My Love Life With The Sect Masters in Xianxia (Patreon)

Chapter 157: The Filial and Virtuous Holy Son Li

Although the flying ship wasn’t particularly fast, they utilized teleportation arrays between cities, allowing them to arrive at Five Yang City within two days.

Stepping onto the familiar land once more, Li Ran couldn't help but feel sentimental.

Not much time had passed since he last returned, but so much had happened in between that it felt like a lifetime ago.

To avoid drawing attention, the women had changed into casual clothing and covered their faces with veils.

But even so, their graceful figures still turned heads on the streets.

Sheng Zhixia extended an invitation. "I must return to the palace to report back. Would you like to visit the imperial palace with me?"

Qin Ruyan and Yue Jianli didn’t answer right away; instead, they looked toward Li Ran.

Without hesitation, Li Ran refused. "No, what’s so fun about the imperial palace? Just have someone deliver the artifact to the Li Mansion later."

Yue Jianli immediately followed his lead. "Then I won’t go either."

She was determined to stay by Li Ran’s side.

Qin Ruyan chuckled playfully. "A palace isn’t really my kind of place. A brothel, on the other hand, feels much more like home."

Sheng Zhixia nodded. "Very well. Then I shall take my leave. When my father announces the decree to the world, I hope you all will attend."

Despite her words, a sense of reluctance lingered in her heart at the thought of parting.

The loneliest place is the imperial family.

Born into royalty, she had been surrounded by luxury her entire life.

Everyone she encountered treated her with the utmost respect—even the most elite cultivators would bow and address her as Princess Sheng.

But precisely because of this, she had never experienced true friendship.

Li Ran and his companions, however, were different. They didn’t care about her royal status at all.

That was what made her feel so at ease, so comfortable around them.

After a brief hesitation, Sheng Zhixia stepped closer to Li Ran and whispered, "Holy Son Li, you’ll keep our secret, right?"

Li Ran nodded. "Don’t worry. I keep my promises."

"Good."

A faint blush crept across her cheeks. "I trust you!"

Then, without waiting for a reply, she turned and quickly walked away.

Li Ran shook his head.

As long as it didn’t affect Yue Jianli, he had no intention of ruining a young woman's reputation.

That kind of dishonorable act was beneath him.

Qin Ruyan, however, was curious. "Holy Son Li, what kind of secret do you and the princess share? Why so mysterious?"

Li Ran gave her a sidelong glance. "If I told you, would it still be a secret?"

"Tch."

Qin Ruyan rolled her eyes. "She’s been completely out of it these past two days. You two must have done something scandalous."

Li Ran narrowed his eyes. "Doesn’t Saintess Qin and I also have a secret?"

"Huh?"

Qin Ruyan froze for a moment.

Li Ran leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "If you ever reveal it, I’ll have to kill you."

A chill ran down her spine, and she stood frozen in place.

But then, Li Ran flashed a grin, turned to Yue Jianli, and ruffled her hair. "Come on, let’s go home."

"Mm."

Yue Jianli nodded obediently.

Watching the two walk away, Qin Ruyan bit her lip, her eyes glistening with moisture.

‘I wasn’t even planning to tell anyone, so why does he always have to scare me?’

‘And he just left me here all alone!’

Standing in the midst of the bustling city, she suddenly felt like an abandoned child.

At that moment, Li Ran turned around and called out, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow!"

"Ah?!"

Qin Ruyan pointed at herself. “Are you saying… I should also go to your house?”

Li Ran answered matter-of-factly, “Of course. Where else would you go?”

The gloom in Qin Ruyan’s heart instantly vanished. The corners of her lips lifted slightly as she wiped the corners of her eyes.

“I’m coming!”

In truth, Li Ran was only trying to scare her.

With Qin Ruyan’s personality, she wouldn’t recklessly spill secrets.

Back when he was trapped in the secret chamber, she had spent days searching for him in the Ten Thousand Mountains. She even crossed vast distances to inform Leng Wuyan of his situation.

Li Ran remembered this favor well.

Otherwise, he would have already recorded a blackmail-worthy video of her.

Though, he always had the feeling that if he actually did that, it might be exactly what Qin Ruyan wanted.

—

The three of them arrived at the Li Mansion.

The gatekeeper, upon seeing Li Ran, froze in place.

Then, he suddenly shouted excitedly,

“Young Master is back! The Young Master has returned!”

Immediately, the entire courtyard erupted in commotion. Servants and guards rushed out, lining up in two neat rows at the entrance.

“Young Master, welcome home!”

Their voices were loud and uniform, their bows at a precise ninety degrees—clearly well-trained.

Li Ran covered his face in embarrassment.

Why does this feel like walking into a bathhouse reception?

—

Hearing the commotion, Li Daoyuan also stepped out.

Seeing Li Ran, he was briefly stunned.

“Ran’er, why are you back again?”

Li Ran raised an eyebrow. “Judging by your tone, you don’t sound very happy about it.”

“Of course not… but you caught on quick.”

Li Daoyuan then turned his gaze to the two graceful figures beside Li Ran, both wearing black veils.

“And these young ladies are…?”

“Oh, they’re my Arabian girlfriends,” Li Ran said casually.

“...Huh?”

—

Inside the study.

Li Daoyuan sat across from the three of them, his expression slightly dazed.

After swallowing a bit nervously, he finally spoke. “If I’m not mistaken… this young lady should be the Head Disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion, right?”

Yue Jianli responded respectfully, “Junior Yue Jianli greets Uncle Li.”

This was her first time meeting Li Ran’s father, and she was incredibly nervous.

“Uncle?”

Li Daoyuan’s expression grew more puzzled. “You and Ran’er… don’t tell me you two are already—”

Yue Jianli’s face instantly flushed, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.

She didn’t need to say anything—Li Daoyuan understood everything.

“Ran’er, have you forgotten you’re from the Demonic Path? What if the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion finds out?!” Li Daoyuan frowned.

Li Ran shrugged. “The Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion won’t find out. Even if they hear some rumors, they won’t easily believe them.”

“That may be true, but it’s still risky.”

Li Daoyuan rubbed his temples.

As the Li Family Patriarch, he had to consider the bigger picture. Unlike Li Ran, he couldn’t be so carefree.

His gaze then fell upon the other woman, who radiated charm and elegance.

“And this young lady is…?”

Qin Ruyan sat properly, her voice soft and gentle. “Junior Qin Ruyan greets Uncle Li.”

“Oh, so you’re Miss Qin— Wait a minute, you’re Qin Ruyan? The Qin Ruyan of the Hehuan Sect?!”

Li Daoyuan’s eyes widened in shock.

Qin Ruyan nodded shyly. “Uncle is correct. I am indeed the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect.”

Li Daoyuan’s throat went dry.

A disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion wasn’t enough? Now there’s one from the Hehuan Sect too?!

And they’re both top disciples—one ranked second on the Heavenly Prodigy List, the other ranked first on the Demon Kings List…

Li Daoyuan turned to look at Li Ran, his voice trembling.

“You brat… Are you seriously preparing for a wedding feast?!”