Immortality Cultivation

Chapter 202: Waiting

As he pulled aside the light, fluttering gauze curtain, a faint, orchid-like cold fragrance wafted into Fang Hao’s nose, causing his spirit to shudder slightly. He stepped into the small pavilion; the space inside was not large and the furnishings were simple: a stone table, several prayer mats, and a zither table by the window. However, every item exuded an indescribable elegance and nobility.

Grand Princess Mu Yijing stood with her back to him by the window, watching a few koi fish in the pond outside. Today, she was not wearing palace attire but had changed into a water-blue casual robe that outlined her exquisite figure. Her long hair was loosely pinned up with a jade hairpin, with a few strands falling behind her snow-white neck. The sunlight spilled over her through the window frames like a layer of soft light; she was truly beautiful, but that cold, ’do not approach’ aura she projected made one truly afraid to get close.

Fang Hao’s heart was thumping wildly. Not daring to breathe too loudly, he performed a proper salute: "Junior Fang Hao pays respects to Your Highness the Grand Princess."

Mu Yijing did not turn around, nor did she tell him to rise. She just stood there quietly looking out the window, as if she were lost in thought watching the fish.

The small pavilion was silent, save for the occasional splashing of the koi flicking their tails in the pond and the drum-like ’thump, thump, thump’ of Fang Hao’s own heartbeat. This feeling was incredibly uncomfortable. He remained bowed, cursing inwardly. What kind of situation was this? Whether it was execution or exile, couldn’t she just give him a straight answer? Being left hanging like this was more painful than a thousand cuts!

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but just as Fang Hao felt his waist was about to break, Mu Yijing finally spoke. Her voice was just like her person—clear and cold, devoid of emotion:

"Rise."

As if receiving a great pardon, Fang Hao quickly straightened up. He kept his head lowered, eyes fixed on his nose and nose on his heart, but the tension in his mind grew even tighter. Here it comes, it’s about to start!

"Regarding the matter of the Hundred Flowers Valley..." Mu Yijing said half a sentence and then paused.

Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat. Here it comes, here it comes! It really is about that! Time to settle the score! Sweat broke out on his forehead, and he quickly bowed again: "Junior... Junior’s actions that day were out of necessity. If I caused any offense, I ask Your Highness... for forgiveness!" He emphasized the word ’offense’ heavily, lowering his posture to the extreme, wishing he could bury his head between his knees. He calculated in his mind: if she attacked, should he kneel and kowtow, or... directly use the golden puppet to escape? Both seemed like dead ends!

"There is no need to mention past events again." Mu Yijing’s tone remained flat, as if she were speaking of a trivial matter. "Between us... there was a cause for the effect; we both did what we had to do to survive. There is no right or wrong to speak of."

Fang Hao was stunned. He looked up, hardly believing his ears. Not mentioning it? She was just brushing it off so lightly? He stole a glance at Mu Yijing’s back, but still couldn’t read any joy or anger.

"You need not be nervous. I did not summon you today to make things difficult for you." Mu Yijing slowly turned around, her cold phoenix eyes falling upon Fang Hao. Fang Hao quickly lowered his head again, not daring to meet her gaze.

"I observe that you have quite a bit of talent in the Dao of Alchemy?" Mu Yijing asked.

Alchemy talent? Fang Hao wondered to himself, how did she know? Right, of course, that day at the Listening to Rain Pavilion, he had brought out the chaos pill cauldron. Although he hadn’t started the furnace, the cauldron itself was no ordinary item. Coupled with the large amount of medicinal ingredients he had bought before, this woman had likely guessed it. The thoughts of a Nascent Soul Great Expert were indeed profound.

"Junior... only knows a smattering of the basics, nothing worth mentioning. I’ve made Your Highness laugh," Fang Hao answered cautiously.

"Being able to refine a High Grade golden spirit pill cannot be considered a mere smattering," Mu Yijing said indifferently.

