Chapter 58: Rogue Gangs

Qingwu's cheeks flushed a rosy pink. "Already?" she teased back, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the intimate touch of her lover filled her with warmth and excitement.

Wang Li's grin widened. "Patience is a virtue," he chuckled, "but not always necessary. Besides," he added, leaning closer to whisper in her ear, "we need to celebrate our little victory. Showing Ye Fan up deserves a reward, wouldn't you say?"

Qingwu giggled, her heart filled with a giddy anticipation. She loved his playful banter, the way he could make her feel both safe and desired. Nodding her agreement, she linked arms with him and they walked out of the meeting room, leaving Xia Bingling alone with her simmering resentment.

As the door closed behind them, Wang Li wasted no time. He pulled Qingwu close, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. His hands roamed freely across her back, exploring the curves of her body through the light fabric of her dress. They were consumed by their desire, fueled by the unspoken tension that had hung heavy in the air.

Qingwu reciprocated his fervor, her body melting into his embrace.

They walked, their steps fueled by passion, until they reached the familiar haven of Qingwu's room.

The door shut behind them with a soft click, locking out the world. Wang Li wasted no time, his adept hands swiftly discarding their outer garments. Qingwu, her heart pounding with excitement, followed suit. Soon, they were standing before each other, their bodies bare and raw with desire.

He led her to the plush bed in the center of the room, gently laying her down. His eyes devoured her form, every curve and dip a masterpiece in his eyes. He leaned down, whispering sweet nothings and promises in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

Their night became a whirlwind of passionate exploration.

Wang Li was rather experienced by now and he knew exactly how to please her. He brought her to one climax after another, her moans echoing through the room in a symphony of pleasure.

They reveled in each other's touch, their dual cultivation techniques amplifying their experience to intoxicating heights.

Hours melted away as they indulged their desires, their love growing stronger with each touch. Just as they reached their final climax, a surge of energy erupted from them, washing over the room. They lay entwined, breathless and satisfied, a feeling of contentment settling over them.

"That," Qingwu sighed, her voice barely above a whisper, "was incredible."

Wang Li chuckled, pulling her closer. "You were amazing, Qingwu," he replied, his voice husky with desire. He trailed light kisses across her face, savoring the warmth of her skin.

Qingwu snuggled closer, her heart overflowing with love.

Everything else seemed to fade away as she laid in the arms of the man she loved.

Meanwhile, Xia Bingling remained alone in the meeting room. Her rage simmered just beneath the surface, fueled by her helplessness and the sight of their blatant intimacy. She knew the two had headed to her daughter's room, knew exactly what would transpire. The thought filled her with a potent mix of anger and a strange yearning.

She clenched her fists, frustration gnawing at her. She was trapped, forced to play along with Wang Li's game for the sake of her family and her daughter's happiness. She loathed him, but his hold on her was undeniable. A bitter taste filled her mouth as she realized, for now at least, she had no choice but to endure.

Wang Li's lips curved into a sly grin. "Internal matters, huh? My guess is they're related to Ye Fan's little accusations."

A flicker of surprise flickered across her face. "How..." she began, but quickly clamped her mouth shut.

"Let me guess," he continued, his voice laced with amusement. "His followers are causing trouble for the Xia Family, right?"

Xia Bingling's scowl deepened, but a flicker of surprise flickered across her face. He was perceptive, she had to give him that.

"Our public rejection of his marriage proposal may have thrown the general public off the scent," he explained, "but his followers, the ones in his pocket, those guys will go against you just because Ye Fan is. They will try and cause trouble."

Xia Bingling couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Wang Li's reasoning, while cynical, was sound. Her heart sank as she realized there would be more obstacles than she initially anticipated.

"Are you in trouble, then?" Wang Li asked, his voice devoid of malice for the first time in their interaction.

Xia Bingling's eyes widened but then she calmed herself quickly.

"One of our mid-tier herbal gardens in the Northern Region is facing a challenge," she confessed finally. "Rogue gangs are claiming ownership, and they have the backing of Lu Mingfei, an elder from the Wayfarer Mercantile."

The Wayfarer Mercantile – a reputable and widespread business network, known for its neutrality in most conflicts. This news was concerning. Their influence could make reclaiming the garden a difficult task.

"Why would Lu Mingfei side with these rogue gangs?" Wang Li inquired, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Rumors say Ye Fan saved his life from a potent poison," Xia Bingling responded bitterly. "A debt to repay, I presume."

Understanding dawned on Wang Li's face. It made perfect sense. He spent a few moments contemplating the situation, the importance of the herbal garden sinking in.

"This garden," he said finally, "how important is it to the Xia Family?"

Xia Bingling finished explaining the details of the herbal garden, a frustrated frown creasing her brow. "This garden is vital for us, Wang Li. We use the rare herbs grown here for a multitude of purposes – crafting powerful pills, cultivating specific spiritual plants for formations, and even trading with other sects. Losing it would be a massive blow."

Wang Li listened intently, nodding in understanding. The gravity of the situation was clear. A simple, brute-force attack wouldn't do.

"Attacking isn't the best course of action," Xia Bingling scoffed. "These rogue gangs might be backed by Lu Mingfei, but they're still just that – rogues. We can't risk escalating things unnecessarily."