Published: August 25, 2025
Chapter 245: A Long Journey and an Unexpected Incident
“Now that there’s no one else here, Madam, you might as well speak the truth! That way I can weigh things carefully and make sure there aren’t any overlooked issues,” Li Huayuan said solemnly.
The young woman heard this, glanced at Han Li, who was scratching his head with a bitter smile, and finally spoke up.
“A couple of years ago, I overheard some rumors—though I don’t know if they’re true or not. People said that this Senior Sister Hongfu’s female disciple wasn’t very proper when it came to relationships. While still in the qi refining stage, she was entangled with several male disciples. There were even fights fought privately for her sake, almost causing some foolish self-harm incidents among the sect members. When Senior Sister Hongfu found out, she was furious and locked the girl up in the secluded mansion, keeping strict watch over her until she reached foundation establishment. Only then was she released. But soon after, rumors spread again that she had gotten involved with a young man from the Feng Family, seeming intent on dual cultivation. Since Senior Sister Hongfu detests the Feng Family the most, she naturally didn’t agree and locked the girl up again. For the next two years, there was no news. Since there was no solid evidence for these things, I’ve never been interested, so when Senior Sister Hongfu came with her disciples earlier, I didn’t think of this. But seeing how unhappy Han Li seemed, I found it strange and suddenly remembered.”
The young woman’s apologetic explanation left both Han Li and Li Huayuan a little stunned.
Li Huayuan had never expected that young Miss Dong’s reputation was so scandalous, and yet he had rashly agreed to Senior Sister Hongfu’s request. What was he supposed to do now? Han Li, on the other hand, had never imagined that the girl was not only entangled with “Senior Brother Lu” but also had so many questionable lovers. This truly left him speechless again.
“Madam, is what you’re saying true? Senior Sister Hongfu’s disciple has such a disgraceful reputation?” Li Huayuan could no longer sit still. He stood up in disbelief and began pacing anxiously around the hall.
This was no longer just about whether Han Li was willing to dual cultivate. If his disciple really took in such a woman, Li Huayuan’s own reputation would certainly suffer.
“I don’t know. These things were just hearsay. Probably even the people who spread them don’t know if they’re true,” the young woman sighed helplessly.
Han Li rolled his eyes in his heart and muttered silently, “What do you mean ‘I don’t know’? At the very least, that girl definitely had an improper relationship with ‘Senior Brother Lu’. Otherwise, why would he have killed his ex-girlfriend so easily?”
Of course, Han Li didn’t say this aloud. Instead, he awkwardly stood there, pretending to be satisfied that “Madam already knows about this.” Seeing this, Li Huayuan felt an intense headache coming on.
Now that this kind of situation had surfaced, Li Huayuan naturally didn’t dare to force Han Li to agree to the dual cultivation matter anymore, and he had begun to reconsider. But Senior Sister Hongfu was not someone who would easily break a promise, and he had no good reason to openly explain his change of heart—this troubled him greatly.
After pacing back and forth several times in the hall, Li Huayuan still found no solution. Then, catching Han Li’s eager gaze waiting for his response, he sighed with frustration and said, “You should go back for now. I’ll discuss this with your madam and let you know how we’ll handle this.”
Han Li had been extremely nervous, afraid that Li Huayuan would force him to agree to dual cultivation regardless of everything. Hearing this, he immediately felt relieved, certain that the matter was almost certainly off.
He happily agreed and slipped away.
Then, amid the surprised gazes of Song Meng and Wu Xuan waiting outside the hall, Han Li hurriedly flew off from the secluded mansion.