The most dangerous moment in any negotiationes not from what is said, but from what remains unspoken. Truth hides in the spaces between words.


    —Master Song Lin, Schr of the Jade Path


    The Treasure Pavilion stood tall, its imposing structure exactly as Li Mei remembered from the game. The streets thinned out as they approached the walled area surrounding the tower. It made sense; the Lin Family was the heart of the festival, and most celebrations centered around their manor house in the city. Still, the ce wasn’t deserted. ckmere’s streets rarely emptied, even during quieter times.


    Two guards, d in polished armor, halted them at the entrance. "Identify yourselves," one demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.


    Mei Chen stepped forward with confidence. "This is Miss Lin Xin, Second Daughter of the Lin Family, apanied by her attendant and guard."


    The guards exchanged wary nces. "What business do you have here?"


    Xin straightened, channeling every ounce of regality she could muster. "Has the Treasure Pavilion forgotten who the county magistrate is? Or have you simply be unmannered?"


    The guards stiffened, chastised by her authoritative tone. "Our apologies, Miss Lin," one said, bowing deeply. They stepped aside, allowing the group to pass as a servant hurried off to fetch the pavilion master.


    The courtyard beyond the gates was a serene disy of wealth. Ornatenterns hung from meticulously pruned trees, casting soft colored light over polished stone pathways. Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, rivaling the opulence of her father’s own courtyard in the city.


    In one corner, two men in flowing robes yed a board game, their concentration intense. Xin’s heart skipped a beat. Cultivators. She recognized their aura from countless hours spent in Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles. She tensed, but they didn’t even nce her way.


    The master arrived shortly after, his robes swishing as he approached. He dismissed the servant with a wave. "I thought it was a scam," he muttered to himself before addressing Xin directly. "But it truly is the Second Daughter of the Lin Family."


    He bowed deeply. "Master Qingfeng at your service."


    Xin curtsied with practiced grace. "A pleasure to meet you, Master Qingfeng."


    Despite the throbbing pain in her ankle, Xin maintained perfect posture. "Might we conduct business in one of your trade rooms?"


    Qingfeng’s eyebrows lifted. "Interesting. I wasn’t aware you’d done business with us before."


    "I know many things, of course." Xin turned to herpanions. "Mei Chen will apany me. Guard Han, please wait in the courtyard."


    He didn’t like that. "Miss Lin, I must protest—"


    "The Treasure Pavilion’s protection is more than adequate." Xin’s tone left no room for argument.


    Han’s jaw clenched, but he bowed stiffly and retreated to find a ce to wait with the jewelry boxes.


    Master Qingfeng nodded and led the way. Inside the pavilion tower, disys of precious artifacts lined the walls. Crystalline pedestals held everything from gleaming weapons to luminescent pills. The polished marble floor reflected the warm light from overheadnterns, creating an atmosphere of refined opulence.


    Qingfeng led them up a curved staircase to a secluded room on the second floor. Plush cushions surrounded a low table, and delicate paintings adorned the walls.


    "Since you’re familiar with our ways," Qingfeng said, "shall I arrange the full tea ceremony?"


    Xin bowed. "I would be honored."


    After Qingfeng departed, Mei Chen knelt behind Xin as she took her seat. "Miss Xin, I confess I’m lost."


    "Everything proceeds well." Xin reached for the parchment and ink set on the table. "Don’t worry."


    "That’s good then." Mei Chen smiled.


    Xin dipped the brush in ink and began listing items from her mental inventory of the game’s most crucial resources.


    A servant glided into the room carrying acquered tea tray. The delicate porcin clinked as she arranged the dishes with practiced precision.


    Master Qingfeng entered and settled onto a cushion. "Since Miss Lin isn’t an immortal cultivator, I took the liberty of selecting a more suitable tea."


    "Thank you for your consideration." Xin watched his movements as he began the ceremony.


    The rich aroma of cinnamon wafted up from the cup as Qingfeng presented it. Sharp notes tingled in her nose. The first sip rolled across her tongue, smooth and pleasant.


