Chapter 24: Disguise Mask, Sister Ya Fei!
Early the next morning.
Xiao Ze woke up feeling extremely sore in his arms.
Yesterday, the playful laughter of the three girls echoed in the hot spring pool, making his ears tickle and his heart itch.
Xiao Ze tried hard to calm his restless heart.
After bidding farewell to the three of them, Xiao Ze spent half the night practicing martial arts in the back mountain.
"Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er are still young and easy to deal with, but Xiao Yu is different, she's mature and charming."
Xiao Ze shook his head, trying to shake off some distracting thoughts from his mind.
"I already informed Father yesterday about my plan to go on a long journey."
"Later, I'll go to the Mithril Auction House to buy some necessary items, then I'll set off directly."
He only told Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er about his plan to travel.
Not even Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei, with whom he had spent a pleasant time together yesterday, were informed.
After all, he usually kept a low profile. Leaving for a month and then returning, the family probably wouldn't even notice.
Xiao Ze took out a storage ring from his pocket. It was given to him by Xiao Zhan when he learned about his plan to travel.
It was something Xiao Zhan had used when he was younger, but now that it was replaced, it was just lying around, so it was perfect for Xiao Ze to use.
Inside the storage ring were a gold card for storing money, a lot of healing medicine, and some commonly used adventure supplies.
"Father's preparation is really thoughtful. When he realized that I had made up my mind to leave, he spent just one afternoon getting this storage ring and these items."
Xiao Ze looked at the pale gray ring and felt a warm current flowing through his heart.
It felt good to be cared for like this!
Although it was the lowest-grade storage ring, it was still worth seventy to eighty thousand gold coins!
It was almost the Xiao family's annual profit!
With gratitude, Xiao Ze placed the storage ring in his pocket.
Among low-level practitioners, a storage ring was a rare item.
Wearing it on the hand could easily attract unnecessary trouble and covetousness.
Just as he opened the door, Xiao Ze saw Xiao Xun'er standing at the doorway.
She stood there gracefully, like a budding lotus flower.
"Brother Ze, are you leaving so early?"
"Since I've made a decision, it's best to act early to avoid leaving Uthang City when it's already nighttime."
"Hehe, alright then, let me see you off a little further, Brother Ze."
The two walked side by side on the road, chatting and laughing all the way, without a hint of the silence and sadness before parting.
When they reached the gate of the Xiao family, Xiao Ze patted Xiao Xun'er's head.
"Xun'er, focus on your cultivation at home. Don't let me come back and leave you behind again."
"Hmph! Brother Ze always underestimates me. Maybe by the time you come back, I'll have caught up with you!"
Xiao Xun'er pouted, but she didn't resist Xiao Ze's touch.
"Alright, I won't stay long. I'll leave first."
Xiao Ze waved to Xiao Xun'er and turned to leave.
Xiao Xun'er watched Xiao Ze's figure disappear, her lips slightly parted.
"Ling Lao, please take care of Brother Ze and make sure he's safe!"
"...Yes, Miss!"
After hesitating for a moment, Ling Lao agreed, then hesitated again.
"But Miss, what about your safety..."
"Don't worry, the Xiao family is temporarily safe, and with the means Father left me, ordinary dangers can't threaten me."
Xiao Xun'er said with a smile, reassuring Ling Lao before sending him to guard Xiao Ze.
Feeling Ling Lao leave, Xiao Xun'er's gaze turned towards the distance.
That was the direction Xiao Ze had left.
"Brother Ze, have a safe journey!"
Then she turned and returned to the back mountain of the Xiao family, where she focused on her cultivation!
...
On the other side, Xiao Ze went to the Mithril Auction House in Uthang City and found Ya Fei, who had just woken up.
"Ah~" Ya Fei lazily stretched and yawned, her voice somewhat hoarse.
"Upon hearing the report from my subordinates, I was a little incredulous that it was actually Young Master Xiao Ze."
"Haha, I'm really sorry to disturb you so early, Miss Ya Fei."
Xiao Ze was sitting in the reception hall at the moment, watching Ya Fei emerge from her bedroom with a smile on his face.
With Ya Fei's status, of course, she had her own suite in the Mithril Auction House.
"Well, Young Master Xiao Ze, since you've come to find me specially, there must be something you want to buy, right?"
Ya Fei personally poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Xiao Ze.
"It's like this, I'm going on a journey and I want to see if there are any affordable disguises, masks or anything else!"
Ya Fei looked surprised as she scanned Xiao Ze up and down. Xiao Ze, at such a young age, was already planning to travel alone.
But Ya Fei didn't say much. Instead, she thought for a moment and then listed the names and prices of a few items.
Xiao Ze listened carefully and soon his eyes lit up, gesturing to Ya Fei.
"Could you show me the delicate skin mask?"
"If Young Master Xiao Ze wants it, I can give it to you for free. After all, you saved my life, that's a big favor."
Xiao Ze shook his head with a smile, speaking earnestly.
"I saved you back then because I didn't want to see innocent people get hurt, not because I wanted to owe you a favor!"
"And the VIP card Miss Ya Fei gave me is already enough in my eyes."
Ya Fei looked at the serious expression on the young man's face and smiled.
"Okay~"
Soon after, Ya Fei, who had tidied herself up, came in with a black wooden box.
Opening it, there was a leather mask inside.
"Young Master Xiao Ze, you may not be familiar with delicate skin masks, so let me help you put it on?"
"Uh... sure, thank you, Miss Ya Fei."
With her fair and slender fingers, Ya Fei carefully lifted the corners of the mask and covered Xiao Ze's face, while also reminding him of some precautions.
"The delicate skin mask is worth ten thousand gold coins. It's not as cool and breathable as the higher-grade ice silk mask, so it might feel a bit stuffy."
"Normal facial movements like washing or touching your face won't cause the mask to deform, but it will get damaged if it's attacked by sharp objects..."
Ya Fei chattered on, giving Xiao Ze many precautions.
Like a caring sister, she gave careful instructions to her younger brother who was about to travel.
Xiao Ze looked at Ya Fei, who was so close, and even when he looked closely, he couldn't find any flaws in her perfect face.
Between breaths, a faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.
"Okay, wait for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and when the mask is fixed, you can freely move your facial expressions."
Xiao Ze nodded expressionlessly, quietly waiting for the delicate skin mask to fix.
At the same time, Xiao Ze sighed in his heart.
If it weren't for Xiao Zhan giving him a gold card before he left.
He really couldn't afford this ten thousand gold coin delicate skin mask!
When about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed, Ya Fei came out of the boudoir with a mirror.
"It should be okay now."
Xiao Ze took the mirror and saw a young man with rough skin inside. Coupled with Xiao Ze's current height, he looked a bit underdeveloped.
"Thank you, Miss Ya Fei!"
"Xiao Ze, we're already so familiar, and you saved my life..."
"How about you recognize me as your sister... call me Sister Ya Fei, I'll look after you, what do you think?"
Ya Fei hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Her eyes were full of expectation, blinking and staring at Xiao Ze.
"Ya Fei... Sister?"
Xiao Ze was stunned. Wasn't this the treatment my third brother received? Subconsciously, he called out.
"Eh~"
Ya Fei immediately sat next to Xiao Ze with joy in her heart.
This handsome young man, no matter from which angle, was so likable.
Calling him brother made her feel so happy!
(The end of this chapter)