Chapter 25: Chance Encounter

Hearing the green-dressed woman's words, the snow-white-robed woman finally showed a hint of reaction, slowly setting down the porcelain cup before her, revealing a face of ethereal beauty.

Her eyebrows like smoke-darkened ink, she lifted her gaze lightly toward the green-dressed woman and the two behind her, her voice cool and distant:

"You say you're from the Six Fan Gate—then you must know 'Jade-Faced Thousand Palms' Ji Feiyun."

At this, the green-dressed woman sized up the other, then nodded:

"Captain Ji is one of the Ten Famous Captains of the Six Fan Gate's central bureau—we naturally know him. Could it be you have prior ties to Captain Ji?"

The white-robed woman did not answer, but suddenly changed the subject:

"I can testify for you—but I have one condition: you must bring Ji Feiyun here to see me."

The green-dressed woman frowned, slowly shaking her head:

"We'd be deeply grateful if you'd testify, but this is a minor matter—surely it doesn't warrant Captain Ji making the trip himself."

Yet no sooner had she spoken than the gloomy youth behind her suddenly roared:

"Ning'er, watch out!"

In an instant, a shrill mechanical click rang out, and several black arrows shot from the youth's wrist with a hiss-hiss.

They became blurs, passing beyond the green-dressed woman, striking the ice crystals that had appeared before her—each emitting threads of chilling frost.

A metallic clang exploded through the air as the arrows halted the ice crystals' advance, freezing midair and spinning rapidly.

At that moment, the white-robed woman's voice drifted softly through the air:

"Not bad for a reaction—but your Martial Realm is far too low."

With that, she flicked her finger against the porcelain cup; the tea inside instantly vaporized into frost, wrapped in a biting gale that swept toward the three.

Guo Ning'er, the gloomy youth Zhou Chuan, and the giant all paled:

"Frozen Qi—Martial Realm Master!"

All three tried to retreat at once, but the freezing wind came too fast, too sudden—it enveloped them in an instant.

The bone-chilling cold invaded their bodies, freezing their meridians and blood qi, rendering them utterly immobile, stiff as statues.

Instantly, a visible layer of frost formed on their eyebrows and hair, making them look like human ice sculptures.

At this point, the earlier fight had drawn many guests from the tavern to the doorway, gathering curiously to watch the scene inside the private room.

Yet the white-robed woman acted as if she saw nothing, refilling her porcelain cup with tea, her gaze flicking toward Zhang He and the five men leaning against the wall:

"Which one of you will go? Go fetch Ji Feiyun."

Hearing this, Zhang He nervously swallowed, preparing to speak up and volunteer himself.

The woman's Wu Gong was profound; whether friend or foe, unknown—he naturally wished to flee this mess as quickly as possible.

But then the white-robed woman suddenly pointed at the blue-clad man:

"You. Go quickly and return. You have one incense stick's time."

The blue-clad man blinked in surprise, glanced at Zhang He, then gave him an almost imperceptible nod—said nothing more, and left the private room.

…

Meanwhile, in the room next to where Zhang He and his group sat, Li Musheng was straining his ears, listening with interest to the commotion next door.

At that moment, Cang Cang Yin Yue glided in through the window and sat down directly at the table.

She glanced at the wooden wall beside them and sneered:

"That woman is putting on airs."

Hearing this, Li Musheng turned to look at her, stroking his chin.

Fortunately, the giant had kicked the other wooden wall—if he'd kicked this one, he might now be the one pretending to be a master.

"Miss Cang, do you know that woman?"

Seeing Cang Cang Yin Yue's tone seemed hostile, Li Musheng's expression turned suspicious.

"Of course I know—her father is a Divine Captain, her mother is the sect leader of the Snowflight Sect. Her pedigree is formidable."

Cang Cang Yin Yue poured herself a cup of tea, took a small sip, but did not elaborate further on the matter; instead she said:

"I've already reported your situation upward. For the next few days, you must stay in one place."

"The Aurora Pavilion?"

Cang Cang Yin Yue nodded:

"Everyone claiming to be the Seventh Imperial Prince is inside. The palace finds verifying each one too tedious—they'll conduct a collective screening in six days."

Hearing this, Li Musheng spread his hands, showing indifference.

He didn't care much about this matter at all; his only true concern was transcending the Wu Gong path. He'd come to Shangyang City merely to travel, to "broaden his horizons."

"But if I go to the Aurora Pavilion, how will I contact you?"

"If I need you, I'll come find you. If you need me, come to this tavern—I'll find you then," Cang Cang Yin Yue said coldly.

Li Musheng raised an eyebrow.

Dealing with the Shadow Spy Bureau always had this drawback—always hiding, like meeting underground agents.

Of course, if he truly wished to find her, it wouldn't be difficult.

Earlier, when Li Musheng observed the scholar performing the Mutual Puppet Technique, though he couldn't obtain the full cultivation technique,

he had, through his prodigious comprehension, cultivated a minor Wu Gong over these past few days.

Now, a thread of invisible Qi connected him to Cang Cang Yin Yue's body—he could track her as long as she didn't stray too far.

Thinking this, Li Musheng added one last warning:

"Miss Cang, don't forget your second promise to me—help me find the key to the Daqi Secret Treasury. If you're careless, it won't count."

At this, Cang Cang Yin Yue's eyebrow twitched; she snorted coldly:

"Your mindset is quite admirable—you still have the leisure to think about such phantom things?"

Saying this, her gaze darkened, and she added solemnly:

"The Aurora Pavilion is guarded day and night by the Sky Brocade Guard; with your strength, staying there should pose no major problems."

"However, you must firmly remember my words: before Your Majesty recognizes your status as an Imperial Prince, do not expose your true strength, as this could bring about your utter destruction."

Li Musheng took a sip of tea and nodded casually:

"Rest assured, I certainly have my measure."

Cang Cang Yin Yue glanced at him, said no more, rose to her feet, and said:

"I will take you to the Aurora Pavilion."

However, just then, a clatter of hooves approached from afar and suddenly stopped before the tavern.

A group of Constables in black uniform robes, swords at their waists, leaped from their horses and in the blink of an eye surrounded the entire tavern.

Leading them was a tall, upright young Constable, dressed in black brocade, seated atop a high-stepping steed.

His facial features were sharply defined, his sword-like eyebrows swept diagonally toward his temples, and a pair of sharp eyes scanned the tavern before him.

In the next moment, he leaped up as lightly as treading on floating wind, like a graceful goose darting through an open window.

However, upon seeing the person inside the window, he let out a soft "Huh?":

"Constable Cang, what are you doing here?"

(End of this chapter)