Putting it off

"Your young mistress?"

Lin Chen pushed open the meditation chamber's door and left the courtyard. Seeing the black-robed figure standing outside with his back bowed, he immediately felt a headache coming on.

He had only just finished switching cultivation methods and had yet to enter the Inner Academy, but Xun'er had already sent someone looking for him.

He had originally planned to stall for as long as possible after joining the Inner Academy, dragging things out until his next simulation. That way, he could fleece the Gu Clan again while scouting the road ahead for himself.

Who would have thought that girl Xun'er kept such close tabs on things? Has she planted a lookout outside my house?

Lin Chen eyed the Black-Robed Man suspiciously, feeling that this was quite likely.

Perhaps the Black-Robed Man had been watching him ever since he returned to his courtyard for secluded cultivation, ready to summon him the instant he emerged without wasting a moment.

"All right, let's go."

"No need to lead the way. I've been there before. I know the route."

With a helpless sigh, Lin Chen headed off. The Black-Robed Man followed, maintaining a friendly distance from him at all times, neither straying too far nor coming too close.

Along the way, Lin Chen occasionally asked a few questions, hoping to probe for information that interested him.

"By the way, has your Young Mistress Xun'er lived with the Xiao Clan for a long time? Who in the Xiao Clan is she closest to?"

"Xiao Yan? Xiao Mei? Xiao Yu? Why, because she has long legs? Because they both hate Xiao Yan?"

"Oh, you don't have to say anything. I understand. I understand everything."

"What does your young mistress like to eat? Does she usually trim her nails?"

"That's confidential? You can't tell me?"

"Do you know Xiao Yan? What do you think of him? Does he have the makings of a Dou Di?"

"By the way, how much do you get paid each month? If I throw my lot in with your young mistress, what kind of price do you think she'd offer me?"

"Oh, brother, I've got a bottle of Qi Recovery Pills here. Take it, don't be shy. We might end up as colleagues someday, so we ought to help each other out."

As time passed, Lin Chen chatted with the Black-Robed Man until they reached Xun'er's residence.

Although the Black-Robed Man had not spoken throughout their journey, Lin Chen had still deduced a great deal from his expressions and subtle body language.

Second, Young Mistress Xun'er was very generous. This man had refused to divulge anything about her the entire time, not merely because of his discipline as a Gu Clan guard, but because he sincerely wanted to protect her. Clearly, Xun'er, who had yet to reach Dou Wang, had not won him over with her strength.

Rather, she had won him over by throwing a great deal of money at him.

"Young mistress, your honored guest has arrived."

The Black-Robed Man stepped into the lotus-filled courtyard first and bowed to Xun'er, then tactfully withdrew to one side.

Lin Chen curled his lips. He felt the man was probably afraid he would ask another awkward question that was difficult to answer, which was why he had hurriedly fled.

"Senior Lin Chen, it's been a while. You're as distinguished as ever, but your cultivation has become even more extraordinary. I'm quite surprised."

Her gentle voice drifted over on the breeze, carrying wisps of lotus fragrance. Lin Chen chuckled and turned toward her, only to freeze for a moment.

Xun'er sat smiling beside the pond, dressed in a close-fitting, pale-purple training outfit. A purple sash encircled her waist, accentuating its willow-slender curves, narrow enough to fit within a single grasp.

The young woman's full breasts tilted slightly upward, radiating boundless vitality. Pale-purple silk bound her dark hair into a high ponytail, while her fitted clothing traced a captivating curve from her proud, delicate bust to her rounded, lifted hips. The sight was rather breathtaking.

"I just finished practicing my Dou Techniques and haven't had time to change. Please make yourself comfortable, Senior Lin Chen. Have a seat."

Xun'er smiled calmly. Behind that courteous smile lay a coldness that kept others a thousand miles away, instantly clearing Lin Chen's head.

