NOVPUBAfter another round of tedious cultivation with Bai Ruoxi, Mu Zhi’an left her room, feeling refreshed and slightly disappointed.
He had promised Lin Ling, the foodie dragon, a delicious dinner. If he broke his promise, she might come looking for him, or worse, she might target more Eight Treasures Cranes.
The peak lord of Boundless Sea Peak would be heartbroken.
He arranged Lin Ling’s dinner, then went to his study, lighting a candle.
He sat at his desk, retrieving two paper cranes. He opened one and began to write.
This letter was for Shang Yanfei, the sect master.
“Sect Master, when you summoned me today, I was filled with a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. I had suspected that my pen pal was you, and when my suspicions were confirmed, I was overjoyed, but also apprehensive.”
“After all, the difference in our status is quite significant.”
“But even so, our conversation was enjoyable. Your wisdom and your maturity are both admirable. I heard that the Pilgrimage Palace is a popular spot for couples. You’re familiar with the sect, Sect Master. Perhaps one day we could admire the peach blossoms together.”
“I apologize for my forwardness, but I couldn’t contain these feelings any longer. My words are sincere.”
“It’s a shame I couldn’t remember your face.”
He reread the letter, satisfied with its tone and content, then folded it into a crane and tossed it out the window.
The sect master was a shark, difficult to handle, but maintaining contact was essential.
Her personality in the letters and in person was slightly different.
In the letters, she was playful and even flirtatious. But in person, she possessed an imperial aura. Even her most casual actions carried a sense of authority.
Even he, a seasoned Lust Seeker Protagonist, felt pressure in her presence.
But in the letters, he could be more bold.
For example, his invitation for a date. She would never agree to meet a mere disciple at the Pilgrimage Palace. But the invitation itself conveyed his admiration and infatuation, portraying him as a naive and innocent boy enamored with a powerful woman.
The better her reading comprehension, the more she would appreciate his sincerity.
He opened the second crane and began writing.
“Thinking back, since joining the sect, we’ve both been busy with our own affairs, with no time for letters. The nights are long, and sleep eludes me, so I’m entrusting my thoughts to this crane…”
He wrote an eight-hundred-word love letter, then added, after a moment of thought: “I saw your face today, Senior Sister, and I can’t help but imagine us walking together through the sect. I know it’s a distant dream, but one must have aspirations. Perhaps one day…”
He folded the letter into a crane and tossed it out the window, watching as both cranes disappeared from view, then he stretched and left the study.
The Jade Glass Palace was a marvel of spatial manipulation. Each room contained a pocket dimension.
It was true for Bai Ruoxi’s and his rooms, and it was true for the other disciples as well.
He found Huang Manting’s pavilion and saw a beautiful female disciple standing guard.
After she reported his arrival and received confirmation, she led him inside.
“Sister is bathing. Please wait a moment, Young Master Mu,” she said politely, her gaze lingering on him with a hint of hostility.
Huang Manting is quite capable. Not just at the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, but even within the Two Polarities Sect, she has followers.
And this one is quite pretty. He poured himself a cup of tea, discreetly observing her figure.
She’s quite curvy. Those thighs… He quickly looked away.
Appreciating a woman’s beauty was one thing, staring was another.
He waited for nearly half an hour, then Huang Manting emerged.
Perhaps she knew he was coming, or perhaps it was her habit after bathing, but she wore a loose, casual robe, revealing her long, shapely legs, her slender waist, and her ample bosom.
She sat gracefully, crossing her legs, her white toes wiggling playfully, her every gesture seemingly designed to entice him.
She considered herself a beauty, but he already had the Bai family’s young mistress. If she acted like a proper lady, she would never be able to seduce him.
So when she had heard of his visit while enjoying her rose bath, she had chosen this attire.
He might be clever, but he was a former womanizer. He couldn’t have changed that quickly.
And she had heard about his close relationships with the Ye sisters.
But to her disappointment, when she sat down, he only glanced at her briefly, then quickly looked away.
It seemed Bai Ruoxi and his servant girl, Wei Mengrou, had given him an immunity to beauty.
But she wouldn’t give up so easily.
She glanced at her disciple, who seemed reluctant but eventually nodded and left the pavilion.
Huang Manting poured him a cup of tea, smiling. “Young Master Mu, you haven’t visited since joining the sect. What brings you here today?”
“Or perhaps…”
She placed her hand on his, her voice soft and alluring. “Have you changed your mind? Are you giving up on the Bai family’s young mistress and choosing me?”
He shook his head, his voice filled with mock hesitation. “Miss Huang, I came here for something important. Please don’t…”
If she hadn’t known him, she might have fallen for his act.
But seeing his hesitation, she remembered their encounter at the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, his calculated approach, and she narrowed her eyes.
She crossed her legs, her gaze meeting his, a playful smile on her lips. “You’re not here to entertain me with your acting, are you, Young Master Mu?”
She looked at him, her eyes filled with mock shyness, biting her lip, her voice soft and seductive. “Time is precious, Young Master Mu~”
She tugged at her robe, revealing a flash of white.
He glanced at her, then quickly looked away, shaking his head. “I have Ruoxi, Miss Huang. I can’t betray her…”
He averted his gaze, demonstrating his gentlemanly restraint.
