Repaying the money is just an excuse for Murong Wenxi. If she didn't need to pay it back, how could she have a proper reason to find Chen Qingyuan in the future?
So when Chen Qingyuan said she didn't need to pay the interest, Murong Wenxi firmly refused, "I must pay off the debt I owe. If I don't, it would harm my reputation."
"Uh... okay," Chen Qingyuan was helpless, with a resigned expression.
"There are still two thousand left. I owe you this for now. Don't worry, I will definitely pay you back in this lifetime," Murong Wenxi's tone softened.
If Chen Qingyuan had known he would be pestered by Murong Wenxi, he would never have charged interest back then.
Alas! Things had come to this, and Chen Qingyuan had no choice.
"I've taken the money. It's time for me to go," Chen Qingyuan said, preparing to leave.
"Wait," Murong Wenxi dismissed the accompanying guards and said softly, "I came all this way to pay you back. Won't you offer me a cup of tea?"
"Sit down," Chen Qingyuan had to return to the elegant room and pour a cup of fragrant tea.
The two sat facing each other. Murong Wenxi took a sip of tea and said, "Didn't you have an appointment to fight with Wu Junyan back then? Why did you suddenly disappear?"
"I won't tell you," Chen Qingyuan didn't want to disclose matters related to the Dao - Yi Academy for the time being.
"Whatever. Suit yourself," Murong Wenxi snorted coldly.
"Wu Junyan went to the Three - Core Starfield. Do you know the specific reason?"
The atmosphere in the room was rather dull. After thinking for a moment, Chen Qingyuan brought up Wu Junyan's matter to ease the awkwardness.
"I don't know," Murong Wenxi shook her head.
"Okay," Chen Qingyuan thought. Next time he had a chance to meet Wu Junyan, he would have a proper chat with him.
Chen Qingyuan was afraid that the next time they met, it wouldn't be a friendly reunion but a fight instead. Thinking of such a scene made his head ache.
"Do you know about the matter at the Dongyi Palace?" Murong Wenxi asked.
"What matter?" Chen Qingyuan looked confused.
"More than ten years ago, it was said that someone broke through the secret realm of Yanxue City in the Dongyi Palace and was named a Saintess."
Murong Wenxi put down her teacup, and her expression became serious.
"So?" Chen Qingyuan was indifferent to this.
"That person is Bai Xixue, your former close female friend," Murong Wenxi said with a slight upward curve of her lips.
"Oh," hearing this, Chen Qingyuan's heart remained unmoved.
"Aren't you surprised?" Murong Wenxi was surprised at Chen Qingyuan's calm demeanor.
"It has nothing to do with me," Chen Qingyuan gave Murong Wenxi a look and said calmly, "Since when did you become so gossipy?"
"It seems you really have let go of the past. That's good," Murong Wenxi smiled slightly.
"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving," Chen Qingyuan said, preparing to stand up.
"Sit down. I'm not finished yet," Murong Wenxi glared at him, her tone unfriendly.
"Please continue. I'm listening attentively," Chen Qingyuan teased.
"Don't you have a brother named Han Shan? There has been quite a stir about him recently."
Although Murong Wenxi mainly wanted to see Chen Qingyuan, she couldn't come empty - handed. Naturally, she brought some information.
It was the same last time when she told Chen Qingyuan the new list of the Ten Outstanding Figures of the Northern Wilderness. This time, she also brought very important news.
The Murong family had the most extensive intelligence network, and Murong Wenxi could only use this method to get closer to Chen Qingyuan.
If Murong Wenxi wanted, she could also find out information about Wu Junyan. However, she didn't have the time for that. If Chen Qingyuan was willing to beg her, she might consider it.
"Oh? What's wrong with Old Han?" Chen Qingyuan's expression changed slightly, and he quickly asked.
"Others might have a hard time finding out, but I made some efforts and found a clue," Murong Wenxi was clearly showing off and deliberately piquing Chen Qingyuan's curiosity.
"I owe you a favor. Just tell me," Chen Qingyuan knew he might be tricked but still promised a favor. Matters concerning his brother couldn't be taken lightly.
"Okay," seeing Chen Qingyuan's good attitude, Murong Wenxi told him truthfully, "Do you know the Four Sage Sects of the Human Spirit Starfield?"
"I've heard that the Four Sage Sects are top - tier forces in the Human Spirit Starfield. They have four branches, including a main branch and three subsidiary branches. There are powerful experts within, and their heritage is profound."
Chen Qingyuan had heard of the genuine first - class forces in the Northern Wilderness.
"Han Shan is very likely from the main branch of the Four Sage Sects," Murong Wenxi had confirmed this through various investigations. When she first found out, she was shocked for a long time.
"What?" Chen Qingyuan was greatly surprised upon hearing this.
Chen Qingyuan never expected that his brother would be related to the Four Sage Sects.
Suddenly, Chen Qingyuan remembered something Han Shan had said years ago.
It seemed that someone had found Han Shan, given him some properties, making him wealthy, and said it was a test.
Could it be that Old Han really had an extraordinary background?
The more Chen Qingyuan thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Little did he know that when it came to background, either the Qingzong or the Dao - Yi Academy behind Chen Qingyuan could easily surpass the Four Sage Sects. He just hadn't realized it yet.
"Hundreds of years ago, there was a significant turmoil in the main branch of the Four Sage Sects due to power struggles, resulting in many deaths, including the legitimate son of the main - branch patriarch. However, things may not be as simple as they seem on the surface."
"Decades ago, some hidden guards of the Four Sage Sects came to this remote area and have been searching for information about Han Shan's life. When the hidden guards were gathering intelligence, they were discovered by the spies of the Murong family."
"At first, I didn't pay attention. But later, after a series of events, I discovered something interesting. Han Shan's age is very close to that of the legitimate son of the main branch of the Four Sage Sects who died unexpectedly. Recently, there have been many strangers around Han Shan, lurking in the dark, seemingly acting as protectors, and they are not weak in strength."
By piecing together all the clues, Murong Wenxi had a bold speculation. She hadn't even mentioned this to the Murong family's higher - ups for fear of getting involved in a troublesome situation.
"Interesting," Chen Qingyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, becoming very interested in Han Shan's origin.
"Last month, I heard that the second son of the main branch of the Four Sage Sects left the Human Spirit Starfield, and his whereabouts are unknown. It is estimated that the second son has learned of Han Shan's existence and is likely to have gone to the Yunhai Starfield."
The Yunhai Starfield is where Han Shan lives.
If Han Shan didn't exist, the second son of the main branch of the Four Sage Sects would be the future heir. However, with Han Shan still alive, it poses a huge threat to the second son.
Even if they are brothers, relationships can be very fragile in the face of power and status.
"I understand," Chen Qingyuan's eyes gradually became sharp. "Thank you, Miss Murong."
"You're welcome. Remember, you owe me a favor," Murong Wenxi had spent an unimaginable amount of resources and manpower to find out this information. However, she was happy to be able to help Chen Qingyuan.
"How about you don't need to pay back the two thousand spirit stones to me, and we consider it as repaying the favor?" Chen Qingyuan suggested tentatively.
"Don't even think about it. That would be too cheap for you," Murong Wenxi rolled her eyes and snorted.
Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay.
Chen Qingyuan was concerned about his brother and didn't chat with Murong Wenxi anymore. He prepared to set off for the Yunhai Starfield.
Since he had to pass through the Yunhai Starfield to go home, he could check on Han Shan's recent situation along the way.
Murong Wenxi tactfully stepped aside, watched Chen Qingyuan leave, and murmured, "Chen Qingyuan, you can't escape my grasp."