Disguise Mask, Sister Ya Fei!

Chapter 24: Disguise Mask, Sister Ya Fei!

Early the next morning.

Xiao Ze woke up feeling an intense soreness in his arms.

Yesterday, the three girls had bathed together, and the sounds of splashing and playful laughter from the hot spring pool had made his ears itch and his heart restless.

Xiao Ze struggled to calm the agitation within him.

After parting ways with the three of them, Xiao Ze had spent half the night practicing his punches in the back mountains.

Xun'er and Xiao Mei are easy enough to deal with; they are both still young girls who haven't fully blossomed, but Xiao Yu is different—sexy, mature, and full of charm.

Xiao Ze shook his head, casting those distracting thoughts from his mind.

I already informed Father yesterday about my plan to go on a long journey.

I'll head to the Mittal Auction House to buy some necessities, then set off immediately.

He had only told Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er about his upcoming departure.

He hadn't even mentioned it to Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei, despite the pleasant conversation they had shared yesterday.

He was usually low-profile anyway; he could be gone for a month and return without the clan even noticing his absence.

Xiao Ze took the Storage Ring from his robe; Xiao Zhan had specifically given it to him upon learning of his intent to travel.

He had said it was one he used in his youth, and since it was just sitting around gathering dust, it might as well be put to use by Xiao Ze.

Inside the Storage Ring were a Gold Deposit Card, plenty of healing salves, and other common supplies for adventuring.

Father really is thoughtful. Once he realized my mind was made up, he managed to secure a Storage Ring and all these supplies in just a single afternoon.

Xiao Ze looked at the pale gray ring, feeling a warm current flow through his heart.

This feeling of being cared for was truly not bad at all!

Even though it was the lowest grade of Storage Ring, it was still worth at least seventy or eighty thousand gold coins!

That was nearly the entire annual profit of the Xiao Clan!

With a heart full of gratitude, Xiao Ze tucked the ring into his robes.

Among low-level cultivators, a Storage Ring was a rare item.

Wearing it on one's hand could easily invite unnecessary trouble and attract the greed of others.

As soon as he opened his door, Xiao Ze saw Xiao Xun'er standing there.

She stood tall and graceful, like a lotus bud waiting to bloom.

"Brother Xiao Ze, are you leaving so early?"

"Since the decision has been made, it's better to act quickly, lest it be nightfall by the time I leave Wutan City."

"Hehe, alright then. Xun'er will see Brother Xiao Ze off for a bit."

The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing along the way, with none of the silence or melancholy usually associated with parting.

When they reached the gates of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Ze patted Xiao Xun'er on the head.

"Xun'er, practice hard at home. Don't let me leave you in the dust again by the time I return."

"Hmph! Brother Xiao Ze always underestimates me. Maybe by the time you get back, I'll have taken a huge leap forward and caught up to you!"

Xiao Xun'er made an indignant face, though she didn't pull away from Xiao Ze's touch.

"Alright, I shouldn't linger. I'm off."

Xiao Ze waved at Xiao Xun'er and turned to leave.

Xiao Xun'er watched his figure disappear, her red lips parting slightly.

"Elder Ling, please keep an eye on Brother Xiao Ze and ensure no harm comes to him!"

"As you command, Miss!"

Ling Ying hesitated for a moment before agreeing, then added with a trace of uncertainty.

"But what about your safety, Miss?"

"Rest assured, there is no immediate danger in the Xiao Clan, and the measures Father left for me are enough to handle any ordinary crisis."

Xiao Xun'er said with a cheerful smile, urging Ling Ying to hurry and protect Xiao Ze.

Sensing Ling Ying's departure, Xiao Xun'er cast her gaze into the distance.

That was the direction in which Xiao Ze had left.

"Brother Xiao Ze, travel safely!"

She then turned and headed back toward the Xiao Clan's back mountains; she needed to focus on her cultivation!

On the other side, Xiao Ze arrived at the Mittal Auction House in Wutan City and found Ya Fei, who had just woken up.

