Chapter 127: A Grand Gesture

Zhao Li had clearly misunderstood Lu Xin's intentions, assuming that the Nine Star Gang was expected to gift him a stalk of Dragon Saliva Grass as compensation for his help. Zhao Li’s reaction was naturally shocking to Lu Xin; to offer such a rare and precious treasure so readily showed immense generosity. Yet, it also suggested from another perspective that the favor the Nine Star Gang required of him was likely no trivial matter.

What calculations Zhao Li was making in his mind, Lu Xin could not guess. However, he saw no reason to expose them; after all, securing the Dragon Saliva Grass was his immediate priority. Whether it was gifted by the Nine Star Gang or purchased himself, waiting to see how things unfolded was a prudent strategy.

The two soon exited the apothecary and headed east, leaving the West Market behind. Zhao Li led the way in silence, and Lu Xin followed calmly without haste. It was not until they entered Yongxing Ward, adjacent to the Imperial Palace, that Zhao Li stopped and turned to speak.

Looking around, the ward was filled with high walls and grand compounds, with streets significantly wider and cleaner than elsewhere. Perhaps due to its proximity to the palace, the entire area was exceptionally quiet, with almost no idlers to be seen.

"Brother Lu, the place we are heading to is the private residence of the current Censor-in-Chief, Duke of Song, Xiao Yu. There are many rules within, so when we arrive, observe more and speak less. Leave everything to me."

"The private residence of the Censor-in-Chief? Heh, so that old man’s name is Xiao Yu!"

Hearing the title "Censor-in-Chief," Lu Xin immediately recalled the joint trial held by the three judicial offices a few days prior. The Minister of Justice Li Jing, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lord Xiang, and the Censor-in-Chief had formed the highest judicial body of the Tang Dynasty, interrogating Lu Xin and nearly driving him to his death. Recalling it now, a sense of resentment remained in his heart.

"This Xiao Yu was born into royalty. He is far too rigid and lacks flexibility; it is best not to provoke him. In the early years of the Zhenguan era, he was demoted twice and removed from the position of Chancellor, a grudge he still holds to this day. However, since I intend to buy the Dragon Saliva Grass, there is no need to deal with him directly."

As Zhao Li spoke, he led Lu Xin to the front of a mansion. The steps were extremely high, numbering twenty or thirty. The plaque above was inscribed with the characters "Xiao Mansion" in gilded paint, exuding a stern majesty. The main gate was shut tight, with no guards in sight. Zhao Li knocked on the door ring twice. Seeing no response after a long while, he didn't seem surprised and simply walked toward the back gate along the wall. The more Lu Xin watched, the stranger he felt. It was one thing for a Censor-in-Chief's mansion to lack guards, but why did even a hoodlum like Zhao Li seem to have a way inside?

"You said this Xiao Yu was born into royalty? How is that possible? Aren't those of the royal family surnamed Li?"

"Hahaha, Brother Lu is joking. How many years has the current dynasty been established? This Xiao Yu is an old man nearing sixty; he is naturally not a descendant of the Li family. But the surname Xiao—during the Western Liang, that was the true royal bloodline. After the Western Liang fell, the Xiao family became officials in the Sui Dynasty. Later, when the Sui was destroyed by the Tang, this Xiao Yu became a Chancellor of the Great Tang. The stories behind this are complex and cannot be explained in a moment. In short, Xiao Yu has a close relationship with the Emperor and his father; you could say he is the current Emperor's uncle-in-law."

"Hmph, no wonder he was so aggressive. At his age, he should have long since grasped the middle path. Born into royalty, yet his character is so flawed."

"Hehehe, Brother Lu seems to have a prejudice against Lord Xiao?" Zhao Li suddenly stopped and turned back with a strange laugh. But halfway through, he shut his mouth, his voice becoming somewhat awkward. "I almost forgot—during the joint trial, Xiao Yu, as Censor-in-Chief, must have given you a hard time."

"You seem to know everything. Forget it, the Dragon Saliva Grass is what matters. Lead the way."

The two fell silent and quickened their pace. Zhao Li soon circled to the back gate of the Xiao Mansion and struck the door ring twice. With a creak, the door opened a crack. A young servant peered out warily, and upon seeing Zhao Li, his brow relaxed as he called out, "Brother Li."

"It's me. Is Young Master Xiao Qian in?"

"The Young Master is out, but the Madam is in. What is it that you wish to buy, Brother Li?"

"As long as the Madam is in, stop the chatter. I have urgent business, open the door."

Zhao Li finished impatiently and, without waiting for the servant's reply, pushed the door open and barged in. Lu Xin naturally followed close behind. Both moved so quickly that the servant could not stop them. He called out twice at the gate, but seeing that Zhao Li had no intention of turning back, he sighed slightly, stopped interfering, and returned to his post.

"Interesting. With such a frail gatekeeper, any sturdy man could have forced his way in. The Duke of Song's mansion is surprisingly easy to enter."

Entering the Xiao Mansion from the back gate, one was greeted by a massive willow forest. With rockeries, ponds, and countless flowers and insects, it felt as though they had suddenly arrived in the countryside. Yet, what struck Lu Xin as odd was that in such a grand estate, not a single guard could be seen. Throughout the entire walk, besides the gatekeeper, there wasn't even a shadow of anyone else.

