Chapter 301: Chapter 129: Buying a House in the Inner City, Master’s Identity, The Five Major Sects of Jintai
Jiang Haoyang was overcome with shock and joy. The bottleneck that had plagued him for months had finally been broken, all thanks to Yang Jing’s guidance.
Not far away, Yang Jing sensed the sudden change in Jiang Haoyang’s aura, and the corners of his lips curled into a smile.
...
As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled through the clouds, bathing the pavilions and courtyards of Chengping Square in a golden hue.
Yang Jing left the Martial Arts Hall and set off for the Inner City.
The moment he stepped into the Inner City, the sights were entirely different from those in the Outer City.
The wide streets were paved with smooth bluestone slabs and lined with a dense array of shops, each with an exquisite banner. The eye was met with fine silks and satins, and the gleam of countless jewels.
Occasionally, an ornate carriage would pass by, its wheels making a crisp sound as they rolled over the stone-paved road.
Patrolling soldiers wore resplendent armor, their steps perfectly synchronized. One could see a new squad at every short interval. The security was tight yet orderly, projecting an atmosphere of stability and prosperity.
Yang Jing made his way through the streets and soon arrived before the Exotic Beast Pavilion.
It was an imposing three-story pavilion. Above the entrance, the gilded words "Exotic Beast Pavilion" shimmered brilliantly.
He strode inside, where the air was filled with a faint, mixed aroma of gamey meat and fresh herbs.
Behind the counter, the wall was covered with wooden placards, on which the names of various exotic beasts were written in cinnabar ink: Black Scale Leopard, Iron-Backed Bear, Wind Shadow Rabbit... Each name corresponded to a different type of Exotic Beast Meat, with the price marked beside it.
Yang Jing’s gaze swept over the wooden placards. Just as he was about to call for an attendant to select the Black-Scaled Leopard Meat he usually bought, a soft female voice sounded from behind him. "Greetings, Young Master Yang."
Yang Jing turned to see a young maid in a viridian dress standing gracefully behind him. She had delicate, pretty features. Yang Jing thought for a moment before recognizing her as Miss Jinlian’s personal attendant.
"Young Master Yang, my lady has invited you to join her," the maid said.
Yang Jing nodded. He wasn’t surprised to run into Miss Jinlian here.
He had long been aware that this Exotic Beast Pavilion was an enterprise belonging to Miss Jinlian—which meant it belonged to the Lu Family. The Pavilion had branches not only in Yuhe County, but also in the Prefecture City and most of the counties under its jurisdiction, its network spanning more than half of Jintai Prefecture.
"This way, Young Master Yang." Xiaocui gestured for him to follow, leading him through the main hall.
The two of them wound their way past shelves stacked with exotic beast pelts and medicinal herbs, passed through a quiet, covered walkway, and arrived at an elegant parlor in the rear courtyard.
The parlor was exquisitely furnished, and the faint scent of burning sandalwood filled the air, putting one’s mind at ease.
Miss Jinlian was seated in a Grandmaster’s Chair. She wore a lavender dress, and her jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Seeing Yang Jing enter, she set down the book in her hands, rose to her feet, and smiled. "Young Master Yang, it’s been a while."
A middle-aged man was seated in the chair beside her.
The man had a stern, square-jawed face and was dressed in a cyan robe. A Jade Pendant carved with a cloud pattern hung from his waist. His eyes were deep, and he faintly exuded a transcendent, detached air.
"Miss Jinlian." Yang Jing clasped his hands in greeting, his gaze lingering on the middle-aged man for a moment, a hint of curiosity in his heart.
Miss Jinlian smiled and made the introduction. "Young Master Yang, this is a senior whom I address as ’uncle’. He currently serves as a Steward in the Yunxiao Sect."
"The Yunxiao Sect?!"
Yang Jing jolted at her words, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes.
He had, of course, heard of the Yunxiao Sect. It was one of the top sects in Jintai Prefecture, rivaling even the Xuanzhen Sect. Having been established in the prefecture for several hundred years, it was immensely powerful and filled with masters—a true titan in the region.
Yang Jing rarely had dealings with people from sects and never expected to meet a Steward from the Yunxiao Sect in a place like this.
Moreover, from what little Yang Jing knew about sects, anyone who could serve as a Steward had to possess strength beyond the Huajin realm.
’Does that mean this middle-aged man is an expert whose power surpasses the Huajin realm?’
Though inwardly shocked, Yang Jing quickly concealed his surprise and adopted a solemn expression.
He bowed slightly and clasped his hands. "This junior, Yang Jing, greets you, Senior."
A faint smile touched the middle-aged man’s lips as he waved a dismissive hand. "There’s no need for such ceremony."
His voice was level, betraying little emotion. Having said his piece, he fell silent, his gaze drifting to the courtyard outside the window as if he had little interest in the present conversation.
Seeing this, Miss Jinlian smiled to break the silence. She turned to Yang Jing and said, "Young Master Yang, you came to the Exotic Beast Pavilion for some Exotic Beast Meat, I presume?"
"That’s right," Yang Jing replied with a nod. His daily cultivation required Exotic Beast Meat to replenish his qi and blood, and the Black-Scaled Leopard Meat from the Exotic Beast Pavilion was his usual choice.
Miss Jinlian hummed in acknowledgment and shot a meaningful glance at the maid beside her.
The maid understood instantly. She bowed and quietly withdrew from the room.
"Speaking of which," Miss Jinlian began, lifting a teacup from the table and taking a delicate sip. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise. "I only just returned from the Prefecture City yesterday, and the moment I arrived in Yuhe County, I heard news of you. I never imagined you would have already broken through to the Huajin realm. It is... truly quite unexpected."
When she first met Yang Jing, he was merely a Mingjin Martial Artist. To break through two successive realms and step into the Huajin realm in such a short time... such progress was nothing short of astonishing.
Yang Jing replied humbly, "It was just a stroke of good fortune, nothing more."
"One does not reach the Huajin realm on luck alone," Miss Jinlian said with a smile, her tone filled with sincere praise. "For you to have come this far at your age, Young Master Yang... your future is truly without limit."
The two fell into pleasant small talk, discussing matters of Martial Dao cultivation and recent events in Yuhe County.
Yang Jing spoke with a calm and steady demeanor, showing a maturity beyond his years.
Miss Jinlian, for her part, was clearly well-informed, her words revealing a sharp and clever mind.
