The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 32: I Respect the Elderly

Li Zhengming appeared disheveled, completely devoid of the grandeur he had just displayed.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that even half of his beard had been singed off by fire.

Li Zhengkui and the others were dumbfounded, as they had never seen their sect leader in such a comical state, causing them to burst into laughter uncontrollably.

Enraged, Li Zhengming slapped the disciple’s face.

Spotting Nanli, he rushed over and angrily questioned, "What kind of formation is this? Why is it so difficult to break through?"

The formation wasn’t life-threatening, but rather designed to tease and mock.

Inside, one would either be burned by fire or drenched with water, resulting in a pitiful appearance.

Nanli innocently blinked and said, "I haven’t even given it a name yet."

Li Zhengming suddenly understood, "This... this is a formation you created yourself?"

"Indeed," Nanli pondered, stroking her chin, "Let’s call it the ’Inescapable Formation.’

Sect Leader Li, it took you quite a while to break through. It seems you lack experience in facing such formations. You should practice more."

Li Zhengming clutched his chest, almost spitting out blood.

How could he, a wise and esteemed leader, be humiliated in such a manner by a young girl?

It was unbearable!

However, as he began to exude a hint of killing intent, Chu Hanlin stepped forward, his eyes cold and menacing.

The Black Armor Guards also closed in, their hands resting on their sword hilts.

At their master’s command, they would draw their swords and engage in battle.

Ye Siheng spoke slowly, "Sect Leader Li, you know how to write the words ’accepting defeat in a bet,’ don’t you?"

"It took my sister only the time to brew a cup of tea to come out. Impressive, isn’t it? Hurry up and bring out the Purple Cloud Cauldron!"

Xie Beihan raised his chin, a smug expression on his face.

Li Zhengming’s forehead beaded with sweat.

Looking at Chu Hanlin and the Black Armor Guards, he gritted his teeth and reluctantly took out the Purple Cloud Cauldron. fгeewebnovёl.com

Xie Beihan immediately stepped forward to receive it, but Li Zhengming held onto the cauldron tightly, unwilling to let go.

"Give it to me!" Xie Beihan exerted force and snatched it away.

He presented the Purple Cloud Cauldron to Nanli, smiling, "Little Sister, here’s your cauldron!"

At that moment, Nanli caught a whiff of a faint scent of blood emanating from the cauldron.

Her gaze hardened, and she refrained from reaching out to take it.

"What’s wrong, Lier?" Chu Hanlin also grew suspicious.

Nanli said, "The so-called bet was just a joke with Sect Leader Li, and I believe he sees it the same way."

Li Zhengming was stunned.

Li Zhengkui, on the other hand, immediately understood and nodded, "Indeed, it was just a joke! Hahaha, Miss Chu’s broad-mindedness is truly admirable."

Nanli continued, "Return the cauldron."

Xie Beihan was taken aback, furrowing his brows, "You won it back, so why return it?"

"I respect my elders. Can’t you see that Sect Leader Li is on the verge of tears?" Nanli urged, "If he were to apologize by sacrificing his life later, wouldn’t I be burdened with a life on my conscience?"

"... " Li Zhengming felt like crying, but he had never considered sacrificing his life as an apology.

However, if Nanli was willing to return the Purple Cloud Cauldron to him, he would allow her to play with her words.

Xie Beihan pursed his lips and reluctantly returned the cauldron.

Li Zhengming, overwhelmed with joy at regaining the precious treasure, sincerely said, "Miss Chu, your kindness today will never be forgotten by this humble Daoist."

Otherwise, he would truly become a sinner of the Beifeng Sect.

Nanli’s smile was faint, seemingly tinged with mockery, "Sect Leader Li, it’s OK. In truth, I am not interested in this cauldron."

Li Zhengming’s face darkened instantly.

He had been so polite and respectful, never expecting her to be so arrogant!

Then, Nanli asked him who he had sold the Qi-nourishing Pills to.

Li Zhengming didn’t conceal anything and mentioned a few merchants’ names, coincidentally including the one who had been silenced.

