Chapter 49: Whose Person?

The two Lin sisters both thought of Xiao Zhangqing at the same time.

Lingfu Pavilion now has the biggest reputation, the countless Scattered Cultivators of Nanshan Fang strive for, the renowned figure Xiao Zhangqing!

Xiao Zhangqing, in just four short years, rose from a lowly Scattered Cultivator to become a First‑rank Talisman Master, and his cultivation rose to the Sixth Layer of Lian Qi.

But the miracle he created did not stop there.

On the contrary, according to news from Lingfu Pavilion, after becoming a First‑rank Talisman Master, Xiao Zhangqing's talisman techniques did not stagnate; instead they steadily improved at an even faster pace, as if his talent was further stimulated, with plenty of after‑effect.

In just half a year, he was already approaching the level of a First‑rank Mid‑grade Talisman Master! It seemed he wanted to surpass, no longer merely chasing the former Talisman Master Lu Qiu, but to exceed Lu Qiu! Therefore, now within Lingfu Pavilion, under the new manager's constraints, days have become much harder.

Only Xiao Zhangqing, whose status and voice now far surpass those of the past!

Zhou Changkong treats him with great courtesy; rumors say Xiao Zhangqing is about to become Lingfu Pavilion's number‑two figure and deputy manager!

If the two sisters could latch onto Xiao Zhangqing's thigh, their power would basically be resolved! "Sister, why don't you lower yourself and take the initiative to try?" Lin Zixi urged.

Lin Ziyu's cheeks flushed slightly as she sighed, "Even if I lower my pride, he might still not give me a proper look. With Dao Companion Xiao's current status, what kind of female cultivator in Nanshan Fang could he not find? Moreover, didn't you have a falling out with him half a year ago…?"

Lin Zixi, full of self‑blame and regret, said, "Back then I never imagined he would ascend to First‑rank Talisman Master so quickly! And I didn't expect senior Bai Wuji to leave suddenly…"

Half a year ago, Lin Zixi took the initiative to visit, hoping to act as a matchmaker for her sister, but Xiao Zhangqing flatly rejected her.

At that time Lin Zixi was full of youthful vigor; unable to swallow the insult, she retorted on the spot, saying Xiao Zhangqing was unworthy of her sister.

As a result, the situation has drastically changed; the two sisters now must seek Xiao Zhangqing's protection to survive in Nanshan Fang.

"I… I'll give it a try, for now!"

Lin Ziyu, after much deliberation, finally seemed to make a resolve, ready to completely abandon her pride and dignity to plead with Xiao Zhangqing.

Now, the two sisters have no other recourse.

Seeking wealth amid danger, since they originally chose to adventure with senior Bai Wuji, selling Talisman Scripts, and enjoyed a period of comfortable life… now that danger arrives, they cannot blame others.

From start to finish, it was the sisters' own choice.

"Sister, I've wronged you…" Lin Zixi said gloomily.

Back then she swore to rely on her own immortal path with Zhangqing, yet now she still has to make her sister beg a man humbly; if there were even a hint of another way, she wouldn't do this.

"There's nothing to feel aggrieved about. I'm just afraid Dao Companion Xiao doesn't regard me at all…"

Lin Ziyu's gaze was complicated, making her thoughts unreadable.

……

Just.

The crisis arrived faster than the Lin sisters had imagined.

Only the day after the Cao family reclaimed the trust talisman, Lin Ziyu still hadn't figured out how to please Xiao Zhangqing, when trouble had already arrived.

The ones causing trouble were neither Zhou Changkong nor people from Lingfu Pavilion.

Zhou Changkong, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, still keeps his word.

Thus, after investigating, he found Lin Ziyu's former suitor, Hu Yuan!

Back then, after Hu Yuan's pursuit of Lin Ziyu failed, his malicious heart remained, and he tried to force Lin Ziyu to comply, using many underhanded methods.

Moreover, he didn't even want to let Lin Zixi off, intending to bring both sisters into his house. At that moment, Lin Zixi seized the opportunity of Bai Wuji, mustering courage to act as a go‑between and cooperate with the Cao family, becoming an honored guest of the Cao family.

