When the portal closed, Luo Xue found herself in a completely unexpected place. She was now in a bustling city, with mortals everywhere.
Luo Xue raised a brow. She didn’t know that the punishment realm had more than one exit.
As Luo Xue strolled down the street, she glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds.
In the early morning, the air was filled with the sounds of lively chatter and the rhythm of footsteps. Some people were busy haggling, while others were still setting up their stores. Children could be seen carrying a book as they walked by, and their servants faithfully following behind. There was no one not occupied with their own matters.
Upon reaching what appeared to be a luxurious teahouse, Luo Xue breathed a sigh of relief. At the moment, she did not know her whereabouts, but thankfully, once she arrived here, her predicament would be resolved.
Right as she was about to enter the establishment, an unkempt child suddenly bumped into her, causing her robes to be covered in filth.
Instinctively, Luo Xue raised her guard and prepared to attack. Yet as soon as she caught sight of his emaciated and malnourished appearance, she hesitated. Before she could take a closer look, she heard loud cries, clamours, and whipping sounds from behind. She quickly sidestepped while pulling the child along, keeping him close.
“MOVE ASIDE! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!”
A coachman, struggling to regain control over his horse, screamed at the top of his lungs. His carriage had gone out of control, knocking down many carts along the way. He desperately tried to stop the horse by whipping it, but it became even more agitated.
In a fit of rage, the horse kicked the carriage!
The harness attaching the horse to the carriage instantly snapped, sending the carriage flying!
The crowd cried out in fear, afraid to witness the tragedy unfold.
The terrified coachman braced himself for impact, clutching his seat for dear life. Before the carriage could even plummet, an invisible force wrapped itself around the vehicle as it gradually descended upright. When the carriage touched the ground, the horse had miraculously regained its composure, as if its previous frenzy had never happened.
The child watched Luo Xue’s hand rise and fall, but said nothing.
A meek neigh from the horse snapped everyone out of their daze.
“My goodness! How?”
“What did I just witness?”
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Majority of them were at varying stages of Qi Refining realm and had little to no knowledge of cultivation. Dabbling in cultivation was merely a means to extend their lifespan, so that display seemed like a mysterious performance to them.
While everyone was busy speculating about what had just occurred, Luo Xue had already looked away. What she did was a simple feat, so she didn’t expect any recognition.
Moreover, she was rather concerned about the boy who ran into her. With her cultivation now at Nascent Soul realm, her physical body would have undergone a corresponding increase in strength. Bumping into her could seriously injure the other person.
As Luo Xue leaned over to check the boy’s body for any injuries, a pleasantly sweet voice caught her attention. Finding it strangely familiar, she turned her head, only to stop when she noticed her sleeve being tugged. She looked at the boy, his small hands clinging to her sleeve while his piercing gaze locked onto her.
For a moment, she felt something unusual in those black eyes.
Before she could delve into her thoughts, the crowd split, creating a path for a graceful young lady in blue heading towards her.
“Many thanks for the benefactor’s help. If it wasn’t for you, I would have lost my life. Please allow this humble girl to repay her gratitude before you leave!”
At this moment, Luo Xue could sense a burning stare directed at her back. She didn’t know how her actions led her to be exposed, but she had no intention of entertaining her. With her current situation, she would much rather figure out her whereabouts than deal with trivial reciprocation.
Without turning around, she said curtly, “Young lady is mistaken. It wasn’t me.”
Witnessing such disrespect, the maidservant by the young lady’s side flared up. Just as she was about to raise her voice to reprimand Luo Xue, her lady intervened, shaking her head to show her disapproval.
Contrary to her maidservant’s belief, once the young lady heard the answer, even if it was unsatisfactory, she became convinced that Luo Xue was the one who had helped her through that frightening ordeal.
By looking at Luo Xue, she could sense this person possessed a certain demeanour — one that belonged to the strong.
Unwilling to back down, the young lady said, “Please, benefactor! Allow me to repay you!”
However, the young lady’s persistence was wearing thin on her patience.
As Luo Xue was considering teleportation, something hit her arm. While she was momentarily distracted, the boy snatched an item from her and quickly dashed into the narrow alley.
Although the green ribbon had been stolen, Luo Xue wasn’t worried. All of her belongings carry a trace of her mental force so she could always find it unless the imprint got erased. It was only a matter of time before she got it back.
What surprised her even more was the fact that the boy was agile enough to sneak right under her. A hint of appreciation flashed past her eyes as she let out a chuckle. It was a talent worth cultivating.
Noticing Luo Xue’s lack of response, the young lady took a brief pause to gather her thoughts. Eventually, she revealed her identity. “This humble girl is Pei Yufeng, hailing from the renowned Pei family in Central Dragon City. If the benefactor would grant me an opportunity to express my gratitude, I will forever be grateful!”
Upon hearing those words, a gasp rippled through the crowd.
Pei Yufeng? The Pei family’s beloved daughter from their Central Dragon City?!
In this city, there was not a single person who was unaware of the incredibly affluent Pei family. As a long-standing family of merchants, they possessed a wide network of businesses operating in various cities, ports and towns, particularly in Central Dragon City, where they had the biggest monopoly. Due to this, the wealth they owned directly influenced the lives of many people living here, establishing them as a household name.
Intrigued, Luo Xue finally turned her attention towards Pei Yufeng.
Apart from their well-known trade empire, she was more interested in the Pei family’s secretive business, known to be the largest information guild across the continent. Since their vast wealth was built on selling information to others, they would definitely go to great lengths to get information, as long as the price was acceptable.
