Ziyun Pavilion

Yun Zishan hadn't even realized it herself. Ever since meeting the man before her, her heart, which only knew cultivation and vying for the Sect Master position, had quietly changed without her noticing.

"Master? Master?"

Xu Yinyin's voice pulled her out of her chaotic thoughts.

Yun Zishan steadied herself, turned to look at Xu Yinyin, and asked, "What is it?"

Xu Yinyin cupped her hands and said, "Master, I'll take care of the advisor tonight."

Yun Zishan's mind was a mess at the moment. All she wanted now was to return to her room and alleviate her "abnormality" through cultivation and breathing exercises.

Yun Zishan waved her hand, "As you wish, I'm going to rest first." With that, she pushed open the door, and slowly ascended the stairs within Ziyun Pavilion.

Behind her, Xu Yinyin bowed respectfully, "Farewell, Master." Anyone listening now would surely detect a hint of cheerfulness in her tone.

Once the sound of footsteps faded within the pavilion, Xu Yinyin immediately turned and closed the door. Leaning against the door, she gazed at Yang Ning, who was sleeping on the couch. Her cheeks flushed, and her breathing unconsciously quickened.

She tiptoed forward, her embroidered shoes shuffling on the floor for a long time, yet she still hesitated to take that step.

The maiden's heart was in turmoil: a man and a woman alone in a room, even though he was unconscious now, but... but... this was too embarrassing! Thinking of this, she couldn't help but raise her hands to cover her burning cheeks.

If not for the fact that he could clearly hear the breathing sounds in the room, Yang Ning on the couch would have already opened his eyes and acted.

Xu Yinyin tried to convince herself: he had merely caught a cold and was unconscious, taking care of a patient, what was there to be shy about!

But... wouldn't that involve physical contact? That wouldn't do! It's too soon!

It's just fetching water, wiping his face, how did that become physical contact?

It seems... that also makes sense.

After a period of internal struggle, Xu Yinyin finally mustered her courage and tiptoed towards the bed.

However, when she actually arrived in front of Yang Ning and looked at his handsome, sleeping face, the intention to care for the patient vanished instantly. She quietly moved a decorative stool and sat down, resting her chin on her hand, gazing foolishly at his sleeping face.

The boss was indeed good-looking, his eyelashes were so long, his nose so straight, and his skin so smooth... When she went down the mountain last time, he said he had a full set of skincare products at the shop, but he still hasn't given them to me. I must get them when he wakes up!

Xu Yinyin's gaze unconsciously drifted downward, finally stopping at Yang Ning's slightly parted, thin lips.

Her heart skipped a beat. Yun Zishan, Yun Zishan, what are you thinking! She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off these inexplicable thoughts.

The next second, she noticed Yang Ning's dry and cracked lips. She immediately got up and looked around the room, only to find no water pitcher.

She immediately got up, opened the door, and walked out.

The moment the door closed, Yang Ning's eyes suddenly opened, and he smoothly rolled over and sat up.

"A good opportunity!"

He quickly walked to the door, pressed his ear against it, and listened carefully. After confirming that Xu Yinyin's footsteps upstairs were fading away, Yang Ning immediately took out the items he had prepared from his sleeve: a poison pill he had secretly hidden from the Poison Bee, the sleeping incense he carried with him, and the waist token he had "borrowed" from Qiao Bin.

Having been held by that guy who smelled of smoke for so long, it was only reasonable to take his waist token.

According to the plan Yang Ning had just devised, he would first use the sleeping incense to incapacitate the guarding disciples, then use Qiao Bin's waist token and the token of the on-duty disciple to open the dungeon, find the target cell, and have the mole take the poison pill. Then, the mission would be accomplished.

Although this plan carried some risks, he was currently in Ziyun Pavilion. Following the small path behind led directly to Zhaoyu Tower, and there were no patrolling disciples nearby. It was simply a heaven-sent opportunity. He had to go all out for such a chance.

Yang Ning then slowly pushed open the door and cautiously looked towards the interior of the pavilion.

A beautifully crafted, three-story openwork pavilion appeared before him. Looking up, the central dome of the pavilion was inlaid with glaze, and the bright moonlight shone through the glaze, casting a clear radiance on the ground. Beside his door was a winding staircase, with cloud patterns intricately carved on the railings and walls. Light purple curtains hung from the handrails on the second and third floors.

Yang Ning silently crossed the threshold and walked towards the main entrance of Ziyun Pavilion. Years of camp training had made his footsteps as light as a feather, making almost no sound.

Just as his hand was about to touch the door lock--

"Boss?"

A soft call made Yang Ning freeze. He slowly turned around and saw Xu Yinyin standing gracefully at the top of the stairs, holding a steaming water kettle wrapped in pink straps. The steam from the kettle billowed upwards.

Xu Yinyin looked confused and quickly walked forward, "Boss, what are you..."

Yang Ning chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head, making an excuse: "I just woke up and realized I hadn't been here before. This place is unfamiliar, so naturally, I thought about leaving first."

Xu Yinyin didn't reply, but instead reached out and grabbed his wrist. Yang Ning's heart tightened--he was still tightly gripping Qiao Bin's Senior Disciple Brother waist token.

But the next moment, Xu Yinyin pulled Yang Ning's wrist and turned to drag him inside, "Boss, this is my Master's and my Ziyun Pavilion. You fainted at our Law Enforcement Hall just now, so we arranged for you to stay here for now. Please rest here tonight with peace of mind."