The medicine from Ling Qingzi truly had miraculous effects. When Bai Fanlu woke up again, he felt completely refreshed without a trace of discomfort, and even the scars from his old wounds had disappeared.

However, his body was suddenly behaving strangely, which made him feel uneasy. Previously, even when Ling Qingzi had been close to him, there hadn’t been anything unusual. What was going on now?

Bai Fanlu hesitated whether to ask Ling Qingzi about it, but as he opened the door, he saw Wang Chongyu standing outside, his hands behind his back, staring into the distance as if deep in thought. He was so focused that he didn’t even notice Bai Fanlu’s approach.

Only Wang Chongyu would be like this, standing perfectly upright and composed even when no one was around.

“What’s the matter, Chongyu? Is something wrong?”

Bai Fanlu took a step closer and followed his gaze, but all he saw were clouds drifting like silk through the surrounding mountains, with two immortal cranes gracefully picking spiritual herbs and gliding by.

Wang Chongyu turned his head to see Bai Fanlu and quickly masked his deep thoughts with a warm smile. “Senior Brother, I’m going down the mountain with you.”

Bai Fanlu then remembered that he had to go to Yufang City today. “No need, I’m just going to meet Yun Zhan. I can handle it myself. You should stay and assist Master.”

“It’s Master’s orders. With demons running rampant in the human world right now, he instructed that no one should go down the mountain alone.”

So that’s how it was. Bai Fanlu understood and said, “Then let’s go. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can set his mind at ease.”

“No rush, Senior Brother,” Wang Chongyu said as he handed a sword to Bai Fanlu. “I promised to forge you a better sword last time, and I must keep my word.”

Speaking of sword forging, Bai Fanlu suddenly remembered something and summoned his flying sword. “Chongyu, my sword seems a bit strange. Take a look.”

When Wang Chongyu examined it, he noticed that the originally silver-white blade had a faint blue tint. Bai Fanlu described how the sword had suddenly cracked open, revealing a new blade, and asked if Wang Chongyu had added any special materials during the forging process.

Wang Chongyu carefully inspected the sword and, as he turned the hilt, the sword’s light reflected into his eyes. His expression flickered briefly before he handed the sword back to Bai Fanlu. “It seems the timing during the forging was exceptionally fortuitous. This sword is nearing the stage of transformation into a divine weapon.”

Bai Fanlu was astonished. Did this mean that Wang Chongyu hadn’t secretly enhanced the sword, and it was just good luck?

For the first time since being transported into this world, Bai Fanlu felt favored by the god of fortune, and he was both surprised and delighted.

Wang Chongyu intended to quietly withdraw the sword he had planned to gift, as it paled in comparison to Bai Fanlu’s current one. Seeing this, Bai Fanlu felt a bit guilty. “You might as well give me that sword too. It would make me feel safer with an extra one.”

“Senior Brother, you must be joking. Who carries two swords at once? It would cause chaos.”

Though somewhat regretful, Wang Chongyu spoke seriously, “The sword is loyal to its master, unwavering in its duty, and so too should the master be.”

A flying sword is controlled by its master’s will, and during combat or sword flight, the person and sword become one. Having two swords would likely confuse the commands.

Bai Fanlu understood this but found it strange. How had Xiao Liu managed to control his sword? Could a sword recognize the wrong master? Or was Xiao Liu so powerful that his sword also obeyed him?

This question could only be answered the next time he had the opportunity to ask Xiao Liu directly. Wang Chongyu re-melted the spare flying sword into the forge, and the two set off immediately, arriving in Yufang City half an hour before noon.

Yufang City lived up to its name, and in early spring, the entire city was filled with peach blossoms and plum flowers, petals carpeting the ground with fragrance.

According to legend, the name of the city was connected to the immortal realm.

It was said that a deity once lived in the immortal realm—some say it was the person who set up the spiritual spring formation, though this is unverified. This deity had two last disciples whose names and backgrounds are unknown, but it was said that the two brothers were close, sharing the same ideals and possessing equally matched cultivation.

The two often traveled through the human world, slaying demons and protecting the people. One day, they arrived in Yufang City and were captivated by the blooming flowers. The elder brother, on a whim, decided to collect flowers from all four seasons to brew a special wine. It was said that anyone who drank this wine would become a half-immortal, immune to all poisons and blessed by the spirits.

