Cultivating Immortality: What kind of cheat can you use if you don't have money?

Chapter 167 Chips

The Crown Prince's residence is located in the eastern part of the imperial city and covers a vast area.

The mansion's scale was second only to the imperial palace, with vermilion gates and high walls, and strict security.

When Li Qingyi and Qi Xuanjia arrived, a group of officials filed out of the mansion, each with a respectful expression and talking in hushed tones.

Upon seeing Qi Xuanjia accompanied by a strange young man in a blue robe, many people cast curious glances their way.

Li Qingyi walked straight towards the gate of the mansion, and as expected, she was stopped by the guards in fine armor who exuded a fierce aura.

"Who goes there? No one is allowed to trespass in front of the Crown Prince's residence!" The head guard said, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp.

"Li Qingyi, the young master of Tingyu Pavilion, has come to pay a visit."

"Listening to the Rain Pavilion?" The head guard's eyes changed slightly, clearly knowing what this name meant.

He glanced at Li Qingyi, then at Qi Xuanjia, who stood silently behind him, and after a moment's thought, gave a wink to one of the guards beside him.

The guard immediately turned around and quickly entered the mansion to report.

Not long after.

The guard returned and bowed to Li Qingyi, saying, "His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence, Young Master Li. Please follow me."

He glanced at Qi Xuanjia and added, "His Highness only invited Young Master Li."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xuanjia looked at Li Qingyi.

They arrived at the main hall where Li Xuance was located.

"Commander Qi, please wait here for a moment."

Li Qingyi said calmly, and then took a step.

Inside the Crown Prince's residence, pavilions and towers, winding paths lead to secluded spots, luxurious yet elegant.

After passing through several courtyards, the guards led Li Qingyi to the most magnificent main hall and gestured for him to enter on his own.

The hall was brightly lit and luxuriously furnished.

A handsome young man dressed in bright yellow casual clothes was sitting in the main seat.

He looked up and stared at Li Qingyi, who had just stepped into the palace, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

"Li Qingyi, the young master of Tingyu Pavilion?" Li Xuance's voice carried a detached air of someone accustomed to a superior position. "What a rare guest! May I ask what brings you here, young master, especially with the commander of the imperial guards from my father's side?"

Li Qingyi seemed oblivious.

His gaze swept across the hall, and he walked to a guest chair as if no one else was there. He sat down, his posture as relaxed as if he were in his own home.

This action caused the palace maids standing in the hall to change color slightly, and a cold glint flashed in Li Xuance's eyes.

Once Li Qingyi was seated, she looked up at Li Xuance and got straight to the point: "I have come here today to make a deal with His Highness the Crown Prince."

97

"A deal?" Li Xuance scoffed, staring at Li Qingyi.

"I wonder what kind of incentive the young master can offer that will interest me?"

Gold and silver? Magical artifacts? Or—the shady secrets of the Listening Rain Pavilion?

Li Qingyi gave him a long, quiet glance.

"Where is the Third Prince, Li Xuanyi? I wonder if the Crown Prince is interested?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xuance's gaze sharpened instantly.

Like a wolf whose tail has been stepped on.

He stared intently at Li Qingyi.

Li Qingyi, however, seemed completely oblivious. "What? His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't seem very interested in this information?"

He made a move to rise, brushing non-existent dust from his clothes. "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."

Having said that, he turned around and walked straight out of the hall.

Li Qingyi knew how to play hard to get.

His experience from previous simulations told him that Li Xuance harbored an obsession and hostility towards Li Xuanyi.

It's already ingrained in their bones; they would never easily let go of any relevant clues.

really.

"stop!"

As soon as Li Qingyi stepped across the threshold, two imposing guards blocked her way like iron towers.

With his hand on the hilt of the knife, a menacing aura was faintly visible.

Li Xuance's icy voice came from behind, "Is this my Crown Prince's residence a place you can come and go as you please?"

Li Qingyi stopped and slowly turned around, looking completely indifferent.

"Oh? What does Your Highness mean by this? Transactions are based on mutual consent. Since Your Highness has no intention, it is naturally inappropriate for me to stay any longer."

Could it be that the Crown Prince's residence has a rule against forcing guests to stay?

He paused, a hint of amusement in his voice, "Or has Your Highness changed your mind and agreed to the deal?"

"A deal?" Li Xuance forced a cold laugh.

"Are you so sure that I won't kill you?"

"By trespassing into the Crown Prince's residence and spying on royal secrets, I can kill you on the spot for those two reasons!"

"You don't dare."

Li Xuance's breath hitched.

He really didn't dare.

The person in front of me is not only the young master of Tingyu Pavilion.

He even swaggered in with Qi Xuanjia. If something happened to him in the Crown Prince's residence, how would he explain it to his father?

