Between the clouds, Lin Shuang and the other two soared on their swords.
[“Wind speed: 22 km/h, southeast direction. Automatically adjusting sword direction, deviation 14 degrees, 12 degrees… Wind correction completed.”]
[“Xiao Ai Travel—accompanying you to go faster, farther, and higher.”]
[“Estimated arrival at destination in fifteen minutes.”]
Lin Shuang set down her warm teacup, sat cross-legged on the picnic cloth, gazed at the rising sun, and the faint outline of Huaming’s city gate beneath the clouds.
She nodded in satisfaction.
Zhou Xuanwu stood at the joined end of their three swords and instinctively looked down.
His lips moved slightly, his eyes flickered, hesitating as if wanting to say something.
“Senior Zhou, were you going to say that we arrived half a day earlier than required by the mission?” Zhao Keran had already rolled up her scroll and was preparing to land.
Zhou Xuanwu’s lips moved silently, then nodded.
They had indeed arrived too early.
Beep—the Xiao Ai Travel system activated again.
[“Strong air currents detected ahead. There may be some turbulence. Please place teacups down and avoid using sharp objects…”]
[“Deploying auxiliary wings on both sides of the sword.”]
Snap—two talismans, one of first-tier speed enhancement and one of second-tier shock absorption, flew from between Lin Shuang’s fingers.
The sword stabilized again, its speed doubling.
“No wonder traveling with Senior Lin is so impressive!”
Zhao Keran stood up, arms spread wide, standing on the sword, reveling in the exhilaration of soaring with the wind at double speed.
“Compared to Senior Lin, I’ve barely mastered the second tier of speed techniques. I can’t go any higher.”
“Senior Lin must have already reached the tenth tier’s peak.”
Zhou Xuanwu: “…”
Lin Shuang placed her teacup down and waved at Zhao Keran. “There is no limit to speed.”
This flight mode was actually inspired by her previous weekend trip to Dahuang Mountain.
When going, sightseeing didn’t require speed.
But on the return trip, they encountered headwinds, and after seeing the scenery once, the second time felt somewhat tedious.
So this time, she updated the Xiao Ai Travel mode within the sect, and indeed, flight speed had more than doubled.
“Understood. I was being too narrow-minded,” Zhao Keran immediately felt ashamed.
Zhou Xuanwu’s lips twitched.
Lin Shuang stood up. The sword’s front had already entered the dive mode for landing. The shock-absorbing and windproof talismans and wings on both sides unfolded one by one.
[“Approaching descent runway—Wang Xin Inn’s eaves.”]
Zhou Xuanwu: “!”
Inside Huaming City, in the premium room of the inn.
A tall figure stood by the window, gazing at the sunrise, draped in a silver-gray cloak.
“Master, the news about our transaction with the Prince’s Mansion for the third-tier spiritual treasure has been released. The Ymie Guild should arrive the day after tomorrow. Then we can eliminate most of the evil cultivators, leaving only one or two alive to trace back to their base.”
“Mm.”
The man clenched his fist and coughed into it.
His phoenix eyes were half-closed, but in the next instant, they flew wide open.
He saw four swords flying abreast, strange triangular wings on both sides—probably talismans.
And then—they dove straight toward their inn!
Baiyu’s expression changed. Just as he was about to form a seal, he heard the sound of tiles scraping on the roof of their premium room.
[“Entering runway.”]
[“Braking—mid—”]
[“Dear passengers, we have arrived safely. Xiao Ai Travel looks forward to serving you next time.”]
A strange voice sounded above the roof.
The silver-cloaked man remained motionless for a moment, then slowly lifted his pale face.
Baiyu opened his mouth.
“Hello, two premium rooms upstairs.” The voice came from the front desk downstairs in the next moment.
…
“Senior, the Rongbao Pavilion steward sent us a message—they’re staying in the premium room.”
Zhao Keran double-checked the information.
“Third floor.”
Lin Shuang nodded and added to the innkeeper, “Two rooms on the third floor, closest to the stairwell, with windows.”
Zhao Keran listened and silently noted the key points.
[Fastest Learning Experience ↑]
Zhou Xuanwu also perked up his ears, memorizing quickly within his consciousness.
“Alright, two rooms meeting your request, guests. Five hundred copper coins per day.”
Zhao Keran quickly paid and took the keys.