"When my subordinates reported this to me, I found it hard to believe. I didn't expect it to truly be Young Master Xiao Ze."

"Haha, my apologies for disturbing you so early, Miss Ya Fei."

Xiao Ze was currently sitting in the reception hall, watching Ya Fei walk out from her bedroom with a smile on his face.

Given Ya Fei's status, she naturally possessed her own private suite within the Mitt Auction House.

"Alright, Young Master Xiao Ze, you came to see me specifically, so there must be something you wish to purchase, right?"

Ya Fei personally poured a cup of tea and placed it on the table in front of Xiao Ze.

"That is the case. I am about to go on a long journey, so I wanted to see if there are any suitable concealment items available, such as a mask or anything else!"

Ya Fei looked him up and down with a surprised expression; Xiao Ze was so young to be setting out on a journey, and alone at that.

However, Ya Fei did not say much, instead pondering for a moment before listing the names and prices of a few items.

Xiao Ze listened carefully, and soon his eyes lit up as he raised a hand to signal Ya Fei.

"Could you let me see the Exquisite Skin Mask?"

"If Young Master Xiao Ze wants it, I can gift it to you for free; after all, you did me such a great favor."

Xiao Ze shook his head with a smile and said earnestly.

"When I saved you, it was because I did not want to see an innocent person suffer, not because I wanted to hold a favor over your head for a reward!"

"Besides, the VIP Card that Miss Ya Fei gave me is more than enough in my eyes."

Ya Fei stared fixedly at the youth's sincere expression and smiled enchantingly.

Not long after, a tidied-up Ya Fei walked in carrying a black wooden box.

Opening it, one could see a leather mask inside.

"Young Master Xiao Ze, you aren't familiar with the Exquisite Skin Mask, so shall I help you put it on?"

"Uh, that works too. Sorry for the trouble, Miss Ya Fei."

Ya Fei's fair, slender fingers pinched the two corners of the skin mask and carefully placed it over Xiao Ze's face, explaining the precautions as she did so.

"The Exquisite Skin Mask is worth ten thousand gold coins. It isn't as cool or breathable as the higher-grade Ice Silkworm Skin Mask, so it will feel a bit stuffy once worn."

"Normal actions like washing your face or pinching your cheeks won't cause the mask to deform, but it will be damaged if struck by a sharp weapon."

Ya Fei chattered on, telling Xiao Ze many precautions.

She was like a thoughtful older sister, carefully giving instructions to a younger brother about to set out on a journey.

Xiao Ze looked at Ya Fei, who was within arm's reach; her perfect face had no flaws, even when viewed up close.

With every breath, a faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.

"Alright, it will take about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn for the mask to set, and then you will be able to move your facial expressions freely."

Xiao Ze nodded expressionlessly, waiting quietly for the Exquisite Skin Mask to set.

At the same time, Xiao Ze sighed inwardly.

If it weren't for Xiao Zhan giving him a Gold Deposit Card before he left, he really wouldn't have been able to afford this ten-thousand-gold-coin Exquisite Skin Mask!

When traveling, money is needed everywhere!

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Ya Fei brought a mirror out from her boudoir.

"It should be ready now."

Xiao Ze took the mirror, and a youth with relatively rough skin appeared in the reflection.

Coupled with Xiao Ze's current height, he looked a bit malnourished.

"Many thanks, Miss Ya Fei!"

"Xiao Ze, we are already so familiar with each other, and you saved my life..."

"How about you acknowledge me as your older sister and call me Sister Ya Fei? I'll look after you, how about that?"

Ya Fei hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Her eyes were full of anticipation, watching Xiao Ze without blinking.

"Sister Ya Fei?"

Xiao Ze was stunned; wasn't this the treatment his third brother received? He called out subconsciously.

Ya Fei immediately sat down next to Xiao Ze, filled with joy.

This handsome youth was so likable from every angle.

That one word, "sister," had made her bones feel soft!