Fairy, you call this repaying a debt of gratitude?

Several days passed quietly, but Shen Wei still hadn't received any news from the Wen family. So he simply stopped waiting and went around Qingyun City alone to inquire about the Jade Dew Sect's movements.

After much thought, he realized that the Fengyue Pavilion, with its many people and diverse backgrounds, was an excellent place to gather intelligence.

Unexpectedly, despite spending enough spirit stones at the Wind and Moon Pavilion to move into the third floor, he hadn't managed to get a single useful piece of information about the Jade Dew Sect.

He did hear quite a few boring gossips, and Shen Wei listened patiently, secretly planning that he could tell Ji Lingyuan about these trivial matters in the future.

Later, feeling a bit tired, he remembered that Ye Qingci was probably just as bored at the moment, so he bought a chessboard outside, intending to go back and play chess with her to relieve his boredom.

But when they returned to their residence, they found that Ye Qingci, who was usually indifferent to worldly desires, was able to remain calm and composed even on such a boring day, focusing on meditation and concentrating on healing her injuries and restoring her cultivation.

With nothing to do, Shen Wei returned to Fengyue Pavilion and chose a corner in the lobby on the first floor to drink alone in his melancholy.

Watching the dancers on the stage, with their graceful figures and light steps, was the best form of entertainment for him at the moment.

Cultivation is impossible.

He has cheat codes, so what's the point of cultivating?

The real reason was that after he avenged his great enemy, he lost all motivation to improve his cultivation.

He had experienced the power and status that came with increased cultivation since childhood, and knew that it was nothing more than another form of emptiness.

Without desire, there is no motivation.

Although he was drinking alone, he had almost no worries, except for one thing that bothered him: he had wasted so much time here, and he was sure that Gu Lengyue would punish him severely when he got back. But then he thought that the punishment probably wouldn't be too harsh; at most, he would be forbidden from touching her for a month.

Yeah, it's okay, he can handle it.

He couldn't really tolerate it, but he accepted it; this was probably retribution for abandoning Ji Lingyuan back then.

Around the time Shen Weiman was serving the third glass of wine, a familiar figure came over—it was Wen Jingxing.

"Brother Shen, I've finally found you."

The lobby on the first floor was bustling with noise, and Shen Wei could not hear it clearly.

He could have gone to a quiet private room on the third floor, but drinking alone in silence was really not fun.

It's better to mingle in the crowd and drink while listening to gossip that may or may not be true.

After a long exchange of words and gestures, Shen Wei finally understood Wen Jingxing's purpose.

"Why don't we go up to the private room on the third floor and talk in detail?" Wen Jingxing whispered loudly in Shen Wei's ear.

"Okay." Shen Wei nodded in agreement. To discuss important matters, the private room on the third floor was indeed more suitable and quieter.

Unfortunately, just as the two had called over the shopkeeper, it turned out to be the same middle-aged woman from before. She bowed apologetically and said...

"I'm so sorry, Young Master Shen and Young Master Wen, all the private rooms on the third floor are fully booked today, there are really no seats available..."

Upon hearing this, Wen Jingxing casually waved his sleeve and said it was no problem.

He was not one to fuss over trivial matters, so he turned to Shen Wei and suggested, "Brother Shen, why don't you come back to the Wen residence with me for a chat? We have some fine wines there, and it's quieter, which will make it easier for us to discuss serious matters."

Shen Wei nodded without hesitation, got up and followed Wen Jingxing out of Fengyue Pavilion, heading towards the Wen residence.

This was Shen Wei's first time stepping into the Wen residence.

In stark contrast to the solemnity of the City Lord's Mansion, the Wen Mansion exudes a rich sense of life. The courtyards are elegant, the vegetation lush, and the pavilions and towers are exquisitely renovated, all reflecting the owner's meticulous attention to detail.

Shen Wei's gaze slowly swept over the surroundings. The layout of the courtyard and the planting of plants seemed somewhat familiar.

This involuntarily reminded him of ten years ago, when he seemed to be living a peaceful and carefree life in a courtyard like this.

