Edited by Elanor
Perhaps as an attempt to make up for the lies, after dinner, Ji Yanran personally sent Yun Yifeng back to his room. But when he opened the door, he saw that the young servant was still making the bed— the beddings from the inn had long been discarded and tossed somewhere. Instead, a brocade quilt and an exquisite jade pillow had been prepared. A thick bear skin rug was spread on the footstool, and a good soothing incense was already lit on the incense burner at the side of the bed. Even the utensils used for drinking tea were exquisite and unique. The copper basin used for washing was filled with petals. Standing in a row on the side were four servants, with smiles on their faces, who seemed to be in the posture to assist Yun Yifeng in changing his clothes and help him take a bath.
The Feng Yu Sect Master was puzzled, “Is the Prince going to hold a ceremony before going to bed?”
Ji Yanran replied, “You can’t be born in the royal family for nothing. Everyone likes luxury and pleasure, and this Prince is no exception. If the Sect Master wants to hear someone play the zither—–”
“No need.” Yun Yifeng interrupted him, “Thank you for tonight, Your Highness. I’m going to have a rest.”
Ji Yanran nodded, but before going out of the room, he did not forget to mention that the teapot was steeped with Xueding Hancui– a very rare tea that was extremely hard to come by.
However, Yun Yifeng was not interested in this rare tea. He just wanted to take a bath and go to bed quickly. He needed to set his Qi in motion in order to dampen the sharp pain within his body.
The journey towards the Northeast was arduous and had already taken a toll on his body. Having spent a whole day inside the carriage traveling on bumpy roads, his internal organs seemed to have shrunk into a ball. It was only after laying his back on the bed that he managed to feel a little comfortable.
However, although his body was tired, his mind was strangely alert— he often laid awake until late into the night.
This time was no different. After wrapping himself into the soft bedding, Yun Yifeng did not extinguish the candle. Instead, he amplified the lit wick a little bit as he took out a piece of red jade and a small knife from the box. He leaned against the head of the bed and began to carve it carefully.
Outside the window, light snow drifted all through the night.
Early the next morning, Ji Yanran looked at the red jade carving hanging around Yun Yifeng’s neck and said hesitantly: “This is…”
Yun Yifeng replied, “According to His Highness’s description, I carved out a Blood Ganoderma Lucidum as a safety amulet.”
Ji Yanran: “….”
Yun Yifeng continued, “Even if it’s not the real thing, to wear it and look at it every day, while thinking that it is, makes my heart also happy.”
He said these words in a gentle and sincere tone, as he smiled like the warm spring sun with eyes that gleamed like a dew on a cherry blossom.
Ji’s attendant, whose conscience was still existent, couldn’t bear to deceive such a seriously ill man. He lowered his head and ran away as fast as a thief.
Ji Yanran said with a smile, “Good.”
During the remainder of their journey, Yun Yifeng hung the red jade carving of Blood Ganoderma Lucidum on his chest all day like a treasure. He treated everyone kindly and whenever he smiled, his handsomeness shone. Oftentimes when he was having coughing fits, his fragility was highlighted even more than usual. As a result, Ji’s attendant became more stressed and full of anxiety. He just wished he could go to the roadside field to dig out a Blood Ganoderma Lucidum, wrap it with gold and silver fineries, and respectfully give it to this innocent businessman, who was being deceived.
The carriage drove on briskly, and Yun Yifeng dozed off, leaning against the soft cushions, like a lazy animal in winter.
Ji Yanran sat on the opposite side, aware that the bench under Yun Yifeng was made of cold jade. In this freezing weather, ordinary people would shiver as soon as they got near the bench, let alone sitting on it–- it seemed that the poison in his body was really severe.
“Master.” Ji’s attendant called from outside, “We are here.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Yun Yifeng opened his eyes: “Han Wu City?”
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Yun Yifeng raised his eyebrows: “Is it to prepare medicine for me first, or to spread the news in the city, so as to attract people from the Yue Escort Agency?”
Ji Yanran replied, “Both.”
