After exchanging polite greetings with Zhao Zongchang and briefly getting an update on the recent situation in the city,
Lu Li led Gu Qingying away from the City Lord’s Mansion.
However, after leaving, Lu Li did not rush to investigate the Dan Ding Pavilion as expected.
Instead, he stopped beneath an ancient tree at the mansion’s gate, deep in thought.
His gaze wandered over the densely packed rooftops in the distance.
Then, Lu Li suddenly spoke, lowering his voice to ask the silent Gu Qingying behind him,
“Qingkong. What do you make of what the City Lord just said?”
Gu Qingying’s heart tightened at the question, and she imitated the clear tone of a young boy as she answered,
“Master, I feel… that the City Lord seems eager to lead us toward the Dan Ding Pavilion.”
“Oh? Go on,”
Lu Li said approvingly, looking at his disciple.
“That man’s words sounded fair on the surface, but every sentence hinted that there’s something wrong with the Dan Ding Pavilion. Especially when he mentioned their collection of patients’ hair and blood…”
“If that’s true, it is suspicious indeed. But the way he said it—so deliberately—makes it seem contrived.”
Gu Qingying chose her words carefully, all while quietly observing Lu Li’s expression.
“Besides, he’s the City Lord. Dozens of children mysteriously vanish in just half a year, and he claims to have no leads… that alone is rather unreasonable.”
Lu Li nodded, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
“You’re sharp. Zhao Zongchang has been in office a long time; he knows how to turn leverage to his advantage.”
“And from what I know, their Zhao Family in Yangzhou is involved in some small businesses related to alchemy. The Dan Ding Pavilion openly running a business in Yangzhou is bound to affect the Zhao family’s trade.”
“But…”
Lu Li’s tone shifted suddenly,
“the Dan Ding Pavilion does deserve a closer look. Collecting hair and blood under the pretense of free consultations definitely goes against common sense.”
“And a chain of alchemy shops this large surely has a complicated background.”
Lu Li’s eyes sharpened.
“Whether or not the City Lord wants to use us to cut his enemies, we must visit this Yangzhou Dan Ding Pavilion.”
“And if it truly is connected to the disappearances…”
He didn’t finish, but the sudden surge of spiritual pressure around him made Gu Qingying understand clearly—if this matter really involved the Dan Ding Pavilion, her master would not let it go lightly.
“Qingkong, let’s go.”
Lu Li flicked his sleeve.
“We’ll visit the Dan Ding Pavilion first. Remember, don’t act rashly once we arrive; we don’t want to alert anyone.”
“Yes, Master.”
Gu Qingying replied softly, instinctively brushing the cold hilt of the Love Thread Sword at her waist as she followed Lu Li.
They passed through the bustling marketplace, and the closer they got to the west side of the city, the stronger the scent of medicinal herbs became in the air.
After about the time it takes for incense to burn, an imposing three-story pavilion with elaborately carved beams and painted eaves appeared before Lu Li and Gu Qingying.
In front of the pavilion stood a ceremonial archway, and hanging from it was the golden lacquered plaque bearing the words
“Dan Ding Pavilion.”
Just as City Lord Zhao Zongchang had said, the Dan Ding Pavilion’s business was booming—horses and carriages flowed constantly before its gates, and cultivators came and went in an endless stream.
Many customers dressed as ordinary townsfolk queued outside, their faces anxious as they silently waited for something.
Lu Li didn’t approach directly but instead found a random seat at a tea stall across the street.
Casually, he ordered two bowls of clear tea, his gaze never leaving the vermilion gates of the Dan Ding Pavilion.
Gu Qingying followed suit, quietly sitting beside him.
She also noticed a few plainly dressed women holding numbered tokens entering the side door of the pavilion.
When they came out, they each held a small medicine packet.
Their anxious expressions had lessened, but a hint of unease still lingered.
“Master, look over there. Those townsfolk seem to have come here seeking medical help.”
Lu Li nodded slightly.
“It seems the free consultations Zhao City Lord mentioned aren’t empty words. But…”
He paused briefly and motioned for Gu Qingying to look inside the pavilion’s door.
Inside, a physician at the Dan Ding Pavilion was silently taking the pulse of an elderly man.
Without a flicker of emotion, he used a silver needle to draw a drop of blood from the man’s fingertip and casually clipped a lock of his hair.
Gu Qingying’s heart stirred, and she exchanged a subtle glance with Lu Li.
Lu Li set down his tea cup and placed several copper coins on the left side.
“Qingkong. Let’s go in and take a look.”
