Chapter 103: The Qi Family in Beijing

“Hello, Li Xin, any news?”

My master answered the call and spoke.

On the other end, Li Xin yawned and said, “Yes, senior. Recently, Guishan booked a direct flight from Shaanxi to Beijing, the day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow?”

Li Xin responded with a hum, “Departure at nine in the morning.”

My master nodded. “Which airport will they arrive at?”

Li Xin glanced at his screen before replying, “Capital Airport.”

Upon hearing this, my master pondered for a moment and said, “Alright, sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble at all, senior. No need for formalities between us,” Li Xin replied.

My master smiled, uttered a brief farewell, and hung up. He then glanced at me. I looked back at him, puzzled, and asked, “Master, why does Guishan dare to come to Beijing so openly?”

Charging his phone, my master said, “I don’t know. Guishan must have brought quite a few from the Ghost Dao sect this time. It’s risky with just the two of us. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to meet someone.”

I nodded. “Who are we meeting, Master? Why not ask other seniors to help?”

He glanced at me, understanding my concern, and said, “They’re all quite busy. If we can handle it ourselves, we should.”

I could only agree. After freshening up, I lay down and fell fast asleep. Early the next morning, my master and I left the house. On the way, I asked, “Master, who are we meeting today?”

He smiled and pointed at me. “So soon, switching to the Beijing accent, huh? Well, today I’ll take you to visit the Qi family.”

“The Qi family? What kind of family is that? Are they powerful?” I asked, curious.

With hands in his pockets, my master explained, “The Qi family is one of the three major supernatural families in Beijing, ranking first. I’ve dealt with their head before — he owes me a favor. We’re mainly here to pay a visit and get that favor repaid.”

I was taken aback and smiled wryly. So they even proactively repay favors, huh?

We hailed a taxi and sped toward the Qi residence. Upon arrival, my master and I stood before an ancient mansion’s gate. Two bodyguards stood watch. Seeing us there, they approached suspiciously and asked, “May we help you?”

My master nodded. “We have business with your head. Please inform him.”

The guards exchanged glances. “Sorry, sirs, the head is currently receiving guests and is unavailable. Also, we don't know your identities...”

My master smiled knowingly and said, “Just mention Beiming Pass. Once he hears that, he’ll understand. Please inform him.”

After a slight bow, the guards finally nodded reluctantly. One went inside and made a call. After a while, he returned. “Sorry, senior. I was mistaken earlier. The head asked you to rest inside; he will come as soon as his meeting ends.”

My master nodded and said it was fine. The guards then led us inside. The interior stunned me — the layout was vast. Doors lined the right side, while straight ahead was a living room the size of a basketball court. I noticed many people seated inside, seemingly in a meeting. The guards glanced at us and gestured politely, “This way, please.”

My master acknowledged with a hum and followed them into the guest hall. The room was grand, furnished with European-style sofas that contrasted with the mansion’s ancient decor. The guards served us tea, placed it before us, wished us enjoyment, and left.

I sipped the tea. Surprisingly, it had a faint sweetness and a pleasing aroma. My master took a sip as well, then leaned back on the sofa and said, “Just observe quietly for now.”

I nodded, drinking my tea. Soon, the guest hall’s door opened. I looked up to see a young man in casual clothes enter. My master stood and bowed slightly. “Head of the Qi family, you truly are a busy man.”

Hearing this, I also stood quickly. The young man smiled and said, “Senior, please don’t be so formal; I can’t handle that. Just call me Qi Han—it feels better.”

My master chuckled, “Alright, whatever makes you comfortable.”

Qi Han sat opposite us and asked, “Senior, what brings you to my humble home today? Aren’t you supposed to be in Chongqing?”

“Just visiting Beijing, thought I’d drop by,” my master replied.

Qi Han smiled, brewed a pot of tea, poured us cups, and looked at me. “And this must be...?”

My master glanced at me and said, “This is my disciple, Lin Xuan.”

“Oh, that explains the vigor. No wonder you’re under the guidance of such a senior,” Qi Han remarked.

My master waved off the compliment. “Stop flattering me.”

Qi Han laughed. “Senior, I feel your visit isn’t just a casual one.”

My master was momentarily taken aback but smiled. “Correct. There are two reasons I came. First, to visit you.”

“And the second?” Qi Han sipped his tea and poured more.

“The second is that I want to borrow some of your people.”

My master’s words caused Qi Han to pause. “Borrow my people? What do you mean by that, senior?”

Leaning back on the sofa, my master said, “There’s unrest across the regions, which you must know.”

Qi Han nodded. “Of course, but what does that have to do with borrowing people?”

“It’s connected. The Ghost Dao sect has split into two — Guishan and Guitian. Guishan has ordered disturbances everywhere, causing trouble. Now Guishan himself has come to Beijing with ill intent. Surely you know about the Lock Dragon Well?”

My master’s tone was sharp. Qi Han frowned. “The Lock Dragon Well? Are you saying Guishan is connected to it?”

My master nodded. “More than just connected. From what I’ve learned, Guishan has allied with a force even greater than Guitian, hence the conflict. I’ve been inside Lock Dragon Well myself — what resides there isn’t simple. Guishan came to Beijing precisely because of it. Now, the two of us are here alone and vulnerable. Faced with this, I thought to borrow some of your people. Don’t worry, their lives won’t be at risk.”

Hearing this, Qi Han laughed, which puzzled my master. After a moment, Qi Han said, “Senior, the connection between Guishan and Lock Dragon Well doesn’t seem to concern my Qi family.”

My master immediately caught the implication and frowned. “Qi Han, what do you mean by that?”

Qi Han shrugged. “You know my family is currently reorganizing, short on manpower. I guess this favor of yours... I...”

My master was surprised and frowned. “Qi Han, are you saying you’re unwilling?”

Qi Han remained silent. My master looked at him, then suddenly smiled. Qi Han was startled by the sudden change in expression and asked, “Senior, what’s this about...?”

Before he could finish, my master waved him off. “Qi Han, I know you’ve been thriving since becoming head of the Qi family. You once begged me to help you claim the position. Now it seems you look down on me? Or maybe I’m no longer able to control you.”

My master’s tone was harsh but commanding. Qi Han frowned. “Senior, that’s not what I meant.”

“Enough. I know what you mean. If you can’t grant me this favor, at least grant him some face.”

My master pointed at me. I sat silently, surprised to be singled out. Qi Han looked at me curiously. “Grant him face? Senior, what exactly do you mean?”

My master smiled. “Lin Boxu, you know him, right?”

Qi Han nodded. “The twenty-fifth head of the Lin family? How could I not know?”

My master smiled again and asked, “And what is his surname, do you know?”

Qi Han was taken aback and looked at me. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly vanished.