Chapter 155: The Taste of More
As it turned out, Chen Yin had worried needlessly.
Master and the others didn’t finish their discussion in two hours.
They talked for an entire day and night.
It wasn’t until noon the next day that the group finally emerged from the main hall, looking refreshed and energized.
Those who had pressing matters took their leave and departed Mount Yu. Those who weren’t in a hurry finally had time to chat and catch up.
When Chen Yin arrived, Master was chatting with Qingmei Niang and the others.
“You’re done?”
He approached them curiously. “What was so important that it took you so long?”
“Grown-ups are talking, little boy, stay out of it.”
Master put her hands on her hips. “Go cultivate. You haven’t even reached the Boundless Realm yet. Do you think you can reach Grand Clarity within a year?”
Chen Yin grumbled, “Grand Clarity in a year? Why don’t you just give me a cheat code for ascension? It’s impossible.”
“Is that so?”
Qingmei Niang narrowed her alluring eyes and said with a playful smile, “I think reaching the Grand Clarity Realm is a trivial matter for Young Master Chen.”
“After all, you’re someone who doesn’t even take true Grand Clarity Realm experts seriously.”
Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly.
He knew she was referring to his actions in Qinglian City. But he didn’t dare argue.
If his mother-in-law complained to his Master, he would be the one getting scolded.
“Besides, you’re quite the playboy, Young Master Chen.” Qingmei Niang continued. “You’ve already moved on to your Junior Sister after just a short time away from our Luo Luo? And you’re even using lingerie now?”
Chen Yin coughed lightly and said with a straight face, “Please don’t misunderstand, Madam Qingmei. I’m not playing favorites.”
“Luo Luo has also worn those clothes.”
Qingmei Niang’s eyes widened in mock anger, and she stood up abruptly. “What did you say?!”
Chen Yin didn’t hesitate and ran away as fast as he could.
Qingmei Niang glared at his retreating figure, her teeth gritted, her fist clenched.
“That brat, just like his Master, always causing trouble.”
“Hey, his Master is right here.” Master said lazily. “Scold him all you want, it’s none of my business.”
“Like Master, like disciple.”
“Bullshit! That brat is a thousand times more shameless than me!”
“You’re too modest. You’re not much better.”
They bickered playfully for a while, the mountain breeze rustling the leaves around them. They looked down at the foot of the mountain, their gazes distant.
After a long silence, Qingmei Niang finally spoke:
“Is he… the one you’ve been searching for?”
Master lowered her head silently, saying nothing.
“You’ve never told me what you’re looking for.”
Qingmei Niang’s lips parted slightly. “A thousand years. Of those who knew, only you and I remain.”
“You should be grateful that I don’t age while guarding the seal. Otherwise, to have no one to confide in, in this vast cultivation world, would be quite a lonely existence.”
“You’re overthinking it.” Master suddenly scoffed. “I’m living the good life. There’s nothing to pity.”
“In a thousand years, I’ve seen everything.”
Tasted every delicacy. Drunk every fine wine.
Witnessed every beautiful scenery, every interesting person and event.
A thousand years was enough to write countless stories, too many to even remember.
“…It’s enough.” She murmured, her eyes downcast.
“It’s good that you still remember I’m searching for something.”
Qingmei Niang pouted. “But you won’t even tell me what it is.”
“Whether it’s a person or an object, alive or dead, what its purpose is, I know nothing.”
“Sometimes I wonder if you’re obsessed with something that doesn’t even exist.”
A flicker of something unreadable crossed Master’s cold eyes, then she smiled faintly.
“What I’m searching for… is no longer important.”
“Just assume… I’ve already found it.”
After running for a while, seeing that Qingmei Niang wasn’t chasing after him, Chen Yin finally relaxed and resumed his usual carefree demeanor.
He hadn’t gone far when he ran into Luo Daxian, Mu Susu, and Wan Yunhai, who were still chatting.
“Pavilion Master Wan!”
Chen Yin greeted him cheerfully, then bowed respectfully to Luo Daxian and Mu Susu.
“Greetings, Seniors.”
“So you’re that brat.”
Luo Daxian, his large belly jiggling, stroked his beard and looked him up and down.
“You seem decent enough… but I still can’t understand why our Qiaoqiao would fall for you.”
Chen Yin could only chuckle awkwardly.
Mu Susu also seemed to disapprove of his philandering ways, but her expression wasn’t too hostile. She said softly,
“Young Master Chen, I shouldn’t interfere in matters of the heart.”
“But I do hope you’ll be faithful and not break any hearts.”
Chen Yin just nodded obediently.
Wan Yunhai, standing beside them, hid a smile behind his fan.
“By the way, speaking of which…”
Chen Yin suddenly remembered something and asked, “I haven’t seen Sister Qiaoqiao in a while. How is she doing?”