"Not at all. Junior Xun'er, you're a natural beauty. You look lovely in anything. I'm only a coarse fellow who knows nothing of beauty or ugliness, but I've always felt that girls as gentle and considerate as you are rare indeed."

Lin Chen sat down beside her, smiling as he unobtrusively delivered a little flattery.

After all, she was his employer in the simulation and the greatest backer behind him. For the sake of his future cultivation resources, he could put up with a little for now. A moment of bending the knee in exchange for half a lifetime of wealth and glory—hardly a loss!

At his words, Xun'er gave a playful smile, blossoming like a fleeting night-blooming flower. Lin Chen could not help inwardly marveling at what an enchantress she was.

"You're joking, senior. Jia Nan Academy has plenty of senior girls as gentle as water. With your talents, would you really have to worry about none of them wanting to get close to you? I heard that a senior girl from the Central Plains offered an especially high price to invite you to settle there."

"You're joking, Junior Xun'er. I've always sold my talents, not my body. What could fame and fortune possibly add to my worth?"

"As the ancients said, bamboo may be burned, but its joints cannot be destroyed; jade may be shattered, but its whiteness cannot be changed. I wholeheartedly agree."

Lin Chen put on a solemn expression and spoke quite naturally.

Was it that he didn't want to sell himself? What was there worth selling himself for in a mere Dou Zong clan?

If he was going to sell, he would sell big. Even a gentleman needed to eat. Besides, the warm-up for the Central Plains' peak season was already underway, and the Hall of Souls' alchemist buffet had long since opened. How could he possibly get by without finding a backer?

"Pfft~"

Unable to hold back, Xun'er covered her mouth with her small hand and laughed softly. According to the information she had gathered, this Senior Lin Chen would use every means imaginable to obtain resources. Yet here he was, pretending to be a "gentleman" in front of her.

"All right, enough small talk. I invited you here today to discuss something important."

"Elder Lin, serve the tea."

As her words fell, the Black-Robed Man who had withdrawn to one side stepped forward. He picked up the teapot on the table and poured Lin Chen a cup of hot tea before returning to his place.

A smile immediately appeared on Lin Chen's face. He picked up the cup and drained it in one gulp, praising it enthusiastically. "Excellent tea, excellent tea! Just as expected of tea brewed by Junior Xun'er herself. So refreshingly crisp, with such a sweet aftertaste."

At his words, the corners of Xun'er's mouth involuntarily lifted, though she maintained the smile of a well-bred young lady and the poise of a noblewoman. "If you like it, senior, take some with you later. Once you join that major power, you'll be enjoying fine tea like this every day."

"Oh? A major power?"

A bewildered look appeared on Lin Chen's face, and he asked blankly, "What major power? Junior Xun'er, what are you talking about? Didn't you invite me here for tea today?"

Xun'er's smile stiffened. Suppressing her displeasure, she reminded him gently, "Senior, I mean the matter I discussed with you last time."

With that, she waved her fair hand, and a jade slip and a token appeared on the stone table.

"Several days have passed. Have you reached a decision, senior? Surely you aren't going to tell me you still haven't thought it through?"

As Xun'er finished speaking, her tone abruptly cooled. Her gaze fixed on Lin Chen, as though she intended to watch every change in his expression.

Only then did Lin Chen put on a look of realization. Slapping his forehead, he hurriedly apologized. "Oh, that matter! Junior Xun'er, look at this brain of mine. I've been so busy cultivating these past few days to switch cultivation methods that I even forgot something this important! I really deserve to die for that, I really do!"

At his words, Xun'er's willow-like brows knitted slightly. Somewhat helplessly, she asked, "You still haven't thought it through, senior?"

"It's not that I haven't thought it through. I've simply been so busy cultivating that it slipped my mind. Please give me a few more months, Junior Xun'er. Once I've dealt with these recent trifles, I'll definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

His expression solemn, Lin Chen patted his chest and offered assurance after assurance.