He named the wine “Yuxiu Liufang,” and over time, the city became known as Yufang.

Whether or not the wine was ever brewed, and whether its effects were as miraculous as claimed, or even what the recipe was, has long been lost to history. It may have been nothing more than a clever marketing ploy by a mortal wine merchant.

But one thing is true: the wine produced in Yufang City is exceptionally delicious, and the city has enjoyed hundreds of years of peace and prosperity, believed to be due to divine protection.

That’s why, when Bai Fanlu and Yun Zhan heard rumors about Yufang City being unaffected by troubles when they first descended the mountain, it made sense to them. In the eyes of ordinary people, Yufang City should be a place of peace.

However, that peace no longer existed.

Bai Fanlu and Wang Chongyu followed Yun Zhan’s instructions and went straight to the agreed meeting place, Baihua Pavilion. Baihua Pavilion, to put it bluntly, was a brothel and should have been closed at midday.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the beautifully carved three-story pavilion, the doors were tightly shut.

The two of them waited by the roadside, and suddenly Bai Fanlu had the feeling that someone was watching him. He turned his head to see Yun Zhan approaching them.

“Senior Brothers, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

Bai Fanlu still didn’t feel like engaging in conversation with him. Wang Chongyu glanced at Yun Zhan and then at Bai Fanlu, as if he had figured something out.

“We’ve only just arrived,” Wang Chongyu said. “Why didn’t you return directly to the immortal sect, Junior Brother? Did something happen?”

Wang Chongyu, unaware of the plot, naturally asked.

Yun Zhan replied, “Yes, there’s a tricky matter.”

“What is it?” To Wang Chongyu, nothing could be more important than following Ling Qingzi’s orders. The previous communication had been through a messenger bird, and now that they were face to face, Wang Chongyu, as an elder brother, felt it necessary to remind him.

“Master’s orders are clear: the Four Mountain Alliance is the priority. If your health permits, Junior Brother, you should return with us first.”

Wang Chongyu’s tone carried a hint of displeasure, intending to pressure Yun Zhan.

Bai Fanlu had originally thought Yun Zhan was in trouble and needed assistance, which was why he had sent a message through the bird. But now it seemed that Yun Zhan was perfectly fine and didn’t need help at all.

“This matter is related to the Master of Qingyang Sect.”

“What?”

Wang Chongyu and Bai Fanlu exchanged glances. Yun Zhan continued, “The current Master of Qingyang in the immortal realm is likely an imposter. What would happen if she were to infiltrate the Four Mountain Alliance? Could you bear the consequences, Senior Brother?”

Wang Chongyu narrowed his eyes slightly. “What do you mean by that?”

Yun Zhan smiled indifferently, his gaze falling on Bai Fanlu as he slowly said, “The real Master of Qingyang is likely inside Baihua Pavilion.”

As night fell and the lanterns were lit, Baihua Pavilion’s daytime had just begun.

In front of the bustling red building, the sounds of silk and bamboo filled the air with a mesmerizing rhythm. As nimble fingers played, the music was nothing more than indulgent tunes from Qinhuai, accompanied by the sweet laughter of women from within. Their voices alone were enough to intoxicate passersby.

Some daringly dressed girls leaned against the windows, waving their handkerchiefs with bold, coquettish smiles that made onlookers’ hearts race.

The three of them disguised themselves as newcomers. The madam at the door, Huaniang, greeted them with a broad smile as soon as she saw them.

Yun Zhan walked in the lead, looking completely at ease as if he had been there many times before. The more Wang Chongyu watched Yun Zhan’s back, the more he couldn’t help but frown. He glanced at Bai Fanlu, but Bai Fanlu wasn’t paying any attention to Yun Zhan at all. Instead, his face turned slightly red when he noticed the scantily clad beauty at the door.

The woman swayed her hips seductively and walked toward them with a smile.

At this point, Bai Fanlu wasn’t just a little flushed—his face turned completely red. It wasn’t that he was inexperienced; it was just that this beautiful woman’s attire was… a bit too revealing. Was this era really so open?

