Yin Manor.
There was only one Yin Manor in Yunyang City.
The Yin Manor with three Purple Mansions in one family.
Within its high walls lay deep courtyards, pavilions and residences standing row upon row, layered mountain shadows, and jagged strange rocks.
Thick branches wound around the pavilions at varying heights, their blossoms gradually opening in a first blush of rouge!
Though summer had not yet arrived, the spirit lotuses in the lotus pond were already in full bloom. Stalk after stalk, blossom after blossom stood proudly amid watery mist and drifting haze, their spiritual aura overflowing and their fragrance filling the manor.
In a waterside pavilion built beside the pond, an old man in purple robes reclined against an embroidered cushioned couch.
His eyes were closed as he listened to the musician play.
His right hand rested lightly on the railing, his fingers rolling a lustrous, jade-like pill.
The Spirit Nurturing Pill, worth thirty Lower Spirits, was slowly crushed between the purple-robed elder's fingers. Its fragments fell into the pond, drawing striped koi into a frantic scramble and sending countless splashes churning into the air.
All of a sudden, the purple-robed elder abruptly opened his eyes.
Baleful Intent flickered within them.
His fingers loosened, and the remaining half of the pill immediately dropped.
A Dragon-Whiskered Black Carp suddenly leaped from the water and swallowed the pill in one gulp!
Twang!
Startled by the sudden oppressive aura, the musician's slender fingers struck the strings wrong, producing a discordant note.
Her lovely face instantly drained of color, turning deathly pale.
The purple-robed elder smiled faintly. "It is nothing. You may leave."
As though granted a pardon, the musician hurriedly bowed and withdrew.
Serving a ruler was like serving a tiger. This kindly-looking purple-robed elder was more terrifying than any ferocious tiger!