You're Doing the "Courting Death" Routine Too?

Wutan City, inside the resplendent hall of the Mittel Auction House.

When Yun Congxin said he wanted two decent rooms and intended to stay there, the maid at the reception desk nearly took him for a troublemaker and threw him out.

But before she could speak, Nalan Yanran tossed over an exquisite Purple-Gold Card.

The moment she saw the Purple-Gold Card, the impatience on her face vanished, replaced by an almost fawning smile.

"Yes, of course. The Mittel Auction House has fine rooms prepared especially for our honored guests. Please follow me." She respectfully returned the Purple-Gold Card with both hands, then hurried ahead of Yun Congxin and Nalan Yanran to lead the way, her eyes lowered and her manner meek.

This night-and-day change in attitude did not stem from greed, but from an exceptionally strong desire to stay alive.

Who was she kidding? Anyone who possessed a Purple-Gold Card like that was powerful and distinguished. If her earlier impatience had angered them, they could kill her on the spot and the Mittel Auction House would not utter a word.

Fortunately, neither of them seemed to mind her earlier rudeness. The reception maid secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Welcome to the Mittel Auction House, honored guests. These two rooms feature an ink-wash landscape style, centered around landscape paintings by a master and accented with verdant pines and artfully arranged rocks. The layout is distinctive and elegant. Are they to your satisfaction?"

Yun Congxin did not particularly care about any of that. His brow creased slightly as he asked something else. "Are there other people staying in the auction house?"

"Yes, my lord. A Third-Grade Alchemist arrived this morning and is also staying at the Mittel Auction House. However, all our rooms are built from superior materials and have excellent soundproofing. His room is also very far from yours, so he certainly won't disturb your rest."

"Mm." Yun Congxin nodded and waved to dismiss her.

"Then please rest. Someone will bring tea and refreshments shortly."

"No need. I'm going to cultivate. No one is to disturb me."

"Yes, my lord."

The reception maid withdrew, muttering inwardly, Cultivate? Who would believe that! Bringing such a seductive little fox here to stay, and worrying about other people overhearing you—have you no shame...

Two impatient, lust-starved fiends have arrived in a single day. Something might go wrong. I'd better report this to Master Gu Ni right away...

Inside his room, Yun Congxin had no idea that his reputation had already been dragged through the mud. He said to Nalan Yanran, "You must be tired after rushing all this way. Go back to your room and rest. I'll go out and have a look."

A Third-Grade Alchemist, and now a Peak Dou Ling expert too. Just what excitement is brewing in Wutan City to get all these stray cats and dogs so restless...?

Soul power surged from between Yun Congxin's brows, spreading out in a vast tide as he searched for traces of the Peak Dou Ling expert.

"Found you!" Yun Congxin's figure flickered and vanished into the night.

"This is... the Jia Lie Family?" Yun Congxin sat on a branch of an enormous ancient tree, his figure concealed by leaves and wind. Together with the slightly distorted space around him, he believed that even if the Peak Dou Ling expert stood right in front of him, they would never notice anyone there.

The Jia Lie Family's hall was under heavy guard, with sentries both visible and hidden. The entire family had practically been mobilized.

Yun Congxin closed his eyes. His soul power supplied him with a more detailed picture, as though he had switched to a god's-eye view. He was starting to fall in love with the feeling.

"Jia Lie Clan Chief, what could possibly be so urgent?" Three Da Dou Shi emerged from a hidden doorway. The man leading them could not wait to ask the question the moment he appeared.

Though Jia Lie Bi was the clan chief, he was not seated in the place of honor. He stood behind the four black-robed figures, looking so submissive that he might as well have been their servant.

"You're the head of the Ao Ba Family?" one of the black-robed figures asked. Her voice was sultry and especially alluring.

The Ao Ba Family's clan chief swallowed. He cast a wary glance at the black-robed figure seated in the place of honor, calmly sipping tea, then solemnly cupped his hands. "This humble one is the Ao Ba Family's clan chief, Oba Padun."

"Mm. We summoned you to grant you a great opportunity," the woman continued. "Before long, disaster will strike the Xiao Clan. If you can seize the chance, swallow up their trading districts and market share, and drive them out of Wutan City, your two families can reign as local tyrants here for a thousand generations..."

Gulp!

Both Jia Lie Bi and Oba Padun swallowed. They exchanged a glance, each seeing wariness and disbelief in the other's eyes.

The Xiao Clan had just dealt the Jia Lie Family a devastating blow in the struggle over wound medicine. Now they were flourishing, showing signs of becoming the dominant power in Wutan City.

That was precisely why the Ao Ba Family had begun secretly colluding with the Jia Lie Family.

"It isn't that we doubt you, my lord, but Xiao Yan, the Xiao Clan's third son, has already recovered his talent. The Xiao Clan is riding that favorable wind to soar ever higher. Even if disaster strikes them in the future, they have nothing to fear! We, on the other hand, would be dropping stones down a well if we attacked while they were weakened. Once that boy comes into his own, wouldn't we be in trouble...?"

"Heh. No wonder the Xiao Clan keeps both your families under its heel even when you join forces. That boy hasn't accomplished anything yet, and you're already scared out of your wits?" The black-robed figure sneered. "I'll tell you the truth. That Xiao Clan brat offended the Misty Cloud Sect, and the First Elder has already killed him on Misty Cloud Mountain!"

Yun Congxin narrowed his eyes slightly. He remembered how, in the book, these two families had suddenly seemed to lose their minds and plunder a burning house, only for Xiao Yan to trample them mercilessly.

Now it seemed these four black-robed figures had hoodwinked them so thoroughly they could no longer walk straight...

That explains it. That explains it!

Jia Lie Bi's eyes immediately lit up. The good news left him refreshed and invigorated; even his Dou Qi circulated more smoothly.

"Hmph! I knew it. That little bastard was arrogant and domineering from childhood, throwing his weight around everywhere. Once he grew up, he only became more lawless, preying on the townsfolk! Bullying us was one thing, but he actually dared to bully the Misty Cloud Sect too. Truly, he left himself no road to survival and found himself a sure path to death!"

You're doing that routine too!

Unlike the excited Jia Lie Bi, Oba Padun remained much calmer. He cupped his hands respectfully. "May I ask, my lord, are you from...?"

Oba Padun did not doubt the news that Xiao Yan had died at the Misty Cloud Sect. In his view, making the three-year agreement had been utterly foolish in the first place. Losing would have been manageable, but if Xiao Yan won, he probably would not be able to leave the Misty Cloud Sect alive.

But now he had a suspicion. These experts knew of Xiao Yan's death, possessed such formidable strength, and had deigned to visit tiny Wutan City in person. Their identities went without saying.

Presumably, these lords don't want to dirty their own hands. They want us to serve as their white gloves, making the Xiao Clan's destruction appear unrelated to the Misty Cloud Sect...

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't!" The black-robed figure in the seat of honor coughed heavily and spoke in an icy voice.

That amounted to an indirect admission that Oba Padun's guess was correct!