"Boss, what do you mean?"
The men in black paled and asked in confusion.
"Who are you calling boss?"
"Take a good look at who I am."
The burly figure in black smiled alluringly, then gently peeled at her face with her right hand, removing a human-skin mask.
A woman's face was revealed beneath it, with fair skin and delicate features.
"Jiang Liuyun!"
"How is that possible? Aren't you still at the Flowing Cloud Merchant Association?"
At the sight of her face, all five men in black turned pale.
"Hehe, you don't need to know that."
The woman named Jiang Liuyun raised her delicate hand, and a longsword appeared in her grasp.
Pfft, pfft, pfft...
Her sword rose and fell, and five heads tumbled to the ground. The five men in black had no chance to resist before she killed them outright.
"Hmph, small fry like you thought you could humiliate me, Jiang Liuyun? Pah!"
Looking at the five corpses on the ground, Jiang Liuyun snorted disdainfully, then turned and left.
That's absurd!
Inside the Azure Dragon Sword, Ye Fei had witnessed the entire scene and was left rather speechless.
So my Uncle-Master Jiang is also a member of the Flowing Cloud Merchant Association.
Ye Fei rested a hand on his chin, recalling his first encounter with Jiang Mengyun.
A quarter of an hour later, after making sure no one else was coming, Ye Fei finally emerged from the Azure Dragon Sword.
He looked around once more. Once he was certain it was safe, he summoned the Disc Flying Treasure and flew toward the Free and Easy Gate.
By his reckoning, it had been over two months since he left the Free and Easy Gate. Judging by what Jiang Liuyun had said, the Free and Easy Gate had probably already dealt with Li Zaitian.
How did Jiang Liuyun know so much about all this?
On the disc, Ye Fei could not help growing curious.
Even if the Disguise Technique could reach miraculous heights, memories could not be faked.
Forget it. I'll ask her when I get the chance.
For some reason, Ye Fei kept feeling certain that his path would cross Jiang Liuyun's again.
To save time on his return journey, Ye Fei kept taking Precious Flower Jade Dew Pills to replenish his true qi, flying on the Disc Flying Treasure the entire way.
It took him only half a day to return to the Free and Easy Gate.
Fortunately, the pills replenished his true qi slightly faster than he consumed it, or he really could not have managed it.
Looks like I'll need to keep more recovery pills on hand from now on.
After experiencing the advantages of a flying Magic Treasure, Ye Fei had made up his mind.
As soon as Ye Fei returned to his Cave Abode, he discovered that the Voice Transmission Jade Plaque in his Storage Pouch had lit up at some point.
The moment he took out the Voice Transmission Jade Plaque, Ning Siyu's voice sounded from it in succession.
"Junior Brother Ye, Master has killed Li Zaitian. You can come back now."
"Junior Brother Ye, it's been so long. Why haven't you come back yet?"
"Junior Brother Ye, send me a reply as soon as you return."
Clearly, Ning Siyu had sent these messages at different times.
Ye Fei was deeply moved by how much Ning Siyu cared about him.
"Senior Sister, I'm back."
Not wanting Ning Siyu to worry, Ye Fei quickly sent her a message.
"Wait for me in your Cave Abode!"
Only a moment later, Ning Siyu's pleasantly surprised voice came from the Jade Plaque.
This senior sister is much better than that master I got on the cheap.
Ye Fei shook his head helplessly.
A quarter of an hour later, an Azure Rainbow flashed across the sky above Ye Fei's Cave Abode. Riding her flying sword, Ning Siyu landed outside.
"Junior Brother Ye, I'm here."
Standing outside the Cave Abode's Protective Formation, Ning Siyu called inside.
In fact, Ye Fei had already seen her without needing her to call, and he hurried to the entrance.
"Please come in, Senior Sister."
With a wave of Ye Fei's right hand, an opening appeared in the Cave Abode's Protective Formation.
Ning Siyu walked through the opening.
"Wow!"
"Junior Brother Ye, the spiritual herbs you planted are growing so well!"
At a glance, Ning Siyu spotted the thriving spiritual herbs in Ye Fei's courtyard.
Ye Fei had watered all these spiritual herbs with water from the Azure Dragon Pool, and they did indeed grow a little more robustly than ordinary spiritual herbs.
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Sister."
Smiling, Ye Fei ushered Ning Siyu into the Cave Abode.
"Junior Brother Ye, you've already reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer?"
After sitting on a stool, Ning Siyu noticed Ye Fei's cultivation and looked utterly astonished.
She had never imagined that Ye Fei, who had only a mixed spiritual root, would reach the Qi Refining Sixth Layer in little more than half a year.
After all, cultivators with mixed spiritual roots could not advance beyond the Qi Refining Fourth Layer even if they cultivated their entire lives.
