Volume 2, Chapter 108 – The Master’s Whereabouts (Part 1)

Deep in the night, when all was quiet, Fu Yao left his home alone. After winding through the streets, he arrived at the entrance of a large estate and gently knocked on the door.

Qi Huang extended her divine sense to scan the area and noticed the plaque above the gate bore the words “Feng Residence”. She had no idea what the owner did for a living.

Before long, a servant came to open the door. After Fu Yao announced his identity, he was led inside.

Qi Huang crept close to the round wall, pressing herself against it as she sent her divine sense sweeping through the estate. The entire layout of the residence unfolded clearly before her.

Fu Yao followed the servant into the Feng Residence and eventually arrived at the master’s study.

The master of the estate was a fair-skinned man nearing sixty, with a refined and scholarly appearance—utterly unlike the image of a cultist.

“Hall Master Feng!”

Once inside the study, Fu Yao bowed respectfully.

‘Hall Master? Now this is a big fish. Good thing I didn’t act recklessly earlier.’

Qi Huang was inwardly delighted. She had suspected that the Golden Autumn County couldn’t possibly have only two members of the Severed Immortal Sect. As expected, there were more.

“Why did you come so late?”

Hall Master Feng’s expression darkened slightly.

“I had to ensure absolute caution. Although Kong Wei claimed he wasn’t followed, I still didn’t trust it. So I waited a few days to confirm there were no tails before coming to see you.”

Fu Yao explained his reasoning.

‘This guy is really meticulous.’

Qi Huang couldn’t help but feel a hint of admiration.

“Speak. What exactly happened?”

Hall Master Feng’s expression eased slightly as he got to the point.

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Fu Yao let out a breath of relief and proceeded to recount how Qi Huang had impersonated a member of the Severed Immortal Sect.

“These people are getting more and more cunning. To be safe, halt all operations for now.”

Hall Master Feng pondered for a moment before issuing the order.

“Understood. I’ve already instructed Kong Wei the same.”

Fu Yao acknowledged the command but hesitated before asking, “Hall Master Feng… when will we resume our activities?”

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Wait for my orders.”

Hall Master Feng frowned slightly.

“Hall Master Feng, forgive my bluntness, but the amount of Qi-Leaking Powder we’ve been selling is far too little. If we want to strike at the Immortal Alliance, this much won’t be enough. If we had more, given the jealousy of those cultivators, I believe it wouldn’t take long before they crippled their own sect brothers. Take the Feisha Sect for example—there are at least a dozen people who’ve sought me out to buy the drug.”

Fu Yao steeled himself and voiced his thoughts.

“Do you think Qi-Leaking Powder is as common as salt? If we had an endless supply, why would we still be hiding like rats? This drug is only a means to fund our operations. If we want to bring down the immortal sects, we must rely on real strength.”

Hall Master Feng rebuked him lightly.

Fu Yao opened his mouth as if to say more but ultimately chose to remain silent.

“What is it? Do you have something else on your mind?”

Hall Master Feng took the initiative to ask.

“It’s nothing. You know I have a younger brother who’s already twenty-seven and still unmarried. If he doesn’t find a match soon, he’ll be conscripted next year. Meanwhile, those hypocrites in the immortal sects—how many of them have multiple wives and concubines? It’s a case of the drought-stricken dying of thirst while the flooded drown.”

Fu Yao gritted his teeth.

“I understand. Everyone who joins the Severed Immortal Sect faces similar struggles. But we must take things step by step. Haste makes waste!”

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Hall Master Feng offered some consolation before adding, “I remember you also have a son, don’t you? For his sake, don’t act recklessly. Otherwise, not only will you fail to help your brother, but you might also drag your son down with you!”

“I understand.”

Fu Yao took a deep breath.

With that, their conversation came to an end. Fu Yao stood, bid farewell, and left the Feng Residence.

Naturally, Qi Huang abandoned Fu Yao and instead set her sights on Hall Master Feng—a much bigger fish. She intended to follow this vine to its roots. The larger the fish, the more information she could extract.

After two days of surveillance, Qi Huang uncovered Hall Master Feng’s true identity. His name was Feng Jin, and on the surface, he was a businessman like her so-called father—well-read, law-abiding. No one would have guessed he was a high-ranking member of the Severed Immortal Sect.

