Chapter 2: A Mysterious Day
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In the two days since arriving at Flowerless Palace, our male protagonist found something a bit off—it’s been the Second Palace Master, White Peach, doing all the welcoming. Where on earth was the Great Palace Master?
Taking advantage of White Peach ordering the maids around to prepare for dinner, he leaned closer to Luo Ying and whispered, “Master Sister, where’s the Great Palace Master?”
Luo Ying shot him a sultry glance before blowing a puff of alcohol-laced air his way. “If you want to know, go ask White Peach!”
Our male lead could only think, “…”
Holy moly! The illustrious Master Sister shows up and just drinks? It looks like nobody’s keeping an eye on her, and she’s here to drink to her heart’s content at Flowerless Palace.
Ji Shen has set up shop near Flowerless Palace. If they’re totally oblivious, it feels a bit implausible. What secrets are they hiding?
Ever since she started guffawing over drinks with White Peach, she’s dismissed anything she previously mentioned about things feeling “off.”
Currently, he knew from direct intel that Ji Shen and White Feather City were in cahoots. If they could sniff out something at Flowerless Palace, they might just unearth Ji Shen’s plot.
But here we are, Master Sister is so utterly blitzed she’s probably forgotten what she came for.
The male lead was getting a little anxious but had to plaster on a poker face.
Fine, if you’re sending me to White Peach, then I’ll go ask her.
Over here, White Peach had just finished delegating tasks, and the maids hurried off to execute orders.
He approached her and respectfully inquired, “Your Highness, the Great Palace Master is… uh, are they around?”
White Peach chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. “My sister is currently in seclusion, so she’s not meeting with guests. As for your little gift, let’s skip it. After all, you and Luo Ying are practically family, so no need to stand on ceremony! Hahaha.”
The male lead retreated quietly.
In seclusion? Looks like I can’t pry any further.
He glanced at Luo Ying, who was wobbling as she stood, pouring more from her wine flask before leaving.
“I say, Your Second Palace Master, what’s there to see in this backwater? Might as well drink a few more cups,” Luo Ying said hazily.
White Peach just laughed. “Don’t worry, tonight’s feast is well-prepared.
I know you love to drink, but your two disciples are here for the first time. I can’t let them just sit in their rooms and leave thinking the only thing Flowerless Palace has to offer is impressive drinking skills!”
The male lead couldn’t help but grumble inwardly. No, it’s just that the Second Palace Master drinks like a champ; I really don’t have any strong impressions of the rest of Flowerless Palace.
Before long, the group was ready to set off.
Once again, our male lead enjoyed the privilege of sharing a sword ride with Luo Ying, and, well, when they landed, he ended up face-first in a bush, retching dramatically.
White Peach shook her head. “Is that all it takes to knock you out, girl? Looks like you need more training.”
Luo Ying took a sip of her drink, her cheeks rosy. “Who says it’s not true?”
The maids following White Peach stifled their laughter, hands over their mouths.
Our male lead stood up, feeling like a wreck, the stench of his earlier escapade nearly knocking him out again.
But once his stomach was empty, he felt a tad better.
But wait, where exactly are we?
The group had just gone airborne, soaring over a shimmering sea, before landing on this island.
White Peach casually remarked, “This island is Flowerless Palace’s plantation; I brought you here to broaden your horizons.”
Luo Ying’s interest sparked. “Oh? Celestial herbs?”
“It’s not just any herbs. A lot of rare stuff that even Heavenly Sword Sect envy us for, and they pay top dollar every year to buy it from us.”
Upon hearing this, our male protagonist perked up, trailing behind her to absorb every detail she shared.
Apparently, this island produced a special spring water that allowed many rare plants to thrive. Hence, the entire Asking Dao Continent has no other establishment but this one.
As they chatted, the two reached the spring’s center on the island.
White Peach’s two maids were dutifully keeping pace behind, looking quite devoted.
Perhaps because White Peach was strict with her attendants, they were extra cautious, ensuring everything went smoothly while also catering to Luo Ying and the male lead’s comfort.
The male lead couldn’t help but admire; if these two maids donned skirts, they’d totally be the ultimate fantasy for any guy.
Just as White Peach was helping the tipsy Luo Ying understand the wonders of the spring, disaster struck.
The ground started shaking violently, as if the spring itself were boiling over, erupting in a spray of water.
What was more terrifying was that when the water hit the ground, it melted the earth into small pits!
White Peach shouted, “Scatter!”
Everyone immediately bolted back in every direction.
But the fountain was acting like a mini volcano, continuously spewing forth scalding hot liquid mixed with red magma.
Some of the precious saplings close to the spring were instantly obliterated.
But, hey, what else could they do? If they could save their lives, that was a win!
After a panic-fueled rush, our male lead realized he had lost everyone else.
Fortunately, the erupting water didn’t last too long—barely a quarter of an incense stick later, the island finally settled down.
He sighed in relief.
With the strength of the Second Palace Master and Luo Ying, they should be fine; it was the two maids who were near the spring, and they wouldn’t—
Upon that thought, he dashed towards the spring.
Along the way, he spotted burn marks all over left by the water sprays, but luckily no fires had ignited.
If this pride of Flowerless Palace—the celestial herb plantation—was completely destroyed, the loss would be immeasurable.
“Hey! Why are you running around like a chicken with your head cut off?” Luo Ying suddenly yelled from above.
He looked up to see Luo Ying performing a graceful aerial maneuver, her flying sword hovering in front of him.
“Get on.”
“What about the Second Palace Master?”
“They’re handling the cleanup at the plantation; they won’t be joining us.”
Just as Luo Ying finished speaking, a maid rushed up. “Allow me to escort you both back to the main island.”
“Great, thanks for the help!”
Luo Ying flashed a smile that was as subtle as it was mischievous.
Our male lead felt a warm glow inside; Second Palace Master’s maid was incredibly diligent, remembering to maintain etiquette even during a crisis.
He hopped onto Luo Ying’s sword and nodded to the maid in thanks.
Before long, they were back at Flowerless Palace’s main island.
Since news of the plantation troubles spread, many disciples rushed over to assist in saving any undamaged celestial herbs, creating quite a frenzy.
The maid thus escorted them back to their respective rooms, where Fatty sat all forlorn and pitiful.
“Fatty… are you doing okay?”
Our male lead glanced back at the maid trailing behind him, asking.
“Doing just fine, heh heh…”
As soon as the door closed, Fatty lamented, “d*mn it! I can’t even step into the yard without being stopped!”
Our male lead frowned. “Are they keeping an eye on us?”
“Who knows?” Fatty sighed.
The two waited in the room until nightfall, only snacking on some simple meals for lunch and dinner. It looked like the disturbances at the plantation were serious, leaving White Peach too preoccupied to manage them.
The more the male lead thought about it, the more he felt something was off.
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P.S.: First update of the morning! Good luck to all the esteemed viewers!
