129: See the benefits

Hong Yu's steps were unsteady, each one feeling like she was treading on knife points. Her slender fingers tightly gripped the hem of her skirt, her knuckles white from the force.

What should she do? What should she do?

Her mind frantically calculated every possibility. If she took the Third Young Master directly over, given the Ninth Young Master's temperament, he would surely skin her alive, tear out her tendons, and throw her into the snake pit to feed the venomous creatures afterward. But if she defied the Third Young Master now, she might not even live to see the current sun set.

Either way was a dead end!

Her already fair face was now deathly pale, almost transparent, her lips completely drained of color. Fine beads of cold sweat seeped from her temples, sticking the stray hairs at her temples to her cheeks.

"What are you dawdling for?"

The Third Young Master's unhurried voice came from behind her. Though it contained a smile, it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

Hong Yu trembled and immediately quickened her pace, but she prayed desperately in her heart, begging that the Ninth Young Master was currently absent, and that the Alchemist had just happened to step out.

Please don't let these two ancestors meet!

She even began to fantasize: how wonderful it would be if a powerful expert suddenly attacked, or if Heavenly Serpent Mansion urgently summoned everyone back.

But the reality was that after turning this street corner, the room c, marked by a green banner, was already right before her eyes.

Hong Yu's legs suddenly felt like they were filled with lead, too heavy to lift.

Inside room c, the incense by the window curled upwards, yet it could not dispel the coldness between Red Silk's brows.

She leaned against the table with her arms crossed, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the surface, finally unable to resist speaking.

"Junior Brother, why agree to deal with such a person?"

Red Silk's voice was extremely low, but she could not hide her displeasure.

"That Bai Xiaofeng is clearly a sinister villain. Cooperating with him is no different from asking a tiger for its skin!"

Jiang Donghua was currently lowering his head, organizing the medicinal herbs in his storage ring. Hearing this, he chuckled lightly and said slowly,

"Senior Sister, which Alchemist doesn't need vast quantities of medicinal ingredients for practice?"

With a flick of his finger, a spiritual herb glowing with a moist luster spun in his palm.

"Although this Ninth Young Master has ill intentions, we can genuinely reap enough benefits from the resources of Heavenly Serpent Mansion through him!"

Jiang Donghua narrowed his eyes, smiling like a cunning fox.

"When we eventually disappear into the deep mountains and old forests, let him try to find me then."

Red Silk was stunned, then immediately realized: this brat never intended a long-term partnership; he was purely planning to gain something for nothing!

Her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, but then she heard Jiang Donghua suddenly lean closer and whisper,

"But Senior Sister, if someone comes later, you need to cooperate with me and put on a show!"

He winked.

"Pretending to be my maid or my lover will work."

"Lo—lover?!"

Red Silk's ear tips instantly flushed red.

She abruptly turned her face away, but she couldn't hide the curve of her lips lifting into a smile.

Has this blockhead finally figured things out?

She had confessed her feelings to Jiang Donghua a long time ago, but he always pretended to be oblivious.

Now he was actually taking the initiative to make such a request.

"Ahem, since it's required for the mission."

Red Silk pretended to be calm as she smoothed her hair, yet she secretly moved half a step closer to Jiang Donghua, and her voice softened slightly.

"Then, of course, playing lovers would be the most convincing."

Jiang Donghua was pouring tea with his head down. Hearing this, his hand trembled, and he almost spilled the tea.

Wait a minute, why did Senior Sister's tone sound strange?

He belatedly looked up, meeting Red Silk's burning gaze head-on. His scalp instantly tingled. Damn it, did he just dig a pit for himself?!

The room door was gently pushed open. The Third Young Master, Bai Wuchen, stepped into the room with a smile and composed steps. Dressed in a plain white brocade robe with a jade belt swaying gently at his waist, he closed the folding fan in his hand and cupped his fist towards Jiang Donghua. His voice was as gentle as jade.

"This must be the Master Alchemist whose name shakes the Black-Corner Region, correct? I am Bai Wuchen, the third son of the Heavenly Serpent City Lord. I have long admired Master's distinguished manner. Seeing him today, his reputation is certainly well-deserved."

A smile lingered in the corner of his eyes, but his gaze subtly swept between Jiang Donghua and Red Silk, secretly speculating about their relationship.

That refined and elegant appearance made anyone who saw him praise him as a handsome young lord.

Hong Yu shrank by the doorway. Seeing that the atmosphere inside the room was relatively peaceful, she couldn't help but let out a long breath and quietly wiped the cold sweat from her temples. Just as she was about to seize the opportunity to slip away, she turned and bumped into a wall of a person.

"Hong Yu, why are you here?"

The Ninth Young Master, Bai Xiaofeng's, handsome, effeminate face was close by. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his tone carried a hint of displeasure. He was holding a Pill Formula he had just retrieved from the auction, clearly having rushed over excitedly.

"Didn't I tell you not to disturb the Master's cultivation?"

Hong Yu trembled all over, her eyes instantly turned red. She suddenly rushed into Bai Xiaofeng's arms, tears rolling down like broken pearls, wetting the front of the young master's robe.

