Chapter 148 – Manipulation

  Luo Feng sat across from Han Lian, sipping at the tea his Senior Sister had provided. He rarely visited as he preferred to spend his time searching for items to feed into the Slate or using his high status in the Sect to impress his fellow Disciples.

  But Luo Feng had a reason to be here this day, and he just needed to wait for the right moment to put his plan into motion.

  “So, Junior Brother Luo, what brings you here today?” Han Lian asked politely. She had a fairly good impression of Luo Feng, thinking of him as a hard-working and diligent Disciple who still helped in the mines and Refining Hall even though his status in the Sect meant he could avoid those laborious tasks.

  “I just wanted to congratulate you, Senior Sister. I heard about your duel with Zhao Wuxian, and how you held your own against one of the most talented prodigies of the Tranquil Mountain Sect.” Luo Feng replied smoothly, concealing the fact that he had seen her fight, and he hadn’t been very impressed.

  Truthfully, Luo Feng didn’t know much about fighting or martial techniques. Even Cultivation was something that didn’t interest him much apart from the benefits it brought. Everything he had was thanks to the Exchange Slate.

  Han Lian chuckled and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

  “You flatter me, Junior Brother. It was a tie, and I believe that Brother Zhao held himself back so as not to humiliate me in front of my peers.”

  “Nonsense! You are just as talented, no, even more talented than him! You fought someone from a larger Sect, with access to better resources and techniques, and were his equal! That speaks volumes about your talent.” Luo Feng praised.

  ‘Han Lian is too trusting and innocent for her own good. I would hate to see how she would be treated outside the Sect. She is strong, but not cunning at all.’ Luo Feng thought.

  Han Lian looked pleased at his praise, but she still shook her head modestly.

  “It was just a spar. It is too bad that I have reached the limit of what I can do with my current body refinement. I need to gather the necessary resources to break through.”

  Luo Feng’s eyes lit up at those words, but he hid it well.

  ‘Perfect!’

  Feigning sympathy, he leaned forward and placed a storage bag on the table between them.

  “Senior Sister, the thought of the Ironvein Quarry Sect losing to the Tranquil Mountain doesn’t sit well with me. I came across an inheritance some time ago, and amongst the items there was a pill formula that enhances the circulation of Earth and Metal Qi through the meridians.”

  “As it so happens, I have the ingredients here, but they are useless to me. My cultivation doesn’t require it. I was planning to exchange them with the Sect for Contribution Points, but I think they would be much better served by you!”

  “You are sure, Junior Brother Luo? This is quite generous of you.” Han Lian replied, her eyes locked on the bag sitting on the table.

  Luo Feng smiled warmly, although his eyes were cold.

  “Think nothing of it. I only want to see you defeat Zhao Wuxian and bring honour to our Sect. With your breakthrough, I have no doubt you will be victorious.”

  The formula Luo Feng had given her was real, but its use wasn’t for Han Lian to break through. No, he had given her the pill recipe that made use of the Yang Enhancing Herb from the Onyx Exchange Slate.

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  Everything else was the same, but Luo Feng wasn’t worried about Han Lian discovering the ruse. She had no idea about Pill Refinement. As for anyone knowing the use of the Herb, Senior Brother Qiu had told him that the herb was rare and not many in the Sect would know its use.

  Han Lian took the storage bag and placed it within her own storage ring for safekeeping.

  “Thank you, Junior Brother Luo. This is exactly what I need.” Han Lian hesitated before continuing.

  “There is a problem with the timing, however. All of our Pill Refiners are busy assisting Elder Wen from the Tranquil Mountain Sect to purify the Blackiron Quartz. I don’t have anyone available to help me prepare this formula.”

  Luo Feng faked a frown as he pretended to consider the problem. Of course, this was all a part of his plan. It wouldn’t work if the Sect had Pill Refiners available to help Han Lian.

  He placed a hand on his chin and pretended to think, before his eyes lit up with inspiration.

  “Actually, there is someone you could ask.” Luo Feng said slowly, as though he were reluctant to bring it up.

