7: Chapter 7 The Way of Hospitality

Chu Yang followed Bi Luo through the peach blossom forest and arrived before the sect gate.

Along the way, he occasionally saw women dressed in light, thin gauze skirts dancing among the trees, a truly beautiful sight.

"Young Master Chu, welcome to my Hehuan Sect." Bi Luo smiled charmingly. "Although our sect is small, we still know how to treat our guests."

Chu Yang was secretly vigilant. "I wonder how the Sect Master intends to arrange my accommodation?"

"Naturally, it will be top-tier accommodation." Bi Luo chuckled softly. "I have already ordered people to prepare the Quiet Heart Pavilion. The environment there is tranquil and rich in spiritual energy, making it the most suitable place for healing."

As they spoke, the two of them had already entered the sect.

Along the way, Chu Yang discovered that almost everyone inside the Hehuan Sect were female cultivators, each one as beautiful as a flower and dressed in light clothing.

When they saw Chu Yang, a strange gleam flashed in their eyes.

"Sect Master, is this the legendary Young Master Chu?" A woman in purple robes walked over, looking at Chu Yang with curiosity.

"Indeed. This is our sect's Elder, Zi Ling." Bi Luo introduced her.

Zi Ling looked Chu Yang up and down, covering her mouth as she chuckled. "Truly extraordinary. His vitality is so vigorous; it is no wonder he caused several people to fight over him."

Chu Yang nodded politely, but inwardly, he remained on guard.

This Hehuan Sect appeared romantic and elegant on the surface, but in reality, their methods were ruthless, specializing in draining people's vital essence. He could not afford to be careless.

"Sect Master, Young Master Chu's injuries are not light. It would be better to take him to the Quiet Heart Pavilion first." Zi Ling reminded her.

Bi Luo nodded. "That is true. Young Master Chu, please follow me."

Under Bi Luo's guidance, Chu Yang arrived in front of an exquisite little pavilion.

The pavilion had three stories and was surrounded by peach blossoms; the environment was indeed tranquil and elegant.

"Young Master Chu, this is the Quiet Heart Pavilion. You should rest first; I will send someone to deliver some healing medicine." Bi Luo said with a smile.

Chu Yang cupped his hands in thanks and then entered the pavilion alone.

After entering, Chu Yang immediately checked the entire pavilion. Only after confirming there were no mechanisms or traps did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He took out a few protective talismans and stuck them on the doors and windows, then sat cross-legged on the bed and began to circulate his energy to heal his wounds.

Just then, a knock came from outside the door.

"Young Master Chu, I was sent by Bi Luo to deliver medicine." A sweet voice rang out.

Chu Yang asked vigilantly, "Just leave it outside the door."

"This medicine needs to be consumed while hot; it will lose its effectiveness if it gets cold."

Chu Yang pondered for a moment and decided to open the door.

Standing outside the door was a young girl in red, holding an exquisite jade box in her hands.

"Please, come in." Chu Yang stepped aside.

The young girl bowed, walked into the room, and placed the jade box on the table. Upon opening it, it contained a steaming bowl of medicinal soup.

"This is a miraculous healing medicine specially made by our Hehuan Sect. Consuming it will allow you to recover from your injuries quickly."

Chu Yang looked at the emerald-green medicinal soup in the bowl, not in any rush to consume it. "How should I address you, Miss?"

"This servant is Qingyan, the Sect Master's personal maid." The young girl lowered her head slightly, her face showing shyness.

Chu Yang calmly took out an antidote pill and held it in his mouth before picking up the medicine bowl. "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Qingyan."

He pretended to drink the medicine, but in reality, under the cover of his sleeve, he poured the medicinal soup into a hidden pocket in his sleeve.

Seeing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Qingyan's eyes, but she quickly returned to a smile. "Young Master Chu, the medicine is bitter. These are candied fruits that can remove the bitter taste."

She took a box of candied fruits from her bosom and handed it to Chu Yang.

Chu Yang took it, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. "Many thanks."

Qingyan did not leave immediately but stood to the side, seemingly waiting for Chu Yang to consume the candied fruits.

Chu Yang sneered inwardly; this Hehuan Sect really had endless tactics.

