Chapter 25: Chance Encounter

Hearing the green-dressed woman’s words, the white-robed woman finally showed a hint of reaction; her slender hand slowly set down the porcelain cup before her, revealing a face of ethereal beauty.

Her eyebrows like smoke, she lifted her gaze gently toward the green-dressed woman and the two behind her, her voice cool and detached:

“You say you’re from the Six Ministries’ Bureau—then you must know Ji Feiyun, the ‘Jade-Faced Thousand Palms.’”

At this, the green-dressed woman sized up the woman before her and nodded:

“Captain Ji is one of the Ten Famous Captains of the Six Ministries’ Bureau—we naturally know him. Could it be the young lady has prior ties to Captain Ji?”

The white-robed woman did not answer; instead, she 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 and slowly shook her head:

“We’re deeply grateful if you’re willing to testify, but this is a minor matter—surely it doesn’t warrant Captain Ji making the trip himself.”

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

“Ninger, watch out!”

In an instant, a shrill mechanical sound rang out; several black arrows shot from the youth’s wrist with a hiss.

They became fleeting shadows, passing beyond the green-dressed woman, striking the ice crystals that had suddenly appeared before her, each exhaling threads of chilling mist.

A metallic clash echoed through the air; the arrows halted the ice crystals’ advance, freezing midair as they spun 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, swept forward by a biting gale toward the three.

Guo Ninger, the gloomy youth Zhou Chuan, and the giant all paled in shock:

“Ice Qi—Martial Master!”

All three tried to retreat at once, but the icy 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, rigid 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, curiously gathering to watch the scene inside the private room.

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

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

Hearing this, Zhang He nervously swallowed and was about to volunteer himself.

The woman before him was of profound martial skill—friend or foe unknown—he naturally wished to escape this trouble as quickly as possible.

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

“You. Go quickly and return swiftly—I give you one incense stick’s time.”

The blue-clad youth 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 Muxian was listening intently to the commotion next door.

At that moment, Cang Yinyue floated 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 Muxian turned to look at her and rubbed his chin.

Fortunately, the giant had kicked the other side of the wall—if he’d kicked this side, he might now be the one pretending to be superior.

“Miss Cang, do you know that woman?”

Seeing Cang Yinyue’s tone was clearly hostile, Li Muxian’s expression turned suspicious.

“Of course I know—her father is a Divine Captain, her mother is the sect leader of Snowflight Sect—quite the pedigree.”

Cang Yinyue poured herself a cup of tea, took a 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 Yinyue 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 Muxian spread his hands, showing indifference.

He didn’t care much about this matter at all; his only true concern was transcending the martial Dao. 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 Yinyue said coldly.

Li Muxian raised an eyebrow.

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

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

Earlier, when Li Muxian observed the scholar use the Formless Puppet Art, though he couldn’t obtain the full technique,

he had, through his extraordinary insight, cultivated a minor martial skill over these past few days.

Now, a thread of invisible qi connected him to Cang Yinyue’s body—he could track her as long as she didn’t stray too far.

Thinking this, Li Muxian added one more warning:

“Miss Cang, don’t forget your second promise to me—help me find the key to the Great Qi secret treasure. Don’t even think of slacking off.”

Hearing this, Cang Yinyue’s eye twitched; she snorted coldly:

“Your mindset is quite impressive—you still have the leisure to think about such phantom things?”

She then grew serious, her gaze darkening as she warned:

“The Aurora Pavilion is guarded day and night by the Celestial Brocade Guard. With your current strength, you shouldn’t face serious danger there.”

“But remember—above all—until the Emperor acknowledges your identity as a prince, never reveal your true power. It could bring you utter ruin.”

Li Muxian sipped his tea and nodded casually:

“Don’t worry—I know my limits.”

Cang Yinyue glanced at him, said nothing more, and stood up:

“I’ll take you to the Aurora Pavilion.”

But just then, a clatter of hooves drew near, stopping abruptly before the tavern.

A group of constables in black uniform robes, swords at their waists, leapt from their horses and instantly surrounded the entire tavern.

At their head rode a tall, upright young constable, seated atop a powerful steed, clad in black brocade.

His face had sharp contours, his eyebrows slanted sharply upward, and his piercing eyes swept over the tavern before him.

The next instant, he leapt as if riding the wind, light as a flying swan, slipping through an open window.

But when he saw who was inside, he let out a soft exclamation:

“Captain Cang? What are you doing here?”

(End of Chapter)