TGCFNM -Chapter 265 See If This Can Be Exchanged

Mei Zhongxue suddenly stood up and walked toward the inner room. After a while, he came out carrying a wooden box and handed it directly to Chu Ling. “Young Master, have a look—see if this item can be exchanged.”

Chu Ling opened the wooden box. Inside was a long hairpin, its head shaped somewhat like a blooming peacock tail. Some slightly aged gold threads were twisted into an oval shape, cradling a chicken-blood stone the size of a fist in the center, as if the stars themselves were holding it.

Enchanting, beautiful, extremely valuable.

“This item was obtained by chance when I was establishing the sect. Since you are an official of the court, offering this to the throne would undoubtedly ensure a smooth career for you,” Mei Zhongxue said.

Wan Sanjin was about to speak, but Chu Ling gave him a subtle glance and then looked proudly at Mei Zhongxue. “This item is indeed precious, but do I need this to advance in my career? Master Mei truly underestimates me.”

Mei Zhongxue laughed heartily. “It’s just a joke. Young Master needn’t take it seriously. You could also gift it to someone you cherish in the future. There is probably only this one in the whole world, so you might as well give it some thought.”

“Accept it!” Ling Da urged hurriedly. “This is the object of the Wu God.”

Chu Ling picked up the hairpin from the box, casually twirled it once, and then decisively dropped it back inside. She even let out a small, amused scoff before closing the box. “Since Master Mei says so, the junior has no choice but to accept it.”

Everyone present with discerning eyes could see that this exchange was unfair, so Chu Ling’s reaction was perfectly normal.

Mei Zhongxue also knew that it was wrong for him to have taken the Stone Lotus for the sect’s junior members, but there was nothing he could do. If they couldn’t find the Stone Lotus soon, those promising talents probably wouldn’t last three more months.

Xie Yubai stood up and respectfully cupped his hands toward Chu Ling. “Beyond this hairpin, the Tianjian Sect has promised Young Master three favors. As long as they are not acts of disloyalty or injustice, do not go against ancestral teachings, and do not harm the people, our sect will fulfill them. For Young Master, we would go through fire and water without hesitation.”

Chu Ling was satisfied this time. She stood up and cupped her hands. “We will also do our utmost to help with capturing Bai Zhuoxing. Thank you, Sect Master Xie.”

Xie Yubai let out a breath and looked at Mei Zhongxue. “Master, I’ll take my leave now.”

Mei Zhongxue waved his hand. “Go ahead.”

After bidding farewell to everyone, Xie Yubai turned and strode off.

Mei Zhongxue smiled at the others. “This old man will not keep you any longer. My disciples outside will escort you to your resting place.”

Uncle Wu was the first to rise, leading the group in bowing one by one before quietly stepping out.

Mei Zhongxue stroked his beard, watching their departing figures. He thought: I can’t even manage this as well as my own disciples. Hoping to trade someone else’s Stone Lotus for a single hairpin… I’m getting old, and my mind has grown complicated.

After Chu Ling and the others left the thatched hut and walked for a while, they saw a white-robed inner disciple approaching.

Chu Ling stepped forward and, without waiting for the disciple to speak, asked directly, “May I ask your name?”

“Yuan Xin.”

“Good, Yuan Xin. My coroner is following your senior brother Yuan Luo to examine a corpse. After escorting us, remember to deliver a message and bring the coroner back to me intact,” Chu Ling said.

Yuan Xin cupped his hands. “Rest assured, Young Master. The sect master has already given instructions.”

Chu Ling glanced back at Uncle Wu, who gave a slight nod.

“Lead the way, and also tell me how to claim this divine water. Do we have to queue for it?” Chu Ling asked.

As Yuan Xin led the way, he explained, “The Tianjian Sect has arranged for you to rest first, or you may stroll around. After lunch, those holding invitations must go to the treasure storage area, where the items will be distributed one by one outside the treasure site.”

Chu Ling froze and looked at Wan Sanjin. Damn, the plan can’t be executed—they only hand it out at the shrine.

Wan Sanjin whispered quickly, “Trust Young Master.”

Chu Ling shot him a sideways glance, and naturally, she was born to a life of labor.

She exhaled deeply and asked Yuan Xin, “So, we go to that treasure storage area in the afternoon?”

Yuan Xin nodded. “Yes. In the afternoon, the mountaintop will get a bit colder, but it will also be safer. If luck is on our side, we can return by evening. You can rest for one night, and then descend the mountain the next day.”

Wan Sanjin asked curiously, “What about those without invitations?”

Yuan Xin smiled and replied, “They can wander around, gather, have some tea, or even descend the mountain earlier if they wish.”

Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin and the others, her resentment growing.

After Yuan Xin escorted them to the house, he temporarily withdrew.

Once he left, Uncle Wu chuckled, “This place is really not bad.”

Chu Ling tilted her head toward him. “Is it because Shi Lian arranged a different room for us?”

Uncle Wu nodded, then glanced meaningfully at Yuan Xin’s receding white robe. Otherwise, why would someone in a white robe personally escort them? Perhaps all the neighboring households are from prominent families—clearly, full face was given.

Chu Ling and the others entered the courtyard and pushed open the door.

Uncle Wu told them to stay put for the moment, then walked around the place before saying, “It’s spacious, and there are plenty of rooms. It’s more than enough for us to stay.”

“Hot tea and snacks are all prepared,” Yan Sheng and Cao Tong exchanged a glance—they indeed enjoyed the same treatment as their lord.

Uncle Wu gestured for everyone to sit, then looked at Chu Ling with admiration. “You, Master Chu, are really formidable.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow slightly—of course, she couldn’t be taken advantage of.

Wan Sanjin, bored, slumped over the table and sighed, “No chance of snatching the divine water anymore.”

Uncle Wu’s brows knitted. “You’re still scheming for the divine water, my little lord?”

At this, Yan Sheng nudged Wan Sanjin, laughing as he leaned closer. “Cao Tong and I have decided—the divine water will be given to Master Chu. Then we’ll assist her in her tasks.”

Wan Sanjin rested his chin on his hand. “Of course, we welcome you coming along, but your divine water is a gift. I want to steal it.”

Cao Tong understood immediately. “Master Wan just wants a bit of excitement.”

Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin. “I’ll hold onto the prepared items for now. When the time comes, I’ll act according to the situation. You must remember to come on time and sneak the items away.”

Uncle Wu clutched his chest, staring at Chu Ling. “Master? You’re joking, right?”

Chu Ling shook her head. “Not at all.” They had already chosen their scapegoats and prepared the ‘evidence.’ It would be such a pity not to act now.

Xiao Hua slammed her hand on the table. “Don’t worry, Master. Xiao Hua will definitely come on time to escort you back.”

Chu Ling patted Xiao Hua’s head—she was indeed the most reliable.

Suddenly, Wan Sanjin propped himself up. “Master, when you get to the treasure vault, don’t go after some elixir of immortality. You have to take something valuable.”

Yan Sheng suddenly grabbed Wan Sanjin’s hand and said earnestly, “Our brothers have decided to make a painful concession and give the invitation to Master Wan.”

Wan Sanjin was startled. “Huh?”

Chu Ling touched her chin. “Makes sense. I originally thought it was just about obtaining the divine water, but now that getting the divine water requires entering the treasure vault, Su He definitely can’t go.”

“Su He can’t? He’d scare anyone just by standing there!” Wan Sanjin retorted.

Chu Ling crossed her arms, her gaze filled with helplessness. “You know how he looks at people. What if he’s misunderstood? What then?”

Wan Sanjin froze. Indeed, she was right—there was nothing more to say.