Five days later, midday light spilled across the streets like slow moving water.
The Cloud Fragrance Pavilion stood quietly at the northern corner of the market district. Faint formation lines carved into the wooden beams kept the interior warm in winter and cool in summer. Cultivators drifted in and out like passing clouds, though few knew that this pavilion belonged to an inner disciple named Sun Jian.
On the second floor, Jiang Chen was seated by a window overlooking the bustle.
The street below flowed like a river of lives. One merchant laughed while another cursed the heavens because his luck had run dry. Faces passed in endless succession, each carrying their own story. From time to time, messenger talismans streaked through the air like flashes of light. Beyond the sect gates, the green mountains loomed in stillness, as though the struggles of mortals were nothing more than drifting dust.
"Brother Jiang, this meal is long overdue." Wen Shan poured wine into Jiang Chen's cup with a smile.
Jiang Chen glanced at the cup. Clear spiritual wine shimmered faintly within, like liquid moonlight.
"Is it?"
Wen Shan chuckled. "You advanced to the sixth layer of Qi Condensation weeks ago. Yet I was buried in affairs and failed to congratulate you properly. The fault lies with me."
"Brother Wen is too courteous. Cultivation breakthroughs are but personal matters," Jiang Chen replied evenly.
Dishes arrived one by one. Silver plates were arranged carefully, each dish releasing faint wisps of spiritual qi. Braised spirit beast meat glistened with rich sauce. Jade bamboo shoots steamed gently, releasing a fresh fragrance. A bowl of devil chicken soup carried a gentle warmth even before touching the lips.
"Breaking through the sixth layer is no small thing. It is an important step on the path of cultivation." Wen Shan lifted his cup. "To Brother Jiang's steady progress."
Jiang Chen raised his own cup and tapped it lightly against Wen Shan's.
"To smoother roads ahead."
They drank.
The spirit wine slid down Jiang Chen's throat. Warmth spread through his chest before settling calmly. He set the cup down and picked up his chopsticks.
For a while, they spoke of idle matters. They discussed recent fluctuations in market prices, an outer sect dispute that had escalated beyond expectations, and strange instability in the weather formations outside the sect.
A breeze slipped through the open window.
Jiang Chen finished his bite unhurriedly and raised his eyes to Wen Shan, placing the chopsticks aside.
"Brother Wen," he said lightly. "You know my nature. I am not good with pleasantries. If there is something you wish to say, you may as well speak plainly."
Wen Shan paused for half a breath, then smiled wider. "Straight to the heart of it! I suppose I should have expected nothing less. Very well, Brother Jiang. The truth is, I invited you today because I wish to introduce you to a particular individual."
"Oh?" Jiang Chen raised his brows. "Someone important?"
"Important enough," Wen Shan replied. "You might even find the face familiar. But there is no need to rush. Let us eat first."
Jiang Chen nodded and did not press further. Inside, his thoughts moved quickly. 'Hmph, Wen Shan does nothing without purpose. Whoever this person is, they must be someone he trusts. And since they are being brought before me, then I must be relevant to their plans. If I am familiar with this person, then the circle narrows greatly.'
The pieces slowly aligned.
At that moment, footsteps sounded on the wooden staircase. A tall, broad shouldered figure appeared in the doorway.
"Apologies. I kept you waiting."
Jiang Chen looked up.
It was Shen Yu.
'So it truly is you!' Jiang Chen's pupils shrank for the briefest instant before returning to normal.
This was the pawn Wen Shan and his uncle had once sent with false mission information, the hook meant to drag him quietly into Senior Brother Sun Jian's waters.
"Senior Brother Shen," Wen Shan rose halfway and gestured warmly. "Please, sit."
Shen Yu sat beside Wen Shan, his gaze briefly meeting Jiang Chen's. The three formed a loose triangle around the table.
"Junior Brother Jiang," Shen Yu said with a warm smile. "It seems destiny keeps pulling our paths together. We meet again."
"So it seems," Jiang Chen returned the smile. "Senior Brother Shen looks well."
As Shen Yu reached for the wine, Jiang Chen noticed a golden ring on his finger, etched with a rising red sun.
'I do not recall him wearing that before. Hm, that must have been deliberate. I'm curious... what are you shitheads playing at?'
Wine was poured again. Dishes were replenished. Light laughter followed. On the surface, the atmosphere was harmonious. They spoke of cultivation anecdotes, sect rumors, and the difficulty outer disciples faced when gathering resources. Shen Yu laughed easily and Wen Shan nodded often. Jiang Chen spoke less, listening more.
