The next day arrived with a clear sky, the bright sun giving its blessing to the land below as the roosters let out their cries pointing their beaks at the early birds. The residents of the Plum Peak Main building were stirred awake.

Wang Yang left his room and headed for the well in the garden to wash his face, it took him a few minutes to reach the main kitchen after that where he found Sun Lingling picking up a few jade bottles of nutrient pills for the day. However, his master, Li Muchen was nowhere to be seen.

“Master left the Peak and said he would not be back before the day after tomorrow. He wants you to follow the given schedule.” Sun Lingling delivered the message.

“I see…” Wang Yang became dejected. He wanted to show his master that he succeeded in the Dummy Test, however, nothing could be done about that right now.

Waving his hand over the golden array, he wanted to have some braised pork to start the day. Yet, nothing appeared. Confused, he opened the cabinet below the array to take out a scroll. It had the list of all dishes in the array with the number of plates left, it was updated each night and there had yet to be a mistake. Today, it showed that there should be three plates of Braised Pork in the array, but there were none.

Master only eats one plate at a time, and he doesn’t eat meat in the morning. So, who ate the three plates? Wang Yang glanced at Sun Lingling who walked out of the kitchen. It wasn’t her, she had yet to eat a single dish and wasn’t the type to sneak around.

The worst part was that, aside from the braised pork other dishes were missing too. Chicken, duck, soy sauce fried noodles, and the tanghulu. Half of everything was missing.

“A food thief is targeting our Peak. But, who could it be?” Wang Yang bit his nail at the big mystery. If this continues, they’d run out of food in no time, wouldn’t their Master be angry at them for not doing anything?

We have to catch that thief before he takes all the food away before Master comes back. Above all, Wang Yang didn’t like the medicine-like taste of the Pills.

“Before that I have to finish the schedule.” With solid resolve, he broke off the chicken leg.

While Wang Yang plotted to capture the thief, Li Muchen arrived at the Outer Sect City. Led by a nervous disciple from the Sky Peak, he entered the Xu Inn’s main pavilion. In the middle of the enormous hall, the entire management of the Inn stood with their hands cupped in front of their chest.

The tall man at the forefront looked up, his back parallel to the ground. Dressed in blue silk robes, the man had a sharp face and was the caretaker of the biggest and most luxurious Inn of the Outer City. The first son of the Xu family and next in line to succeed it, Xu Ye. The servants behind him sweated, he would only come down when an important guest came which was rarer than the red moon. However, today’s guest was much more than important.

“We are honored to have you in our humble establishment, Immortal Bian Que.” Xu Ye said at the sight of the white hair man, he was the only one who dared to meet the blood-red eyes.

“It is a pleasure. Though I apologize for coming on short notice.” Disguised as Bian Que, Li Muchen sounded much more polite, yet equally threatening.

Using the Thousand Faces Technique of the Myriad Assassin Troupe, he altered the shape of his face and body using acupuncture needles and heat, for the hair and eyes the Thousand Face Mask was used, the artifact he previously used to change his entire appearance. Now, he had the technique that the artifact was based on.

“Our duty is to serve, Immortal Bian. Please come by as you wish.” Xu Ye didn’t budge at the tone, he had long gotten used to it. “We have prepared the Divine Grade Room for you, if anything else is needed, please ring the bell to summon the servants.”

“I will. Then, I’ll be on my way to the room.” Li Muchen knew his way around the inn, it wasn’t the first time he came in as Bain Que here. And Xu Ye knew what to do when dealing with him.

Climbing the stairs to the fourth floor, he passed by murals on the walls depicting the clash of Mythical Beasts and vases that showed their aged charm, this floor only had four rooms even with the impressive size. The eery silence was filled by the soft melody of the zither that came in with the formation, pushing open the Ironwood door he arrived in the silent hall.

