Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1321 - 854: Tianshu Tower on the 12th Floor

Atop Youhuang Peak.

Inside the simple bamboo tower, Chu Lingxiao wore dark green robes, positioned by the window, elegantly savoring his wine.

"Qianqian, kill your husband as a sacrifice to your path, haha, those are your words!"

Her voice carried a metallic ring, bold and resounding.

Li Qianqian lowered her head, lips pressed tight, "Grandmother, I don’t like Wang Qisheng!"

"I know!"

"Then why does Grandmother want me to marry him?"

"Because it benefits the Li family!"

"But I don’t like him!" Li Qianqian insisted firmly.

Chu Lingxiao stared vaguely at the bamboo grove beyond the window, "In those days, I didn’t like your grandfather either! Right up to the day he passed, I never warmed to your grandfather!"

"Ah!" Li Qianqian lifted her gaze in astonishment.

"Haha, no one gives a damn if you like it or not, not even me, your grandmother!" Chu Lingxiao declared bluntly.

Li Qianqian’s complexion drained of color; with even her grandmother refusing support, she was truly out of moves.

"Grandmother!"

"If you wish to kill your husband as a sacrifice to your path, then go ahead! Your parents will deal with this affair."

Li Qianqian’s lashes trembled faintly, tears gathering yet held back in defiance.

"Crying to me won’t help; I won’t interfere in this!"

Chu Lingxiao kept gazing outside the window, avoiding Li Qianqian’s eyes, well aware of her granddaughter’s obstinacy.

The decision on Li Qianqian’s marriage lay beyond her control, and she hadn’t resisted it even after learning the details.

Such unions were routine in the Xuanqing Sect and among families across the Sea of Spirit.

What mattered the desires of those involved, when parental commands and matchmaker words ruled?

It was merely a strategic marriage, pursued purely for gain.

Seeing her grandmother’s cold demeanor, Li Qianqian departed in sorrow.

At that moment, dread filled her, as she had exhausted all her plans.

She had dared act against Wang Qisheng earlier, banking on her grandmother’s aid, but the outcome proved otherwise.

...

On South Garden Peak, within the disciples’ quarters.

Yang Qinting remained oblivious to Li Qianqian’s distress, busily gathering his belongings to head home.

After two decades in the Xuanqing Sect, this marked his inaugural return.

His homecoming stemmed from a straightforward motive: wedding Li Qianqian.

Truth be told, packing required little effort; his sole treasures here were family-supplied resources, all tucked in his storage bag.

With swift preparations done, he departed the Xuanqing Sect.

Rather than heading straight to Spirit Source Land, he detoured to Green Jade City, traversed lively avenues, and rapped on a plain courtyard’s gate.

"Who is it!"

"Grandpa Zhang, it’s me! Qinting!"

The courtyard gate swung open, unveiling a sturdy elderly man with grizzled hair and a wrinkled visage.

"Young master, what brings you here?"

Ushering Yang Qinting inside, the old man inquired puzzledly.

"I’m heading home for a visit." Yang Qinting grinned.

"Excellent, young master hasn’t returned in twenty years; it’s high time!" The old man laughed heartily.

"Thank you for your tireless efforts over the years, Grandpa Zhang!" Yang Qinting bowed respectfully.

"No trouble at all; I’ve had plenty of leisure here!" The old man waved it off casually.

He was Zhang Cheng, once Yang Zhenshan’s personal attendant, who later joined Yang Chengxian in the Secret Martial Guards. Since Yang Qinting entered the Xuanqing Sect, he had guarded Green Jade City as the young master’s liaison.

"Young master, is your return due to some trouble in the Sect?" Zhang Cheng entered the main hall and served tea to Yang Qinting.

"Not trouble exactly; I’m set to marry and wish to notify the family elders!" Yang Qinting smiled back.

Zhang Cheng’s features lit up with joy, "Young master has met a lady he fancies?"

Though residing in Green Jade City, he stayed uninformed on Xuanqing Sect’s inner workings, unaware of Yang Qinting’s bond with Li Qianqian.

"Yes, indeed one!"

"Then congratulations are in order, young master!"

"Haha, you’ll definitely get an invite to the feast, Grandpa Zhang!"

Suddenly, Zhang Cheng whipped his head toward the exterior, face hardening.

"Grandpa Zhang, what’s the matter?" Yang Qinting questioned, baffled.

Signaling quiet, Zhang Cheng crept toward the courtyard entrance.

He cracked the door open and surveyed the area, finding it empty.

Still, his vigilance didn’t waver.

"Young master, have you stirred up enmity in the Sect?"

Yang Qinting’s eyes sharpened, "You mean someone’s tailing me?"

"Quite possible; visitors here are scarce as a rule."

Zhang Cheng felt certain a lurker had spied from beyond the gate, fleeing upon his approach.

He maintained a discreet life here, devoted solely to cultivation, steering clear of conflicts.

This abrupt surveillance pointed to a tracker on Yang Qinting.

Yang Qinting pondered, "Someone might well be after me!"

Wang Qisheng’s grudge was predictable, though Yang Qinting couldn’t confirm if he’d strike.

"Young master, shall we draw them outside the city for a showdown?" Zhang Cheng proposed.

"Do you have allies here?" Yang Qinting queried.

"A few, though not mighty; young master, recall the Jade Token you hold?" Zhang Cheng prompted.

Though Yang Zhenshan had forged various tokens over time, they fell short of supplying all.

Guards like Zhang Cheng, posted covertly afar, typically lacked a Jade Token.