Chapter 274: Keeping the Appointment
"No! It's just that your disciple looks very much like an old friend I haven't seen for a long time." The strange glint in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a clear, cool gaze.
These words made Han Li's heart ache with a bitter taste.
"Oh, what a coincidence!" Li Huayuan said with a smile, taking another look at Han Li. But Han Li's face was as calm as still water, betraying not a hint of emotion.
The other cultivators exchanged glances. Though all showed expressions of understanding, how many truly believed her words—only heaven knew!
Fairy Nangong knew her words were hard to believe, but she offered no explanation before drifting away gracefully. The remaining people gave Han Li several meaningful looks before taking their leave from Li Huayuan and his wife.
After seeing all the guests off, the smile on Li Huayuan's face gradually faded. He frowned slightly, then turned to Han Li and said evenly:
"Come inside with me. I have something to ask you."
Seeing this, Han Li silently groaned but could only agree. Master's wife offered him a few soft words of comfort before following them inside.
When Han Li entered the living room, Li Huayuan was sitting in a chair with a contemplative expression. Master's wife sat close beside him.
"Do you know Nangong Wan from the Crescent Moon Sect?" Li Huayuan asked directly when Han Li approached, abandoning all pretense.
Han Li remained silent for a moment, his mind weighing the situation several times over. He knew Nangong Wan's unusual behavior had been completely observed by this man, and there was no way to brush it off. So he simply nodded and admitted:
"This disciple did once have a brief encounter with Senior Nangong."
Hearing Han Li admit it so readily caught Li Huayuan off guard, and his expression immediately softened.
"What happened? Can you tell us about it?" Master's wife, curiosity piqued, couldn't help but ask. Nangong Wan had just denied knowing Han Li, but now this disciple said they were acquainted—there had to be a story there.
Li Huayuan nodded at his wife's words and looked at Han Li, clearly wanting to hear the details as well.
"Forgive me, Master, but this matter involves some private affairs of Senior Nangong. This disciple once promised never to reveal this to anyone, so I hope Master and Master's wife can understand!" Han Li had long prepared a proper excuse and refused in the most diplomatic way possible.
Hearing this, Li Huayuan and his wife were quite surprised. They exchanged a glance, and after a moment of deliberation, Li Huayuan spoke slowly, as if choosing his words carefully:
"Since you've given your word, naturally I cannot let you break your promise. However, I must warn you—do be cautious around Fairy Nangong. The Crescent Moon Sect's charm techniques are formidable, and I fear you might fall under their spell without even realizing it. But seeing now that your mind is clear and your speech is lucid, I can rest easy."
Hearing this, Han Li felt relieved and quickly voiced his agreement.
Li Huayuan, seeing Han Li's respectful demeanor—so dutiful and reverent toward his teacher—the last trace of displeasure in his heart vanished. He actually began offering guidance on Han Li's cultivation with a pleasant expression. Han Li listened attentively, not wanting to miss a single word.
After some time, Li Huayuan casually asked Han Li about his cultivation experiences and was quite satisfied with the answers. Then he suddenly said something unexpected.
"Han Li, I have a personal matter to entrust to you. Would you be willing?"
"A personal matter?"
Han Li was taken aback but immediately replied without hesitation:
"Whatever Master commands, this disciple will do his utmost to complete."
Li Huayuan was pleased by Han Li's immediate response. He stood and paced a few steps around the room before speaking in a serious tone:
"It's nothing too dangerous. I just want you to serve as a bodyguard for a time, protecting a certain family's safety."
"A bodyguard? Protecting someone?" Han Li was somewhat stunned but listened calmly as Li Huayuan continued. "Originally, I intended to send your Fourth Senior Brother Song Meng. But recently, I happened to hear that you had killed quite a few Devilish Path cultivators. This truly surprised both your Master's wife and me! I never expected that a formidable warrior would emerge from under my tutelage. I hear even the other Six Sects often discuss the matter! Naturally, with that in mind, I'd be more at ease sending you." Li Huayuan smiled, clearly in a very good mood at the moment.
