Chapter 102: A Troubling Love
"Stop it, I'm going over the accounts right now," Ya Fei said, her tone slightly exasperated.
Night had fallen, and the soft glow of a red candle lit up Ya Fei's room.
"You can work on your accounts while I watch you. It's not like I'm distracting you," Xiao Yan replied, pulling her onto his lap.
"Fine, but don't move around," Ya Fei shot him a sidelong glance, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"Alright, I won't move." Xiao Yan kept his word, merely wrapping his arms around her waist and enjoying the subtle fragrance emanating from her.
"How was your trip to Yun Lan Sect today? Did you manage to win over your Yun Sect Leader?" Ya Fei asked casually while flipping through her account books.
"No, she's the head of a sect after all. How could I get straight to the point on the first meeting?"
"Oh? You had no problem getting straight to the point when we first met," Ya Fei said with a faint humph.
"What did she want from you?"
"The former sect leader, Yun Shan, is on the verge of death. She asked me for help."
"And how did you help her?"
"A single Breaking Saint Pill was all it took. What else could I do?" Xiao Yan said, as if it were nothing.
"One Breaking Saint Pill!" Ya Fei froze mid turn, her pen halting in place.
A Breaking Saint Pill was an incredibly rare treasure for Dou Huang experts, worth an astronomical price in the millions of gold coins. In the Jia Ma Empire, it could even spark a war.
"You're willing to spend that much just to charm a woman?" Ya Fei gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a trace of jealousy.
"Hehe, actually, I gave her two. I was afraid one might not be enough," Xiao Yan added with a laugh.
Ya Fei turned away abruptly and fell silent.
"Are you mad?" Xiao Yan asked, leaning closer to her face.
"No, not at all. Xiao Yan, you're doing an excellent job. You might as well add Nalan Yanran to your harem while you're at it. That way, you can enjoy the ultimate pleasure of being served by a master and her disciple together," Ya Fei said, her tone flat.
"That's the spirit! You really get me," Xiao Yan chuckled.
Ya Fei said nothing more.
"The auction is happening the day after tomorrow. How are the preparations going?" Xiao Yan asked, playfully patting her.
Mentioning the auction seemed to bring Ya Fei back to her usual businesslike demeanor. She took her role as a businesswoman very seriously.
"Everything is ready. Invitations have been sent not only to all the nobles of the Jia Ma Empire's capital but also to major families in neighboring countries."
"This auction will be the grandest event in years for the surrounding regions," Ya Fei replied, glancing at Xiao Yan.
"What exactly are you planning to auction to make it so extravagant? You must have some big items to show."
"Oh, nothing much," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile. "Just three Emperor's Extreme Pills."
Ya Fei froze, her pen stopping in mid air.
"And ten Dou Ling Pills."
The pen fell from her hand, staining the account book with ink.
"Also, a few high tier Xuan level cultivation techniques and combat skills," Xiao Yan said, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
"Once these items are sold, all the funds will be handed over to you for management. You'll be my personal secretary. How about that?"
Suddenly, a pair of soft lips pressed against his own.
"What are you doing? Is the secretary harassing her boss?" Xiao Yan mumbled through her passionate kiss.
Ya Fei didn't reply but instead poured all her enthusiasm into her response.
At Yun Lan Sect's Medicine Peak
This mountaintop, devoid of clouds and mist, was instead home to rare and precious herbs. In addition to its abundant vegetation, the peak also housed dozens of alchemical furnaces of various shapes and sizes, where people could often be found refining pills.
The alchemists here ranged from second tier to fourth tier, making them some of the sect's most valuable assets.
Tonight, a crisp sound echoed from the peak's tallest hall, catching the attention of all the alchemists. They turned their gazes toward the summit with expressions of admiration and awe.
From the hall emerged a stern faced middle aged man: Dan King Gu He, the Jia Ma Empire's most celebrated alchemist.
"This is the second Emperor's Extreme Pill I've successfully refined," Gu He murmured to himself, holding a golden pill in his palm under the moonlight. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Just a little more time perhaps five years and I might be able to refine a Breaking Saint Pill."
"When that time comes, I'll offer it to Yun Shan. With my contributions to the sect, how could Yun Yun refuse me?"
As he thought of the white clad sect leader, a flicker of warmth emerged in Gu He's usually calm eyes.
"Congratulations on successfully completing your retreat, Teacher," came a voice nearby.
Gu He turned to see a handsome young man approaching.
"Liu Ling, did you slack off while I was away?" Gu He asked with a faint smile.
"Not at all, Teacher. I've been diligently improving my alchemical skills. I'm only a step away from becoming a fourth tier alchemist and await your guidance," Liu Ling replied respectfully.
"Good." Gu He's expression softened.
"If you can become a fourth tier alchemist within a year, your potential might rival mine. Perhaps by forty, you'll have a chance to reach the sixth tier."
"Thank you for your praise, Teacher. When that day comes, I'm sure you'll have long surpassed the seventh tier," Liu Ling said humbly.
Gu He merely chuckled, waving off the compliment. "I'm heading out for a bit. Organize a gathering for the alchemists on Medicine Peak sometime soon."
With that, he turned into a streak of light and disappeared into the night sky.
"Teacher must be going to see the sect leader again," Liu Ling muttered to himself. But even as he thought this, a different image emerged in his mind a youthful yet equally stunning face.
"Nalan Yanran…" he whispered, his eyes alight with a similar passion.
At Yun Yun's Side Hall
Sitting cross legged on her bed, Yun Yun tried to focus, but her thoughts kept drifting to a certain mischievous young man's smirk.
"He saved my teacher, then rescued the sect's founder. How will I ever repay such a debt?" she wondered, her beautiful eyes clouded with complicated emotions.
"But offering myself… I can't do such a thing." A trace of annoyance appeared on her otherwise serene face.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she sensed someone landing outside the hall.
"Who's there?" Yun Yun asked, her tone cold.
"It's me, Sect Leader," came Gu He's voice.
"I've greatly improved my success rate with Emperor's Extreme Pills. Within five years, I'll be able to refine Breaking Saint Pills. Then I can help both Yun Shan and you break through to Dou Zong."
Hearing this, Yun Yun replied calmly, "Thank you for your efforts, Elder Gu He, but the matter of the Breaking Saint Pill has already been resolved."
"Resolved?" Gu He was stunned. How could such a precious item have been obtained so easily?
"I'm feeling quite tired tonight, Elder Gu He. I'll lead the sect's elders in celebrating your accomplishments another day. For now, please excuse me." Yun Yun's voice carried a note of dismissal.
"Understood, Sect Leader. Rest well," Gu He said reluctantly, turning to leave.
As his presence faded, Yun Yun sighed softly. She had long been aware of Gu He's feelings for her, but despite his virtues, she felt no spark toward him.
When she was certain he was gone, Xiao Yan's smirking face resurfaced in her thoughts.
"Troublesome man," she murmured to herself, her voice faintly echoing in the quiet hall.
(Chapter End)
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