Chapter 44: Eyes of Recognition

Xiao Yuxie appeared outwardly unchanged from before, but her voice had softened considerably, even carrying a hint of caution.

Lu Mingyi heard her question and narrowed her eyes slightly. She lifted her gaze to meet the woman before her, only to find that those eyes, which had seemed somewhat dazed from the alcohol moments ago, had now refocused—and burned with an even fiercer intensity.

That gaze…

Out of instinct, Lu Mingyi wanted to rub her ring, but with the wine cup still in her hand, she suppressed the habit and smiled instead. “How could anyone in the Nine Provinces not like the Peach Blossom Source, with its elegant splendor?”

She sidestepped Xiao Yuxie’s question entirely, offering a polished compliment instead.

Someone nearby immediately chimed in: “Exactly! In all the Nine Provinces, how many places can compare to Lady Xiao’s Peach Blossom Source!”

Xiao Yuxie smiled faintly at the praise and raised her cup to drink the spirit wine.

But this time, she sipped it slowly, one small mouthful at a time. Her slender neck arched as she swallowed, her throat bobbing subtly with each motion.

Lu Mingyi, by contrast, downed hers swiftly—one tilt of the cup, and it was empty.

It took at least five breaths after Lu Mingyi finished for Xiao Yuxie to set her cup down. Her once pale lips were now flushed red, glistening with a sheen under the Night-Luminous Pearl’s glow.

“If you need anything, just say the word.”

With those soft words, Xiao Yuxie moved on to the next table, attendants in tow.

This table seemed no different from the others on the surface. Yet Lu Mingyi—and the household servants so thoroughly trained by Xiao Yuxie—had sensed the anomaly from the start.

“Fellow Daoist, do you need anything else? Please, just tell me,” the servant said, her tone restrained, but the eagerness in her eyes and voice was plain as day to Lu Mingyi.

Lu Mingyi shook her head, dismissing the servant. She poured herself a cup of tea and drank it down, finally quelling the burning in her throat.

Such fierce liquor—and Xiao Yuxie has to down nearly thirty cups of it. She’s tough.

Lu Mingyi subtly eyed the receding figure, then lifted her hand to touch her face.

That look Xiao Yuxie had given her was just like the one in the Secret Realm before.

She knew without a doubt: Xiao Yuxie had recognized her.

But how is that possible?

Lu Mingyi was well aware of her own prowess with the Disguise Technique.

She might worry if facing someone like Jiang Liuzhao, but against anyone else? No concern at all. Xiao Yuxie absolutely couldn’t see through her disguise.

Habitually, Lu Mingyi rubbed the Storage Ring on her finger and lowered her gaze to the table.

She had a hearty appetite, and the portions were just right. Aside from that one dish of Osmanthus Cake, she’d nearly polished off everything else.

Osmanthus Cake—

Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled the sweet that had come out first. Servants at every table had meticulously introduced it, explaining that the matriarch had made it herself—how precious it was.

Everyone at tonight’s banquet was here for the Xiao Family’s Spiritual Spring, or to forge ties with them. A symbolic dish from the matriarch? Most would eat a bit out of courtesy. And with all the spicy fare, a sweet treat helped cut the heat.

She glanced around—sure enough, every table in the vicinity had its Osmanthus Cakes cleared clean.

Hers? Untouched.

Not just because she didn’t love sweets. More importantly, this pastry tied her past life inextricably to Xiao Yuxie.

She spotted it from something that tiny?

Lu Mingyi’s brows furrowed slightly, an indescribable feeling stirring in her chest.

But how had Xiao Yuxie been so sure she’d show up?

Lu Mingyi pondered for a moment, worry creeping in about Lin Chang and Zhao Zhusheng. She prepared to stand and check on them.

Just then, servants approached each table with small bamboo tubes. “Fellow Daoists, the banquet is drawing to a close. This is the Xiao Family’s gift of Spirit Spring Water. We hope you’ll all keep the righteous path of the world in mind and stand united against the Spirit-Devouring Gu and the Demon Sect.”

Excited murmurs rippled through the Peach Grove. Many had come precisely for this spring water—even a small tube’s worth was treasure enough.

Lu Mingyi nodded and accepted hers. The tube wasn’t heavy; likely, the amount varied by invitation. With Zhao Zhusheng’s gold-embossed invite, her share should ease the Spirit-Devouring Gu’s symptoms nicely.

She uncorked the tube, and a burst of rich spiritual energy hit her face.

