Chapter 126 - 126 126 Icing on the Cake and Sending Charcoal in Snowy Weather

126: Chapter 126: Icing on the Cake and Sending Charcoal in Snowy Weather 126: Chapter 126: Icing on the Cake and Sending Charcoal in Snowy Weather “By saying that, my daughter, it seems the young man indeed has a commendable temperament,” Li Xuan’s expression turned rather odd as he glanced at Li Jiujiu, and did not continue speaking. Li Jiujiu’s pale cheeks instantly flushed with a touch of light red. She thought to herself how terrible it was; her father’s mind was too shrewd, and despite her attempts to cover it up, he still saw through to the crux of the matter. Li Xuan sighed again and tenderly patted his daughter’s head. “Jiujiu, don’t think too much about it. You and that young man will meet again someday. Even if it costs me my old life, I will never let Taixuan Sect’s Su Jing harm you!” As an old father blessed with a daughter in his later years, who dedicated his life to the Lihe Sect, if he couldn’t even protect his only young daughter, he would have no face to meet his ancestors even in death! “Daddy…” Li Jiujiu’s eyes were moist and red. Just then, a disciple’s voice rang from outside the door, “Reporting to the Sect Master, Wei Chiyou, the senior disciple from Gushan has arrived tonight to pay a visit. He heard of the young lady’s injury and has brought along healing holy medicine as a gesture of concern.” Li Xuan frowned slightly, “Gushan? Wei Chiyou?” Hiding her weary and injured body under the quilt, Li Jiujiu’s muffled voice came through, “Daddy, I don’t want to see this Wei Chiyou.” She didn’t want to waste time and energy dealing with these irrelevant people before a deadly battle loomed. Li Xuan’s frown eased slightly. “I had forgotten that this senior brother from Gushan visited our Lihe Sect often last year, intent on bonding with our sect through marriage. Back then, you were indifferent to matters of men and women, and Wei Chiyou left in disappointment. Surprisingly, now that our sect faces calamities, Mr. Wei didn’t avoid us but chose this moment to visit, which does quite surprise me.” “Daddy,” Li Jiujiu’s voice gradually became dissatisfied. She didn’t like Wei Chiyou; she hated the way he looked at her, blatantly and passionately as if assessing an item of value. So what if he came to see her? If her Xiao An at Kongcang Mountain had received the news and knew she was injured or in trouble, he might not have hesitated to travel thousands of miles to come. Li Xuan smiled, “No worry, Jiujiu. If you don’t want to see him, let your father meet him. After all, a guest has come, not to mention he is the senior brother of Gushan. Considering Gushan’s overall strength, even slightly surpassing our own Lihe Sect, if we could get his help, perhaps there would still be a glimmer of hope amidst this catastrophe.” Li Jiujiu felt somewhat helpless, “Daddy, people won’t help us for no reason.” “Rest assured, your father has a plan.” … … As Li Xuan stepped out from the side hall to greet the guest in the main hall, he saw that the young man in a dark robe and a big cape was waiting patiently there. His entourage of a few dozen middle-aged subordinates followed, all of whom were of a realm above Kaiyuan. Each held a jade box in their hands, tightly sealed and impenetrable to detect what was inside. But just from the material of the jade boxes, one could guess that the contents were undoubtedly of great value. Li Xuan wore a smile, yet his eyes carefully sized up the young man in the dark robe, inwardly surprised. He remembered that this Mr. Wei Chiyou was only twenty-seven this year, yet his realm had already reached the eighth grade of Kaiyuan; with time, he definitely had the potential to achieve great things. Considering his subordinates behind him… He had thought that compared to Gushan, Lihe Sect was only slightly weaker. Now it appeared, alas… It turned out that while Lihe was still struggling, these emerging forces had far surpassed Lihe in their momentum. A bittersweet feeling surged in his heart. The young man in the dark robe saw the elder’s bright gaze and conducted himself with respectful courtesy. “Junior Wei Chiyou, greets Sect Master Li. Three days ago, I heard that Miss Jiujiu was injured during an exorcism, causing me much concern. Worried about Miss Jiujiu’s injuries, today I specially prepared one hundred Waking Pills, a Second-grade elixir, as a gesture of my feelings.” Li Xuan was inwardly shocked; Wei Chiyou had generously brought a hundred Second-grade Waking Pills. If Jiujiu could get these hundred Second-grade elixirs, presumably within three days, the ailment and injuries in her body would completely heal and recover as before. Suppressing the emotions in his heart, Li Xuan nevertheless put on a slight smile, “Mr. Wei Chiyou is too polite. As the saying goes, ‘no deeds, no reward,’ please take these Waking Pills back.” Unexpectedly, Wei Chiyou suddenly bowed deeply with cupped fists, and with a resounding and sincere voice, he said, “This junior comes to Lihe Sect today with utmost sincerity, not to conceal my feelings, for I have been haunted and restless since first meeting Miss Jiujiu a year ago, troubled by thoughts of love, tossing and turning nightly, enduring the pain of longing. Today, I finally made up my mind and came to sincerely ask for her hand in marriage. Please, Sect Master, grant your permission!” Li Xuan was deeply moved. At this moment when Lihe Sect was facing multifarious difficulties, having offended the major force of Taixuan Sect, not to mention one Lihe Sect, even a hundred Lihe Sects could not bear the wrath of Taixuan Sect. Yet Wei Chiyou not only did not shun them, he was even willing to share their troubles and request a marriage during this critical period. How could he not be moved? Compared to the young man Jiujiu spoke of who gave her a sword, he preferred this generous young man before him. It’s easy to add flowers to the brocade, but difficult to send charcoal in the snow. Li Xuan smiled appreciatively, “Young Master, I understand your feelings, but now is indeed not the best time for a marriage alliance. Jiujiu is stubborn, and furthermore…” His address to Wei Chiyou subtly changed to “young nephew.” Wei Chiyou smiled understandingly, immediately grasping the implication. He thought to himself, how could this small Lihe Sect possibly refuse an alliance request from his Gushan. “Sect Master Li speaks wisely. Miss Jiujiu’s injuries are quite severe, and as much as I’m anxious, I know my limits. No worries, I can wait as long as necessary.” He feared that as Lihe Sect declined, only Li Jiujiu remained as a person of exceptional talents and good looks within the sect. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, if he did not take action in advance, there might come a time when her sect declines, and she could end up becoming a victim. A year ago, it was only a novelty, but seeing that Li Jiujiu was disinterested in him, he deeply disdained her. How could such a short-sighted woman be worthy of him? It wasn’t until a few months ago that he unexpectedly received a message, when this expedition from Demon Cave returned, and only Li Jiujiu had made a substantial gain. Although he didn’t know exactly what her substantial gain entailed, since it came from a place like Demon Cave, it definitely was of extraordinary value. With the sincerest smile on his face, yet the deepest schemes in his heart, Li Xuan sighed softly, “Young Master, I am deeply touched by your sentiment. Although Lihe Sect is weak, we are not heartless or ungrateful. Amidst this great calamity, how could we drag a young nephew into trouble? In seven days, if Lihe Sect is fortunate enough to survive, I will grant this marriage on behalf of Jiujiu.” Wei Chiyou’s perfect smile briefly paused, slightly puzzled.