40: Chapter 40 The waters of Qing Shi Town are deep; one cannot grasp the situation.

The banquet ended, and the expressions of the Wang Family's attendants were quite a sight.

Eldest Young Master of Li Family gave Chu Sheng a deep look, then took his sister and bid farewell, exchanging a few more pleasantries before leaving.

Great Steward saw the guests out personally.

Chu Sheng stood outside the hall, watching the Li Family siblings depart.

When Li Zhiyi reached the courtyard gate, she suddenly turned back, winked at him, and her lips curled into a beautiful arc.

Chu Sheng: "...What does this girl mean?"

He subconsciously touched his face.

Speaking of which, since breaking through to Qi Induction Fourth Grade, besides his aura, he really felt he had become much more spirited.

His skin had become finer, and his facial features more defined.

"Cultivation can even improve one's looks?"

He muttered to himself, "If I'd known this, I should have cultivated for a few more years in the last simulation."

Great Steward's face was beaming like a flower.

"Attendant Chu, you've certainly hidden yourself well! Being able to refine Marrow Cleansing Pills is not something achieved overnight."

Chu Sheng said modestly, "Chief Steward overpraises me; it was just a stroke of luck that I managed to refine a few."

"Luck?"

Great Steward looked at him meaningfully.

"Attendant Chu, you were still a servant half a month ago. Either you had already reached Qi Induction long ago and were just hiding your strength, or..."

He paused, "You are that legendary Pill Dao Physique, a genius who can learn alchemy with just a glance."

Chu Sheng's heart skipped a beat.

Pill Dao Physique?

This old fox actually hit the mark by accident.

"Chief Steward is joking, This humble one just had good luck and read a few more alchemy books."

Great Steward didn't expose him, only smiling, "Regardless, this is a good thing. Our Lin Family finally has its own alchemist!"

He patted Chu Sheng's shoulder, his tone fervent.

"Do your best! If you need anything, just ask!"

Chu Sheng smiled and agreed, but his mind began to ponder.

Great Steward's attitude clearly showed he treated him as the Lin Family's precious treasure.

Lin Hao had his mouth open the whole time in the hall, and he still hadn't closed it.

Han Li's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he didn't say a word when he left.

"That fellow Han Li, I don't know what he's thinking, but I'm afraid he hates me even more now."

Chu Sheng thought to himself, "But it doesn't matter; I never planned to be friends with him anyway."

In the evening, Chu Sheng practiced his swordplay in the courtyard.

Xiao Huan was brewing tea nearby, stealing glances at him from time to time, her face slightly flushing.

Chu Sheng sheathed his sword, took the teacup, and asked casually, "Xiao Huan, do you think I look better than before?"

Xiao Huan was stunned, lowering her head and whispering, "Big Brother Ch-Chu has always been good-looking..."

Chu Sheng: "..."

Well, there's no way to have a normal conversation with this girl anymore.

After finishing his tea, he was about to return to his room when there was a knock at the courtyard gate.

Xiao Huan went to open the door, but the one who returned was the Second Miss of the Li Family—Li Zhiyi.

She had changed into a goose-yellow dress with a small silk flower pinned in her hair, saying with a smile, "Attendant Chu, I hope my sudden visit isn't an intrusion?"

Chu Sheng wondered to himself: Why did this girl come here alone?

But he still said politely, "Miss Li, please come in. Xiao Huan, serve tea."

Li Zhiyi walked in poise, sat down on a stone bench, and smiled.

"Attendant Chu's little courtyard is quite elegant."

"It's quite simple; I hope Miss Li doesn't mind."

Chu Sheng sat opposite her, "I wonder what advice Miss Li has for coming here?"

Li Zhiyi winked: "No advice, I just wanted to get to know Attendant Chu better."

Chu Sheng: "..."

So direct?

Seeing him silent, Li Zhiyi said, "Attendant Chu might not know, but my father has spent his whole life in alchemy and always says I have no talent and can't refine good pills."

"Seeing the Marrow Cleansing Pills you refined today, their quality was even better than my father's. I wanted to come and see how exactly you refine them."

Chu Sheng chuckled: "Miss Li is joking. Senior Li is a First-Tier High-Grade Alchemist, while This humble one only managed to refine a few medium-grade pills by luck. How can I compare to him?"

"Modest."

Li Zhiyi tilted her head to look at him.

"But the way you talk is quite interesting."

"Miss Li, how is your father lately?"

Li Zhiyi's eyes dimmed slightly.

"Still the same, locking himself in the Alchemy Room all day. But if he knew Qingshi Town had produced such a young alchemist like you, he certainly wouldn't be able to sit still."

The two chatted for a few more moments.

Li Zhiyi was an interesting conversationalist, and Chu Sheng gradually relaxed.

As she was leaving, Li Zhiyi suddenly turned back: "Attendant Chu, feel free to visit the Li Family when you have time; my father would surely welcome you."

Chu Sheng agreed and saw her out.

Xiao Huan watched silently from the side, "Big Brother Chu, Miss Li seems... quite interested in you."

Chu Sheng flicked her forehead: "Don't talk nonsense, child."

Xiao Huan covered her forehead, pouting and saying nothing.

Chu Sheng returned to the courtyard but couldn't help touching his face again.

"Cultivation, cultivation... it even changed my face. Does this count as an unexpected gain?"

...

Great Steward's attempts to win him over, Li Zhiyi's friendliness, and Han Li's somber face...

"Han Li." He narrowed his eyes. "This guy is not right."

In the simulation, Han Li made things difficult for him at every turn, wanting him dead.

Although he hadn't lived long enough in that life to see Han Li's end, combined with the clues from Black Wind Stockade, there was definitely someone behind Han Li.

Qinglan Sect.

That Elder Zhou, that great demon, those mortals treated as Blood Food...

"Could Han Li also be related to that line?"

He rolled over and sat up; the more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

Song He was Han Li's man, and Song He was supplying Blood Food to the Qinglan Sect.

As his superior, it was impossible for Han Li not to know about this.

"And today's events..."

Chu Sheng recalled Han Li's reaction at the banquet.

"I stepped forward for the Lin Family, which was equivalent to helping him resolve the hot potato that was Song He. Logically, he should thank me, but with that look on his face, he looked like he wanted to devour me."

He suddenly had an idea.

"How about... inviting him for a drink?"

The corners of Chu Sheng's mouth curled up.

"I'll say it's an apology, since I took it upon myself to handle the Song He matter today. I'll use the chance to probe his background."

Early the next morning, Chu Sheng asked Steward to help deliver an invitation, asking Han Li to Listening to Bamboo Pavilion for a drink in the evening.

Han Li was silent for a long time: "Fine."

In the evening, Han Li arrived as scheduled.

He had changed into casual clothes.

Chu Sheng set out a table of food and wine in the courtyard, with Xiao Huan attending to them.

After three rounds of drinks, Chu Sheng raised his glass: "Attendant Han, regarding yesterday's matter, This humble one acted on his own initiative. I hope you can forgive me."

Han Li glanced at him, "Attendant Chu was thinking of the Lin Family; I have nothing to say."

Chu Sheng continued.

"Speaking of which, for a bandit leader like Song He to survive in Qingshi Town for so long, there must be someone backing him. Since Attendant Han was close to him, you surely know some of the inside story?"

Han Li was silent for a long time before slowly speaking.

"Attendant Chu, I advise you to focus on alchemy and stay out of other matters."

After saying that, he strode away.

Chu Sheng watched his retreating figure, the corners of his mouth curling up.

This was just a smokescreen; it seems my guess was correct.