“Yes, Master.”
The master and disciple rose and crossed the street, stepping through the vermilion gates of the Dan Ding Pavilion.
No sooner had they entered than a female steward with a keen sense of the extraordinary aura on Lu Li immediately greeted them with a bright smile.
“You two seem unfamiliar—first time at our Dan Ding Pavilion, yes? Are you here for medicine or something else?”
Her smile was enchanting as her eyes quickly swept over Gu Qingying and Lu Li.
Lu Li’s expression remained calm as he casually produced the token of his position as Peak Lord of the Xuling Sect’s Duanqing Peak.
“I am Lu Li, Peak Lord of Duanqing Peak, Xuling Sect. I’ve heard the quality of your medicines is excellent and came to have a look.”
“I also heard that the true mastermind behind your pavilion is an unparalleled alchemy genius. Might the steward introduce me to them?”
“Oh, so you are Peak Lord Lu of the Xuling Sect…”
The steward’s coy smile faded, replaced by a courteous tone.
“Peak Lord Lu, unfortunately, our pavilion’s master usually keeps to herself and seldom resides at this Yangzhou branch.”
“Moreover, she is currently in seclusion at headquarters. It’s unlikely you will see her anytime soon.”
She looked up earnestly.
“If you have any requests, please tell me. Here in Yangzhou, I might be able to assist.”
“Even if I can’t decide, I will report to headquarters as quickly as possible so the master can make the final call.”
Glancing around cautiously, she lowered her voice.
“Peak Lord Lu, this isn’t the place for a proper conversation. Let me take you to the reception room.”
Thus, Lu Li and Gu Qingying were led inside.
Once seated, Lu Li did not reveal he was investigating the child disappearances directly but instead politely claimed he had come to purchase herbs and hoped the pavilion master could help him refine some pills.
Using this as a pretext, he subtly probed the steward about matters related to the missing children.
Whether the steward truly knew nothing or had caught on to his true intentions, she gave nothing away in her responses.
When Lu Li and Gu Qingying left the pavilion, they still had no useful information from the steward.
“Safe travels, both of you. Should there be any news from the master, I will contact you immediately.”
The steward smiled as she watched them depart.
Lu Li and Gu Qingying said nothing, merely exchanging a glance before quietly leaving the Dan Ding Pavilion.
No sooner had they stepped out than a somewhat cold but faintly childish and languid female voice came from behind the steward.
“Aunt Wu, did guests just arrive at the pavilion? I sensed a strong spiritual pressure in the alchemy room…”
Hearing this, the steward quickly turned and respectfully bowed to the figure stepping out slowly from behind the beaded curtain.
“Master, you’re here…”
Behind Aunt Wu stood a girl who appeared about sixteen or seventeen.
Her delicate features were pale, almost sickly white, and she wore a moon-white robe embroidered with intricate phoenix patterns.
Most striking was her long, soft pink hair, like mist and clouds, loosely pinned up with a simple jade hairpin.
A few strands fell around her cheeks, making her face look even paler and fragile, like a gentle breeze stirring slender willows.
Yet her pink eyes were unusually calm, carrying a detachment far beyond her years.
The strong scent of alchemical medicine radiating from her, coupled with Aunt Wu’s address, made it clear this girl was the true ruler of the Dan Ding Pavilion and the mysterious alchemy genius behind it.
“Hm,”
the pink-haired girl nodded slightly, her gaze casually sweeping toward the door.
“Who were those visitors just now? What did they want?”
Aunt Wu hurried to reply.
“Reporting to Master, a Foundation Establishment cultivator came in earlier. He said… he is a Peak Lord Elder of the Xuling Sect and requested you to help refine some pills.”
“Oh? Xuling Sect?”
The girl’s face flickered with a trace of nostalgia.
Then, in a casually inquisitive tone, she asked Aunt Wu,
“Did he say which Peak Lord he is from Xuling?”
“Yes, he did.”
Aunt Wu nodded quickly.
“I remember… he said he is the Peak Lord of Duanqing Peak in Xuling Sect. His name was something like Lu…”
As Aunt Wu recalled this, the pink-haired girl suddenly interrupted, eyes brimming with tears as she spoke excitedly.
“Lu Li! His name is Lu Li!”
“Yes… it seems that’s the name.”
Aunt Wu was startled by her sudden outburst and awkwardly looked at the reddening eyes of her master.
As Aunt Wu finished, the girl’s tears finally spilled down her pale cheeks.
“Lu Li… Master! It really is Master…”
“Master! Shang Yu has finally found you…”