To show that he was indeed a person of integrity, Qin Yi invited Li Qingjun to visit the Changsheng Temple to look at medicinal herbs. Li Qingjun happily held Qin Yi's hand as they walked down the main street of Nanli.
Feeling the curious gazes of others around them, Qin Yi felt a bit shy, while Li Qingjun seemed completely at ease.
"Why care about what others think? As long as my brother supports us, then our relationship..." Li Qingjun paused, feeling a bit embarrassed, and continued, "Our relationship is already settled. We just need to wait for a good day, unless you don't want me."
Qin Yi quickly replied, "How could that be possible?"
"Well, as the national teacher..." Li Qingjun said softly, "When the time comes, beautiful women will surround you, and you won't have time for me."
Qin Yi scoffed, "Even if I had them all, they wouldn't compare to even a finger of yours."
Li Qingjun tilted her head slightly and looked at him, "Really?"
"You believed that before, and now you don't..."
Li Qingjun fell silent for a moment and then said quietly, "Back then, it felt far away, so I believed it. Now that it's right in front of me, I feel anxious. It's like... back when you thought little of Changsheng, and now... who knows what you really think."
Qin Yi sighed and didn't answer.
Li Qingjun smiled brightly, "If I were to give you a few beauties to serve you, you should accept them. You can't rely on that Night Ling, who can't even take care of himself..."
Qin Yi felt quite awkward, "Why are we talking about this..."
"Because..." Li Qingjun hesitated for a moment and finally said, "I'm afraid you won't be able to keep me."
Qin Yi's heart jolted, and he stopped in his tracks.
Yes...
If things were resolved, it would be best for Li Qingjun to leave. They could travel the world together, carefree and at ease.
But what if Li Qingjun really had to stay in Nanli? Where would he go?
Staying here with her, forever being a national teacher and a prince?
That wasn't the life Li Qingjun wanted, nor was it the life Qin Yi wanted.
The two stood on the street, quietly looking at each other. After a long time, Qin Yi finally said, "I..."
Li Qingjun raised her finger to his lips, "Don't say anything yet."
So, Qin Yi fell silent.
Li Qingjun's eyes sparkled as she softly said, "Kiss me."
Right there on the street...
Without a second thought, Qin Yi pulled her close and kissed her deeply.
...
The storage at Changsheng Temple indeed held countless treasures.
Nanli was small and remote, with limited resources, but the plundering by Dong Huazi over the years was not to be underestimated.
Qin Yi found many things suitable for his use and even discovered a few herbs that could help slow down Li Qingjun's aging. Unfortunately, the soul-nourishing items that Liu Su wanted were still quite rare. In the end, he only found a few "Soul-Entwining Herbs," and their effectiveness was greatly reduced due to poor preservation.
Qin Yi took the Soul-Entwining Herbs and picked a few other herbs before sealing the storage again.
Li Qingjun leaned against the door and asked, "Aren't you taking more?"
"That's enough," Qin Yi said, weighing a root in his hand with a smile. "Do you know what this is?"
"How would I know..."
"This is the purple lotus root I needed before I left the mountain with you."
Li Qingjun laughed, her eyes filled with nostalgia.
Qin Yi explained, "This is used to create a medicinal bath that helps nourish true energy. I needed it back then to help me break through to the innate level. But now that I've reached that level, it's for you."
Li Qingjun bit her lip, "You think this broken root can bribe me, the princess?"
The two kissed again, and Liu Su really wished she could grow hands to cover her eyes and not watch. Out of sight, out of mind.
Hmm... she could close her soul energy.
Liu Su began to withdraw into herself.
At that moment, a loud voice came from outside, "We greet the king."
The two hurriedly separated, and Li Qingjun frantically tidied up her messy clothes, barely able to lift her head.
Li Qinglin walked over slowly. Qin Yi watched from a distance, feeling his mood quickly shift from the sweet moment to something heavier.
Because Li Qinglin was walking very slowly.
He had always moved with confidence and energy, even when he had just been cursed the day before. Today was the first time Qin Yi saw him walk so slowly, like an old man struggling to move.
Qin Yi reminded himself that the young Li Qinglin he saw was just an illusion created by Ming He; inside, he was already a true old man.
Li Qinglin approached, smiled at his blushing sister, and said slowly, "National teacher, are you well?"
Qin Yi shook his head, "You should take back the title of national teacher. I can manage things here, and some of these items can help your condition... at least slow it down."
"I'm still aging," Li Qinglin seemed not to hear him and continued, "At this rate, I might not even last a year."
Li Qingjun looked up suddenly.
Li Qinglin added, "Qin brother, there's a big problem."
Qin Yi replied, "Please tell me."
"I've noticed that I'm lacking energy and my thoughts are much slower than before," Li Qinglin said softly. "In this state, I can't accomplish what I want to do. Even correcting the chaos caused by Dong Huazi in Nanli feels beyond my ability."
Old and weak, lacking energy, slow in thought.
This was no longer just about facing death; in this state, he couldn't accomplish anything.
But if he tried to cultivate, he might not be able to succeed and could end up in a worse situation.
No choice would help; the only option was to step down.
However, Li Qinglin had his own desires and didn't want to give up; Qin Yi also had his own desires and didn't want Li Qingjun to take over.
So, they remained silent in understanding.
"Qingjun," Li Qinglin turned to his sister, "You should participate in politics. Start today, just to learn. After all, you and Qin Yi can choose your own auspicious day... it doesn't matter if it's today."
Li Qingjun sighed, "Alright."
Li Qinglin looked at Qin Yi for a moment, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but finally bit his lip and held back, then turned and said, "The medicine to slow it down... I'll leave it to you, Qin brother."
Back at the prince's residence, Qin Yi dripped the juice of the Soul-Entwining Herbs onto a wolf fang club, then crushed the herbs and evenly applied them. The whole process felt a bit hazy in his mind.
Liu Su seemed to enjoy the application, feeling quite comfortable, but she said with annoyance, "What are you daydreaming about?"
"I was thinking, is Nanli going to become a sacrifice for Li Qinglin and... and me, out of selfishness?"
"Let it be a sacrifice then," Liu Su said indifferently. "This is his kingdom, not yours. If Nanli falls, wouldn't you be able to take Li Qingjun and escape far away? Let them deal with this mess as they please."
Qin Yi paused, realizing she had hit the nail on the head.
Maybe Ming He thought he was troubled by friendship, noble and pure, but who knew that deep down, he was actually harboring such selfish thoughts? That was the deepest devil hidden in one's heart.
Only Liu Su, who spent every day with him, could see through him completely.
Qin Yi didn't say anything more, quietly finished applying the herbs to the wolf fang club, and carefully set it aside. He then took out the selected herbs, preparing to refine some pills.
The flames rose in the furnace, and Qin Yi sat still by the furnace, staring at it. The bluish flames cast flickering shadows on his face.
(End of Chapter)