Rong Lü returned to the vicinity of the trading area alone, though he did not enter it again. Previously, the three of them had searched through all the alchemists in the trading area, but not a single one could accept a commission for Spirit-grade pills. They could only watch helplessly as the efficacy of their spiritual herbs began to decline from the state they were in when first harvested. His own cultivation was faintly touching the threshold of the late Golden Core stage, but Duan Mingyu was still struggling in the early Golden Core stage. Rong Lü felt a sense of urgency, wanting to have the pills refined for him as soon as possible.
Thinking of this, he realized that if Zhai Bairong were still around, he would have been able to help Mingyu. However, the man had been missing for some time, deliberately avoiding a reunion with them. The other alchemists they encountered who were willing to do business lacked the necessary skill. Rong Lü wished he could have learned the craft himself.
He leaned against a tree trunk at the edge of the forest not far from the trading area, closing his eyes to rest for an entire day. Estimating that enough time had passed, he was about to head back when he suddenly sensed the presence of other cultivators. He immediately held his breath and suppressed his aura.
"Heh, I told you that you were just acting tough."
"I saw that they looked like big spenders, so of course I wanted to give it a try! It’s easy for you to talk; I don’t have a major client like Senior Nie to rely on..."
"And didn't it fall through anyway? You probably didn't even have a thirty percent chance of success, did you?"
"Uh, well, when you put it that way..."
Rong Lü found the voices somewhat familiar. Hiding behind a tree, he observed them quietly and saw that they were two of the people they had questioned the previous morning while looking for an alchemist.
The two spoke casually as they looked around for herbs to make basic Qi Recovery Pills. One of them grumbled about how the other already had a steady stream of orders yet still insisted on competing for these small jobs.
Rong Lü frowned. They had heard on the way there that Nie Shiyun allowed the exchange of any form of natural treasure for magical tools or smithing services, only removing items from his list once he felt he had enough. Thinking about it, the amount of good things he had collected over such a long period must be substantial.
He looked at one of the cultivators, confirming it was the very alchemist who had claimed yesterday with absolute certainty that he could not refine Spirit-grade herbs. A surge of indignant anger at being deceived rose in Rong Lü’s heart, and he stepped out from behind the tree.
The sudden appearance of a person startled both of them. However, since they were out gathering herbs together specifically to look out for one another and their valuables were left back in the trading area, they didn't immediately bolt upon seeing only one person. Instead, they cast tentative glances toward him.
Rong Lü walked over quickly and demanded, "You said you refine pills for Nie Shiyun?"
As he approached, he no longer masked his suppressed cultivation. Only then did the two realize something was wrong. Looking closer, they remembered him as one of the three who had come to inquire about pills the other day. Though they didn't know exactly what was happening, their instinct was to turn and flee.
"I am asking you a question."
In an instant, Rong Lü had drawn his sword. How could two Foundation Establishment cultivators be a match for a Golden Core master? The blade was already pressed against the alchemist's neck. The man froze, unable to move a muscle, and slumped onto the ground.
Seeing that Rong Lü didn't even spare him a glance, the other man was scared out of his wits and fled without hesitation.
"Se... Senior, what are you doing..."
Rong Lü pressed the sword an inch closer, his face expressionless. "Do not change the subject. Just answer my question."
The cultivator felt the cold glint of the sword reflecting into his eyes from beneath his chin, and he couldn't help but tremble. "Yes."
"Since you refine pills for Nie Shiyun, your alchemy skills must not be poor. Why did you deliberately claim yesterday that you couldn't take our commission?"
The cultivator hesitated for a moment. Although he hadn't sworn a death oath to Nie Shiyun, they had a verbal agreement not to reveal the internal details. The man in front of him was clearly not someone to be trifled with, but Nie Shiyun was only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage; he didn't dare offend him either.
Seeing him look left and right, Rong Lü lost his patience. He grabbed the man by the collar, hauled him onto his flying sword, and headed straight for Duan Mingyu’s location. The cultivator didn't dare breathe loudly. He had originally hoped that if his companion returned, he might bring reinforcements, and there might be a chance. Now, as they flew deeper into the wind and snow, he began to feel a sense of despair.
Fortunately, Rong Lü didn't take him through many twists and turns to some hidden spot. After traveling a short distance, he stopped.
