Chapter Fifteen: A Market Within the Building

"Senior Brother Xu, so what exactly are we doing here?"

Xu Yuanming gave a wry smile upon hearing the question, his tone tinged with helplessness as he explained the situation.

"According to the information we received, it seems a wealthy playboy has been causing trouble for a common girl working at a pharmacy."

He continued, "Such incidents are far from rare; they happen frequently in this city alone. This particular case isn’t even significant—the family involved hasn’t committed any egregious acts like seizing the pharmacy or exterminating entire clans. That family is wealthy and willing to spend money to smooth things over. They have cultivators backing them up, so from an outsider’s perspective, it’s a cost-effective way to handle issues, and no one really cares."

"The pharmacy itself is well-established and renowned far and wide. It’s supported by several powerful clans. If the pharmacy’s owner refuses to settle, none of those clans will lift a finger—they just watch from the sidelines. Most importantly, the person who harmed the family has a father married to a woman from a sect near the provincial city. She holds a high position, being a disciple of an elder, and her cultivation level is formidable—quite comparable to yours. Above all, with a sect backing them, no one in the city dares to provoke them."

Jie Peiling nodded, then asked, "Senior Brother, should we intervene?"

Xu Yuanming replied, "Actually, the pharmacy also has strong backing."

Jie Peiling understood. If that was the case, the pharmacy’s supporters would definitely come to their aid. Their presence now could be a timely gesture that might earn them some favor.

"However, from what I know, there’s another party wanting to get involved. I don’t know their identity. That person isn’t a cultivator, just a martial artist with decent strength and a solid foundation."

Jie Peiling asked, "Then why are we here?"

Xu Yuanming answered, "Because this brothel is something special. Inside, there’s a better market. More importantly, that meddler has already arrived. Otherwise, what else do you think?"

Jie Peiling chuckled, "I thought Senior Brother wanted to find someone who’s been indulging for years to help restore his health! After all, a true man still has to go to battle. Those old doctors may know a lot, but they only observe—they don’t practice. I figured you must have exhausted yourself day and night, so you came personally to request a formula."

Xu Yuanming fell silent, caught off guard by Jie Peiling’s teasing. He didn’t know how to retort.

"Sigh!"

Seeing this, Jie Peiling took it seriously, stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and offered a meaningful look.

...

The two walked toward the brothel. After passing through, they entered the marketplace, where several young girls glanced their way.

Suddenly, Jie Peiling felt a gentle tap on his left shoulder. He immediately turned, but no one was there.

Turning back, he swiftly reached out to grab his left shoulder again. This time, he caught a hand. Following the hand’s direction, he saw a handsome man wearing a crown and pale robe. Upon realizing he had been discovered, the man quickly withdrew his hand and chuckled lightly at Xu Yuanming nearby.

"Your friend is rather dull," he said.

Xu Yuanming replied with resignation, "Isn’t your behavior even duller?"

The man changed the subject, "What are you doing here? It can’t be a coincidence. You don’t happen to know I’m here, do you? Are you scheming something? Coveting beauty?"

Xu Yuanming closed his eyes briefly and spoke softly, "You have two choices now: I can make you shut up by force, or you can choose to be silent."

With that, he led Jie Peiling forward.

Jie Peiling asked, "Do you know him?"

Xu Yuanming shook his head. "This is only our second meeting. Just be careful—something about him feels dangerous."

The man clasped his hands behind his back, leaning forward slightly, fingers intertwined, chin raised, eyes narrowed as he addressed them quietly, "You shouldn’t interfere in this matter."

Xu Yuanming stopped and smiled, "What matter? I don’t know anything about it."

The man shrugged and went on by himself.

"My name is Bai—Bai as in ‘White Night.’ Not a native of Huming Prefecture, and not well-regarded in my clan, so I left. The world is vast—there’s nowhere I can’t go. After many twists and turns and running low on money, I’m now lodging nearby. Fortunately, the Chu family supports me; otherwise, I’d be starving."

Xu Yuanming’s voice turned cold, "This has nothing to do with us. Leave immediately."

Bai waved his hand apologetically, "Alright, alright… Brother Lü, I’m leaving now, but remember what I said."

...

After Bai left, they stood still for a moment.

Jie Peiling asked, "Did he really go?"

Xu Yuanming shook his head. "Did you memorize his face?"

Jie Peiling nodded.

"Good. Then forget him." Xu Yuanming raised an eyebrow, his expression wary. "He didn’t look like this the last time we met, but the name matches. He’s strange. Be careful. Don’t trust what he says, don’t pay it any mind, and don’t meddle. Just stay behind me."

Jie Peiling acknowledged, and they continued onward.

After passing through a door, they entered what felt like another world, just as they were about to reach the end.

They found themselves on a platform at the center of a lake. Jie Peiling was intrigued and looked around. They were supported by water—a clear lake stretching to the horizon. Mist rose gently from the surface, and over the lake hung more than a hundred pavilions, each separated by narrow alleys.

Xu Yuanming explained, "The market we passed through earlier is for mortals. This place is like a ‘paradise’ for cultivators, a market for people like us. Of course, there are also many wealthy patrons here."

Jie Peiling asked, "What are we here to do now?"

Xu Yuanming’s voice grew calm, losing the earlier warmth and humor. "Attend an auction."

With that, Xu Yuanming led Jie Peiling deeper inside. The steward who received them had eyes like a fox—sharp and perceptive, seeming to see through every detail.

Noticing their straw hats, the steward smiled habitually and said, "Please show your faces, gentlemen. You know how it is here…?"

Xu Yuanming replied coldly, "No."