88: Nighttime Secrets

That night, Qin Feng sat cross-legged in the quiet room of the Green Bamboo Courtyard. His Internal Energy was hazy around him, as if he were enveloped in a thin layer of mist. After a full day of bitter cultivation, his mastery of the Finger Sword Among Flowers had deepened by another degree, and the Internal Energy within his body had become more refined, steadily advancing toward the Late-stage Grand Martial Master Realm.

When the time quietly passed the zi hour, he immersed his mind on schedule.

【Daily Intelligence has been refreshed】

A light curtain emerged, and three pieces of intelligence appeared in sequence, each one causing Qin Feng's mind to shake.

【Green Intelligence: The Northern Demon Sect is actually the "Heavenly Demon Sect." The Sect Master, Yuan Tiansha, has already reached the Martial Saint Realm! His true identity is an exiled prince of the former dynasty, who has always harbored the ambition to destroy the Qian Kingdom and restore the previous dynasty. The current barbarian invasion has been largely pushed by the Heavenly Demon Sect behind the scenes, providing a large amount of key intelligence such as the Qian Kingdom's border defenses and troop deployments. This Sect's power is immense and deeply hidden, waiting for an opportunity within the borders of the Qian Kingdom.】

"Holy crap... a Martial Saint?! A prince of the former dynasty?" Qin Feng sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling his scalp go numb. Above a Martial King is a Martial Emperor, and only above a Martial Emperor is a Martial Saint! That is a terrifying existence standing at the very Peak of the entire continent! The Yin Demon Sect and Purple Robe Bandits he had provoked before were actually just pawns under this behemoth? This grudge... has become a bit too big! It's practically dancing on the edge of a blade—no, it's like disco dancing right under the Martial Saint's nose! I can't afford to mess with them; for now, I really can't.

【White Intelligence: Qing Xue, a Gold Medal Assassin of the Blood-Filled Tower, was originally named Ji Ruxue and is only sixteen years old. This girl is exceptionally gifted and has been raised by the Blood-Filled Tower using cruel secret methods since childhood, standing out only after surviving countless life-and-death eliminations. Her reason for coming to West Lake City, besides her mission, is her hidden attribute: she is a 'foodie.' She especially loves sweets and local snacks, and is currently using the gaps between her mission tasks to frantically sweep through the city's major restaurants and snack stalls, never tiring of it.】

"Sixteen years old... Martial Master Peak..." Qin Feng's lips twitched slightly, feeling that his cultivation speed was a bit insufficient in front of this true Genius. However, thinking of the Blood-Filled Tower's cruel "survival of the fittest" training model, that strength was likely built upon endless blood and corpses, which was quite sigh-inducing. But this "foodie" attribute... the contrast was simply too great, wasn't it? Just thinking about that cold Gold Medal Assassin gorging herself on candied haws or pastries made the image feel somewhat bizarre to Qin Feng.

【White Intelligence: Su Xiaoxiao of the Wonderful Sound Workshop is currently thirty-four years old. She was once one of the most trusted personal maids by the current Empress Dowager's side. At twenty-one, she committed a capital crime by accidentally killing a powerful young dandy who tried to force himself on her. The Empress Dowager pitied her loyalty and integrity, and secretly used a scheme to switch her with a double, creating a fake death for her to escape. Later, she was arranged to enter the Phoenix Soaring Pavilion, and at twenty-eight, she was ordered to West Lake City to use the Wonderful Sound Workshop as a cover to establish an intelligence outpost. She is utterly loyal to the Empress Dowager and harbors no second thoughts.】

"Tsk tsk tsk... today's gossip is quite substantial!" Qin Feng stroked his chin, his eyes flashing with the unique light of a bystander enjoying the drama. A palace maid, a dandy, a fake death, and a confidante of the Empress Dowager... all the elements are there! He hadn't expected that the cold, immortal-like Su Xiaoxiao with her high cultivation would have such a convoluted past. However, this also explained why the Wonderful Sound Workshop had such a deep background and was so devoted to the Empress Dowager. "But I like it; there's no harm in having more of these secrets."

Just as he was digesting this shocking and interesting intelligence, a light knocking came from outside the quiet room.

"Deacon Qin, are you resting?" It was Su Yuetang's voice, but it had a bit less majesty than usual and a bit more seductive charm.

Qin Feng composed himself and stood up to open the door.

When the door opened, a beauty stood there under the moonlight. Su Yuetang had actually changed out of her usual solemn dress and was wearing a well-tailored rose-red gauze dress. The hem reached only above her knees, outlining breathtaking curves. The neckline was slightly open, revealing a section of snowy-white, delicate neck and exquisite collarbones. She had clearly dressed up meticulously; her eyes were full of spring, her lip color was enticing, and her whole being radiated the unique charm of a mature woman, looking like a completely different person from the branch tower lord who usually strategized and commanded.

