Begonia was also dressed splendidly. She bowed gracefully. "I thank the commander for risking your life to save me. Your kindness is as vast as the ocean. I will never forget it. If you ever need me in the future, I will repay you."
Li Qingshan and Chu Danqing exchanged glances. They could not help but laugh aloud.
Begonia asked in confusion, "Why are you laughing, commander?"
"You've said the words I hate the most in a single breath." Li Qingshan waved his hand and laughed loudly. "There's no need to mention the word 'thank you' anymore. There's a saying that great kindness cannot be thanked with words! Since you're not willing to repay me with your body, it's useless even if I thank you a thousand times more. "
The surroundings fell silent. Since when would a benefactor say things like "great kindness cannot be thanked with words" or "repay me with my body"? Begonia was even more taken aback. Her face reddened slightly as she gazed at Li Qingshan with mixed emotions. She thought, Don't tell me he's interested in me?
"Could it be that he's interested in me? That's right, I thought myself to be smart, but I never thought that this would happen. If he didn't have feelings for me, why would he be willing to take such a huge risk to help me? Not only did he stop E Dan, he even went as far as to form a death grudge with him.
Sigh, he offended E Dan for me. Who knows when he'll die to schemes and schemes. Even if I repay him with my body, it's only reasonable. However, I heard from Chengzan that he's already engaged to the young lady of the Han family?
Begonia thought quickly. Li Qingshan had once risked his life for her sake. She could not let him lose face in front of everyone no matter what. Just as she was considering how to reply, she heard Li Qingshan follow up right away.
"There's no need to say anything more. Just serve up the fine alcohol and meat so that I can drink to my heart's content with everyone. Then we'll call it even. There's alcohol tonight, and we'll get drunk tonight. Once you really lose your teeth and become an old woman, even if you don't forget, what's the point?"
Everyone burst into laughter. Everyone knew that he had gone to the marquis' estate for the sake of Begonia and the powerful Golden Core cultivator from the Dragon province. They had fallen out with him. If it were him, even if he didn't worry about food and drink day and night, he wouldn't be able to talk and laugh so easily. He secretly admired him.
Only then did Begonia realize that she was thinking too much. He did not have any intention of repaying her kindness. He was just speaking without restraint, acting boldly, and did not hide his desire. But he was not restrained at all. Such a heroic man, Qiongzhi's taste is indeed better than mine!
With some hidden bitterness, she glanced at Hwa Seung-zan. Hwa Seung-zan lowered his head and coughed. She smiled and said, "If Commander, no. Qingshan, if you really have this intention, I dare not be arrogant. However, we need to get married legally and invite friends and relatives to be our witnesses before we can become dual cultivation companions. "
All the men present were envious. Begonia's name had spread far and wide. Everyone in the cultivation community of the fifteen hundred kilometers of the Clear River prefecture knew about her. No one had ever been close to her. There were even people who felt that if they could obtain such benefits, even becoming enemies with E Dan would not be unacceptable.
Li Qingshan shook his head heavily. "That won't do. Qiongzhi will definitely throw her life at me!"
Everyone laughed aloud again. Begonia smiled too. "Then don't blame me for refusing to devote myself to you."
When she said that earlier, she regretted it slightly, but when she saw how Li Qingshan declined without the slightest hesitation, she could not help but feel rather disappointed. It was not that she was interested in Li Qingshan. It was purely a woman's instinct.
"It's not strange, it's not strange. Alcohol and meat are enough."
Li Qingshan entered the Parlour of Clouds and Rain with everyone. He glanced upstairs. When Qiu Haitang said that she could agree, he instantly felt a sense of hostility. However, when he rejected her in public, that hostility disappeared.
There's a Golden Core cultivator hidden in the Parlour of Clouds and Rain. I wonder what his origins are? Don't tell me E Dan has come for revenge?
As a result, he became a little more cautious. He immediately sent his mirror clone over, ready to provide support at a crucial moment. E Dan probably would not take action in public. He would definitely take advantage of him being alone. No, there was no need for him to be alone at all. All he had to do was kill all the witnesses. He definitely possessed the strength and viciousness to do that. Once it really reached that point, he would no longer be able to disguise himself. All he could do was reveal himself and work with his clone to see if he could kill E Dan on the spot!
The banquet was still held on the top floor of the Parlour of Clouds and Rain. Not only could they admire the flowers and the moon from there, but they could also see the lights of the entire prefectural city in the distance.
Everyone took their seats, and Li Qingshan naturally sat at the head of the table. After all, this banquet was held by Qiu Haitang to thank him. If it was in the past, Qiu Haitang would have done her duty as the host and toasted to the various patriarchs so that the guests and the host could enjoy themselves. But today, she sat together with Li Qingshan and specially poured wine to accompany him.
Li Qingshan did not hold back either. He emptied the wine as soon as it was poured. Although he would not mess around, it was extremely gratifying to have a beauty with such a devilish figure and enchanting bearing to urge him to drink softly. It also made others envious.
As expected, Begonia did not mention a single word of thanks. She only told him about when they first met. "Back then, I still thought you were an ignorant country bumpkin. I never thought …"
"You never thought there would be a time when you'd drink with me, right?" Li Qingshan clinked his cup with her with a smile.
The unpleasant experiences of the past seemed like amusing stories now. Although Begonia did not try to suck up to him, she still lowered her head submissively. It was not just because she owed Li Qingshan a debt of gratitude, but also because of his extraordinary strength. His young age, which should have been looked down upon, had now become more and more obvious.
