112: Chapter 112 Living Days

The black lacquered wooden box shimmered with a deep, dark luster under the lamplight.

The maid held it with both hands, her posture humble, yet it carried an undeniable sense of certainty.

The air around them seemed to freeze in that instant.

Everyone's gaze was focused on that small wooden box, filled with curiosity and envy.

To reject Lady Yueji's invitation, yet still receive a gift from her.

This kind of treatment was unheard of in the history of Yuexian Pavilion.

The grip Hong Shao and Qing Luo had on Chen Fan's arms tightened a little more.

Their faces were full of vigilance, as if the wooden box did not contain a gift, but a demonic object capable of stealing a man's soul.

Chen Fan did not reach out to take it immediately.

His gaze passed over the wooden box and looked toward the deep, dark area behind the maid that led upstairs.

What on earth does Lady Yueji want?

Offering favors without cause usually implies ulterior motives.

But the background of Yuexian Pavilion was unfathomable; there seemed to be no need to use such methods to deal with a Jianghu martial artist like him.

Or perhaps, was there a secret behind this regarding the "Jade-Faced Asura" that he did not know about?

Thoughts raced through his mind, but in the end, he reached out and took the wooden box.

It felt slightly heavy in his hand, with a warm, smooth texture.

He did not open it in public, only nodding slightly to the maid.

"Thank your mistress for me."

Having said that, he did not linger, and with the two sisters by his side—who had already turned into two bristling kittens—he turned and walked toward the main entrance.

Behind him were countless complex gazes and irrepressible whispers.

Not until they were out of Yuexian Pavilion and hit by the cool night breeze of Jiangzhou City did Hong Shao and Qing Luo seem to come back to life.

"Master Luo, what... what did she give you?" Hong Shao finally could not help but lean in, her fox-like eyes full of curiosity and vigilance.

Qing Luo also pricked up her ears, her little face tense.

Chen Fan did not speak, only opening the wooden box in front of them.

Inside the box, it was lined with a layer of soft black silk.

Resting quietly on the silk was a jade pendant.

The jade pendant was pure white, its texture warm and smooth, emitting a soft halo of light under the moonlight.

The carving was not complicated; only a crescent moon and an auspicious cloud were intricately engraved on the corner of the pendant.

Simple, yet elegant.

A strange feeling stirred in Chen Fan's heart.

Another jade pendant.

A jade pendant carved with a crescent moon.

He subconsciously touched the cloth bag on his back, where another identical jade pendant, gifted by Ni Chang, lay.

What was this supposed to mean?

The Seven Beauties of Yuexian, each with one, handing them out like business cards?

He had accepted Ni Chang's, and now he had accepted Lady Yueji's.

If they found out about this, would they fight?

An absurd thought flashed through his mind.

"Just a piece of worthless stone."

Seeing that it was just a jade pendant and not some token like a handkerchief, Hong Shao felt slightly relieved, though she still curled her lips unforgivingly.

"I think that Lady Yueji is just being mysterious, trying to use this method to keep you hooked, Master Luo."

Qing Luo did not speak, only looking at the jade pendant with her small mouth slightly pouted, clearly sharing the same thought.

Chen Fan put the jade pendant away, idly toying with the exquisite wooden box, without offering any explanation.

He took their hands and walked along the brilliantly lit streets of Jiangzhou City.

"Let's go, I'll take you to see the night view of Jiang City."

As the night deepened, the three of them found a restaurant by the river and sat down on the terrace on the top floor.

Leaning against the railing and looking out, one could see pleasure boats passing on the wide river, with dots of light like a galaxy fallen into the mortal world.

The sound of silk and bamboo instruments, along with the laughter from both banks, drifted over on the evening breeze, weaving into a symphony of prosperity.

The sisters' minds were soon captivated by the beautiful scenery, temporarily forgetting the unpleasantness regarding Lady Yueji and the jade pendant.

By the time they returned to the inn, it was already late at night.

Only a dim oil lamp was lit in the room, its light and shadows flickering.

Chen Fan closed the door, and upon turning around, he saw two pairs of bright, sparkling eyes staring straight at him.

The air was thick with an indescribable tension and ambiguity.

"Master Luo..."

Hong Shao spoke in a sweet, coquettish voice.

Her muffled voice came through, carrying a touch of grievance and a hint of possessiveness.

Chen Fan did not answer.

He waved his hand, extinguishing the candle.

Nothing more was said that night.

...

Over the next dozen days, Chen Fan lived a life like an immortal.

During the day, he took the two sisters to visit all the famous historic sites in Jiangzhou City and tasted all the delicacies in the streets and alleys.

At night, there was endless tenderness and intimacy.

His reputation also spread throughout the entire Jiangzhou City during this time.

The threshold of Yingke Inn was almost worn down.

Every day, all kinds of people came to visit.

There were Jianghu Gangs wanting to hire him as a retainer, wealthy merchants wanting to recruit him as a Guest Elder, and even several prestigious Families in Jiangzhou City who sent stewards with heavy rewards, seeking only to meet the "Jade-Faced Asura".

One day, Chen Fan was sitting by the window, slowly and methodically wiping the long sword in his hand.

Downstairs, there was another commotion.

A well-dressed, arrogant-looking middle-aged steward walked upstairs, led by the inn's waiter.

"Is this the Jade-Faced Asura, Your Excellency Luo Hengsheng?" The steward stood at the door and nodded slightly, considering it a greeting, his tone carrying a condescending scrutiny.

Chen Fan did not even look up, only using a clean white cloth to carefully wipe every inch of the sword blade.

Seeing this, the steward's brows furrowed imperceptibly, clearly dissatisfied with such neglect.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice a little.

"I am the head steward of the Wang Family of Jiangzhou. I have been ordered by my master to specifically invite Your Excellency Luo to our manor for a discussion. My master has said that as long as you are willing to become a Guest Elder of our Wang Family, every year, you will receive this amount."

He held up five fingers, a hint of self-satisfaction on his face.

"Five thousand taels of silver, plus three shops within the city."

This price was enough to make ninety-nine percent of the martial artists in Jiangzhou City go crazy.

However, the only answer he received was the crisp "clang" sound of a sharp sword returning to its scabbard.

Chen Fan finally looked up, looking at him calmly from behind his mask.

"No."

Two words, crisp and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

The Wang Family steward's smile froze on his face.

He clearly had not expected anyone to refuse such generous terms.

"Your Excellency Luo, you had better think clearly; our Wang Family in Jiangzhou..."

"Show him out."

Chen Fan interrupted him, speaking two words indifferently to the waiter at the door.

The waiter shuddered, quickly stepped forward, and made a "please" gesture toward the Wang Family steward.

The Wang Family steward's face turned from green to white, and in the end, he could only snort coldly and flick his sleeves as he left.

Hong Shao was carrying a plate of freshly cut fruit as she walked out of the inner room, just in time to see this scene.

She placed the fruit plate on the table and said with a smile.

"Master Luo, this is already the tenth person you've driven away this month, right? That Wang Family is a famous, powerful clan in Jiangzhou."