    Qingfeng took a drink from his own cup. "What do you think of the selection?"


    "Excellent. I’m deeply thankful for the Heaven Grass tea." Xin set her cup down. "I regret not preparing a gift worthy of such an expensive greeting."


    Qingfeng’s eyebrow arched. "The Second Daughter of Lin knows her herbs and medicines well enough to identify the tea by taste?"


    Xin smiled as tingles spread through her injured temple, ankle, and knuckles. There weren’t many teas fit for healing mortals and immortals, and the description matched. She’d dealt with it enough in the game to be fairly sure. Some of her characters had even carried it around in jars to chug during fights!


    She reached up and unwound the bandage from her forehead.


    "Miss Xin, you’re hurt! You shouldn’t remove that!" Mei Chen protested.


    "The healing herb has already taken effect." Xin handed the bandage to her maid. "I’m fine now."


    Mei Chen’s shock turned into a deep bow before Master Qingfeng, her forehead almost touching the floor. "Thank you, Pavilion Master, for healing the Lin Family’s daughter!"


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the vition.


    "Very generous, Master Qingfeng." Xin inclined her head.


    "I heard rumors about the banquet incident." Qingfeng folded his hands. "After seeing your injuries, proper treatment seemed only appropriate for our guest."


    "If you treat all your guests with such generosity, I would love to be your customer as well." Xin slid her parchment across the table.


    Qingfeng chuckled and nodded as he epted the list.


    His smile vanished as his eyes scanned the parchment. Xin kept her expression neutral, though her heart thundered against her ribs.


    "Most guests of your rank typically request special trinkets or talismans." Master Qingfeng set the list down. "Perhaps a jade pendant to enhance spiritual awareness?"


    "I understand, but these items are what I require."


    "Do you know what these ingredients are?"


    "Of course."


    Master Qingfeng tapped each item. "Three measures of Blood Lotus petals, five portions of Thunder Root, eight pieces of Dawn Serpent scales, and one lesser spirit stone." He leaned forward. "The total cost would be no less than fifty thousand taels."


    A sharp pain shot through Xin’s chest. She nodded to Mei Chen, who produced the silk purse. Xin extracted the promissory note and slid it across the table. "This is all I possess at present. Twenty-two thousand taels."


    Master Qingfeng stroked his pointed beard as he examined the note. "Perhaps we could substitute the Thunder Root with twice the amount of Storm Grass? Thunder Root proves difficult to source in these parts. That alone would bring this request into your budget."


    "The Thunder Root is rare and expensive, yes." Xin’s fingers dug into her palm beneath the table. "But someone of your expertise should recognize the purpose of these specific ingredients. Do you intend to sabotage my efforts?"


    "Ah." Master Qingfeng raised his hand. "You’re not seeking ingredients for a Meridian Repair Pill, where Storm Grass would suffice. You aim to create a Meridian Opening Pill." He straightened. "Such an endeavor carries grave risks. The recipe demands precise execution. Without proper guidance, the consequences could prove fatal."


    Master Qingfeng set the promissory note down. "Your request intrigues me, Miss Lin, but the funds appear insufficient. Perhaps I could interest you in something more... attainable?"


    Xin squeezed her hands together beneath the table. The silk of her robes rustled as she leaned forward. "What I propose might seem irregr, but consider epting partial payment now. The Treasure Pavilion would hold my debt—and a favor to be imed in the future."


    "A favor from the second daughter?" Qingfeng’s lips twitched.


    "My current standing might seem modest, but circumstances change. I’ve secured a hidden benefactor, and my position within the Lin family will soon shift dramatically."


    Qingfeng stroked his pointed beard. The steady drip of water from a nearby fountain punctuated the silence. "What makes you think I’d consider such a trade?"


    "You didn’t reach your position as pavilion master without recognizing valuable investments." Xin straightened her spine. "Consider this favor an investment that appreciates with time. The longer you wait to collect, the more valuable it bes."