Bai Fanlu lowered his head, trying to blend in and hoped to get through this unnoticed. But the heavy scent of perfume drew closer and closer, and just as the beautiful woman’s delicate hand was about to touch him, someone stepped between them, silently shielding him from her.

Bai Fanlu looked up and saw that it was Wang Chongyu.

“Chongyu…”

“Senior Brother, if you don’t like this place, Yun Zhan and I can go in, and you can wait for us at the inn.”

Bai Fanlu quickly waved his hand. “No, no, it’s just that… uh, it’s fine. Let’s go in together.”

The beautiful woman, now disappointed, moved on to seek her next target, but not before casting a sideways glance at Bai Fanlu and Wang Chongyu, sharing an amused smile with her companion.

Wang Chongyu’s frown deepened as he subtly positioned himself to block Bai Fanlu from the curious glances around them, remaining vigilant. In contrast, Yun Zhan, surrounded by beautiful women, was as comfortable as a fish in water, completely at ease.

Inside Baihua Pavilion, it was lively and crowded. Yun Zhan, with his generous spending, had them quickly escorted to a private balcony on the second floor.

From here, they could look down on the entire scene below—music and laughter filled the air, and beautiful women gracefully danced among the guests.

Yun Zhan soon had two beauties seated beside him, while Wang Chongyu and Bai Fanlu, both strikingly handsome, also attracted attention. Several women attempted to approach them, but Wang Chongyu firmly declined on behalf of both of them, allowing Bai Fanlu to maintain his composed and proper demeanor.

The sight of two gentlemen like them in such a place was indeed incongruous, as if they were trying to uphold a sense of propriety in a brothel. Bai Fanlu pretended not to hear the whispered gossip around them.

In reality, Bai Fanlu had never been to any entertainment venues in his previous world, not even a bar. So this scene was completely new to him, and the overwhelming atmosphere left him feeling out of place.

Wang Chongyu gradually became impatient and coldly asked Yun Zhan, “Is the Qingyang Sect Master really here?”

Yun Zhan didn’t answer directly but instead said, “You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

Wang Chongyu looked at Bai Fanlu for his opinion, and after some thought, Bai Fanlu said, “Let’s wait a bit longer.”

“Alright.” Wang Chongyu glanced at Yun Zhan and then leaned closer to Bai Fanlu, lowering his voice to ask, “Are you really not bothered by Yun Zhan’s behavior?”

“Huh? What behavior?” Bai Fanlu was momentarily confused, then saw Wang Chongyu’s concerned expression and understood. He chuckled softly, “I told you before, Yun Zhan and I are not Dao companions, and we never will be, so why should I care about what he does?”

“You didn’t seem so sure last time.”

“Really?” Bai Fanlu thought back and realized he might have changed the subject at the time, mainly because that painting had left him feeling caught red-handed and unable to explain.

“But judging by your attitude now, it seems you’ve really come to terms with it,” Wang Chongyu said, looking at Bai Fanlu with deep, slightly relieved eyes. “Senior Brother, Yun Zhan doesn’t deserve you. Knowing that you won’t be heartbroken over him puts my mind at ease.”

Bai Fanlu wasn’t sure where Wang Chongyu’s concern stemmed from, but he agreed that Yun Zhan wasn’t worth his worry. From now on, they would just be clear-cut senior and junior brothers, nothing more.

Feeling good about his decision, Bai Fanlu patted Wang Chongyu on the shoulder and motioned toward Yun Zhan. “He can do as he pleases; we can’t interfere. As long as we have a clear conscience, that’s all that matters.”

After all, they weren’t practicing the Dao of Heartlessness, and the immortal sect didn’t strictly forbid such things, except for moral condemnation. Whether or not to enforce rules was up to individual discretion.

In the original novel, Yun Zhan’s flirtations in Baihua Pavilion had infuriated the original protagonist, so Bai Fanlu wasn’t surprised to see Yun Zhan acting this way now. He just felt a bit sorry for the original protagonist.

After waiting a little longer, there was finally some commotion outside. Bai Fanlu peeked out to see a woman slowly emerging from the third-floor balcony.

She wore an eye-catching bright red dress, which immediately drew Bai Fanlu’s attention. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that, unlike the other women in the brothel who revealed as much as they could, this woman was dressed quite conservatively.