Of course, this is not nostalgia, but merely a feeling of things having changed and people being different.

As Wen Jing walked to the West Garden, a woman stood by a flower bush not far away, accompanied by a maid. The two were talking quietly, with faint smiles in their eyes. The sunlight shone on them, making them look like they were in a dream, elegant and serene.

The four bumped into each other unexpectedly, so Wen Jingxing had to step forward and introduce them to each other.

"Uh, Miss Qin, this is Young Master Shen—Shen Wei... He can be considered a guest of the Wen family."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yunshang stopped in her tracks, subconsciously raising her hand to lightly cover the corner of her lips with her sleeve. A hint of curiosity flashed in her clear eyes as she carefully examined Shen Wei.

But in a short while, that curiosity faded away, replaced by a complex and ambiguous expression, a mixture of surprise and doubt.

"Brother Shen, this is Miss Qin—Qin Yunshang."

Wen Jingxing didn't elaborate on Qin Yunshang's specific identity. His father had repeatedly warned him that Qin Yunshang's identity was precious and should not be revealed rashly, so he naturally didn't say anything more.

When Shen Wei heard the name "Qin Yunshang," he froze, his eyes meeting Qin Yunshang's.

He was somewhat bewildered. He suddenly felt that his experiences these past few days seemed to have been meticulously arranged by someone, or perhaps it was fate.

Why are all those people he thought he would never cross paths with again coming to his door?

It started with Ye Qingci, then Ji Lingyuan, and now even Qin Yunshang has appeared here.

He could pretend not to know Ye Qingci and get away with it.

But Qin Yunshang is completely different; some things simply cannot be easily erased.

Thinking of this, Shen Wei subtly pulled the sword at his waist back.

Qin Yunshang's gaze had already fallen on him.

This person seems to be the same one I saw when I entered the city a few days ago.

However, their temperaments were completely different. This person was dressed in black, with a cold and aloof demeanor, like a slaying Buddha.

She observed him discreetly.

Just then, Shen Wei's quiet action of sheathing his sword was seen by Qin Yunshang.

Her gaze instantly fixed on the black scabbard, and her pupils contracted slightly.

That sword... she could never forget it.

Qin Yunshang wasn't stupid. Even though the two had very different temperaments, the strikingly similar faces, along with the sword etched into her memory, were enough for her to confirm some things.

"Young Master Lu... or Young Master Shen, would you please stop and have a chat?"

Qin Yunshang turned around and looked at Shen Wei, who was quickly leaving while making excuses to Wen Jingxing, her eyes resolute.

Upon hearing this, Shen Wei and Wen Jingxing stopped in their tracks. Wen Jingxing looked at Qin Yunshang with surprise, then at Shen Wei.

"Brother Wen, I'm so sorry, but could I borrow one of your retainers? I have some important matters to entrust to him."

Wen Jingxing turned to look at Shen Wei again, his gaze becoming even stranger.

But he received no response from Shen Wei. Helpless, Wen Jingxing forced a smile and answered Qin Yunshang.

"As long as Young Master Shen is willing, there is naturally no problem."

Qin Yunshang's gaze never left Shen Wei. "So, Young Master Shen, do you agree?"

Anhe, standing to the side, also looked at her young mistress with a surprised expression.

The young lady, who is usually gentle and reserved, is acting so aggressively and so eagerly to speak alone with a strange man today, which is quite unusual.

Shen Wei remained silent for a moment, pondering repeatedly. He thought that she must have recognized him. Well, he hadn't done anything to wrong her, so it wouldn't hurt to acknowledge her.

"Since Miss Qin has invited me, I have no reason to refuse."

"Then you two chat first, Brother Shen. When you're done, just come find me in the flower hall. I'll wait over there."

After saying that, Wen Jingxing quickly turned around and walked towards the flower hall.

"Anhe, I have a handkerchief that I think I left in the guest room. Could you go and get it for me?"

Anhe understood that her mistress wanted to get rid of her so she could speak with this young master alone.

Without asking any further questions, she bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes, Miss." After saying that, she turned around and walked quietly towards the guest room, tactfully leaving the two of them alone.