Chapter 121: A Visit to the Zilan Pavilion

The Orchid Pavilion usually opened in the afternoon and remained open through the first half of the night, yet this morning it already had a visitor.

Many of the girls who had stayed up late were awakened by the pounding on the door.

To prevent Flame Spirit Ji from discovering them, the twin carriage drivers had been replaced by Zhen Gang and Luan Shen. Naturally, their swords were wrapped in cloth, and they were dressed like ordinary guards.

The side entrance to the Orchid Pavilion was tightly locked. Zhen Gang did not bother with courtesy and hammered on it with all his strength.

“Who are you?” The guards could tell from the moment they saw the two men’s eyes that they had come with ill intent. They did not even dare approach too closely.

Violet and Wei Zhuang were highly accomplished martial artists, so they naturally required less rest than ordinary people.

Wei Zhuang had just finished cultivating and was reading the Northern Kingdom Gazette.

Violet was no less occupied. She was having morning tea with Han Fei, who had stayed the night.

“My lord has come to pay a visit. Stand aside.”

As Zhen Gang advanced, several guards retreated step by step.

This was a world where the strong reigned supreme. Those guards were only third- or second-rate martial artists; they had no courage to bar the way of experts who had reached the Innate Realm.

“Hmph! Who is it now?” Violet heard the disorderly footsteps outside.

Han Fei also rose in displeasure. “I shall go see who it is.”

The moment the two stepped out of the room, Wei Zhuang came over as well.

“I’ll go with you.”

Violet frowned.

Wei Zhuang nodded and spoke as they walked. “Those are two ruthless sword intents. Whoever has come is certainly no ordinary person.”

Violet could only sigh helplessly. “How did my Orchid Pavilion manage to offend someone like this?”

“Do not worry, Violet. I now have some influence in Han,” Han Fei said. He was already a duke of the Northern Alliance Kingdom, and aside from the King of Han himself, he could afford to disregard anyone.

The carriage followed in the footsteps of Zhen Gang and Luan Shen, soon arriving at the inner courtyard.

“This is a dangerous opponent.” Under the pressure of the sword intent, Zhen Gang almost drew the sword from his back.

Wei Zhuang smiled faintly. As expected, even they did not dare challenge his edge.

“Rest easy. They have no killing intent.” As he spoke, Wei Zhuang deliberately glanced at Han Fei.

Power and authority were formidable, but at times, personal strength was more useful still.

“Where is Master Nong Yu?” The anxious little Yan’er was the first to leap down from the carriage, and Lin Shu hurried after her.

“You may withdraw.” The moment Lin Shu stepped down, he spoke softly. He had not come here to fight.

Zhen Gang and Luan Shen immediately raised their hands and moved to either side of the carriage. “Yes, sir.”

Violet was utterly bewildered. Who was this Master Nong Yu? Who exactly were these people? And the calm man among them was even more mysterious.

“This…” Wei Zhuang could not help taking two steps back.

Two powerful auras pressed down upon them. This was the might of Grandmasters—and not ordinary Grandmasters at that.

“How is this possible? Two female Grandmasters?”

“Who are they?”

Wei Zhuang had only recently entered the martial world and had never encountered the power of yin and yang.

Violet was even more astonished. Her family had a hidden connection with the School of Yin and Yang, so she was hardly unfamiliar with the energy of yin and yang.

“Honored guests have arrived at my door. Please, come inside and take a seat.”

She knew that the visitors bore no ill will. Otherwise, they would never have brought a little girl with them.

“Big Sister Violet, where is Master Nong Yu?” Before Lin Shu could say anything, little Yan’er had already run forward.

Nong Yu had thought she had misheard. Now, standing by the upstairs window, she had no choice but to answer.

“Little sister, Nong Yu is here. But I cannot presume to be your master.”

Nong Yu had no idea how high their cultivation was, but the air of nobility surrounding them was even more overwhelming than that of the Crown Prince of Han.

“Heehee, Sister Nong Yu, Father really likes the music you play. Will you teach me from now on?”

Violet was deeply puzzled. How did these strangers know about her and Nong Yu?

“This…” Nong Yu wanted to agree, but she did not dare make the decision on her own.

Lin Shu stepped forward and lifted Yan’er into his arms. Catching a faint, delicate fragrance, he glanced at Violet before raising his head toward Nong Yu.

“I have long heard that Miss Nong Yu’s skill with the qin is extraordinary. I have brought Yan’er here especially to pay you a visit.”

Lin Shu inclined his head in greeting.

“Thank you for your regard, honored sir. But this matter must be decided by Sister Violet.”

Violet felt disappointed. It was as though this Mr. Lin did not even see her.

“It is our good fortune that Young Master Lin has come in person. Nong Yu, make the necessary preparations.”

