The Happy Farmer Wanderer-Chapter 770: Each Using Their Own Methods_1

Noon.

Li Qing and Yu Baishuo left the Impression Hotel together.

Having been thoroughly nourished three times since last night, Yu Baishuo exuded an irresistible charm all over.

The woman who had fully indulged in cloud and rain in Wushan seemed to carry captivating waves even at the corners of her eyes.

After parting ways at the hotel entrance, Li Qing headed straight back to the village.

Although he was still as uninhibited in his play as ever, as if nothing were amiss, in fact, his mood was quite troubled today.

The matter Director Dian mentioned was like a thorn stuck in his throat, making him uncomfortably distressed.

Why should they, upon losing, demand Jing Yan to accept their conditions after defeat as much as possible, sparing their lives?

But should Jing Yan lose, she would face the loss of the Underground Palace and even potentially pay with her life.

Director Dian said he would do his best to protect Jing Yan in the ninth game, but as to how likely that was, Li Qing was quite skeptical; he hoped it wasn’t just lip service.

However, according to Director Dian, the strength of the ninth game meant the outcome would likely be very close to just lip service.

The small village remained tranquil and serene, with villagers occasionally seen busy in the fields.

It was a clear and beautiful day, and those restless villagers were always looking for chores to do.

On his way, Li Qing had called Han Mei to ask what they were doing. After learning they were helping Tian Yue’e harvest vegetables, he went straight to Tian Yue’e’s greenhouse.

Even in early winter, the greenhouse, still warm as spring, buzzed with bursts of laughter and cheerful voices.

These were the days Tian Yue’e’s greenhouse harvested its crops, and all the women from Li Qing’s family were helping out, including Jing Yan and Zi Ling. Looking around, these lively beauties were even more captivating than a splendor of blooming flowers.

"You’ve probably never done this sort of thing before, have you?" Li Qing walked up to Jing Yan and asked with a smile.

Even while doing farm work, Jing Yan was dressed in a snow-white skirt, her movements graceful and desirable.

"I truly have done this before," Jing Yan responded, cradling a bamboo basket full of chili peppers, which she then dumped into a nearby vegetable basket. "I was bored at that time, so I liked to find things to do for myself. I had people create a garden for me where I grew vegetables and flowers, occasionally to pass some time."

"Only, there certainly weren’t magical things like this at that time, where you could eat such fresh vegetables even in the depths of winter."

Li Qing laughed, "This is the result of the progress of the times."

"My lord seems to look unwell, is something the matter?" Jing Yan stopped her work and asked softly.

Li Qing touched his cheek, "Is it that obvious?"

"There is clearly something troubling my lord’s brows," Jing Yan said gently. "Has there been a hitch with that matter?"

"Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant; several noble families still insist on using force," Li Qing said. "They think the price we’re asking is too high, not even wanting to negotiate and just wanting to resort to violence directly."

"There’s nothing of concern, husband," Jing Yan said with a faint smile, "Perhaps they never intended to talk at all."

"I think this is probably just the Ninth Bureau’s own idea. They didn’t seek the approval of the major families beforehand. The Ninth Bureau thought they had enough say in these matters and took the initiative to propose peace talks with us, but they clearly underestimated people’s ambitions."

Li Qing nodded and said, "That’s exactly it. Director Dian’s intention is that he will try his best to continue mediating, but he also hopes that we will leave some leeway after their defeat."

"We must definitely leave some leeway," Jing Yan said gravely, responding thoughtfully.

No matter how compliant this woman was on ordinary days, she was always a person who once stood high above others.

When faced with major issues, the aura that involuntarily exuded from her, even now, made Li Qing become serious, not daring to have any other thoughts.

This was the authority of an absolute superior, and one that had been accumulated over a thousand years.

"Now that I walk the world again, I can’t afford to become an enemy to all," Jing Yan said lightly, "Leaving other issues aside, at the very least, we should be on good terms with the Ninth Bureau, which, in the past, represented the imperial court."

"However, the words spoken by Director Dian today did upset me. I told him that if they were defeated, you would definitely need to annihilate a few families to release some pent-up frustrations," Li Qing said with a heavy voice.

A gentle smile crossed Jing Yan’s lips, "Husband and I truly have a tacit understanding then, I was thinking the same just now."

"We can agree to leave them some leeway after their defeat, but someone must pay the price for this to work."

Li Qing shook his head and said, "This was my own initiative. If you have other conditions, I can discuss them."

"Husband has arranged everything perfectly; this is the best plan," Jing Yan said, "However, if they continue to be obstinate despite my showing sufficient goodwill, then the price they’ll pay won’t be the same as what we previously discussed."

"That goes without saying," Li Qing said emphatically, "After all, if we were defeated, the consequences would be even worse."

Jing Yan nodded lightly, "It seems that I can no longer enjoy these tranquil days here, and must return to the Underground Palace as soon as possible. Husband, after this matter is resolved, I will come back to you."

"I’m coming with you!" Li Qing said decisively, "I’ve already informed my master, and Nine True Palace will not stand idly by."

"Husband, there is really no need to involve your sect," Jing Yan said quietly, gazing at Li Qing, "This ’Sixth Elder’ role was just a temporary measure. Now that the situation has changed, we cannot continue to drag Nine Truth Palace down with this identity."

"I’ll listen to you on anything else, but you must listen to me on this," Li Qing said sternly, "That’s what my master believes as well."

Jing Yan smiled gently, "Then I’ll follow my husband’s lead. For now, they can’t do anything to me."

"There’s no time to lose, let’s go now," Li Qing said, "From what Dian Chunqiu hinted, those families will likely reorganize and start excavating the Underground Palace again in the next day or two. This time, we need not show them any courtesy, and all the traps in the palace can be fully activated. I’ve come to see that unless they lose a few dozen lives in the palace, they’re unlikely to stop."

"I will follow husband’s lead," Jing Yan complied. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After greeting Han Mei and others, the couple left the village directly.

As for Zi Ling, Li Qing forcibly left her behind.

Although her strength was somewhat higher than Li Qing’s, her methods of self-preservation were lacking, making it dangerous for her to go.