Scorpion and Snake's Plot

Deep within the Gale Family mansion in Wutan City, in a luxurious room filled with a strong medicinal scent and a hint of sweet, ambiguous fragrance.

Liu Xi lounged lazily on a wide recliner covered with soft animal hide, only casually dressed in a silk robe with the collar open, revealing a slightly pale chest.

He nonchalantly swirled the scarlet liquid in his cup with one hand, while the other freely massaged the smooth backs of two Snake Women kneeling at his feet, their necks adorned with leather collars.

These two Snake Women, from the Tagor Desert, possessed healthy, tanned skin and alluring, captivating curves.

At this moment, their eyes were vacant, meekly allowing the Alchemist to do as he pleased.

In a corner of the room, several jade bottles of refined Rejuvenation Powder were piled up, but the quantity was clearly not large.

Gale Bi stood to the side with his hands clasped, a respectful smile plastered on his face, though a flicker of barely concealed disgust and contempt crossed the depths of his eyes.

He cleared his throat and spoke, "Mr. Liu Xi, our stock of Rejuvenation Powder in the market is running low. The Xiao Family recently got their hands on a batch of good quality Blood Coagulation Powder from who knows where, and they've stolen a lot of our business. What do you think... could you perhaps refine another batch?"

"Refine again?" Liu Xi's brows immediately furrowed, his face a mask of impatience. He downed the wine in his cup in one go, casually tossing the empty cup to a Snake Woman, and said with a foul tone, "Constantly refining these low-level pills, aren't you tired? I'm a distinguished Alchemist, not your Gale Family's alchemy machine!"

Gale Bi cursed "useless trash" inwardly, but his smile became even more solicitous. "Please calm your anger, sir, calm your anger! Refining Rejuvenation Powder truly wastes your great talent. However, as long as this batch of pills can help the family stabilize their market share, we will definitely increase your profit by another twenty percent! And..."

He changed his tone, lowering his voice with a knowing smile. "I heard that Manager Ya Fei from the Mietel Auction House recently acquired a batch of 'Blissful Incense' from the Chuyun Empire. It's said to have miraculous effects... I've already sent people to inquire. If we can get it, I'll be sure to offer it to you first to try."

"Blissful Incense?" A lewd glint flashed in Liu Xi's cloudy eyes, but it was quickly replaced by greater annoyance. "What's the use of just smelling the fragrance! That Ya Fei..."

Mentioning that name, a powerful urge, a mixture of greed and frustration, instantly surged onto Liu Xi's face.

The image of that voluptuous, charming woman, whose every frown and smile was soul-stirringly captivating, appeared in his mind.

He had coveted Ya Fei for a long time. He had visited the Mietel Auction House multiple times under the guise of transactions, using every means to hint at his desires, even offering substantial benefits, all in an attempt to get close to her.

But that woman, while smiling sweetly on the surface, deflected everything flawlessly. In reality, she was slippery as an eel, always leaving him with a polite rejection, unable to even touch the hem of her clothes!

This made him, a self-important Alchemist, feel immense humiliation and frustration.

"That bitch!" Liu Xi slammed the armrest of his chair, spitting hatefully. "She's got her eyes in the sky, relying on her looks and the backing of the Mietel Family! How am I not good enough for her? She's just a merchant's daughter, pretending to be so pure!"

Gale Bi watched Liu Xi's contorted face, twisted by unfulfilled desire, and his inner cold laughter intensified. A malicious plan began to take shape in his mind.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice further, with a seductive tone. "Sir, since it's difficult to succeed through normal means, why not... try a different approach?"

"Oh?" Liu Xi glanced at Gale Bi. "What approach?"

A sinister glint flashed in Gale Bi's eyes. "Although that Ya Fei is shrewd, she's still a woman, and a woman who highly values profit. We could perhaps set a trap, and make her willingly... come to us."

"How so?" Liu Xi's interest was piqued, and he sat up straighter.

"We can fabricate some news," Gale Bi said with a sinister smile. "We'll say that our Gale Family has accidentally discovered an extremely rare 'Warm Sun Jade' vein in some abandoned mine outside the city.

This jade contains pure Yang energy, which is highly beneficial for cultivating fire-attribute techniques, and it's an excellent auxiliary material for refining certain high-level pills. It's priceless. However, the news hasn't been confirmed, and there's internal debate within the family."

Liu Xi's eyes lit up. "Warm Sun Jade? That thing is indeed rare! But what does it have to do with Ya Fei?"

"It has everything to do with it!" Gale Bi explained. "Isn't the Mietel Auction House currently struggling to find a centerpiece for their next major auction?

Ya Fei desperately needs a treasure to hold the fort and solidify her position. If we use the lure of 'cooperative exploration and priority auction rights,' and invite her to secretly go to the 'mine' site for an on-site inspection... with her eagerness for performance, it's hard for her not to be tempted. And for the sake of secrecy, she'll likely not make a big fuss, only bringing a small number of trusted confidants..."

Liu Xi immediately understood, a lewd and excited smile spreading across his face. "Then, in a desolate mine in the wilderness, we'll have our men ready... Hehehehe, won't she have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide?

Once she falls into our hands, we can do whatever we want! Afterwards, we can even take some 'souvenirs,' and she won't dare to refuse! We might even be able to control some of the Mietel Auction House's resources!"

"Your insight is brilliant, sir!" Gale Bi flattered, though inwardly he despised Liu Xi's hastiness and foolishness even more.

But as long as he could use him to control Ya Fei, and thereby influence the Mietel Auction House, this risk was worth taking.

