Chapter 537: Absolutely Not a Coincidence

So that's the situation.

Wu Jinliang slowly uttered, "Oh," then continued to ask, "Does Grandmother know the method for refining the Fragrance of Everlasting Life?"

Grandmother Qi nodded slightly. "Yes, I know. When the Phoenix clan submitted to Jin Zhan, this secret refining method naturally couldn't be hidden from him. Jin Zhan also attempted to refine it, and my ancestors assisted him."

Wu Jinliang asked, "Then does Grandmother have a way to refine it?"

Grandmother Qi sighed, "Haven't I made it clear? The Soul-Reversing Tree is the main refining material. Even the Phoenix clan finds this material scarce now, so it's even more impossible for me to obtain it."

Wu Jinliang, of course, knew it would be difficult for her to obtain, but he was merely using a specific approach in his questioning. He immediately pressed on, "So, aside from the Soul-Reversing Tree, Grandmother can acquire all the other refining materials?"

Grandmother Qi thought for a moment, then nodded. "It wouldn't be difficult."

Wu Jinliang then asked, "How long would it take to acquire them?"

"Gathering the materials and then finding someone to refine 'Spirit Roaming' would probably take about ten days..." Grandmother Qi paused, then corrected herself, "No, young brother Gao, without the Soul-Reversing Tree, thinking about the other materials is useless."

Wu Jinliang suddenly uttered lightly, "We have Soul-Reversing Tree material on our side."

"..." Grandmother Qi froze on the spot. After a moment of stunned silence, she asked with a look of surprise and suspicion, "The Phoenix clan guards the divine mountain precisely for the appearance of the Soul-Reversing Tree. How do you have material that even the Phoenix clan doesn't possess?"

Wu Jinliang nonchalantly replied, "Where it came from is our business. We just happen to have a small stock on hand."

After speaking, he carefully observed her change in expression.

This was the explanation instructed by Shi Chun.

It was still the same point: Shi Chun still didn't believe the Bai clan was acting out of gratitude, and still suspected a connection to Jin Zhan.

"Alright, then," he thought, "we might as well humor them and see if we can make them comfortable enough to help us."

A small amount of Soul-Reversing Tree material was something they could afford to lose; at worst, they could just go back up the mountain and pull out two more trees.

Hearing this, Grandmother Qi was startled again, an unconcealed gleam flashing in her eyes. She then changed her tone, "Oh, if that's the case, then refining it shouldn't be a big problem."

"Hehehehe..." Seeing that the other party was sensible enough not to probe the origin, Wu Jinliang was pleased. He asked again, "I'll provide the Soul-Reversing Tree material. As for the remaining materials and the refining process, I'll trouble Grandmother with that. How long do you think it will take for Grandmother to produce the Fragrance of Everlasting Life?"

Grandmother Qi mused, "I've never actually refined it myself, so I can't give you an exact time."

Wu Jinliang urged, "It needs to be fast!"

Grandmother Qi considered, "I will mobilize the Bai clan's resources and do my best to complete it in about ten days, provided the Soul-Reversing Tree material is not delayed."

Wu Jinliang said, "The Soul-Reversing Tree material is simple. Grandmother can send someone down the mountain to the designated location to retrieve it at any time."

"Good," Grandmother Qi affirmed, tapping her staff. "As long as we can rescue the Jin clan, I will do my utmost!" She then turned and walked away with renewed vigor.

Wu Jinliang watched her retreating figure, chuckling to himself. He then pulled out a mother-child talisman and transmitted the relevant information to Shi Chun...

At the labor office, Huang Yingying, who had been out doing manual labor, returned. He had received a notification that someone wanted to see him.

Who would want to see him? It couldn't possibly be that fellow Gao He openly coming to meet him.

As he returned to the cliff edge, still confused, he saw a figure in a snow-white robe, puffing on a pipe. He was startled; it was his wife.

It had to be said, that beautiful figure against the mountain scenery indeed possessed a unique charm. Unfortunately, he could only look but not touch. Huang Yingying shrugged and quickly walked over. He was more concerned now with whether he was going to be released.

