As dusk approached, the sun set in the west, and the evening glow overlaid the Jia Ma Holy City, making it look particularly beautiful.
"Phew, it's about time to grab something to eat." Inside his room, Xiao Se, who was meditating on the Green Lotus platform, slowly opened his eyes, sighed softly, and touched his slightly empty stomach, murmuring to himself.
After putting away the lotus platform and dissipating the protective barrier, Xiao Se was just about to head out when there was a knock at the door.
Opening the door, Xiao Se was slightly surprised to see Yafei standing there with a hint of anxiousness and a faint allure on her face.
"I hope I didn't disturb your training," Yafei said hesitantly.
Xiao Se shook his head and smiled, "No, not at all. I was just about to find something to eat. What's the matter?"
Upon hearing this, Yafei's beautiful eyes flashed with a fox-like slyness. She grabbed Xiao Se's hand, smiling warmly, "Come on, I know just the place where you can enjoy the most exquisite food in the Jia Ma Empire."
Xiao Se frowned slightly. "You don't mean the royal banquet, do you? Sorry, Sister Yafei, but I don't want to get involved with any politicians."
Caught by Xiao Se's directness, a guilty look briefly flashed across Yafei's beautiful face. But then she clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, adopting the demeanor of a girl in distress. "Please, I'm in a bit of a tricky situation this time. If you help me, I'll agree to whatever condition you set in the future."
"Anything?" Xiao Se's gaze swept over Yafei's lovely face, slowly moving down past her slender neck, and finally resting on her alluring figure. His throat tightened as he teased with a mischievous smile.
Yafei, understanding what Xiao Se was implying, blushed deeply. Stomping her foot, she pouted, "Such naughty thoughts at your age. Wait until you're older, or I'll expose your true identity."
Seeing her bashful look, Xiao Se grinned and said, "I'll go, but you have to tell me what you're up to. I know how crafty you can be. I don't want to end up being used and counting money for you."
Yafei nodded, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly in frustration. She sighed, "You remember I went to Wutan City two years ago, right? It wasn't just a family assignment. Part of the reason was to avoid someone — Mu Zhan, the son of the Mu family, one of the three major families of the Jia Ma Empire. He's repeatedly claimed he will marry me, but I have no feelings for him. However, I can't offend him either, so I've been avoiding him. Since returning to the capital half a year ago, I've stayed out of public view to avoid him. But tonight, I have to attend this banquet representing the Miteer family with Elder Tengshan, so I have no choice."
Xiao Se suddenly understood. This was mentioned in the original story, and he smiled knowingly. "So, you want me to play your shield?"
Yafei nodded slightly, her eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful. "Can you help your sister? After all, you're my only friend."
"Wow, you're tempting me to commit a crime here," Xiao Se muttered, noticing Yafei's naturally seductive appearance, now paired with a pitiful look. He cleared his throat and said, "I'll help you, but..."
Yafei's eyes brightened. "But what?"
Xiao Se grinned mischievously. "But only if you give me a kiss."
As soon as he said that, Yafei stepped forward, a fragrant breeze accompanying her as she gave him a light peck on the cheek. She then stepped back, half-turning, and with a smile said, "Xiao Se, that was my first kiss. Don't back out now."
"What the heck! You actually did it?" Xiao Se muttered, touching his cheek in disbelief, feeling the lingering warmth and fragrance. He smirked, "Damn, the one who really profited here was this Ice Silkworm Mask."
Hearing his muttering, Yafei's face turned even redder. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and waited quietly for Xiao Se's answer.
"Alright, let's go," Xiao Se said with a helpless smile, seeing Yafei's red blush spreading to her ears. He cleared his throat and agreed.
Upon hearing his response, Yafei's shyness vanished, replaced by joy. She gracefully led the way, and her quick change in expression made Xiao Se's lips twitch. "This woman really is…"
They left the Miteer Auction House, and under Yafei's guidance, Xiao Se boarded a carriage and arrived at the banquet location — the imperial palace of the Jia Ma Empire.
Entering the gates, they saw armed soldiers standing on both sides of the stone-paved road. Additionally, many patrolling soldiers roamed the area, but none of them stopped Yafei as she led Xiao Se inside.
As one of the capital's three most beautiful women, Yafei was quite famous. Despite her young age, she was in charge of the large Miteer Auction House and managed it well. This made her reputation equal to the other two beauties of the capital.
The two of them walked side by side to an open square filled with banquet tables.
Suddenly, Yafei stopped in her tracks.
Following her gaze, Xiao Se saw two men seated in a quiet corner. One was an old man with white hair and beard, engaged in conversation with the smiling, squint-eyed Miteer Tengshan. The old man's serious, aged face exuded a faint sense of authority — clearly someone who had seen many battles.
"One of them you've met before — he's our Miteer family's patriarch, Miteer Tengshan. The other is Nalan Jie, patriarch of the Nalan family and grandfather of Nalan Yanran. I heard you've met Nalan Yanran at the Alchemist Guild, so I won't need to introduce her," Yafei whispered.
"I'm just here to eat. Call me if you need anything," Xiao Se casually nodded and stepped aside, slowly following behind Yafei. She quickly walked over to Miteer Tengshan and whispered something in his ear.
After a moment, Miteer Tengshan smiled and nodded. He stood up, looked at Xiao Se, and greeted him warmly, "Xiao Huohuo, my friend! I am Miteer Tengshan, patriarch of the Miteer family. It's a pleasure to see you again. Are you comfortable staying at the Miteer Auction House?"
Xiao Se nodded slightly and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Tengshan. Everything is fine."
"Haha, that's good to hear. I'd hate to trouble Hai Lao if things weren't. Let me introduce you to someone." Miteer Tengshan squinted his eyes and turned toward the white-haired old man beside him. "This is Nalan Jie, one of the top ten experts of the Jia Ma Empire and the Lionheart Marshal of the empire."
"Greetings Nalan Patriarch," Xiao Se said with a slight bow and a smile.