132: After comparing, I'll still choose the brainless one.

The night deepened, and the lights of Heavenly Serpent City shone everywhere, illuminating the entire city as if it were daytime.

Jiang Donghua sat in the courtyard, his fingertips lightly tapping the stone table, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

Red Silk stood holding her sword, leaning against a pillar on the porch, her gaze occasionally sweeping towards the courtyard gate, clearly still harboring some doubt about Jiang Donghua's judgment.

“Junior Brother, are you sure that Bai Xiaofeng will come?”

She asked in a low voice.

Jiang Donghua stretched lazily and said.

“Senior Sister, think about it. He took out three third-grade pill recipes in front of so many people today, but not only did he fail to win me over, he also got into a fight with Third Young Master, making it known to everyone.”

“Now the whole city knows he possesses Pill Formulas. Do you think he can rest easy?”

Red Silk nodded thoughtfully.

“Are you saying he is afraid of being targeted?”

“More than that.”

A hint of cunning flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes.

“To him, those Pill Formulas cannot immediately translate into strength; instead, they will invite covetousness. Rather than holding onto a hot potato, he might as well use them to exchange for my goodwill.”

“After all, the friendship of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist is worth far more than a few third-grade pill recipes.”

Red Silk lightly snorted.

“You certainly calculate things precisely.”

Jiang Donghua smiled widely and picked up his teacup.

“This is called advancing by retreating. If he is smart, he will definitely pay a visit tonight.”

Before he finished speaking, a burst of hearty laughter came from outside the courtyard.

“Hahaha! Master Jiang, I apologize for disturbing you late at night!”

Bai Xiaofeng strode into the courtyard, followed by two maidservants, one in red and one in green, both with graceful figures.

The one in red was naturally Hong Yu, whom they had seen during the day. She kept her head down, her eyes flickering, clearly still wary of Red Silk.

The maidservant in green had a beautiful, clear face and smiling eyes, holding an exquisite brocade box in her hands.

“And this is?”

Jiang Donghua's gaze fell upon the maidservant in green, and he asked with a smile.

Bai Xiaofeng waved his hand expansively and introduced her.

“This is Bi Yao, my personal maidservant. She usually manages my pill reserves.”

Bi Yao curtsied gracefully, her voice gentle.

“Greetings, Master Jiang.”

Red Silk glanced at her, a hint of vigilance flashing in her eyes, but she said nothing.

Bai Xiaofeng did not beat around the bush and immediately had Bi Yao present the brocade box, saying with a smile.

“Master Jiang, what happened today was due to my rashness. These three Pill Formulas are offered as an apology; please accept them!”

Jiang Donghua feigned surprise.

“Ninth Young Master, how can I accept this? These are third-grade pill recipes, and their value is considerable.”

Bai Xiaofeng waved his hand, speaking boldly.

“How can a few mere Pill Formulas compare to Master Jiang’s friendship? Furthermore, with your mastery in alchemy, perhaps you can even deduce higher-grade Pill Formulas from them!”

Jiang Donghua chuckled inwardly; this fellow certainly knew how to talk, offering a gift while simultaneously flattering him.

He took the brocade box, opened it, and confirmed they were indeed the three Pill Formulas from earlier today. They were perfectly preserved, indicating that Bai Xiaofeng had not tampered with them.

“Ninth Young Master shows such sincerity; if I were to refuse again, I would seem overly affected.”

Jiang Donghua closed the brocade box and smiled slightly.

“If you have any need for pill refinement in the future, feel free to ask.”

A flicker of joy crossed Bai Xiaofeng’s eyes, but he quickly masked it and sighed regretfully.

“Alas, it’s a pity that Third Brother interfered today. Otherwise, I originally wanted to have a long, intimate talk with Master Jiang and seek guidance on the path of alchemy.”

How could Jiang Donghua not hear the hidden meaning in his words?

He immediately smiled and said.

“Ninth Young Master, if you are interested, chatting now is no problem.”

Bai Xiaofeng was overjoyed and was about to speak when a soft chuckle suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

“Ninth Brother, visiting Master Jiang late at night, why didn't you call your Third Brother along?”

Everyone turned their heads and saw Bai Wuchen holding a folding fan, smiling, and slowly stepping into the courtyard.

Behind him, two black-clad guards followed. Their aura was steady, and they were clearly experts of the Dou Ling Level.

Bai Xiaofeng’s face darkened, and he said coldly.

“Third Brother, showing up uninvited like this, aren’t you being too impolite?”

Bai Wuchen fanned himself and said leisurely.

“Politeness? If Ninth Brother can visit late at night, why can’t I? Besides, Master Jiang is an honored guest of our Heavenly Serpent City; we can’t let you monopolize him, can we?”

Red Silk frowned slightly, her hand already resting on the sword hilt, and she whispered.

“Junior Brother, something isn't right.”

Jiang Donghua, however, remained calm, and a hint of amusement even flashed in his eyes.

“Interesting. Did the two Young Masters arrange to come and have tea with me together?”

