My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 76 The Xie family requests an audience, all expenses are returned.

Lin Li cleared his throat, put down his teacup, and said, "Earlier on the road, I happened to see the Xie family's carriage speeding along, heading hurriedly towards the east of the city."

"The Xie family?" Lin Jiuxiao was slightly taken aback, wondering why he brought up the Xie family. He repeated, "Rushing to the east of the city in such a hurry? Could it be that they want to take back Songlin Xiaozhu?"

Lin Li shook his head slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Not so. I suspect that the Xie family's trip here is actually to apologize to Miss Chu."

Lin Jiuxiao became increasingly confused. Why was the Xie family suddenly going to apologize to Yu'er? It seemed there was some reason hidden behind this that he was unaware of.

He hurriedly asked, "What do you mean by that? Stop keeping me in suspense and tell me everything you know!"

"Uncle Jiu, you don't know this. After the Xie family sold their manor and received gold bars from Miss Chu, they sent them to a gold shop for authentication because they were suspicious of their authenticity."

"But the Xie family did not keep this a secret, which is why the Chu family found out that Miss Chu had a considerable inheritance, which led to the subsequent turmoil."

"Although the Xie family did not intend this, the Chu family has already fallen to such a state yesterday, how can they... possibly let it go?"

Since Lin Li learned of Chu Lengyu's identity yesterday, he has thoroughly investigated all her information overnight, and has not let go of anyone related to her.

As a result, the more he investigated, the more confused he became.

How did a reclusive, quiet, and obedient young lady acquire such skills? Could she truly be a deity descended to earth?

As for finding out about Songlin Xiaozhu and the Xie family, it was effortless for Lin Li.

As a businessman, he immediately realized that Chu Lengyu's high-profile actions, besides showcasing his skills, were also intended to attract followers.

Among the families connected to her, the Chu family has already been eliminated, and the Xie family is on the verge of being eliminated as well. Lin Li remains calm and collected, just waiting for the right opportunity.

He had great confidence in himself and the Lin family.

After hearing his words, Lin Jiuxiao sighed and said, "So it was their side that leaked the news. It's also my fault. I was so happy that day that I forgot to remind them. I was wondering why Chu Wenchen would suddenly target Yu'er."

"Sigh, it's all because those gold bars were too eye-catching! I advised her beforehand to let me use the temple's silver to cover the cost, but she wouldn't listen and insisted on doing so."

“Wealth has always been a powerful motivator, and gold bars are no exception,” Lin Li retorted.

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, if you really misappropriated the temple's money, wouldn't others have objections? If someone with ulterior motives used this to report it to the Ten Directions Monastery, how would you, Uncle Nine, face that?" (Note)

“Sigh, what you said makes sense. In the end, the one who is wrong is Chu Wenchen. I really don’t know how Hanchen could have such a younger brother…” Lin Jiuxiao said with a heavy heart.

Lin Li refrained from commenting on the Chu family's affairs and focused on drinking tea.

……

the other side.

The Xie family argued about this matter from last night until this morning. In the end, it was Old Madam Xie who stepped forward, overruling everyone's objections, and decided to take out all five hundred taels of gold bars and return them in full as an apology.

She believes that if it weren't for her subordinates' carelessness in leaking the information about the gold bars, these troubles wouldn't have occurred.

The Xie family had never paid attention to Chu Lengyu before, but times have changed. Now that the Chu couple has fallen from power, not only did they expose all their deeds in front of everyone yesterday, but they were also arrested by the imperial guards sent by Princess Jin'an and thrown into the imperial prison.

With a stroke of his pen, the emperor issued an edict sealing off the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and warning the four princes and eight dukes; the action was swift and decisive.

People then recalled that at yesterday's banquet at Yaochi, only Princess Jin'an from the royal family attended, and it seemed that no rainbow bridge had fallen into the palace.

However, this did not affect the emperor's prestige and status.

In the mortal world, he remains the supreme ruler.

The Xie family drove eastward, and before long they arrived at the outskirts of the city in a wild forest.

The coachman looked ahead in astonishment, then suddenly pulled on the reins, bringing the speeding carriage to a complete stop.

The Xie family roared, "What's going on?!"

"Master, please come out and see!" the coachman replied in a trembling voice, his voice filled with terror.

The Xie family members peered out of the window, puzzled.

The place where the pine forest cottage used to be was now shrouded in thick fog, so thick that it blocked out the sun and the view was impossible to see.

Beyond the thick white fog, people knelt in worship like a tide, their cries of prayer rising and falling.

"I beg the fairy to grant me good fortune, and I will surely repay her kindness in the future."

"By the celestial being above, I am willing to exchange my sincerity for a chance to become a celestial being."

"Fairy, have mercy! My son is terminally ill. I beg you to have mercy and save his life."

"Please, fairy..."

The Xie family members looked at each other, never expecting to encounter such a strange sight on their trip. For a moment, they were all stunned and speechless.

The driver was ordered to get out of the carriage and inquire, only to find out that the people had been kneeling there since yesterday, and some had even stayed up all night.

The thick fog had appeared yesterday; it seemed as light and soft as smoke, but in reality, it was indestructible, like a white barrier that kept everyone outside.

Once, a brave warrior, defying all superstition, led several strong men, wielding giant logs, and, as if attacking a city, vowed to break through this barrier of fog.

However, a sudden clap of thunder appeared in broad daylight, and several thin streaks of lightning ripped through the sky, knocking the people to the ground, where they fell unconscious.

Although their lives were not in danger, they were unconscious for half a day. When they woke up, they were severely weakened, and from then on, no one dared to try it again.

Looking at the incredible fog before them and the devout people kneeling in worship, the Xie family's panic gradually subsided.

The Songlin Xiaozhu manor was originally sold to Chu Lengyu at a low price, and there was still a trace of personal connection between them. If they could take this opportunity to further their relationship with Chu Lengyu, wouldn't the future wealth and glory come in an endless stream?

If one could learn even a little of those legendary immortal arts, it would be an unparalleled blessing.

This is a divine destiny!

Heaven has bestowed upon the Xie family a unique destiny!

Thinking of this, the Xie family's reluctance to part with the gold vanished instantly, as if the argument from yesterday and this morning had never happened.

The Xie family is large and wealthy, and they don't lack five hundred taels of gold. It's just that no one is willing to easily give up their own interests.

So he hurriedly ordered his servants to unload the chest full of gold bars from the carriage, and walked to the edge of the white mist himself, shouting loudly, "Miss Chu, I am a member of the Xie family. I have come to visit you on business. I hope you can dispel this white mist and let me in."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stared at him intently, secretly praying that if he could really summon the white mist, they would follow him and rush in together.

_______________________

Note: In the worldview of this book, "Ten Directions Forest" is used as a metaphor for the management organization of the Great Xia Taoist temples.

In modern terms, it is the Taoist temple management committee, and the main committee members are the ten major Taoist temples, including the already established Xuanzhen Temple and Miaoguan Temple.

Starting with this volume, the world-building will gradually unfold.