Just as the thought crossed his mind, a plan began to take shape but Li Feng chose to ask the young girl a few questions first.
"What is your name, and what's your background?"
The young girl hurriedly answered, "Senior, m-my name is Yin Rou…" She hesitated, fingers twisting at the hem of her sleeve before lowering her head, then decided to tell the truth. "I-I came from a small village nearby… this is my first time in the city…"
Li Feng's face remained calm as he continued asking, "And where are your parents?"
"They're still in the village," she admitted, voice low but nervous. "T-they saved enough money to send me here…"
Li Feng studied her carefully, eyes narrowing. Courageous, he mused. To come into the city alone at her age, timid as she seemed, spoke of either bravery… or desperation.
After hearing her words, he almost smiled. Perfect. She was exactly what he needed for his plan. It is nothing too grand; he intended to nurture an alchemist for Wei Meilin. He wouldn't remain in this city forever, and having someone trained under his guidance would be convenient. With his soon-to-be rank two alchemist skill, he was confident he could at least raise her to early rank one.
But just as he was still plotting, his body's desire began to stir again. His "little brother," dormant until now, started to protest, demanding not to delay the important mission any longer. Suppressing a sigh, he turned toward Yin Rou, whose body was practically shaking with nervousness while closing her eyes.
"Do you know where Wei Alchemy Hall is?"
She paused for a moment, then nodded quickly. "A-ah? Ohh, I know that place!"
"Good. Wait for me there. We'll discuss this more later."
"Y-Yes !", Hearing that he didn't reject her, the girl's eyes lit up with joy. She spun lightly on her heels, her robe fluttering around her slim waist and small perky chest, giving a teasing glimpse of her youthful curves.
Li Feng's eyes lingered on her body for a moment before he shook his head. As tempting as she was, he could sense her vitality is currently exhausted, probably from overwork and not having enough rest.
Her body seemed too frail right now, and she might not be able to handle his torrent of desire. Li Feng was a pervert, yes, but not cruel enough to force himself on an already exhausted little girl.
A different thought crossed his mind. Leaning closer, a sly grin tugged at his lips.
"And one more thing…," he asked softly, "do you know where the Crimson Willow Inn is?"
"Ahh?" Yin Rou cutely tilted her head but answered him truthfully and pointed out the location.
__
Li Feng followed the directions Yin Rou had pointed out, weaving through narrow streets until he arrived at the Crimson Willow Inn. From the outside, it looked like a modest building, but stepping inside revealed polished wooden floors, red and gold silk drapes, carved screens, and lanterns casting a warm glow. Everything screamed wealth, clearly a place meant for rich mortals.
A waiter in fine attire, who seemed to recognize Li Feng immediately, stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Young Master, someone already informed us of your arrival. Please follow me."
"Oh?" Li Feng chuckled at the kind of preparation, she even predicted that he would come. "Interesting."
Li Feng and Goldie were led down a corridor lined with blooming potted orchids, their scent mingling with the subtle aroma of sandalwood. The waiter stopped at a large, ornately decorated room and opened the door. Inside, the space was surprisingly spacious. A massive bed draped in crimson silk dominated one side, while a lacquered table with matching chairs occupied the center. Candles flickered along the walls, casting shadows that made the room feel intimate and yet commanding of respect.
Seated at the table was the noble lady who had sent the letter. She appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with a body that still retained curves in all the right places, restrained yet undeniably sensual beneath those luxurious robes. Her hair, adorned with expensive ornaments, framed her face elegantly, and her eyes carried a mix of confidence and subtle calculation.
Li Feng's lips curled into a smile as he took a chair across from her. "So, Madam, you're the one who sent the letter," he said casually, leaning back and studying her.
"I am," she replied, her voice smooth and clear. "I'm honored that the young master accepts my invitation, and I will be direct. I need your help refining a Youth Rejuvenation Pill. All the ingredients are already prepared."
Sensing the bluntness, Li Feng didn't try to beat around the bush either, but he raised a brow. "And why me? Couldn't the guild handle this?"
She hesitated briefly, then said softly, "The pills grade I need must be at least high-grade, and the guild charges too much for that level."
Li Feng leaned back, studying her carefully, eyes lingering on the full swell of her chest, the graceful slope of her hips, and the taut, toned lines of her body. Every subtle movement she made how she shifted in her seat, how her robe hugged her figure, radiated a restrained yet undeniable sensuality, wanting his attention completely.