A few days later, Feng Jin set out with a merchant convoy, intending to procure goods from the provincial capital.

Qi Huang naturally didn’t let him leave her “sight” for even a moment. She followed cautiously, changing disguises frequently along the way to ensure she remained undetected.

Meanwhile, Elder Zhu of the Heyi Sect had already arrived at the Immortal Alliance’s provincial headquarters with several disciples in tow.

After spending some silver to grease the wheels, Elder Zhu smoothly gained an audience with Steward Cai. He then had his disciples place two large chests of gifts on the table.

Steward Cai initially paid little attention, but as he opened the chests, his eyes gradually lit up.

“Ten-thousand-year-old mountain ginseng, thousand-year-old Blooddrop Grass, golden silkworm cocoons, agarwood sculptures…”

He listed the items under his breath before looking up in astonishment. “Elder Zhu, what is the meaning of this? Such extravagant gifts for no reason?”

“To be frank with Steward Cai, I’ve come to ask for a favor.”

Elder Zhu clasped his hands respectfully.

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“Elder Zhu, you need only speak directly. Why go to such extravagance? As a steward of the Immortal Alliance, it’s my duty to serve all immortal sects.”

Steward Cai straightened his expression.

Elder Zhu smiled noncommittally before delivering the prearranged lie:

“Here’s the situation. Recently, some Ghost Tomatoes appeared within the Honghua Sect’s territory, poisoning several villagers. Instead of reflecting on their own negligence, they shamelessly pinned the blame on us, claiming the Heyi Sect planted those Ghost Tomatoes. They even threatened to bring a formal complaint to the Immortal Alliance. I humbly request that Steward Cai handle this matter with impartiality when the time comes.”

“Ghost Tomatoes? Those are quite rare!”

Steward Cai muttered before probing carefully, “If the Heyi Sect isn’t responsible, why would Elder Zhu personally make the trip? Do you doubt my ability to judge fairly?”

“Steward Cai misunderstands!”

Elder Zhu knew the man was fishing for an excuse, so he calmly explained, “I have full faith in Steward Cai. But some accusations aren’t so easily dismissed. If this matter escalates, it could harm the Heyi Sect’s reputation.”

“I see. Then what does Elder Zhu wish for me to do?”

Steward Cai smiled knowingly.

“Nothing at all. If the Honghua Sect comes knocking, simply ignore them.”

Elder Zhu stated his goal plainly.

“Elder Zhu can rest assured. I’m a very busy man—I have no time for such frivolous complaints.”

Steward Cai gave his verbal promise.

With their business concluded satisfactorily, both parties decided to celebrate at the finest restaurant in the provincial capital.

However, the very next day, Elder Ruan of the Honghua Sect also arrived at the Immortal Alliance headquarters. But his experience was far worse—no matter what he tried, he couldn’t even get past the gates. In the end, he could only return dejectedly to report his failure.

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Two days later, Qi Huang followed Feng Jin to the provincial capital. What ensued was another game of cat and mouse as she kept watch. But perseverance paid off—by evening, she had finally traced the vine to its largest fruit yet.

After procuring his goods, Feng Jin left the merchant convoy alone and entered a large medicinal shop.

As always, Qi Huang approached the shop and extended her divine sense inside, clearly perceiving everything within.

“Shopkeeper, I’d like some Snakevine Powder.”

Feng Jin addressed the attendant.

The attendant paused before replying, “We’re out of Snakevine Powder out here. Please follow me to the back.”

He then led Feng Jin through the rear exit.

Behind the shop was a spacious courtyard complete with fountains, rock gardens, flowers, birds, and fish—clearly, the owner was a man of refined tastes.

“Shopkeeper, you have a visitor!”

The attendant announced from the doorway before discreetly withdrawing.

Feng Jin entered the main hall, where a middle-aged man in his forties sat. The man was tall and powerfully built, his skin gleaming with vitality, exuding an overwhelming masculine aura—like a fierce beast ready to strike. Yet based on appearance alone, no one would associate him with a medicinal shop owner.

“Altar Master Xiao!”

Feng Jin stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

‘Altar Master? Excellent! Now this is the real catch—the others were just small fry.’

Qi Huang was thrilled. If her deductions were correct, this man would surely lead her to valuable information.