Chapter 198
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Chapter 198: Title
The woman called Eighth Sister threw a complicated glance at the young man before looking away. "Brother, one shouldn’t indulge in overly optimistic assumptions."
"With my peerless elegance and striking features," he retorted, tapping her head with a folded fan, "countless maidens would compete to wed me. Why paint me as some swamp-dweller coveting celestial fowl?"
"You coined that comparison yourself." She sidestepped with a lifted chin. "Seventh Brother, remember our purpose in Xunyang City. Should we delay, Father’s disciplinary measures await."
Yuefeng Inn stood apart from ordinary lodgings, its grandeur unmatched in the city. While common inns offered mere chambers, here lay hidden courtyards behind winding paths – private sanctuaries framed by floral arches and whispering trees.
Each courtyard boasted unique decor of exquisite craftsmanship. Such luxury naturally commanded royal prices.
As flagship establishment of Dayong’s premier chain, Yuefeng Inn’s steward held status surpassing common merchants. Few received his personal guidance unless…
Wealth and influence move mountains, yet Beauty sways what coins cannot.
The steward paused before an enclosure graced by golden osmanthus, its delicate fragrance perfuming the autumn air. "Does this satisfy?" he asked Hao Youqian, though his eyes lingered elsewhere.
Ye Linlang gave a terse nod.
"We’ll take it," Hao Youqian declared before instructing his granddaughter: "Yun’er, accompany your mistress inside."
Within the chamber, Ye Linlang’s sternness softened. Lilith’s transcendent beauty – eclipsing even this realm’s fairest – inevitably drew attention. Neither Ye Linlang nor her alternate self tolerated fools lightly; any ill-advised advances would be… educational.
"Shall I prepare your rest, Master?" Yun’er moved toward the beddings.
Silence answered. This vessel had slumbered through their carriage journey, though true sleep became unnecessary. Outwardly resembling any tier two cultivator, her being transcended mortality through divine conduits and cosmic comprehension – evolving toward immortality.
No being beneath Tier Fourteen dared claim true immortality. Even beyond, the concept remained perilous to invoke – existence persisting through universal rebirths. When Blue Star’s primal cosmos last collapsed, all life dissolved into primordial data, reborn as disconnected entities.
Seated at the lacquered table, Ye Linlang pondered. The golden bridge’s construction defied direct interference – this crucible belonged to the travelers’ destiny. Surviving the crash granted fleeting hope; Hanjiang’s embrace offered opportunity laced with peril.
Meanwhile, Hao Youqian blanched at the steward’s rate – two silver coins nightly! Common inns’ finest suites cost half as much.
Hao Youqian would never consider staying in such luxury himself, but this was for his master. He wouldn’t hesitate to pay a thousand taels, let alone a hundred. Having settled the payment at Yuefeng Inn, he set out to fulfill his master’s mission.
Bookstore.
"Proprietor, I need books," Hao Youqian announced upon entering. The bookstore owner eyed his muscular frame with puzzlement, more befitting a martial artist than a scholar.
"What kind of books does the gentleman seek?"
After contemplating, Hao Youqian relayed his master’s instruction: "…Every volume concerning our world."
The seasoned proprietor of Xunyang City’s establishment blinked at this unprecedented request. "Our world…you mean local customs?"
"Indeed. Historical records too, and personal chronicles."
"This will require substantial funds," the owner’s demeanor warmed considerably, "and several crates. Might we deliver to your residence?"
"Yuefeng Inn." The warrior-turned-scholar stood firm. "Name?"
"Hao Youqian." He declared without shame, treasuring this master-given title more than any dignified name.
The proprietor summoned assistants while calculating. "Total comes to 1,468 taels. We’ll round to 1,460. Half now, half upon delivery."
Hao Youqian emptied his purse – banknotes and silver clinking on the counter. "Full payment. Deliver before dusk."
The owner marveled at the fortune amassed before his threadbare client. Truly living up to his name – Hao Youqian, the Moneyed One.
"Before sunset, guaranteed!" The man’s grin widened. "Might I interest you in our latest romance serials? Top sellers. Complimentary copies for your generosity."
Though illiterate, Hao Youqian’s thrifty nature prevailed. He accepted with gruff thanks.
Departing the bookstore, he inventoried his remaining funds: 500 taels in banknotes, twenty in silver, plus assorted coins after expenditures. The carriage and Tea and Fruit provisions had cost 100 taels, Yun’er’s 500-tael emergency fund untouched.
New resolve hardened his features – income streams must be secured.
Xunyang City teemed with vibrant energy, its streets alive with bustling crowds. Hao Youqian wandered through the thoroughfare rather than returning to the inn, contemplating wealth-seeking strategies. Unbeknownst to him, the master he presumed to be resting comfortably had already departed with Yun’er in tow.
Though Yun’er possessed delicate charm, she faded into obscurity beside Ye Linlang’s radiance. Every passerby turned to gaze at the pair as they progressed through the market. "Master, all eyes follow you," Yun’er murmured.
"Indeed," Ye Linlang replied absently, her gaze drifting across the archaic architecture. Hanjiang’s resemblance to ancient China evoked vivid sensations of temporal displacement within her modern sensibilities. The truth remained – she now dwelled far beyond Blue Star’s borders.
Vendors hawked steaming delicacies and fluttering lanterns along the cobbled path. Pausing briefly at a hairpin stall, Ye Linlang’s refined tastes made the displayed wares seem no more valuable than roadside pebbles. Noticing Yun’er’s lingering glance, she declared with arched brow, "These trinkets lack distinction. We proceed."
Adjacent to the jewelry stall, a mask merchant displayed curious wares. Ye Linlang selected a striking red-and-white creation featuring slanted ocular slits, crimson lips, and twin devilish horns. "A impish touch," she remarked, securing the disguise. She was certain her presence had caused a commotion – precisely why concealment now served her purpose.
"Your assessment?" The mask transformed her into an enigmatic figure, revealing only obsidian eyes that shimmered like eventide constellations.
Yun’er blinked at the hypnotic gaze emerging from the carapace. "Enchanting," she breathed.
A faint smile curved hidden lips. "This shall suffice." Even veiled, those stellar eyes threatened to ensnare souls.
After Yun’er settled payment, the masked noblewoman glided forward. The rest of their walk progressed undisturbed, the captivating visage now mercifully veiled.
Their destination emerged as the esteemed Embroidery Pavilion. A matronly attendant in her thirties approached, poorly masking her astonishment. "How may I assist the young mistress?"
Without acknowledging the scrutiny, Ye Linlang gestured behind her. "Outfit this one. Her current rags shame Lilith’s household." Her fingers brushed through nearby textiles with clinical appraisal. "Employ your finest materials."
When Yun’er hesitated, her master’s voice sliced through unspoken protests. "Include garments for the steward. Our retinue’s appearance reflects my standing."
Yun’er dipped her head in acquiescence. "As you command."
Madam Yun’s smile froze momentarily. The boutique’s coveted designs, cherished by Xunyang’s elite, now served as servant’s livery. Collecting herself, the proprietress managed a strained curtsy. "This way, if you please, for measurements and selections."
