156: I have an idea

Bai Xiaofeng leaned lazily against a wall on the most prosperous street in Myriad Medicine City, his silver-threaded, dark-patterned white robe casually open, revealing half of his jade-like collarbone.

He waved his hand indifferently, instructing Bi Yao and Red Silk:

"Go, pick some good medicinal ingredients and bring them back."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Bi Yao's eyes, but she deliberately swayed her slender waist, seductively approaching Bai Xiaofeng, her red lips parting slightly.

"Ninth Young Master ~ Bi Yao is afraid she won't pick them well alone, why doesn't Sister Red Silk accompany her?"

Today, she was wearing a light, thin, crimson gauze dress, the fabric so soft it was almost transparent, faintly revealing her fair skin.

A thin golden chain was tied around her waist, gently swaying with her movements, making her slender waist even more alluring.

The dress had a very high slit, revealing her long, slender legs intermittently as she walked.

Red Silk stood to the side, eyes downcast, but upon hearing Bi Yao's suggestion, a hint of gratitude still involuntarily showed in her eyes.

Although her attire today was not as daring as Bi Yao's, it was equally soft and charming: a light purple silk dress with a slightly open neckline revealing her delicate collarbone, and sleeves embroidered with intricate patterns that gently fluttered with her movements.

Bai Xiaofeng glanced at them, a playful smile on his lips, his tone languid.

"As you wish."

Having received permission, Bi Yao immediately smiled brightly, reached out and took Red Silk's arm, saying intimately:

"Sister Red Silk, let's go~"

Red Silk nodded obediently, and the two walked side by side, quickly blending into the bustling market.

As Bi Yao walked, her waist swayed gently, and her gauze dress fluttered in the wind, attracting many passersby's gazes. She seemed to enjoy this attention, occasionally deliberately slowing her pace to let her skirt flutter higher, revealing more of her fair skin.

Red Silk appeared much more reserved, but her gentle demeanor and delicate features were equally eye-catching. She kept her head slightly bowed, and when she occasionally looked up, her autumn-water-like eyes held a hint of shyness, which made people feel even more pity for her.

"What exactly did that Grand Elder talk to you about? Can't you tell me?"

How could Jiang Donghua dare to speak openly here?

What if someone was eavesdropping? They might not even leave Myriad Medicine City before they were finished.

He could only shake his head and say indifferently,

"It was just an exchange between Alchemists."

Bai Xiaofeng's narrow eyes slightly narrowed, and an imperceptible cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He leaned lazily against the white jade railing in front of the Pill Heart Pavilion, his fingertips tapping the railing idly, producing a crisp sound.

"An exchange between Alchemists?"

He chuckled, a hint of mockery in his tone.

"Master Jiang, you're not discussing with that Old Fox how to sell me out, are you?"

Jiang Donghua's expression remained unchanged; he merely gave him a faint glance and said,

"If Ninth Young Master doesn't trust me, he can certainly go ask the Yao Family Grand Elder himself."

Bai Xiaofeng 'tsk'ed, waved his hand, and said with feigned impatience,

"Alright, alright, you Alchemists, you talk in circles, it gives me a headache."

Although he said this, his gaze never left Jiang Donghua's face, as if he wanted to dig something out of his expression.

Jiang Donghua knew he was probing but didn't expose him, merely nodding slightly.

"Since Ninth Young Master isn't interested, then so be it."

Bai Xiaofeng suddenly took a step closer, lowering his voice, with a playful smile.

"Master Jiang, don't forget, you're working for me now."

His tone was light, but the threat in his words was undiminished.

Jiang Donghua's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained calm.

"I naturally remember."

Bai Xiaofeng stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing and clapped him on the shoulder.

"That's good! Let's go, Bi Yao and the others should be back soon, we should prepare for the real business."

He deliberately emphasized the words 'real business,' a deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Donghua knew perfectly well that Bai Xiaofeng was warning him: no matter what conspiracy the Yao Family had, he had to stand with Heavenly Serpent City.

Otherwise, the first to die might be himself.

Jiang Donghua stood not far away, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Bai Xiaofeng and Qin Wuye's direction.

Although the two deliberately kept their voices low, the subtle changes in their expressions and Qin Wuye's final sharp killing gesture were enough to explain everything.

"Heh, just as I thought."