He put the candied fruits away. "I am used to resting for a while after taking medicine before eating candied fruits. Miss Qingyan, you do not need to wait."

Qingyan offered a forced smile. "Very well, Young Master Chu, please rest well. If you need anything, call for me at any time."

After Qingyan left, Chu Yang checked the box of candied fruits and sure enough, discovered that it had been laced with an aphrodisiac specially made by the Hehuan Sect.

"Heh, malicious intentions indeed."

Chu Yang sneered, tossed the candied fruits aside, and continued to heal his wounds.

Night fell, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.

Chu Yang was meditating when he suddenly heard a melodious sound of a zither from outside the window.

The zither music seemed to contain some kind of magic, making one's heart and mind waver.

"Again?"

Chu Yang snorted coldly and immediately circulated his cultivation technique to resist.

However, the zither music became increasingly rapid, actually piercing through his defenses and striking straight at his mind.

A wave of dizziness washed over him, and Chu Yang felt his consciousness becoming blurred.

"Not good!"

He bit the tip of his tongue, used the sharp pain to wake himself up, and quickly pulled out a talisman to stick on his ears, blocking out the zither music.

At this moment, the window was gently pushed open, and a woman in white robes floated in silently.

"Young Master Chu, I am here to heal your wounds." The woman in white's voice was as soft as water.

Chu Yang closed his eyes, pretending to have fallen for the trap. "Who are you?"

"I am Bai Yan, the head disciple of the Hehuan Sect's Zither Peak." The woman walked closer to Chu Yang. "The Sect Master specially arranged for me to come and heal your wounds."

Chu Yang half-opened his eyes, his face full of intoxication. "How will you heal me?"

Bai Yan smiled sweetly. "Naturally, through dual cultivation."

She reached out to untie Chu Yang's sash, but at the very moment she was about to touch him, Chu Yang suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed her wrist.

"Miss, do you think I would be so easily deceived?"

Bai Yan's expression changed, and she tried to break free. "You weren't affected by my zither music?"

"Unfortunately, it was lacking a bit of substance." Chu Yang sneered.

Bai Yan stopped pretending and said coldly, "Chu Yang, do not be ungrateful. The Sect Master values you; it is your good fortune. If you do not cooperate, the outcome will be miserable!"

"Oh?" Chu Yang raised an eyebrow. "I would like to see just how miserable it will be."

As he spoke, he formed hand seals and chanted an incantation. Suddenly, a ball of fire appeared in his hand and shot toward Bai Yan.

Bai Yan was greatly alarmed and hurriedly dodged, but the hem of her clothes was still singed by the flames, emitting puffs of smoke.

"You dare to hurt me!" Bai Yan was furious.

Chu Yang stood up and said coldly, "Tell your Sect Master that I, Chu Yang, am not a fish on a chopping block to be slaughtered. If you want me to join the Hehuan Sect, bring out your real skills!"

"Good, very good!" Bai Yan gritted her teeth. "You will regret this!"

After saying this, she leaped out the window and disappeared into the night.

Chu Yang closed the window, re-established his defenses, and continued to heal his wounds.

That night, no one came to disturb him again.

The next morning, just as Chu Yang finished his meditation, Bi Luo came to visit.

"Young Master Chu, how did you rest last night?" Bi Luo asked with a smile.

Chu Yang looked at her calmly. "Thanks to the Sect Master, apart from people trying to harm me time and again, it was quite peaceful."

Bi Luo's expression changed slightly, but she immediately returned to normal. "Young Master Chu, you jest. My Hehuan Sect has always treated guests with propriety; how could we harm anyone?"

"Is that so?" Chu Yang sneered. "Then poisoning the medicine, adding aphrodisiacs to the candied fruits, and sending people to ambush me in the middle of the night—is this your sect's way of treating guests?"

Bi Luo smiled awkwardly. "There must be some misunderstanding. I will go back and investigate clearly right now to give Young Master Chu an explanation."

Chu Yang was noncommittal. "Please do as you wish, Sect Master."

After Bi Luo left, Chu Yang decided to go for a walk and, while at it, learn more about the situation in the Hehuan Sect.