295: The first signs of an undercurrent

On the fifth floor of the Hundred Flowers Tower, in an elegantly decorated secret room.

Sandalwood incense curled in the air, and the aroma of tea overflowed. He Qingwan brewed the tea herself, her movements as smooth as flowing water and drifting clouds, clearly an expert in the craft. She pushed two cups of clear tea in front of Qin Feng and Xiao Chun, her expression gentle yet tinged with a hint of inquiry.

“Young Master Qin, Xiao Chun, there are some things I don't know if I should ask,” He Qingwan said softly.

Qin Feng picked up the teacup: “Pavilion Master He, please feel free to speak.”

He Qingwan pondered for a moment before slowly saying, “The Pavilion Master sent a message the day before yesterday, instructing me to take good care of you both. However, she also asked me to clarify—what exactly is your status in Medicine King Valley?”

She paused, a flash of confusion in her eyes. “Valley Masters Li Changqing and Sikong Ye have been frequently communicating with our Pavilion Master Yue Long recently. Their attitude is so solemn that even Pavilion Master Yue Long was surprised. The two Valley Masters explicitly stated, ‘Medicine King Valley wants Qin Feng and Xiao Chun,’ and even offered a large amount of Medicinal Pills as compensation. They also announced a direct partnership with the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, where all future purchases from Medicine King Valley will be at a fifty percent discount.”

He Qingwan gave a bitter smile. “Fifty percent... that’s almost cost price. Pavilion Master Yue Long was stunned when she received the message. She gathered the Elders overnight to deliberate, and they finally concluded that your status in Medicine King Valley is likely much higher than we imagined.”

Her gaze swept back and forth between Qin Feng and Xiao Chun. “Can you tell me the truth? This concerns how the Hundred Flowers Pavilion will interact with you, and also... your safety in the Imperial Capital.”

Qin Feng and Xiao Chun exchanged a glance. Xiao Chun looked at Qin Feng somewhat nervously, and Qin Feng nodded slightly, signaling her to tell the truth.

Xiao Chun then said softly, “Junior Martial Uncle He, in Medicine King Valley... I am a Personal Disciple of the two Valley Masters.”

“A Personal Disciple?!” The teacup in He Qingwan’s hand wobbled, and the tea nearly spilled out.

A Personal Disciple of Medicine King Valley! What kind of concept was that?

Although the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was a major sect of the Righteous Path, its foundation was still a step behind the reclusive Medicine King Valley. A Personal Disciple of the Medicine King Valley’s Master held a status comparable to, or even higher than, the direct heirs of the Eight Great Families—because the valley’s medical and alchemical skills were unparalleled in the world, and such networking resources were priceless!

He Qingwan took a deep breath and looked at Qin Feng: “Then, Young Master Qin, you...”

Qin Feng said calmly, “I am also considered a Personal Disciple of the Valley Masters. Additionally, Senior Brother Tao Yuanyi and Senior Sister Cold Peach Blossom are also Personal Disciples of the two Valley Masters. Their main task on this trip is to protect Xiao Chun.”

“Four Personal Disciples?!” He Qingwan was completely shocked.

She originally thought Qin Feng and the others were just ordinary Inner Sect Disciples of Medicine King Valley, or at most Core Disciples, but she hadn't expected them all to be Personal Disciples!

Furthermore, judging by the attitude of the two Valley Masters, the status of Qin Feng and Xiao Chun was likely extremely special even among Personal Disciples—otherwise, why would they have two other Personal Disciples specifically protecting them?

“No wonder... no wonder you are both already Martial Kings at such a young age,” He Qingwan murmured. “Medicine King Valley has long remained hidden from the world; this level of prestige... is too shocking.”

She suddenly stood up and solemnly bowed to the two of them. “If I have been negligent before, please forgive me. From today onwards, the Imperial Capital branch of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion will fully cooperate with you. If you need anything, just ask.”

Qin Feng hurried to help her up. “Pavilion Master He, you are too polite. We do indeed need the help of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion for our trip to the Imperial Capital, especially regarding some clues about the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art...”

“The lost Secret Manual of the Xuanyuan Family? I am already aware of this matter.” He Qingwan sat back down, her expression serious. “The Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art is a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique, and the whereabouts of its upper, middle, and lower volumes are extremely well-hidden. However, since my Hundred Flowers Pavilion has operated in the Imperial Capital for a hundred years, we can indeed investigate...”

She paused and lowered her voice. “But this matter involves many things, and may even touch upon secrets of the Imperial Family. We need to plan this carefully.”

Qin Feng nodded. “Understood. Then we will settle in first and plan slowly.”

The three talked for a while longer before He Qingwan took her leave.

Only Qin Feng and Xiao Chun remained in the secret room.

Xiao Chun was a bit uneasy. “Brother Feng, we told her about our identities and the Xuanyuan Secret Manual. Will it...”

“It’s fine,” Qin Feng comforted her. “Pavilion Master He is a trustworthy person. Besides, having the connection of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion will make things more convenient for us in the Imperial Capital. Most importantly—we need the clues she possesses.”

He looked out the window, where the lights of the Imperial Capital sparkled like stars in the night.

---

At the same time, deep within the Imperial Palace, in the Empress Dowager’s palace.

An elegant and noble elderly woman reclined on a soft couch, listening to the report of a guard below.

