Chapter 042: Not Playing with Fools

Yan Shu lifted her gaze toward the water mirror and saw that, at some point, the effects of the Illusion Face Pill had faded, revealing her true appearance.

Her natural features resembled those she wore under the pill’s influence by eight parts out of ten; the only difference was that inherent air of ethereal aloofness. Yet now, a vivid fire phoenix had manifested itself as a flower-shaped ornament between her brows, its fiery red hue washing away the previous coolness and leaving only an otherworldly grace. It added a touch of noble purity to her already stunning face.

Most astonishing of all, with that phoenix flower between her brows, her beauty became so transcendent that even Yan Shu herself found it breathtaking, impossible to look away.

Nor could Yu Wenche avert his eyes.

It was true that the first thing to catch his attention had been the face she wore after taking the Illusion Face Pill. But what truly moved his heart was her manner—by turns innocent, sensitive, and mischievous.

If he had only felt a vague fondness sparked by chance and brief, amusing conversation before the black market, it was there, amid the stalls, watching Yan Shu’s sweet smile as she sold her wares, that his heart was truly touched.

Yu Wenche had always considered himself a gentleman. Coupled with his own not-inconsiderable looks, he firmly believed he was immune to the impulse to pursue beauty for its own sake.

But now, he could clearly feel his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

It was not that he disregarded beauty, only that he had never before encountered such beauty.

Most important of all, the woman before him possessed not only a face that stirred his desire, but a soul that moved his heart.

Yu Wenche clenched his hand within his sleeve, coughed lightly, and said, “Junior Sister Yan Shu, see if you can conceal the mark on your brow. If I’m not mistaken, this egg should be a phoenix egg from the Upper Realm. If that mark is seen by others, it will surely bring unnecessary trouble.”

The phoenix was a creature of the immortal realm, and her brow’s mark, to anyone with sufficient cultivation, was obviously a spirit beast’s brand. Such a sign could easily spell disaster for her.

At a mere thought from Yan Shu, the mark vanished. Though the phoenix mark disappeared, its transformative effect upon her did not fade; only a fraction of its soul-stirring beauty was lost.

After hiding the mark, Yan Shu belatedly realized that Yu Wenche had known her true identity all along.

Curious, she asked, “When did you find out?”

Yu Wenche smiled. “I am familiar with all the major sects of the cultivation world. There is no Thunderclap Sect anywhere. Moreover, you and Senior Brother Liu only appeared in Brahma City today, and these past two days, only those from Xuantian Sect have entered the city. Liu Qing and Yan Tong—those two names together? It would be difficult for me not to figure it out.”

Yan Shu suddenly understood—not that Yu Wenche was so clever, but that her third senior brother was simply too foolish!

Thunderclap Sect, Liu Qing and Yan Tong—did he really think that since he was clueless, everyone else must be too? Yan Shu shot Liu Zhiqing an exasperated glare.

Liu Zhiqing put away the water mirror and, feeling awkward, rubbed his nose. “We were pressed for time, so my answers were rushed as well.”

Ha!

Yan Shu turned her back on him.

Mother always said not to play with fools.

Yu Wenche watched her childish gesture, his smile deepening, but recalling their current predicament, he quickly sobered. “Now that your Illusion Face Pill has lost its effect, Junior Sister Yan Shu, it’s best not to linger here. If neither you nor Senior Brother Liu have anything in particular you wish to bid on, I suggest we leave as soon as possible.”

The Illusion Face Pill’s effect lasted twelve hours; once broken and the original appearance restored, taking another would be useless.

Liu Zhiqing nodded. “You’re absolutely right, Junior Brother Yu Wen. Let’s leave now.”

He pulled a veiled hat from his storage pouch and placed it on Yan Shu, and the three of them slipped out of the Treasure Pavilion while the crowd was still immersed in the auction.

As they left, Yan Shu glanced at Xiao Jihan—he stood with his back to her, and the negative affection score of -65 (hostility) was unmistakable.

Yu Wenche accompanied Yan Shu and Liu Zhiqing all the way to the inn entrance. Liu Zhiqing, seeing Yu Wenche reluctant to part, stretched and yawned. “Ah, age is catching up with me. Even just a little exertion leaves me exhausted.”

“Little Junior Sister, we owe Junior Brother Yu Wen a favor, and a Seven Aurora Lotus as well. You discuss with him how we should repay him; I’ll head in first.”

Watching him yawn his way into the inn, Yan Shu could hardly bear to look.

His acting was even worse than hers. As a cultivator in the mid-stage of Integration, he was only middle-aged by longevity standards, yet after such a short stint, he was already so tired he had to yawn? Even a mortal could have feigned it better.

Seeing the disdain in her eyes, Yu Wenche couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “The bond between you and Senior Brother Liu is admirable.”

Yan Shu sighed, a little helpless. “What can I do? Master was responsible for teaching and guiding us, but I was actually raised by my senior brothers.”

She had no desire to talk further—for now, she was not her own person, and Yu Wenche’s feelings for her were far too obvious. She had no wish to be the kind of woman who teased without meaning to take responsibility.

So she looked up at Yu Wenche and said, “Thank you for everything today. As Senior Brother said, I owe you a favor and a Seven Aurora Lotus. But as you can see, Xuantian Sect is… somewhat lacking in funds right now, so I can’t repay the lotus for the time being. As for the favor, if there’s anything you need me to do, I’ll do my utmost to help!”

Seeing her eagerness to settle accounts, Yu Wenche didn’t take offense. He answered softly, “I have no use for the Seven Aurora Lotus right now. Owing it is fine. As for the favor…”

Yan Shu pricked up her ears.

Yu Wenche smiled. “I wonder if Junior Sister Yan Shu would be willing to exchange Mystic Spirit Mirror connections with me?”

The Mystic Spirit Mirror was much like a modern video-call device, except it required a link—not by phone or messaging app, but by spiritual power. Only by infusing one's spiritual energy into the other’s mirror could they stay in touch.

Suddenly, Yan Shu felt just like a new university student being asked for her WeChat by an upperclassman.

To be fair, Yu Wenche was a genuinely good person—not at all off-putting, and in fact, quite easy to like.

Without fuss, Yan Shu took out her Mystic Spirit Mirror and handed it to him. “If that’s all Senior Brother Yu Wen wants, I’m the one getting the better deal.”

They each infused a trace of spiritual power into the other’s mirror. Yu Wenche smiled and said, “For me, it’s the other way around.”

After this slightly ambiguous remark, Yu Wenche did not linger. He put away his Mystic Spirit Mirror, looked at her, and said, “I’ll be off, then. Farewell, Junior Sister Yan.”

Watching him leave, Yan Shu sighed. What a fine man—yet all she could do was look.

Back in her room, Yan Shu took out the phoenix egg and placed it on the table. The egg immediately began to hop up and down.

“Mother, mother, Yu’er missed you so much!”

“Mother, Jin’er missed you too.”