Chapter 231: Charlatan

Seeing the two still hesitating, Lin Dong turned to the young man in blue beside him and smiled, “Young Master You is seriously injured and disguised as a man—probably because he doesn’t want others to know your identities or whereabouts, right?”
The young man in blue’s pale face turned red. This guy was really straightforward—how could he reveal someone’s identity right from the start?
After remembering that the inn was called Lin’s Inn, the young man in green bowed to Lin Dong and said, “Shopkeeper Lin, we would be extremely grateful if you could keep our secret.”
Lin Dong replied off-topic, “Young Lady You must be in her early twenties at most, right?”
You Yinxang stammered, unable to answer. Such a question was not something a lady would casually answer to a strange man.
Lin Dong continued, “My strength may not be great, but my insight is unmatched. If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Xia is at the third to fourth level of the Mental Energy phase, while the young lady is at the first level of the fourth phase?”
You Yinxang and Xia Fan stared at Lin Dong in shock. His insight was indeed unparalleled. Normally, without fighting, determining someone’s strength could only be done by sensing their Mental Energy. If using that method, it wasn’t hard to tell if someone was two or three levels stronger, but to pinpoint the exact level required someone to be at least five levels above the other.
Yun Lan smiled faintly. This guy really had thick skin—since it was she who told him, he brazenly acted as if he’d figured it out himself.
Lin Dong looked leisurely, acting like a true charlatan: “Fourth level of the Mental Energy phase, and both of you are in your early twenties at most. With such talent, plus Young Master Xia’s considerable strength, if you’re from the Autumn Wind Mansion’s territory, only those renowned sects on Green Eyebrow Mountain could have nurtured you. If I’m not wrong, your sect must have encountered some disaster, and you escaped, right?”
The two stared at him in horror, filled with shock and a hint of panic, clearly fearing that Lin Dong might reveal their sect as well.
Lin Dong could determine that the two were disciples of Green Eyebrow Mountain’s sect and that a disaster had struck within it because of You Yinxang’s talent—she would be perfect as the next sect leader anywhere on Green Eyebrow Mountain. With such talent, unless they committed heinous crimes, the major sects would never bear to pursue and harm them severely. The answer was undoubtedly that a major disaster had occurred within the sect, and You Yinxang’s talent had become the greatest threat.

As for their identities, Lin Dong had no idea what changes had occurred among the various sects on Qingmei Mountain, so he naturally couldn’t guess. But that didn’t stop him from continuing to talk nonsense: “Apart from alchemists, I doubt anyone else can cure Miss You’s injuries. If I’m not mistaken, all the major alchemy sects and alchemists in Qiufeng Mansion already have spies from your sect. As soon as you show up, you’ll surely be captured immediately.”

The two exchanged glances. After a long while, Xia Fan bowed and said with a wry smile, “Shopkeeper Lin is truly perceptive. I was planning to stay out of the spotlight for a while before finding a way to take Sister You to Lingnan Prefecture to seek an alchemist.”

Lin Dong felt slightly disappointed, but his hope wasn’t gone. Healing You Yinxiang wouldn’t count as a hidden mission after all. Fortunately, the two must have other problems. Lin Dong immediately shook his head and said, “There’s no need to go to Lingnan Prefecture. I know an alchemist of high rank. If Miss You and Young Master Xia trust me, you can tell me about your injuries, and I’ll get some pills for you.”

“This… this…” Although Xia Fan’s experience wasn’t great either, it was still much better than You Yinxiang’s. He hesitated and asked, “Why is Shopkeeper Lin so enthusiastic?”

“Young Master Xia has an outstanding appearance; his future achievements will surely be remarkable. Miss You is seriously injured and disguised as a man, yet she still can’t hide her natural beauty, plus she possesses extraordinary talent,” Lin Dong said with a smile. “You two have fallen from the sky into my Lin’s Inn. If I don’t make friends with you, wouldn’t I be a fool?”

The two murmured. Xia Fan wanted to be humble but didn’t know how to start. You Yinxiang blushed furiously, feeling too flattered by Lin Dong’s praise to even think of hiding her face.

Seeing them stunned, Lin Dong realized he had their attention. He immediately bowed and said, “It’s too noisy here. I wonder if you’d like to go to the back yard to talk?”

They quickly nodded.

Lin Dong breathed a sigh of relief. It had taken a lot of effort, and it was out of necessity—both to conceal Yunlan’s strength and to get them to lower their guard and share their troubles. He had to guide them step by step.

Fortunately, his act of pretending to be a sage wasn’t in vain. After leading them to the front yard and having the four of them sit around a table, Ma Chun brought tea. Lin Dong then instructed him to fetch pen and paper to take notes. Before long, You Yinxiang detailed all the injuries within her body.