He sneered inwardly, but his face remained as calm as water, as if he were merely nonchalantly admiring the streetscape of Myriad Medicine City.

The people of Heavenly Serpent City didn't consider him one of their own at all; once they sensed any unusual movement from him, they would immediately kill him.

On the other hand, the Yao Family was even more sinister; while ostensibly recruiting him, they had already tampered with the Pill Formula.

"Both sides want to use me as a pawn, but unfortunately, I'm not a fool to be manipulated."

Jiang Donghua's fingertips gently caressed his storage ring, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He had to get out of this situation as soon as possible!

But right now, both Bai Xiaofeng and the Yao Family were secretly watching him; acting rashly would only lead to a faster death.

"I have to make them restrain each other so I can find an opportunity!"

His gaze shifted slightly, and he suddenly caught sight of Bi Yao and Red Silk approaching from a distance.

The two women held several boxes of spiritual herbs. Bi Yao laughed charmingly and whispered something into Red Silk's ear, making Red Silk cover her lips and chuckle, her eyes flowing with seductive charm.

Jiang Donghua's eyes moved, and he already had a plan in mind.

He lowered his head slightly, a nearly imperceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Want me to be your puppet? Then let's see who plays whom to death in the end!"

That night, in the guest room prepared by the Yao Family, a man's soft cries could be heard.

Jiang Donghua gasped in pain, quickly grabbing Red Silk's wrist and whispering,

"Senior Sister, gently! My ear is going to fall off!"

Red Silk snorted coldly, her grip not lessening. Instead, she leaned closer, gritting her teeth and growling in a low voice,

"Stop trying to fool me! I felt something was off during the day. When did you start flirting with those two women? And now you dare to talk to me about a plan?"

Her other hand directly pinched Jiang Donghua's face, forcing him to look at her, her eyes almost spewing fire.

"What? Do you think I, your Senior Sister, am not good-looking enough, or not well-figured enough? Huh?"

Jiang Donghua's face was distorted from her pinch, and he stammered a defense,

"Senior Sister... you misunderstood... this is my strategy!"

"Strategy?"

Red Silk sneered.

"Your strategy is to let those two vixen cling to you? Do you think I'm a fool?"

Jiang Donghua was helpless; he could only endure the pain and quickly explain in a low voice.

"Senior Sister, the Yao Family is preparing to deal with me. If I don't act first, I'll be controlled by them sooner or later! Bi Yao and Red Silk are Bai Xiaofeng's people, but they are greedy for wealth and value their lives. With a little guidance, we can make them our pawns!"

Red Silk's grip finally loosened a bit, but her gaze remained dangerous.

"So? How do you plan to guide them? With a honey trap?"

Jiang Donghua gave a dry laugh.

"How could I! I want them to mistakenly believe that I'm interested in them, and then, through their mouths, pass false information to Bai Xiaofeng and the Yao Family, making them suspicious of each other!"

Red Silk narrowed her eyes, finally releasing his ear, but her finger still poked his chest, enunciating each word.

"Jiang Donghua, listen carefully to me. The plan is fine, but if you dare to make it real!"

She didn't finish, but her other hand was already pressing on the short blade at her waist, a cold glint flashing.

Jiang Donghua immediately raised his hands in surrender.

"Senior Sister, don't worry! I promise, it's absolutely just acting!"

Only then did Red Silk snort coldly, push him away, and stand with her arms crossed, her tone still displeased.

"Speak, how exactly will you execute it?"

Jiang Donghua rubbed his reddened ear and whispered,

"Tomorrow, I will deliberately reveal some flaws in front of Bi Yao, making her believe that I am captivated by her. Given her personality, she will definitely go to Bai Xiaofeng to claim credit. And Bai Xiaofeng is naturally suspicious; once he knows the Yao Family wants to control me, he will surely act first."

Red Silk raised an eyebrow.

"And then?"

"And then?"

Jiang Donghua's lips curved into a cold smile.

"We'll take advantage of the chaos and escape!"

Red Silk stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled, though that smile, no matter how one looked at it, carried a hint of danger.

"Alright, I reluctantly agree to this plan."

She suddenly reached out, grabbed Jiang Donghua's collar, pulled him closer, her red lips almost touching his ear, and whispered,

"If I find you getting too into character, I'll castrate you."