"Master, is this Not-Seeking Master deliberately extorting us? Look at her demands, it's like going on a pleasure trip," Ying Nan muttered behind Qi Qian.
Qi Qian turned around, looking at him expressionlessly.
Ying Nan's heart skipped a beat, feeling a cold sweat under his gaze. "Master... Master..."
"What Not-Seeking Master said is right. If one's mouth has no restraint, trouble will eventually arise from it. You've overstepped your bounds and been disrespectful," Qi Qian said calmly. "If you behave this way while working with me on a case, causing trouble and offending people easily, then as your master, I'll only be burdened and slowed down."
Ying Nan kneeled down with a thud. "Master, I was wrong."
"After we return this time, you'll stay at the Eagle Hall for a while. When you've become more stable, then you can come back to serve by my side," Qi Qian said, looking down at him.
Ying Nan's face turned pale, kneeling on the ground and pleading, "Master, please forgive me this time. I won't dare to do it again."
"I thought after last night's experience in Wanhuai Forest, you would become more vigilant. Not-Seeking Master was able to lead us there without any worries. Do you really think she's harmless just because she appears that way on the surface? But after what happened last night, you're still so careless with your words. If Not-Seeking Master doesn't even care about the ten thousand taels, then wouldn't our trip be in vain?"
Ying Nan's face was ashen, no longer daring to plead for forgiveness. He prostrated himself on the ground. "I know I was wrong. I almost caused trouble for you, Master. I should be punished."
"Go and make the necessary arrangements according to Not-Seeking Master's requirements."
"Yes."
Ying Nan bowed and withdrew.
After he left, Fire Wolf said, "Master, Ying Nan's just young and hot-headed. He was provoked by that person. To be honest, even I, as his subordinate, can barely hold back my anger."
"When you ask for someone's help, even if you're angered to death, you have to endure it. Otherwise, with no attitude of asking for help, who will listen to you?"
"But Master, with your noble status, how can you be compared to those Taoists and laymen?" Fire Wolf still felt indignant on behalf of his master.
Qi Qian said coldly, "As long as she can make my grandmother healthy and comfortable, I can endure this anger. Besides, no matter how great the anger, I've experienced it all."
Fire Wolf realized something and his expression changed slightly, immediately falling silent.
Qi Qian stood by the window, watching the bustling street, his gaze falling on a certain spot.
"Young master, are we really going to Ningzhou?" Chen Pi followed Qin Liu Xi, saying joyfully, "Sister didn't say it, but I'm definitely going with the young master."
"Ningzhou is a long journey, aren't you afraid of tiredness?"
"There's no tiredness when I'm with the young master." Chen Pi smiled. "And besides, I can protect the young master."
Qin Liu Xi paused for a moment, then turned to look at him, tapping his forehead with her hand and smiling, before walking into the Longevity Pavilion.
"Shopkeeper, is the Phoenix Spirit Flower ready for me?" Qin Liu Xi saw the shopkeeper and put down what she was holding, greeting him.
"Of course it's ready, but Mr. Qin, our master said the Phoenix Spirit Flower is not easy to come by..."
Qin Liu Xi's face darkened. "What's going on? Is Feng Hei trying to sell me out? Does he want to charge me a high price?"
"We dare not, please don't misunderstand, Mr. Qin. Our master is just worried that Mr. Qin hasn't practiced for a long time and might be too busy with important matters, so he asked me to inform you and prepare the Jade Skin Flower in case your skills have become rusty."
Qin Liu Xi snorted. "In the end, Feng Hei wants to exploit me."
"I dare not, our master said that if Mr. Qin is willing to personally prepare the Jade Skin Flower, the Phoenix Spirit Flower will be free of charge, a gift from us," the shopkeeper suggested.
Qin Liu Xi's eyes lit up, and she coughed, saying, "Your master is also considering it comprehensively. This skill is like a knife, it needs to be honed, so what about the Jade Skin Flower?"