"A chance meeting is better than a planned one. Ye-zi, how about we enter the city together? I just got my hands on a pot of premium Carbon Blood Black Tea at the beginning of the month, and I've been looking for someone with taste to share it with. Would you do me the honor?" Qiu Yu turned around, a charming smile on his face, and extended the invitation to Ye Qinghan.
Ye Qinghan replied coldly, "Those on different paths cannot make plans together!"
With that, she called out to Du Xian and the others, "Senior Brother, let's go!"
Du Xian gave a slight nod, looking every bit the victorious general as he flashed a faint smile at Qiu Yu. "Young Master Qiu, you'd better save that black tea for yourself and sip it slowly—wouldn't want to choke on it!"
"Heh heh, I appreciate Senior Brother Du's concern!" Qiu Yu replied, unperturbed, with a grin.
Before long, the group from the Thousand Leaves Sect had all entered the city. Qiu Yu seemed to find the situation rather dull as well, and he led the two old men into the city, vanishing into the sea of people.
"Who is that Qiu Yu? He seems like quite the important figure." Once inside the city, Yang Kai asked curiously.
Ye Qinghan sighed and replied, "He's the Young Palace Master of Tianzhao Palace. Tianzhao Palace has always been at odds with our Thousand Leaves Sect and has been trying to push us out, but they've never had the chance. However, it's said that the Palace Master of Tianzhao Palace, Qiu Ze, is currently in seclusion attempting to break through to the Emperor Venerate Realm. If he truly succeeds..."
At this point, a look of worry crossed Ye Qinghan's face.
Du Xian added, "Tianhe City is now in cahoots with Tianzhao Palace as well. If Qiu Ze really advances to the Emperor Venerate Realm, the future prospects of our Thousand Leaves Sect will be grim."
Hearing this, Yang Kai suddenly understood—the new patron Tianhe City had found was most likely Tianzhao Palace.
Wu Ma chimed in, "Breaking through to the Emperor Venerate Realm is no easy feat. Maybe that old bastard Qiu Ze will suffer a Qi Deviation at the threshold and die."
Everyone could tell this was his curse, but since Qiu Ze dared to attempt the breakthrough, he must have had a certain degree of confidence. If he actually succeeded, the Thousand Leaves Sect would truly be in trouble.
"Master will naturally have his own thoughts on this matter. We just need to focus on what we can do." Seeing the low spirits among his fellow disciples, Du Xian hurried to offer some comfort.
Tianhe City. Before a shop called the "Heavenly Puppet Tower." The group from the Thousand Leaves Sect came to a stop.
Ye Qinghan explained to Yang Kai, "This is our sect's largest establishment in Tianhe City. If Young Master Yang doesn't mind, you're welcome to stay here for a couple of days. Once tomorrow's concubine-taking ceremony is over, I will personally escort you back to the sect."
"Sure!" Yang Kai looked up at the grandly constructed and lavishly decorated Heavenly Puppet Tower and gave a slight nod.
It was easy to see that the Heavenly Puppet Tower must have once done booming business. After all, a shop built in such a prime location could hardly be anything but successful. It probably used to be thronged with visitors, merchants streaming in and out like fish crossing a river.
Alas, times had changed. Now the Heavenly Puppet Tower was virtually deserted, the interior all but empty save for a few goods sitting on display shelves, blanketed in dust. A young lad dressed as a shop assistant was dozing behind the counter, apparently dreaming of something wonderful—he kept letting out silly giggles, drool trailing from the corner of his mouth.
"This business... is pretty dismal," Yang Kai remarked with a rueful expression.
Ye Qinghan gave a bitter smile. "If a gang of menacing thugs blocked the front of your shop every day, flashing the City Lord's seal to pressure any customers who passed by, I doubt anyone would come to buy anything either."
At her words, Yang Kai finally noticed that not far in front of the Heavenly Puppet Tower, several fierce-looking brawny men were standing with cold sneers, watching the entrance as though ready to spring into action at any moment. But the moment they spotted the Thousand Leaves Sect insignia on Ye Qinghan and the others' clothing, their expressions shifted and they looked away.
Yang Kai chuckled lightly. "Your sect's situation in this Tianhe City is pretty rough, isn't it?"
Ye Qinghan's face darkened. "When circumstances are against you... Please come inside first, Young Master Yang."
Yang Kai nodded slightly and, under Ye Qinghan's lead, walked into the shop.
Du Xian and Wu Ma exchanged bewildered glances, thoroughly confused. Along the journey, they had noticed that Ye Qinghan seemed to place immense importance on Yang Kai, treating him almost like an honored guest—courteous and respectful at every turn. Yet no matter how they looked at it, Yang Kai was merely a martial artist at the Dao Source Realm, Second Stage. They simply couldn't figure out what ability he possessed that warranted such careful treatment from Ye Qinghan.
But now was obviously not the time for questions. The group entered the shop, and Wu Ma darted forward in a couple of strides, rushing to the counter and rapping on it several times, waking the soundly sleeping assistant.
The young man was presumably a disciple of the Thousand Leaves Sect as well, though of low cultivation and even lower standing. The moment he saw Ye Qinghan and the others, his soul nearly fled his body. Face pale, he began bowing his head and apologizing profusely.
Ye Qinghan waved her hand impatiently. "Tell your manager to prepare several fine rooms."
"Yes, yes, yes! I'll go get the manager right away, Young Miss—please wait just a moment!" The lad scrambled off toward the back as if granted a reprieve from death.
Shortly afterward, a middle-aged man emerged briskly from the rear, came before Ye Qinghan and her group, bowed and greeted them, then led them to the back to get settled.
The concubine-taking ceremony was scheduled for the following day, so there was nothing to attend to today. After ensuring Yang Kai was properly settled, Ye Qinghan returned to her own quarters. After sitting quietly for a moment, she heard a gentle knock at the door.