Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 73: Returning to Lin’s Residence

Xu Lian and Qin Liu boarded the rented carriage and went to the Lin family’s residence on Third Street. Lin Chengyu had mentioned that his parents and elder sister had returned from their cultivation retreat. Since Xu Lian was staying in their home as a guest, he understood that it was only proper to formally visit the Lin family elders and pay his respects.

Inside the carriage, Qin Liu leaned forward with a sly grin. “Do you remember what I told you in the dungeon?”

Xu Lian raised an eyebrow. “What exactly?”

“I said that I don’t like to owe others anything, nor do I like others to owe me anything. You helped me get out of that dungeon, and I owe you a thank-you,” Qin Liu said, his tone full of meaning.

Xu Lian chuckled, finding the memory amusing. “You couldn’t even afford to pay for your time in the brothel. How are you going to thank me?”

Qin Liu blushed with embarrassment and scowled. “Hey! I just got out of the dungeon! Before that, I wasn’t doing too badly, you know. I was doing quite well!”

Xu Lian nodded in acknowledgement; grave robbing was indeed lucrative. “So, what’s your plan? Rob a rich family’s ancestral tomb and give me some of the burial treasures? No, thank you. I don’t care about the belongings of the dead.”

Qin Liu shook his head. “No, I have my eye on a certain tomb. It’s a big one. I wanted to take you along for the job.”

“What?!” Xu Lian’s face darkened as he fought the urge to smack Qin Liu on the back of the head. “Get lost! I don’t do grave robbing.”

As someone in his position, Xu Lian had no need for wealth from such dubious ventures.

However, Qin Liu looked serious. “This tomb isn’t ordinary. From what I’ve observed, it’s most likely the burial site of a cultivator. Are you sure you’re not interested?”

“I’ll go!”

Xu Lian’s eyes lit up.

Ordinary burial treasures didn’t appeal to him, but the relics of a cultivator? That was something else entirely.

Some temptations are impossible to resist… truly irresistible.

When they arrived at the Lin residence, Xu Lian and Qin Liu approached the gates, but the two guards stationed there stopped them.

“Don’t you recognize me? I’m the guest your young master invited to stay here,” Xu Lian said, pointing at his own face for emphasis.

One of the guards smiled. “Of course we recognize you, but you’ll have to wait here for a moment while we announce your arrival.”

The other guard quickly ran inside to deliver the message.

Xu Lian sighed helplessly. “You big families sure have a lot of rules. A guest goes out for a few days and has to be announced again to come back in.”

Qin Liu snorted disdainfully. “What’s so great about this place? Brother Xu, just pack your things later and come with me.”

Xu Lian gave him a puzzled look. “Didn’t you say in the dungeon that your house was raided? Where would we even go?”

Qin Liu leaned forward and whispered, “When I was captured, I didn’t reveal the names of my comrades. I can take you to one of their hideouts.”

Xu Lian looked at Qin Liu in surprise. He hadn’t expected this level of loyalty from him. This guy might be more reliable than he thought.

The guard quickly explained, “Young Master Xu, don’t misunderstand. You’ll understand in a moment.”

Xu Lian raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What’s going on?”

Before he could get an answer, a group emerged from the Lin family residence. Leading them were a middle-aged man with long sideburns and a neatly trimmed beard, a middle-aged woman with her hair elegantly styled, and a younger, graceful woman with a strikingly beautiful appearance. Lin Chengyu followed closely behind them, with the lively Xiao Yu cheerfully hopping along with them.

Xu Lian immediately deduced that they were probably Lin Yue, the master of the Lin household, Hua Rongjun, the mistress, and Lin Wan, the eldest daughter.

Lin Chengyu confirmed his thoughts and introduced them with a smile, “This is my father, mother, and elder sister.”

Xu Lian stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Xu Lian greets the head of the Lin family, Madam Lin, and Miss Lin. I apologize for any inconvenience caused during my stay at your residence these past few days.”

Lin Yue waved his hand dismissively. “Young Master Xu, there’s no need for such formality. Our household rarely hosts guests, and the courtyard in the west wing has been empty for ages. Having you stay here will enliven the place. We’re delighted, not at all worried.”

Hua Rongjun smiled warmly, her tone almost overly enthusiastic. “That’s right. Chengyu’s friends may be few, but they are exceptional. It is an honor for our family to have a young talent like you as our guest. Please stay as long as you like, and feel free to spend more time with Chengyu.

“And if I may,” she added with a glance at her daughter, “our eldest, Wan’er, has recently broken through to the Bright Strength stage. If you’re interested in discussing cultivation, she’d be happy to spar with you and share her knowledge with you.”

The warmth in Hua Rongjun’s tone was unmistakable, making Lin Chengyu feel slightly embarrassed. He could tell that Xu Lian’s background was influencing his mother’s attitude.