Yun Yifeng didn’t really care and followed Jin Yanran into Han Wu City. This was an important town in the Northeast where many merchants did business. It had always been prosperous and lively. Today, it happened to coincide with the market fair, hence there were so many people that it was almost impossible to walk.
There was a stall selling sugar hawthorn on the street, where a big iron pot swung back and forth with great momentum. Yun Yifeng had never seen that before, and hence his eyes inevitably lingered on it for a while. One of the Ji’s attendants has been kind enough to buy two bags and gave them to him with a smile. Since there was no Blood Ganoderma Lucidum, they have to be diligent and considerate with these trivial matters, so as to make themselves feel at ease.
Ji Yanran: “….”
“What’s that?” Yun Yifeng asked, eating the sugar hawthorn, as his gaze fell on a low platform. “There is a large chair with colorful flowers and lots of people.”
Ji’s attendant explained that the chair belonged to the Old Master Qi, a wealthy man in the Northeast, who would move out this chair at this time of year so that everyone could obtain some luck to get rich. As long as they have five cents, one could sit on this chair for a bit. It sounds like quite a good deal.
Perhaps in order to bring up the atmosphere around this lucky chair, every time someone sat on it, a Qi family servant would chant “Promoting Good Fortune” next to it, which then evoked cheering and applause from people all around.
Yun Yifeng said, “This is really a good deal. For only five cents, you can be humiliated in full view of the public.”
Ji Yanran was amused when he heard these words: “People are just looking for good luck. The Sect Master Yun’s words are harsh.”
“Let’s go back to the inn.” Yun Yifeng has no interest. “It’s too crowded and chaotic here.”
Ji Yanran used his arms and shoulders to make way through the crowd for them to pass, as he looked around. There were many commoners in the market fair, along with many armed Practitioners of the Jianghu. It wasn’t clear why they had gathered here, since the only Martial Arts School in Han Wu City was the Yue Escort Agency, but he did not want to cause any trouble here.
However, after arriving at the inn, their question was quickly answered. The inn staff told them that the head of Yue Escort Agency was celebrating his 50th birthday this month, so he had invited a lot of his friends, and it was really an extravagant event
“You are the Sect Master of Feng Yu Sect, right?” The inn staff smiled again. “Chief Yue just sent a message to say that he asked the Sect Master to stay at the Yue Residence. The carriages are already waiting outside. There is no need to stay in the inn.”
Ji Yanran: “Tsk Tsk. That was fast.”
“If it wasn’t fast, then it wouldn’t live up to the painstaking arrangement of His Highness.” Yun Yifeng patted the sugar residue on his hand, “Please….”
The Yue Residence was not far from the inn. By the time the party arrived, Chief Yue Mingwei had already led several people to wait at the main door.
The most important thing when operating an armed escort organization was good popularity and good relationships with others. The more friends you have, the smoother the escort’s operation will be.
Yun Yifeng was quite well-known in the Jianghu. Naturally, Yue Mingwei would not be neglectful. In fact, he was very enthusiastic when they met as if they were old friends reunited after a long time.
“And this is…?” Yue Mingwei looked at Ji Yanran again.
Yun Yifeng said, “A client of Feng Yu Sect, I accepted his business proposal and so we traveled up to Northeast.
Ji Yanran cupped his fists in salute and said, “I’m surnamed Ji. I hope my hasty visit to your residence won’t disturb Chief Yue?”
“What are you talking about?” Yue Mingwei said with a smile, “There is no such thing as too many friends. Besides, Young Master Ji must be a remarkable person to incite the Feng Yu Sect Master to personally go out of his mountain. It should be this Yue’s blessings that you are willing to stay in this humble house. The accommodations have already been prepared. Gentlemen, this way please….”
