A Big Shot Came Seeking Pills, and an Encounter with Xiao Yi Xian at the Street Corner

"Knock, knock, knock! Chief Ya Fei."

Ya Fei raised her brows slightly at the words and said softly.

"Come in."

The next moment, the door was pushed open. The young maid hurried in with her head lowered and blurted out before she had even steadied herself:

"Chief Ya Fei, outside... outside, a whole group of important people has arrived."

"What are you panicking for?"

Ya Fei said calmly,

"If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Speak slowly."

The young maid took a deep breath.

"It's City Lord Lin Ang of Black Rock City, the Xue Clan Head, as well as President Frank and Vice President Otto of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild. They all submitted calling cards and said they wanted to see you."

Ya Fei's hand paused slightly as she lifted her tea, then a teasing curve formed at her lips.

These were all top figures in Black Rock City. Normally, they could not be invited even if one tried, yet today they had all gathered here as if they were heading to a market.

"Understood. Take them to VIP Room No. 1 and serve the finest spirit tea."

Ya Fei instructed.

"And..." The young maid hesitated before continuing, "Clan Head Zhan of the Xiao Family here in Wutan City, Clan Head Bi of the Jia Lie Family, and Clan Head Pa of the Aoba Clan are also waiting outside. They said they must see you."

Ya Fei let out a soft laugh.

"Take them to VIP Room No. 2."

At her words, the young maid turned and withdrew.

The moment the door closed, the dignity on Ya Fei's face instantly crumbled. She turned and shot Lu Heng an irritated glare.

"Little brother, what do you think those old foxes are making such a grand fuss to come here for?"

Lu Heng accurately tossed the last handful of sunflower seed shells into the trash bin, dusted off his hands, and smiled.

"What else could it be?

The three types of pills we put out this time are the first of their kind in the Jia Ma Empire.

If those people could still sit still after that, it would be a miracle.

They want to test the waters and see if they can uncover exactly who the alchemy master behind this is."

"And does the true mastermind want to come show his face with your sister?" Ya Fei's eyes shimmered with amusement. "If you revealed your identity, those two fourth-tier alchemists would probably kneel on the spot and call you Master."

"No, no. Leave that sort of public appearance to you, Sister Ya Fei."

Lu Heng repeatedly waved his hands.

"I still want a few more peaceful days. If they find out these pills were refined by an eleven-year-old brat, won't they bother me to death from now on?"

Ya Fei froze for a moment, then burst into laughter and poked him on the forehead with a finger.

"You really are full of nonsense. Fine, since you don't want to show yourself, your sister will help you ward off this disaster.

But remember this. Your sister is taking the blame for you this time, so you'll have to compensate me properly afterward."

"Of course. Sister Ya Fei is the best!"

Lu Heng grinned playfully and leaned closer, then slipped toward the door like a loach.

"Then Sister Ya Fei, take your time with your work. I won't stay here and get in your way."

"Go on, go on!"

Ya Fei scolded with a smile. As she watched Lu Heng's retreating figure vanish through the doorway, the smile in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by the shrewdness and competence that seemed to emanate from her bones.

She straightened her skirt, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to leave.

When Lu Heng slipped out through the back door of the auction house, it was still early outside.

Although several million gold coins had just entered his coffers, making him a genuine little rich man, he felt rather bored at the moment.

Cultivation? He had just broken through to Dou Master and needed to stabilize his realm.

Alchemy? He had refined so many pills over the past two days that the sight of a cauldron made his stomach turn.

Just as he aimlessly left the auction house and wondered where to go to pass the time, a graceful white figure at the street corner made his eyes light up.

It was Xiao Yi Xian.

She was not with that calculating-looking Mr. Yao. Instead, she was strolling down the street alone.

Though she wore only a simple plain white dress without any unnecessary adornments, against the heavily made-up passersby around her, she appeared especially fresh and refined.

She seemed fascinated by the stalls of Wutan City. One moment she would examine the little trinkets in a roadside vendor's hands, and the next she would stop to inhale the fragrance of freshly baked flatbread.

She looked exactly like the girl next door who had secretly slipped out to play.

"Well, if it isn't the star physician of our Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion? Why are you out here alone?"

Lu Heng strode over and greeted her with a smile.

Xiao Yi Xian had been staring absently at a stall selling sugar figurines. Startled by the voice, she turned around. When she saw Lu Heng, her clear eyes instantly filled with delight.

"Young Master Lu?" She sounded pleasantly surprised. "What a coincidence. You're shopping too?"

"Yeah, I just finished a big deal and came out to relax."

Lu Heng pointed at the sugar figurine stall.

"You like these?"

"Mhm. I used to eat them often when I was little, but later..."

Xiao Yi Xian paused, her expression dimming slightly. However, she soon regained her smile.

"Later, I rarely got to eat them. Mr. Yao went to discuss business with a Yao Cai merchant. I was bored by myself, so I came out for a walk."

"Then that works out. I'm bored too."

Lu Heng took out a small bag of gold coins from his Storage Ring and tossed it to the stunned vendor.

"Boss, make one based on this young lady. Make it as lifelike as possible. Keep the change."

The vendor held the gold coins, his hands trembling. What a lavish customer.

"Right away! Young Master, please wait. I'll show you my best work!"

Before long, a vivid little sugar figurine was handed to Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian held the sugar figurine, which resembled her by seven parts out of ten. Her cheeks reddened faintly as she said in a soft voice, "Thank you, Young Master Lu... This is too extravagant."

"It's only one gold coin. A beauty's smile cannot be bought even with a thousand pieces of gold."

Lu Heng waved his hand grandly.

"Come on. Since we're both on our own, let's keep each other company. I'm half a local here in Wutan City, so today I'll take you around properly."

Xiao Yi Xian hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded. She followed Lu Heng, and the two walked side by side along the bustling street.

"Young Master Lu is from Wutan City?"

Xiao Yi Xian asked curiously as she took small licks of her sugar figurine.

"Back in Green Mountain Town, I thought you were some young master from a great clan who had come out to train."

"More or less."

Lu Heng looked up at the sky above.

"I make my home wherever I can find food. Wherever there's something to eat is home. For now, the food in Wutan City tastes better."

Xiao Yi Xian burst into laughter. "You really are interesting when you speak."

The two chatted idly, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

However, that lovely atmosphere did not last long.

As they passed a restaurant called Drunken Immortal Pavilion, a burst of noisy heckling came from the second floor.

Immediately afterward, several young men reeking of alcohol staggered out and happened to block Lu Heng and Xiao Yi Xian's path.

The leader wore a gaudy brocade robe and waved a folding fan in his hand. His eye bags were swollen, and one glance was enough to tell he had indulged himself far too much.

This was the young master of the Jia Lie Family, Jia Lie Ao.