Chapter 22: Going All In

Ji Ciyuan paused mid-step and suddenly asked, “What has that ugly wretch been up to lately?”

Ling Ce, knowing the young master referred to Chu Yuyao, twitched his lips. “According to the reports from below, Chu Yuyao went to Medicine King Valley to seek out Shangguan Yuheng for detoxification. It seems she was also bullied by the disciples there.”

“That ugly thing is truly detestable. She deserved to be bullied,” Ji Ciyuan’s eyes flashed unabashed disdain, his sharp tongue stirring instantly. He even regretted not being present at the time; he would have mocked her mercilessly.

Thinking of her being poisoned, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

That day at Heavenly Dao Sect, Chu Yuyao writhed in agony on the ground and vomited black blood onto his foot. It disgusted him so thoroughly that, even after days of bathing, he still felt sickened.

So it wasn’t an act—his expression turned somewhat complicated.

“Do you know what kind of poison she was afflicted with?” he asked, almost against his will.

“I do not, Young Master. I haven’t investigated in detail,” Ling Ce shook his head, looking somewhat lost, then respectfully asked, “Would you like me to send someone to look into it?”

“No need,” Ji Ciyuan waved him off. Whatever poison it was, better if she died—save him from further disgust.

He dismissed Ling Ce and strode into the inner hall, leaving behind only a haughty and aloof silhouette.

Ling Ce bowed and exited the grand hall, immediately setting about the tasks the young master had ordered.

First, he relayed the message to Yan Manor, then personally dealt with the gossipy servant and Shen Meier.

Within half a day, the two vanished without a trace, causing not the slightest stir.

When the news reached Yan Manor, Yan Jingchen was lounging on a warm jade couch, listening silently as his confidant reported on the affairs of various powers.

He wore loose red robes, exposing a beautifully contoured collarbone. His peach blossom eyes were half-closed, fingers tapping idly on the jade fan’s ribs. He appeared languid, but in truth, he absorbed every detail with clarity.

“Young Master, the Ji family sent word,” the confidant finished his report and, glancing cautiously at the half-closed eyes of his master, abruptly shifted topics.

“Oh?” Yan Jingchen suddenly opened his eyes, a spark of interest igniting. “What good words could come from Ji Ciyuan’s venomous mouth?”

The confidant nearly laughed aloud at this; Ji Ciyuan’s words were indeed poisonous, and his own young master wasn’t wrong. He simply repeated the message relayed by Ling Ce.

He emphasized that Chu Ruoyan was present but did not intervene, and that Shen Meier was on friendly terms with her.

Yan Jingchen’s hand ceased its tapping instantly. He slowly sat upright, red robes cascading down, and the casual smile vanished from his peach blossom eyes, replaced by cold scrutiny.

“Chu Ruoyan…” he murmured the name, lips curling in a smile more chilling than when unsmiling. “I underestimated her.”

Last month, this woman sent him a sachet, gentle and soft-spoken, claiming it contained calming herbs.

A beauty offering a gift—he couldn’t refuse her, so he accepted with a smile, only to toss the sachet to a stray dog moments later.

He was well aware of Chu Ruoyan’s little schemes. Though he disliked Chu Yuyao, he wasn’t one to accept just any woman, and he despised Chu Xiong’s repeated attempts to bind him by contract.

Heavenly Dao Sect may be the greatest righteous sect, but Yan Manor was hardly inferior.

The confidant, well-versed in his master’s temperament, instantly lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.

“Chu Xiong, that old scoundrel, his two daughters are quite interesting—one is blatantly foolish, the other outwardly fragile yet deeply cunning.”

Yan Jingchen’s blood-red robes trailed across the floor as he paced to the window, gazing at the fluttering peach blossom grove outside. His lips curled once more into his usual roguish, fickle smile. “Since she admires me, I can’t disappoint the lady’s affection. Send word back: say I’m concerned that Miss Ruoyan has been wronged, and I’ve prepared a modest gift to visit her personally at Heavenly Dao Sect.”

The confidant was stunned. “Young Master, are you truly considering a union with Chu Ruoyan?”

Yan Jingchen snapped his jade fan shut with a sharp click and glanced back, his peach blossom eyes full of mockery. “Union? Is she even worthy?”

His smile grew sharper, sending a chill through the air. “I’m merely playing along with her act. If she dares to scheme behind my back and ruin my reputation, she will pay the price.”

Turning away, his red robes swept down a few petals resting on the windowsill. “Prepare the gift—the more ostentatious, the better.”

“Yes, sir.” The confidant twitched his lips and withdrew respectfully.

Yan Jingchen caressed the fan’s ribs, his gaze returning to the peach blossom grove outside, lips curling into a cold, amused smile.

Chu Ruoyan, if you want to play, then I shall play along—let’s make it grand.

…

Meanwhile, Chu Yuyao piloted her flying artifact, wobbling into Luoyan City.

She landed ten miles outside the city and walked in.

Luoyan City was the largest gathering place for cultivators near Medicine King Valley, its marketplace bustling and teeming with people.

She touched her empty fingers, feeling a lightness in her body she’d never experienced before, and blended cheerfully into the crowd.

The first order of business was to acquire some life-saving items. The Ten-Thousand Poison Den was no place for carelessness.

She wandered the market, spending heavily, and finally procured several items she deemed essential for survival.

A heap of talismans—Five Thunder, Thunder Explosion, Flaming Fire, Soul Extinguishing—all with formidable offensive power. If she couldn’t win, she could still bombard her foes with talismans. Tossing them in batches, even a millennia-old ice toad would struggle.

She didn’t have an abundance of spirit stones, but enough to get by. Chu Xiong had treated his adopted daughter well, never skimping on resources or spirit stones.

She couldn’t recall exactly how many talismans she bought—she simply demanded every offensive and defensive talisman the shopkeeper had.

The owner was so delighted, he nearly worshipped her as a patron goddess.

Besides talismans, she bought plenty of antidote pills, poison-repelling pills, and several protective shields.

No need to buy a magical longsword—the original host already had several, all exceptional.

She pondered what else she might need.

A place like the Ten-Thousand Demons Den, just the name alone was enough to send chills down her spine. She wouldn’t dare go without proper preparations.

Considering whether to add a few defensive robes, her eye caught a familiar figure in the crowd—exceptionally conspicuous.

He stood alone before a stall selling ancient books, dressed in pristine white, tall as a snow pine. His ink-black hair was tied with a jade hairpin, his profile chiseled and cold, expression indifferent as he browsed a yellowed tome.

The bustling crowd and hawkers seemed to fade around him; he was an island unto himself.

Who else could it be but Su Qinghan?

“What’s he doing here? And how did I just happen to run into him?” Chu Yuyao instinctively lowered her bamboo hat, hiding her face behind veil and mask.

Shouldn’t this icy block be practicing his heartless sword technique at the Ten-Thousand Swords Sect?

What business did he have in Luoyan City?

[Ding, limited-time task issued. Host must invite Su Qinghan to agree to go to the Ten-Thousand Demons Den together within twenty-four hours. Reward: Top-tier Heaven-grade technique ‘Flowing Cloud Chasing Moon Step’.]

The system voice suddenly burst in her mind, startling her enough to freeze mid-step, nearly bumping into the cultivator behind her.