"Please go in and announce us. My young master is a friend of your young lady, Shui Furong. We happened to be passing through today and came specially to pay her a visit."
Meng Yi stood at the entrance to the Shui Residence and called out in a strong, resonant voice.
His voice rang especially clearly through the quiet street, as though it could pierce the thick Vermilion Gate and reach straight into the residence.
"Please wait a moment. I'll go announce you right away." The gatekeeper dared not delay and hastily cupped his hands in reply.
He looked Meng Yi up and down. The man before him wore blue robes, stood tall and straight, and had handsome features with a heroic air between his brows.
More importantly, a faint but powerful pressure radiated from him, making him someone not to be underestimated.
The gatekeeper thought to himself, Though his face is unfamiliar, judging by his clothes and bearing, he's certainly no ordinary man. Even if he isn't our young lady's friend, I absolutely mustn't offend him lightly.
With that thought, he turned and hurried into the residence as though his soles had been greased.
In the teahouse opposite the Shui Residence, several well-dressed young men and women sat at a table by the window. Some sipped tea while others chatted, looking perfectly at ease.
One boy among them was particularly eye-catching. With delicate brows, clear eyes, red lips, and white teeth, he looked as though he had been carved from jade, making people take a second glance.
That boy was none other than Ying Ming Hao.
After leaving the Slums, Ming Hao and the others had wandered around until they found themselves here without realizing it.
Their special visit to the Shui Residence had two reasons. First, Shui Furong was the first friend they had made since coming here;
Second, ahem, one could also say that Ming Hao wanted to cadge a free meal and drinks.
Meanwhile, in a young lady's bedchamber within the Shui Residence, a subtle fragrance drifted through the quiet, elegant room.
"Young lady, a servant has reported that a friend of yours has come to visit!"
A maid dressed in blue-green softly delivered the message.
Shui Furong, who was slumped before the mirror at her dressing table, froze for a moment.
A friend?! The friends I know are either well-bred young ladies from various powerful factions or heaven's favored daughters. The gatekeepers would certainly recognize those who have visited before. There would be no reason to send someone specifically to ask.
Then who could it be? If those young gentlemen have come to visit, I already instructed the servants to turn them away.
Curiosity stirred in Shui Furong, and she asked:
"Did they give a name or say where they came from?!"
"No, young lady. According to the gatekeeper, the visitor is a boy of about twelve, accompanied by several guards."
Shui Furong's little head began working furiously. Suddenly, someone's figure flashed through her mind. He matched the gatekeeper's description perfectly-wasn't it that shameless little lecher!
At the thought, Shui Furong's feelings immediately grew complicated. She felt both surprised and delighted that he had actually come looking for her;
Yet she was also annoyed. That little lecher had been frivolous and rude to her in every way, and his cheek knew no bounds.
Thinking of this, Shui Furong told the maid irritably, "Tell him I'm not at home. I happened to go out."
"Yes, young lady." The maid seemed somewhat taken aback by Shui Furong's decision, but she answered at once.
However, Shui Furong hesitated, then finally sighed and said with a sulky face, "Oh, forget it. Invite them to the pavilion by the pond."
The maid covered her mouth and smiled. From her young lady's expression, she had already guessed who it was. If it really was that little lecher, her young lady's annoyance was only natural!
After thinking it over, Shui Furong still felt uneasy. Gritting her teeth, she said,
"Invite Cousin Shui Huo'er and Cousin Shui Ying'er as well."
"Yes."
"Young master, our young lady invites you inside for a chat!"
The gatekeeper came to the teahouse and spoke with utmost respect.
Ming Hao grinned, rose, and stepped into the Shui Residence.
Carved beams and painted pillars greeted his eyes everywhere, all steeped in antique elegance. What a wealthy, distinguished household!
They arrived at a pond nestled beside a hill. Several beautiful pavilions stood amid the lotus blossoms filling its waters.
Three women, each with her own distinct charms, sat in one of the finely wrought octagonal pavilions, with several maids standing behind them!
He followed the exquisite winding corridor into the pavilion.
"Miss Shui, one day apart feels like three autumns. You really are growing lovelier and fresher by the day."
