First achieve immortality, then cultivate immortality.

Time flies, and half a year has passed since I started living in the capital.

Since his appearance in the imperial court, many officials have come to visit him, but Xu Mu has refused them all.

He ignored whatever they wanted to say, lest he get entangled in the mess.

After handling their parents' funeral arrangements, Li Zhiyuan and Li Zhihua quickly returned to the capital.

They sold off their property and dismissed their servants.

She gave some of the land to several loyal old servants to cultivate, keeping only some belongings and silver for herself as her dowry.

When they returned to the capital, several servants helped them carry their luggage, which included their parents' belongings, their own jewelry and clothes, as well as some musical instruments, chess pieces, calligraphy, and paintings.

Xu Mu waved his hand and put all of them into the storage bag, solving their problem of having too much luggage, which made the two sisters admire him greatly.

More than a month later, Yan Qing was formally enshrined in the ancestral hall, and a royal ancestral worship ceremony was held.

After the matter was settled, Xu Mu immediately took his leave of the emperor, not lingering for even a moment longer.

No one has bothered him yet, but if he lingers too long and becomes disliked, things won't be so easy.

The Imperial Advisor himself said that being the Imperial Advisor here was like walking on thin ice every day, as there were powerful experts lurking in various Taoist temples, and they should not be underestimated. Furthermore, there were sects watching him from behind, making the pressure immense.

However, he enjoys the high position and power here, surrounded by his wife and children, so he can only endure whatever difficulties he encounters.

Xu Mu had no interest in that, so he just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

"Has the young master always lived in seclusion, cultivating in a secluded place?" Li Zhiyuan asked curiously.

"That would be wonderful! Let's live a secluded life together, like immortals," Li Zhihua said with a hopeful smile.

Xu Mu nodded: "It's isolated there. We have to grow our own vegetables, chop firewood, and cook our own meals. There's no one to wait on us, but we can occasionally go to the county town to buy things."

"Wouldn't that be paradise on earth?"

The two sisters became more and more excited as they listened, showing no sign of giving up.

Xu Mu smiled helplessly: "This is your last chance. Once you go there, you are not allowed to leave. You will practically be my personal possessions. I will do everything I can to prevent you from going out and causing me trouble."

The two sisters looked at each other, and apart from their pretty faces turning slightly red, they showed no sign of backing down.

"We just need to stay by your side, young master. We'll do whatever you ask us to do," Li Zhiyuan said softly.

"Serving as a bedmate... is also acceptable." Li Zhihua looked shy, yet very bold.

"In my spare time, I can play the piano for you, read with you, and play chess," Li Zhiyuan quickly added, lest the elegance be lost and only vulgarity remain.

"..."

What else could Xu Mu say?

"Alright, let's get ready and leave tomorrow."

"Um!"

The two sisters smiled with rosy cheeks, looking forward to going home with him.

The next day, after leaving the capital, Xu Mu felt much happier, finally relieved that he didn't have to worry about getting involved in trouble.

He came alone, but now he's going back with two beautiful wives and concubines, and he still has a treasure in his mind. He's made a fortune, and his trip was definitely worthwhile.

……

On the way back, Xu Mu did not return the same way, but went upstream along the river, preparing to go downstream and go deep into the mountains to return to the valley.

This road is quite difficult, but the advantage is that it can keep you out of sight and prevent your little nest from being exposed.

The two sisters still took turns, one leading the horse and the other riding it.

Xu Mu continued to walk his own path.

After all, they were no longer young ladies, but his maids. There was no reason for him to take care of his maids; at most, he could show them some concern and affection.

They were quite happy; a simple head pat could make them happy all day long, just like adorable cats.

This pleased Xu Mu greatly, making it worthwhile to increase their living expenses.

He wasn't in a hurry to get going, but instead enjoyed the scenery along the way.

Although it was a bit tiring for the two young ladies, it was full of romance, and they felt increasingly satisfied, already having figured out how to spend their lives.

