CHAPTER 505: CHAPTER 505: FURIOUS YIN YUANMING_1

Qin Feiyang was caught between laughter and tears.

An enthusiastic invitation? He truly wanted to ask Wang Hong from where he’d gotten the idea that he was being enthusiastically invited. But with the words already out, it wouldn’t be possible to take them back, would it?

Moreover, Wang Hong was known to be straightforward and trustworthy.

However, my purpose in entering the ancient castle is to relay a message to Ren Wushuang. If Wang Hong follows me in, I won’t be able to do anything, will I? Right now, I can’t afford to worry about breaking my word.

After some brief internal deliberation, Qin Feiyang gritted his teeth, ditched Wang Hong, and went into the ancient castle alone.

This sudden change left Wang Hong dumbfounded.

「Inside the ancient castle!」

Without any delay, Qin Feiyang took out the Image Crystal Stone and quickly activated it.

Before long, an enchantingly beautiful figure appeared. It was, as expected, Ren Wushuang.

"What just happened?" Ren Wushuang looked at him in confusion.

Qin Feiyang said helplessly, "Wang Hong has been following me all along."

"Huh?" Ren Wushuang was bewildered. "Why is he following you?"

Qin Feiyang shook his head. "I have no idea, but I speculate that he may have been ordered by your grandfather to monitor me."

"Impossible," Ren Wushuang stated, decisively shaking her head. "Why would my grandfather monitor you?"

Qin Feiyang said, "Never mind that. Where are the herbs?"

Ren Wushuang replied, "They’re all with me, but there are just over fifty portions in total."

"That few?" Qin Feiyang was surprised.

But on second thought, he understood. The ingredients for the Potential Elixir were inherently scarce, and he had already gathered a batch when he first arrived in State City. For the Treasure Pavilion to collect over fifty portions in such a short time was already quite remarkable.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Feiyang said, "Keep the herbs with you for now. Once I’ve gotten rid of Wang Hong, I’ll come find you."

Ren Wushuang nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Should I ask my grandfather about it?"

Qin Feiyang laughed. "No need. Even if I’m determined to slip away, Wang Hong can’t stop me."

"You little rascal," Ren Wushuang scolded him laughingly, then nodded. "Alright, come directly to the cultivation room to find me when you’re ready."

With that, she deactivated the Image Crystal Stone.

Qin Feiyang also put away the Image Crystal Stone, made a list of the ingredients for the Potential Elixir, and then left the ancient castle.

"You brat, you played me?"

Qin Feiyang had barely appeared in the alchemy room when a furious shout, like a Thunder Shock, reached his ears.

There stood Wang Hong at the entrance of the alchemy room, glaring at him furiously.

Qin Feiyang shrugged, feigning innocence. "I never really intended for you to go in. Why are you so agitated?"

"If that’s the case, why did you even ask?" Wang Hong roared.

"Just making small talk, don’t take it too seriously," Qin Feiyang chuckled, waved his hand, and opened a teleportation portal.

"Where are you going?" Wang Hong hurriedly asked upon seeing this.

Qin Feiyang laughed. "To the Treasure Pavilion. Would you like to come? I promise I won’t ditch you again this time."

"Nonsense, of course I’m going," Wang Hong rolled his eyes at him and stepped through the teleportation portal ahead of him.

Qin Feiyang shook his head with a smile and followed him through.

「Treasure Pavilion, Lounge!」

The two appeared out of thin air, but the lounge was empty.

Qin Feiyang pointed to a chair next to the coffee table and smiled at Wang Hong. "Senior, please sit."

Wang Hong looked at Qin Feiyang strangely. Why does this kid act like he owns the place when he’s at the Treasure Pavilion? he wondered.

Qin Feiyang smiled, turned around, opened the door, and walked out of the lounge. He looked at the guards at the corridor entrance and said, "Get Steward Yin here immediately."