Lu Mingyi’s pupils contracted. The spiritual power within was staggeringly potent—just the vapor had pushed her straight to Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer!

In the side chamber of the grand hall, Xiao Yuxie had finally finished toasting the Peach Grove crowd. Her breathing was ragged, a thin sheen of sweat clinging to her face and neck. Stray white hairs stuck to her skin, accentuating the flush on her cheeks.

“Matriarch.” A servant offered sobriety and pain-relief pills.

Xiao Yuxie took only the painkiller, ignoring the sobriety one entirely.

“Why bother toasting every single person yourself?” Xie Muqing wheeled in, tone sharp. “Your status is different now. Let them come to you. What does it say, making yourself like this?”

Cough cough. Xiao Yuxie coughed, suppressing the metallic tang in her throat. “Mother, these aren’t the old days. The Demon Sect’s moves are escalating—we need to prepare more on our end.”

“With so many righteous cultivators out there, does it have to be you? The Xiao Family has only you left!” Xie Muqing huffed in frustration. “If you’re grooming family talent, pick someone suitable. Why Xie Wenxin? With all those in the Xie Family, doesn’t she even know where the branch families are?!”

Xiao Yuxie stayed silent. The significance of Xie Wenxin wasn’t something she could explain.

Seeing her daughter’s frail frame, Xie Muqing’s eyes filled with heartache and anxiety. “Besides me, there’s no one to help you now. You saw that Wang Family child today—always so caring and attentive. Why not choose her?”

The spirit wine’s afterburn raged through her body, but Xiao Yuxie savored the rare heat in her heart and head. Listening to her mother, her mind filled with another face.

She’d issued the invitations and hyped the Spiritual Spring precisely because Lu Mingyi cared so much about the Spirit-Devouring Gu—she might come to the banquet.

Yet the invite with her special mark had been used—by the daughters of the Zhao and Lin Families.

In that moment, Xiao Yuxie nearly shed her matriarch’s robes to search.

But she couldn’t abandon the family. So she clung to self-delusion, hoping Lu Mingyi’s personality might make her follow Lin Chang and Zhao Zhusheng out of worry over repercussions.

She knew full well Lu Mingyi’s Disguise Technique was top-tier. If she truly hid, no one—not even Xiao Yuxie—could spot her.

She could ask Jiang Liuzhao for help, but… she didn’t want her master’s involvement with Lu Mingyi.

So she’d improvised the menu.

Her banquets were always thoughtful, accommodating any guest’s tastes.

Tonight? All spicy dishes, plus the rare Osmanthus Cakes at every table. Wounded and weak, she’d still gone table to table, toasting.

Each cup dimmed her faint hopes—until drinking became mere self-numbing.

But fate showed mercy once: Lu Mingyi had come.

“Yuxie, are you even listening? Wang Ting is really a good match.” Xie Muqing bristled at the long silence, raising her voice. “Why not let her stay longer in the Peach Blossom Source?”

Xiao Yuxie didn’t look at her mother. “I understand,” she said softly.

As matriarch, her absence from the hall signaled the banquet’s end.

Lu Mingyi wandered casually toward the brightly lit grand hall at the Peach Grove’s front, then crouched in the nearby trees to watch.

Xiao Yuxie’s certainty she’d attend had her fretting over Lin Chang and Zhao Zhusheng—though they’d agreed to avoid contact inside the Peach Blossom Source until after. Still, Lu Mingyi needed to confirm they were safe.

In her brief wait, she examined the bamboo tube again.

The Spirit Spring’s effects are incredible—look at the frenzy in the grove.

But for her, it seemed almost too good.

In all the Nine Provinces, who ever heard of breaking through from a whiff of vapor?

Lost in thought, Lu Mingyi heard hurried footsteps behind her. She turned to see a tall figure in vivid red.

“Has Xiao Yuxie lost her mind today? What kind of menu is this!”

“Young Mistress, drink more tea…”

“I’ve nearly downed a whole pot! Haven’t tasted the food, but the tea’s about to burst me!”

Shen Mingzheng’s pretty face was flushed unnaturally, especially around her mouth. She spoke with rushed urgency, trailed by a Shen Family guard.

They’d clearly left early—to catch air, or rather, cool the spice.

Heading back for formal farewells, Shen Mingzheng—spiced, boozed, and dizzy—strode fast and didn’t spot the croucher ahead.

“Young Mistress!” The guard spotted Lu Mingyi and yanked Shen Mingzheng back to prevent a collision.

Lu Mingyi spun and stood, putting distance between them.