"You're back! I was worried you'd gotten lost," Duan Mingyu said. He was draped in Xu Yehua’s outer robe, and his face was much rosier than its previous pallor. "This is...?"
Rong Lü pulled the man off the flying sword and recounted the situation he had just overheard to the other two.
The cultivator listened tremblingly. From Rong Lü’s tone, he vaguely guessed that the two people before him were also far more powerful than they appeared. He felt even more certain that he couldn't escape, so he could only brace himself and say, "Seniors, I really cannot refine a high-level Spirit-grade pill like the Ice Lotus. If I were to force it, the chance of the furnace exploding is extremely high. It would be my sin to waste such materials. Please, let me go..."
Naturally, the three did not believe him.
"I heard Nie Shiyun has collected many high-level spiritual materials. Since he chose you, he must value your ability. How could you possibly be unable to do it?" Duan Mingyu asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps you look down on us?" Xu Yehua smiled, but there wasn't a trace of mirth in his expression.
The alchemist was terrified. He thought to himself that although he was breaking his agreement with Nie Shiyun, if he didn't tell the truth, he might lose his life here today. His life was more important. "This... I, I haven't been refining Spirit-grade pills for him. Usually, I just occasionally refine some Qi Recovery Pills and such for him..."
Hearing this, all three were stunned. Xu Yehua’s expression darkened as he stepped closer to the cultivator, coldly ordering him to explain everything clearly.
"Senior, spare me! I... I really don't know much..." The man felt a wave of killing intent and hurriedly begged for mercy. He wasn't lying; he could only relay the little information he knew. As for how the herbs Nie Shiyun usually collected were handled or if he had found other alchemists, he truly had no idea.
Rong Lü frowned. He had thought he found someone who could refine pills for Duan Mingyu, but it turned out to be a false hope.
"He collected so many spiritual herbs; is he just keeping them like we are, planning to deal with them after leaving the secret realm?" Duan Mingyu sighed.
Xu Yehua sneered. "If that were the case, why would he bother finding an alchemist to act as a screen? He must have his own methods."
Rong Lü looked at him, suspicious. "Are you saying... he has an alchemist by his side who can process spiritual herbs for him, but is unknown to outsiders?"
"But as far as I know, there are no alchemists among the younger generation of Yunqing Pavilion," Duan Mingyu countered, confused.
The alchemist sitting on the ground swallowed hard, his heart full of unease. He had said everything he could, yet these people still wouldn't let him go. He couldn't help but offer a forced smile. "Maybe he has connections with other alchemists in the trading area, and it just so happens that only the Qi Recovery Pills are assigned to me. Haha, how about this, Seniors? I'll go back to the trading area and ask around for you..."
"Shut up. Stop trying to pull tricks that are so easily seen through." Xu Yehua’s train of thought was interrupted, and he spoke coldly.
"..." The alchemist shrank his neck.
"I know you're in a bad mood. But he really seems to know nothing," Duan Mingyu said softly.
The alchemist lowered his head, not daring to make another sound. He thought to himself that while the person speaking softly seemed to be the center of the group, the actual dominance was held by the fierce-looking cultivator beside him.
Xu Yehua did not respond, recalling a slight oddity he had noticed earlier.
"The only time I sensed something off about him was when that junior disciple of his came out. Although it was hidden well, there was a flicker of tension—the same person you said felt familiar."
"Ah, I see," Duan Mingyu nodded. "You mean that person is actually an alchemist? But like I said, there are no decent alchemists in Yunqing Pavilion's younger generation."
"..."
Xu Yehua’s brow furrowed deeply; clearly, even he felt such a guess was a bit too far-fetched.
Duan Mingyu hadn't reacted yet, but Rong Lü, following Xu Yehua’s reaction, realized it first. His expression was one of shock. "Could you possibly think..."
"Ah? What are you two talking about!" Duan Mingyu felt like he was the only one in the dark and couldn't help but ask.
"An alchemist Nie Shiyun values, who isn't convenient to show in public, and who has been with him since he opened the shop over half a year ago..." Xu Yehua narrowed his eyes. "A person you felt was familiar just by hearing a single sentence."
"..."
Duan Mingyu’s eyes suddenly widened. He stood with his mouth half-open for a long time, his round eyes filled with disbelief.
"You... you think it's Senior Brother? How... how is that possible!" Duan Mingyu gasped, nearly crying out.