The residence of the Yue Escort Agency was constructed with a lot of thought. The front yard was used for business and the backyard was used for housing. Because of Chief Yue’s birthday celebration, almost all guest rooms were occupied. There were guests with loud voices who shouted out their greetings, there were those with bad tempers who wanted to quarrel, and there were those who dragged their children to join the festivities– there were even babies crying and screaming, which made people feel both heartache and irritation…
Yun Yifeng sat at the table and poured himself a cup of tea: “We have already sneaked into Yue Escort Agency. What’s the next plan for His Highness investigation?”
Ji Yanran said, “In the Jianghu, there is an assassin named Mu Chengxue. Does Sect Master Yun know him?”
“I have heard of him, but I don’t know him.” Yun Yifeng said, “He has no allegiance to any sect or Martial Arts school. He has excellent skills and his whereabouts are very unpredictable. No one knows if he is good or evil. He has no friends and only values money.”
“He once inquired about the relic.” Ji Yanran said, “And not long after that, the Imperial pagoda was broken into.”
Yun Yifeng speculated, “So Your Highness suspects him?”
Ji Yanran said, “At the very least he should be more suspicious than others, and he has come to stay in Yue Escort Agency since three days ago.”
“No wonder a few days ago, after receiving the secret report, His Highness suddenly wanted to travel straight here without stopping.” Yun Yifeng said while rubbing his eyebrows. “The only problem is that I had to suffer for it. I couldn’t eat well and sleep well. Even now, I still cough with chest pains.”
“Master Yun, you should have a good rest.” Ji Yanran stood up. “I will do the rest.”
“Hey!” Yun Yifeng called out to stop him.
“This Prince knows.” Ji Yanran raised his right hand to show that he would keep his promise, “I won’t cause trouble.”
Outside, Ji’s attendants were also feeling dizzy with all the chaos. Yun Yifeng was well-known in the Jianghu and naturally, there were many people who wanted to come pay their respects. They sent them away one after another, but the number of people who kept approaching the room seemed endless. Two sects even accused each other of jumping in the queue and almost had a fight.
When the banquet was held in the evening, Yue Mingwei, who had heard about the incident, felt quite guilty and said, “The poor reception and manners must have frightened the Sect Master.”
“Chief Yue, you’re too polite.” Yun Yifeng smiled, “These are all trivial matters.”
“The weather in the Northeast is cold, and Master Yun’s cough has not yet healed. It should have been quieter to aid in your recuperation.” Yue Mingwei said, “The house is really noisy, if Master Yun doesn’t oppose it, I also have a snow pavilion called Snow View Pavilion built on the Ethereal Peak. It’s elegant and simple and very suitable for tea tasting and rest.”
Yun Yifeng remained silent as he listened and secretly wondered, why would this person want to bring him at the top of the mountain? Could it be that he perceived something?
However, before he could speak, someone outside the door joked: “Why, Snow View Pavilion is such a great place and Uncle Yue is only willing to let Master Yun stay there? That’s really stingy of you. I’ve wanted to go there for a long time.”
The thick curtain covering the entrance was lifted, and a cold northerly wind blew in. Along with the wind came a young man, dressed in brown brocade robes, wearing a long Seven Star sword on his waist and holding a white ferret in his hand. He was the eldest Young Master of Jincheng Escort Agency, named Jin Huan. The middle-aged man behind him was Jin Manlin, the head of Jincheng Escort Agency.
Yue Mingwei said with a smile, “If my nephew wants to go, he just has to say it, why bother to make fun of your Uncle Yue?”
“Then that’s a deal.” Jin Huan turned around again and said respectfully, “I pay my respect to Master Yun.”
Yun Yifeng: “I haven’t seen you for several years. Brother Jin’s lively temper and teasing hasn’t changed at all.”
“This is not me joining in the fun.” Jin Huan said, “The Ethereal Peak is as beautiful as a fairyland, and the Snow View Pavilion is exquisite. In summer, just gazing at the flowers and plants in the garden is like witnessing a miracle on earth, let alone under the vast white snow in winter. The beautiful scenery with good wine, good food and the sound of the zither, makes the world a much happier place.”
Jin Manlin scolded: “In front of so many guests, don’t you feel any shame showing that everything you know concerns drinking and having fun!”