However, Zhao Li didn't seem to care at all. As he walked briskly, he said in a low voice, "Since it is a Duke's mansion, who would dare to barge in without reason? You don't know this, but the second young master of the Xiao family, Xiao Qian, is a man of incredibly high martial arts. Not to mention common thieves, even the empire's great generals would never return if they crossed blades with him. But that is not all—Xiao Qian's wife, Madame Long, is a highly skilled Onmyoji from the Western Regions, extremely mysterious. The item we are looking for is in her possession."

"A person from the Western Regions? The Xiao family is, after all, part of the Tang aristocracy. How could Xiao Yu tolerate his son marrying a woman from the Western Regions?"

"Heh, for a concubine's son, what woman he brings home doesn't really matter. What matters is how formidable the woman is. As long as she has enough ability, no one dares to bully her. We're here."

Zhao Li's voice cut off abruptly. Lu Xin looked ahead and saw that they had arrived before a small cottage. Surrounded by grass, there was a pond nearby with lotus flowers in full bloom. Judging by the layout, they were in the backyard of the entire Xiao Mansion, yet the area was so vast it surpassed even the mansion of Li Xiaogong, Prince of Hejian.

Zhao Li pushed open the door and entered. Instantly, Lu Xin caught a scent that was both peculiar and familiar. This fragrance, drifting into his nose, made him immediately knit his brows, as countless images flashed through his mind.

Seeing Lu Xin standing motionless, Zhao Li frowned and asked, "What is wrong?"

"Dream Soul Paste. This is the scent of Dream Soul Paste."

Lu Xin muttered to himself. Upon hearing this, Zhao Li's expression changed dramatically, looking quite shocked.

"You actually know what this is?"

"The Western Regions, the Long family, Dream Soul Paste... Zhao Li, there is more than just one person beneath this house, isn't there?"

After a few moments, Lu Xin followed the scent toward its source. In the northwest corner of the room stood a screen. Pushing it aside revealed a hole in the floor. A flight of stairs slanted downward—it was a tunnel. Zhao Li nodded, though clearly puzzled. He seemed to have reservations and did not speak further. The two descended the stairs for about ten meters, and a vast space appeared before them.

Looking around, the underground world before them resembled the Yunmeng Ghost Market—both were excavated beneath the ground to create special spaces for activity. But unlike the Ghost Market, this underground palace of the Xiao Mansion had a distinct style. Whether it was the shape of the rooms or the furnishings, it differed greatly from Tang architectural styles.

"Every room here is circular, said to be built according to the architectural style of Madame Long’s hometown. Look at the people here—they are all high-ranking officials and nobles of Chang'an. Dream Soul Paste is quite a good thing."

Zhao Li led Lu Xin deeper into the passage, occasionally glancing at the people in the rooms on either side with a strange smile on his face. Lu Xin naturally knew the effects of Dream Soul Paste; it was akin to a potent narcotic. If the imperial court were to discover this, they would undoubtedly issue a ban. Lu Xin had originally thought that Dream Soul Paste only appeared in small, obscure places; he never imagined that it would have a presence in the capital of Chang'an itself.

"It seems this Madame Long is a restless spirit."

Thinking this to himself, Lu Xin took a deep breath, trying to keep his expression natural. At the same time, Zhao Li suddenly stopped. Looking ahead, they had reached the end of the underground palace. About ten meters away, there was an elegantly decorated hall. A woman in white, wearing a veil, was sitting cross-legged on a high stool, meditating. Lu Xin could clearly feel strands of the essence of the Five Elements gathering around her from all directions.

"She is indeed an Onmyoji! This aura... this woman's cultivation must have already stepped into the Guiwei Realm."

Although Lu Xin’s own realm was not high, he had encountered many Onmyoji of the Guiwei Realm, and his senses were sharp. The white-clad woman’s aura was formidable, perhaps even comparable to Wei Tunyun. As Lu Xin observed her, the woman in meditation slowly opened her eyes. In an instant, her aura vanished completely, and she appeared as an ordinary woman.

"Madame Xiao, I am Zhao Li. I wish to purchase a stalk of Dragon Saliva Grass from you."

"So it is the Fourth Master of the Nine Star Gang. It has been a long time. And this is..."

The woman glanced at Zhao Li and then turned her gaze toward Lu Xin. Because most of her face was hidden behind a veil, Lu Xin could not determine if her expression was one of pleasure or anger.

"Oh, this is Master Lu. He is seeing a friend off to Chang'an for the imperial examinations. He has some connection to our Nine Star Gang, so our leader asked me to bring him here to trouble you, hoping to obtain a stalk of Dragon Saliva Grass."

"I see. So, it is he who wants to buy the Dragon Saliva Grass, not the Nine Star Gang?"

"This... Madame Xiao?"

"That is correct. It is indeed I who wish to buy the Dragon Saliva Grass. Madam, I am Lu Xin, a native of Yuezhou Prefecture. I am new to this place and apologize for the intrusion."

"Hehehe... the little one is quite sweet-tongued. Very well, Zhao Li. Dragon Saliva Grass takes a thousand years to grow a single stalk; it is a true treasure of heaven and earth. Scarcity makes it precious, and you should know its value. However, out of respect for the Nine Star Gang, I will not make things difficult for you. One price: eighty thousand taels!"