Lin Shuang lowered her head, opened a recording scroll, and noted the prices in Huaming City.
Zhou Xuanwu raised an eyebrow.
“Recording local information reduces the chance of being scammed, thus minimizing losses and the extra time spent recovering,” Zhao Keran explained on his behalf.
Zhou Xuanwu suddenly understood, though he didn’t really care about money.
Another useless piece of knowledge added.
“Are you three the outer sect disciples from Qingshui Hall sent by Rongbao Pavilion?”
Just as they reached the third floor, a clear, gentle voice asked.
Looking up, they saw a shy man in a white robe standing at the farthest room’s doorway, watching them.
A Ningyuan-level expert.
His cultivation had surpassed their Qi Transformation level!
Zhou Xuanwu and Zhao Keran frowned simultaneously.
“I will be leaving in two days and won’t be able to oversee the transaction with the Prince’s Mansion. I can only entrust the three juniors with it.”
As Baiyu spoke, his earlobes flushed red, stealing a glance at Lin Shuang behind them.
Lin Shuang sensed something and lifted her gaze, catching his timid stare just in time.
Did he know her?
“Senior Lin, you can just call me Senior Bai,” Baiyu added hastily.
Lin Shuang raised an eyebrow.
Zhao Keran whispered in surprise, leaning close to her ear.
“Senior, what a coincidence! The senior you used to room with before wasn’t also surnamed Bai? Senior Bai’s core breakthrough was extremely fast—she entered the inner sect nine years ago, right?”
Baiyu’s hand froze mid-push.
Sure enough, Lin Shuang simply responded with an “Mm.”
Baiyu’s ears turned completely red.
Nine years had passed.
He was now an adult, vastly different from the timid, young boy of back then.
Now, he was even more delicate and handsome.
It was normal that she didn’t recognize him.
The door creaked open, snapping Baiyu from his flustered thoughts.
Lin Shuang and the others’ gazes were drawn to the tall figure standing by the window inside.
Just moments ago, they had thought Baiyu was handsome, but compared to this person, Baiyu’s looks paled.
The steward of Rongbao Pavilion wore a silver-gray leather cloak, the collar lined with fiery red fox fur.
His long fingers, pale with faint blue veins, held a silver filigree handwarmer shaped like two rabbits.
A red mole sat beside his jet-black pupils.
His eyes slightly upturned, giving his otherwise sickly appearance a touch of allure.
Zhou Xuanwu hesitated, then finally pressed his lips into a thin line.
Zhao Keran stood behind Lin Shuang, deferring to her and saying nothing.
Huangpu Yuan, holding the silver-threaded handwarmer, smiled faintly at Lin Shuang, the apparent leader among the three.
“Greetings, juniors. My name is Huangpu Yuan.”
His voice was soft, but halfway through, he coughed slightly, yet still exuded calmness.
His drooping eyelids, seemingly from weakness, created a gentle, faint crease at the corners of his eyes, giving the impression of a perpetual smile—amiable and approachable.
“I’m afraid my condition is a source of embarrassment.”
Lin Shuang lowered her gaze, looking at the spotless black shoes he wore.
This allowed her to hide the sympathy welling in her eyes.
She had seen this steward a few times when delivering talismans to Rongbao Pavilion.
Sigh—what a rare handsome man, always either lying down or coughing up blood. His poor health affected his work efficiency.
Such a pity.
It was said that Huangpu Yuan had once reached the pinnacle of the Ningyuan stage, nearly crossing the threshold into the Lianshen realm.
But after his parents were slain by malevolent cultivators, he was plunged into sorrow and experienced a cultivation deviation during seclusion, regressing to the early stage of the Condensing Yuan realm while also being afflicted with a lingering ailment.
Later, he was promoted to steward by Rongbao Pavilion, barely remaining in the inner sect of Qingshui Sect.’
“They say he’s no longer capable of sword techniques and has switched to alchemy.”
Lin Shuang recalled the information Zhao Keran had shared during their flight, shaking her head inwardly.
From transforming qi to the peak of condensed essence, how many years of effort had that taken?
All wasted.
Now, starting over with a severely damaged body—it would take double the time, at least.
If it had happened to her—
Lin Shuang felt heartbreak just thinking about it. She lifted her head with a sigh. “Senior Huangpu, when is the transaction with the Prince’s Mansion scheduled?”
Huangpu Yuan was taken aback.
