Feng Shui Chapter 166: Shared Affairs

That Liu Lang was actually quite clever. He openly and brazenly exposed the reason behind the duel, making it clear to everyone. With that, the two women from the Wanjin Pavilion lost all face and could no longer claim that they were merely trying to raise the price and snatch supplies from Qianxiu Workshop, and had flown into a rage after being refused.

Pang Yi could almost feel the onlookers pointing and whispering around them. As a young female cultivator, she lacked the composure to handle such a situation gracefully. She was flushed with shame and anger, her whole body trembling in fury.

By contrast, the one named Pan Wei remained far more composed. She gave a cold snort and said, “Liu Lang, don’t think that just because you have a couple of old friends on your side, you can treat Wanjin Pavilion like it’s nothing. A small fry like you is only fit to be crushed underfoot. You think charging ahead for someone else’s sake will earn you their eternal gratitude? Ridiculous. Utterly delusional!”

Liu Lang let out a mocking laugh. “That’s none of your business. I’m not related to you in any way, why are you so concerned about the affairs of a ‘small fry’ like me?”

Pang Yi seemed to have finally found something to mock him over. She sneered sharply, “Oh, don’t flatter yourself! Do you really think Sister Pan is someone like Ye Jinglan, that lowborn wretch? Just a rogue cultivator with no sect or backing who stumbled upon a lucky encounter. Your good fortune ended with your foundation-building. Look at you, such delusions of grandeur! A toad dreaming of eating swan meat. She was just playing you, and you’re too blind to see it. Truly the biggest joke on the entire Yingxian Island!”

Liu Lang’s expression darkened. “Say another word and don’t blame me if I tear your filthy mouth apart!”

Earlier, he had held back during the duel. Now, after being thoroughly humiliated, he could no longer restrain himself. He released the full force of his true essence, and the pressure made Pang Yi go pale on the spot.

Seeing the situation turn against her, Pan Wei tossed down a parting threat: “What happened today will not go unanswered.” With that, she dragged Pang Yi away.

Liu Lang looked furious. He ignored the curious crowd still watching and quietly walked alone into the orchard, beginning to tend to the now-ravaged purple gardenia trees.

After witnessing a fairly spectacular duel and overhearing plenty of gossip, the crowd gradually dispersed, moving down the road beyond the orchard. Chen Xiao turned to Tong Nuonuo and asked, “You’ve been to Yingxian Island often. Do you know who this Ye Jinglan they mentioned is?”

Tong Nuonuo gave Chen Xiao a resentful look, clearly still bitter about not being allowed to act as his guide. Chen Xiao pretended not to notice, remaining calm and composed.

After a moment of silent staring, Tong Nuonuo gave in and obediently explained, “Qianxiu Workshop is known for its many female cultivators skilled in weaving, dyeing, and tailoring. Among them, Ye Jinglan is the most talented and outstanding. The owner of the workshop, Mu Jinrong, is said to be grooming her as a successor.” He paused, then added, “As for Liu Lang, I hadn’t paid him much attention before. He grows purple gardenia, a highly prized dye material. So now we’ve got the heir apparent to one of Yingxian Island’s five major businesses and a nameless gardenia grower. And right when tensions are high between Qianxiu Workshop and Wanjin Pavilion, rumors of an ambiguous relationship start spreading… it’s hard to say what those two cultivators from Wanjin Pavilion were really after.”

Even without Tong Nuonuo’s explanation, Chen Xiao could already envision a tangled drama of commercial schemes and emotional entanglements, brimming with intrigue. What did surprise him, though, was how analytical Tong Nuonuo. He patted the round-faced youth on the cheek and said, “Not bad! Maybe you should switch from a mechanism master to a playwright instead.”

Tong Nuonuo looked at him, bewildered. Then he declared firmly, “No way! Mechanisms are my path!”

Yingxian Island was enormous, and one of its unique features was how scattered its buildings were, not concentrated like in other cities. For example, in Hanshan City, all the shops were clustered around the lake, but on Yingxian Island, things were spread out. The five major business alliances, Qianxiu Workshop, Wanjin Pavilion, Drunken Immortal Tavern, Sword Studio, and Treasured Herbs Hall, formed the island’s main commercial hubs, each with their own bustling district.

Though Xi Yunqing hadn’t been to the island as many times as Tong Nuonuo, he was still very familiar with the place. He led Chen Xiao and the others to a small valley dotted with scattered pavilions. “This is called Linglang Valley." he said. “All the pavilions here are properties owned by the island lord. This valley is the largest and finest guest lodging on Yingxian Island, beautiful scenery, tranquil surroundings, and absolute privacy. Every time I pass through and need a place to stay, this is where I choose.”

Tong Nuonuo, who had once lived on the edge of poverty, gave Xi Yunqing a look full of envy, jealousy, and bitterness. This kind of top-tier rental housing had been beyond his wildest dreams in the past.

But then he remembered, he wasn’t that same poor nobody anymore. He had money now. He was a rich man!

Tang Ru curiously looked around the valley, then remarked, “It’s nice, but the mountains and rivers back home are still more beautiful.” Still, the pavilions, especially since she had never stayed in one before, piqued her interest.

Xi Yunqing led the group at the front. The person in charge of the valley immediately recognized him and warmly welcomed them, personally guiding them to the best-located and most scenic pavilion in the entire area.