The floor, polished to a mirror-like sheen, laid with ornate carpets woven from the silk of celestial silkworms, each thread shimmering with ethereal light. A low, lacquered table was in the middle, half-filled with exotic fruits and glowing elixirs arranged in delicate porcelain vessels. Several doors led to other rooms, and in front was an open balcony with a variety of spiritual herbs to fill the room with a refreshing scent.

The decorated room was the least of his worries, Li Muchen had to complete three tasks within the day, and one of them was already in the process. Short on time, he left from the balcony on a red flying sword, a few guards around the Inn noticed him leaving, but none raised an issue this time.

When he reached the Inner Gate, the disciples bowed and let him pass. Word had already reached them of Bian Que’s visit, so none stopped him from reaching the Chrysanthemum Peak. Landing on the foot of the Peak, he climbed up the stairs under the curious eyes of the passerby, on his way to the actual pavilion this time but he knew he wouldn’t have to. The path that passed through the tall bamboo forest was where the expected meeting happened.

“Welcome to the Chrysanthemum Peak, Brother Bian.” The Vice Peak Master of Chrysanthemum Peak, the woman who turned the most wasteful peak in the sect into the second most profitable one, Elder Gu Fei had rushed to meet him partway to the Pavilion. “Your habit of coming unannounced is as charming as ever.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Not as charming as you, Sister Gu.” At his words, Gu Fei closed the fan in her hand to show a smile.

“Compliments won’t get you a discount, Brother Bian.” Gu Fei walked closer, her proud nose just a few inches from his shoulder. “This perfume however may get you a profitable deal.”

“Again with this matter.” Li Muchen sighed.

“Well, Peak Master Li’s personal blend is a coveted product.” Gu Fei took a step back and opened her fan. “Many women in the sect are willing to empty their purses just to have a scent similar to his on them.”

“Are you one of those ladies, Sister Gu?”

“Well, Brother Li’s face is indeed my type, but his ambition is lacking for my tastes. With position and connections like that, there is so much Brother Li can do, yet he refuses to leave his peak for years on end.” Gu Fei shook her head in dismay. “So, should I take it as a rejection again?”

“Indeed, he told me the blend on the terms that I can never sell it.” Li Muchen gave her a hint.

“That’s too bad, so what is Brother Bian here for? Another set of Alchemy cauldrons or special barrier devices like last time?” Gu Fei moved onto the matter at hand on the spot.

“What I am looking for is Peak Master Chen’s Spiritual Root Tester. The latest one.” Li Muchen saw her sharp eyebrow raise before the expression returned to neutral.

“That would usually take a month, but for Brother Bian, I can push a few people back. The usual price is 30,000 spirit stones, however, since it is a joyous occasion, I’ll lower it to 28,000.” Her eyes scanned him from head to toe.

“I do not know what to do with such a big favor.” Li Muchen expected this.

“Just do not forget about it, Brother Bian.” Gu Fei was willing to make compromises, but only for people she knew would make her a profit. And Bian Que stayed at the top of her list. “I’ll have it delivered to your Inn room before the sun sets, it is the usual one, right?”

The ever-elusive alchemy genius has stepped out of his cave and decided to take on disciples. A new wind is about to blow over the Continent. The fan hid her smile, but her amethyst eyes looked forward to the future.

“Yes, then I’ll take my leave. If I ever make up my mind regarding your proposal, I’ll contact you.” Li Muchen tried to get away before he was roped into something else.

“Brother Bian has my transmission token, so there isn’t a need for any formalities between us. If you had contacted me, I would’ve brought the device to you personally.”

“I can’t trouble Sister Gu like that.” Li Muchen stepped back.

“You can, Brother Bian. You can.” She stepped forward.

“If it weren’t for the glint in your eyes, I would’ve thought that you were flirting with me, Sister Gu.” Li Muchen had long been a target of those fox-like eyes.

“Who knows, maybe I am?” Closing her fan, Gu Fei showed a captivating smile before shaking her head. “Let us have some drinks next time, I have a good pot saved up.”

