Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 282 - 21: Blessings for a Face-Oriented World

January 13, 2018, afternoon

Shen City is located in the southeast of Xiangzhou, close to the Border Desolate Area, making its climate intensely variable. Experiencing spring, summer, autumn, and winter all within a month, along with the reverse cycle, is a common occurrence. Floods and droughts also frequently alternate, turning this place into a dead zone where only top warriors could survive.

Later, the Shen Family used the Celestial Divine Weapon Lock to directly anchor the spirit vein here, gradually normalizing Shen City's climate.

However, compared to the pleasant climate of Heaven-Reaching City and Golden Jade City, these vital areas of Xiangzhou, the climate changes in Shen City still seemed rigid and stiff, as if deliberately carved by someone. Just a few days ago, it was clear and crisp, but when winter arrived, a thick snowfall covering the entire city would come right on time, followed by a long and steady winter that wouldn't warm up or suddenly turn colder.

Therefore, in such stable winter times in Shen City, breaking out in a cold sweat without reason was surely a problem.

Li Wanqing scanned the two Shen Family elite members with a playful look, wishing the ground would swallow them up to save Shen City from embarrassment.

Fortunately, the young lady had some quick wit, forcing a smile amidst the awkward situation, explaining, "You're overthinking, your pass is due to winning an award in the Outer Courtyard, so naturally, everything follows the standard for Outer Courtyard disciples. There can't be such exorbitant trap expenditures."

Meanwhile, an urgent report was made to the Deputy City Lord.

"To report to the Deputy City Lord, Plan A is void. They are very cautious!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yueying was furious, "These Li Family people are indeed sinister! How can they maliciously suspect others without distinction!? It's because of such people that there's so much distrust among people! Not letting them spend frivolously in Lingshan City would be a disservice to my title as Deputy City Lord! Shen Rong, immediately activate Plan B! Provide them with full coverage for food and accommodation, but for the next two days, fill their itinerary with shopping recommendations from start to finish!"

With a bitter face, Shen Rong agreed, but she thought to herself, hopefully, Plan B still holds some practical value… These Li Family people are truly cunning, and now that they're highly suspicious, tricking them might be tough.

But the Deputy City Lord's task couldn't be shirked, so with a heavy heart, Shen Rong decided to press on.

Before she could speak, Li Wanqing stepped forward, gently hooking Shen Rong's chin with her fingers, delighting in her rapidly reddening face.

In an instant, Shen Rong's mind went blank. This Shen Family elite, with a cultivation level reaching the Cloud Flipping Realm at just 25, couldn't meet the eyes of Li Wanqing, who was a few years younger, and less advanced in cultivation. Gazing into those clear and bright eyes, she felt like her soul was being drawn away.

"Hey, what are you doing!?"

Only at this point did Shen Rong's partner, Shen Fang, realize what was happening, hurriedly stepping forward to try and push Li Wanqing away.

Li Wanqing skillfully withdrew her finger, avoiding Shen Fang's push, and lightly touched her finger to her lips, as if savoring the slick sensation.

"A girl like you, truly smart and capable, but as clear as water, can't hide your thoughts. Whatever you're thinking, it's obvious to others. Yet, since you're also caught up in this, then…"

Li Wanqing turned back to seek Wang Jiu's opinion, "Ah Jiu, what do you think about a beautiful lady here needing some help?"

Wang Jiu thought for a moment, "Though I don't deny your looks are top-notch among humans, generally speaking, claiming oneself as a beautiful lady in public violates the common etiquette of humility. I suggest you bribe someone nearby to carry out your lines. For example: 'Ah Jiu, there's a beautiful lady named Li Wanqing over there who needs some help causing a stir, what's your opinion?'"

Li Wanqing was silent for a long time, then said, "I'll take that as a yes."

——

Li Wanqing and Wang Jiu both nodded, and naturally, despite knowing the Shen Family surely harbors ill intentions, and the golden path to Lingshan is bound with hidden dangers, the group still embarked on the journey without hesitation.

Li Wanqing, needless to say, walked closely with Shen Rong right from the start, chatting and laughing with the woman nearly ten years her senior.

Wang Jiu was quite interested in this estate inherited from the Jiuzhou Era, hoping to find some ancient legacy.

Li Chaolu had long yearned for the beautiful hot springs in Shen City Lingshan, which even the Holy Sect Envoy praised highly, just thinking about it made one's heart race.

As for Li Xinyu, long had he heard of Lingshan's Immortal Cultivation Resort's picturesque scenery and alluring staff. Having practiced Child's Skill for many years, he was already impatient, performing pelvic exercises as he walked, a sight unbearable to watch.

Only Shen Qingming held a hesitant attitude, "This feeling reminds me of those middle-aged groups stubbornly joining cheap tours, resolutely refusing to shop regardless of the guide's efforts."

Wang Jiu asked, "The one you planned to join last March?"

Shen Qingming blushed, "Ho-how did you know!?"