This pavilion was built atop a jutting outcrop of the mountain, making it look as though it were suspended in the air. The lowest level was the most spacious, and the higher the floor, the smaller its area. Each tier was adorned with upturned eaves, and the very top curled skyward like a soaring bird, making the whole structure appear grand and magnificent. Inside, however, the décor was not overly lavish; instead, it exuded a calm, understated elegance, classic and full of character.

The pavilion housed many rooms, enough to comfortably accommodate ten more guests if needed. Tong Nuonuo and Tang Ru cheerfully raced to the top floor to pick their rooms, while Xi Yunqing led Chen Xiao to one on the second floor.

“This room has the best view," he said. “Why don’t you stay here, Brother Xiao?”

Chen Xiao wasn’t naive. If Xi Yunqing knew this was the best room, he’d likely stayed here himself in the past, only personal experience could make him so sure.

“If I’m staying here, then where will you be?” Chen Xiao asked.

Xi Yunqing blinked once, then replied calmly, “Right next door. The view there is just as good.”

For some reason, this made Chen Xiao feel inexplicably happy. He walked over and pushed open the window. Below were layers of verdant hills, and in the distance stretched the blue sky and endless sea. Looking up, it felt like he could touch the heavens; looking down, as though he could brush the drifting clouds.

Even someone like Chen Xiao, who had seen his fair share of scenic views, couldn’t help but marvel. “This is stunning.”

He couldn't stop the smile from tugging at his lips.

Xi Yunqing stepped closer until there was barely any space left between them. In a low, gentle voice, he said, “Only such a view is worthy of sharing with you, Brother Xiao.”

No matter how breathtaking a landscape, it always felt a little lonely when viewed alone. But now that he could share it with Brother Xiao, even the memory of it seemed more beautiful than before.

Linglang Valley’s service was meticulous, they didn’t even have to leave the building. Once they ordered, the food was delivered directly to the first floor. That evening, they enjoyed a luxurious seafood feast, and Chen Xiao slept through the night without a single dream.

The next morning, he was awakened by the sound of rain tapping on the eaves. Through the window, he saw dark clouds hanging low as a torrential downpour swept across the island. He frowned. The weather here changed quickly, just last night the skies had been perfectly clear.

“Brother Xiao, are you up?” Xi Yunqing’s voice came from outside, followed by a light knock on the door.

Chen Xiao quickly wiped his face and replied, “I’m up! Come in, Brother.”

Xi Yunqing pushed the door open and entered. Chen Xiao, having just dried his face, was now toweling off his hands. Looking up at Xi Yunqing, he smiled and asked, “You’ve finished your morning training? Give me a moment, I’ll be ready soon.”

“No rush." Xi Yunqing said. “I just came to let you know I’m heading out today to visit an old acquaintance of my sect. If you want to explore Yinxian Island, you can ask Fellow Daoist Tong for recommendations, but don’t let her be your guide.”

Chen Xiao was a little surprised but nodded. “Alright, go ahead. And don’t worry, I won’t let Nuonuo lead me around.”

From the crack in the not-quite-closed door, Tong Nuonuo’s voice came through loud and clear: “I heard that! You couldn’t even shut the door properly to talk behind my back?!”

Chen Xiao laughed aloud. “We’re having an honest conversation, why would we need to close the door?”

Tong Nuonuo huffed indignantly. “Don’t you know that hurts my feelings? And here I was, calling you to breakfast out of the goodness of my heart!”

In the end, Chen Xiao offered up his portion of crab roe crystal dumplings as a peace offering, which somewhat mendes Nuonuo’s “wounded” heart.

After breakfast, the group split up. Chen Xiao and the other two set out to explore some of the most famous scenic spots on Yinxian Island, while Xi Yunqing went to pay a visit to the island’s master, his master’s old friend, Elder Bai Ai of Qingsong Hall.

Though the two were close friends despite their age gap, Bai Ai was a full generation senior to Tai Su, and over three hundred years older. Unfortunately, his luck had not been as good. He’d been stuck at the Integration stage for a long time, unable to find a breakthrough, and had begun to show signs of aging.

Xi Yunqing was visiting purely out of courtesy, fully aware that Bai Ai was often in closed-door cultivation and unlikely to meet him in person. Typically, communication went through his disciple’s disciple, Shi Fengdu, and it was Shi Fengdu whom Xi Yunqing had truly come to see.

“Daoist Shi." Xi Yunqing said solemnly, “I’ve come today to ask a favor. I hope you’ll be willing to help.”

Though they’d only met a few times, Xi Yunqing had a good sense for people, and believed Shi Fengdu to be reliable. He rarely asked others for help, which made Shi Fengdu straighten up seriously.

“You’re too kind, Daoist Xi. Please, speak freely. If it’s within my power, I won’t refuse.”

Xi Yunqing seemed slightly hesitant, but after a moment’s thought, he said, “I originally planned to select fabrics from either Qianxiu Workshop or Wanjin Pavilion to have a robe made. But the two shops are feuding again and have both closed their doors. I don’t know either party personally, and it would be awkward to approach them uninvited. So I was hoping you could make an introduction on my behalf.”

Qianxiu and Wanjin were infamous for this, they would shut down entirely whenever they were at odds, seemingly unconcerned about how it affected their business. But since their dyeing and weaving techniques were unparalleled, they had the confidence to do so. Faced with such dominant sellers, buyers could only endure.

Xi Yunqing wasn’t about to wait for them to settle their latest spat. Brother Xiao’s new robes couldn’t be delayed. So instead, he took another path, seeking out someone with enough clout to smooth the way.