Li Changqing naturally knew they were coming.
The children at home spent five thousand taels of silver to buy a small wood carving to play with, so of course, parents would bring the child to ask for it back.
Li Changqing had been prepared for a long time.
He wasn't surprised by Yan Yushi's respectful attitude. After all, they were here to ask for a refund, so naturally, their manner had to be polite.
Entering the store, and seeing how openly it was arranged, none of the group said anything.
Just as Li Changqing turned to take out the five thousand taels of silver notes from the cash box to give back, Yan Botao gave Yan Yushi a glance.
Thud!
Yan Yushi knelt down on the spot.
"Huh, what's going on?" Li Changqing was startled by the sound. Surely, asking for money doesn't require such a huge gesture.
"Yesterday I was unwise and offended you, senior. Today I come to express my gratitude and apologize." Yan Yushi spoke firmly and then knocked his head once more.
"Huh?" Li Changqing was momentarily at a loss after hearing what Yan Yushi said.
Gratitude and offense, what was that about?
"Senior, our Yan family comes today to express thanks, and also to apologize for my son's rash behavior yesterday." Yan Botao, at this point, stepped back with the three elders and bowed respectfully.
What is going on?
Li Changqing was deeply puzzled. Could it be that they weren't here for the money?
At this moment, Li Changqing had numerous thoughts, but he said nothing, choosing to observe and wait. He didn't take out the silver notes and instead tucked them back into his sleeve, simply saying, "Please take a seat, everyone. There's no need for such formality."
"Thank you, senior." The group clasped their fists and each found a chair to sit down.
Yan Yushi also rose and stood beside Yan Botao.
Li Changqing remained silent, waiting for them to start speaking, eager to know what actually happened.
"Who would have thought that within tiny Changting County, a master like you would be hidden," Yan Botao said, clasping his fists. "Yesterday, my unruly son took such a treasure from you; it truly was improper. Fortunately, you didn't hold it against him."
As he spoke, Yan Botao took out a box, which contained yesterday's tiger wood carving.
Li Changqing gazed at the wood carving and suspected it had something to do with it, yet he said nothing, awaiting for Yan Botao to continue.
"Such a treasure cannot possibly be worth just five thousand taels. We intended to return this artifact, but yesterday, my son gained enlightenment from it, consuming a trace of its divine essence. Our Yan family acknowledges our fault and has come to seek your forgiveness."
At this moment, Li Changqing finally understood some of the reasons.
Still, it shocked him internally that his wood carving actually helped the boy gain enlightenment.
Isn't enlightenment typically achieved through understanding a painting?
Could it be that his wood carvers also possessed this ability?
Yes, paintings and wood carvings are essentially of the same class. His carvings being more vivid and three-dimensional might truly offer an unparalleled aid to enlightenment compared to ordinary paintings.
It appears they are not here for the money.
"You are too kind," Li Changqing calmly said, holding in his excitement. "This boy and I seem to share a destiny. His attraction to the carving proves his connection to it. Destiny cannot be forced; it arises naturally. It's all his own fortune, and I merely went along with it."
"We still must thank you, senior," Yan Yushi said sincerely, deeply grateful to Li Changqing. Without him, he might not even retain his position as the Yan family's young clan leader.
Becoming a useless person, living a mundane life.
Li Changqing changed his fate.
"Senior, we're aware that the carving is invaluable, and those five thousand taels are a mere joke, so please accept this gift. Though it isn't as precious as the carving, it's a small token from our Yan family." Yan Botao then took out a black lacquered box bearing a red wax seal.
It looked quite valuable.
An unexpected gain?
How valuable was his wood carving?
In his previous life, his wood carving skills were overlooked, and even mocked when he posted videos online, yet here they were cherished.
Is this the peak of his life?
"What might this be?" Li Changqing wasn't sure what it was, but the box alone suggested it was quite valuable.
"This is a two-hundred-year-old Blood Ginseng," Yan Botao quickly explained. "It barely qualifies as a treasure, but we hope you accept it, Changqing senior."
"In that case, I'll accept it. You're very thoughtful." Li Changqing naturally accepted the gift.
Though he couldn't use it, Li Hengsheng surely could.
With the amount of money Li Hengsheng sends back each month, he couldn't possibly afford cultivation resources. Li Changsheng, who has never met his son, feels an unexplainable pain for his understanding, as if wanting to make up for his predecessor's parental mistakes.
Therefore, neither the five thousand taels nor the century-old Blood Ginseng were kept; he planned to send them to Li Hengsheng later.
Seeing Li Changqing accept it, Yan Botao and the others felt very pleased; Li Changqing had accepted the Yan family's gesture of goodwill.
Having such a talented acquaintance was immensely beneficial for the Yan family.
If in the future they could obtain more carvings from Li Changqing, the Yan family's prowess would unquestionably undergo a qualitative leap.
However, they weren't in a hurry to make any requests, fearing it might displease Li Changqing, so they decided to take their leave for now.
The future is long.
"Senior Changqing, we shall take our leave now. If ever there is a need for the Yan family's assistance, please don't hesitate to ask." Yan Botao said, placing a token on the table. "This is our Yan family's token. Holding this token grants you unrestricted access to our household."
"Most thoughtful," Li Changqing calmly nodded.
Being mistaken for a master, he should naturally display some demeanor of one.
Having read several novels in his past life, Li Changqing understood this well.
"Then we take our leave," Yan Botao and his companions said as they clasped their fists.
Walking them to the door, Li Changqing watched them depart before turning around, only to see a man in purple clothing who had sent him a letter from afar, again rushing toward him.
"Li Changqing, here's a letter for you, sent from Dao Mountain Ancient Land." The man in purple ran over and handed a letter to Li Changqing.
"Another letter?" Li Changqing was a bit surprised. He had received a letter just a few days ago; why was there another one today?
Could it be something happened to his son?
With this thought, Li Changqing hurriedly opened the letter.
After reading it, Li Changqing let out a sigh of relief; it wasn't that anything had happened to Li Hengsheng, but rather, Li Hengsheng was advising him to be cautious lately.
Recently, traces of Ghost Cultivators had been appearing in Minghong State.
Initially relieved that Li Hengsheng was alright, Li Changqing suddenly felt his heart skip a beat.
Wait, Ghost Cultivators?
Are there really ghosts in this world?