Why did her voice sound so sorrowful when addressing him, her expression so mournful?
“You three arrived early. We need to wait two days. The day after tomorrow at dusk, we will go to the Prince’s Mansion to meet the Prince.”
The two time references immediately caught Lin Shuang’s sharp senses.
“Hmm? The day after tomorrow?”
Behind Huangpu Yuan, Baiyu tensed and held his breath.
This mission was merely a ruse to lure evil cultivators.
At least two days were needed for evil cultivators from hundreds of miles away to gather at the Prince’s Mansion.
The three assassins from Ymie Guild they had hired should also arrive the day after tomorrow.
Lin Shuang and Zhou Xuanwu only needed to prove their innocence during the mission—that their encounter with the Vajra Hammer was an accident, not collusion with evil cultivators, nor intentional destruction of the Vajra Hammer’s storage bag.
Then they would be safe.
At that time, the Ymie Guild’s assassins would abduct the master, inevitably drawing the evil cultivators to follow.
Only the master and Baiyu, who carried the spiritual treasure, would be in danger.
Baiyu felt some guilt but stood firm.
“Yes, Senior Lin. We can only conduct the transaction the day after tomorrow.”
Huangpu Yuan slowly rotated his silver handwarmer, smiling lightly.
“With the New Year approaching, the Prince needs to inspect the military camps, the border, and visit several important shops. Only after settling these mundane affairs can he focus on cultivation.”
This spiritual treasure brought by Rongbao Pavilion was meant to assist the Prince’s breakthrough.
But the Prince was extremely busy and had no time for now.
Lin Shuang nodded, indicating understanding.
She respected those with schedules.
Glancing at the morning sunlight just risen outside the window, Lin Shuang smiled and politely took her leave from Huangpu Yuan and Baiyu.
“We’ll meet again in two days, juniors,” Huangpu Yuan bid politely.
Lin Shuang nodded but didn’t respond, quietly leaving with Zhao Keran and Zhou Xuanwu.
Soon, the sun set, and the sky was bathed in evening glow.
After finishing the day’s accounting with the branch pavilions, Huangpu Yuan slightly lifted his half-closed phoenix eyes to rest.
Four or five small dogs, white, golden, and black like snowballs, lay by his lounge.
He chuckled softly, reaching out to pat them.
“Master, five evil cultivators have been spotted. They should arrive tomorrow night. The Ymie Guild assassins are also half a day away.”
“Mm,” Huangpu Yuan withdrew his hand from petting the dogs. “Release the exact information about the transaction at the Prince’s Mansion the day after tomorrow.”
Baiyu watched the reports from the communication stone, nodding, but halfway through, he paused.
Leaning back on the lounge, the thick fox fur cascaded from his side to the foot, appearing snowy with golden streaks up close, fiery from afar.
“Why the hesitation?”
“Still thinking about her, worried she’ll fail the mission?”
Baiyu opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Rubbing his delicate eyes, he turned back to the communication stone.
“No, Master, I have no divided loyalties… It’s Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng says he’s free today and is asking if we can trade now!”
“???”
The silver-threaded furnace in Huangpu Yuan’s hand snapped in two instantly.
He laughed bitterly. “He’s second only to the emperor, in charge of the border—how can he leave his post without authorization?”
“…The Prince says he’s already inspected the border.”
“?”
“And the military camps.”
“?”
“And all the important shops.”
“…”
Baiyu bit his lip, meeting Huangpu Yuan’s gaze filled with disbelief and absurdity.
“Also… the Prince says a female cultivator surnamed Lin taught him time management techniques today…”
“? ? ?”
“He’s completed his two-day schedule ahead of time and wants to trade tonight.”
Huangpu Yuan’s phoenix eyes, previously half-closed, widened instantly.
[Rongbao Pavilion customer information updated.]
[Lin Shuang]: Senior Huangpu, the Prince is ready to trade now. Are you okay with it?
“…”
“Master, shall we reschedule to tomorrow noon? Most evil cultivators have blood-boosting techniques—” Baiyu hastily stood up.
But another transmission arrived instantly.
[Prince Cheng]: I’m already a hundred steps from the inn. I’ll be there in a moment of tea time~
Huangpu Yuan: “…”
Baiyu: “…!”
He had always known she was fast, but after nine years, he hadn’t expected her to be this absurdly fast!
Bandits and assassins hadn’t even arrived yet!
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