After several cups, Shen Yu's tone shifted.
"Junior Brother Jiang, do you still remember that fellow, Zhou Liang?" Shen Yu asked while picking at a dish.
Jiang Chen's hand paused for a fraction of a moment.
'And there it is. The bait is out.'
Jiang Chen looked up with a dark expression. "How could I forget? A shameless person with no morals. He took a mission he could not complete and caused me trouble. If not for Senior Brother Sun Jian's magnanimity, I would not have obtained the mission item."
Wen Shan nodded slowly. "Brother Jiang suffered unfairly."
"It is good that you remember Senior Brother Sun's kindness," Shen Yu sighed. He glanced at Wen Shan. "Though, if I recall correctly, the one who brought your plight to Senior Brother Sun's attention was Brother Wen."
Jiang Chen lifted his cup toward Wen Shan. "Brother Wen's favor is something I will not forget."
Wen Shan beamed. "Then we must drink to that! To loyalty among brothers!"
All three drank together.
The words they spoke sounded warm, but their hearts were cold and selfish.
Shen Yu wiped his lips and chuckled. "Junior Brother Jiang, you should toast Brother Wen once more."
"Oh? For what reason?" Jiang Chen asked.
Shen Yu smiled faintly. "Because Brother Wen has offended others for your sake."
Jiang Chen looked between them. "Offended whom?"
Shen Yu did not answer immediately.
Instead, he said lightly, "That Zhou Liang you despise so dearly has a younger sister."
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.
Shen Yu continued, "She is called Zhou Mei, a seventh layer Qi Condensation cultivator. More importantly, she is a gifted spirit farmer. A woman with a very particular set of talents."
He resumed eating, as if he had said everything.
Silence stretched until Jiang Chen frowned. "I fail to see the connection. What does Zhou Liang's sister have to do with me?"
Wen Shan finally spoke. "Brother Jiang, have you heard of the Heavenly Star Treasure Pavilion?"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Of course. They are top tier in treasures and trade. Their annual auctions are famous throughout the land. I've heard even our sect leader attends to bid on Earth grade treasures."
"The grand auction will be held two months from now, and Senior Brother Sun Jian has his heart set on acquiring several key items to solidify his next breakthrough," Wen Shan suddenly said.
"And?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Some of those items are also desired by other inner sect disciples. One such person is Hei Wei."
At the name, Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened slightly.
Wen Shan continued. "Hei Wei owns Jade Heart Plantation. It is his golden goose."
"Jade Heart Plantation?" Jiang Chen repeated, playing the part of the slow learner though he already understood everything.
"Yes," Shen Yu smiled. "That is where Zhou Mei works."
Silence fell again.
Wind rustled the curtain.
Jiang Chen leaned back slowly and looked at Shen Yu.
"Senior Brother Shen," Jiang Chen said carefully. "I am a simple man, and perhaps the wine has slowed my wits. Please speak clearly."
Shen Yu nodded. "What I am about to say is internal information. If a single word of this leaves this table, the consequences will be... permanent. Do you understand?"
Jiang Chen quickly assured him.
Shen Yu continued, leaning forward. "A team will soon infiltrate Jade Heart Plantation and destroy their fields. Their losses will be severe. Hei Wei's capital will vanish overnight, leaving him a toothless beggar for the auction."
Wen Shan cut in. "It will benefit Senior Brother Sun Jian greatly."
Jiang Chen remained silent.
Shen Yu spoke deeply. "This task is of the highest importance. The merit awarded for its success will be staggering. Senior Brother Sun Jian will surely remember those who contribute."
Wen Shan chimed in, "Brother Jiang, opportunities like this do not just fall from the sky, especially not into the hands of newcomers. Many older Qi Condensation cultivators wanted this role. But I held them off. I insisted it go to you."
"Brother Wen offended them for you," Shen Yu smiled. "And there is another matter. Zhou Liang loves his sister with all his heart. If Jade Heart Plantation is ruined, she will not escape blame. And in the chaos of a midnight raid... well, accidents happen to beautiful women all the time. If you wanted to settle your score with the brother by breaking the sister... we certainly would not stop you."
Jiang Chen's fingers tapped the table. "So... you are offering me a chance at revenge?"
"We are offering justice," Wen Shan corrected quickly.
"And favor from an inner disciple," Shen Yu added.
They both stared at him, their expressions radiating an absolute arrogant confidence. In their minds, no outer disciple in their right mind would turn down such a gift. They saw an ambitious young man hungry for advancement and petty enough to want revenge.
But Jiang Chen said nothing.
His face was calm.
His eyes dark and unfathomable.