After answering, he left with his junior brother and disciples.

Back at the inn, Nanli instructed Ye Siheng to keep an eye on the people from Beifeng Sect.

Upon learning that they were heading to the capital, her expression grew even more solemn.

Chu Hanlin had only recently reunited with his daughter, but she had always been calm and composed. However, her expression now carried a weightiness that he had never seen before.

"Li’er, don’t be upset. Father will surely find you a better alchemy cauldron," he pondered and reassured her.

Ye Siheng glanced at Chu Hanlin, his gaze deep and profound.

Alas, his words were once again interrupted.

Nanli surveyed the inn, noting the presence of the Black Armor Guards, which deterred anyone from approaching their vicinity.

Only then did she shake her head and say, "I disdain the Purple Cloud Cauldron because it has been tainted with the blood of humans used in its alchemy."

Ye Siheng narrowed his eyes.

Chu Hanlin furrowed his brows tightly.

Xie Beihan had the strongest reaction, abruptly standing up.

Quickly regaining his composure, he felt a bit nauseous and retched twice.

"Oh no, I have also consumed the pills from Beifeng Temple. My stomach feels uneasy now."

"Take it easy," Nanli poured him a cup of tea, "What kind of pill did you consume?"

"It was the Qi-gathering Pill," Xie Beihan was about to pick up the teacup to drink, but he noticed that Ye Siheng had snatched it away.

Then Qing Feng hurriedly approached and took the teapot from Nanli’s hand, pouring tea for the three of them.

Xie Beihan found it all rather strange, still unable to comprehend, but Nanli had already explained briefly, "The Qi-gathering Pill does not require the use of human blood in its production. However, the cauldron’s strong bloody scent indicates that it has been contaminated to some extent."

Xie Beihan still felt unwell, his stomach churning.

Ye Siheng seemed to have realized something and said, "Since the bloody scent is strong, it proves that human blood is the main ingredient in the alchemy. Are you suspecting that Beifeng Temple is involved with the abducted women?"

Nanli blinked in pleasant surprise, "Ninth Prince is truly astute. There are indeed many pills that use a small amount of human blood as a catalyst, but as you mentioned, using human blood as the main ingredient, and even the blood of the missing girls... there is only one pill that fits that description, the Eternal Youth Pill."

Ye Siheng’s face darkened.

Chu Hanlin listened in a daze, and Nanli briefly explained.

Hearing this, Chu Hanlin clenched his fists, filled with anger.

"My brother and I once rescued a group of abducted women, thinking they were being sold to the Brothel District, but we never imagined..."

They were being used for alchemy!

It was truly despicable!

"Father, this is just my speculation, without concrete evidence," Nanli hurriedly interjected.

Ye Siheng lowered his gaze, twirling the jade ring on his finger, and said in a deep voice, "By returning the Purple Cloud Cauldron, you are trying to lure out the big fish in the water. I know what to do."

He would seek revenge for the Ling Jian Sect and make them pay.

Nanli smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Ninth Prince, for your assistance."

Dealing with intelligent people was indeed convenient.

The bloody scent on the Purple Cloud Cauldron had not yet dissipated.

It was likely that it had been used to refine the Eternal Youth Pill recently.

Li Zhengming’s arrival in the capital was probably to deliver the goods.

To be able to collude with Zhou Sheng and have Li Zhengming help with alchemy, the fish in this deep water must be quite formidable.

This matter should be left to Ye Siheng.

After returning to the city, Ye Siheng immediately went back to the Mansion to make arrangements and investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, Xie Beihan learned that his father had been waiting at the Anyang Marquis Mansion all night for news, only managing to rest his eyes in the early morning.

The Marquis of Zhenbei seemed to have aged ten years overnight, with several strands of silver appearing in his hair.

"My son!" His eyes welled up with tears upon seeing his son return unharmed. "You unfilial child, did you want me to die childless?"

Xie Beihan’s nose felt sour. "Father, your son was wrong. Fortunately, we had Sixth Sister this time, or else I would have been the one sending you off with white hair."