With that, he plopped down opposite Shui Furong. In truth, he had wanted to sit beside her, but she had grown considerably wiser and seated her two cousins on either side of herself, leaving him no opening whatsoever! He could only look utterly regretful.
To Shui Furong's left sat a girl who looked seventeen or eighteen, dressed head to toe in fiery-red martial attire. Not only that, but her hair and brows were also fiery red. She had lovely features and radiated a bold, valiant air!
To her right sat a woman who looked to be in her twenties, blessed with natural beauty and an appearance that suggested both grace and intelligence. She wore a pure white dress, with loose strands of hair falling beside her ears, and exuded a mature, composed air!
By comparison, Shui Furong in the middle looked petite and delicate. Though her beauty was even more outstanding, she also seemed far more youthful and innocent!
"Hmph, little sister Furong was right. You really are a lecher!"
The woman in fiery red on the left snorted.
"And who might this pretty young lady be?"
"This is my cousin Shui Huo'er on my left. Because she possesses the heavenly fire sacred body, her temper is a little fiery!"
"This is my cousin Shui Ying'er on my right. She is now a Personal Disciple of the Misty Sect and one of its famous Top Hundred Goddesses."
"Hmph, don't get any improper ideas, you lecher, or else..."
Shui Furong plainly had no trust in Ming Hao whatsoever and warned him with a cold snort.
"Miss Shui, you've misunderstood me. I, Ming Hao, am a proper gentleman. I never go near women..."
As he spoke, he sneakily shifted his backside, inching toward Shui Ying'er.
Seeing this, Shui Furong instantly flushed, and her little foot stamped angrily down on Ming Hao's foot.
The pain made Ming Hao bare his teeth and grimace, forcing him to shift back!
"Ying'er, this lecher is always like this. Don't stoop to his level."
"It's all right." Shui Ying'er covered her mouth and smiled.
"Exactly, exactly! See, Ying'er doesn't mind at all, yet you... Ouch..."
Before Ming Hao could finish, his face twisted as another stab of pain shot through his foot!
Behind him, Qing Yun had long since grown used to such antics. She kept looking off to either side, as though saying she did not know him at all!
Relying on his shamelessly thick skin, Ming Hao managed to coax a constant stream of smiles and lilting, birdsong laughter from the women. Even the hot-tempered Huo'er laughed without stopping.
"Miss Shui, does your Shui Residence have any special admission places for the Misty Sect this time?!"
Ming Hao asked with a serious expression, his intentions unclear.
Shui Furong answered without thinking.
"For this round of recruitment by the Misty Sect, our Shui Residence does indeed have special admission places.
"Every major faction enjoys this privilege. The stronger the faction, the more places it receives. Our Shui Family has only ten this time, which puts us in the lower-middle ranks!"
Anyone admitted through special recruitment could skip the entrance assessment and enter directly as an Inner Disciple. However, the number of places was not fixed; those willing to pay a hefty price could obtain additional places.
Ming Hao seemed to have expected this answer.
"Miss Shui, could you spare me one place? I'm willing to pay the appropriate price for it!"
Shui Furong and the others were taken aback. The Misty Sect's recruitment was already more than halfway over. Anyone still hoping to join could only take the special admission route, or perhaps be fortunate enough to catch the eye of an Elder or steward of the Misty Sect, who could take them back to start as a Servant Disciple.
There was another way: only Personal Disciples and those above them had the right to bring several attendants or followers into the sect to cultivate. However, those people enjoyed none of the rights or benefits of Misty Sect disciples. Any cultivation methods, pills, or other resources they needed had to be purchased with large quantities of spirit stones!
"Do you have a friend or relative who needs a place, young master?!"
"Indeed." Ying Ming Hao intended to send Yu Wanchuan to the Misty Sect to cultivate. Only then could she grow more quickly and become qualified to follow him, making his investment worthwhile!
"I can ask my father about this, but I can't guarantee the outcome."
After a moment's hesitation, Shui Furong agreed.
"Qiu'er, go report this matter to the Family Head."
"Yes." Shui Furong's personal maid, Qiu'er, immediately turned and left.
"Thank you, Miss Shui. How about I take you out to stroll through the night market tonight!"
Ming Hao was all cheeky grins again.
"No. I'm not going." Shui Furong refused bluntly and decisively.
Before you continue