Chapter 31: The Visit of the Immortal Lin

Waiting until Su Momo stormed off with an air of fury, Qin Lang finally let out a long sigh. This girl was truly a handful, as volatile as a barrel of gunpowder that could explode at the slightest touch. If it weren’t for Hua Manlou being present, Su Momo’s temper might have ignited at any moment, and he would surely have been the one to suffer.

“It seems I’ll have to avoid provoking this powder keg in the future. If she suddenly explodes, even if I survive, I’d be lucky to escape with my skin intact,” Qin Lang muttered to himself.

Seeing Qin Lang’s reaction, Hua Manlou offered a wry smile. To be able to leave Su Momo speechless and unable to retort, Qin Lang was undoubtedly the first.

“Brother Qin, since you don’t want me to take you to the Misty Rain Pavilion, what is it you wish to ask me?” Hua Manlou looked at Qin Lang with curiosity.

“Brother, I only want to know if there’s a black market in Mu Tian City that deals in rare and extraordinary treasures,” Qin Lang said, casting aside his worries and speaking calmly.

“A black market?” Hua Manlou’s brows knit together as he looked at Qin Lang with confusion. “Brother Qin, what business do you have with the black market? You’re not thinking of going there, are you?”

The black market was not some shady underground den but rather a place where many cultivators gathered. It mainly supplied them with items essential to their craft, along with some forbidden goods not meant for prying eyes. The Immortal Dynasty had little authority to interfere with the merchandise sold here, nor could it do so at will.

But Hua Manlou was perplexed: why was Qin Lang inquiring about such a place? Was he planning to visit it himself?

Qin Lang smiled serenely. “If I’m asking Brother Hua, I certainly intend to pay the black market a visit and purchase a few things I need.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Hua Manlou gently shook his head.

Qin Lang looked puzzled. “Why? Is it that the black market doesn’t welcome outsiders like me who aren’t cultivators?”

“That’s not the case. As long as you have enough money, anyone can enter the black market.”

“Then why am I unable to go?” Qin Lang pressed.

Instead of answering directly, Hua Manlou chose to slowly rise from the bench. “Your situation is quite dangerous right now. I must ensure your safety and cannot take you to such a place.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Lang felt a wave of disappointment. He had thought he might be fortunate enough to explore the black market, yet Hua Manlou had rejected the idea so swiftly. His purpose was simple: to purchase what he needed. But now, it seemed he’d have no such opportunity.

Even if he wished to go, there were those who would prevent it, and sneaking off was out of the question.

...

As sunset approached, the courtyard gate where Qin Lang resided was struck with a knock. The two men under the pavilion exchanged glances, and Hua Manlou rose from his bench, heading toward the gate.

Someone knocking meant Liu Man and the others had returned.

With a creak, the courtyard door swung open, revealing a charming and alluring lady standing gracefully outside—Lin Xian.

Hua Manlou’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Sister Xian, what brings you here?”

Lin Xian gave a seductive smile, her gaze darting to Qin Lang. “Naturally, I’ve come to visit you, Young Master Hua. What, you’re not planning to invite me in?”

Hua Manlou burst into laughter, then smiled warmly. “Sister Xian, you’re too kind. I simply never expected you’d come in person, let alone find where we live.”

“Have you forgotten that last night Young Master Qin told me the address?” Lin Xian replied with a gentle smile.

At that, Hua Manlou was momentarily speechless. Indeed, when Qin Lang had told her about the compensation, he’d revealed their location.

Her visit, it seemed, was for the sake of that compensation.

Not wishing to waste words, Hua Manlou chuckled softly and promptly invited her into the courtyard.

Qin Lang, sipping tea under the pavilion, noticed Lin Xian’s arrival and the corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile. He had thought she might not come, but apparently he’d underestimated her resolve.

It made sense: after such losses in a single night, anyone would seek compensation, especially since he was willing to pay.

He rose from the stone bench and smiled, “Sister Xian, I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Lin Xian sighed quietly, her expression tinged with bitter humor. “I truly didn’t want to come, nor did I wish to reach out for your compensation. But the losses last night were simply too heavy. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Young Master.”

Truth be told, her decision to ask for compensation was not an easy one. She hadn’t intended to come, but the damages were too great to ignore. Even if Qin Lang repaid only a fraction, she could not fault him.

Qin Lang gently shook his head. “Sister Xian, you’re too modest. The losses last night were all because of me. How could I not make amends?”

As he finished speaking, Qin Lang invited her to sit beside him.

After Lin Xian took her seat on the stone bench, Qin Lang said calmly, “Sister Xian, how much damage did Misty Rain Pavilion suffer last night?”

“After a day of tallying, the battle last night caused losses amounting to fifty thousand supreme-grade spirit stones,” Lin Xian replied with a bitter smile. The figure she offered was only half the real amount. The true loss was one hundred twenty thousand supreme-grade spirit stones. She quoted a lower number, hoping only for modest compensation. After all, Hua Manlou and his companions were members of the Azure Sky Guard; the incident had been caused by them, and she believed they would offer some restitution. Qin Lang was heavily guarded by them—he must be someone of importance.

“Sister Xian, I suspect your losses were greater than that, weren’t they?” Qin Lang smiled as he looked at her.

Feeling Qin Lang’s gaze, Lin Xian gave an embarrassed smile. She had tried to conceal the truth, but Qin Lang saw through it easily. His guess was correct—she was indeed hiding the real amount.

Without further ado, Qin Lang took a storage pouch from his “ring of holding” and pushed it toward Lin Xian. “There are one hundred thirty thousand supreme-grade spirit stones in this pouch. I trust this will be enough to compensate your losses.”

Lin Xian stared, stunned, her mouth agape as she looked at Qin Lang in astonishment. Hua Manlou beside her was equally shocked, frozen in disbelief.

One hundred thirty thousand supreme-grade spirit stones?!

Was this man some kind of tycoon?

How could he possess so many spirit stones? All of Hua Manlou’s belongings combined wouldn’t amount to half that number. Were executioners always so wealthy? If so, he wouldn’t mind becoming one himself.

Lin Xian glanced at Qin Lang, then at the storage pouch, uncertain whether to feel joy or alarm.

Seeing that she hesitated to accept it, Qin Lang pushed the pouch closer. “Sister Xian, if you refuse this compensation, I’ll have no choice but to take it back—and your losses will remain unrepaired.”