When they became familiar with each other, Begonia was also a little tipsy. Her plump cheeks were a little flushed, which made her even more beautiful. She said softly, "Tell me honestly, did you kill Grandma Ximen and the others?"
"Well, that's hard to say!"
Li Qingshan smiled. Having reached this point, it did not matter even if he admitted it. As the Scarlet Hawk commander, he had defeated the stronger Qi Practitioners in the past despite being the weaker party, killing a few Qi Practitioners who dared to oppress him. Not only was that not a bad thing, but it was an honour instead.
But in an instant, he felt the hostility appear again, but it quickly disappeared.
"Forget it, I knew you wouldn't want to say it. Anyway, they won't make much of a difference." Begonia did not care. She had even borrowed Li Qingshan's strength to kill Wei Zhongyuan, who had ulterior motives towards her. The lives of a few small Qi Practitioners were really nothing.
After a few rounds of toasting and getting drunk, Liu Changqing took the opportunity to propose a toast and walked forward, saying, "Qingshan, I haven't discussed the Exhibition Matches of the Nine Prefectures with you!"
Li Qingshan said, "What's there to discuss? Lord Prefectural Magistrate, feel free to arrange it. If there's anything you need me to fight, I promise to win."
This was not Li Qingshan boasting. He had some understanding of the Exhibition Matches of the Nine Prefectures. It was mainly for the disciples of the Hundred Schools to compete with each other. At most, it would be Foundation Building cultivators. How could he lose?
Liu Changqing shook his head in his heart. He felt that Li Qingshan was a little arrogant and did not know the immensity of heaven and earth. The Hundred Schools of Thought of the various prefectures were brimming with talents and powerful people. With his cultivation at mid Foundation Establishment, how could he say he was certain of victory?
He had also heard a rough outline of Li Qingshan's battle against the fire devourers. He had a geographical advantage in that battle, and he had almost lost, only managing to salvage the situation after much difficulty. He did not feel like Li Qingshan was particularly powerful.
"Qingshan, let me give you a piece of advice as a senior. It's good to be young and spirited, but it's easy to break something when you're too stubborn. You need to learn how to hide your edge."
"What do you mean by that, sir prefectural magistrate?" Li Qingshan put down the cup that had just reached his lips. He felt that Liu Changqing was hinting at something.
"You acted bravely for a just cause and saved fellow Qiu. That's great news. I feel proud too! However, there's no need for you to develop such a great grievance with E Dan. "
"It's already happened. What else can I do?" Li Qingshan raised an eyebrow.
"There's a saying that it's better to squash enmity than keep it alive. Considering how he's managed to cultivate to his current realm of cultivation, he's not someone who's completely unreasonable. If you can ask commander Gu to step in and apologise to him, it might be a little embarrassing for you, but it'll save you from a great disaster. Sigh, he's the prince's trusted aide after all."
Liu Changqing said sincerely, but it was not just for Li Qingshan's sake. Now that the Exhibition Matches of the Nine Prefectures were right around the corner, and the Clear River prefecture had just gone through war, they were already in an extremely disadvantageous position. Now that Li Qingshan had offended the important figures by prince Si Qing's side, it made their situation even worse. E Dan only needed to pull some strings, and he could make them face great trouble.
Begonia also said in concern, "What prefect Liu said makes sense. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand tall. Once you undergo the second heavenly tribulation, you'll definitely be able to relax. I know you're a righteous, upright man."
Li Qingshan laughed aloud, attracting everyone's attention. Actually, Just Now, while Liu Changqing had not spoken loudly, all of them were people with sharp ears and eyes. They all heard him clearly, wanting to see how Li Qingshan would respond. However, they never expected him to laugh aloud.
"Qingshan thanks the two of you for your kindness. Prefect Liu is experienced in the ways of the world, so why don't you think about it? If a Qi Practitioner insulted you in public, would you be able to tolerate it? Sect master Qiu, you've seen E Dan in person. Do you think he's a broad-minded person? "
Liu Changqing and Begonia were both speechless. Liu Changqing seemed amiable, but that was only to Li Qingshan. Normally, he governed the Clear River prefecture, and he could be described as decisive when it came to killing. If someone dared to insult him in public, he would definitely kill them in a single stroke. Even if he could not kill them immediately, he probably would not spare them. He let out a heavy sigh.
Begonia also felt like it was completely impossible for a vicious, barbaric bastard like E Dan to let go of his hatred. "It's all because of me …"
"Even if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have just stood by and watched. And, even if he could forgive me, I wouldn't be able to forgive him. You don't have to worry. That old dog alone can't take my life. "Li Qingshan squinted his eyes, and killing intent flickered.
"Little bastard, how dare you insult my master!" There was an explosive bellow, and a few cultivators in black descended from above, dispersing the song and dance. They rested their hands on their weapons as they stared at Li Qingshan murderously.
Begonia recognised them. These people happened to be the ones sitting behind E Dan in the marquis' estate. As it turned out, they were E Dan's disciples.
The music stopped, and the cultivators all stood up. The atmosphere on the top floor immediately became tense.
Only Li Qingshan remained seated, drinking by himself. He said, "So it's a group of puppies led by that old dog!"
"Esteemed guests have arrived. I've failed to welcome you from afar. Haitang, why don't you take the esteemed guests to their seats?"
At this moment, an old woman with white hair and a face covered in wrinkles suddenly appeared. She was benevolent and courteous. Apart from Li Qingshan, no one present saw where she had come from.
The aura that she gave off inadvertently stunned everyone present. A Golden Core cultivator!
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