Shen Mingzheng’s head spun worse. She shook it. “Someone… Did I bump you?”

Seeing her obvious discomfort, Lu Mingyi parted her lips. “No.”

“How do you watch where you’re going, squatting here? What if you crashed into our Young Mistress?!” The guard fussed over Shen Mingzheng.

“Don’t yell here! It’s annoying me—go fetch some sobriety pills, quick!” Shen Mingzheng snapped, more irritated.

“Yes, yes…”

Lu Mingyi knew Shen Mingzheng’s night had been rough.

A true Lin’an native, she favored sweets, couldn’t handle spice—and her tolerance was low.

Spice had remedies; the wine volume was the surprise.

Even at a distance, Lu Mingyi caught the booze on Shen Mingzheng.

After this brief encounter, Lu Mingyi recalled their rainy unfinished duel days ago. She lowered her eyes and quietly stepped aside.

From that day on, no more trouble. We’ll go our separate ways.

A minor hiccup on their end—but then the grand hall doors burst open. The banquet was truly over.

Before Lu Mingyi could seek Lin Chang and Zhao Zhusheng, three entangled figures approached amid sporadic bickering.

Lin Heng, Lin Chang, and Zhao Zhusheng!

Lin Heng gripped Lin Chang’s hand; Zhao Zhusheng trailed anxiously.

“Third Miss Zhao, your mother awaits your explanation. This is our family matter—don’t meddle,” Lin Heng said icily.

“Senior Sister Lin Heng, I brought Achang today. It’s not her fault—you, you can’t…” Zhao Zhusheng’s soft voice strained taut.

Lin Heng snorted coldly. “Zhao Zhusheng, keep it down. And don’t paint me as the villain who bars her own sister from the Xiao banquet. You can come, but you shouldn’t have been in the hall!”

She eyed her sister with a stranger’s scrutinizing glare. “Achang, you know your place, right? What’s not yours, don’t take. Hand over the extra Spirit Spring.”

Lin Chang’s gripped hand throbbed; she grimaced, gritted her teeth. “Big Sis, even if it’s my opportunity—if it’s extra, I’ll return it to Big Sis Yuxie myself!”

“You think your wings are stiff now?!” Lin Heng roared, spiritual power surging. She was about to fight her sister over the Spirit Spring—in the Xiao Family grounds!

Lu Mingyi’s eyes widened in alarm. She tensed to intervene—but someone beat her to it.

“Lin Heng, jealous of your own sister? Have you no shame?”

With Shen Mingzheng’s cold scoff, she charged, channeling power into her foot—and kicked Lin Heng flying!

Shen Mingzheng always acted according to her own temperament. When she was in a good mood, she didn’t care how powerful the opponent was—as long as it involved punishing evil and upholding justice, she would do it.

“Pfft, cough cough!” Lin Heng rolled on the ground a few times before sprawling out and staring at the vibrant shadow approaching her. Her body trembled faintly. “Shen… Shen Mingzheng?!”

Shen Mingzheng’s stomach was already burning from the spiciness, and seeing Lin Heng only made her more irritated. “It’s me. Stop embarrassing yourself here and get lost!”

Lin Heng’s cultivation was still at the Golden Core stage, no match at all for Shen Mingzheng, who had already reached the Nascent Soul Stage. Besides, the Lin Family wasn’t strong enough to challenge the Shen Family.

Yet, she spotted Lin Chang and Zhao Zhusheng standing nearby, gaping in shock at the scene. The thought that she, as the eldest sister and young mistress, was being humiliated like this in front of her little sister—whom she’d always suppressed—ignited a surge of fury.

Lin Heng struggled to her feet with a cold snort and mocking laugh. “Isn’t survival of the fittest the longstanding rule among noble families? Didn’t Shen Young Mistress compete ruthlessly against her own peers in the family a hundred years ago? Why call me out for doing the same with my sister!”

Lu Mingyi, standing off to the side, quickly realized what Lin Heng was insinuating.

So, Shen Mingzheng’s grudge and hatred toward me… it’s been obvious to everyone else all along.

I’ve just been too slow on the uptake.

Shen Mingzheng’s breath hitched abruptly at those words.

She was the only daughter in the Shen Family, with no peers her age—except for one person.

The one who no longer cast their gaze toward her first.

“Lin Heng.” Shen Mingzheng’s voice turned icy cold. In tandem, the Vermilion Flame Silk blazed with dazzling firelight, its scorching heat sweeping across the area. “You’re not leaving here in one piece today!!”