By the time Ma Chun put away the paper and pen, Lin Dong was confident enough that either Wind Spirit Grass or Yunlan could cure You Yinxiang’s injuries. But he didn’t say so directly. Instead, he said slowly, “Don’t worry, Miss You. My alchemy friend is of high rank, so curing your injuries shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Thank you, Manager Lin,” You Yinxiang hurriedly thanked him. After a brief hesitation, she asked softly, “Healing my injuries will likely require quite a lot of spiritual materials. We left in a hurry and only brought some bandages and silver with us…”
“Who doesn’t face difficulties when traveling? As for the spiritual materials, Miss You can find a way to compensate later,” Lin Dong said cheerfully. “Although Lin’s Inn isn’t part of any large sect or clan, I have connections with a few smaller sects. With their help, securing some spiritual materials shouldn’t be a problem.”
The two immediately felt respect. How could a mere merchant have connections with sects? While one reason might be his ability as a merchant to resist worldly temptations and persist in cultivation until reaching the first level of the Mental State, the most important factor was his generous and magnanimous attitude.
“By the way, Young Master Xia and Miss You, what exactly happened in your sect?” Lin Dong took the opportunity to ask. “Why were you pursued so fiercely?”
“This…”
The two looked hesitant.
“If it’s not convenient to talk about, it’s fine,” Lin Dong said nonchalantly, raising his teacup. “Drink some tea. This is authentic Hongyun Tea from Xilan City—among the best teas in the territory of Qiufeng City.”
Xia Fan quickly raised his cup, but You Yinxiang blushed, speaking shyly, “Manager Lin, to be honest, we are disciples of the Xingli Sect.”
“The Xingli Sect?” Lin Dong remembered the name. It must be one of the renowned sects in Qiufeng Mansion. He bowed slightly and said, “No wonder you both have such outstanding qualities. So you’re disciples of the Xingli Sect.”
Hearing this, the two couldn’t help but glance at the calm Yun Lan, feeling a bit ashamed of Lin Dong’s words.
Using You Yinxiang as a starting point, Lin Dong mused, “With Miss You’s talent, she should be the heir to the next sect leader of the Xingli Sect, right? How did this happen…”
You Yinxiang’s expression darkened, clearly recalling some unpleasant event.
Xia Fan felt helpless. Since their identities had already been revealed, it would only take a little inquiry to find out what happened. Hiding it would only cause offense, so he spoke up, “To be honest with you, Manager Lin, my junior sister is not only the heir to the next sect leader of the Xingli Sect but also the leader’s only daughter. As for me, I am the third disciple of that leader.”
Lin Dong nodded gently, waiting for the rest of the story.
“It all started two years ago,” Xia Fan explained. “Two years ago, there were some conflicts between the disciples of our Xingli Sect and those of the Ningji Sect.”
“The Ningji Sect?” Lin Dong was surprised.
“Manager Lin knows the Ningji Sect?” The two looked at him in astonishment. Could this Manager Lin have any connections with the Ningji Sect?

How could Lin Dong not understand the two’s thoughts? He immediately smiled bitterly and said, “A sect I’m familiar with has recently been extorted by the Ningji Sect under threat, almost to the point of being destroyed.”
The two felt relieved. Xia Fan asked, “The sect Master Lin is familiar with must be a Weapon Crafting Sect, right?”
Lin Dong was surprised. “How did Young Master Xia know that?”
Xia Fan smiled bitterly. “The Ningji Sect is a Weapon Crafting Sect, and conflicts with our Xingli Sect have grown increasingly fierce. After several brutal battles, both sides suffered heavy losses. Our Xingli Sect is also a Weapon Crafting Sect, and our disciples rely on spirit swords to improve their strength. After the battles started, my master often sent people to familiar sects to borrow ores. Since the Ningji Sect is more domineering, they act faster in seizing them. That’s why our Xingli Sect gradually found it hard to cope. There are now two factions within the sect—my master’s faction still insists on borrowing, while the faction led by Grand Elder Qian Changjian believes we should, like the Ningji Sect, raid smaller Weapon Crafting Sects.”
Lin Dong was speechless. Now he understood why the Guhuan Sect had suffered such misfortune. It was because of the war between the Ningji Sect and Xingli Sect. The Ningji Sect, in order to obtain enough ores to craft spirit swords, had raided Qingmei Mountain and then turned its attention to nearby smaller sects.
“About two months ago,” Xia Fan continued, “my master was injured in a fight with the Ningji Sect. Qian Changjian took the opportunity to attack, captured my master, and forced the elders and disciples who followed him to surrender. A few elders took us to escort our junior sister down the mountain, but we were ambushed. She was also seriously injured. After escaping, only my sister and I were left.”
“So… what are your plans?” Lin Dong asked.
Xia Fan glanced at You Yinxiang and said helplessly, “With my sister’s talent, even though she bears grudges, as long as she’s willing to truly join a larger sect, there should be one willing to accept her. In just over a decade, she could go back to Xingli Sect alone to avenge herself. But she…”
Lin Dong asked, “Does Miss You want to rescue Sect Master You and the imprisoned brothers and sisters?”
You Yinxiang’s eyes turned red. “We also need to prevent Qian Changjian from dragging our Xingli Sect into utter ruin. If he follows the Ningji Sect’s example, there might be no crisis now, but smaller sects don’t necessarily stay small forever.”
Lin Dong wondered, “Although Miss You has outstanding talent, she’s still young. Just the two of you and Young Master Xia probably can’t even get into Xingli Sect. Is there any other way?”
“How could there be any other way!” Xia Fan smiled bitterly. “My sister just wants to recover fully and then give it a try.”

Lin Dong was astonished and said, “Isn’t this sending oneself to death?”
You Yinxiang suddenly stood up and ran out crying.
Xia Fan quickly got up and bowed, saying, “Master Lin, I’m sorry for the embarrassment. My junior sister isn’t that weak. It’s because she has deep feelings for the Xingli Sect. She can’t bear to see her father and her brothers and sisters killed over the past decade, so she prefers to die with them rather than live in shame.”
Lin Dong nodded. This mission was likely no easier than destroying the Ningji Sect. Of course, the reward would probably be substantial as well.