“I look forward to that.” Li Muchen turned to leave. He had no intentions of ever having a drink with Gu Fei.

Such an interesting man he is, just like him. She smiled already knowing his intentions. If only Peak Master Li was half as ambitious as him. Alas, Heaven doesn’t create all men equal.

Li Muchen and Bian Que had a solid friendship, but only a few people knew that. Even fewer knew that Li Muchen helped Bian Que in creating an antidote for Yin Dandelion Poison, however, the man made it look like he wasn’t involved at all. In the end, Bian Que received the glory. That didn’t mean the man didn’t have talent. He shot up from a small-time alchemist without a sect, to an Alchemist every Sect wanted to recruit. However, he had always rejected and stayed hidden, only showing up before something big happened.

“It looks like he finally going to make a move of his own accord this time.” Gu Fei chuckled. Turning around, she went back to the main pavilion, her hips swaying with allure.

***

Li Muchen flew over the Inner Sect gate and heaved a sigh. He had completed three plans with that meeting with Gu Fei. First, the Spiritual Root Tester, with this he could finally plan his cultivation schedule. Second, the word of his visit would spread around, not only in the sect but also beyond. Gu Fei won’t leave that chance to advertise Chrysanthemum Peak using his name like always. The secret identity, Bian Que, was coveted by many people. So, within a few days, every sect on the continent will know that he has come out again, and that will gather their attention.

The third plan was to create a smoke screen for his actual plan. The flying sword pointed downwards, leading him towards the Outer Sect. Leaving the main pavilions aside, Li Muchen went to the Disciplinary Hall’s Outer Sect Branch. There, under the canopy made of leaves, Wu Kexin was sweeping the fallen leaves to the side of the stairs.

In another ten minutes, this will be done. With a week of work done, I’ll get a spirit stone. And with the help in doing laundry and cleaning the dining hall, that’ll be two more spirit stones this week, if I keep it up like this I’ll have an extra 12 spirit stones on top of the ten from the sect. Kexin’s mind stayed focused on the plan she had made.

“In three weeks, I’ll be able to get my hand on a calming pill bottle. That way, I’ll have better chances at succeeding at connecting the meridians.” Her fingers did feel a little numb as the nails looked a little rougher than usual, but envisioning the bright future ahead, Kexin hardened her resolve to move ahead.

“Using calming pills early can build a dependence on them.” Li Muchen said making the young girl flinch in place, the broom in her hand broke in half because of this.

“U-Um…” She looked back, unsure as to who he was. Despite her displeasure, Kexin tried to maintain a neutral expression.

His robes look expensive… he surely isn’t a random person. Any rash actions could end up as a disaster for her, after all, she was only a normal Outer Sect Disciple.

“Bian Que, does that ring any bells?” Beyond the playful tone, Kexin recognized that name.

The genius Bian Que was an orphan from the Rising Sun Dynasty who rose to fame after treating the previous emperor before becoming a Cultivator on his own. His name spread across the continent in recent history and he was held up as a model physician in the Dynasty by many.

She had heard that name again recently, but the person associated with that name didn’t match the appearance of the one in front of her. He was ethereal and beautiful, with his silky black hair and calming hazel eyes. Nothing like the devilish looks of the white-haired man in front of her, however, even with an entirely different eye color, she could spot the similar gaze from that day.

“Second… Peak Master?” Confused, Kexin could only see him smile.

“It is good that picked up on that.” Li Muchen had deliberately let Kexin hear that name. “You must be wondering why I came here, right?”

She nodded, although her vigilance had dropped, this didn’t make sense. Why would he go through the trouble to disguise and meet an Outer Sect Disciple like this? The visit seemed too suspicious. However, the question was beyond anything she could’ve imagined.

“Wu Kexin, would you be willing to be my Disciple?” She never thought of anything like this even in her wildest dreams.