Liu Yunan's surprise came from the fact that this wasn't what they had previously agreed upon.
Two days later, Liu Chun, carrying several packed storage pouches, stepped onto the Qiankun Teleportation Array to head to the cultivation world.
There are two methods of using the Qiankun Teleportation Array.
One is to insert spirit stones into the array, and the person steps onto it, directly connecting to the designated destination.
The other is to insert spirit stones and then use spiritual power to control the landing point. In this case, the array disk itself doesn't travel with the person but remains in the hands of the one controlling it.
Since no one knew how long the Talisman Master Conference would last or how long Liu Chun would need to stay in the cultivation world, they opted for the second method of transportation this time.
Lin Xiao had already discussed with him that the sect would travel to the cultivation world for trade every three months. If Liu Chun finished his business and wanted to return, he could wait for them at Duo Bao Pavilion.
Even though Liu Chun had consulted with Liu Yunan several times, being the only one sent on this trading mission made him a bit nervous, afraid he might botch the transaction.
With an anxious heart, Liu Chun stepped onto the teleportation array, temporarily leaving Lingxian Sect.
However, unbeknownst to him, the very next day, Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu also stepped onto the teleportation array.
In fact, the original plan for this trip was to send Jiang Youfu, as Lin Xiao had promised to let him visit the cultivation world.
But Lin Xiao was worried something might happen to Jiang Youfu while they were there. Even though Jiang Youfu's cultivation level was higher than Liu Yunan's, Lin Xiao couldn't explain why he felt uneasy sending Jiang Youfu on his own.
There was just something about him—he seemed too easy to deceive.
Moreover, Lin Xiao suddenly remembered that he had an unfinished mission to make connections in the cultivation world.
So, in the end, it was decided that both Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu would go.
Assigning Liu Chun to handle the trade was a decision Lin Xiao made on the spot.
The main reason was to give Liu Chun a way out of paying for the trip himself.
Lin Xiao had known for a while that Liu Chun wasn't wealthy. When they first met at Xianxiang Tower in the cultivation world, Liu Chun looked like a typical impoverished cultivator.
Later, whenever the sect distributed stipends, Liu Chun always received his share with extreme care.
Lin Xiao guessed that Liu Chun was likely short on spirit stones.
Moreover, Lin Xiao thought that Liu Chun's participation in the Talisman Master Conference would only benefit the sect. If he managed to earn a ranking, the reputation would likely improve their talisman trade prices with Duo Bao Pavilion.
Not to mention, ever since Liu Chun joined Lingxian Sect, he had worked diligently on making talismans and teaching the other disciples with great patience.
After all, Liu Chun was now one of their own at Lingxian Sect.
Naturally, Lin Xiao wanted to treat him as well as possible.
So when it came to travel expenses, Lin Xiao didn't want Liu Chun to shoulder the burden.
However, Lin Xiao didn't want to directly refuse Liu Chun's offer to pay, fearing that it might lead to an awkward back-and-forth. Instead, he simply assigned the trading responsibility to him.
This way, Liu Chun couldn't refuse, and they avoided the need for unnecessary pleasantries.
Of course, as someone who keeps his promises, Lin Xiao wouldn't break his word to Jiang Youfu about taking him to the cultivation world.
Therefore, they deliberately waited until the day after Liu Chun left before setting off, so that Liu Chun wouldn't think they were following him because they didn't trust him to handle the trade.
As the array beneath their feet began to glow, Jiang Youfu excitedly gripped the two storage pouches hanging from his waist.
In a flash of faint white light, both he and Lin Xiao vanished from the spot.
Not long after they departed, Liu Yunan, who had returned to the affairs hall to handle the aftermath of this shipment, took out a sound transmission talisman and sent a message to Qin Jianghe.
Last year, the royal court had requested the sect send representatives to the capital for discussions. Since Lin Xiao had been in seclusion at the time, they had decided to have Senior Liao turn down the offer, postponing it until the following year.
Liu Yunan had informed Lin Xiao about this after he emerged from seclusion.
Now that the next year had arrived, they couldn't keep postponing indefinitely.
A few days ago, Lin Xiao mentioned it again, saying it was time to formally discuss things with the royal court, and asked Liu Yunan to make the arrangements.
So now, Liu Yunan was informing Qin Jianghe of this matter.
Before long, he received Qin Jianghe's reply. There wasn't much detail—just a simple suggestion to meet him in Songyang County.
After finishing his duties at the sect, Liu Yunan told Sun Yigao and the others where he was going, then left the sect for Songyang County.
It was late spring, and the warm afternoon sun made people feel drowsy.
When Liu Yunan arrived at the back courtyard of the Lingxiao Escort Agency, he saw a man and a woman walking slowly in the shade of a tree.
More accurately, the woman was carefully leading the dazed-looking man, helping him walk step by step while gently speaking to him.
Since the courtyard was quite large and Liu Yunan habitually used concealment techniques when outside, Han Weishu didn't notice that someone had arrived.
Qin Jianghe, who had come out to greet him, noticed Liu Yunan's gaze on Han Weishu and Tong Jialiang. He transmitted a message to him, saying, "That's the relative of Yuanjiao's servant I mentioned earlier."
Hearing this, Liu Yunan nodded. He hadn't expected them to be the ones Qin Jianghe had spoken of, relatives of someone seeking refuge at the escort agency.
Without asking any further questions or disturbing the two in the shade, Liu Yunan followed Qin Jianghe into the study.
"Is there something else you needed me to come here for?" Liu Yunan asked as he sat down on a nearby chair.
Qin Jianghe poured him a cup of tea, then sat beside him with his hands resting on the table. He looked at Liu Yunan and asked, "What do you think about me doing business in the capital?"
"Hmm?"
Liu Yunan, who had just raised the cup to his lips, was surprised and looked up. "Isn't that a bit too ambitious?"
After all, the escort agency had only just firmly established itself in Songyang County.
Qin Jianghe chuckled, taking a sip of his own tea. "It's not like I'm planning to go immediately. I was just thinking—why don't we both go to the capital this time? You can handle the discussions with the royal court, and I can scout out the market. I don't necessarily have to stick to running an escort agency."
Hearing this, Liu Yunan had no objections. "That works for me! I'd love to have you with me. It'll be easier for us to consult each other if anything comes up, saving us the trouble of wasting sound transmission talismans going back and forth."
After discussing the matter, Liu Yunan asked, "How are the two shenmothers settling in here? Ironhead asked me to check on them."
Qin Jianghe gestured toward the door with a nod. "The two ladies have been having a great time. Every day they're out until almost dinnertime."