As Duan Mingyu’s voice rose, his original tone leaked out. Given that his voice—though belonging to an adult male—was exceptionally clear and beautiful, it was rare enough that anyone who had heard it would have an impression. Even the alchemist in front of him began to vaguely guess who these three were. But he didn't dare show it, fearing he would be silenced.
"Do you know anything about the person beside Nie Shiyun?" Xu Yehua suddenly directed the conversation toward the man in front of him.
"I, I, I don't know! He just helps out, he rarely talks to us. I've only seen him a few times..." The alchemist waved his hands frantically, indicating he had nothing to do with it.
The more Xu Yehua heard, the colder his expression became. "It seems this person really is useless."
The alchemist had at least some modicum of situational awareness. Seeing Xu Yehua’s expression, he was certain this man would never let him return in one piece. He immediately began scanning his surroundings.
Heaven never seals off all exits. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of cultivators passing by not far outside the forest. Although he couldn't see who they were, he was going to die anyway. As if grabbing onto a final straw, he screamed, "Senior! I really am not close with Nie Shiyun! Please, spare me—!"
"...!" The man had been timid before, speaking like a mosquito, so his sudden shout startled the group.
Thinking it was a final act of desperation, Xu Yehua was about to sneer and tell him not to waste his breath, but he didn't expect those two cries for mercy to actually draw someone over.
And it was an acquaintance.
"Who's shouting? I heard you mention Nie Shiyun. What about him..."
The newcomer’s footsteps were hurried as they rushed into the forest. The group turned their heads in unison. The alchemist recognized the newcomer at a glance and cried out as if he had regained his life, "Senior Qi, save me! They kidnapped me to pry for information about Nie Shiyun..."
"Huh?" Qi Miaohan was completely confused, seeing only a Foundation Establishment cultivator crawling toward her in a lowly manner.
"Meddlesome...!" Xu Yehua cursed under his breath, striking out instantly at the man's back.
The alchemist knew he couldn't block an attack from those three even if he tried, so he put all his effort into fleeing forward, betting everything on Qi Miaohan.
With a loud *clack*, the cultivator looked back to see that Qi Miaohan had stepped in to block Xu Yehua’s strike.
"You know Nie Shiyun?" Qi Miaohan was skeptical, but she shielded the man for the time being.
"I do, I do! I have business dealings with him. This group of people..."
Before the cultivator could finish, Xu Yehua and Rong Lü both judged the situation to be bad and simultaneously attacked the alchemist beside Qi Miaohan. Duan Mingyu, on the other hand, hadn't reacted yet and stood dazed on the spot.
"You people, wait a minute! What exactly is going on here?! And what is your relationship with Nie Shiyun?" Qi Miaohan gritted her teeth.
She had come to the trading area after a long time to visit Nie Shiyun. Qi Xuan'er and Du Zhi were not with her. She had only sensed the aura of one Golden Core cultivator earlier, so when she heard someone calling for help and mentioning her friend's name, she came to investigate. But now that the two across from her had attacked, she realized they were actually two Golden Core cultivators.
"You are an unrelated party. If you insist on meddling, do not blame us for being impolite," Rong Lü said.
Duan Mingyu had been in shock from the previous revelation, but now he realized that Rong Lü and Xu Yehua intended to silence the witness. He said somewhat reluctantly, "This person hasn't done anything wrong; there's no need to kill him, is there?"
"Better safe than sorry!" Xu Yehua knew that arguing with the naive and kind Duan Mingyu would only waste time. In any case, after he did it, Duan Mingyu would only scold him a few times. Xu Yehua didn't care how he tried to stop him now.
However, this brief pause gave Qi Miaohan an opening to toss the man behind her. She hadn't been suspicious before, but the moment Duan Mingyu spoke, she recognized who the three across from her were. She burst out into curses: "How the fuck is it you guys again! You're like lingering ghosts!"
Although she didn't know the full situation, at this moment, the enemy of her enemy was her teammate. Qi Miaohan decided she was going to meddle in this business and help this little cultivator who claimed to have dealings with Nie Shiyun.
Call her slow to learn or say she was asking for trouble, but if she chose to run away now, she wouldn't be Qi Miaohan.
***
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Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 88 | Suspicions and Confrontations | Novela.app | Novela.app