"Young Master, this servant, this servant couldn't stop him!"

She spoke between sobs, her slender fingers tightly clutching Bai Xiaofeng's sleeve.

"The Third Young Master, he insisted on coming to see the Master. This servant tried desperately to stop him."

She lifted her tear-filled, hazy face. Her appearance, like a pear blossom bathed in rain, would make anyone feel pity.

Bai Xiaofeng's expression grew uglier, especially when he heard the words "Third Young Master," a hint of malice flashing in his eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Bai Wuchen acted as if he hadn't heard the commotion outside, still smiling brightly as he spoke to Jiang Donghua.

"I hear that Master's pill refining technique is divine. May I be fortunate enough to seek some guidance?"

His words came to an abrupt halt, because Bai Xiaofeng had walked in, his face gloomy, followed by the red-eyed Hong Yu.

The gazes of the two young masters met in the air, as if sparks were flying.

Red Silk stood beside Jiang Donghua, a playful smile curling her lips. Her slender fingers seemingly casually rested on Jiang Donghua's shoulder, and she said softly,

"Donghua, should we two outsiders step aside?"

That intimate posture made everyone present change their expression.

Jiang Donghua lightly coughed, and took Red Silk's hand, but secretly groaned inwardly.

Senior Sister was acting a bit too enthusiastically.

Hong Yu shrank in the corner, her head lowered, but a sly, successful smile quietly appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Sure enough, she had successfully diverted the Ninth Young Master's fury!

She knew Bai Xiaofeng's personality too well: arrogant and conceited, he hated nothing more than others coveting what belonged to him.

That sudden rush and cry was meant to make him believe that the Third Young Master had forced his way in, and she was just a poor maid unable to stop him.

Now, Bai Xiaofeng was indeed furious, while the Third Young Master, Bai Wuchen, remained calm and composed, even sporting a faint, almost invisible smile, having long seen through her trickery.

"Bai Xiaofeng, what kind of attitude is that?"

The Third Young Master lightly fanned himself, his tone leisurely, yet every word was barbed.

"A Master Alchemist is a free agent. When did he become your private property? If everyone were as overbearing as you, who would dare to join Heavenly Serpent City in the future?"

"Stop pretending to be magnanimous here!"

Bai Xiaofeng sneered, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

"You clearly knew Master Jiang was invited by me first, yet you come here now, feigning a request for guidance. Aren't you just trying to poach my talent?"

He suddenly turned his head, his cold gaze sweeping towards Jiang Donghua, his tone laced with menace.

"Master Jiang, you need to think carefully. Some people's goodwill might not be sincere."

Jiang Donghua raised an eyebrow, maintaining his lazy demeanor. He even had the leisure to pick up his teacup and take a sip before saying slowly,

"Ninth Young Master worries too much. I am merely an Alchemist. Naturally, I will cooperate with whoever offers more benefits."

His words were spoken lightly, yet they made Bai Xiaofeng's face grow even gloomier.

Red Silk, standing nearby, slightly narrowed her eyes, her fingertips gently stroking the short sword at her waist, ready to strike at any moment.

She didn't care about any young master from Heavenly Serpent City. As long as someone dared to harm Jiang Donghua, she wouldn't mind letting this place see some blood.

"Heh, Master Jiang is indeed straightforward."

The Third Young Master, Bai Wuchen, let out a light laugh.

"Since that is the case, why don't we move to another location to discuss this in detail? I happen to have a few Blood Ganoderma in my possession. I wonder if Master is interested?"

Blood Ganoderma!

Jiang Donghua's eyes flickered. This was a rare ingredient for refining high-grade pills, rarely seen even in the auction houses of the Black-Corner Region!

Seeing this, Bai Xiaofeng immediately laughed out of extreme anger.

"Good! Very good! Third Brother, are you determined to oppose me?"

The Third Young Master still smiled, but his eyes gradually turned cold.

"Ninth Brother, you are too impatient. The rule of Heavenly Serpent City is that the strong are respected; everyone relies on their own ability. If you cannot keep someone, you can only blame your own incompetence."

"You—!"

Bai Xiaofeng was enraged. Battle Qi faintly surged around him; he had clearly been truly angered.

Hong Yu saw the situation and inwardly cried out that this was bad. If the two young masters started fighting here, she, a small maid, would likely be the first casualty!

Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly let out a soft cry of "Aiya," her body going limp as she collapsed directly into Bai Xiaofeng's arms.

"Young Master, this servant, this servant feels so dizzy."

Her voice was weak, and her face was pale, as if she might genuinely faint at any moment.

Bai Xiaofeng subconsciously reached out to steady her, his anger slightly subsiding. He frowned and asked,

"What is wrong with you?"

Hong Yu took the opportunity to tightly grasp his sleeve, tears in her eyes, and whispered,

"Young Master, please calm your anger. This servant, this servant is just afraid you will damage your health!"

With this interruption, Bai Xiaofeng's rage was indeed somewhat dispersed.

The Third Young Master, however, glanced at her with a knowing, half-smile.

Hong Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.