for a moment.

He was considering how to answer.

(End of Chapter)