Nong Yu nodded. “Please wait a moment.”

Lin Shu nodded and raised a hand, inviting Violet to lead the way.

Wei Zhuang wore a curious expression. He had even considered testing them himself, but in the end, decided against it.

Han Fei merely smiled in silence, though inwardly he was deeply shaken.

That unusual fabric… and those shoes… It was him. Could it truly be him?

Then he looked at the strange horse wearing a head covering, and his certainty deepened. Jing Ke had mentioned that Young Master Lin would be visiting Xinzheng.

Before long, everyone was seated in the reception hall. Fortunately, it was furnished with chairs rather than kneeling tables; otherwise, Lin Shu would have had to move one over himself.

When the tea arrived, Violet, as the hostess, raised her cup first.

“I shall offer the honored guest a cup of tea in place of wine.”

The School of Yin and Yang stood above her family in their hidden hierarchy, so Violet dared not treat these visitors lightly.

Seeing their hostess raise her cup, little Yan’er followed suit and took a sip of the bitter tea.

“Ah! It’s so bitter!” She stuck out her little tongue and hurriedly set the cup down.

Looking at the two beauties seated on either side of the ordinary-looking man, Han Fei was genuinely envious.

The two heroines were practically leaning against him. Wei Zhuang frowned even more deeply. Such powerful women had actually taken leave of their senses.

What did princes and nobles matter? He placed greater faith in the strength of his own hands.

At that moment, Nong Yu slowly approached, carrying her qin. She had no desire to play so early in the morning, but she knew that the visitor was important.

“Forgive us for disturbing you, Miss Nong Yu. Would you come over for a moment?”

At that moment, Nong Yu’s impression of him improved considerably. “Thank you, Young Master Lin, but I…”

“Nong Yu, come sit here with us,” Violet said, nodding with satisfaction. This Young Master Lin was quite respectful. He had not looked down on them because of their humble origins.

Once Nong Yu had taken her seat, Han Fei rose and saluted.

“I am Han Fei. I regret that I was unable to welcome our honored guest from afar.”

Lin Shu returned the salute.

“Prince Ninth, you are too kind. How could a mere Lin dare ask the Duke of Han to receive him personally?”

The Duke of Han. He truly knew.

Realizing that Young Master Lin did not wish to reveal his identity, Han Fei tactfully said nothing more.

“Young Master Lin need not be so courteous. Should you have any requests in the future, simply give the word.”

It was this faintly smiling man who had forced the King of Wei to join the alliance. Looking at the four powerful experts surrounding him, Han Fei could only sigh inwardly.

The Northern Kingdom had only just been established, yet a single prince already had four experts serving as his guards. Han Fei, meanwhile, did not even possess one first-rate protector.

Who exactly was he? Violet was growing more curious by the moment. If Han Fei treated him with such gravity, the visitor’s identity was certainly extraordinary.

“I hear that Prince Ninth is fond of fine wine. I have brought you a case. Please do not refuse it.”

Han Fei was a towering figure in history, and Lin Shu could not help respecting him. There was not the slightest trace of a prince’s arrogance in his gentle and easygoing manner.

No wonder even Flame Spirit Ji, that proud little enchantress, had fallen for him. No wonder Li Si and the Eastern Emperor had wanted him dead. Pure jealousy.

“Thank you, Young Master Lin,” Han Fei said, secretly delighted. The wine that had gotten him drunk last time had been a treasured vintage from the Northern royal family.

Heartshadow brought out the wine.

[Here it comes, Your Majesty.]

A large wooden chest and a smaller one floated out of the carriage. Zhen Gang and Luan Shen, standing at the entrance, did not show the slightest curiosity.

“What an impressive technique. What kind of art is this?” Even the silent Wei Zhuang could not help asking.

Wei Zhuang was a man of iron and steel, but in his youth he had not yet become quite so cold and ruthless.

“Merely the power of thought. It is hardly worth mentioning to you, Master Wei,” Lin Shu replied, immediately making up an answer.

Shaoshao lowered her head and hid a smile. Her husband was truly something else.

“Baby can do it too,” little Yan’er added, unwilling to remain quiet.

“Hehe, do not be impatient, Yan’er.” Yan Fei hurriedly soothed the girl, who was about to jump up.

The power of thought!

Wei Zhuang was even more astonished. “Young Master Lin, you are being too modest.”

The acquired realm tempered the body, the Innate Realm cultivated vital energy, and after the Grandmaster Realm came the condensation of intent. To transform thought into force, one had to be at least a late-stage Grandmaster.

“He is a Grandmaster as well. There is no way he is merely an obscure nobody.”

Were Grandmasters truly so common?

Violet felt increasingly dejected. The strongest member of her family was only at the peak of the Innate Realm. At twenty years of age, she herself had only just reached the early Innate Realm.