A single move turned the tables.

After learning the news, Hu Yuan realized that his so‑called background, connections, and Seventh Layer of Lian Qi cultivation meant nothing before the Cao family; the Lin sisters, having clung to the Cao family's thigh, were no longer someone he could provoke, so he decisively chose to turn swords into silk and called it off.

But Lin Zixi, though bold, was not generous; she believed every grudge must be repaid, so she couldn't just accept Hu Yuan's terms. She then meticulously plotted a scheme that forced Hu Yuan, under everyone's eyes, to kneel before the two sisters, kowtow and admit his fault, thereby venting his inner malice.

Since then, Hu Yuan has become a joke within the circle, disappearing without a trace.

Who could have imagined that fortunes would turn, and the sisters fell out of favor again, only to be abused by Hu Yuan at their doorstep.

Not right…

This time Hu Yuan will likely be even more vicious and his methods even more despicable.

After all, this time Hu Yuan not only seeks revenge but also has the covert support of Lingfu Pavilion's Foundation Establishment manager Zhou Changkong, allowing him to act without restraint.

Guangju Tavern.

This is the establishment the Lin sisters opened after gaining capital and Cao family's assistance.

The tavern focuses on food as a side, with fine wine as the main offering, because Lin Ziyu and Lin Zixi, having learned the art of brewing spirit wine since childhood in the family, …

Although not particularly exquisite, being only the lowest‑grade spirit wine, its taste was genuinely good.

Moreover, with cheap prices, a meal and drink at the tavern generally cost no more than a low‑grade Spirit Stone, so the Guangju Tavern's business used to be very good.

After a month, after deducting costs and labor, the net profit amounted to dozens of low‑grade Spirit Stones.

Today's Guangju Tavern has all its patrons driven out, and the tables and chairs smashed to pieces.

"Hu Yuan, have you healed your wounds and forgotten the pain?" Lin Zixi asked sharply, her voice trembling.

Unfortunately, Hu Yuan wasn't buying it; he closed the distance, smiling coldly, and asked, "Little scoundrel, still trying to wave the Cao family's banner to intimidate me? If you have the guts, bring out the Cao family's trust talisman and summon their people!"

"Stop! What are you trying to do?" Lin Zixi, increasingly lacking confidence, instinctively stepped back.

Lin Ziyu, usually not as bold as Lin Zixi, stepped forward at this moment, shielding her sister behind her, and shouted angrily, "Hu Yuan, even if we have no ties with the Cao family, do you dare to run rampant in Nanshan Fang? Are you an Evil Cultivator? Do you think the market enforcement squad is nonexistent?"

"Ziyu, Ziyu, if you had obediently listened back then and become my concubine, would you have fallen to this point?" Hu Yuan shook his head, a strange grin on his face, then turned his tone cold: "Your Guangju Tavern's so‑called spirit wine is crudely made yet passed off as fine; after I consumed it I felt unwell, and now I demand an explanation from you—what's the problem? Who can intervene?"

"Will you two sisters simply submit peacefully, or force me to act?"

Hu Yuan, unwilling to waste more words, issued the final ultimatum.

Putting aside status and connections, Hu Yuan, with Seventh Layer of Lian Qi, could easily crush the Lin sisters, who are at Fourth and Fifth Layers of Lian Qi respectively.

Not to mention, among Hu Yuan's companions this time is a mysterious master of the Ninth Layer of Lian Qi!

Lin Ziyu took a deep breath, revealed the killing move she had been brewing, and asked coldly, "Do you know whose person I am now?"

Hu Yuan sneered, shaking his head, "Still trying to put on airs? To be frank, today throughout Nanshan Fang, no one can save you two sisters! I advise you to surrender and spare yourselves further suffering!"

Lin Ziyu answered herself word for word, "I am now a follower of Xiao Zhangqing, the Talisman Master Xiao; are you sure you dare to seize me?"

(End of Chapter)