“Chief Jin, that is where you are wrong.” Someone retorted from amongst the banquet hall, “Everyone has a love for beauty, not to mention the beautiful sceneries in the world. Listening to Brother Jin, I’d also like to have a taste. But I am not sure if I would be intruding on Sect Master Yun?” This person was dressed in a moon white cotton robe and his voice was thin and weak. He didn’t look like a man from the Jianghu, but more like a scholar.
Sure enough, Yue Mingwei heard the words said worriedly: “The Ethereal Peak is vertical and steep, and the path is rugged. Can you really climb it?”
The scholar stubbornly said, “I will just walk slowly ah. If others take a day to walk, I might take three to five days.”
“If the scenery is really that good, why don’t I tag along?” A pretty girl also stood up. The crescent moon and mother of pearl between her eyebrows, made her look clever and lively, but her slick dark eyes unwaveringly glued at Master Yun.
Some of the guests snickered, seeing through her ulterior motive which was not to partake in the wine tasting. Sect Master Yun was young, very promising and handsome. In addition, it was said that Feng Yun Sect had money piled up like a mountain, so of course which girl couldn’t be interested?
Yun Yifeng frowned slightly. He was just about to say that he didn’t want to go to some random peak, when Yue Mingwei said, “It’s better to have more people come, but there is already a guest staying in the Snow View Pavilion, who has a weird temperament. If you go, don’t bother him to avoid any disputes.”
Jin Huan asked, “Who lives there?”
Yue Mingwei said, “Mu Chengxue.”
Upon hearing the name, Yun Yifeng’s heart pounded and exchanged a look with Ji Yanran.
They were still trying to find an excuse to get close to the weird assassin, now, it seemed like it wouldn’t take much effort.
Snow View Pavilion was indeed exquisitely built, but there were only a few guest rooms, and guests could only go there alone. As for the servants and subordinates, they would continue to stay in the Yue Escort Agency.
Ji’s attendant said, “Your Highness, please go to meet that Mu Chengxue, we will stay at the foot of the mountain and ensure that there will be no slip-ups.”
“Aren’t you worried?” Yun Yifeng leaned against the corridor and asked Ji Yanran, “What if the relic is no longer in the hands of Mu Chengxue, but already hidden in the Yue Escort Agency?”
Ji Yanran shook his head: “I don’t think so. Given Mu Chengxue’s habit, if the business has been completed, he will never continue to stay in the Yue family.”
Yun Yifeng said with a smile, “His Highness understands the inner workings of the Jianghu people quite very well.”
“If you want to do something, you must always inquire about the character and temperament of your opponent.” Ji Yanran said, “It’s just troublesome for you, Sect Master Yun. You’ll have to follow me into a dangerous peak again.”
Yun Yifeng, who habitually stretched out his hand and rubbed the red jade Ganoderma Lucidum hanging on his chest, said with gentleness: “That’s alright.”
Ji’s attendant: “….”
We have sinned.
Thanks for the chapter
Thanks for the chapter ❤️
Oh Nooooo poor baby you gotta find it asap!!!
Chapter 1 and already so good. Loving Ji’s attendant. We have sinned! 😬😂
Thank you translator and team. Hug!
I keep feeling like Yun Yifeng is playing with them about his illness
I agree 😂
Hahaha!! I really like Ji’s attendant ‘we have sinner’ Thanks for the translation ❤️
*Sinned
Lmao the “we have sinned” at the end 😂 i hope they end up finding the medicine eventually
Part of me really hopes that Yun Yifeng already knows they’re bullshitting and just doing all that to really hone in on the guilt…
But maybe that’s just because I don’t want him hurt when he finds out. 🙁
I feel bad for that attendant 😭 the poor guy’s guilty conscience is eating him away 🥹
Why do I feel like Yun Yifeng doesn’t actually believe they have that Blood something something relic?? 😅😂 Also, does he even need that thing??? So suspicious 🧐🤣
Poor Ji’s attendant~ he’s gonna faint from guilt if this continues~ 😂🤣😂