Xiao Man quickly left the mortuary and re-entered Wen Nan City. She moved swiftly through the city, knowing Nangong Yu was here. He had annihilated the Yan Family Fort just three days ago, meaning he was likely still in the city.
Xiao Man darted through streets and alleys, but this method of searching was too inefficient. She leaped onto a rooftop, gazing into the distance, searching for the person she sought. However, she was disappointed. Her eyes scanned the crowds rapidly, but found no one. She searched every street, yet could not locate the person she wanted.
"Did I miss him?" Xiao Man asked herself. If she had, she wondered when she would ever meet him again.
"Xiao Qin." A figure appeared on the rooftop and bowed to Xiao Man.
"Who are you?"
"My young master greatly admires you. I thought we wouldn't meet again, but here we are. My young master wishes to invite you for a drink." The man gestured towards a nearby teahouse. On the second floor, a man in luxurious brocade robes raised his cup in a toast to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man leaped down from the rooftop, her gaze fixed on the teahouse not far away. She strode over.
Jin Yao watched Xiao Man ascend the stairs, a smile gracing his lips. "Please, sit."
Xiao Man calmly took a seat. Even though the man before her had a much higher cultivation than hers, she showed no fear. "I forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Jin."
"The young master of the Jin family from Feng Ling City?" Xiao Man inquired unhurriedly.
"It seems you know quite a bit about the Jin family."
"The Five Great Families, the Four Great Sects. On the Cang Xuan Continent, there are few who wouldn't know of them." Xiao Man asked with composure, "I am but a nobody. To be summoned by the young master of the Jin family is like a pie falling from the sky. May I know what business you have with Young Master Jin?"
"You are remarkable," Jin Yao said with a smile. "I admire you."
"There are many outstanding people by your side, Young Master Jin. I am merely the most inconspicuous."
"But among them, there is no one who could defeat those of higher cultivation and kill three guards superior to themselves in skill," Jin Yao stated calmly. "Although your cultivation is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, your adaptability is exceptional. I am very pleased with you."
"Does Young Master Jin wish to recruit me?" Xiao Man asked with keen interest.
Jin Yao picked up his wine cup, swirled it, and downed the wine. "The growth potential of the Seven Sects is limited and cannot compare to that of aristocratic families. Families have accumulated wealth over thousands of years, possessing profound foundations that these small sects cannot match. If you join the Jin family, you will have access to the best cultivation resources and will receive a Yellow-grade martial skill. You will become a guest elder of the Jin family, and in the future, even the sect leader of the Hundred Herbs Hall will have to greet you with respect."
Xiao Man smiled. "It sounds very tempting. But I know there's no such thing as a free lunch. Young Master Jin offers such generous rewards, so your demands must be equally high, right?"
Jin Yao chuckled. "I enjoy dealing with intelligent people."
"Young Master Jin, it would be best to speak directly."
"I want you to do one thing for me," Jin Yao said unhurriedly. "Others may not be able to accomplish it, but as Jun Fei Er's direct disciple, you will surely be able to fulfill my request."
"What is it?" Xiao Man asked.
"Enter the forbidden area of the Hundred Herbs Hall. I want the Shen Nong Cauldron, which is sealed within the Hundred Herbs Hall's forbidden area."
"The forbidden area isn't accessible to just anyone, is it?"
"Naturally, it's not. But you have the opportunity to enter," Jin Yao said gently. "Direct disciples of the Hundred Herbs Hall are granted one chance to enter the forbidden area to select a cauldron for alchemy. As a new disciple, you also have this opportunity. I want you to take this chance to obtain the Shen Nong Cauldron."
On her way back to the Hundred Herbs Hall, Xiao Man was still wondering what exactly this Shen Nong Cauldron was that even the Jin family, an aristocratic family with a thousand-year history, coveted.
If the Shen Nong Cauldron were something ordinary, the Jin family could have simply requested it from the Hundred Herbs Hall. Given the Jin family's methods, they could have easily taken it by force or cunning. Why would they resort to such a devious plan? Unless the Shen Nong Cauldron was no ordinary item, and they dared not snatch it openly, nor even in secret, but could only send someone to steal it covertly!
"Xiao Qin, where did you go?" Jun Fei Er asked, seeing Xiao Man return with a puzzled expression.
"Master, I went to Wen Nan City again. Guess how the people of the Yan Family Fort died?"
Jun Fei Er reached out and pinched Xiao Man's ear. "I told you to stay out of trouble, but you won't listen, will you? Now that you're back, you still dare to get involved. I've been too lenient with you!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Master, let go quickly! I was just worried it might have been leftover demon cultists. The Yan Family Fort had a lot of dealings with us, and it might be the demon cultists seeking revenge. I was also worried about our Hundred Herbs Hall." Xiao Man quickly explained.
Jun Fei Er released her ear. "Is that true?"
"Would I lie to you, Master?" Xiao Man said with a solemn expression. "I examined the bodies. They were all killed with a single sword strike. The opponent's cultivation must be high. The lord of the Yan Family Fort and several key figures had their blood drained. Such methods make one highly suspicious."
"Did you find any useful clues?" they walked back side by side.
"Yes." Xiao Man lowered her voice. "I saw the young master of the Jin family in the city, Jin Yao."
Jun Fei Er paused slightly. "Why was he in Wen Nan City? The esteemed young master of the Jin family in Wen Nan City, that's rather odd. Last time he personally went to Wu Ji City, and now he appears in Wen Nan City. What exactly is he trying to do?"
"Master, is it him who is trying to do something, or is it the Jin family?"
Jun Fei Er seemed to be stumped by the question. After a long silence, she couldn't answer. A chill ran down her spine, making her shiver.
"No one is to speak of this matter."
"Yes, Master."
"By the way, Uncle Lu Qing is now living in the North Courtyard. All his belongings have been moved. Will you return to the Pill Spirit Academy, or go to the North Courtyard?" Jun Fei Er inquired.
"North Courtyard." Xiao Man handed the snacks she bought from Wen Nan City to Jun Fei Er and then headed towards the North Courtyard.
Jun Fei Er looked at the bags of snacks in her hands, a warm smile appearing on her face. "Naughty boy, you still remember to think of me. It wasn't in vain that I doted on you."
The North Courtyard was a quiet location. When Xiao Man arrived, she saw no one, which made her a little puzzled. She walked to the door and tiptoed to push it open. A chess piece instantly shot out from inside. Xiao Man dodged it sideways and tentatively poked her head in.
"Great Uncle, what's going on?"
Lu Qing continued to play chess, with the Sect Leader Zhu Qing sitting opposite him.
"Where have you been?"
"Master loves osmanthus cakes. I forgot to buy them and feared she'd be angry, so I went out to buy more osmanthus cakes."
Lu Qing glanced at her, his expression nonchalant as he made his move. "Sect Leader, you are about to lose."
Zhu Qing looked at the black and white pieces on the chessboard. After a moment, he put down his piece. "Your chess skills, Martial Uncle, are becoming more refined. I concede."