Qin Feng was stunned for a moment, then stepped aside. "Lord Su, please come in."

Su Yuetang moved with lotus steps, bringing a gust of fragrant wind. She entered the quiet room, her gaze sweeping over the somewhat simple furnishings before landing on Qin Feng. Her eyes rippled with light and she smiled brightly. "I hope I didn't disturb Deacon Qin's cultivation?"

"Lord Su, you're too kind. I just finished cultivating." Qin Feng kept his distance, secretly alert. This setup... was a bit off.

Su Yuetang took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Qin Feng. "I just received the latest letter sent by Lord Leng Yue. It's mainly to express gratitude to you for resolving this crisis and facilitating the peaceful coexistence between the Green Robe Tower (Wonderful Sound Workshop) and the Hundred Flowers Palace."

Qin Feng took the letter and scanned it quickly. The content was roughly the same as what Leng Yue had said today, with a polite and distant tone that matched her usual style.

"This is a small token of gratitude from the branch, and from me personally." Su Yuetang took out a brocade box and a gold card, placing them on the table. Inside the box were five bottles of crystal-clear "hundred flowers jade dew pills," and that gold card was impressively another one with a face value of one hundred thousand!

"Lord Su, this is too valuable. We already..." Qin Feng wanted to decline. One hundred thousand gold coins plus five bottles of precious third-grade Medicinal Pills—this thank-you gift was indeed heavy.

"Ah~" Su Yuetang extended a slender jade finger and lightly pressed it against Qin Feng's lips, stopping the rest of his words. Her fingertip was warm and soft with a hint of coolness, a subtle touch. "You have achieved such great merit for the branch; what does this small gift matter? If it weren't for you, the branch would likely be in a precarious state now. I... really don't know how to thank you properly~"

She leaned very close, her breath like orchids. Those seductive eyes seemed capable of stealing one's soul, and her voice carried a hint of lazy huskiness. "Speaking of which, Deacon Qin is young and promising, and quite handsome. I wonder... if you have someone in your heart?"

Warning bells rang in Qin Feng's mind. This was no longer a hint; it was almost an explicit advance! He calmly took half a step back, avoiding the overly intimate contact, and showed a perfectly measured expression of embarrassment and seriousness. "Lord Su praises me too much. Qin Feng is dedicated to martial arts and has no mind to consider personal feelings for now. Being able to contribute a little effort to the branch this time was my duty; I wouldn't dare take credit, let alone accept such a generous gift."

Seeing his reaction, a flash of imperceptible disappointment crossed Su Yuetang's eyes, but it was quickly masked by an even deeper smile. Instead of backing off, she took another step closer, almost pressing against Qin Feng. She tilted up her charming face and her voice became even lower and softer. "The path of martial arts is long; why be so hard on yourself? One should enjoy life while they can... I really do admire you..."

Looking at her water-like seductive eyes and the red lips within reach, Qin Feng felt his scalp go numb. When this Lord Su became passionate, she was truly hard to handle.

He took a deep breath, and the Primordial Unity Qi Art within his body circulated slightly. A cool sensation flowed through his whole body, dispersing that bit of romantic tension. He backed up again until his back hit the wall, with nowhere left to retreat. He could only cup his hands with a bitter smile, his tone carrying a hint of pleading. "Lord Su! Please stop joking with me! This subordinate... this subordinate still needs to consolidate my cultivation and inspect the properties tomorrow..."

Seeing Qin Feng's state—as if facing a formidable enemy and wishing he could bolt out the door—Su Yuetang finally couldn't help but burst into laughter, her body trembling with mirth. She stepped back two paces, regaining a bit of her usual Lord's demeanor, although the seductive intent in the corners of her eyes hadn't completely vanished.

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Look at how scared you are." She gave Qin Feng a sidelong glance, her tone carrying a hint of mock reproach but also becoming more genuine. "Keep the things; you've earned them. Get some rest early."

After saying that, she didn't stay any longer, turning and walking away gracefully. Her rose-red svelte figure disappeared into the night, leaving behind only a faint, lingering fragrance.

Qin Feng let out a long sigh of relief and wiped away the non-existent cold sweat on his forehead. This Lord Su had formidable methods, and this "honey trap" was even more impossible to guard against.

He looked at the gold card and Medicinal Pills on the table, then thought of the fragrant yet perilous scene just now, shaking his head helplessly.

"It seems this West Lake City... isn't all about fighting and killing."

However, these gentle traps were sometimes harder to handle than the flash of blades and shadows of swords. He steadied his mind, cast away his stray thoughts, and sat down cross-legged again. Cultivation was still the most reliable; strength was the foundation of everything.