A transaction was finalized as He Jiaqing presented Liu Jinbao with a check, and upon examining the amount, Liu Jinbao promptly secured the painting, completing the deal on the spot.
Once He Jiaqing departed from the studio, Liu Jinbao summoned a worker. "Inform Boss Feng that He Jiaqing visited and acquired Mu Yuejuan’s artwork," he instructed.
...
Returning to his personal quarters, He Jiaqing affixed the painting in his bedchamber. He spent ten minutes gazing at the scroll, the depicted mansion growing more lifelike with each passing moment.
The wall bricks transitioned to a vibrant red, roof tiles shimmered with a verdant hue, willow catkins drifted lazily from the trees, and the eyebrows of the girl in the painting subtly shifted.
With a respectful bow to the maiden, He Jiaqing lifted the hem of his flowing robe and willingly stepped into the world within the scroll.
The woman, who had been attending to her hair, registered a brief moment of surprise before erupting into laughter.
"Young Master He, how unexpected that you would seek me out!" This woman was, in truth, the renowned Mu Yuejuan of the Hundred Flowers Fine Painting.
Not long prior, Mu Yuejuan had been actively searching for He Jiaqing, never imagining he would present himself directly to her.
He Jiaqing let out a sigh. "If I do not come to you, Sister, to whom else can I turn? Others seek to seize all that is mine, even my very life. Yet, I trust you would at least leave me a meager portion, perhaps a bowl of soup."
Mu Yuejuan set aside her eyebrow pencil, moved from the inner chamber to the courtyard, and playfully flicked He Jiaqing’s hair with her finger. "Oh, Young Master, that is not what you declared when I sought you out. You even inflicted harm upon my face."
He Jiaqing gently clasped Mu Yuejuan’s hand, chuckling. "Consider my position for a moment, Sister. I had just departed the vicinity of Green Flower, and you appeared at my door, demanding the contract book without preamble. You nearly gave me a fatal scare."
Mu Yuejuan teased, "You fear me? Do you truly believe I possess the capacity to devour you whole?"
He Jiaqing sighed deeply. "With your level of Qi cultivation and your formidable abilities, Sister, no matter how many lifetimes I possessed, you would undoubtedly exhaust them all. Today, I have ventured into your domain of my own accord, speaking to you with complete honesty. The contract book belonging to Green Flower is genuinely not in my possession!"
A subtle twitch flickered in Mu Yuejuan’s eye as she drew a line of ink across He Jiaqing’s face. "Young Master He, have you become so accustomed to toying with women that you now perceive me as some naive girl?"
He Jiaqing remained still, not daring to move. "Sister Mu, were I to utter even the slightest falsehood, I would never have dared to present myself before you today."
This was the unvarnished truth; setting foot into Mu Yuejuan’s territory was tantamount to severing any possibility of retreat.
Mu Yuejuan inquired, "Are you suggesting that you did not set foot inside Green Flower’s residence?"
He Jiaqing responded, "I did indeed enter his abode, but I was utterly unable to retrieve his contract book!"
Mu Yuejuan’s gaze drifted towards the rouge box resting on the table.
This particular rouge box was identified as a De Xiu Talisman. The rouge contained within had retained its original color, serving as irrefutable proof that He Jiaqing was speaking the truth.
Mu Yuejuan posed another question, "And why precisely were you incapable of obtaining it?"
"Upon my entry, Green Flower was present and awaiting within his home. How could I possibly have taken his contract book under such circumstances?"
Mu Yuejuan’s brow furrowed slightly. "Are you implying that Green Flower is, in fact, still alive?"
"Whether he lives or breathes, I cannot say for certain, but I most certainly encountered him when I entered."
Mu Yuejuan’s eyes returned to the rouge box, its contents still unchanged in hue.
This rouge box surpassed the quality of items found Above the Clouds; He Jiaqing was incapable of deceiving such a potent Magical Treasure.
His declaration was, without a doubt, truthful.
Mu Yuejuan tapped He Jiaqing’s nose lightly. "If Green Flower remains alive, then why did you seek me out?"
He Jiaqing offered his explanation: "I harbor a deep-seated animosity towards Green Flower, Sister, as you are undoubtedly aware. My desire is to eliminate him, yet I am incapable of achieving this feat alone."
