After waiting a few moments, wine was indeed deliveredâfree of charge, no less. Bao Congxin was utterly baffled. Only after repeatedly confirming that no payment was required did he dare return.
Could those two sect masters actually be genuine?
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, yet he still couldnât bring himself to fully believe it. Lost in muttered confusion, Bao Congxin trudged back, his mind a tangled mess.
Just as he stepped into the courtyardâ
The three men chatting inside turned at the sound.
Luo Pengfei, with a practiced smile, greeted him smoothly.
"Many thanks, Brother Bao!"
(â_â)ïŒïŒ
Bao Congxinâs heart nearly leapt out of his chest, and he almost dropped the wine in shock.
Hastily setting the bottles on the table, he clasped his trembling hands in salute.
Then, as if possessed, he blurted out, "Y-Youâre too kind, Brother Luo."
The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to kick himself.
His heart shot straight into his throat.
This is it⊠Iâm done forâŠ
If this man really is a sect master, calling him "brother" is practically suicide!
In the past, Luo Pengfei would indeed have been seething with murderous intent.
Damn it.
A mere nobody dares address me, a Heaven-rank sect master, as "brother"? Youâve got some nerve!
But now, knowing Bao Congxinâs connection to Yi Feng, Luo Pengfei couldnât care less.
In fact, the casual address pleased himâit was proof that heâd gained an edge. A smug sense of triumph swelled in his chest.
When Bao Congxin fearfully glanced upâ
He saw "Sect Master Luo" nodding with a warm, approving smile, as if thoroughly delighted.
Bao Congxinâs mind went blank.
He stood there dumbly, questioning everything he knew about life.
As the wine was uncorked, laughter filled the courtyard.
Seeing Yi Feng in high spirits, Luo Pengfei inwardly preened at his own cleverness.
Flushed with pride, he shot Xu Baichuan a sidelong glance.
"Brother Xu, surely you didnât come empty-handed? Thatâs hardly hospitable."
This gift-giving contest wouldnât end in mutual satisfactionâonly a winner and a loser. From the moment theyâd stepped into the inn and met Yi Feng, the battle had begun.
Xu Baichuan stroked his beard with a chuckle.
"AhâŠ"
"This old man has little to offer. How could I possibly embarrass myself before Brother Luo?"
Luo Pengfei smirked in satisfaction.
So the old fox knew his limits today.
With scant intel on Yi Fengâs preferences, Xu Baichuan had wisely chosen not to compete.
Even the craftiest fox has its off days.
From now on, among the great sects, Luo Pengfei would reign supreme!
Just as he was basking in his victoryâ
Xu Baichuanâs tone shifted.
"However⊠I am not one to neglect courtesy."
"Seeing this courtyardâs humble state, and considering the inconvenience for Master Yi and Brother Bao, I happen to own a modest vacant residence. If Master Yi would deign to stay there for a few days, it would serve as my humble tribute."
Luo Pengfeiâs eyes widened.
You sly old bastard!
A house?!
Sure, it wasnât the most extravagant gift, but what if Yi Feng actually needed it?
Panicked, Luo Pengfei shot Yi Feng a glance.
Seeing no immediate interest, he relaxed slightly.
A man of Yi Fengâs stature, choosing to stay in this inn, clearly valued discretion over luxury. The old foxâs scheme was doomed to fail!
As expected, Yi Feng politely declined.
"Youâre too generous, but weâre quite comfortable here."
Truthfully, Yi Feng wouldnât mind better lodgings.
But accepting such an offer from near-strangers felt presumptuous, no matter how gracious the host.
Xu Baichuan nodded, his gaze lingering on Bao Congxin.
"That little house has stood empty for nearly a century. For you and Brother Bao to stay there would be no trouble at all. Iâve always enjoyed helping others and making friends."
"Surely itâs better than this rowdy inn. Youâd even be doing me a favor by keeping the place maintainedâa mutually beneficial arrangement."
"Even if you refuse, Brother Bao could stay alone!"
"Master Yi, thereâs no need for modesty."
Yi Feng wavered.
Xu Baichuan had a pointâit was a win-win.
Even after Yi Feng left, Bao Congxin would have a decent place to live, far better than scraping by as a kitchen hand.
Such thoughtful generosity was rare.