Not to mention the mysterious and unpredictable Master of Tingyu Pavilion behind him, whom even the royal family fears.

Li Qingyi's attitude greatly displeased Li Xuance.

But he didn't dare to make a move.

"What exactly is your relationship with my father?"

"Cooperative relationship".

"Cooperation? Ha—" Li Xuance seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and the sneer on his face deepened.

"Would Father Emperor cooperate with you cowardly, treacherous maggots who only know how to hide and engage in shady dealings? That's utterly ridiculous!"

Faced with this undisguised insult, Li Qingyi not only did not get angry, but instead smiled gently.

"If Your Highness finds it more comforting to scold me, then please do so. I am all ears."

"You!" Li Xuance had lived a life of luxury for over twenty years, and had never been treated like this before.

A surge of evil fire rushed straight to the top of his head.

More than twenty years of cultivating inner strength were broken at this moment.

"Now that things have come to this, let's talk about something practical," Li Qingyi said calmly.

"Feigning illness won't get Your Highness what you want from me."

Li Xuance's fist in his sleeve loosened and tightened repeatedly.

He stared intently at Li Qingyi's excessively calm face.

This was the first time in my life I had felt so humiliated by a stranger.

The other party was fearless and impulsive, while he was hesitant to act rashly and was constrained at every turn.

"—State your conditions."

Li Qingyi's lips curled up.

The fish has taken the bait.

He calmly walked back into the hall, but did not sit down. He simply stood there, his gaze piercing: "My first question is, where is Zhao Jingci now? And where have the Zhao clan members gone?"

Li Xuance frowned immediately. "Why are you concerned about this?"

"Has Your Highness forgotten what business our Listening Rain Pavilion makes?"

Li Qingyi countered with a question.

"They only do shady things!"

Li Xuance's expression shifted between light and shadow. After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "I am not aware of the whereabouts of the Zhao clan. As for Uncle Jing Ci—"

He paused, calmed himself, and slowly said, "They must have gone to save their own people."

Li Qingyi chuckled and shook his head: "Your Highness, that's pointless. What I can provide is the exact location of the Third Prince, Li Xuanyi, and even—"

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze fixed on Li Xuance, "If you have the ability, bring him before Your Highness the Crown Prince, and let him be dealt with as you see fit."

And Your Highness, are you going to fob me off with this vague and ambiguous information?

He turned around again, this time with faster steps and a colder tone: "It seems Your Highness has no sincerity. Very well, in this imperial city, Your Highness is probably not the only one interested in the whereabouts of the Third Prince."

Mr. Li took his leave; there was no need for him to see him off!

"Stop!" Li Xuance shouted sharply.

The guards at the door stepped forward again to stop them.

This time, Li Qingyi didn't stop, nor did she even turn around. She simply shouted, "Get out of the way!"

hum!

An invisible sword aura erupted from him.

It slammed hard into the chest and abdomen of the two guards blocking the way.

The two elite guards, both at the ninth level of Qi Refining, didn't even see how the other party made their move; they only felt a sharp pain in their chests and a sweet taste in their throats.

He stumbled backward involuntarily, crashing into the pillars on either side of the palace gate with a dull thud. His face turned deathly pale, and he was unable to get up for a moment.

The sword energy was controlled at will, and a single strike repelled two opponents of the same level.

Li Qingyi, however, did not stop walking and was about to step out of the palace gate.

Li Xuance's face turned extremely ugly in that instant.

He stared intently at Li Qingyi's retreating figure.

The strength and confidence displayed by the other party far exceeded his expectations.

More importantly, the phrase "Bring it to me and do with it as you see fit" was like the sweetest poison bait, making it irresistible to him.

He needed Li Xuanyi so much that he disappeared.

This younger brother, who should have died sixteen years ago, was the jinx who caused him to fall from the position of crown prince and become a laughingstock in the royal family.

As long as he lives, he will always be a thorn in my side and the biggest variable in the succession.

"Wait a minute!"

Seeing that Li Qingyi's figure was about to disappear into the outer corridor of the palace, Li Xuance could no longer restrain himself. He swayed and chased after her.

He moved with incredible speed, covering several meters in a few leaps and landing in front of Li Qingyi on the garden path.

At that moment, a smile appeared on his face.

He reached out and took Li Qingyi's arm, his tone becoming more affectionate.

"Brother Qingyi! Wait a minute! Let's talk things over. Why get angry?"

"I was indeed in a moment of panic just now, and my words were offensive. I apologize to Brother Qingyi!"

The speed at which he changed his expression and the swiftness of his shift in demeanor left Li Qingyi speechless with astonishment.

She remained outwardly calm, letting him half-drag and half-pull her back into the hall.