"The promotional materials and registration form are in the warehouse. I saw them while organizing. A seven-day tour of the top ten attractions around QingCyan Cloud City, including famous hotels and special delicacies, not 998, only 98, miss it and you'll regret it."

Before finishing, Li Chaolu gleefully jumped over, "Tell us more?"

Shen Qingming's face turned red, "What's there to say!? I didn't even go!"

Li Chaolu pressed on, "What's there to see in those QingCyan Cloud surroundings? Even if it's cheap, it's a waste of time."

Wang Jiu answered on their behalf: "Mainly considering that ninety-eight taels of silver could cover seven days of room and board, it was a very economical and practical deal for martial artists in dire need of meat nutrition back then."

"Puhahahaha! Joining a tour group to mooch off free food and drink!" Li Chaolu burst into laughter on the spot, nearly rolling on the ground with glee.

Shen Qingming's face turned a shade of red-purple: "What's so funny!? Haven't you ever seen a poor person before!?"

"Never seen someone so poor they have to mooch off a tour group for free food and drink."

"You, what do you know! The cost of ninety-eight taels of silver is easily covered if I eat twenty pounds of fresh meat every day. And with a full supply of food for seven days, I can at least go two or three months without meat and not lack nutrition..."

As the group laughed and bantered in the back, the tour guide leading the way turned pale, especially Shen Rong, who kept glancing back, trying to figure out how much truth there was to what these young people were saying from their faces.

Could it be that these Li Family folks are the real deal? Indulging like gluttons in Lingshan, that would be... unprecedented.

The guests received by the Shen Family in Lingshan are certainly the top figures from Xiangzhou, at least leaders of premium sects. Such individuals, regardless of their character in private, would at least maintain a graceful demeanor in public and wouldn't dare act like gluttons in a Feng Shui treasure like Lingshan.

But these Li Family members truly seem to have the potential to be shameless! Especially that shamelessly strutting meatball, what exactly does he want to do?! What kind of place does he think Lingshan is?!

——

Before long, Shen Rong led the group to check into an independent courtyard in the Immortal Cultivation Resort of Lingshan, quickly opening their eyes to a whole new world.

According to the itinerary, Wang Jiu and his group were to head to Lingshan in the afternoon, check in, rest briefly, and then follow Shen Rong to visit the industrial park to see the "Shen Family's advanced production technology" and promote some "exclusive noble goods."

To this end, Shen Rong had prepared a whole catalog of shopping items, painstakingly packaging the luxurious, unbelievably costly, but utterly impractical trash from the industrial park, presenting them as "Genius Exclusive Edition" for display, just waiting for the group to arrive and sweet-talk them into extravagant spending, even allowing for charges to be billed!

And after their spending, they were to conveniently enjoy a "sumptuous and rich" working dinner in the industrial park, with limited meat dishes, but unlimited steamed buns and rice.

Yet as soon as Wang Jiu and company settled into the courtyard, restaurant service requests came flooding in like a torrential downpour.

"What? Ordering food? At this time? Really making the most of every opportunity! Let me see the menu... My goodness! All of them are luxurious dishes! And is this amount meant for a hundred people?!"

Staring at the surprisingly long list of dishes on the menu, Shen Rong felt a headache coming on.

Without even needing to think about it, she knew who had done this. Shen Rong closed her eyes, and a bright, mischievous face appeared in her mind.

Was it... Li Wanqing? With this obviously extravagant menu, is she just trying to test me, to make me show a flustered expression of confusion? Just like... before.

At this thought, Shen Rong's face flushed slightly.

The colleague beside her was a bit uneasy seeing this: "Senior Sister, are you alright? Should I go take a look?"

"No need." Shen Rong firmly responded, "This is my responsibility, and I'll see it through to the end."

With that, she marched into the courtyard like a warrior facing certain death, ready to face Li Wanqing's challenge.

But when she pushed open the door to the room from which the call had been made, she was greeted by a much younger face.

"Eh, it's you?" Shen Qingming was somewhat surprised, "I thought it was a waiter delivering food. You guys sure know how to arrange things..."

Of course, Shen Rong wasn't there to serve food. She peered into the room but felt a little disappointed when she didn't see Li Wanqing, then turned to ask: "Did you just order food? Is it possible you got the quantity wrong?"

Shen Qingming chuckled: "No mistake, no mistake, it's 100 servings, ordered right here."

Staring at the innocent, naive face before her, Shen Rong was filled with mixed emotions.

The Deputy City Lord was right, there really are no good folks in the Li Family! This little girl actually had the guts to order a hundred servings of the most extravagant surf and turf feast!

However, before Shen Rong could think of an excuse to brush it off, she heard a pleasant male voice coming from behind Shen Qingming.

"Sorry, I was the one who ordered the food. Is there a problem?"

And with that voice, a white-clad man appeared with a gentle smile.

Seeing that smiling face, Shen Rong felt a buzz in her brain.

By the time she regained her composure, she found herself standing outside the small courtyard, surrounded by a group of restaurant servers, as a hundred servings of surf and turf were being delivered inside as if they were sleight of hand.