"As for the woman in the center..."
Chen Ye’s gaze fell on the woman in red, around whom everyone seemed to revolve like stars around the moon.
This woman’s appearance was stunning, and her gaze scrutinized the decor of this Immortal Dining Residence with a critical eye.
"Her name is He Qinyuan."
Chen Ye’s voice became a bit heavier,
"She’s second only to Gu Tangyin in status, with numerous methods, and is one of the strong contenders for the next generation’s Hidden Dragon. She rarely engages in magical battles with outsiders, and even Master Gu is unaware of her techniques."
Just when the master and disciples were secretly observing.
The atmosphere in the hall downstairs had already changed.
The man as pale as paper, Hua Wuyin, gently waved his folding fan, frowning slightly with disdain:
"Is this the restaurant opened by Junior Martial Uncle Miaofang? Why is it full of ordinary people..."
He lightly flicked the fan in his hand.
Whoosh—
An invisible gust of wind rose from the ground, not harming anyone but pushing several tables of Loose Cultivators, along with their tables, several meters away, clearing a large space.
"What are you doing?!"
A hot-tempered Loose Cultivator was about to explode, but was tightly held back by his companion:
"Are you looking for death? That’s someone from Huayue Mansion! Look at that attire... we can’t afford to provoke them!"
Seeing the people around, angry but not daring to speak out, Hua Wuyin smirked contemptuously and turned to the shopkeeper, who was already sweating profusely:
"Go, call out Junior Martial Uncle Miaofang."
The shopkeeper wiped his sweat, smiling apologetically, "Honored guests, the owner is in the kitchen testing dishes, and instructed not to meet anyone..."
"Insolent."
He Qinyuan, who hadn’t spoken, suddenly uttered two cold words.
She spoke calmly:
"Just say that True Man Dongshan commands Junior Martial Uncle to return to the mansion to cook for the young master’s welcoming banquet tonight. If you delay the important event, you can forget about opening this Immortal Dining Residence anymore."
"This..." The shopkeeper’s face turned bitter.
At this moment.
"Bang!"
A loud noise came from the kitchen, followed by the heavy curtain being lifted by someone.
"So noisy! So noisy!"
Out came Daoist Miaofang, enraged,
"Who’s shouting outside? Don’t you know I’m studying the critical heat for Reviving Soup?!"
Seeing Daoist Miaofang appear, the previously arrogant Four Heroes of Huayue adopted a more restrained demeanor.
Even though they looked down on this chubby uncle who only knew how to cook, his seniority was undeniable, and he was favored by True Man Dongshan.
"Greetings, Martial Uncle."
The four of them bowed in unison, though somewhat perfunctorily.
He Qinyuan stepped forward, her tone respectful yet firm:
"Martial Uncle, the True Man has ordered you to return to the mansion immediately. The young master of the Li Family is arriving tonight and specifically wants to taste your cooking."
"The Li kid?"
Hearing this name, the fat on Daoist Miaofang’s face twitched, and he said impatiently,
"Not going! Do you really think I’m just a cook?"
"Besides..."
Daoist Miaofang snorted, his eyes sweeping over the four dazzling martial nephews with disdain,
"I’m in a bad mood today! Yesterday, I finally met a good seedling who understands my unique spirit oil, but it got ruined. Today, this Reviving Soup is specially... hmph, it’s not for that Li kid to drink anyway!"
He thought of the little girl from yesterday who could taste his exclusive spirit oil in one bite.
That was a kindred spirit!
In comparison, these so-called geniuses were downright vulgar.
"Martial Uncle."
He Qinyuan frowned slightly, her voice turning cold,
"The True Man mentioned that this matter is of great importance, involving the soul lamp. If you insist on not going..."
Daoist Miaofang’s expression stiffened.
He may be unafraid of True Man Dongshan, but recalling the eerie soul lamp that reignited, he couldn’t help but feel some dread.
"Fine, fine! Is the devil after me or what? I’m going, aren’t I? You really are a group of buzzkills!"
Grumbling, Daoist Miaofang stalked out, deliberately bumping his greasy shoulder against Hua Wuyin, nearly making the fastidious man gag.
Just as Daoist Miaofang was about to exit through the main door.
He suddenly paused, his nose twitching aggressively.
"Hmm?"
Daoist Miaofang whipped back around, staring fixatedly toward the second floor.
"This smell..."
"It’s that little girl from yesterday... the milky scent? No, it’s that unique aroma!"
Upstairs in a private room.
Qing Jun, peeking through a window crack to watch the drama, suddenly felt a chill down her spine, nearly dropping the chicken leg from her mouth.
"Not good!"
Chen Ye, sharp and quick, instantly cast an isolating restriction and pressed Qing Jun back into her seat.
"We’ve been discovered."
Chen Ye whispered, his expression changing slightly,
"In a place like Immortal Dining Residence, with a mixed crowd, Qing Jun’s skill in Qi Concealment Technique should be considered advanced, so how could she be detected by him?"
This person is definitely not as simple as he seems!
Thinking carefully, that True Man Dongshan is certainly no good person, yet Daoist Miaofang dares to speak disrespectfully...
"Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer? Perhaps even more..."
Chen Ye mused to himself, others can conceal Qi, and this Daoist Miaofang is capable of it too, let alone he’s been roaming the Lingxu Realm for years, without top-notch life-saving skills, he would’ve fallen long ago.
Downstairs.
A flicker of joy passed through Daoist Miaofang’s eyes, and he was about to head upstairs when He Qinyuan blocked his path.
"Martial Uncle, please go ahead."
He Qinyuan said, expressionless,
"Do not create extra problems."
Daoist Miaofang looked at the tightly closed window on the second floor, then at the four martial nephews, who stood like guardians, and finally sighed helplessly.
"Alright, alright."
"If it’s meant to be, we’ll meet again."
He shook his head, hands clasped behind his back, and strode out of the Immortal Dining Residence.
He Qinyuan followed closely behind, giving Hua Wuyin a meaningful glance.
Hua Wuyin caught on and quietly stepped back half a step.
Upstairs in the private room.
Only then did Qing Jun dare to poke her head out again, patting her chest:
"That was scary! That fat Daoist, is he part dog? How can he smell from so far away?"
Zhiwei mused thoughtfully:
"Master, does it seem like that Daoist Miaofang... or rather, towards Qing Jun, has no ill intentions?"
"For now, it seems so."
Chen Ye looked at the figure disappearing out the window, his fingers tapping gently on the table,
"But the Huayue Mansion behind him is definitely not friend but foe."
"Moreover..."
Chen Ye recalled the glance from He Qinyuan as she blocked Daoist Miaofang moments ago.
That was not merely obstruction.
It seemed more like surveillance.
"It seems that Daoist Miaofang’s days in Huayue Mansion aren’t easy either."
Chen Ye slightly curled his lips.
If the enemy’s internal structure isn’t monolithic, then there are gaps to exploit.