Chapter 70: Lu Bu: Miss Xun'er, You Wouldn't Want That Either...
In the Mitel family estate nestled among the mountains, time flowed quietly. Before anyone realized it, several days had passed.
As the golden sun rose over the majestic Jia Ma Holy City, soft sunlight illuminated the tranquil mountain estate.
In one of the estate's rooms, Qinglin sat cross legged, her body covered in a thick, white, and faintly blue medicinal paste. She was fully focused on absorbing the energy within it.
Standing by the window, Ya Fei had just tidied up some jade bottles and fragments, her gaze drifting toward another room. Worry flickered in her eyes.
Several days had passed, and it still wasn't over.
Inside the formation, Hai Bodong held a jade bottle containing a golden pill. His eyes, however, were fixed on the purple pill tumbling within the blue flames.
If the Huangji Pill was meant to enhance his abilities, then the Fuling Violet Pill was a lifeline. The key to regaining his strength lay not in the Huangji Pill but in the Fuling Violet Pill.
Suddenly, boom!
A pillar of purple energy shot skyward, blasting the lid off the Blazing Fire Cauldron. Energy ripples spread in all directions but were entirely blocked by the array Lu Bu had set up.
Hai Bodong's body trembled slightly as the formation rippled. However, having dealt with a similar situation before, he quickly stabilized it without breaking a sweat.
Lu Bu gestured with his hand, and a pill marked with faint azure patterns flew toward him. The pill radiated a deep purple hue, and with a flick of his wrist, he sealed it in a jade bottle and tossed it toward Hai Bodong.
"Mission accomplished. It's ready," Lu Bu said, rubbing his temples. A trace of fatigue crossed his face. The back to back refinement of two high tier pills had taken a toll on him.
"Hahaha! Good brother, thank you!" Hai Bodong exclaimed heartily, clutching the pill with joy. "Tengshan, make sure to arrange a place for Lu to rest."
"Yes, Hai Lao!" Mitel Tengshan replied respectfully. Personally escorting Lu Bu to his room, he sought to show the utmost courtesy.
Lu Bu, however, rolled his eyes. "You know, I'd prefer if you sent a maid instead..."
Half asleep, Lu Bu faintly felt a damp cloth brushing against his face. It seemed someone was wiping him clean.
"Qinglin?" he murmured, assuming it was her and deciding to let it be. He was too exhausted from refining the Fuling Violet Pill.
But soon, a faint fragrance wafted into his nose. Unlike Qinglin's cool and ethereal scent, this fragrance was rich, elegant, and slightly sweet, carrying a trace of seductive charm like a blooming red rose.
Lu Bu instinctively opened his eyes, only to find himself greeted by... nothing. His view was obstructed by two monumental obstacles.
"Ah! Lu… Lu Bu, you're awake…" Ya Fei gasped, startled. Her body trembled slightly, and she hastily withdrew her hand, clutching the damp cloth like a frightened bird.
"Oh, it's you, Ya Fei…" Lu Bu exhaled, rubbing his temples. "How long was I out?"
"Three hours," Ya Fei replied softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with a gentle smile. "If you're still tired, you should rest a bit more."
"Where's Qinglin?"
"She's cultivating. I applied her medicine an hour ago, so she should wake up soon."
"And Hai Lao?"
"He's with Elder Tengshan outside…"
"Hmm?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow. That wasn't right. After obtaining the pill, Hai Bodong should have immediately consumed it to start refining its effects.
"Where are they? I'll go check… Actually, never mind. You lead me there," Lu Bu said, his lips twitching as he realized something. The estate was massive, with numerous buildings and complex layouts it was the type of place where even a simple trip to the restroom could take 500 meters.
"Of course. Follow me," Ya Fei said with a soft smile. In that moment, her charm seemed to bloom like a flower, causing Lu Bu to momentarily lose focus.
This woman was indeed formidable. Lu Bu quickly regained his composure, his eye twitching slightly. Thankfully, he wasn't interested in her.
The two strolled side by side through the grand estate's winding corridors and pavilions.
"Lu Bu, haven't we met before?" Ya Fei asked, her steps graceful and her voice tinged with a delicate charm.
"Have we?" Lu Bu smacked his lips, trying to recall.
"Three years ago, on the train to Wu Tan City," Ya Fei said with a soft laugh, her almond shaped eyes shimmering as she gently reminded him.
"Three years ago…" Lu Bu thought for a moment. "Oh, that does sound familiar."
At the time, Nalan Yanran was on her way to break off her engagement. If Hun Tiandi had been willing to give Lu Bu the Void Swallowing Flame, he would've stopped Nalan Yanran from canceling the marriage on the spot. Unfortunately, life had no such 'what ifs.'
Now that he thought about it, three years had passed since his transmigration, and his strength was only at the Da Dou Shi level. That wasn't good. Advancing one rank per year was far too slow. He needed to pick up the pace.
His physical cultivation was progressing well, but once Wu Protector was dealt with, he could use the Devouring Ancient Symbol to accelerate his training.
And of course, there was always pill enhancement. Pills like the Three Stripe Green Spirit Pill were excellent options.
Coincidentally, Xiao Yan had two types of Heavenly Flames. If he combined their powers for pill refinement, he could possibly advance three ranks or maybe even four.
"I remember you chatting with Master Gu Ni for quite a while back then," Ya Fei continued with a smile. "But then you suddenly disappeared. What happened?"
"Oh, that…" Lu Bu hesitated, unsure how to explain. He'd sensed someone following him at the time and slipped away, intending to counter ambush them only to discover it was Wu Protector.