However, the Pei family lacked sufficient strength to maintain their status. Despite their abundant wealth and prestige, their bloodline was weak, having no cultivators reached beyond the Nascent Soul realm. They could only rely on hiring cultivators to support their family, but it was still not a sustainable solution.
Thinking about it, Luo Xue found herself tempted to lend a hand. If she could resolve their predicament, she would gain the support of a formidable ally.
Regardless, Pei Yufeng’s appearance will be crucial for what happens later.
Luo Xue smiled. “I shall accept the young lady’s generosity. Let’s have some tea.”
The sudden shift of attitude made Pei Yufeng puzzled, yet pleased. She ecstatically said, “Sure, we are at the doorsteps of my family’s teahouse. Come, follow me, benefactor!”
After uttering those words, Pei Yufeng gestured to her coachman to leave and then instructed her maidservant to get a room ready for them. As they stepped inside the teahouse, the crowd dispersed, their murmurs fading away.
…
At the highest floor of the teahouse, they had a stunning view of a sensational play taking place below. Pei Yufeng glanced at Luo Xue, observing her relaxed posture and the way her chin rested on her palm. She pondered if it was an appropriate time to speak.
Noticing her occasional furtive glances towards her, Luo Xue couldn’t help but sigh. While her gaze remained fixed on the actors, she said, “You’re welcome to speak your mind. I won’t take offence.”
Pei Yufeng’s tense shoulders relaxed upon hearing those words. She was actually unaccustomed to being so courteous to someone who seemed to be around her age.
“Thank you for helping me earlier. Without you, I wouldn’t know if I’d leave unharmed. No amount of thanks can measure up to the level of gratitude I have for you.”
Luo Xue’s finger stopped tapping, and her attention shifted from the play to the girl with a smile. “Tell me,” she asked, “how do you intend to compensate me?”
Pei Yufeng expected this situation, so she came prepared. She took out a storage pouch from her sleeve and laid out a variety of treasures on the table. Every single one of them was equally valuable.
“Here it is, benefactor. Feel free to choose any or all of them.”
Luo Xue cast a quick glance at the treasures from tiny jewelled fans to weirdly shaped golden pears. In a curious manner, she questioned, “Are you not afraid that I might rob you of your entire wealth?”
“Oh,” Pei Yufeng shook her head, her smile at ease. “No one would have the audacity to go against my family in this city. No one.”
“Is that so?” Luo Xue’s lips curled up into a grin, finding the situation amusing. What made Pei Yufeng so confident that she would always be safe?
“Have your people found the cause behind your carriage incident today?”
“Well… not yet.” Pei Yufeng confidently said, “But I’m sure I’ll get my answers soon.”
Luo Xue observed Pei Yufeng’s calm poise and a flicker of admiration appeared in her eyes. As she expected, Pei Yufeng was indeed befitting of her role as the sophisticated, wealthy female lead. It would be such a waste for her to change…
“The truth is, a reward is not necessary for me. I simply want to become more acquainted with you as a friend. If you’re willing, I’d like to accompany you around this city for a few days, and in return, I promise to keep you safe.”
Her sudden request surprised Pei Yufeng, causing a lovely smile to light up her face.
Pei Yufeng nodded her head. “I don’t mind. I would be pleased if we could become closer friends.”
“Before I forget, I have yet to properly introduce myself. I’m Luo Xue, from the Divine Sword Sect. It’s my pleasure to be acquainted with you, Miss Pei.”
Divine Sword Sect?! Pei Yufeng’s eyes lit up. That’s the top of all immortal sects! A powerful connection that her family needed most!
“Benefactor, it’s a pleasure for me to get to know you as well! You are welcome to call me Yuyu, Xiao Yu or Feng-er too!” Pei Yufeng couldn’t wait for them to become closer. Her enthusiastic reaction even got her maidservant astonished.
Luo Xue chuckled. “Sure, Xiao Yu.”
Pei Yufeng giggled, her expression bashful.
As they were chatting, a string of knocks on the door interrupted them. The door slid open, and a waiter stepped in.
“Apologies for the long wait. Here are the dishes the guests have ordered.”
Arranged on the table were plates of exquisite desserts and snacks, each one unique in its presentation. Once all the food had been served, a sumptuous feast laid before them.
“As an apology for the delay, please accept this complimentary phoenix tea. It tastes fruity and has a sweet aroma, perfect for young ladies like yourselves,” the waiter said with a flattering smile on his face.
Giving a nod, Pei Yufeng expressed gratitude for the wonderful service.
When the waiter closed the door behind him, the maidservant moved over to serve them tea. Pei Yufeng stopped her and instead took over the task of pouring a cup for Luo Xue.
With a warm smile, Pei Yufeng looked at Luo Xue. “To commemorate our meeting, allow me to pour you a cup of tea. Xiao Xue, I look forward to a long-lasting friendship with you.”
Luo Xue slowly picked up the teacup, concealing her surprise behind her smile. She never expected Pei Yufeng to be this forthright. By personally serving her tea, Pei Yufeng had given her the utmost respect and sincerity towards their friendship. Although she was the one who brought up the topic, truthfully, she never intended to take it seriously. She only did so to be able to stick close to her.
In the end, Luo Xue couldn't help but say, “May our friendship blossom.”
When Luo Xue was about to take a sip, she detected a faint scent of drugs. Without a second thought, her gaze darted to Pei Yufeng, but her expression revealed nothing but innocence.
Was it a knockout drug? She wasn’t sure. While she was confident that the drug had little influence on her, this also meant that the perpetrator had already taken action. Who would have thought it would come so soon?
Luo Xue sighed softly to herself before she proposed the idea of drinking the tea together.
By the time their cups were empty, the two girls fell unconscious. Standing beside them, the maidservant, who had a look of indifference, finally smiled.