Mu Yuejuan let out a soft chuckle. "So, you seek my assistance?"
He Jiaqing stated, "If we succeed in dispatching him, my enduring hatred will be extinguished, and you will acquire the contract book. Is this not a mutually beneficial outcome?"
"It is indeed a favorable outcome," Mu Yuejuan concurred, nodding her head. "However, I find myself unable to place my complete trust in you."
He Jiaqing proposed, "If your trust remains elusive, Sister, let us proceed directly to Green Flower’s location this very moment. There, we can ascertain whether or not I am perpetuating a deception."
Mu Yuejuan turned back towards the chamber, retrieved the rouge box, and gave it a few gentle taps. The color of the rouge within remained unaltered.
"Given that Green Flower is alive, I am prohibited from taking direct action against him. This is a fundamental rule established by the Peddler, and I have no inclination to court death. Young Master He, you would be wise to depart; regrettably, I cannot offer you my aid."
He Jiaqing positioned himself by the window, addressing Mu Yuejuan. "It will not be you directly confronting Green Flower; the act will be mine. Your role would be one of covert assistance from the shadows, which should not, by extension, violate any directives."
Mu Yuejuan responded with a sneer. "You wish for me to find loopholes? Do you truly believe I could deceive the Peddler?"
"I have every confidence in your capabilities, Sister. This presents a most advantageous opportunity, one that you will undoubtedly come to regret forsaking." He Jiaqing touched his cheek, revealing a distinct line of angry red rashes.
Upon witnessing the visible rashes adorning He Jiaqing’s face, Mu Yuejuan’s conviction solidified: Green Flower was, unequivocally, not dead.
She tucked the rouge box away into her chest: "I do have connections with Green Flower. Since you've asked for my assistance, it wouldn't be too much trouble to investigate his residence."
He Jiaqing bowed deeply: "Sister, please guide me!"
The two emerged from the scroll and proceeded together toward Longmen Road.
Upon arriving at a street lamp, He Jiaqing manipulated his ring, repeatedly rubbing the lamppost.
Mu Yuejuan waited for a considerable duration, a slight furrow appearing on her brow: "How long will it take for your device to open this entryway?"
"To be perfectly honest, I'm uncertain if I can even breach this barrier. I suspect Green Flower intentionally allowed me entry previously."
Mu Yuejuan casually examined the rouge within her hand, acknowledging that He Jiaqing was likely speaking the truth.
"I shall give you another fifteen minutes. If the entrance remains sealed, we shall abandon the attempt." Mu Yuejuan scanned her surroundings, an unsettling feeling growing.
Why should she place her faith in He Jiaqing's words?
Even if every assertion he made held true, she ought not to entangle herself in such a predicament.
The circumstances today felt peculiar. Mu Yuejuan couldn't articulate the precise reason, but she felt distinctly uneasy.
After a period of internal debate lasting ten minutes, Mu Yuejuan shook her head: "You will need to resolve this matter independently. I still..."
He Jiaqing had vanished.
When had he departed?
Thief Cultivation Technique, Tread Snow Without Trace!
Mu Yuejuan realized she had been deceived and promptly turned to leave.
Not long after departing Longmen Road and turning into Qingji Alley, she unexpectedly heard a man's voice: "Miss Mu, I have a business proposition I wish to discuss with you."
"Feng Chongli?" Mu Yuejuan turned, recognizing the merchant standing behind her.
"What sort of business do you wish to broach with me? Are you perhaps interested in acquiring a painting?" Mu Yuejuan inquired with a charming smile.
Feng Chongli gestured negatively: "I am interested in purchasing the contract for Greenwater Bay."
Mu Yuejuan shook her head: "You've mistaken me for someone else. I do not possess the contract for Greenwater Beggar. Having cultivated beyond the Above the Clouds realm, I naturally would not be pursuing Greenwater Beggar."
Feng Chongli produced a Silver Yuan, tracing the snowflake emblem on its reverse side: "Miss Mu, my intentions are genuine, and it is not merely my personal sincerity that I bring to this discussion."
Snowflake Beach?
Mu Yuejuan bit her lip!
I have been duped by He Jiaqing.
PS: Every word He Jiaqing uttered was factual, so how did he still manage to deceive Mu Yuejuan?