In the brief exchange, although Lu Bu managed to injure Wu Protector, he also enraged him, narrowly escaping death in the process. Wu Protector, I'll remember this grudge. One day, I'll return it a hundredfold!
"Ah… Let's not dwell on the past," Lu Bu waved dismissively before asking curiously, "Ya Fei, why do you remember it so clearly?"
"Lu Bu, don't you know? You're the type of person who can easily leave a deep impression on women," Ya Fei said with a light laugh, her gaze lingering on his face.
Even though he now wore an Ice Silkworm Mask, she had already seen his true face during their journey to the imperial capital. If not for the shock caused by seeing the Mitel Clan's Patriarch Token back then, she might have cried out in surprise.
That fleeting glimpse of him on the train three years ago had stayed with her ever since.
"Hmm… what you're saying makes a lot of sense," Lu Bu nodded with a smile.
Ya Fei rolled her peach blossom like eyes at him. "I thought you'd at least deny it."
"My handsomeness is a fact," Lu Bu shrugged, smiling helplessly. "It can't be helped; I was born this way."
"Haha… Lu Bu, you're really something," Ya Fei chuckled softly, covering her mouth.
Before long, their conversation carried them to the meeting hall.
"Haha! Lu, you're finally awake!" Hai Bodong laughed heartily as they entered.
"Old Hai, why haven't you taken the pill and started refining it? Wouldn't it be better to restore your strength as soon as possible?" Lu Bu asked as he sat down. Ya Fei, ever composed, gracefully accepted a cup of tea from a maid and placed it by Lu Bu's side.
"I was just about to talk to you about that," Hai Bodong replied with a hearty laugh. "I plan to pull another Dou Huang into this. I can't handle it alone."
"Oh?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow. This old man was clearly up to something.
"Hehe, this guy isn't willing to make a move unless there's something in it for him," Hai Bodong said with a sly grin. "What do you think? I could use my current strength to spar with him once, then take the pill and fight him again. Wouldn't that convince him?"
"You sly old fox," Lu Bu clicked his tongue, smirking in amusement.
"Haha, I'll have some fun with my old friend," Hai Bodong said with a laugh. "Wait for my news. That guy's desperate for a high level alchemist. Convincing him to come along to Yun Lan Sect will be a breeze."
"Sounds good," Lu Bu replied with a faint chuckle.
"So, does that mean Brother Lu doesn't need to refine any pills for the next few days?" Mitel Tengshan stroked his beard and smiled. "If that's the case, I have an invitation here. Why not use this chance to meet some new people?"
As he spoke, Mitel Tengshan took out an invitation and placed it on the table.
"What's this about? Who's hosting the event?" Hai Bodong glanced at the invitation while Lu Bu picked it up to examine it.
"The Nalan family?"
"Yes," Mitel Tengshan nodded. "Old Nalan Jie, thanks to the young friend Yan Xiao's treatment, has returned from the brink of death and is hosting a banquet to celebrate."
"That old man hasn't reached out to us in years since his health took a turn," Tengshan added.
"So that's it…" Lu Bu rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
It just so happened that he needed to talk to Xiao Yan and probe the boy for information. Lu Bu was eager to know if the jade piece Xiao Yan had was another variation of the Heavenly Flame Triple Mysterious Change.
If it was, then Lu Bu had truly struck gold!
Besides, who knew? Perhaps something might spark between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.
Lu Bu rubbed his chin again, his thoughts wandering. If Nalan Yanran fell deeply in love with Xiao Yan and followed him all the way to Jia Nan Academy, what would happen?
His eyes lit up. This might actually be worth pursuing. The original wife becoming the mistress? What's this, Temptation of Home?
Xiao Yan: Yanran, why are you wearing Xun'er's clothes?
Nalan Yanran: If we're chasing excitement, we might as well go all the way!
Xiao Yan: You're too bold…
Cough, cough… Lu Bu shook his head, snapping himself out of it. The scenario seemed wrong. Wait, wasn't Nalan Yanran the original wife? Or was it Xun'er? Either way, something felt off.
...
Beneath the moonlit flowers, Xiao Yan held Nalan Yanran close, the two sharing heartfelt words about their struggles. One recounted his adventures; the other spoke of her hardships, their bond growing ever stronger.
In the corner, Xiao Xun'er clenched her teeth, tears streaming down her face as jealousy and rage consumed her. At that moment, Lu Bu appeared quietly by her side and took her hand.
"Miss Xun'er, you wouldn't want your Brother Xiao Yan to know you're spying on him, would you?"
"Xun'er, don't make a sound, or Xiao Yan will notice us…"
"Xun'er, Xiao Yan is truly despicable. Holding another woman while claiming to like you. Unlike him, I'd only care for you…"
!!!
Lu Bu jolted awake from his fantasy. Wait, why am I getting involved in their mess? Why am I even there?
"Lu?" Mitel Tengshan called out, puzzled by Lu Bu's sudden daze. "Are you still tired?"
"Ahem… Sure, I'll go," Lu Bu said, lightly coughing into his fist to cover his embarrassment.
Nalan Yanran's trip to Jia Nan Academy wasn't in the original script, but it had potential. If Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran didn't hit it off, he'd give them a little push.
That's settled!
"Haha, excellent!" Mitel Tengshan's face lit up like a blooming chrysanthemum. "Brother Lu, since you're unfamiliar with Jia Ma Holy City, I'll have Ya Fei accompany you to the banquet."
"With her there, everything will go much smoother."
Hearing this, Lu Bu froze for a moment before rolling his eyes. So that's why Ya Fei had been so talkative earlier this old man was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"Fine, whatever works," Lu Bu said indifferently. To be fair, having a companion for such an event wasn't a bad idea.
(End of Chapter)
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