Path to Immortality: Mastering a Hundred Arts Chapter Seven: Unveiling the Deception

The three of them sat inside the carriage, the atmosphere somewhat tense. Red Sister seemed preoccupied, staring blankly at the bustling scene outside. Madam Jin leaned against Li Feng, complaining intermittently of aches here and there.

“Where are we headed?” Li Feng asked curiously.

“To the grand opening of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. Invitations were widely sent out, so we might as well join the festivities,” came the reply.

The carriage soon arrived at its destination. The Drunken Fragrance Pavilion was packed with a continuous flow of guests. Relying on Madam Jin’s influence, the three were led by a staff member to an elegant private room on the second floor.

Once seated, Madam Jin ordered fine wine and delicacies, and politely toasted with Red Sister. Red Sister sensed Madam Jin had something on her mind and pondered what it might be.

After savoring the dishes, Madam Jin glanced at Li Feng and finally spoke. “Sister, I invited you here today to ask a favor.”

“Madam Jin, please speak. Within my capacity, I will do my utmost,” Red Sister replied without hesitation. She had long been contemplating how to strengthen her relationship with Madam Jin in hopes of securing an opportunity to practice alchemy under Jin Yanzi.

“Would you be willing to part with your younger brother? I wish to place him in my outer residence for protection,” Madam Jin said.

Li Feng, who had been silent until now, trembled slightly. This woman played rough indeed. He had heard only of men keeping outer residences, but here was a woman unwilling to be outdone.

Red Sister cast a curious glance at Li Feng, wondering what had transpired during the massage she had given Madam Jin that day.

“Madam Jin, this matter isn’t mine to decide. You must ask his opinion,” Red Sister said cautiously.

Madam Jin smiled warmly. “As for him, that’s easy. I only worry you might be unwilling.”

She was convinced Li Feng would not refuse her. Yet Li Feng promptly voiced his stance.

“Sorry, I’m used to wandering and dislike settling down. Madam Jin, please look elsewhere,” he said firmly.

The atmosphere in the room grew awkward. Madam Jin gave a forced laugh and waved a hand. “No matter, there’s plenty of time. I won’t pressure you.”

“If you ever change your mind, just tell me. The three-courtyard house will always be reserved for you.”

With that, she found an excuse and left, leaving the two alone in the room.

Red Sister cautiously asked, “Madam Jin, with your wealth and status, why not just enjoy life with her?”

“My fortune is slim, my fate shallow. I dare not indulge in such hopes.”

“Is it that you don’t dare, or that you’re disdainful?”

Red Sister’s curiosity about this young man only deepened. Normally, anyone would be tempted by such a good offer—unless...

Before she could finish her thought, the private room door was suddenly pulled open.

Li Feng and Red Sister turned their eyes to see who had entered.

It was not Madam Jin, but a handsome young man. He wore fine clothes, a fragrant sachet on his belt, and held a folding fan, exuding a refined elegance.

Red Sister’s face flickered with subtle disdain at his presence.

“Ling’er, long time no see. To meet here means our fate was sealed long ago!” the man greeted warmly.

Red Sister’s given name was Hong Ling.

His familiar tone piqued Li Feng’s curiosity, and he silently speculated about the man’s status.

Madam Jin’s invitation to Red Sister on the Tianqi Festival was likely not just about the outer residence.

“Master Liu, did you come seeking the Li Mu fruit?” Red Sister asked.

Liu Tianci smiled wryly. “The Li Mu fruit is a rare third-tier spirit plant. Even my father, who is at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, has never seen one. Ling’er, you truly put me in a difficult position.”

“Then please, Master Liu, do not trouble me. I said whoever brings the Li Mu fruit as a betrothal gift, I will marry,” Red Sister replied.

Liu Tianci changed the subject, casting a hostile glance at Li Feng. “And who might this be?”

“A humble technician from the Green Beauty Hall, nothing worth mentioning,” came the cool reply.

Li Feng recognized that Liu’s identity was no simple matter and chose not to provoke him.

“Clearly, you possess rare skills; otherwise, Ling’er wouldn’t break the rules to hire a male technician,” Liu said accusingly, awaiting an explanation.

Back then, he had pursued Red Sister relentlessly, even lowering his status to become an inside guest, only to be rejected because Green Beauty Hall did not accept male guests.

Now, Li Feng had become a craftsman of the hall himself.

It was no different from slapping him in the face.

“I’ll go see Madam Jin,” Red Sister said, unwilling to stay longer. She gave a slight bow and left, leaving a lingering fragrance behind.

Liu Tianci inhaled deeply, intoxicated by the scent.

Li Feng was speechless at how abruptly the two women departed. He picked up his bamboo staff, preparing to leave as well.

But Liu Tianci blocked his way, asking mysteriously, “Brother, why disguise yourself as a blind man? What’s your scheme?”

Li Feng was startled by the man’s sharp perception.

“Master Liu, you jest. I have been blind since birth; no pretense here,” he replied, all the while readying a hidden weapon concealed within his bamboo staff.

Liu Tianci was confident and unyielding. “When I first entered the room, you and Ling’er both looked me squarely in the eye. A congenital blind person would rely on listening, not staring.”

Li Feng did not expect such careful observation and silently warned himself to be more cautious in the future.

Seeing his opponent intimidated, Liu Tianci’s rare pride swelled.

“What else do you see in me, Master Liu?”

“You must be hiding a homicide case, which is why you fled here, right?”

Liu Tianci’s analysis filled him with satisfaction.

Anhe City’s unique geography bred a chaotic mix of people. Many fugitives sought refuge here—it was an open secret.

Li Feng smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, closing the private room door behind him.

“Master Liu, you say so much—aren’t you afraid of being silenced?”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Liu Tianci confidently cracked open a melon seed.

“My father is one of Anhe City’s three chief inspectors, at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, just one step from the peak.”

Li Feng sat down again and brewed a cup of tea for the other.

Liu Tianci nodded approvingly. “Good insight.”

“Why didn’t you expose me in front of Red Sister?”

“Because I want you to serve me. Are you willing?”

“I will serve faithfully,” Li Feng replied without hesitation.

A true man knows when to yield; humility is no shame.

“If you have the skill to stay at Green Beauty Hall, then do what a spy must do.”

“Keep a close watch on that wretched Red Sister! I want to know what she does every day and which men she meets!”

Mentioning Red Sister, Liu Tianci’s refined demeanor vanished, replaced by a dark scowl.

“Rest assured, Master Liu. This is my specialty,” Li Feng promised readily.

“Also, here is a pouch of Fiery Widow Powder. Find a chance to make her take it, then inform me,” Liu Tianci said, producing a vial of blood-red powder from his bosom.

Seeing the color stirred a strange unease within Li Feng.

Images of a blood-red bottle containing his sister’s essence flashed through his mind.

“Are you afraid now?” Liu Tianci asked, noticing the change in expression and suspecting hesitation.

“Not at all. Serving you is my honor!” Li Feng declared.

“In half a month, you will experience heavenly pleasure,” Liu Tianci said with a leering smile.

The two exchanged a look and broke into particularly lecherous laughter.