He noticed that Luo Daxian and Mu Susu’s expressions stiffened slightly.
Although it was just a fleeting moment, it made Chen Yin frown.
“Is something wrong with Sister Qiaoqiao?”
“Uh, no…”
Luo Daxian said awkwardly, “That girl is working hard on her cultivation, she said she wants to be the first to reach the Grand Clarity Realm and then steal you away from Frost Moon Sword Immortal…”
Chen Yin was speechless.
…That sounded just like her.
“I promised Sister Qiaoqiao I would visit her, but I haven’t had the chance.”
Chen Yin bowed respectfully. “Please apologize to her for me, Seniors.”
Mu Susu and Luo Daxian exchanged a look and nodded slowly.
“We’ll tell her.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they took their leave. Chen Yin watched them go, a puzzled expression on his face.
…Something wasn’t right. Why did they act so strangely when he mentioned Qiaoqiao?
And with Luo Qiaoqiao’s personality, she wouldn’t just stay at home quietly. He had expected her to come to Mount Yu and look for him.
Had something happened to her?
But she should be safe at the Heavenly Net Sect.
And if something had truly happened, Luo Daxian and Mu Susu wouldn’t be so calm and collected.
Was he just overthinking it?
Chen Yin shook his head.
At that moment, Wan Yunhai approached him.
“Young Master Chen, as expected of Immortal Yu Ling’s disciple, you’re quite close to these Grand Clarity Realm experts.”
Chen Yin chuckled modestly. “You flatter me, Pavilion Master Wan.”
“By the way, I haven’t had the chance to thank you for purchasing those pills from the Mist Spirit Sect. It was a great help.”
“Ah, I’ve heard about that.” Wan Yunhai smiled warmly. “It wasn’t much. Sect Master Shen is a shrewd businesswoman. We at the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion are impressed.”
“And I suspect those high-quality pills were your doing, Young Master Chen.”
Chen Yin smiled but didn’t answer.
Wan Yunhai also smiled knowingly and didn’t press further.
“Speaking of which, there’s a small matter I’d like to discuss with you, Young Master Chen.”
Oh? Chen Yin raised an eyebrow curiously. “Please speak, Pavilion Master Wan.”
“Ahem, well…”
Wan Yunhai seemed a little embarrassed, his face flushing slightly. He leaned closer and whispered, “I overheard what you said when you barged into the hall the other day…”
“Are you… interested in lingerie?”
Chen Yin’s eyes lit up, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
“Are you also a connoisseur, Pavilion Master Wan?”
“I wouldn’t dare call myself a connoisseur. Just a casual enthusiast.”
The two men immediately started chatting excitedly.
“Was that fishnet stockings and white lace lingerie set I saw at the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion your idea?”
“It was just a rough draft, still a work in progress. It could be much more… alluring.”
“Indeed, I think the chest area could be made transparent, with the straps hidden, like a binding cloth, revealing the shoulders and collarbone. Much more tempting.”
“Brilliant! ‘Half-concealed is more alluring than fully revealed.’ That’s the key!”
“Heehee…”
The two men chatted excitedly, their laughter filled with a shared understanding.
From afar, they looked like a pair of creepy old men.
They talked until late at night, then Wan Yunhai reluctantly handed Chen Yin a jade token.
“Brother Chen, it’s rare to find a kindred spirit. Unfortunately, it’s getting late. We’ll have to continue this conversation another time.”
“This jade token can be used at any Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion branch. It’s a VIP card, only given to Grand Clarity Realm experts.”
“With this card, you’ll receive the highest level of service at any of our branches, Brother Chen.”
Chen Yin took the card with a grin. “Then I won’t refuse. Thank you for your generosity, Pavilion Master Wan.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Wan Yunhai gave him a knowing look. “If you have any more brilliant ideas, Brother Chen, be sure to share them with me~ We can split the profits fifty-fifty.”
“And, our main branch holds a private lingerie exhibition every month. Perhaps…”
Chen Yin gave him a thumbs up.
No words were needed.
After Wan Yunhai left, Mount Yu returned to its usual tranquility.
Chen Yin, satisfied with his gains, walked back and ran into Xiang’er.
“Senior Brother, dinner’s ready… I saw you chatting with Pavilion Master Wan earlier. What were you talking about?”
Chen Yin coughed lightly and said mysteriously, “Xiang’er, do you like the rouge, clothes, and jewelry from the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then, I have a top-tier VIP card. Do you want it~?”
Yu Xiang’s eyes lit up at the sight of the jade token in his hand.
“Yes! Of course!”
But as she reached for it, Chen Yin pulled it back and said with a smile:
“You can have it.”
“But it depends on your performance tonight.”
Yu Xiang blushed and lowered her head. “Senior Brother… do you have any new… ideas…?”
“Then let me show you what a grown-up’s game is like.”
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