“Empress Dowager, at noon today, a group of seven people carrying General Long Ju's Dragon Soaring Token entered the city and went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. The leader is a young man of about nineteen, with a cultivation at the Mid-stage Martial King level. He is accompanied by six others; all seven are Martial Kings, and there is also a suspected fire-type Yao Beast.”

The elderly woman—the current Empress Dowager of the Qian Kingdom—slowly opened her eyes. “Is it Qin Feng? That loyal and courageous gentleman.”

“Indeed. According to investigations, this person recently joined forces with Medicine King Valley to heavily damage the Yin Demon Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect, forcing Zhongli Wu into secluded cultivation due to heavy injuries. The Corpse Demon Sect has already been swallowed up and destroyed.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of the Empress Dowager’s mouth. “Hehe, those rats in the gutters, someone has finally cleaned them up.”

She paused and instructed, “Young Master Qin is a benefactor of the court. Since he has come to the Imperial Capital, you should look after him more. If he has any needs, try to satisfy them as long as they do not violate the law.”

“Yes.” The guard took the order and withdrew.

The Empress Dowager looked at the night outside the hall and murmured to herself, “Medicine King Valley hasn't appeared in the world for hundreds of years, and this time they sent a Personal Disciple to the Imperial Capital... interesting. The Imperial Capital is about to become lively again.”

---

And in another part of the Imperial Palace, the Noble Consort’s palace.

The atmosphere here was completely different from the Empress Dowager’s palace—it was dim, eerie, and the air was filled with a sickly sweet fragrance.

A beauty dressed in a thin purple gauze palace dress lay reclining on a soft couch, her fingers gently stroking a completely pitch-black kitten in her arms. The kitten's eyes flashed with a weird red light.

Suddenly, a palace maid accidentally broke the jade cup in her hand.

“Clang!”

The crisp sound of shattering was exceptionally piercing in the silent palace.

The maid was scared out of her wits, her Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering as she knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. “This servant deserves to die! Please forgive me, Noble Consort!”

The enchanting beauty rose. She possessed a nearly perfect oval face, with skin as white as snow. Her eyes were where her Soul resided—a pair of Phoenix eyes slightly upturned, with a purple mist seemingly drifting within her gaze, deep and blurred, as if they could suck a person's Soul inside. Occasionally, an eerie light flashed deep in her pupils, adding to her mystery. Her nose was high and straight, her lips full, and their color was often a highly seductive dark red or purple-red. The slight upward curve of the corners of her mouth was a half-smile, carrying a hint of laziness, a hint of mockery, and hidden killing intent.

She was the Saintess of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and her other identity was the current Emperor's favorite consort.

“It’s okay... just be more careful in your next life!”

She reached out a slender jade hand and lightly pressed it onto the top of the maid's head.

The maid's body stiffened, fear flashing in her eyes, but in the next second, her expression froze—her entire body shriveled up at a speed visible to the naked eye, her skin losing its luster and her hair turning white and falling out, turning into a dried corpse in the blink of an eye!

On the Noble Consort’s palm, a blood-colored radiance faintly flowed, finally sinking into her body.

She let out a satisfied sigh and casually threw the dried corpse aside. “Clean this up.”

In the shadows, two black-robed figures appeared silently and dragged the corpse away. The bloodstains on the ground were also quickly cleared, as if nothing had ever happened.

A moment later, another black-robed figure knelt before the couch and said in a low voice, “Saintess, the target may have appeared.”

The Noble Consort—the Saintess of the Heavenly Demon Sect—had a cold light flash in her eyes. “Speak.”

“Today, a group of seven people carrying the Dragon Soaring Token entered the city and went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. The leader is a nineteen-year-old youth, a Mid-stage Martial King, accompanied by a fire-type Yao Beast. This person's characteristics highly match the target we are tracking.”

“Qin Feng...” The Noble Consort’s red lips parted slightly as she breathed out the name. “The Personal Disciple of Medicine King Valley, who repeatedly showed foresight, disrupted our plans, heavily injured Zhongli Wu, and destroyed the Corpse Demon Sect—that little fellow?”

“Exactly.”

A dangerous light flashed in the Noble Consort’s eyes. “Interesting... truly interesting. Medicine King Valley has been hidden for many years, and suddenly they sent a Personal Disciple into the world, and he even came to the Imperial Capital...”

She pondered for a moment before slowly saying, “Continue monitoring, but do not alert him. I want to see what exactly he wants to do by coming to the Imperial Capital.”

“Yes.” The black-robed figure withdrew.

The Noble Consort lay back down on the soft couch, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

“Qin Feng... I hope you can bring me some fun. This deep palace is truly too boring.”

She looked toward the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, an eerie red light flashing in her eyes.

The night in the Imperial Capital grew deep.

But the undercurrents were only just beginning to surge.

Inside the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Qin Feng suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable palpitations.

He walked to the window and looked toward the Imperial Palace, his brow furrowing slightly.

“What's wrong, Brother Feng?” Xiao Chun asked with concern.

Qin Feng shook his head. “It's nothing... just a bad premonition.”

He looked at the brilliant lights outside the window, feeling a sense of vigilance in his heart; it was the same feeling he had when he was targeted by Zhongli Wu last time.

The Imperial Capital was indeed not simple.

In the light, there was the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and various major forces; in the dark... there were likely countless eyes watching them.

The road ahead was destined not to be peaceful.