The guards were surprised, but as soon as they saw it was Qin Feiyang, they immediately bowed. "Greetings, Master Qin."

Qin Feiyang nodded and smiled amicably. "I have urgent business, go quickly."

"Alright." One of the guards immediately turned and ran downstairs.

In less than ten breaths’ time, Yin Yuanming rushed into the lounge. Seeing Qin Feiyang, he looked as if he had seen the God of Wealth, his eyes practically gleaming.

"Hm?" But suddenly, he noticed Wang Hong beside Qin Feiyang. A flicker of surprise crossed his aged eyes as he clasped his hands and said with a smile, "Commander Wang, what brings you to our Treasure Pavilion today?"

Wang Hong said, "I’m with Qin Feiyang. Just pretend I’m not here."

Yin Yuanming was startled. What’s going on here?

Of course, being a savvy businessman, he wouldn’t ask.

He took a seat by the coffee table and, while brewing tea, asked, "Brother Qin, you’re here to see me. Is there another great opportunity?"

Qin Feiyang chuckled. "Speaking of which, this time it truly is a great opportunity."

Yin Yuanming’s eyes lit up, forgetting all about the tea. He asked in surprise, "What is it?"

Qin Feiyang took out the herb list for the Potential Elixir from his robes and placed it on the coffee table.

Yin Yuanming and Wang Hong both looked at it, but their expressions were entirely different. Suspicion flickered in Yin Yuanming’s eyes, while Wang Hong’s showed surprise. Since he knew the ingredients for the Potential Elixir, he couldn’t help but feel surprised when he saw the list.

What’s this? Yin Yuanming grew more confused as he read, finally grabbing the list to scrutinize it closely. Snow Crystal... Blood Ginseng... Nine Suns Flower... Aren’t these all names of herbs? What? There are thirty-three kinds in total!

Upon reaching the end, Yin Yuanming was shocked. He looked up at Qin Feiyang and asked in surprise, "What elixir are these herbs for?"

"Potential Elixir," Qin Feiyang smiled.

A tremor ran through Yin Yuanming, body and soul. This is the ingredient list for the Potential Elixir?

He lowered his head, looking at the list in his hand, his gaze trembling.

No, something’s not right! In the past, he’d asked Qin Feiyang for the herb list countless times, but Qin Feiyang would never tell him. Why would he suddenly offer it up now? Is this kid playing some kind of trick?

Yin Yuanming looked at Qin Feiyang warily. "Kid, I know you too well. You wouldn’t be this kind-hearted. Spit it out, what’s your real motive?"

Wang Hong also looked utterly confused.

Qin Feiyang shook his head and smiled. "I didn’t expect you to know me so well. But this time, I truly have no other motive, just one small request."

"Really?" Yin Yuanming looked skeptical.

Qin Feiyang nodded.

Yin Yuanming eyed him suspiciously. "Then tell me, what’s the request?"

Qin Feiyang said, "From now on, if anyone besides me tries to buy these herbs from the Treasure Pavilion, you must inform me immediately."

Yin Yuanming was stunned. Is that all? That’s way too easy!

Qin Feiyang replied, "Don’t think it’s simple. I need information from all Treasure Pavilions in Spirit State, including those in Yan Province and Pan County."

"All of them?" Yin Yuanming was incredulous. "May I ask why?"

Qin Feiyang shook his head. "I won’t reveal anything for now. As long as you do as I say, this herb list is yours."

"Deal!" Yin Yuanming agreed readily, without a second thought.

For him, this request was hardly a request at all; it merely required issuing an order.

"Then, I’ll take my leave." Qin Feiyang stood up, grinning as he opened a portal. He and Wang Hong walked into it, one after the other.

After the portal disappeared, Yin Yuanming burst out laughing and called out, "Dieyi, come here quickly!"

Soon, Qin Dieyi, clad in a long red dress, pushed open the door and entered.

