Actually, what he said wasn't entirely false. Aside from a few things he couldn't fully disclose, everything else was pretty much true.

Because he knew very well that someone like Li Hongjiu was hard to deceive, so he needed to go with a bit of truth to make it work.

So he even mentioned the Death Refusing Incense, and he genuinely wanted to give it to Li Hongjiu, or rather, he truly wanted to offer benefits to Li Hongjiu. As long as Li Hongjiu wanted, he'd even consider rebelling with him because this brotherhood was something he was sincerely committed to, and no one could stop that.

Even if Li Hongjiu hit him or scolded him, it wouldn't sever their brotherly bond. Come hell or high water, he'd shamelessly stick to him.

"Just go through the motions and reap the benefits?" Li Hongjiu couldn't help but laugh at his own words and retorted, "Is there really such a good deal in this world? Brother, do you really see me as that foolish?"

Shi Chun sighed, "I knew you wouldn't believe it, but it really is the truth."

Li Hongjiu waved his hand, "I don't believe it. I came here to drink, so don't bother me with other nonsense."

With that, he picked up his wine glass, sniffed it, and then downed it in one go, his face slowly breaking into a satisfied expression as he then picked up his chopsticks to try the food.

Shi Chun smiled wryly on the side, "Aren't you even going to ask what it's about?"

Li Hongjiu waved his chopsticks, "I don't want to ask, and I won't do it. Asking is just falling into a trap, and you're not up to any good."

Alright, since he wasn't asking, Shi Chun wouldn't just go along with him, so he continued talking, "Not long ago, the lady owner of Bai's Rice Shop was arrested by the City Guard and tortured. To get her out, I told that woman who works in the archive that you fancy the rice shop lady, and then..."

"Pfft, cough cough cough..." Li Hongjiu, who was enjoying his drink, suddenly choked and coughed several times. After catching his breath, he exclaimed suspiciously, "What nonsense are you talking? Let me tell you, I won't cooperate with you. I'm not falling for those threats in your letter either. Do what you want to expose; I don't care, I just came here to drink!"

But Shi Chun wasn't falling for that either. "So that woman from the archive agreed and got the rice shop lady released."

Li Hongjiu's eyes darted around, not knowing how the rice shop lady's release was related to his supposed affection for her.

He wanted to ask but held back, sticking firmly to the purpose of his visit— if something seemed off, drop it and keep away.

Shi Chun continued, "Brother Jiu, you have no idea. The lady from the wine shop is quite the beauty, with some class, and she smokes a pipe. You haven't seen one like that, have you? You'll find her unique when you see her."

Li Hongjiu shook his head, "Not interested."

Shi Chun continued, "I even told the rice shop lady that you've had a crush on her for a long time."

Li Hongjiu almost choked again, "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think dragging someone into a pit forcefully will get you anywhere?"

Shi Chun: "Brother Jiu, here's the thing. I'm sure you already know the general situation at the archive. The owner has one son and three daughters, and none of them have great talent in cultivation. After that woman from the archive moved in, she received some favor from the family and, feeling confident because of her connections, bragged to the entire family. She claimed they could choose any famous master to study under. The owner's third daughter, named Dongliang Ying, is not even twenty. Can you guess whom she wants as her master? You'd never guess in a million years."

He pointed at someone who was happily drinking.

Li Hongjiu was stunned and pointed with his wine glass at himself, "She wants me as her master?"

Shi Chun nodded repeatedly, "That's right, even the family didn't see it coming, and neither did I."

Li Hongjiu sneered, "Stop pushing it; how could they possibly want me as a master? If so, there's definitely some trickery involved, and you must have done something behind the scenes."

"Oh come on!" Shi Chun slapped the table, half-joking, half-exasperated. He knew people would be suspicious and immediately recounted Li Hongjiu the reasoning Dongliang Ying had — how she thought having a famous master wasn't really beneficial to her cultivation path.

Slowly sipping his fine wine, Li Hongjiu seemed to ponder, "If it's really like you said, then this girl does have her own insight. Her talent shouldn't be that bad either. Cultivation shouldn't just be shackled by physical constraints, and as for natural talent, it's really subjective."

Shi Chun nodded in agreement, then continued, "That woman from the archive agreed right then and there and said no problem. She said she'd ask her cousin to contact the Yanbao Sect Master, who is your master, saying he'll put in a word for you, and that your master would definitely grant this favor..."

Hearing this, Li Hongjiu's mouth finally twitched. If the background of the said woman from the archive was real, he could imagine his master would really let him take in this disciple.

Shi Chun energetically continued, "When I heard about it, I intervened immediately to offer my help. Because I know you, because we have a rapport, and since I'm interested in that woman, I have to show some effort, right? So I took on this task. Brother Jiu, instead of having her go to your master with this, why not help a brother out and give him a chance to shine?."

Then he pointed at the wine jar, "If this works out and I win her over, the good wine from her side will be all yours to drink. If it lands in your master's hands, with your master's temper, do you think he'll let you live with fine wine? Later, I'll even give you the Death Refusing Incense to ease your worries about each sect's magical treasures being nullified. Am I right, brother?"

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