But her face alone was enough to captivate any man. She was truly a rare beauty.

At this moment, the beautiful woman stood by the railing, her eyes slightly downcast as she looked below, her gaze filled with cold disdain. It was as if she saw the entire room as filthy and beneath her.

“That really is the Qingyang Sect Master…” Wang Chongyu murmured softly.

Since entering the story, Bai Fanlu had never met the Qingyang Sect Master. The book described her as a cold beauty dressed in a Daoist robe, so when he first saw this woman in red, he didn’t immediately recognize her. It wasn’t until Wang Chongyu spoke that he realized who she was.

The Qingyang Sect Master, Wu Yue Shuang, was the only female Immortal Lord in the immortal realm and a junior sister of Ling Qingzi. Her strength was formidable and not to be underestimated.

But one thing puzzled Bai Fanlu—according to the story, Wu Yue Shuang, like Ling Qingzi, practiced the Dao of Heartlessness. How could she be in a place like this? Was she forced to be here? But with her high level of cultivation, who could possibly force her?

Wang Chongyu seemed to share his doubts, and the two exchanged glances, deciding to quietly observe what Wu Yue Shuang would do next.

Their private balcony had an excellent view, allowing them to see everything outside without being seen themselves.

Wu Yue Shuang stood on the third floor for only a moment before someone in the hall below noticed her. A voice called out in admiration, and more and more people looked up.

Some young men immediately abandoned the women they were with and rushed toward the stairs to get closer to her. In no time, the staircase was crowded, and Bai Fanlu could even feel the slight vibration of the wooden structure beneath his feet.

Soon, people began shouting and cursing as the narrow wooden staircase became overcrowded, leading to a stampede. The scene quickly descended into chaos.

Despite the turmoil below, Wu Yue Shuang seemed completely unaffected, her cold eyes scanning the crowd with disdain.

At that moment, a sound of fighting came from nearby. Bai Fanlu and Wang Chongyu turned their heads to see two burly men rolling into their private balcony, fighting each other. One of them was hit hard and tumbled to the ground at Bai Fanlu’s feet.

The man, clutching his bruised left eye, was about to stand up, his hands blindly reaching out toward Bai Fanlu. Bai Fanlu didn’t think much of it, but Wang Chongyu quickly drew his sword and knocked the man’s hand away, sending him flying across the room.

The man was lifted into the air, barely managing to shout, “Which pretty boy dares to mess with me?” before being swallowed by the noise of the crowded hall.

Wang Chongyu had used some force when he struck, creating a gust of wind that stirred the curtains in the balcony. The gauzy drapes billowed up for a moment before softly settling back down.

The man was still cursing, but Bai Fanlu stopped Wang Chongyu from further disciplining him. Suddenly, Bai Fanlu felt a sharp aura sweep past him, and when he turned around, he saw Wu Yue Shuang leap from the third-floor railing, flying straight toward their balcony.

“Chongyu, look!”

“What?”

Wang Chongyu followed Bai Fanlu’s gaze and saw the scarlet figure rapidly approaching. The pale apricot-colored curtains of the balcony were swept aside by her powerful aura as the woman’s cold, sharp eyes scanned the room, finally locking onto one person.

“Master Qingyang…”

There was no doubt—she was looking directly at him. As a junior disciple of the immortal sect, Bai Fanlu knew that regardless of whether this was the real Qingyang Sect Master, it was best to greet her respectfully.

But before Bai Fanlu could say anything, Wu Yue Shuang silently unfurled a red silk ribbon from her sleeve, which swiftly wrapped around Bai Fanlu’s waist, pulling him toward her.

Bai Fanlu cried out in surprise.

Wang Chongyu quickly asked, “What are you doing, Master?”

Bai Fanlu, Wang Chongyu, and Yun Zhan were considered the most famous disciples of the Tianxu Sect. Although the original novel didn’t describe any private interactions between them and Wu Yue Shuang, there was no history of animosity. So why was she suddenly targeting him like this?

What was even more perplexing was that Wu Yue Shuang didn’t say a word to explain her actions. She turned and flew out of the balcony, dragging Bai Fanlu out of the room with her.

Wang Chongyu hadn’t expected this and was about to chase after them when he was suddenly blocked by a sword.