Yet Ye Fei had actually reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
"I just had a few fortunate encounters while I was away."
Ye Fei smiled calmly and gave a vague reply.
"Oh!"
"You've had me worried sick, staying away for these two months. A month ago, I even made a special trip to the Market in Qingyuan Town, but I couldn't find you."
"I thought something might have happened to you!"
Seeing Ye Fei back, Ning Siyu was visibly relieved.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."
Ye Fei expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"We're fellow disciples. There's no need to be so polite."
"I came today because there's something I wanted to tell you."
"A month ago, Uncle-Master Jiang said she needed a disciple to tend her Herb Garden and asked me to recommend someone. I thought of you."
"Now that I've seen how well you've cared for the spiritual herbs in your courtyard, I'm sure this job will suit you."
Seeing how polite Ye Fei was, Ning Siyu quickly waved a hand and explained the purpose of her visit.
"I'm afraid I might not do a good job."
Ye Fei replied with some concern.
"It'll be fine. Uncle-Master Jiang is very kind."
"Besides, tending the Herb Garden isn't complicated."
"And Uncle-Master Jiang pays quite well: ten lower-grade spirit stones a month, with no need to carry out sect assignments."
Afraid Ye Fei might refuse, Ning Siyu hurriedly added this.
"In that case, thank you, Senior Sister."
Ye Fei quickly rose and bowed to Ning Siyu, accepting the job.
"Junior Brother Ye, you're far too polite."
Ning Siyu shot Ye Fei a playfully reproachful look.
"Hehe, it's a habit."
Ye Fei scratched his head awkwardly.
"Come on, let's go to Uncle-Master Jiang's place together. It's already been a month. If we delay any longer, she might be displeased."
Ning Siyu smiled charmingly, then stood and headed outside first.
Then the two of them stepped onto Ning Siyu's flying sword and flew deeper into the Free and Easy Gate.
Half a quarter of an hour later, Ning Siyu brought Ye Fei to a stop on a stretch of level ground in the mountains.
On either side of them stood a peak towering into the clouds.
The area they stood in lay right between the two peaks.
Although it was several hundred zhang above ground level, it resembled a flat plain.
It covered an area several li across.
"We're here. Uncle-Master Jiang's Cave Abode is on the southern peak of Jade Maiden Peak."
After stepping off the flying sword, Ning Siyu led Ye Fei toward the peak on the left.
"Since you're here, come in."
As soon as they reached a Cave Abode, Jiang Mengyun's voice came from inside.
Having received permission, the two did not hesitate and went straight in.
The Cave Abode was built into the mountainside. As he approached, Ye Fei caught a faint fragrance.
It resembled the scent of flowers, yet also the distinctive fragrance of a woman.
The moment Ye Fei and Ning Siyu entered the Cave Abode, they saw Jiang Mengyun, dressed in a yellow skirt, seated in the place of honor in the reception hall, smiling at them.
"Siyu greets Uncle-Master Jiang."
"Ye Fei greets Uncle-Master Jiang."
The two hurried forward and bowed.
"Sit."
Jiang Mengyun nodded lightly and gestured toward the chairs on either side.
"Thank you, Uncle-Master Jiang."
Only after bowing once more in thanks did the two sit down.
"Uncle-Master Jiang, I've brought him to you."
"He's my junior brother, Ye Fei."
Once seated, Ning Siyu hurried to introduce him.
"Mm, good. Ye Fei can stay."
Jiang Mengyun smiled calmly and asked no further questions.
"Thank you, Uncle-Master Jiang. Junior Brother Ye only joined recently, so he may not understand some of the rules. Please be patient with him."
Delighted that Jiang Mengyun was willing to let Ye Fei stay, Ning Siyu quickly added this.
"I've met Martial Nephew Ye Fei once before. You needn't worry about that."
"When you return, explain this to Senior Sister Luo as well, so there won't be any misunderstandings."
Jiang Mengyun glanced at Ye Fei and spoke to Ning Siyu with a meaningful look.
Jiang Mengyun's words startled Ning Siyu, but she did not dare ask further. After acknowledging them, she rose and left.
Once Ning Siyu was gone, only Ye Fei and Jiang Mengyun remained in the hall.
"You've made quite a bit of progress these past few months."
Jiang Mengyun smiled warmly at Ye Fei, seated below her.
"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle-Master Jiang. I just had a few small fortunate encounters on this trip."
Ye Fei hurried to explain.
"Don't put on an act in front of me. Take this Alchemy Formula for now. Refine the Skin Refining Pill as soon as possible, and aim to reach qi refining perfection within a year."
Jiang Mengyun smiled and glanced at the short sword at Ye Fei's waist.
Then she flicked a delicate finger, and a Jade Slip flew into Ye Fei's hand.
Next, she rose and walked deeper into the Cave Abode.
Before you continue