  “I have heard that Jun De of the Tranquil Mountain is an accomplished Pill Refiner. Perhaps he could assist you? I have given you enough ingredients for several attempts. I’m sure he could refine the pill for you.”

  Han Lian’s eyes brightened.

  “Jun De? That is an excellent idea! Zhao Wuxian is his friend, and I am sure he would agree to help me convince Jun De to refine the pill. I’ll ask him as soon as possible!”

  Luo Feng smiled as the first part of his plan was set into motion. He had no doubt that Han Lian would convince Jun De to help. As for his success in refining the pill, Luo Feng doubted he would be able to.

  The entire point of his plan was for Jun De to fail!

  “Thank you again, Junior Brother.”

  Luo Feng waved off the thanks before standing and saying goodbye. The moment he was outside, his smile took on a much darker tone.

  A few hours later, Jun De and Zhao Wuxian arrived at Han Lian’s residence. Zhao Wuxian looked as though he had been granted an audience with royalty, while Jun De had the appearance of someone who had been dragged along unwillingly.

  “Junior Brother Jun, didn’t I tell you? The way to a woman’s heart is to impress her with your strength. With proper training, you could possibly have a physique capable of the same.”

  Jun De sighed under his breath and rubbed the back of his neck.

  He had been asked to come visit Han Lian by Zhao Wuxian, who had told him that she had something important to discuss. He had no issue with talking to Han Lian, but he would have preferred to talk to her alone, or possibly with Bai Xuelian.

  ‘I feel like a third wheel.’ Jun De thought sadly.

  Han Lian greeted them with a smile, and Jun De walked behind Zhao Wuxian, who was bragging and pontificating with his usual gusto. When they were all finally seated, with cups of tea in front of them, Han Lian finally spoke to Jun De.

  “I’m sorry to call on you without warning, but I was told that you are experienced with Pill Refinement?” Han Lian asked with a smile.

  Jun De blinked in surprise, not expecting to be asked about that topic.

  “A little. I’ve only studied it for a year or so, so I wouldn’t say I am ‘experienced’.” Jun De replied cautiously.

  “That’s more than enough!” Han Lian said brightly. She pulled out a storage bag from the ring on her finger with a swipe of her sleeve, making it appear on the table in front of Jun De.

  “I was given a pill formula, something that can assist my body refinement technique. But all of our Pill Refiners are busy assisting Elder Wen. I was hoping you might be able to help me instead.”

  Jun De reached out and took the storage bag, examining its contents with his limited spiritual sense. Some of the herbs and plants inside were familiar to him, but a number were completely foreign.

  He took out the jade slip that contained the information and studied what was written inside.

  “I’ve never seen this formula before. It seems straightforward, with a similar difficulty of the Pills I am accustomed to. But I’m not confident I can refine it.”

  “I was told there is enough ingredients inside for several attempts.” Han Lian replied. Jun De nodded, comparing the quantities listed in the recipe to the herbs inside. He could see that there should be enough for at least a half dozen attempts, possibly even more.

  Zhao Wuxian grinned and leaned toward Jun De.

  “Come now, Junior Brother. What is the worst that could happen? You’ll refine something new, and Sister Han Lian has the opportunity to improve her body refinement.”

  Han Lian smiled at Zhao Wuxian, and nodded eagerly. It was clear to Jun De that neither of them understood how difficult pill refinement could be.

  “I can try it, but I should consult with Elder Wen first. I’ll let you know tomorrow.” Jun De stated. Elder Wen was busy, but he should have time for a brief discussion, especially if Jun De didn’t disturb his pill refinement.

  Han Lian smiled warmly.

  “Thank you, Brother Jun. I will owe you for this.”

  “It’s fine. There’s nothing owed between friends. I’ll let you know what happens.” Jun De said as he pushed back his chair and climbed to his feet. He looked at Zhao Wuxian, who showed no sign of movement.

  “Go ahead, Junior Brother. I wish to discuss some things with Han Lian about our upcoming day together.” Zhao Wuxian said, waving him off.

  Jun De rolled his eyes before leaving the pair to find Elder Wen.