Chapter 512: Chapter 315: Wen Caishang’s Fury, Grand Spirit Fox Banquet, Xiaofan as Guest, Forcing Him to Show Himself (Part 2)

"But Madam surely views me as the betrayer. I fear her pursuit; her capabilities are formidable. Though I hide amidst the vast sea of humanity, I must never be lax. This unease stems from that fear. Yet, this place offers many advantages to me—I am too fortunate, hence I worry that Madam might deliberately design a trap."

"But...amidst the vast sea of humanity, how vast is this world. How can I ascertain that this matter is related to Madam? Would Madam truly spend lavishly to kill or capture me? Someone like Madam with such meticulous calculations of profit and loss, how could she squander wealth so recklessly."

"Also...Li Xian, oh Li Xian, you are merely a muddy footsoldier. To Madam, you’re insignificant. Even if she hates you, it’s not worth raising a storm over you. Yet, on the verge of success, you shrink back; how cowardly."

Li Xian gradually calmed down, but then thought again:

"Regardless of who or their motives, I must remain cautious—ever cautious. Always leave a retreat."

The next day.

Li Xian followed orders to find Madam Wang’s abode: Bixiang Water Pavilion. He didn’t rush in, instead, stood several streets away, observing from a tall building. His eyes revealed Heavy Pupils, probing through homes and courtyards.

Yet, he sensed the water mist spreading throughout the pavilion. Li Xian’s Heavy Pupils penetrated the mist but revealed no sight within the pavilion, instead revealing an ordinary household. Feeling strange, he quickly discerned the reason.

It turns out the pavilion concealed a Five Elements layout, cunningly crafted. Layer upon layer of courtyard walls could hardly obstruct the Heavy Pupils’ viewing. But through the layout between pavilions, it redirected eyesight elsewhere.

Li Xian spied on Bixiang Water Pavilion. Yet, his vision redirected to nearby ordinary households. Li Xian sighed: "Madam Wang indeed is formidable, truly...characters like her aren’t easily spied upon."

He calmed himself, observed from afar. Stayed guard for a day, finding not a trace of clue. Several times he thought of entering to exchange for Essence Treasure but restrained himself, returning for now.

Next day. Li Xian returned beside Bixiang Water Pavilion. Ordered a casual cup of tea, seated at a high place in the restaurant, pondering for half the day. Despite having lingering apprehension, he lacked any concrete clues. The wind was mild, snow sparse, scenery pleasant—it was quite leisure.

Suddenly, Li Xian’s gaze lit up.

...

...

Two days later.

It’s said the "Dew of Dawn" has appeared long, yet no one obtained it. Bixiang Water Pavilion remained cool and serene; on this day, someone finally knocked on the door.

Xiaotuan stepped forward to open the door, seeing the visitor—a figure with stature upright, long hair fluttering, face veiled by a white mask, with a red longbow on their back. Xiaotuan’s eyes widened, gaze peculiar, knowing well the rumor that the "White-faced Red Bow" is the Madam’s adversary.

Now, they truly came to the door, secretly amazed at Madam’s formidable means. Amidst the vast sea of humanity, she caught the wicked catch. Xiaotuan asked with a smile: "Good hero, do you have business here?"

The White-faced Red Bow bowed and said: "Unworthy one here, hunted a spirit fox, specially coming to present to Madam Wang." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Xiaotuan exclaimed: "Ah! You truly hunted one? Madam is resting at noon, if you’re lying, disrupting her nap, it won’t be easy to explain."

The White-faced Red Bow replied: "I dare not lie. Please inform Madam." Xiaotuan chuckled: "Alright then, please enter." Stepping aside to let him into the pavilion, then closed the door, bolting the latch.

Xiaotuan asked: "What is Young Master’s name?" The White-faced Red Bow said: "I am Zhou Ping’an." Xiaotuan blinked, curiously asking: "Truly Zhou Ping’an, or perhaps an alias?"

The figure’s sturdy body shook slightly, coughed gently, and said: "Certainly not an alias; Zhou Ping’an is truly my name."

The two walked leisurely in the courtyard, Zhou Ping’an leading, Xiaotuan following behind. Xiaotuan’s gaze examined up and down with extreme curiosity, also harboring amusement, suddenly asked: "Young Hero Zhou will meet my Madam, will you not remove your mask beforehand?"

Zhou Ping’an replied: "I hope you won’t mind, after meeting Madam Wang, I shall remove the mask." Xiaotuan said: "Playing mysterious, acting enigmatic. Have you perhaps provoked some great foes?"

Zhou Ping’an shook his head silently. The two reached a pavilion beside the waterfall filled with flowers and birds, Xiaotuan pointed to a stone chair and said: "Please sit, I’ll go inform Madam. Young Hero, do not wander—this courtyard isn’t big, but a single misstep could be life-threatening."

Zhou Ping’an replied: "Naturally." Thus quietly seated, sipping tea to pass the idle time. Xiaotuan hurried into the pavilion, reporting this matter to Wen Caishang, directly stating the visit of White-faced Red Bow.

Wen Caishang heard and chuckled lightly, said: "This trap of mine is flawlessly arranged; this little thief is cautious and clever, but grew up impoverished, knowing opportunities are rare. From a servant rising to become a guard, advancing further steps—each is a bold risk. He’s exceedingly brave. Even though he faintly senses impropriety, he’ll surely not wish to easily give up. Seems my assessment is correct."

Xiaotuan said: "Madam truly understands him." Wen Caishang happily replied: "In this world, none understand him better than I. Since he’s entered the net, there’s no urgency; let him wait painfully, while I take a little rest."

Xiaotuan laughed: "Alright." Ran back to the courtyard, informed Zhou Ping’an. Zhou Ping’an smiled: "To wait for Madam’s nap is indeed a great honor. Ping’an will wait then."

Xiaotuan praised: "Young Hero Zhou has great demeanor; no wonder he hunted the Snow Mountain spirit fox. When later Madam emerges, you must perform well." Zhou Ping’an said: "Naturally."

Thus waiting for an hour. Zhou Ping’an couldn’t help but murmur: "Why does Madam nap so long?" Boringly wandering around.

Xiaotuan peered through a hidden crevice, observing Zhou Ping’an. Secretly amused, occasionally ran to report to Wen Caishang. Wen Caishang laid sideways on the "ice bed", water mist swirling around, figure vaguely obscured in the haze, raven black hair draped like a waterfall. Upon hearing Xiaotuan’s report, she found it amusing.

Xiaotuan asked: "Madam, how long do you want him to wait?" Wen Caishang gently said: "Of course, make him wait three days and nights without food nor drink, starve him till flesh wanes, parch him till lips dry and cracked."