As long as he could regain his freedom, it didn't matter to him whether it was Gao He or his wife who got him out. His clan leader, Jin Fu, seemed to have other plans for the clan members and had told him not to ask too many questions.

Noticing the movement, Bai Qiru turned to look. Seeing his tattered, dirty clothes and messy appearance, she couldn't help but frown.

Huang Yingying approached and chuckled dryly, "My lady is here. Please excuse my appearance..."

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Qiru waved her hand, and a set of clothes appeared out of thin air. Huang Yingying caught them, surprised.

Bai Qiru said indifferently, "Go clean yourself first. Don't come to see me if you're not clean."

Thinking about relying on her connections to regain his freedom, Huang Yingying naturally meekly accepted the order. He quickly turned and rushed off, finding a waterfall in a nearby mountain stream. He tore off his tattered clothes and climbed under the falling water to wash himself.

When he was clean and refreshed, and had changed into new clothes, he reappeared before Bai Qiru, looking completely renewed, though still a bit old and with a somewhat lewd appearance.

Bai Qiru merely glanced him up and down, then lifted her chin towards the base of the cliff. "Let's go see your living quarters."

She had never actually been there before.

Huang Yingying gave a bitter laugh. "Perhaps we shouldn't go. It's dark inside, and the smell isn't pleasant, and you prefer cleanliness..."

Before he could finish, Bai Qiru had already flashed and flown down. What could he do? He could only follow, leaping down after her.

The smell was indeed unpleasant. Bai Qiru, at the base of the cliff, had only just reached the cave entrance when she couldn't help but frown, but she still puffed on her pipe and walked inside.

The further they went, the darker it became, until it was pitch black, impossible to see one's hand in front of their face. Only the glow from her pipe flickered. The golden-furred rat clan had decent night vision, but Bai Qiru couldn't compare, so she flicked a small ball of Sandalwood Gold Flame Energy towards Huang Yingying.

Huang Yingying immediately understood. He caught the flame energy and used it to light the way, leading from the front.

The path was empty. Bai Qiru asked, "Is this entire large cave solely inhabited by you?"

Huang Yingying gave a bitter laugh. "How could that be? They don't keep idle people here. Everyone, young and old, is out working."

Bai Qiru fell silent again, her lips occasionally parting to exhale smoke.

After walking for a while, they reached the living area. Huang Yingying pointed to the empty and damp interior of the cave. "This is it."

There was nothing there. Bai Qiru knew with a glance that he simply curled up on the ground when resting.

She suddenly waved her hand, and a bed frame dropped from her Qiankun pouch to the ground, followed by bedding.

Seeing these items, which clearly indicated she intended for him to prepare for a long stay, Huang Yingying couldn't help but smile bitterly and ask, "Does my lady also have no way to get me out?"

Bai Qiru said nothing. She put away her pipe, removed the hair ornaments from her head, letting her long hair fall loose over her shoulders. Then, with her back to Huang Yingying, she began to undress.

"..." Huang Yingying was taken aback and confused, wondering what this woman was up to.

Then, his eyes slowly widened. This was because Bai Qiru had even removed the last piece of clothing, revealing her exquisite, bare, and fair body, with all its charm and allure – far beyond what any common courtesan could offer. He gulped, swallowing hard.

At the same time, he was filled with surprise and doubt. What was this woman doing?

Bai Qiru, with her arms slightly crossed, waited for a moment, then tilted her head and asked, "Don't you want it?"

"Huh? Ah?" Huang Yingying was a little confused, unsure if she meant what he was thinking.

Regardless of whether she meant something else, he immediately moved closer and reached out.

Seeing that Bai Qiru did not resist and appeared completely submissive, the anxiety in Huang Yingying's heart immediately dissipated. He let go of all inhibitions, directly pushing her fair body onto the bed, and began to act as he pleased...

Even when they left the cave and he escorted Bai Qiru back to the cliff, Huang Yingying still felt as if he was in a fog, dreaming. He found it hard to believe that the pleasure he had just experienced was real.

In any case, this 'tigress' seemed to have suddenly become a different person.

He tried to take the 'tigress''s hand again. Seeing Bai Qiru almost resist but then hold back, he couldn't help but grin. Then, almost like a spoiled child, he pleaded, "My lady, I get anxious if I don't see you for a day. Why don't you beg the Goddess to release me?"

