81: The sect's retainer, Tie Zhu, returns.

Man En's bronze-colored face flushed with a hint of embarrassment, and he quickly nodded:

"Madam Wang... she... she treats this subordinate extremely well, taking meticulous care of everything."

Ever since Man En was severely injured and brought back by Li Qinglin, he had been recuperating in the backyard of the Town Guardian Residence. Li Qingfeng then had a flash of inspiration and naturally arranged the task of caring for the injured to Madam Wang, Li Youfu's mother, who also lived in the residence and had been a widow for a long time.

One was a loyal and resilient man from a foreign tribe, and the other was a diligent and gentle unfortunate woman. Spending days and nights together, caring for each other, affection quietly blossomed between them.

With Li Qingfeng's intentional or unintentional matchmaking, the barrier between them was quickly broken.

"Extremely good is enough!"

Li Qingfeng burst into laughter.

"I think you two are a good match. In a few days, we'll choose an auspicious time, and Fourth Brother and I will be your matchmakers to finalize your marriage! From now on, you, Madam Youfu, and that boy (King Man Hu's son) will be a true family! That boy will also be returned to you two to raise."

Upon hearing this, Man En was instantly moved to the core. He knelt on one knee with a thud:

"My lord's grace of rebirth is something this subordinate can never repay, even with a myriad deaths! I shall certainly give my all, serving as a loyal dog and horse!"

"Alright, alright, get up!"

Li Qingfeng helped him up.

"Living well from now on and properly training the Qingxuan Guards for me is the best repayment. As for your Realm..."

He glanced at Man En's severed arm, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

"Losing your left arm means your Qi and blood circulation will always be incomplete. Blood Moving Fourth Layer is already your limit; it will be difficult to advance further. However, teaching these young fellows to get started is more than enough."

Man En smiled openly:

"This subordinate being alive, being able to protect the Young Lord, being able to meet an enlightened master, and even having a family... is already a great fortune. I dare not demand anything more regarding my Realm."

Soon after, a simple and warm wedding was held in the small courtyard of the Town Guardian Residence.

Li Qingfeng and Li Qinghe, Li Dashan, Madam Zhang, the Li family brothers and their dependents, as well as Lin Luo, Li Youfu, and several other close juniors were present.

Man En, with his single arm, held the red string, his eyes full of tenderness as he looked at his wife. The two stood in the center of the venue, receiving blessings from those around them.

The loss of an arm did not diminish the warmth of home; instead, it made this stability seem even more precious.

In the Town Guardian Residence's study, Li Qingfeng was handling a pile of official documents and ledgers, a rolled cold smoke grass dangling from his mouth, which he occasionally puffed to refresh himself.

The future expansion of the Qingxuan Guards, the output of the Spiritual Fields, the collection of business taxes, and relations with surrounding forces, among other things, all required his decision as the Town Guardian.

Outside the window, the shouts of the Qingxuan Guards drilling occasionally drifted in; that was Man En fulfilling his duty as the Chief Instructor.

Suddenly, the Communication Jade Pendant hanging from his waist, which represented his identity as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, lit up with a white light and emitted a soft hum!

Li Qingfeng suddenly looked up, surprise and astonishment flashing in his eyes.

He put down his pen, quickly unfastened the jade pendant, and held it in his palm. The jade pendant's light flickered steadily, conveying a clear message: a communication from the Sect had arrived!

He condensed a trace of spiritual power on his fingertip and tapped a tiny rune in the center of the jade pendant.

"Buzz..."

A message was projected before Li Qingfeng:

[Qingxuan Sect General Affairs Order]

[Inner Sect Disciple: Li Qingfeng]

[A General Affairs Hall Executive Disciple will arrive in the airspace near Black Mountain Town at 3 PM on the 30th of next month.]

[At that time, you are required to activate your identity jade pendant, guide their direction, and escort the Executive Disciple to Qingxuan New Town under your jurisdiction to collect this year's Sect tribute. This order is to be executed immediately without delay.]

"The thirtieth of next month..."

"Seven tenths... they're taking seven tenths."

Li Qingfeng muttered, feeling a pang of heartache. Such were the Sect's rules, unchangeable by human effort.

Time flew by like a white steed, and in a blink, it was the thirtieth of next month.

As 3 PM approached, Li Qingfeng had already changed into a brand new Inner Sect Disciple's Green Robe.

With his identity jade pendant hanging at his waist, he stood alone on an open clearing several miles outside the East Gate of Qingxuan New Town. He activated his identity jade pendant, and a faint guiding spiritual light shot into the sky.

Before long, a low hum came from the horizon.

An ancient-style green Flying Shuttle, slightly larger than Li Qingfeng's, pierced through the clouds, steadily flying towards Qingxuan New Town, guided by the jade pendant's glow.

The Flying Shuttle did not fully land but hovered several feet above the ground.

The cabin door opened, and two solemn-faced middle-aged Cultivators, dressed in the Gray Robes of Qingxuan Sect Outer Sect Deacons, stepped out first. Behind them followed several stable-aura strongmen responsible for carrying goods.

Just as the two Outer Sect Deacons were about to speak, an extremely excited and powerful roar burst from inside the Flying Shuttle's cabin door!

"Boss—! I'm back!!!"

The sound waves rolled, causing the dust below to stir slightly! Immediately after, a burly figure, without waiting for the Flying Shuttle to land steadily, eagerly leaped out of the cabin door!

He didn't use any Magical Artifact; his body just steadily floated in mid-air! A dense Spiritual Pressure, far exceeding the Spirit Awakening Stage, spread out without reservation! It was none other than Wang Tiezhu, who had returned after achieving a Qi Refinement Stage Breakthrough!

His face was flushed with ecstasy and excitement, his gaze instantly locked onto Li Qingfeng on the ground, and he roared:

"Boss! I missed you so much!"

Before his words finished, he shot forward like a cannonball, with the characteristic whistling sound of a Qi Refining Cultivator breaking through the air, heading straight for Li Qingfeng from mid-air!

Li Qingfeng was stunned for a moment, then a joyful smile bloomed on his face. He didn't dodge, but instead opened his arms:

"Good fellow! You really did it!"

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud! Wang Tiezhu heavily slammed onto the ground in front of Li Qingfeng, stirring up a wave of air! Unable to stop his momentum, the immense impact caused both of them to stagger as they embraced, patting each other's backs heartily and laughing loudly.

"Hahaha! Boss! We did it! We're Qi Refining Cultivators now! Proper Inner Sect Disciples!"

Wang Tiezhu's face was flushed with happiness, his voice booming.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"I knew you could do it, you rascal!"

The two Outer Sect Deacons who had disembarked, and the other strongmen on the Flying Shuttle, all showed expressions of awe and a hint of awkwardness upon seeing this scene.

The formidable Qi Refinement Stage Spiritual Pressure emanating from Wang Tiezhu made even these Outer Sect Qi Refining Cultivators feel pressured. The difference between mixed Qi and pure Qi was not small.

Especially seeing Wang Tiezhu's intimate and respectful attitude towards the Town Guardian of this New Town, a person wearing Inner Sect Disciple robes, made them even moreWe dare not be negligent in the slightest.

The two quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Li Qingfeng and Wang Tiezhu:

"Outer Sect General Affairs Deacons Zhao Ming and Qian Tong, by order of the Sect, have come to collect this New Town's annual tribute. Greetings, Senior Brother Li! Greetings, Senior Brother Wang!"

"No need for formalities."

Li Qingfeng put away his smile and nodded to the two Deacons.

"Thank you, two Junior Brothers, for coming all this way."

"The tribute is prepared. Follow me, please!"