Seeing Yin Yuanming’s jubilant expression, Qin Dieyi asked with a smile, "Steward, what’s made you so happy?"

"Take a look at this!" Yin Yuanming laughed heartily. "This is the herb list for the Potential Elixir. Qin Feiyang himself delivered it to me! How could I not be happy?"

"This..." Qin Dieyi was stunned on the spot. She quickly grabbed the list and began studying it intently.

"Immediately instruct the stewards of the Treasure Pavilions in all major cities to gather these herbs and send them all to State City," Yin Yuanming said, his face beaming. This way, if that kid Qin Feiyang wants to buy these herbs in the future, he’ll be at the mercy of my mood! At last, I’ve finally seized the initiative. From now on, when dealing with Qin Feiyang, I finally won’t be constrained at every turn.

"I’m on it!" Overjoyed, Qin Dieyi turned to leave immediately. But just as she reached the doorway, she turned back to Yin Yuanming and asked, "Should I tell the stewards directly?"

"No, don’t tell them explicitly," Yin Yuanming instructed gravely. "After all, you can know a person’s face but not their heart. If they knew these were the ingredients for the Potential Elixir, they might try to embezzle them. So, only you, I, and the Pavilion Master can know."

Qin Dieyi looked surprised. "We keep it from the stewards of West City, South City, and North City too?"

"Yes, keep it from all of them," Yin Yuanming confirmed.

"I understand." With that, Qin Dieyi turned and left.

Yin Yuanming sat in the lounge, lost in thought, feeling deeply moved. Ah, the effort has finally paid off...

However, he suddenly furrowed his brows. Although the Potential Elixir is precious, that elixir which allowed me to break through five minor realms at once is also incredibly valuable! If I could get the herb list for that elixir, that would be even better.

After a moment of thought, Yin Yuanming shook his head with a wry smile. That kid, Qin Feiyang, his character is truly unpredictable. I can’t force it; I’ll just have to wait for the right opportunity, he mused. In short, I can have minor squabbles and jokes with Qin Feiyang, but I absolutely cannot let the relationship sour.

As for maintaining this relationship, Yin Yuanming was supremely confident that there would be no problems.

BANG!

The door was suddenly slammed open, and Qin Dieyi ran back in, panting heavily.

"Hm?" Yin Yuanming, who had been in high spirits, frowned. "What’s wrong?"

"This is bad!" Qin Dieyi managed to say between gasps.

Yin Yuanming’s eyelids twitched. "Catch your breath, then speak," he said hurriedly.

Qin Dieyi took a few deep breaths. "I just contacted the stewards of West City, North City, and South City. They told me some very bad news."

"Don’t keep me in suspense, out with it!" Yin Yuanming urged.

Qin Dieyi said, "Three days ago, a woman bought all of those medicinal herbs."

"What?" Yin Yuanming shot up from his seat, his eyes wide with disbelief.

It took a long moment for him to recover, then he asked urgently, "What about the stewards of the Treasure Pavilions in other cities?"

"I haven’t asked yet," said Qin Dieyi.

"Go ask them now... No, forget it, I’ll do it myself." Yin Yuanming said. "You go quickly and check if our herbs here have been bought by someone."

"Okay." Qin Dieyi turned and ran out again.

Yin Yuanming also took out his Image Crystal Stone and painstakingly contacted each steward, one by one. The answers he received were astonishingly similar: all the herbs had been bought by a woman.

Not long after, Qin Dieyi returned to the lounge.

Yin Yuanming immediately asked, "Well?"

Qin Dieyi’s expression was grim. "Also three days ago, someone bought all of them here. What about your side?"

He slumped into his chair, muttering weakly, "Same here." I can’t believe Qin Feiyang outsmarted me again. That bastard! That absolute bastard! I knew that kid wasn’t so kind-hearted! It’s so obvious now. In the entire Spirit State, only Qin Feiyang knows the ingredients for the Potential Elixir. If it wasn’t him, then who else could it be?