Zhao Sen's Warning

Jiang Feng had asked Xie Shu what he wanted to know, so he didn't bring up the evil spirits again.

He was afraid that if he asked too much, he would only arouse Xie Shu's suspicion.

Though Xie Shu was friendly toward him now, it wasn't hard to imagine his attitude from the way he spoke of evil spirits. If he found out that Jiang Feng was the one marked by the seal, the shopkeeper would kill him without a second thought.

Jiang Feng was naturally quick-tongued and skilled at keeping a conversation going. The two hit it off more and more as they talked, and before they knew it, the afternoon had come.

Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Feng rose to take his leave.

Xie Shu personally escorted him to the entrance of the main hall. As they parted, he patted Jiang Feng on the shoulder and said with a smile:

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

You really are different from the other apprentices at the Medicine Hall, kid. You've got a quick wit about you.

Most importantly, that silver tongue of yours—you're always saying something nice to make an old man like me happy. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a conversation this much."

Jiang Feng bashfully clasped his hands and replied with a solemn expression:

"Shopkeeper Xie, you flatter me. I'm just straightforward and used to speaking honestly. I've never meant to flatter anyone."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and added:

"Shopkeeper Xie, I haven't gone to see Alchemist Song since I came back. Would it be convenient if I went over now?"

Xie Shu thought for a moment, then shook his head:

"I just received word that Second Young Master Wu Han intends to go all out in his attempt to reach the Martial Artist Realm. Alchemist Song is busy refining a Barrier-Breaking Pill for him.

He probably won't have any free time over the next couple of days.

But there's no need to rush. First get things settled with the Guard Hall. When Alchemist Song has some free time, I'll take you to see him."

Jiang Feng nodded and said no more. He turned and left the main hall, heading out of the Medicine Hall.

There was no way he'd go back to that old doghouse. Since he didn't have to report to the Guard Hall yet, he planned to visit the courtyard at the Sun Family's residence first.

"Are you Jiang Feng?

Y-you, wait a moment. There's something I want to talk to you about."

Jiang Feng had just stepped out of the Medicine Hall when he heard a breathless voice behind him.

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

"Zhao Sen?"

Zhao Sen came running up to Jiang Feng, panting hard. After catching his breath, he grinned and said:

"Jiang Feng, congratulations on passing the test and joining the Guard Hall."

Jiang Feng had a good impression of the man who had been his predecessor's only friend at the Medicine Hall, and he smiled as he replied:

"I just got lucky. Keep working at it, and you might still get into the Guard Hall."

Zhao Sen awkwardly scratched his head. His smile carried a trace of bitterness.

"Don't try to comfort me.

I know my own limits. I came to the Medicine Hall a whole year before you, and I'm still only at the second level of the Blood-Moving Realm... I'm probably stuck like this for the rest of my life."

Jiang Feng stepped forward and gently patted him on the shoulder, his tone warm but earnest:

"Don't be so pessimistic. What happens is up to us. Who knows when you might stumble upon some opportunity?

The Pharmacy should be taking a break about now, right?

Come on, I'll treat you to a meal at a restaurant. You helped me out plenty back when we were in the Apprentice Hall."

Seeing that Jiang Feng hadn't deliberately distanced himself just because he'd become a guard, Zhao Sen felt a pang in his heart.

Those used to being treated coldly couldn't withstand such sincere kindness.

He instinctively wiped at the corner of his eye, then shook his head.

"No need, Jiang Feng. The Pharmacy's short ten people, so everyone's got a heavier workload than before.

I happened to see you coming out and sneaked away. There's something I need to tell you."

Jiang Feng was taken aback.

"What is it?"

For timid Zhao Sen to risk sneaking out, it must have been something out of the ordinary.

Zhao Sen glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then lowered his voice and said solemnly:

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

Jiang Feng nodded without replying.

Zhao Sen leaned half a step closer and lowered his voice further.

"I just saw Tie Rong leave with Xue Zhao, arm in arm. They were laughing and talking together."

Seeing no change in Jiang Feng's expression, he assumed Jiang Feng hadn't grasped the significance, so he laid it out more plainly:

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

But as your friend, I still have to warn you: Tie Rong and Xue Zhao are almost certainly in cahoots. They must have struck some shady deal.

Now that you've joined the Guard Hall, you have to be careful. Keep your wits about you at all times."

Jiang Feng nodded gravely. "I understand. I'll be careful."

In fact, he'd already had similar suspicions.

Liu Mo's every move on the fighting platform had been aimed at crippling him. If Xue Zhao hadn't put him up to it, why would Tie Rong have sent someone like that after Jiang Feng for no reason?

Jiang Feng couldn't believe Tie Rong had known nothing about it.

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

Returning to the Apprentice Hall and letting Xue Zhao keep him under his thumb would be no better than leaving the Medicine Hall and seeking his fortune elsewhere.

Having delivered his warning, Zhao Sen hurried back to the Medicine Hall.

Jiang Feng watched the small figure disappear through the doorway, then turned and vanished into the evening crowd. He found a restaurant on the street and casually grabbed dinner.

The dishes were clearly lavish, and smelled delicious, but somehow they tasted like they were missing something.

Compared with the dishes Liu Ruyan made, the difference was stark.

Even Jiang Feng was puzzled. He'd only eaten her cooking for two days—how had his palate become so demanding?

With his hunger and thirst satisfied, he followed the route he remembered taking to get there, quietly weaving through the streets and alleys. He climbed over the familiar wall and returned to the courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet, and the skinny dog, "Mute," was nowhere to be seen. Just like the day he'd first arrived, not a sound could be heard; the place seemed utterly lifeless.

Every plant and tree in the courtyard was exactly as he'd left it, and Jiang Feng felt a little relieved.

It seemed that woman had behaved herself and hadn't tried anything while he was gone.

He didn't plan to go greet her in the cellar. Instead, he turned, pushed open the door to the main room, and walked straight in.

But the moment he stepped inside, he froze.

There was a faint, lingering scent of rouge in the room. More importantly, a beautiful figure who shouldn't have been there stood before him.

"Benefactor, you're back."

Liu Ruyan stood prettily in the center of the room, looking at him with delight.

She'd changed out of her coarse hemp clothes and now wore a moon-white cross-collared dress. The fabric was thin and clung to her figure; the collar was slightly loosened, revealing a delicate hollow at the base of her neck.

Her sash was tied a little tighter than usual, accentuating the fullness of her chest and the roundness of her backside. Even in the dim light, a single glance made his breathing tighten.

A beauty—truly a beauty.

Even with his considerable self-control, Jiang Feng felt a wave of heat rush to his head at the sight of her.

He wanted to throw caution to the wind and launch a thorough investigation to find out exactly what great secret this woman was hiding!