Lin Wan shyly glanced at Xu Lian, her cheeks turning red as her mother’s earlier instructions came to mind. She lowered her gaze, staring intently at the ground.

Xu Lian felt a bit confused. Had the old butler said something to Lin Wan? Still, he couldn’t deny the truth: Lin Wan was indeed stunning, her beauty and grace living up to the butler’s praise.

“Bring it over,” Hua Rongjun called, gesturing to the house servants.

Two young men hurried out, carrying a small brazier filled with a roaring fire.

Hua Rongjun smiled at Xu Lian. “The dungeon is a place where bad luck and negativity fester. According to the custom of Pingyang County, one must step over a fire basin to rid oneself of any remaining misfortune before re-entering the house. I hope you don’t mind, Young Master Xu.”

Xu Lian chuckled. “Not at all. When in Rome, do as they say. I’m happy to follow the local customs.”

Now he understood why the guard made him wait. What a ceremony, he thought, stepping gracefully over the flaming basin.

Qin Liu, an experienced grave robber accustomed to venturing into all sorts of dark places, didn’t believe in such rituals. However, he followed suit, stepping over the fire as a gesture of goodwill.

“I go to the dungeon every day to bring food to Brother Xu Lian! I’m not clean either! I have to step over the fire as well!” Xiao Yu explained as she jumped over the pool.

She then playfully nudged Lin Chengyu, insisting that he do the same, much to everyone’s amusement.

Xu Lian watched with a smile. It was clear that Xiao Yu wasn’t just a servant in the Lin household-she was their beloved little mascot.

Once inside the Lin residence, the group moved into the main hall.

Seats were arranged, tea was poured, and pastries were served.

This moment marked Xu Lian’s formal acceptance as a guest of the Lin family. Previously, while he had been staying with Lin Chengyu, it had been without the explicit approval of Lin Yue and Hua Rongjun. This meeting corrected that minor breach of etiquette and made everything official.

Hua Rongjun seemed particularly interested in Xu Lian and asked him many questions about his family.

Having nothing to hide, Xu Lian answered her queries honestly and thoroughly.

However, his responses only deepened Hua Rongjun’s curiosity. From what he described, Xu Lian’s background appeared unremarkable, hardly the kind that would prompt the county magistrate to act so deferentially toward him. Still, probing further into someone’s background risked rudeness, and she wisely held her tongue on the matter.

Meanwhile, Xu Lian was calculating the value of the thirty plus Spirit Stones he had recently acquired. Unsure if it would be enough to purchase a Condensation Pill, he casually asked, “I’ve heard that there’s a well-known black market in Pingyang County. I’d like to check it out. Do you know where it’s located?”

The Lin family members exchanged suspicious glances at the mention of the black market.

Hua Rongjun spoke up, her concern evident in her tone. “The black market is a dangerous place, filled with all kinds of unsavory characters – monsters, demons, and other strange entities. While it’s true that cultivation resources are cheaper there, it’s still fraught with risks. Young Master Xu, if you need something, it’s better to visit reputable shops in the county, like the Treasure Pavilion or Spirit Essence Hall.”

Xu Lian thought for a moment. These spirit stones hadn’t come easily, and he wanted to stretch their value as much as possible. Offering a reassuring smile, he replied, “I’m just curious and want to take a look. Don’t worry, Auntie Hua – I’ll be careful.”

Seeing his resolve, Hua Rongjun relented with a sigh. “The black market is located about thirty miles east of the city gate, in a remote valley. It usually only operates at night.”

Noticing Qin Liu signaling to him with a look, Xu Lian brought up his companion’s situation. “By the way, Qin Liu just got out of the dungeon and has no place to stay. Would it be alright if he stayed here for a while?”

Lin Yue, always the gracious host, said, “There are plenty of spare rooms in the west wing. Stay as long as you like.”

Qin Liu expressed his gratitude with a few polite words.

After finishing their conversation with the Lin family, Xu Lian and Qin Liu retired to the west wing.

After settling into the guest room, Qin Liu asked, “You’re not going to the black market tonight, are you? Don’t expect me to go with you if you do.”

Xu Lian chuckled. “Relax. I wasn’t planning on taking you with me. Why would I bring dead weight?”

“…”Qin Liu felt the sting of those words and muttered through gritted teeth, “Just wait. Once we raid this cultivator’s tomb, I’ll start cultivating and become a real practitioner myself.”

Xu Lian laughed and nodded in agreement. “Of course. After all, with power, you’ll be able to dig even more graves, right?”

Qin Liu was at a loss for words, even though Xu Lian’s remark wasn’t wrong. For him, cultivating wasn’t an end in itself, but a means to delve into more and more dangerous tombs.