In a flash, New Year's Eve arrived.
**Host:** Li Daoqiang **Realm:** Grandmaster **Martial Arts:** Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art (Eleventh Layer), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (Mastery), Lingbo Weibu (Mastery), Tianshan Six Sun Palms (Minor Mastery)... **Talents:** Immune to All Poisons, Innate War God, Top-Tier Aptitude **Bandit Points:** 150,000,000
The year had reached its final day. Other changes were minimal, but the accumulation of bandit points had reached around 150 million—a decent improvement.
Li Daoqiang himself was fairly satisfied.
After all, making money really wasn't that easy.
No matter where, the New Year was always a lively affair.
Black Dragon Stronghold had long been decorated with lanterns and banners, presenting a scene of festivity and joy.
But Li Daoqiang left the stronghold at this time, traveling alone in the dead of night.
Before dawn, he arrived at He Qinghua's place.
Seeing her cultivating, he said nothing, simply picked her up and went to sleep.
"Bastard, coming to find me on New Year's Eve, are you trying to get rid of me quickly so you can go be with other women?" He Qinghua glared at him hatefully, full of displeasure.
"Qinghua, you're so clever. Alright, be good, understand your husband's situation. The New Year isn't easy for anyone—be magnanimous." Li Daoqiang said calmly, his hands continuing their work without pause.
"You bastard, asking me to be magnanimous about this? Are you even human?" He Qinghua ground her teeth.
"Aren't I here with you? I came to you first for the New Year—what's there to be unsatisfied about?" Li Daoqiang pressed down, speaking with righteous confidence.
He needed to settle this quickly; time was tight.
"Mm... don't think... you can fool me... bastard... Li Daoqiang, you're not human."
Curses came in fragments, lasting a while before slowly fading.
Replaced by another kind of sound.
Half an hour later, He Qinghua lay still, eyes closed, silent.
Li Daoqiang, quite satisfied, said, "Alright, didn't your husband come to spend the New Year with you? And you're the first."
"Hmph."
A disdainful snort sounded.
Li Daoqiang calculated the time, his eyes shifting as he said gently, "Alright, you probably know by now—Yuyan has reached the Grandmaster realm. Your husband now has four women, and you're ranked third.
If this continues, even if I wanted to spend more time with you, it wouldn't be fair."
He Qinghua couldn't pretend anymore. She shot up, ignoring her exposed figure, and glared at Li Daoqiang.
As if pushed to her limit, she gritted out, "Give me a divine martial art manual."
"Don't worry, within the new year, I'll definitely give you a suitable one," Li Daoqiang promised.
He Qinghua held back, lying down heavily, her heart growing more unwilling.
Grandmaster. Damn Grandmaster.
Li Daoqiang smirked inwardly. Given He Qinghua's situation, a suitable divine manual might indeed let her reach the Grandmaster realm.
He didn't provoke her further, coaxing her gently for a few moments before rising to leave.
He Qinghua turned her face to the wall, pretending not to see or hear.
Li Daoqiang dressed, kissed her, said nothing more, and left.
"Li Daoqiang, you bastard, just wait. I will reach the Grandmaster realm."
In the room, He Qinghua's voice rang out, full of unwilling grit.
By then, Li Daoqiang was far away.
At full speed, he headed toward Huang Xuemei's place.
Lingbo Weibu had the effect of accumulating power while moving, so as long as he wasn't at his limit, normal full speed didn't consume his energy.
Over an hour later, he arrived at Huang Xuemei's location.
"Xuemei."
Under the pavilion, Huang Xuemei showed no respect for winter, still dressed in a blue gauze skirt, breathtakingly beautiful, yet giving off an untouchable aura.
Pretending not to see Li Daoqiang, she silently played her zither.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind. He approached and quietly listened to the cold, murderous melody.
Then he said gently, "Xuemei, it's New Year's. I've come to take you home for the holiday."
Huang Xuemei's expression shifted slightly, her hand trembling.
Home. New Year.
Did she have a home?
Did she need a New Year?
Coldness surfaced as she looked at Li Daoqiang with indifference.
Li Daoqiang's expression remained unchanged, as if seeing through her thoughts. He said gently but firmly, "I am your husband, and you are my lawfully wedded wife.
Black Dragon Stronghold is your home. I, and Xiao Lin, are there.
Ordinary days are one thing, but for the New Year, our family must reunite."
Huang Xuemei wanted to sneer, but thinking of Xiao Lin, she fell silent and wavered.
She pressed her lips, saying nothing.
Li Daoqiang understood and added, "There definitely won't be anyone you don't want to see."
Huang Xuemei's face instantly turned cold.
Li Daoqiang ignored it and called out loudly, "Qi Fu, prepare. You're returning to Black Dragon Stronghold with the lady for the New Year."
Huang Xuemei snorted coldly but didn't argue.
Not far away, Qi Fu, always on standby, quickly acknowledged.
There wasn't much to pack. Just bringing the Demon Zither, the three of them—Li Daoqiang, Huang Xuemei, and Qi Fu—headed to Black Dragon Stronghold.
Since the distance was considerable, Li Daoqiang carried them both while flying to save time.
By afternoon, they returned to the stronghold.
The stronghold, housing over ten thousand people, was filled with festive New Year cheer.
First, he took Huang Xuemei to her courtyard.
Then Li Daoqiang summoned Lü Lin.
Outside the courtyard, he said calmly to Lü Lin, "The lady has returned for the New Year. You know she once had a younger brother. You're similar in age, both have 'Lin' in your names, and you once showed her around the stronghold.
So she has a good impression of you. Go keep her company, chat about recent changes in the stronghold."
Lü Lin was stunned, looking at Li Daoqiang as if to say this wasn't appropriate.
But one look from Li Daoqiang silenced him.
Suppressing his doubts and worries, he followed Qi Fu into the courtyard.
Li Daoqiang didn't interfere, leaving the time to their sibling-like bond.
With that, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Except for He Qinghua, who couldn't be helped, at least this New Year felt like a family gathering.
Don't underestimate a New Year's celebration.
Especially for Huang Xuemei, it was a good way to solidify their bond and relationship.
If he let her stay outside and never return to the stronghold, without him actively maintaining and bridging the gap,
given Huang Xuemei's personality, their relationship would only grow colder.
Once she avenged her grudge and Lü Lin was no longer in danger, she would likely sever ties with him immediately.
That was something he absolutely couldn't tolerate.
This wasn't a problem that sheer strength or a forceful attitude could solve.
Huang Xuemei wasn't afraid of death. If not for Lü Lin being a weakness, after that night, she would rather die than acknowledge Li Daoqiang.
So, sometimes, he had no choice but to bow his head and coax her without hesitation.
It was what it was—Huang Xuemei was strong enough, excellent enough.
He was willing to grant her some privileges and make concessions. That was reality.
(Chapter 3, thanks for the support.)
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