"This matter requires absolute secrecy. I will arrange for my most trusted confidants to make the arrangements. The location will be the abandoned 'Obsidian Mine Cave' about thirty miles west of the city. The terrain there is complex, making it easy to set an ambush."

"Good! Let's do it!" Liu Xi rubbed his hands excitedly, as if he could already see Ya Fei shamefully submitting beneath him. "Hurry and make the arrangements! The matter of medicinal ingredients is secondary. As long as this succeeds, I'll refine as many Rejuvenation Powders for you Gale Family as you want!"

Gale Bi bowed and retreated. The moment he turned, his respectful facade vanished, replaced by cold calculation.

He immediately summoned his confidants and began secretly setting up this malicious trap targeting Ya Fei.

Meanwhile, in Ya Fei's office at the Mietel Auction House.

Ya Fei's slender fingertips tapped lightly on the desk, her brows slightly furrowed as she looked at a sealed letter with a wax seal, just delivered by a trusted subordinate.

The letter was secretly sent by the Gale Family, containing the "cooperative intention" regarding the so-called "Warm Sun Jade" mine, inviting her to secretly visit the Obsidian Mine Cave west of the city in three days for an on-site inspection.

"Warm Sun Jade...?" Ya Fei's red lips moved, and she murmured softly.

Such jade was indeed precious. If it were true, it would be more than enough to be the centerpiece of an auction, greatly enhancing her performance and her status within the family.

But... the Gale Family? Liu Xi?

The image of Liu Xi's face, filled with greed and lust, and the cunning smile of Gale Bi immediately surfaced in Ya Fei's mind.

This matter felt suspicious.

Firstly, if the Gale Family discovered such an important mine, they should be extremely secretive, as developing it alone would yield the greatest profit. Why would they proactively seek cooperation with their competitor, the Mietel Auction House?

Secondly, the invitation to a remote, abandoned mine, and the request for a secret visit, was inherently risky.

Finally, and most importantly, Ya Fei had extreme distrust for Liu Xi's character. This man was a notorious womanizer, and he had coveted her for a long time...

Considering all this, it was highly likely a trap set for her!

The goal was likely to exploit her eagerness for a breakthrough in performance, lure her out of Wutan City, and then...

A cold glint flashed in Ya Fei's beautiful eyes. Normally, she would have refused without hesitation, even secretly investigating the Gale Family's scheme.

But at this moment, she thought of the mysterious "Mr. Ice."

That gentleman had mentioned needing top-tier ice and fire attribute resources. This "Warm Sun Jade" was of the Yang element, with pure energy, making it perfect.

If she could use this opportunity to get some jade for "Mr. Ice" in time, wouldn't that be a great achievement? It could further solidify her relationship with this powerful being.

Risk and opportunity go hand in hand.

After weighing her options, a resolute glint flashed in Ya Fei's eyes. She decided to take the risk!

But she wouldn't go charging in unprepared. She would do the opposite, turning this potential trap into an opportunity to showcase her abilities, and even turn the tables!

She immediately began her preparations. First, she calmly summoned her two most trusted guards—the Mite'er Auction House's trump cards stationed in Wutan City, two experienced and loyal Three Star Great Fighters.

She carefully instructed them to conceal their auras, pose as ordinary attendants, and provide close personal protection throughout the journey. They were not to reveal their full strength unless absolutely necessary.

Next, she spread out a map, her fingertip tracing winding paths before finally selecting a route to the Obsidian Mine Cave that seemed circuitous but would avoid several areas with open sightlines.

Simultaneously, she secretly dispatched another support team composed of several skilled Dou Practitioners. They carried powerful bows, crossbows, and specially made signal flares, departing a day early to lie in wait in a dense forest about five miles from the mine.

They agreed on a special emergency contact method: upon receiving the signal, they were to provide rapid support at all costs.

As a precaution, she also meticulously recorded the Gale Family's letter, her understanding of the "Warm Sun Jade," and the plan and concerns for this operation in a secret letter.

After sealing it, she handed it to her deputy, whom she had personally promoted, and solemnly instructed, "If I am not back by this time tomorrow, you will immediately activate the emergency plan. Send this letter via the most covert channels to the Jia Ma Sacred City headquarters and seek aid directly from the Elder Council."

In terms of personal preparations, Ya Fei spared no effort. Beneath her close-fitting soft armor, she skillfully concealed several types of medicinal agents and miniature Dou Weapons secretly made by the Mite'er Family—including "Thousand Mile Scent," which could release a long-lasting special odor for tracking, "Disorienting Smoke Bombs" capable of instantly creating dense smoke to disrupt vision, and even potent poisons and miniature explosive talismans for self-preservation or to take enemies down with her in desperate situations.

She changed into a seemingly ordinary, easy-to-move-in dark green tight-fitting outfit. The lining of the fabric was interwoven with flexible silver threads, offering some resistance to blade cuts.

She then donned an inconspicuous gray cloak, completely concealing her usually eye-catching graceful figure.

When all preparations were complete, Ya Fei stood before the mirror, looking at the woman in the reflection who had shed her allure and whose eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. She took a deep breath.

This was no longer the shrewd manager rushing for performance, but a warrior about to step into danger, where every step required treading on thin ice.

"Depart," she said, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable decisiveness.

Flanked by three meticulously disguised guards (two Three Star Great Fighters whose auras were as restrained as ordinary guards, and one agile scout), Ya Fei boarded an ordinary carriage that appeared to be transporting miscellaneous goods.

It quietly drove out from a rarely used side gate of the auction house and merged into the deepening twilight of Wutan City.