Xiao Bai’s eyes narrowed, then she let out a sharp, exaggerated laugh.
"Look at you—telling I can’t take a joke. Who’s the stiff one now, hmm?"
"Whatever, I don’t care if it’s you refining it or a donkey grinding herbs with its hooves, a Hollow Spirit Pill is still a Hollow Spirit Pill. I’ll take it. But..." her smile turned sly, "I hate waiting. How long?"
Fang Yuan lifted his hand, counting slowly on his fingers. "One per month. Six months in total."
"That long?" Her lips pursed in displeasure, but she gave it a mont of thought before leaning forward, eyes gleaming.
"At least one per month, fine. But I want an extra because you didn’t prepare properly this ti and gave an empty promise. Don’t go whining I’m unreasonable. I’m quite generous, you know."
Fang Yuan let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples as though enduring great suffering. "Generous? You? Don’t make laugh. Only a bandit would call extorting an extra pill generosity."
Xiao Bai smirked, arms folding under her chest. "Bandit? Hah! Then what are you? Didn’t you just rob in broad daylight by promising six and handing one?"
"That’s called credit," Fang Yuan corrected solemnly, as if explaining heaven’s law.
"A civilized agreent between gentlen. But here you are, tossing your dignity away, shaking down for interest before the ink on the deal even dries. Tell , who’s really the bandit?"
Her cheeks twitched; for a mont even her attendants bit their lips to hold back laughter.
But Xiao Bai leaned forward, her tone dangerously sweet. "If I’m the bandit, then you’re the fat sheep. So stop bleating and pay up."
Her cheeks twitched; even her attendants bit their lips to keep from laughing.
But Xiao Bai leaned forward, voice dripping with dangerous sweetness. "If I’m the bandit, then you’re the fat sheep. So stop bleating and pay up."
"Baa~ baa~ Fat sheep, you say?" Fang Yuan snorted, baring his teeth in a grin. "Look who’s the empire’s loyal dog."
"Hey!" Xiao Bai shot back, indignant. "I already abandoned them because you asked nicely."
"Nicely? No way, that was called a bribe, a bribe!"
The two traded barbs like children in the marketplace, their words snapping back and forth, until—
"Husband, how about we invite them over as guests?"
The voice was soft, honeyed, almost divine in its sweetness.
But that did nothing.
Fang Yuan nearly jumped out of his skin. Xiao Bai, too, stiffened, caught completely off guard.
Lin Zhaoyue stood there, serene and smiling, as if she had always been part of the conversation.
"How long have you been here!" Fang Yuan demanded.
"Ever since forever," Lin Zhaoyue replied sweetly.
Fang Yuan froze.
Forever? His divine sense had been spread thin the entire ti yet he hadn’t noticed a thing!
Was his Hollow Spirit Realm cultivation base a fraud? It’s a fraud! It has to be!
His heart dropped until he recalled Xiao Bai’s startled expression too.
That eased him a little. At least I’m not the only one fooled...
He straightened, coughed, then jabbed a finger pointed at Xiao Bai. "I’m not inviting this witch into my estate."
Xiao Bai scoffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah right. Like I’d even want to step foot in your shabby little den."
Lin Zhaoyue only smiled, the picture of grace, and pointed toward one of Xiao Bai’s attendants. "I’m sure you’ve noticed by now but that one needs healing."
"I—no I don’t!" the attendant blurted, face pale.
Lin Zhaoyue tilted her head, voice laced with silk and thorns. "Don’t you rember when I cut your skin with my hairpin earlier? My hairpin’s usually tipped with poison so... But worry not, I happen to keep the antidote... back at the estate."
"Uh..."
The color drained from the girl’s face. Of course it had to be true, only hours ago, they had been trying to kill each other like rabid beasts.
Lin Zhaoyue’s smile deepened as she turned to Fang Yuan.
"Husband, you wouldn’t want your new friends to die, would you? Co—let’s head back to the estate."
Fang Yuan exhaled through his nose and finally relented.
"Fine. Xiao Bai, do you want to co over and heal your attendant?"
This ti, she didn’t hesitate.
"Yes."
The answer ca quick, sharp, betraying how much she truly cared for those girls behind her.
But the attendants stepped forward, panic etched across her face.
"Sect Leader, no! We’re walking into their hideout! They’re definitely planning sothing! We were enemies just monts ago. You can’t risk your life just to save mine!"
Fang Yuan instantly perked up, full support blazing in his eyes.
"Yes! Listen to her! Excellent advice. How about I go back, grab the antidote, and bring it here? Then you can take it and be on your rry way, nice and safe, no risks involved. How about that?"
Xiao Bai didn’t even look at him. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Lin Zhaoyue.
The two won locked eyes and no words were spoken.
Worse, the two didn’t even exchanged a gestures exchanged.
Just a silent stare, heavy and unsettling, sparking between them.
Fang Yuan’s stomach sank. Oh no. No no no. What is this? This looks bad. This has to be very, very bad.
And then, as if that cursed silence was an agreent, both gave the faintest of nods.
Xiao Bai finally turned back, her voice steady. "Alright. We’ll co over."
Lin Zhaoyue’s smile widened, graceful as ever.
"Good. Then let’s go," she said, taking the lead.
Fang Yuan sighed, watching yet another of his plans crumble to dust.
Lin Zhaoyue led the group of girls toward the estate, her expression the picture of serene hospitality, the smile on her lips as gentle as a spring breeze.
The Divine Ice Sect mbers followed politely in her wake, step for step, as if bewitched.
But Fang Yuan wasn’t watching them. His real problem was not the won themselves but what was within the Fang Estate.
More specifically, the things not inside them.
There was not a single room in there where he could scream, This is where I refine the Hollow Spirit Pills!
If Xiao Bai took notice of that and grew suspicious and demanded that he prove himself by refining any type of pills on the spot... he was finished.
He would be completely exposed. Like a fraud with his pants down.
Still, there was a silver lining. With the crown prince dead, his noisy barking silenced forever.
The system chid in the back of his mind, neat and clean.
Quest Complete. Reward: 100,000 system points.
A slow grin tugged at his lips. Well, at least Heaven pays its debts.
With this, he could simply purchase the Hollow Spirit Pills if needed.
And besides.. so what if Xiao Bai discovered he couldn’t refine those pills himself?
Hadn’t she declared earlier with her own lips that it didn’t matter whether the pill was refined by him or by a donkey, as long as it was a Hollow Spirit Pill, she would take it?
Fang Yuan exhaled softly, steadying himself. Phew... looks like I’ve been overthinking too much.
Because at the end of the day, the upper hand was his. Hollow Spirit pills ain’t nothing less short of legend itself after all.
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