If nothing else, he could repay the kindness with a mealâa fair exchange.
After some deliberation, Yi Feng yielded.
"In that case, Iâll graciously accept. Thank you, Elder Xu."
Xu Baichuan bowed humbly.
"The honor is mine, Master Yi."
Luo Pengfeiâs jaw nearly dropped.
It worked?!
Yi Feng actually agreed? That cunning fox now had an opening! And knowing him, that "modest residence" was anything but ordinary.
Dread pooling in his gut, Luo Pengfei forced a smile.
"Brother Xu, where exactly is this residence?"
Xu Baichuan stroked his beard.
"In the southern districtâpeaceful and secluded. If Master Yi and Brother Bao are free, we could visit now."
Luo Pengfeiâs heart sank.
The southern district?!
NoâŠ
It couldnât beâ
Was the old man really going all out?!
As Luo Pengfei reeled, Yi Feng turned to Bao Congxin.
"Brother Bao, shall we take a look?"
Bao Congxin snapped out of his daze, utterly out of his depth.
"Wh-Whatever you say, BenefactorâŠ"
Years of life experience had deserted him. Faced with men who might be sect masters, he didnât dare utter another word.
Seeing the plan proceed, Luo Pengfeiâs unease grew.
He hastily bowed to Yi Feng.
"Master Yi, please take your time packing. Weâll wait outside."
Grabbing Xu Baichuanâs arm, he marched out of the courtyard.
"Brother Xu!"
"That âmodest residenceââdonât tell me itâs the Snow Lake Pavilion?!"
Xu Baichuanâs eyes crinkled with amusement. "Indeed."
"Brother Xu, youâre really challenging me? But Yi Fengâs tastes are unpredictable. Even if you splurge, thereâs no guarantee heâll be impressed!" Luo Pengfei hissed through gritted teeth.
Jealousy burning, he added coldly,
"Mark my wordsâif your groveling backfires and ruins my chances with Yi Feng, Iâll hold you accountable!"
Xu Baichuan merely chuckled.
"Now, now."
"No need for anger, dear brother. I have everything under control."
"Master Yi clearly values Bao Congxin. By gifting the residence in his name, Iâve already secured my advantage. This move is foolproof."
With calm steps, Xu Baichuan glanced back, smiling.
"Actually, I owe you thanks for paving the way."
"Without your earlier gift, Iâd never have grasped their bond. Gift-giving is an artâvalue means nothing if it doesnât strike the right chord."
"Young Luo, watch and learn."
"HehâŠ"
As the old man strolled ahead, Luo Pengfei clenched his fists.
"You scheming fox!"
"Using me as a stepping stone?!"
Humiliation and fury boiled in his chest. With a furious flick of his sleeve, Luo Pengfei stormed through the innâs main hallâ
Leaving every patron frozen in terror.
By the time Yi Feng and Bao Congxin emergedâ
The hall was dead silent. Not a soul dared speak. Even the innkeeper and waiters stood rigid behind the counter, faces plastered with strained smiles.
The humble inn, surprisingly, exuded the refined ambiance of an elegant banquet.
Bao Congxinâs palms were sweating from shock.
In all his years working at the inn, he had never witnessed such a scene.
The identities of those two were most likely genuine!
The more Bao Congxin thought about it, the more terrified he became, his face turning pale.
Seeing the man frozen in nervous tension, Yi Feng didnât dwell on it.
"Letâs go, weâll take a look first."
This old-timer must have never ventured beyond this placeâfear had clearly taken hold of him.
A thousand words couldnât compare to seeing with oneâs own eyes. Only by introducing him to more good-hearted people could his warped worldview, shaped by years of hardship, be changedâallowing him to stand tall with confidence.
By the time they stepped out of the small inn, $2he two sect masters had already been waiting for some time. An ordinary spirit-beast-drawn carriage stood ready, and the group departed in utmost secrecy, vanishing into the bustling streets like common cultivators.
The innkeeper didnât dare make a soundâhe didnât even show his face.
No one would have guessed that among the departing carriageâs passengers were some of the islandâs most prominent figures.
But at the mouth of an alley, $2he disguised Sixth Elder of the Mad Blade Heavenly Sect, his aura concealed, witnessed the entire boarding processâhis eyes gleaming with sharp insight!