Chapter Twenty-One: A Familiar Feeling

"My, your mother misses you dearly." Steward Wang sat in his chair, fanning himself with an air of smug contentment.

"What have you done to her?" Xiao Pu tried to lunge forward to confront him, but was pinned to the ground by several thugs, unable to move.

Steward Wang ignored the question and continued, "Your new mission is to gain Wanqi Yue's trust. As for reporting back, to avoid arousing her suspicion, you only need to come to me if something unusual happens, or if someone suspicious approaches her, or regarding other important matters."

Xiao Pu turned his head away, seemingly unwilling to agree.

Unexpectedly, Steward Wang walked over and forced his face toward him. "Let me tell you, your mother's life is in my hands. Be wise and do as you're told; otherwise, next time, it won't just be an earring I throw at you..."

"Wang Genyuan, you go too far!" Xiao Pu's eyes were bloodshot. He broke free from the thugs, and his unsheathed sword was instantly at the steward's throat. Yet, there was not a trace of fear on Wang's face, for he knew Xiao Pu dared not strike.

If not for the fear that this old wretch would harm his mother, Xiao Pu would have loved to end it all with one stroke. But now, his chest heaved violently, finding no outlet for his rage. This feeling of stifling humiliation was unbearable.

Closing his eyes to calm himself, he eventually withdrew his sword.

"I agree," Xiao Pu said through gritted teeth, before turning and heading back to Red Maple Court.

***

After lunch, Wanqi Yue changed into simple, practical attire and took Xiao Pu out through the main gate in broad daylight.

Glancing back at the murderous-looking Xiao Pu, she couldn't help but laugh.

"Tell me, Xiao Pu, we're just out for a stroll; why are you so serious? You look like you're going to commit a murder."

After spending the last few days together, their relationship had improved significantly.

The stern look on his face had just been him dwelling on Steward Wang's words. Looking up at Wanqi Yue, who was smiling at him, he felt a sharp pang of guilt and could only scratch his head, explaining that he had been lost in thought.

They continued walking until they suddenly heard a series of loud firecrackers. She asked a passerby, "My good sir, might I ask what is happening up ahead?"

The man replied, "Oh, you haven't heard? Today is the grand opening of the 'Linglong Pavilion.' It’s filled with rare jades and treasures. Everyone is rushing to get a look."

"I see. Many thanks."

How could she miss such a spectacle? After thanking the man, she grabbed Xiao Pu and headed toward Linglong Pavilion.

***

Wow, it was truly crowded. The place was packed, surrounded by layers of people, yet few were actually going inside. Weren't they all in a rush to see the treasures?

Just as Wanqi Yue, full of curiosity, was about to ask someone, a young gentleman behind her spoke up first: "May I ask why everyone is blocking the entrance instead of going in?"

"Sigh, don't even mention it. We’d like to go in, but they won't let us."

The gentleman asked, "Why is that?"

Wanqi Yue turned to look at the gentleman who had spoken; he seemed somewhat familiar, though she couldn't place him immediately.

"They say you have to pay twenty taels of silver as an admission fee, or they won't let you inside!"

"And that twenty taels is only for one year. If you want to enter the following year, you have to pay another twenty!"

Wanqi Yue thought to herself: *This sounds like a total scam.*

"What? Twenty taels! That’s almost as much as my expenses for the whole year!"

"With twenty taels, I could buy so much wine and meat..."

The crowd began to buzz with heated discussion.

Suddenly, an old man remarked, "I heard that this Linglong Pavilion is backed by some high-ranking official."

A young man nearby sneered, "Backed by someone? I think it's just a tool for extortion."

"Shh, shh, shh! Keep your voice down, do you want to lose your life?" His companion tapped him on the head and quickly dragged him away.

"Let's go, let's go. A place like this is not for the likes of us..."

In a short time, the entrance, which had been packed tight, was left with only a few people.

*Phew.* Wanqi Yue sighed. *Good thing I have money.* With that, she stepped forward and walked inside.

"Miss, you..." Xiao Pu seemed to want to stop her.

"It's fine. I'm quite curious to see what's inside. Besides, we're already here," Wanqi Yue replied.

***

"Come, let's go inside and take a look," the gentleman who had asked earlier said to his attendant. "I want to see if this twenty-tael admission fee is truly worth it. If not, I shall smash this pretentious shop to pieces."

Inside, the Linglong Pavilion was spacious and bright. The counters were filled with a dazzling array of goods: not only jade, porcelain, and jewelry, but also all kinds of weapons. Each piece was clearly exceptional and of immense value; no wonder they charged an admission fee.

A round-faced man with a thick beard, presumably the manager, walked up to them and greeted them enthusiastically. "Which weapon has caught your eye, Miss? We have long swords, short blades, silver spears, staffs, and hidden weapons—all of superior quality."

She didn't care much for the others, but one long sword caught Wanqi Yue's eye.

She pointed at it and asked, "May I take a look at the long sword on the top shelf?"

"Certainly. Since you have paid the admission fee, you are welcome to try out anything in the shop," the manager agreed, instructing an assistant to take the sword down.

The black scabbard was carved with fine, lightning-like patterns, and two blood-red pigeon-blood gemstones were inlaid on the front. When drawn, the blade itself was also black, smooth as a mirror, and shimmering with a cold, chilling light, as if it held an endless, hidden murderous intent.

"This sword is called the 'Ghost Shadow Lightning Blade.' If you are wounded by it, the wound will form lightning-shaped black patterns," the manager explained.

"Xiao Pu, give it a try," Wanqi Yue said, handing the sword to him. "I noticed you were staring at it intently just now."

The moment his hand touched the hilt, a strange sensation surged from the soles of his feet straight to his brain, as if he had been struck by lightning. His heart raced, his thoughts scattered, and his hand holding the sword couldn't stop trembling.

Seeing this, Wanqi Yue quickly took the sword from him and returned it to the manager. She patted his face and asked anxiously, "Xiao Pu? Xiao Pu! Purada! What’s wrong?"

After a long while, he calmed down. Wanqi Yue reached for a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist. He held it so tightly that no matter how hard she pulled, she couldn't budge.

"Xiao Pu, you're hurting me," Wanqi Yue said, looking at the dazed man.

Coming to his senses, Xiao Pu immediately loosened his grip. He looked at Wanqi Yue’s reddened wrist and panicked. "Miss... I... forgive my rudeness..."

Wanqi Yue replied, "It's fine, it's fine."

The manager observed Purada for a moment and remarked, "It seems this guest has a connection with this sword. Have you seen it before?"