Ever since Alchemist Wang moved in, peace and quiet had become a luxury.
Wei Tu, who had been focusing on drawing talismans, glanced at the pile of charred failed talismans on his desk, his brows furrowing.
He pushed open the window—
Immediately, the sounds of shouting, cursing, and the clanging of pots and bowls from outside grew even louder.
A plump woman, Liu Yun, threw a tantrum, plopping onto the ground outside the courtyard, sobbing as she wailed:
"You heartless bastard! My Liu family went hungry, suffered hardship, all so you could cultivate alchemy!"
"Now that you've succeeded and earned the title of 'Alchemist,' you start looking down on me, this old wife, and run off to fool around with that vixen surnamed Gong!"
Alchemist Wang stood beside her, his face ashen, his lips trembling, his whole body shaking with anger.
A few moments later, his rage subsided into helplessness, and he pleaded in a low voice,
"My dear wife, please get up. Don't sit in the middle of the courtyard like this..."
"Not getting up!"
"Unless you hand over all your spirit stones to me and swear never to see those vixens again!"
Liu Yun raised her voice.
"Wei Daoyou is watching."
Alchemist Wang lowered his voice in embarrassment. He felt ashamed that Liu Yun had thrown herself on the ground outside for all to see.
"Let him watch."
"I've grown up being seen by people. This is nothing."
Liu Yun gritted her teeth and turned slightly to face Wei Tu's direction.
Then—
She tore open her upper garment, revealing an expanse of fair, plump skin.
"Look! Take a good look!"
"Your mother has these too, doesn't she?"
Liu Yun's phoenix eyes burned with defiance as she stared straight at Wei Tu.
Wei Tu was utterly defeated.
He shut the window immediately.
When the courtyard finally quieted down, he stepped out of his room with the intention of heading to Jingyun Pavilion for a meal to cool his temper.
Thankfully, their arguments weren't a daily occurrence—otherwise, he might really have to move out of Yunque Street.
As he stepped outside, something at the gate caught his attention—
"Huh? A letter for me?"
It was signed by Wei Fei.
Wei Tu was slightly surprised.
Since Wei Fei had left with Pei Xianshi to wander the mortal world, this was the first letter he had received from him.
Tearing it open, he found that Wei Fei first inquired about his well-being, then briefly mentioned his experiences traveling with Pei Xianshi in the Zheng Kingdom's mortal realm.
"A year ago, my master and I arrived in the capital, Shenjing. The Emperor, Jia Yuan, granted me an audience and bestowed upon me the title of 'First-Class Duke of Everlasting Joy,' along with an estate of 2,000 households."
From those few words alone, Wei Tu could sense Wei Fei's overflowing joy.
Land grants and noble titles—
The ultimate dream of mortal generals.
Then, turning to the next page, Wei Tu spotted a familiar name.
"Governor He?"
After thirty years, Governor He had risen from a Fifth-Rank Provincial Governor to a Third-Rank Court Official in the capital.
He even attended Wei Fei's title-bestowal banquet.
Wei Fei originally harbored deep resentment and planned to take revenge on Governor He.
However—
Upon hearing the man's endless flattery and sycophantic praise, his desire for revenge simply faded.
"Governor He is already over seventy years old. Avenging myself on an old man at death's door isn't worth it."
Wei Tu shook his head, realizing that Wei Fei had indeed become more broad-minded.
Back when they served as constables in Qing Mountain County, Wei Fei had often vowed,
"If I ever gain power, I'll tear Governor He limb from limb, cut him into a thousand pieces!"
At the end of the letter, Wei Fei mentioned one more thing—
"The Qiuyue Zhao Clan will soon visit Danqiu Mountain to purchase talismans. Don't miss this opportunity."
Wei Tu's eyes lit up.
Lately, he had been stockpiling a large number of 'Rock Shield Talismans' and 'Thorn Cage Talismans.'
He had been struggling to sell them.
These Tier-1 talismans weren't commonly used in daily cultivation, making them difficult to market.
The only buyers were mercenaries who ventured into the Demon Wolf Mountain Range—but mercenaries were mostly poor.
Apart from buying one or two talismans for emergencies, they rarely spent on such items.
As a result, his talismans remained unsold, piling up.
"It seems the Qiuyue Zhao Clan and Chisong Jia Clan's feud has intensified again."
"Otherwise, they wouldn't be seeking out a rogue cultivator like me for talismans."
Wei Tu pondered.
Over ten years ago, the rebellious King Xiaoshan had not been eradicated by the Zheng Kingdom's army.
Instead, he survived, established his own 'Feng Dynasty', and made Qingfeng Prefecture's Chengfeng City his capital.
A few days later—
A young woman dressed in white arrived at Yunque Street's small courtyard and knocked on Wei Tu's door.
"Qiuyue Zhao Clan, Zhao Qingluo."
The young woman had delicate features, long black hair cascading to her waist.
When she saw Wei Tu, she nodded gracefully and introduced herself.
"Zhao Qingluo?"
Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Alchemist Wang stepped outside.
Seeing the distinguished guest, he was visibly stunned.
Zhao Qingluo was a renowned genius of the Qiuyue Zhao Clan, one with a high chance of reaching Foundation Establishment.
In the Zheng Kingdom's cultivation world, her name was widely known.
Wei Tu smiled slightly and extended a hand in invitation.
"This humble dwelling is unworthy of your presence."
"If Princess Qingluo does not mind, allow me to host you in a private room at Jingyun Pavilion."
Wei Tu returned the greeting with a slight bow.
In the jade slip Pei Xianshi had left him, there was a "Records of Notable Figures" section, which specifically mentioned this genius cultivator from the Qiuyue Zhao Clan.
