Stealing Immortal

The charcoal in the brazier burned, heating the cold water in the bronze kettle above to a rolling boil.

It was unclear what method had been used to notify Leng Yueru, but just as the second pot of tea began to boil, she entered from outside.

She was still dressed in black, her elegant curves still apparent. Every move she made exuded a commanding, heroic aura. The black veil on her face only served to deepen one’s curiosity about her true appearance.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Leng," Chen Qingyang said, rising to his feet first.

Leng Yueru gave a slight nod, removed her veil, and set it aside. Once she was seated across the long table, Chen Qingyang sat down as well, taking the opportunity to pour her a cup of hot tea.

She lifted the cup to her red lips, seemingly just to inhale its fragrance. "Go on. What did you want to talk to me about?"

And so, Chen Qingyang began. "Your words yesterday, Senior Sister, were a reminder to me. I think I might be able to help with your investigation."

"Oh?" Leng Yueru sounded quite surprised. Not minding the heat, she downed the tea in one gulp. "You must understand, this means making an enemy of a Foundation Establishment Master. You’re just a Miscellaneous Task disciple. Do you have a death wish?"

Chen Qingyang gave a wry smile, as if he had no other choice. "Senior Sister, you made it very clear yesterday. It’s like trying to see flowers in a fog. Master Xuan Gui will get rid of me no matter what. If I just keep hiding, where can I possibly go? And for how long?"

In response to his two questions, Leng Yueru fell into thought before suddenly breaking into a smile, as beautiful as pear blossoms blooming overnight. "Mm, you do see things clearly. I actually wanted to say this to you yesterday, but I held back, considering the considerable trouble it would cause you for very little gain."

"I understand your intentions, Senior Sister. Based on what you said yesterday, the best way to find evidence of Master Xuan Gui’s collusion with the Demon Sect is to start with someone from the Demon Sect, correct?"

Leng Yueru no longer hesitated. "Yes, that’s the reasoning."

With her assent, Chen Qingyang continued, "Since we can’t find any evidence on Master Xuan Gui himself, have you considered his disciple, Zhang Wenyuan?"

At this, Leng Yueru, who was sitting opposite him, rested her head on her hand, looking pensive. ’It’s not that I haven’t considered it. I’ve had people tailing him in secret for a long time. But aside from his eccentric behavior and his poor treatment of Miscellaneous Task disciples, we haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.’

She looked back at Chen Qingyang. "Unless... you have a suggestion?"

Chen Qingyang revealed his purpose. "In the past couple of days, a woman has mysteriously appeared at Zhang Wenyuan’s side. She’s supposedly a Miscellaneous Task disciple, but his attitude toward her is quite respectful—nothing like how he treats other disciples of that rank. Isn’t that strange?"

Without first questioning where Chen Qingyang got his information, Leng Yueru simply considered the possibility. "As far as I know, Zhang Wenyuan has fourteen Miscellaneous Task disciples under him. Three are men, and the other eleven are women. Are you saying this newcomer is the fifteenth?"

’Leng Yueru had clearly put some effort into this; she had a firm grasp of the facts. It was also a good thing she had no intention of investigating the deaths on the mountainside, or the truth would surely have come out.’

"Senior Sister, I don’t know if she’s the fifteenth. I only know that she’s very alluring, and her behavior is rather flirtatious. Especially with Zhang Wenyuan—she doesn’t treat him like a senior martial brother at all. The timing of her arrival is also highly suspicious!"

After listening, Leng Yueru once again grew pensive.

Chen Qingyang saw that her cup was empty and quickly refilled it. As Leng Yueru raised it to her lips, she spoke softly, "Was it that young girl, Lin Qingxuan, who gave you this information?"

’She knew exactly how many Miscellaneous Task disciples Zhang Wenyuan had, which meant she’d investigated each of their backgrounds. And since Lin Qingxuan had lived in the same courtyard as him for three months, it wasn’t surprising she’d make the connection.’

"You’re as brilliant as ever, Senior Sister, you hit the nail on the head. Speaking of which, that girl has had a hard life. She was tricked by the mountainside Steward into coming here to Zhang Wenyuan. Even though she’s in a perilous situation herself, when she overheard them plotting to harm me, she secretly ran out to tell me. Senior Sister, you can trust her word!"

Senior Sister Leng fell silent for a moment again. It was clear she was a thoughtful and cautious person. "I believe you. After all, for such an unexpected person to show up at this critical juncture, she must have a background. Besides, turning a Foundation Establishment Master doesn’t happen overnight. The Demon Sect would certainly have left a liaison behind."

At this, Chen Qingyang rose and cupped his hands in a salute. "Senior Sister, if that’s the case, she has performed a great service. Could you please lend a hand to save her when the time is right?"

Leng Yueru neither agreed nor disagreed, simply chuckling. "I see you’re quite the sentimental and loyal type. Even my junior sister Liu Tao has taken a shine to you. But right now, the most important thing is to find that woman. You said... she and Zhang Wenyuan were plotting to harm you?"

Chen Qingyang immediately understood her meaning. "Senior Sister, I’m willing to be the bait."

Leng Yueru didn’t object. "It’s certainly one way to do it. The problem is, we don’t know when she’ll make her move. If she keeps putting it off, we can’t just sit around and wait forever."

"What do you suggest, Senior Sister?"

She pondered for a moment before an idea came to her. "Then I’ll find a way to force their hand."

Chen Qingyang was curious. "And how will you do that, Senior Sister?"

