Chapter 366: Chance Encounter

“By the way, how old is this Feng Rao?” Wang Haoran asked, still feeling a faint sense of discomfort despite already deciding on his plan.

After all, Feng Rao had a son who was nearly twenty years old, which meant she was technically an older woman.

“Thirty-six,” Yun Xuan replied.

“Only thirty-six?” Wang Haoran’s brows lifted in surprise.

“In the hidden martial world, traditions from ancient times are still preserved. It’s common for people to marry as young as fifteen or sixteen,” Yun Xuan explained. “But, regarding her age, you must never mention it in front of the Sect Master. Even Yan Yuntian doesn’t dare bring it up.”

Wang Haoran nodded, completely understanding. Even ordinary women hated it when others mentioned their age, let alone a powerful and highly respected sect master of a hidden sect.

“You said she’s beautiful. But at thirty-six, just how beautiful can she be?” He sounded doubtful, questioning Yun Xuan’s earlier description.

“Martial artists age much more slowly than ordinary people, and with proper maintenance, the Sect Master looks about ten years younger. To those who don’t know her, she appears to be only twenty-five or twenty-six,” Yun Xuan said seriously.

“I see…” Wang Haoran was intrigued. He had met women who practiced martial arts before—Luo Qingqian, Feng Xuansu, and Ning Aoxue—but all of them were young. He had never encountered an older martial woman, so Yun Xuan’s explanation cleared up his misconception. The uneasiness in his chest faded away.

If Feng Rao was still youthful and stunning, then her age wasn’t a problem at all.

“How far is Fengxi Sect from here?” Wang Haoran asked, already planning his encounter.

“Roughly over a thousand kilometers. Are you planning to go there, My Lord? But Fengxi Sect doesn’t allow outsiders to enter,” Yun Xuan reminded him.

Wang Haoran frowned slightly. Feng Rao, being the Sect Master of Fengxi, likely stayed within its grounds. That meant approaching her would be difficult. Sneaking in was risky, and if he got caught by one of the sect’s martial experts, the consequences would be troublesome.

“I want to meet this Feng Rao. Since you’re from Fengxi Sect, you must know the place well. Is there any way to do it?” he asked casually.

Because both Yun Xuan and Yu Ning’s Favorability had maxed out, Wang Haoran wasn’t worried about betrayal and spoke openly.

Yun Xuan thought for a moment, then answered, “Three days from now is Fengxi Sect’s annual Day of Blessing. As per tradition, the Sect master will lead several disciples down the mountain to Fengxi Terrace nearby to pray for fortune. Common people sometimes visit the terrace to offer prayers, so even if an outsider appears there, no one would find it suspicious.”

“What time three days from now?” Wang Haoran asked.

“Seven in the morning,” Yun Xuan replied.

He memorized it immediately, then smiled approvingly. “Yun Xuan, that’s very useful information.”

“I’m glad to be of help, My Lord,” she said happily.

“I’ll come see you sometime,” Wang Haoran added deliberately, understanding her affection and using it as motivation.

Her eyes lit up. “My Lord, you said it yourself. Yun Xuan will be waiting for your visit.”

“And Yu Ning too!” another cheerful voice chimed in through the phone, full of excitement.

——

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Wang Haoran packed his things and prepared to depart, but just before he left, his phone rang—it was his father, Wang Xiang.

“My dear son,” Wang Xiang’s tone was heavy, “several of our major business partners suddenly terminated their contracts. The Wang Group’s situation isn’t looking good.”

“Our stock price has plummeted, and in just a short time, our market value evaporated by tens of billions. It’s as if a powerful force is working behind the scenes against us. Your mother and I haven’t offended anyone like that. Tell me honestly—did you provoke someone you shouldn’t have?”

“It’s me,” Wang Haoran said calmly. “But if you’re calling to tell me to bow my head and apologize, save your breath.”

“Don’t get worked up, son,” Wang Xiang replied quickly. “I’m not blaming you. I just want to understand what’s going on.”

“You’re not upset about losing tens of billions in market value?” Wang Haoran asked, a little surprised.

“Of course I am,” his father said firmly. “But I’d rather lose the company than see my son kneel and apologize. If they want a fight, we’ll give them one. Even if it means the Wang Group goes bankrupt, I won’t let them win easily!”

Wang Haoran couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth in his chest. “It won’t come to that. Don’t worry. Everything will settle down soon.”

“Why do you say that?” his father asked, puzzled.

“Because I’m going to pray for our family’s fortune. Maybe the heavens will bless the Wang Group,” Wang Haoran said with a teasing smile.

Wang Xiang was momentarily speechless, wanting to say that such things were useless—but he held back, knowing his son’s intentions were sincere.

“Alright, alright. Take care then,” he sighed.

“Time’s up, I need to head out. Bye,” Wang Haoran said, ending the call before heading straight for the airport.

By the time his plane landed, the night sky had already fallen. He left the airport, rented a car, and drove to the area near Fengxi Terrace, where he found a local inn. After paying generously, he secured a room and rested for the night.

At dawn the next day, around six o’clock, Wang Haoran woke up, packed some offerings, and made his way to Fengxi Terrace.

By the time he arrived at the prayer plaza, it was nearly seven. The area was being decorated by several women in long robes, preparing for the blessing ritual.

When he got closer, one of the attendants politely told him the area was temporarily restricted and asked him to return in an hour. The tone wasn’t unfriendly, and Wang Haoran decided to keep a low profile.

He didn’t enter the plaza but stayed nearby instead.

Activating his X-ray vision, he scanned the area. His gaze soon locked onto the main hall at the front of the terrace, where a stunning woman in a brocade robe sat with her eyes closed in repose.

Four attendants stood quietly at her sides, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear of disturbing her. The woman’s calm posture and commanding aura left little doubt in Wang Haoran’s mind—she had to be Feng Rao.

As he thought this, he quietly stepped forward toward the hall.

“Stop right there!”

The moment he crossed the threshold, one of the attendants snapped sharply.

At the same instant, the woman in the brocade robe slowly opened her eyes. Within those seemingly emotionless pupils shimmered a faint, chilling light. The four attendants stiffened, trembling slightly.

They all knew their sect master’s temperament too well—Feng Rao detested strange men. To her, even a single glance from them was enough to sully her eyes.