At least they no longer have to worry about life, and they can live with the people they love. Their future is filled with happiness, and it's no exaggeration to say that they are living the life of a fairy-tale couple.

After more than four months, the bamboo raft finally made it downstream, and the towering cliffs on both sides amazed the two sisters.

"Only someone with your abilities, young master, could live in a place like this," Li Zhiyuan said.

"We are so fortunate to have met you, young master, that we have the opportunity to come here."

Li Zhihua giggled and boldly took Xu Mu's arm.

After spending this time together, the younger sister's actions became more and more intimate, unlike her older sister who was so reserved.

Xu Mu snorted indifferently, "I told you not to flatter me, what if you make me arrogant?"

"But I really admire you, young master..." Li Zhihua lowered her head, realizing she had done something wrong.

"No matter how much you admire someone, just keep it in your heart. Don't say it out loud, or it'll be embarrassing if you hear it too often." Xu Mu patted her head.

"Okay, I got it." Li Zhihua perked up and obediently rubbed her hand against his palm.

This look was truly exasperating to Xu Mu; she was such a tormenting little devil.

Li Zhiyuan had to pull her younger sister away to stop her from constantly bothering Xu Mu.

"Alright, we're here. This is my place. I'll stay here from now on unless there's anything else to do," Xu Mu said with a smile.

The bamboo raft finally drifted to Whale Pass.

"Here?" The two sisters looked at the dark cave entrance and were a little dumbfounded. It was completely different from what they had imagined.

"Don't worry, the valley is inside."

Xu Mu took out a lantern and led them into the valley.

When the view suddenly opened up and they saw the valley, the sisters' eyes lit up.

"Sister, this must be paradise on earth!" Li Zhihua exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, it's really beautiful." Li Zhiyuan smiled sincerely.

Monkey calls and bird songs fill the valley with life, making it a vibrant place that anyone who sees it will fall in love with.

If it weren't for the presence of demonic beasts, it would probably have been occupied by someone long ago.

Xu Mu smiled, feeling a little proud. This was even more impressive than taking his girlfriend to see a big villa, wasn't it?

Just then, a tiger roared, and the tiger king charged over, startling the two girls.

"There's a monster!" The two quickly hid behind Xu Mu.

Then came tiger cubs, monkeys, rabbits, and deer. All the little animals gathered around, chattering and welcoming Xu Mu home.

The scene stunned the two of them. They saw the tiger king rush over aggressively, but then it lay down on the ground like a big cat and licked Xu Mu's feet.

Xu Mu smiled and patted the head of the Tiger King and the Monkey King: "You've been guarding the house well, haven't you?"

"Roar!"

"Waaaaah!"

The tiger and the monkey responded positively.

Including the time spent on the road, Xu Mu has been gone for more than a year, and the medicinal herbs he planted should be ripe by now.

It's been so long since it's been tended to, the harvest probably won't be very good, or maybe the little animals will eat the medicinal herbs since he hasn't been back for so long.

However, in either case, compared to what he gained from this trip, it was a negligible loss.

"Alright, let's go in," Xu Mu said.

"Can we ride?" Li Zhihua asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Then ask them yourself," Xu Mu said with a smile.

Now that they'll be living together here, they'll naturally need to build good relationships with the animals themselves.

"Big tiger, can I ride on your back?" Li Zhihua asked the tiger king expectantly.

Tiger King looked at her, then at Xu Mu, and immediately bent down, gesturing for her to come up.

Li Zhihua was extremely excited and immediately climbed onto its back, where it carried her.

Li Zhiyuan didn't cause such a fuss; she followed Xu Mu obediently, always remembering her role as a maid.

Xu Mu liked her for being sensible; she seemed like a virtuous wife who could share his burdens.

"Let's go," Xu Mu said, walking forward.

Li Zhiyuan mustered her courage, took his hand, blushed, and avoided looking at him.

Xu Mu smiled; this occasional ambiguity had a unique charm.

He took the girl's hand, and together they walked into the depths of the valley, back to their little home.