Leng Yueru smiled, her expression radiant once more. "You don’t need to worry about that. This peak is protected by the Circulation of Stars Demon Suppression Array. Any infiltrator with a cultivation level that’s too high will be suppressed. Still, she should be at the First or Second Realm of Essence Condensation. If you’re not careful, she could seriously injure you in a single blow."

"So, you must carry the Gold Coin Sword I gave you at all times. Even when you sleep, keep it hidden in your clothes. She’s unpredictable. I don’t want her to appear out of nowhere and wound you before I can even react."

Hearing the concern in her voice, Chen Qingyang thanked her again. "Thank you, Senior Sister Leng!"

...

After leaving the Law Enforcement Hall on the mountainside, he headed for the Golden Summit. Just like yesterday, he was running late again today. ’Liu Tao is definitely going to grill me about it.’

「In the Alchemy Room.」

Liu Tao stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him fiercely. "Chen Qingyang, what on earth are you so busy with every day? Let’s see what excuse you can come up with today!"

Chen Qingyang remained calm and unhurried. "Senior Sister, I’ve been performing Alchemy every day lately. It’s even cut into my meditation time. I’m exhausted, so I woke up a bit late."

"You..." Sure enough, Liu Tao’s retort died on her lips. She could only swallow the words she was about to say. "Well... in that case, should you just take a day off? We can continue tomorrow."

Chen Qingyang waved his hand. "No need, I’m already recovered. I’ll get to work now."

Liu Tao stood frozen, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

By the time he stopped to rest, night had fallen again.

The days passed in a routine: up the mountain for Alchemy, down the mountain for meditation. For three or four days, he left early and returned late, but nothing happened.

If Chen Qingyang hadn’t been so patient, he would have already rushed over to ask Leng Yueru for an update.

A river of stars filled the sky, the last light of dusk clinging to the clouds.

The majestic mountains were reduced to silhouettes against the skyline. The many Golden Summits glittered, like the eyes of Demon Gods.

Chen Qingyang walked alone up the White Jade Steps. A gentle breeze blew, and a strange warmth seemed to rise between heaven and earth.

A figure with an extraordinary presence stood ramrod straight by the path, arms crossed. Chen Qingyang recognized her with a single glance. "Senior Sister Leng, what are you doing here?"

She wasn’t wearing her veil, her fair skin exposed in the moonlight. "I’ve done my part. The rest is up to you. Our target is a meticulous person, so I can’t meet with you openly anymore."

Chen Qingyang asked, "What was the method you used, Senior Sister?"

Leng Yueru replied, "Simple, really. I had someone spread a rumor from the Tai Hao Sword Institute that Li Qianxue has woken up, and the first thing she asked for was to see you. That will surely get them thinking."

"If they want to know why, they’ll have to come after you. Be careful not to give anything away."

Chen Qingyang nodded. "Understood. I’ll remember."

Leng Yueru’s gaze fell on him again, her tone now one of warning. "I can’t get too close. If they sense my presence, it will all be for nothing. At the critical moment, you’ll only have one thing to save your life. You must act according to the circumstances!"

Chen Qingyang’s expression turned solemn. "Don’t worry, Senior Sister. I may not have experienced something like this before, but I won’t panic easily."

"Good."

A gust of wind swept past, and Leng Yueru vanished into the night.

Chen Qingyang descended another flight of steps, then moved to the base of an ancient pine tree. He swallowed the Warm Sun Pill that Liu Tao had given him that day and began to meditate, circulating his qi.

Aided by the pill’s effects, the qi in his body circulated with incredible speed. Wind gusted around him from all directions, creating quite a disturbance. As he completed a full Circulation, the Qi Mechanism emitting from the crown of his head seemed to contain a faint golden thread.

When he opened his eyes, his Primordial Energy was about seventy or eighty percent restored.

[Chen Qingyang]

[Qi Refining Sixth Realm]

[Great Soul Scripture (Incomplete): (351/600)]

[One-Origin Sword: (4/1200)]

[Dragon and Tiger Fighting Calamity Pill: (0/50)]

[Available Immortal Seedling: 1]

’After so many days of cultivation, boosted by elixirs, my progress with the One-Origin Sword has only increased by 2 points. And that’s with the Great Soul Scripture slightly enhancing my cultivation talent. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even gotten that.’

「Past midnight.」

Chen Qingyang executed the Void Step Introduction, landing outside his small courtyard in an instant.

The two youths in the hut across the way were sound asleep. He gently pushed open his own door and stepped inside.

Instantly, a strange sensation washed over him.

It was like the sudden, uncontrolled feeling of weightlessness when falling from a great height. His heart lurched. Only then did he clearly see Xu Baoling standing opposite him.

She stood ramrod straight, stiff as a board, her eyes wide and unblinking, as if she had been frozen in place.

’This is bad!’

Chen Qingyang tried to retreat, but an invisible force pressed in from all sides. His limbs felt powerless, no longer under his control.

He could only desperately mobilize the Qi Mechanism inside his body, trying to conceal his presence even further. The Gold Coin Sword was right against his chest.

Waves of dark green light formed a barrier inside the hut, separating it from the world outside.

On the floor, a thick, viscous black substance flowed and coalesced, finally forming the figure of a woman before him.

She wore white robes that outshone the snow, a beauty without equal. Her eyebrows were like distant, dark mountains, her face like a peach blossom, and her crimson lips were like a single cherry, so exquisite they made one’s mouth water.

Her posture was the very definition of alluring. She pointed a delicate finger, her steps light. With every sway of her hips, large patches of her snow-white skin were revealed.

"Leng Yueru... Heh heh... Did she really think I wouldn’t be waiting here?"

’Charming, alluring, and flirtatious... Lin Qingxuan’s description was spot on.’