Fang Hao was shocked. Holy crap! She even knew about that? He had just finished refining it; it hadn’t even cooled down yet! Just how many eyes did this woman have planted around him? Or was a Nascent Soul Great Expert’s spiritual sense so keen? The hair on the back of his neck stood up.

"Do not panic, I have no ill intentions." Mu Yijing seemed to see through his thoughts. "I happen to have a matter here that requires a trustworthy person with decent Alchemy skills to handle. Are you willing to share my burdens?"

Fang Hao’s mind raced with calculations. Was this... a recruitment? A test? Or... did she have other designs? He was just a small Loose Cultivator at the Middle Golden Core Stage; what could he possibly do for a Grand Princess at the Nascent Soul Stage? Alchemy? Could she possibly lack an Alchemist under her command?

"It is my honor to share Your Highness’s burdens. However... Junior’s cultivation is shallow, and my Alchemy skills are barely at the entry level. I fear..." Fang Hao wanted to try to decline first to test the waters.

"There is no need to belittle yourself," Mu Yijing interrupted him. "This matter must be done by you. As for the reason, you need not ask. You only need to know that once it is accomplished, I will reward you handsomely and will certainly not mistreat you. Furthermore..." She paused, her gaze turning even colder, "This matter can also be considered a return for your ’assistance’ that day. From now on, the grievances between us will be settled, and the past need never be mentioned again."

Fang Hao understood. She wanted him to do something. If he succeeded, that messy account from the Hundred Flowers Valley would be wiped clean, and she wouldn’t come looking for trouble in the future. Plus, there were benefits to be had. It sounded... pretty good?

But he was still worried. If it was something even the Grand Princess found troublesome and needed an outsider for, it definitely wouldn’t be simple! The risk would surely be high! If he messed up, or if he knew too much...

"May I ask Your Highness... what is the matter?" Fang Hao asked, bracing himself.

"Now is not the time." Mu Yijing shook her head. "I will arrange the preparations you need. When the time is right, I will naturally tell you. You only need to answer: are you willing, or not?"

Fang Hao was incredibly conflicted! If he agreed, it might be a pit of fire ahead. If he didn’t agree, he probably wouldn’t get past this current hurdle, and it would mean completely offending this woman. How would he survive in the Heavenly Capital in the future?

"Rest assured, although there is some risk, with your abilities, it should be a close call but ultimately safe. I will also secretly prepare some life-saving items for you," Mu Yijing added. Her tone was still flat, but it seemed to offer some reassurance.

Fang Hao gritted his teeth. Dammit, fortune favors the bold! Since things had come to this, he had to agree even if he didn’t want to! At least for now, this Grand Princess didn’t look like she was going to kill the donkey once the grinding was done.

"Since Your Highness thinks so highly of me, I am willing to share your burdens!" He bowed, accepting the task.

"Very well." A very faint trace of satisfaction seemed to flash in Mu Yijing’s eyes before returning to her cold demeanor. "This matter must be conducted in secret. You must not mention it to anyone, including Fenghua. After you return, stay peacefully in the Listening to Rain Pavilion. Cultivate as you should, refine pills as you should, and simply wait for news. If there is nothing else, you may withdraw."

"Yes, Junior takes his leave." Fang Hao breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly bowed. Then, with his head lowered, he backed out of the small pavilion. Only after he was outside the gauze curtain did he turn and walk away quickly. It wasn’t until he walked out of the Serenity Court and was hit by the cool breeze outside that he realized the clothes on his back were soaked through with cold sweat.

"What a mess this is..." Fang Hao gave a bitter smile, feeling as if someone had held a blunt knife to his throat, leaving him in a state of limbo. But since things had reached this point, he could only take it one step at a time. At least he was safe for the time being.

He looked up at the sky. That small thought he had about going into seclusion to push for the Late Golden Core Stage was completely gone. Now, he could only wait for the Grand Princess’s arrangements. This life was truly too damn exciting.