But his reaction only fueled her desire to conquer him. She leaned forward, her chin resting on her hand, smiling. “You always have an agenda, Young Master Mu. You rejected my invitation for a late-night chat last time. You’re not here to simply talk, are you?”
“But before you tell me your reason, I want to know why you helped me receive that destiny inheritance.”
“And how did you know the true method…?”
If he hadn’t warned her not to infuse the tablet with her spiritual energy, she might have done so. And then, like Gongsun Cheng, she would have exhausted her energy and been expelled from the realm.
She wouldn’t have received the inheritance.
I made it up. How else could I have given you a favor…? He smiled, his voice calm. “It’s a secret.”
“As for why I helped you… I made a promise to your father. I’m simply keeping my word.”
She studied him, surprised, then a smile spread across her lips, her beauty captivating. “You’re a man of your word, Young Master Mu.”
She had thought he was a scheming manipulator, but it seemed he was also honorable.
He had given her a destiny inheritance, simply because of a promise he had made at the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce. It was a testament to his character.
After all, destiny inheritances were highly coveted.
She sipped her tea, her lips moist and alluring, then said, her voice soft, “The Third Prince is investigating you.”
He looked at her, feigning surprise. “Why would he do that?” 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
She chuckled. “He holds grudges. You two had a disagreement, didn’t you? He wants revenge.”
“He told you that…? It seems he trusts you…” he said, smiling.
She twirled a strand of hair, her voice soft and seductive. “He mentioned you, warning me not to get too close to you.”
“But… love is often uncontrollable.”
She held her teacup to his lips, smiling. “Don’t you agree, Young Master Mu?”
He sipped the tea, sighing. “Miss Huang, I’m really not here for that.”
“It’s fine. We can discuss other matters after we’re done with business~” she said, her smile alluring.
“The Third Prince would be heartbroken…” he said, chuckling.
She scoffed, her voice laced with disdain. “Why should I care if he’s heartbroken?”
If it were the crown prince, no, if it were the Eldest Princess, she might reconsider.
The Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce had branches throughout the Eastern Realm. She didn’t lack for anything material. She simply sought emotional fulfillment.
And a lovestruck fool couldn’t provide that.
“Speaking of which, the Third Prince seems to have the backing of a vice peak lord,” she added, her voice turning serious.
“Be careful, Young Master Mu.”
He didn’t react.
Lan Mulian had already warned him.
“Won’t you stay here tonight?” she asked, changing the subject, her gaze meeting his, her eyes filled with a seductive invitation.
He shook his head, his voice filled with mock regret. “Miss Huang, I’m really not that kind of person.”
He had already indulged with Bai Ruoxi several times today. He was temporarily in sage mode.
And if he accepted her offer, she would surely discard him once she was bored.
She was only so enthusiastic because he was unattainable.
Once she had him, she wouldn’t cherish him.
He was the fisherman, and she was the fish.
And she was inviting him into the water.
But he wanted to reel her in.
She bit her lip, her eyes glistening with mock tears. “You’re so cruel, Young Master Mu. I was planning to refuse to give the Third Prince any information about you.”
He looked at her, smiling. “Tell him everything he wants to know.”
“Tell him everything about Ruoxi and me…”
She studied him, confused. “Why?”
He smiled, his voice soft. “You’ll find out later.”
“Tell me now. Why should I listen to you?”
“Or you could stay here tonight and chat with me…” She tugged at his sleeve, her gaze meeting his.
He shook his head, his voice filled with mock regret. “Another time, Miss Huang. I promise.”
She stared at him, his expression sincere, his resistance baffling. According to her information, he was supposed to be a womanizer. Yet he was refusing her seductions. How could any man resist her…?
She sighed dramatically. “For the sake of that destiny inheritance, I’ll help you… But next time, Young Master Mu, you have to spend some time with me…”
“But how can you be so sure he’ll come to me for information?” she asked.
“He’ll come,” he replied with conviction.
Men loved to show off in front of the women they admired.
This was the perfect opportunity for him to demonstrate his power in front of her. He wouldn’t miss it.
She watched as he left, sipping her tea, then she felt a warm breath against her leg.
She looked down at the beautiful disciple kneeling at her feet, her voice soft. “My feet are sore. Give me a massage.”
She looked away, her fingers twirling a strand of hair, her thoughts racing.
Tell the Third Prince everything about him? Wasn’t that like handing him a weapon?
What was he planning?
And how could he be so sure the Third Prince would come to see her?
Fifteen minutes later, a disciple hurried in, glancing enviously at the girl kneeling at Huang Manting’s feet, then said, “Master, the Third Prince is here to see you.”
He actually came… She smiled, her beauty captivating.
“Bring him in.”
She would soon find out what Mu Zhi’an was planning, wouldn’t she?
And as for who she would support… it had been clear from the beginning.
They were both from Tianxuan City. Helping each other out… it was only natural.
The Third Prince had no idea that the woman he was pursuing was pursuing another man.
…
Mu Zhi’an returned to the pavilion, entering Bai Ruoxi’s room and lying down on the bed, his head resting on her lap. He watched as she meditated, her beauty serene, and he closed his eyes, enjoying her fragrance, the softness of her thighs against his cheek.
He had done everything he needed to do. All that was left was to return the cranes to the peak lord of Boundless Sea Peak. He had to do it soon, before Lin Ling ate them all.
Then he could sit back and watch the show.
When it came to connections, he wasn’t lacking.
