Translator: CinderTL
"Young Master," Shi Man ventured, "may I ask why you seek the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape?"
"I require something from its body to refine a secret art," Chi Pei replied.
"This mountain range is vast," Shi Man said. "We would likely need the assistance of the four Void Refinement Stage elders from Veiled Moon Hall to reliably locate and slay this demon."
Chi Pei stared intently at the map hovering in mid-air, then shook his head slightly.
"It's not that simple. The Nether Miasma Mountain Range harbors seventh-tier demonic beasts, posing extreme danger even to Void Refinement Stage cultivators. Even if I personally invited them, the four elders might refuse to go."
Chi Pei's mission was merely to oversee Veiled Moon Hall on behalf of the Divine Blood Gate. Though his status was lofty, he held no authority over the sect's disciples, especially the four Void Refinement Stage cultivators. If he issued them a life-threatening command, they would undoubtedly refuse.
A hint of confusion crossed Shi Man's face.
"This map clearly marks the locations of sixth-tier and seventh-tier demon beasts in Rotting Miasma Ridge. By avoiding those areas, the four elders should face minimal danger."
Chi Pei said, "Shi Man, you're unaware of something. This map was drawn over ten thousand years ago. While the terrain remains largely unchanged, the demon beast distributions and strength levels marked on it are long outdated and completely unreliable."
Song Wen, who had been secretly memorizing the entire map in case of future need, immediately lost interest upon hearing this.
At the same time, he sensed that Chi Pei wasn't telling the whole truth.
Chi Pei's reluctance to involve the four Void Refinement Stage cultivators from Veiled Moon Hall likely stemmed from another reason entirely, not simply their unavailability as he claimed.
After speaking, Chi Pei furrowed his brow, his expression deep in thought.
Song Wen and Shi Man, sensing the mood, wisely refrained from interrupting.
After about a dozen breaths, Chi Pei suddenly put away the jade slip, causing the map floating in mid-air to vanish.
With a wave of his hand, he tossed a storage pouch toward Song Wen.
"Ye Hua, this young master rewards and punishes fairly. These thousand high-grade spirit stones are your reward for providing me with information."
Song Wen caught the storage pouch, his face lighting up with joy.
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Chi Pei said, "As long as you serve me diligently, rewards will never be lacking. I'll be making a trip to Phoenix Feather City soon. You'll accompany me."
"Yes, young master. This humble servant will obey your commands to the letter," Song Wen said, clasping his hands in a respectful bow.
Chi Pei nodded in satisfaction. "Today's events must never be revealed to outsiders. Otherwise, don't blame this young master for showing no mercy."
With that, Chi Pei deactivated the room's Restriction and strode out of the private chamber.
Qi Luo stood gracefully outside the door, her face lighting up with a fawning smile as she saw Chi Pei emerge. She leaned forward slightly, her chest plunging into a deep, alluring cleavage.
"Young master," she purred, "this humble servant has long admired you. Would I be fortunate enough to ease your worries and offer my meager assistance?"
Qi Luo's words abruptly ceased.
Chi Pei completely ignored her, as if she were invisible, brushing past her without a glance and heading straight out of the Moon-Caressing Pavilion.
Shi Man nodded to Song Wen and Qi Luo before following Chi Pei out.
Qi Luo watched Shi Man and Chi Pei disappear around the corner, a flicker of resentment flashing in her eyes.
She stepped into the private chamber, closing the door behind her and reactivating the Restriction.
Approaching Song Wen, she stopped just two feet away, her eyes brimming with tender affection, gazing at him as if he were the love of her life.
"Little Friend Ye Hua," she murmured, "would you be willing to share the details of your conversation with the young master earlier?"
Song Wen hesitated, "Senior Qi Luo, Young Master Chi Pei has ordered that this matter not be revealed to outsiders. I hope you can understand."
Faced with Song Wen's refusal, Qi Luo showed no anger. Instead, she stepped closer, pressing her lithe body tightly against his.
Their cheeks brushed as Qi Luo's crimson lips moved near his ear.
"Little Friend, rest assured, this will remain between us. I would never mention it to anyone, and Young Master Chi Pei will never know. Just tell me what was discussed, and I'll let you have your way with me."
"This..." Song Wen stood frozen, seemingly overwhelmed by this sudden stroke of good fortune.
"Does Little Friend not trust me?" Qi Luo exhaled like orchids, her warm, humid breath caressing his cheek.
As she spoke, her body continued to writhe, rubbing against Song Wen's.
Suddenly, she sensed something and let out a playful giggle.
"I knew it! With such vigorous Qi and Blood, how could your body be crippled? Little Friend, are you truly unwilling to let this Immortal Maiden serve you?"
Song Wen's breathing quickened. His hands moved simultaneously, one wrapping around Qi Luo's waist, the other reaching downward.
Three days later.
Inside a private room at the Moon-Caressing Pavilion.
Qi Luo, her face flushed crimson, leaned limply in Song Wen's arms.
"Ye Hua, now that I belong to you, you mustn't betray me."
Song Wen gazed at Qi Luo's face, so close he could feel her breath, his eyes filled with infatuation.
"Qi Luo, rest assured, I will never betray you in this lifetime."
"Then you should tell me what you discussed with Chi Pei and Shi Man," Qi Luo purred.
"From this day forward, I will never refuse any request of yours," Song Wen vowed solemnly, then continued, "Chi Pei asked Shi Man and me to help him find a spiritual material called Yin-Sinking Water."
Song Wen seemed completely blinded by Qi Luo's beauty, trusting her implicitly. He even dared to address Chi Pei by name in her presence.
For years, he had scoured Cloudveil City, its surrounding markets, and even the ghost markets, but found no trace of Yin-Sinking Water. Thus, he decided to play along with Chi Pei's scheme, using Qi Luo to search for the elusive substance.
"Yin-Sinking Water? What's that?" Qi Luo asked, her face filled with confusion.
Song Wen replied, "I don't know either. But according to Chi Pei, it's a fifth-tier spiritual object that can be refined into a Spirit Treasure."
After a moment's thought, Qi Luo noticed a flaw in Song Wen's explanation. "You're just a Nascent Soul Stage rogue cultivator. Why would Chi Pei ask you to find such a thing?"
"A few years ago, I helped him obtain a highly poisonous substance called Corroding Heart Cold. He probably thinks that since I know many rogue cultivators, I might have access to information the Veiled Moon Sect can't reach," Song Wen explained.
Qi Luo showed no suspicion toward Song Wen's blatant lies.
"I see," she said.
"Qi Luo, you must keep this matter to yourself. Don't tell anyone else. Even if you find the Yin-Sinking Water or its whereabouts, do not report it to Chi Pei. Otherwise, both our lives will be in danger," Song Wen warned.
(End of the Chapter)
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