The strongest warrior of the Great Qian Dynasty

Tan Tongle's face showed a hint of helplessness as he spoke, but he still cupped his hands to Li Qingshan to express his congratulations.

As for studying poetry and prose, Tan Tongle has fallen behind a bit these past few days.

However, since Li Qingshan will be teaching at the academy in the future, he is not in a hurry.

But now he's not in a hurry, while Li Qingshan is getting anxious.

The Eighth Madam, Shen Siqi, was indeed a stunning beauty.

The problem is that Li Qingshan is completely clueless about Tiantong Academy. He doesn't know about the factions within it, nor does he even know who Xiao Ruoqing's master is.

If someone were to enter Tiantong Academy and become tainted by certain karmic consequences that should not be touched, they would likely be reduced to ashes in the next moment.

After a moment's thought, Li Qingshan said with a hint of struggle:

"How about tomorrow night? I'm not feeling well today. I just bought some medicine to rest and recuperate. I should feel much better by tomorrow."

Tan Tongle was overjoyed; he never expected that the Master Li standing before him would agree to his invitation.

"Tomorrow it is then, I'll go and make the arrangements right away."

With that, Tan Tong left Shuiyun Pavilion in high spirits, as if he had encountered a great joy.

Li Qingshan shook his head helplessly and prepared to return to his room, but at this moment, Wu Ziming's head came closer, looking at his shopkeeper with a surprised expression.

"What's wrong?"

Looking at the panda eyes in front of him, Li Qingshan couldn't help but chuckle and asked.

During this period, Wu Ziming must have worked hard, cramming on a lot of knowledge about martial arts.

However, the dark circles under his eyes were much clearer than before, which shows that he has learned what it means to balance work and rest.

Well, this kid's education paid off!

With his head down and looking slightly embarrassed, Wu Ziming said in a low voice.

"Um...shopkeeper, I'd like to get an advance on this month's wages. Would you be so kind as to make that possible?"

Li Qingshan glanced at the hesitant Wu Ziming with surprise, and then asked directly:

"What's wrong with you, kid? If I remember correctly, you've never asked for an advance on your wages before. Why are you suddenly asking me for one?"

It wasn't that Li Qingshan was mean-spirited, but rather that the boy's behavior was truly abnormal. In addition, Shuiyun Pavilion provided food and lodging, so there were no expenses on a daily basis.

If we have to pinpoint any necessary expenses, then it's only because this kid has become obsessed with some bad things—

Drinking, gambling, prostitution, blood pills...

Li Qingshan didn't want his trusted subordinates to be ruined by those things, becoming neither human nor ghost.

"During this time, I've been reading a lot of martial arts books and found a fragment of a recipe that can help me strengthen my body and build up my strength... So I want to give it a try, but unfortunately, the ingredients in this recipe are quite expensive..."

Fearing that Li Qingshan would think he was neglecting his duties, Wu Ziming immediately assured him:

"But rest assured, shopkeeper, I have never neglected the business of our shop since I started practicing martial arts."

Even the prescription was taken during my rest period.

Li Qingshan waved his hand dismissively, casually handing Wu Ziming a few silver notes before heading towards the room. He stretched lazily and said:

"Take this, consider it a donation from your manager. You've worked hard these past few days."

Looking at the silver notes that he held so lightly in his hand, Wu Ziming, who had initially harbored some petty thoughts, instantly burst into tears.

It wasn't about how much money the banknotes were, but rather that he genuinely felt Li Qingshan treated him like a human being, not just a tool.

He felt grateful to Li Qingshan:

"Manager Li, please rest assured, I will never do anything to harm you again..."

Afterwards, Wu Ziming, holding the silver notes, began searching for various medicinal herbs in the backyard to fill in the account book.

Shuiyun Pavilion was a huge general store with all kinds of medicinal herbs, so Wu Ziming naturally wouldn't go to such lengths.

Moreover, the medicinal materials he needed were somewhat special... including potent healing medicines.

After returning to his room and properly managing his silver notes and pills, Li Qingshan finally began to rest.

……

The Changning Marquis's Residence.

The young lady's residence.

Qiu Meier sat regally in the main seat, her every move exuding a captivating charm.

Before her sat an elderly man dressed in jade robes, whose every move exuded the demeanor of a master. He had a youthful face and white hair, yet his countenance contained an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

If Li Qingshan were here, he would immediately recognize him as Guo Xiaotian, whom he had met not long ago!

"Holy Maiden, I have thoroughly investigated that young man. He possesses profound knowledge and is expected to break through to the Grandmaster level using intermediate techniques."

Unfortunately, he had neither a master to guide him nor any inheritance to break through the illusion, so it's estimated that reaching the Grandmaster level would be his peak.

Guo Xiaotian commented on Li Qingshan, but his words were completely devoid of the encouragement he had shown before.

Qiu Meier didn't look at Guo Xiaotian. Instead, she raised her fingers and quietly examined her slender fingers before smiling:

"He who cannot become a master is ultimately just an ant. He is merely a slightly better pawn. He still wants to be successful in both directions, but in the end, it will all be for nothing."

Reaching the Grandmaster level... will also make it easier for me to absorb his essence. The Nine Yang Body is, after all, a physique that is one in ten thousand.

However, his relationship with the Prince of Zhenbei remains completely unresolved, which truly troubles me.

As Qiu Meier finished speaking, she suddenly clenched her fist, and a series of muffled sounds filled the air.

Guo Xiaotian's expression remained unchanged; he continued to rest with his eyes closed in his seat, but his words conveyed complete composure:

"There's no need to worry too much about that. I've already arranged for him to be admitted to Tiantong Academy."

Those guys who usually only know Zhihu (a Chinese Q&A website) will help us find out Li Qingshan's background and his identity...

Qiu Meier nodded, then looked at Xiao Ruoxue kneeling beside her and asked with a smile:

"How is it? Have those four constables found the hiding place of the Marquis of Changning?"

At that time, his spirit was damaged by my "Purifying White Lotus Mantra," and he couldn't escape very far.

At this point, a hint of anger flashed in Guo Xiaotian's eyes:

"Those four good-for-nothings don't know how to investigate cases at all. If it weren't for the fact that they have the backing of the Prince of Zhenbei, I would have chopped them into pieces and fed them to the fish long ago."

However, at least by now, it can be confirmed that Marquis Changning... is very likely the culprit who destroyed Tianyi Pavilion and seized various medicinal herbs to heal his injuries.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Meier stopped chatting.

She smiled slightly and went straight back to her room, completely disregarding the grandmaster.

As for the young lady's residence?

At this moment, there was no trace of elegance and grandeur; instead, it resembled an altar for a cult ritual, eerily strange.

"Li Qingshan, oh Li Qingshan, my beloved Li, when will you become a part of me?"