"Then why come to me?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I might charge a high price too."
She met his gaze steadily and replied with a smile, "I'm taking a chance that you won't charge excessively…" Slowly, deliberately, she loosened her gown at the front, revealing a creamy sweep of cleavage. "I hope the young master wouldn't refuse an older woman like me?"
Her movements were deliberate, knowing, testing him. As a merchant's wife, she had experience in gauging the intentions of others and had encountered all kinds of gazes, making it even easier to read Li Feng, whose gaze pretty much reflected his desires. And right now, sitting across from her, Li Feng's attention was completely captured.
Li Feng's smirk widened thinking she really saw through him. Her move was calculated, seductive, and he could tell she understood exactly what she was doing. She wasn't naive; she knew the effect she had, and she was using it.
Instead of being angered by the blatant seduction, Li Feng's eyes lingered on her exposed cleavage, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. "High-grade, huh? That's not something you can just ask anyone for. And from what I hear, the guild charges a lot for a reason. Do you really think I'll just do it cheaply?"
Li Feng then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his voice low. "Before I decide whether to agree or not, you must tell me why you need the pills." He wanted to know the exact situation, to ensure there wouldn't be any hidden complications since he just wanted to have fun without trouble.
The noble lady hesitated for just a moment, then met his gaze squarely. "I'm the wife of a wealthy merchant," she admitted. "But my husband …, he start ignoring me. He just taken a new concubine, younger than me, and start favoring her more. Since I cannot cultivate, my youth will start to fade. That's why I need to restore and maintain it my beauty. I want to become younger again."
Hearing this, Li Feng let out a short laugh, unable to hide his amusement. For him, this woman, sitting across the table with that seductive figure, curves like a ripe peach was already captivating. Her husband must truly be blind to ignore this seductive milf.
"And you probably spent all your savings on this," he said slowly, eyes scanning her carefully. "That's… brave. Or desperate."
She clenched her fist and nodded. "I… can't waste any more time… I need to change." To Li Feng, it might seem like a trivial situation, but for her, it was everything. If she lost her husband's favor, those cunning bitch would seize any opportunity to get rid of her and push her down.
Li Feng's mind raced. There was potential here, not just in the spirit stone, but in the leverage her desperation gave him. He could maximize the benefit… if he played it right.
He leaned forward again, voice dropping to a whisper, eyes locked on hers, a sly smile on his lips. "Very well… I'll refine your pills. But with a bit different terms, and I'm sure Madam would like them too."
Her eyes widened just slightly, but she didn't pull back. Instead, with a smile, she let her gaze lock with his, understanding what he meant. "And what would you want, young master?" Her voice was soft, teasing, yet there was no fear only willingness.
Li Feng stood up and walked toward her, his hand resting on her shoulder, caressing it as if giving her a shoulder massage. With barely suppressed lust, he said, "It's nothing much, Madam… I just need you to help with your body from time to time when I'm bored."
Hearing this, she didn't think it was too much, she had already prepared herself to spread her legs when she asked this lustful man for help. And she still thought she was getting the better end of the deal, as having an alchemist refine a high-grade pill was extremely expensive, and simply indulging him once or twice seemed like a win from her perspective. But his next words made her frown a little.
"And you need to help me anytime, anywhere, ... when I need it with no rejection." Li Feng's hand slowly traced down her shoulder toward her soft cleavage.
"Wouldn't I be nothing but a personal whore for you then, Young Master?" the noble lady replied, clasping Li Feng's hand to stop him from going any further. "This is too much."
Li Feng just smiled and said, "Then we won't have a deal," and tried to remove his hand, but a soft hand clasped it tighter, refusing to let go.
The noble lady gritted her teeth and said, "Fine… but only for one week."
Li Feng shook his hand and made a three-finger gesture. Seeing this, she asked, "You want… three weeks?"
"No, it's three months, Madam. This is the best I can offer; otherwise, I will pretend this meeting never happened." Li Feng didn't mind if she refused. He was merely considering having someone with a hot body to past the time and satisfy his desires with when Wei Meilin is busy, while knowing that this noble lady wouldn't be his only option with his status.
Sensing the seriousness in his tone, the noble lady closed her eyes while thinking for a moment and finally sighed. "I agree… but on the condition that you mustn't let my husband or anyone else know about this."
"Of course, Madam. This will remain between us." The grip holding Li Feng's hand began to loosen, and sensing this, Li Feng's hand immediately sank into the warm softness beneath those luxurious robes.