Pei Xianshi had commented:
"Zhao Qingluo appears well-mannered and dignified, but in reality, she is arrogant and holds a deep-seated contempt for rogue cultivators like us."
Because of this, Wei Tu knew he had to handle this interaction carefully—
Otherwise, not only would the business deal fall through, but he could accidentally offend this powerful figure.
"No need."
"This courtyard is sufficient for discussion."
Zhao Qingluo glanced around briefly before fixing her gaze on the stone table in the courtyard.
She took a step forward, retrieved a delicate embroidered seat cushion from her storage pouch, laid it on the stone stool, and gracefully sat down.
"A Qi Refinement Fourth Layer cultivation? A bit too low."
"But being able to craft Tier-1 talismans at this level… your talent in talisman crafting isn't bad."
Her tone was indifferent, and her gaze at Wei Tu carried the air of a superior assessing a subordinate.
Having read Pei Xianshi's evaluation of Zhao Qingluo, Wei Tu had already prepared himself for this. He remained composed and did not take offense.
When Zhao Qingluo noticed Wei Tu bowing his head respectfully, she found him slightly more agreeable.
Soon, the two finished discussing the transaction.
Zhao Qingluo purchased all of Wei Tu's Rock Shield Talismans and Thorn Cage Talismans at an 80% discounted price.
Additionally, she placed a talisman order worth 200 spirit stones.
"This is the deposit."
"Three years from now, someone from the Zhao Clan will come to collect the talismans."
She tapped her storage pouch, retrieved an ornate brocade box, and placed it on the table.
When the box was opened, inside were twenty neatly arranged spirit stones, unaligned with any particular attribute.
With that, Zhao Qingluo stood up, ready to leave.
"Princess Qingluo, please wait a moment."
Just then, Alchemist Wang, who had been eavesdropping, thickened his skin and stepped forward.
He carried several porcelain bottles, trying to promote his alchemy products.
Seeing that Wei Tu had just made at least 100–200 spirit stones, he couldn't help but feel envious.
"These are Jade Essence Pills, Condensation Dew Pills—both excellent medicinal pills…"
Zhao Qingluo paused mid-step.
"These are… Tier-1 pills?"
—Since he was sharing a courtyard with a Tier-1 talisman master, it was reasonable to assume that this alchemist might also be of the same level.
If they were Tier-1 pills, they would be highly useful in the Qiuyue Zhao Clan's ongoing battle against the Chisong Jia Clan.
"No, they're just basic medicinal pills, but… their effectiveness is quite good."
Alchemist Wang's expression stiffened.
He stood there, feeling increasingly uneasy.
"Basic pills?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingluo's eyes filled with disdain.
She snorted mockingly.
"Basic pills? Even my handmaidens wouldn't bother taking those."
"One should always have self-awareness."
"You're not even a Tier-1 alchemist, yet you dare stop me and block my way?"
A look of contempt flashed across her face as she let out a cold chuckle.
Then—
She flicked her sleeve.
A wave of overwhelming spiritual energy surged forward—
Alchemist Wang was instantly sent flying!
His body twisted mid-air like a withered leaf caught in an autumn breeze.
Half a breath later, he crashed heavily onto the ground.
"Let this be a lesson."
"If you dare to offend me again…"
Zhao Qingluo's tone carried an unspoken threat.
Wei Tu witnessed the scene in shock.
He couldn't help but feel grateful that he had acted submissively in front of Zhao Qingluo.
Otherwise—
It wouldn't be Alchemist Wang getting punished right now—it would be him.
At the courtyard entrance, Zhao Qingluo turned back slightly, her gaze falling on Wei Tu.
Her tone was as commanding and impersonal as before.
"Talisman Master Wei."
"Make sure the talismans are ready in three years. Don't delay."
Wei Tu's heart tightened.
He quickly nodded.
"Understood. I won't forget."
At that moment, he couldn't help but wonder—
Had Zhao Qingluo just used Alchemist Wang as a warning to him?
Or was she simply naturally arrogant and saw people like Wang as nothing more than insects?
Once Zhao Qingluo left,
Alchemist Wang finally managed to crawl up from the ground.
His face was pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
He was clearly injured.
"Damn wench."
"Just wait—when the Qiuyue Zhao Clan declines, I'll make you pay for this!"
Alchemist Wang clutched his waist, spat a few mouthfuls of bloody saliva, and grumbled toward the empty courtyard entrance.
"Take it easy, Wang Daoyou."
Wei Tu tried to calm him down.
He didn't mind if Wang cursed Zhao Qingluo, but—
What if Zhao Qingluo was still nearby?
What if she overheard this and decided to retaliate?
That would drag Wei Tu down as well.
"Even that woman Gong Shulan was once part of an immortal family, yet she still ended up as a courtesan!"
"Zhao Qingluo is too arrogant—give her some time, and she'll…"
Alchemist Wang muttered bitterly.
But halfway through his words, he realized something and lowered his voice.
Wei Tu raised an eyebrow.
"Gong Shulan came from an immortal clan?"
He hadn't expected that she had such a background.
Gong Shulan was the female cultivator living near Hu Yao's residence.
From the frequent shouting matches between Alchemist Wang and his wife, Liu Yun, Wei Tu had pieced together some details.
Apparently—
Alchemist Wang had abandoned his former lover, Hu Yao, and taken up with Gong Shulan instead.
"Why did Gong Daoyou end up in such a situation?"
Wei Tu asked curiously.
"What? You didn't know?"
Alchemist Wang looked surprised.
"Thirty years ago, the Gong Clan was well-known in the Xiao Dan Mountain region."
"They weren't on the level of the Qiuyue Zhao Clan, one of the seven great cultivation families, but…"
"They had at least one Foundation Establishment cultivator."