Zhao Sen's Warning

Jiang Feng had learned what he wanted to know from Xie Shu, so he did not utter another word about the evil spirits.

He feared that asking too many questions would only invite suspicion.

Although Xie Shu was close to him for the moment, it was easy to imagine, given the shopkeeper's attitude when mentioning the evil spirits, that if he knew the person marked by the curse was Jiang Feng, he would not hesitate to eliminate him.

Jiang Feng was naturally eloquent and skilled at keeping a conversation flowing. The two chatted so congenially that they lost track of time until the afternoon.

Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Feng took the initiative to rise and take his leave.

Xie Shu personally escorted him to the entrance of the main hall. Before parting, he patted Jiang Feng on the shoulder and laughed:

"I finally understand why Alchemist Song thinks so highly of you.

You lad are truly different from the other apprentices in the Medicine Hall; you possess a certain sharpness.

Most importantly, you have a way with words, always saying just the right things to make this old man happy. I haven't had such a pleasant chat in a long time."

Jiang Feng bowed shyly, his expression earnest:

"Shopkeeper Xie, you flatter me. I am merely straightforward and accustomed to speaking the truth; I never intended to flatter anyone."

As he said this, he seemed to recall something and added:

"Shopkeeper Xie, I haven't had a chance to see Alchemist Song since I returned. Would it be convenient to go see him now?"

Xie Shu pondered for a moment and shook his head:

"I just received word that the Second Young Master, Wu Han, intends to go all out to break through to the martial artist realm, and Alchemist Song is busy refining a Barrier-Breaking Pill for him.

I'm afraid he won't have any free time these next two days.

However, there is no need to worry. Settle your affairs at the Guard Hall first, and once Alchemist Song is free, I will take you to see him."

Jiang Feng nodded, said nothing more, turned, and walked out of the main hall toward the exit of the Medicine Hall.

He certainly wouldn't be living in that old dog kennel anymore. Since he didn't have to report to the Guard Hall just yet, he planned to return to the Sun Family courtyard to take a look.

"Is that Jiang Feng?

Wait, wait a moment, I have something to tell you."

Just as Jiang Feng stepped out of the Medicine Hall, he heard a breathless voice calling from behind.

He stopped and looked back, immediately recognizing the thin, familiar figure.

"Zhao Sen?"

Zhao Sen ran up to Jiang Feng, gasping for air. After panting heavily for a few moments, he grinned:

"Jiang Feng, congratulations on passing the assessment and getting into the Guard Hall."

Jiang Feng still held a fair amount of affection for the only friend his predecessor had in the Medicine Hall, so he smiled back:

"It was just luck. Keep working hard, and you might have a chance to get into the Guard Hall yourself."

Zhao Sen scratched his head in embarrassment, his smile tinged with bitterness:

"Don't try to comfort me.

I know my own worth. I came to the Medicine Hall a year before you, yet I'm still only at the second level of the Blood-Moving Realm... I'm afraid this is all my life will ever amount to."

Jiang Feng stepped forward and patted his shoulder gently, his tone soft but sincere:

"Don't be so pessimistic. Man proposes, God disposes; who knows when you might stumble upon an opportunity.

Shouldn't the Pharmacy be closed by now?

Come on, let me treat you to a meal. You helped me out quite a bit back when I was in the Apprentice Hall."

Seeing that Jiang Feng hadn't deliberately distanced himself just because he had become a guard, Zhao Sen felt a pang of emotion.

Those accustomed to cold shoulders are the least able to withstand such genuine sincerity from others.

He subconsciously wiped the corner of his eye, but shook his head:

"No need, Jiang Feng. We are ten people short in the Pharmacy, and the workload for each of us is much heavier than before.

I only snuck out because I happened to see you leaving. There is something I must tell you."

Jiang Feng was slightly taken aback:

"What is it?"

For the timid Zhao Sen to risk sneaking out, it surely wasn't a trivial matter.

Zhao Sen glanced around to ensure no one was watching before lowering his voice solemnly:

"You know Tie Rong, the manager of the Guard Hall, right?"

Jiang Feng nodded without speaking.

Zhao Sen leaned in half a step closer, his voice dropping even lower:

"I just saw Tie Rong and Xue Zhao walking out with their arms around each other, laughing and talking."

Seeing that Jiang Feng's expression remained unchanged, he assumed the other man didn't grasp the gravity of the situation and spoke more plainly:

"Jiang Feng, I know how hard it was for you to get to where you are today, and I don't want to dampen your spirits on such a happy day.

But as a friend, I have to warn you: Tie Rong is almost certainly in league with Xue Zhao. They must have made some shady deal.

Now that you've entered the Guard Hall, you must be careful and keep your wits about you at all times."

Jiang Feng nodded solemnly: "I understand. I will be careful."

In truth, he had already harbored similar suspicions.

On the arena stage, Liu Mo had aimed every strike at crippling him. If not for Xue Zhao's instructions behind the scenes, why would Tie Rong have sent such a person to fight him for no reason?

He did not believe for a moment that Tie Rong was unaware of this.

But suspicion was one thing; he had no other choice right now. Where else could he go if not the Guard Hall?

Returning to the Apprentice Hall to be manipulated by Xue Zhao would be worse than simply leaving the Medicine Hall to find another way to survive.

Having delivered his message, Zhao Sen turned and hurried back into the Medicine Hall.

Watching the thin figure disappear inside, Jiang Feng turned and vanished into the evening crowd, finding a restaurant by the street to grab a casual dinner.

The dishes were quite sumptuous and fragrant, yet as he ate, he felt something was missing.

Compared to the dishes Liu Ruyan had made, the gap was stark.

Jiang Feng was somewhat puzzled himself; he had only been eating her cooking for two days, so how had his palate become so refined?

After his meal, he followed the path he remembered, quietly weaving through the streets and alleys. He climbed over the familiar wall and returned to the small courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet, and the scrawny dog, Mute, was nowhere to be seen. Just like the day he first arrived, everything was silent and seemingly devoid of life.

Every blade of grass and tree in the yard remained exactly as he had left it, and Jiang Feng felt a slight sense of relief.

It seemed that woman was still behaving herself and hadn't tried anything while he was away.

He didn't intend to go to the cellar to greet her, so he turned and pushed open the door to the main room, walking straight inside.

But the moment he stepped into the room, he froze in his tracks.

The room held a faint, lingering scent of rouge, and more importantly, it held a beautiful figure that had no business being there.

"Benefactor, you're back."

Liu Ruyan stood gracefully in the center of the room, looking at him with a face full of pleasant surprise.

She had changed out of her coarse hemp clothes today into a moon-white, cross-collared ruqun. The fabric was thin and form-fitting, the neckline slightly loose, revealing a glimpse of her delicate collarbone.

Her waist sash was tied tighter than usual, outlining the fullness of her chest and the curves of her hips with vivid clarity. In the dim light, a single glance was enough to make one's breath hitch involuntarily.

A stunner—she was truly a stunner.

Even with Jiang Feng's strong willpower, he felt a surge of heat rush to his head at the sight.

He wanted to throw caution to the wind and rush over to conduct a thorough investigation, to see exactly what great secrets this woman was hiding!