Bai Wuchen chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping past Bai Xiaofeng before landing on the brocade box in Jiang Donghua’s hand, and he said meaningfully.

“It seems Master Jiang has already accepted Ninth Brother’s gift?”

Bai Xiaofeng snorted coldly.

“If Third Brother is jealous, he can always send a gift too. Why the passive aggression?”

Without rushing, Bai Wuchen took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Donghua.

“Master Jiang, this is a partial scroll of a fourth-grade elixir formula treasured by our Heavenly Serpent City. Although it is incomplete, if the Master is interested, feel free to take a look.”

Jiang Donghua raised an eyebrow.

Did this Bai Wuchen really take him for a naive country bumpkin?

He scoffed inwardly. A partial scroll of a fourth-grade elixir formula?

Heh, even the complete soul imprint is probably defective. Even if he gave it to me, it would take months of effort to deduce and complete it, not to mention the amount of precious materials wasted on trial and error during that time.”

He picked up his teacup and took a sip. The aroma of the tea lingered on his tongue, yet his thoughts were exceptionally clear.

It was this Bai Xiaofeng, on the other hand. Jiang Donghua shifted his gaze to the white-robed young man whose face was full of anticipation.

Although this person acted rashly, his advantage was his quick and generous actions.

He gave away three third-grade pill recipes just like that, skipping even the haggling.

Jiang Donghua lightly coughed twice, his gaze briefly sweeping over the jade slip in Bai Wuchen’s hand, then he shook his head and smiled.

“Third Young Master, every time you come, you promise to give me something, but this item lacks sincerity.”

His tone was leisurely, yet every word was like a needle, directly hitting Bai Wuchen’s sore spot.

Bai Wuchen frowned slightly, his folding fan pausing, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, but he maintained his smile.

“Master Jiang, you are mistaken. Since I have taken out this partial Pill Formula scroll, I naturally intend to present it to the Master. How can you say it lacks sincerity?”

Jiang Donghua merely raised a hand slightly, placed the brocade box gifted by Bai Xiaofeng onto the table, and said indifferently.

“What a pity. I have already accepted Ninth Young Master’s gift first. This is probably fate. Third Young Master, if you have nothing else, why not come another day? Ninth Young Master and I still have some private matters to discuss.”

As soon as he spoke, Bai Xiaofeng immediately became elated, glanced proudly at Bai Wuchen, and sneered.

“Third Brother, did you hear that? Master Jiang said it’s fate! You should be sensible and stop getting in the way here!”

Bai Wuchen’s expression darkened. His folding fan snapped shut with a *pa* sound, and a cold light flickered in his eyes.

The two black-clad guards behind him also took a small step forward, their Dou Ling Level aura faintly spreading out, clearly exerting pressure.

Red Silk let out a cold snort, her short sword sliding halfway out of its sheath with a *zheng* sound. The cold light was sharp, and she stared unyieldingly at the two guards.

The atmosphere instantly became tense!

Jiang Donghua, however, remained composed. He even slowly poured himself a cup of tea, took a light sip, and then slowly spoke.

“Third Young Master, this is an honored guest courtyard of Heavenly Serpent City, not a training ground. If you wish to fight, why not change locations? Otherwise, escalating this will not be good for anyone.”

His tone was calm, but the implicit threat in his words made Bai Wuchen’s eyes narrow.

Indeed, if he were to fight here, it would not only alarm the high-ranking officials of Heavenly Serpent City but also risk becoming a laughingstock for other factions. Moreover, Jiang Donghua still had Ninth Brother backing him up. If they truly fell out, Bai Wuchen might not come out ahead.

Bai Wuchen remained silent for a moment, then suddenly opened his folding fan again and gave a soft laugh.

“Master Jiang is right. I was presumptuous.”

He gave Jiang Donghua a deep, meaningful look and said profoundly.

“However, there will be plenty of time in the future. I hope Master Jiang doesn't regret his choice today.”

After speaking, he turned and left, the two guards following closely behind him.

After Bai Wuchen’s figure disappeared outside the courtyard, Bai Xiaofeng finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

“Satisfying! That humiliated look on Third Brother’s face—it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it!”

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly, but a deep look flashed in his eyes.

Bai Wuchen was a man of deep cunning; he would absolutely not let this go.

The refusal tonight had probably already earned him Bai Wuchen’s enmity.

“Just as I intended.”

Jiang Donghua chuckled inwardly.

If everyone treated him with utmost courtesy, how could he fish in troubled waters?

Bai Xiaofeng excitedly leaned closer and whispered.

“Master Jiang, since Third Brother has scrammed, why don’t we discuss cooperation?”

Jiang Donghua raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? What does Ninth Young Master wish to discuss?”

A hint of ambition flashed in Bai Xiaofeng’s eyes, and he lowered his voice:

“I want to ask Master Jiang to help me contend for the position of Young City Lord of Heavenly Serpent City!”

Jiang Donghua’s eyes flashed, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

The fish has finally taken the bait.