He was now truly eager to return to the rice shop and live his simple life.

Bai Qiru mused, "I've already asked. It's no use."

She vaguely remembered the Goddess's exact words: releasing him would be easy, but her grandmother had to agree first. The Goddess also told her to improve her relationship with her family.

From the sound of it, her grandmother didn't want him released. At the same time, the Goddess seemed somewhat displeased with her marrying a golden-furred rat, finding her a bit willful and needing to be 'disciplined'!

"Sigh." A disappointed Huang Yingying lowered his head and sighed.

"I'm leaving. Take care of yourself." Bai Qiru pulled her hand away, turned, and flew off.

Huang Yingying shouted, "My lady, remember to visit me!"

He received no reply...

On the other side, Grandmother Qi did not delay Wu Jinliang's request. As soon as she returned to her residence, after careful consideration, she immediately summoned her staff and made arrangements for the relevant matters.

Just as she had finished arranging things, her granddaughter Bai Qiru returned. The latter had come to say goodbye.

After dismissing the others, Grandmother Qi asked, "Did the Goddess agree?"

She knew it was a redundant question; it wasn't about getting someone released, just visiting her husband. With her influence, there was no reason for the Goddess to make things difficult.

Bai Qiru nodded. "I've already visited him. Grandmother, I'm heading back to Dazhi City now."

"Very well." Grandmother Qi acknowledged, then leaned closer and whispered, "My judgment was not wrong. Gao He and his group are definitely here because of Jin Zhan's contingency plans."

Bai Qiru could feel the sudden change and was somewhat puzzled. She asked, "Has Grandmother received confirmation?"

Grandmother Qi whispered, "They actually have Soul-Reversing Tree material, and it's a stock! Where did they get something that even the Phoenix clan doesn't possess? Jin Zhan used to be the master of the divine mountain. When Jin Zhan was alive, the Soul-Reversing Tree wasn't as scarce as it is now. It's not strange at all for Jin Zhan to have harvested Soul-Reversing Tree and had a stock on him. This is definitely no coincidence!"

Bai Qiru understood her grandmother's meaning.

"My girl," Grandmother Qi continued, "Huang Yingying's cultivation talent is the best among his clan. When the time is right, I will speak to the Goddess, and then you can ask her to release him. This will ensure that Gao He and those people continue to have Huang Yingying as their only convenient contact point with the Jin clan. And you must also improve your relationship with Huang Yingying. Once your relationship is good, and they already know the Bai clan is repaying a kindness, will the desired outcome be far off?"

Bai Qiru nodded silently...

In the evening, in the mountain forest at the foot of Zhu Lang Pavilion, the setting sun's rays pierced through the wooded slope, illuminating a man in a brocade robe with black hair and a golden crown. It was Xi Huang, the Domain Lord of Hanzhou, standing in a small, seemingly abandoned pavilion covered in fallen leaves, gazing into the distance.

Shortly after, Hu Gongxian, the head steward of Zhu Lang Pavilion, arrived in a hurry and respectfully bowed, saying, "Domain Lord, the carriage is ready."

This person always came secretly, as it was undesirable for him to be seen, and exposure was more likely during the day, so a carriage was needed for concealment.

Xi Huang remained unmoved and simply asked, "When Yin Xu was in Qingqiu, did she serve as a maid to the Qingqiu Old Ancestor?"

Hu Gongxian was startled for a moment, then honestly replied, "No, she didn't. I've also never heard that the Old Ancestor used any maids later on. Current clan members haven't seen the Old Ancestor for many years. Even if there were, it would be a coveted position that wouldn't fall to us, the collateral branches."

Xi Huang said, "She speaks nonsense so casually. Isn't she afraid that if it reaches Qingqiu, someone will come to 'clean the house'?"

Hu Gongxian showed a hint of a bitter smile. "I also don't know why she suddenly blurted that out. It was probably self-preservation in a moment of desperation."

Xi Huang then asked, "What about the two missing people? Did she send them away?"

Hu Gongxian bowed slightly. "Yes, she only saw them out of the city."