Master's wife, sitting beside him, added with a smile:
"Also, Song Meng has been at Green Wave Cave since childhood and has never experienced the mundane world. He lacks understanding of worldly matters, so even from that perspective, you'd be better suited. The people you'd be protecting are mortals in the secular world."
Hearing the praise from Li Huayuan and his wife, Han Li smiled somewhat shyly, looking modest. However, being asked to protect mortals—while he maintained his usual composure outwardly, he felt somewhat puzzled inside.
By all reasoning, what danger could mortals face? A single Qi Condensation stage disciple would be more than sufficient as a bodyguard. Why would a Foundation Establishment stage disciple like himself be needed?
Perhaps Li Huayuan guessed Han Li's confusion, and he explained as he narrated:
"The people I'm asking you to protect are descendants of a senior brother of mine from long ago. He saved my life—a great kindness. But his only son had no spiritual roots and was a mortal, unable to cultivate immortality and thus confined to the secular world. So after he passed away, I swore an oath: as long as I live, I would ensure his descendants' safety and prosperity! For over a century, this family has enjoyed great wealth under my secret protection. Whenever danger arose, I always eliminated it before it could reach them."
Li Huayuan paused here, as if lost in memories of the past. Then his expression turned serious:
"But a few days ago, I received word that the Six Devilish Sects might send some low-level disciples to infiltrate our Kingdom of Yue's secular world. They plan to eliminate certain mortals secretly supported by our Seven Sects, trying to disrupt the secular world's supply of common resources to us. This family's connection to me would likely place them in that category, so I need someone capable of handling this crisis to protect them. Of course, if the Devilish Path doesn't trouble them, all the better."
Han Li nodded solemnly upon hearing this, showing he understood.
"Very well. I'll write a letter to the current head of the family, explaining your identity and circumstances. He is the only one who knows of my relationship with his ancestor. Additionally, I've already made arrangements—this assignment will count as an official mission, so you needn't worry about any penalties. This jade slip contains detailed information about the family. Take it, go pack your belongings now, and set out tomorrow morning. The sooner the better, lest something changes!" Li Huayuan finally instructed after a moment's thought.
"As you command!" Han Li bowed slightly and answered softly.
...
Han Li sat upon the Divine Wind Ark, hurtling through the sky at full speed dozens of zhang above the ground.
He was not heading toward the mortal family's residence in the capital of Yue, but rather flying straight toward Yuanwu Kingdom.
Han Li intended to use this relatively free assignment to first keep his meeting appointment with Qi Yunxiao. He wanted to see if that formation master could repair the damaged formation that was suspected to be an ancient teleportation array.
This was his final contingency—his escape route should the Seven Sects suffer a catastrophic defeat in the decisive battle. Once the Six Devilish Sects had free rein, he would spend the rest of his life hunted by Devilish Path cultivators, with no time left for cultivation.
Han Li estimated that round trip would take no more than twenty days if nothing went wrong, which would not interfere with Li Huayuan's assignment at all. That was why he felt at ease making this detour.
The place Qi Yunxiao had arranged to meet was at a certain teahouse in a small city in Yuanwu Kingdom.
According to what he had described, the teahouse was run by one of his servants, so once Han Li found this place, he would naturally be able to contact Qi Yunxiao.
Han Li flew swiftly along the entire journey. Even when he occasionally encountered a few cultivators, he passed by without stopping, with no intention of striking up conversation. After flying day and night for seven or eight days, Han Li finally arrived at a small place called "Golden Horse City."
To avoid causing a commotion, Han Li put away his flying artifact several li from the small city, descended, and then strolled leisurely toward the city gates.
Though Golden Horse City was not large, the gates were bustling with people coming and going—quite a lively place for its size.
Han Li's appearance was ordinary, and he had long since changed into a slightly worn scholar's robe. Blending into the crowd entering the city, he was completely unremarkable as he followed the flow of people through the gates.
The teahouse was apparently quite well-known. Han Li casually found a child and made a brief inquiry about the location of "Clear Spring Teahouse," easily obtaining the information he sought, and headed there.
When Han Li finally stood before the so-called "Clear Spring Teahouse," he examined it with great interest.