Chapter Seventy-Four: The Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix

At the foot of Screen Mountain.

Three white horses strode side by side, each bearing a young woman on its back. These three women, each with her own distinct charm, rode together in lively conversation and laughter. Such a scene would have been a pure delight—if not for the gray-clad youth trailing them from three miles behind.

Though on foot, the gray-robed youth kept pace effortlessly with the mounted girls. This youth was, of course, Liang Yan.

“‘Rapturous Fragrance’ is a secret concoction of their sect," Liang Yan mused. "I’m pressed for time and can't search elsewhere. If they refuse to hand it over, I may have no choice but to use some persuasive measures.”

He weighed his options. “But we’ve only just left Screen Mountain—other cultivators leaving the ground might still be nearby. Making a move here would be inconvenient. I'd better follow for a while longer.”

While he was still lost in thought, his ears suddenly twitched—he sensed something. Instantly, he darted behind a large tree, urging the Heavenly Mystery Pearl to cloak his presence.

No sooner had he concealed himself than five or six figures appeared on the road. Dressed uniformly in blue, most seemed to be at the third stage of Qi refining. They moved with practiced discipline, barely speaking as they traveled, consciously keeping their pace in check. Like Liang Yan, their target was clearly the trio of girls ahead.

Once they had passed, Liang Yan emerged from behind the tree, pondering, “Could others besides me have designs on these three? Their attire matches the blue-robed men I encountered at the tavern—could they be from the same group?”

He had many questions, but now was not the time to pursue them. Since these people were also shadowing the three, he decided to slow his pace, trailing distantly behind the blue-robed party—choosing to become the patient third party.

And so, three groups with different agendas traveled the official road for most of the day, until an inn appeared in the distance.

By then, dusk had fallen. Pine, Bamboo, and Plum dismounted, leading their horses into the inn, evidently planning to spend the night. The blue-robed group, however, had no intention of entering. Instead, they fanned out, each taking up a position far from the building—subtly encircling the inn.

“These men are only at the third stage of Qi refining. By surrounding the inn from the shadows, they must be keeping watch, waiting for stronger reinforcements. I wonder who their real leader is.”

The situation was growing more complicated, adding uncertainty to Liang Yan’s quest for the “Rapturous Fragrance.” He considered acting early, but quickly dismissed the idea.

“Better to wait and watch.”

With that, Liang Yan drew a fresh scholar’s robe from his storage pouch, exchanging his hemp clothes, straw hat, and sandals for the new attire. In a twinkling, he was transformed into a refined and elegant young gentleman.

With a leisurely air and a folding fan in hand, he strolled boldly into the inn, right under the blue-robed men’s noses.

The innkeeper, a short and stout middle-aged man, greeted Liang Yan with a broad smile. “Welcome, sir! Are you here for a meal or a room?”

Liang Yan cleared his throat and leaned in, lowering his voice. “Innkeeper, three young ladies just checked in—could you tell me which room they’re in?”

The innkeeper’s eyes lit up, a knowing, lecherous grin spreading across his face. He flashed Liang Yan a discreet thumbs-up. “Sir, you truly are a man among men! A gentleman always admires beauty, but to pursue them alone to a remote place like this—now that takes perseverance. I've never seen the like!”

Liang Yan was taken aback, forced to smile wryly. “You misunderstand, innkeeper—I only…”

He tried to invent an excuse, but the stout innkeeper pressed a hand atop his, face full of understanding. “Say no more, I get it. We’re all men here! Don’t let my looks fool you, I’ve had my wild days. Those two ladies are as beautiful as they come—you have good taste, truly one of our kind.” He patted Liang Yan’s shoulder with the air of a proud elder.

Liang Yan’s face darkened. Dealing with this muddleheaded fellow was a waste of time. He simply coughed and conceded, “Since you’ve seen through me, might you do me a favor?”

The innkeeper grinned. “Of course. They’re in Room Three, Heaven Wing. I’ll give you the key to Room Two, Heaven Wing. But friends are friends, business is business. Thirty copper coins for the night—not a coin less.”

Liang Yan nodded, counted out thirty coins, collected his key, and went to his room. As he passed Room Three, he quietly activated his “Vagabond Technique” to confirm the three girls were inside before entering his own room.

The first half of the night passed uneventfully.

Liang Yan didn’t believe the blue-robed cultivators would idle outside all night. They would surely make a move. He settled cross-legged on his bed, meditating while awaiting developments.

Sure enough, at the third watch, a melodious flute began to play outside the inn. The tune started softly, almost as a gentle lullaby, but soon grew more passionate—fiery even. Any ordinary young woman would have blushed and palpitated at such music.

As the song ended, a man’s voice rang out: “Phoenix, oh Phoenix, return to your homeland! Roam the seas in search of your mate. The time has not yet come, and so I wander. How unexpected to find myself here tonight!”

His voice was clear as jade, and his recitation was the well-known “Song of Seeking the Phoenix”—his intentions were obvious.

Yet, for all his music and poetry, the inn remained silent; not a soul responded.

After a pause, the man called out again: “Why must Fairy Nangong keep others at bay? I, Fan, have come all this way to greet you. Won’t you spare me a moment of your attention?”

No sooner had he finished than a window next to Liang Yan's room creaked open. Two high pigtails appeared, followed by a flushed, angry little face glaring out.

“Bah! Don’t you have any shame? No matter who my sister Xiaomei fancies, it won’t be a hypocrite like you! Following us around like a mangy dog—aren’t you embarrassed?”

The man outside seemed stunned by her words, his tone sharpening with annoyance, “Hmph, brat, I won’t argue with you. Have your senior come down and speak with me!” His irritation was plain; all trace of earlier refinement had vanished.

A soft sigh came from inside the inn. A figure clad in red drifted gracefully into the courtyard, followed by two more—the trio of Pine, Bamboo, and Plum.

Nangong Xiaomei’s voice was faint but clear. “Young Master Fan, you are outstanding in cultivation and looks, with countless female cultivators eager to dual-cultivate with you. Why persist in troubling Xiaomei…”

Listening from his room, Liang Yan thought, “This promises to be entertaining!”

Unfortunately, his vantage point was poor. The rooms were adjacent, but the action was outside, blocked by a wall. He hurriedly left his room and dashed downstairs, just in time to hear the man outside say,

“Fairy Nangong, you misunderstand. Your surname is Nangong, and your given name is Xiaomei. My own name contains the words ‘Seeking Plum’—isn’t it only natural that I seek Miss Xiaomei? Ha! We are a perfect pair—it’s fate, just like the Song of the Phoenix!”

“Seeking Plum? Could it be him?” Liang Yan, now on the first floor, listened intently, suspicion rising.

He looked around and spotted the innkeeper, squat and burly, peering out a window, his rear stuck out as he craned for a view.

Amused, Liang Yan joined him at the window. Sure enough, from here he could see the scene outside.

“Ah, you’re here too, young man?” The innkeeper shot him a conspiratorial grin. “Now this is a show! That girl’s paramour has come knocking—seems you’ve got stiff competition. A man who comes in the dead of night, playing the flute and reciting poetry—he’s clearly a master among men! Lucky my inn rarely has guests, or this would be mayhem!”

Liang Yan ignored him, imitating his posture to look outside.

There stood two groups: the trio of Pine, Bamboo, and Plum, and opposite them, six blue-robed cultivators, an elderly hunchback, and a white-robed youth.

The youth was strikingly handsome, his smile gentle and refined, folding fan in hand—a picture of the learned scholar.

“It really is him! Fan Xunmei of Tanshan Sect,” Liang Yan thought.