    Sweat trickled down Xin’s back as Qingfeng studied her. Without her status as the magistrate’s daughter, such an obvious scheme would have earned immediate rejection. Even with her lineage, the proposal reeked of deception. If Qingfeng epted, he’d have to believe she’d found a cultivator patron—rare, but not impossible.


    "What restrictions do you ce on this favor?" he asked.


    Xin bit her lip, then nodded. "My consent required for anything that could permanently harm myself or my future. Nothing that harms those I care about. Other than that—no restrictions."


    "An interesting proposition." Qingfeng drummed his fingers on the table. "Though I wonder—why doesn’t this mysterious benefactor approach the Treasure Pavilion directly? That would simplify matters considerably."


    Xin’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t considered that angle. Her throat felt dry, and she wished she still had some tea left. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to maintain eye contact with Master Qingfeng. "Ah... I’m afraid they are not on good terms with the Treasure Pavilion."


    Qingfeng’s eyebrow arched, skepticism clear in his gaze. Xin’s mind raced.


    "But that won’t affect our rtionship in the future," she added hastily. "This daughter is already very appreciative of the care she has received and would be very grateful for the master to grant her request that solidifies her future. Once I have the needed things, there won’t be the risk mentioned earlier, thanks to my benefactor, so you can be assured of a good result."


    The lie hung in the air between them. Xin’s pulse quickened, but she kept her expression serene. There wasn’t any benefactor, but she did believe in her ability to seed.


    She had spent countless hours in Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles mastering the art of pill-making, even if it was through a virtual interface.


    In the game, creating medicine and pills involved a simple process of adding ingredients to boxes, setting quantities, and pressing a button. Thousands of pills could be produced this way, but the quality capped out at 90% even with maximum skill levels.


    For a Meridian Opening Pill, which opened a mortal’s meridians to begin cultivation, Li Mei had opted for manual brewing to achieve the highest quality possible. And she had done it a lot—turning mortals into cultivators in the game added them to your character list.


    And they could all be active at the same time.


    With her time investment in the game, she had built up her very own sect n. All on her own.


    So she knew the recipe by heart: from herb preparation to precise timing. The temperatures were less critical and could be managed with a normal fire, sparing her the need for a specialized pill furnace.


    She bit her lip, waiting for Qingfeng’s response. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the faint trickle of water from a nearby fountain. Qingfeng’s gaze remained fixed on her, unyielding and probing.


    Master Qingfeng nodded with deliberate slowness. "Your proposal intrigues me, Miss Lin."


    Relief flooded through Xin’s body, releasing the tension that had coiled in her muscles. Her heart soared at his eptance.


    "The requested items will take time to gather." Qingfeng poured another cup of tea. "Shall we arrange delivery to the Lin Family Manor in a week’s time?"


    The tion dimmed as reality settled in. Xin steadied her breathing. He spoke truth—the things would need time to prepare, and during that period, she’d remain vulnerable to her enemies within her family.


    "Miss Lin, perhaps there are other items you require immediately?" Qingfeng’s eyes sparkled. "Something to assist your endeavors while we procure the ingredients?"


    Xin blinked in surprise at his unexpected offer of additional support. She swallowed hard, considering the possibilities from her game knowledge. "A silver poison sensing needle would prove invaluable."


    "Ah, a prudent choice." Qingfeng stroked his beard. "Ten thousand taels, added to your existing debt."


    "Agreed." Xin smiled. The cost meant littlepared to the favor she would owe.


    "Excellent. I’ll prepare the contracts and summon an official for proper authentication." Qingfeng stood and bowed before departing.


    "Miss Xin?" Mei Chen whispered. "I don’t understand what’s happening. Is everything alright?"


    Xin reached across the table and grasped Mei Chen’s hands. A genuine smile spread across her face. "Everything proceeds perfectly."


    "That’s wonderful, Miss Xin!" Mei Chen beamed back.