Chapter 67: Nangong Mei’s Circumstances (3)

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Nangong Mei’s Circumstances (3)

Because Nangong Mei’s situation... was rather strange.

He wasn’t sure why the feeling had appeared so suddenly.

On the surface, everything lined up.

A poor outer disciple, self-taught alchemy, failed batches, debt piling up past two thousand spirit stones, the Resource Hall tightening the noose.

It was a common enough tragedy in the outer sect.

And yet... something felt off.

She had been able to keep buying ingredients on credit long enough for the debt to reach two thousand.

The Resource Hall was not known for being generous with rootless outer disciples.

Even with interest, they usually cut someone off far earlier than that unless there was a reason to keep extending the line.

He looked down at the crying woman clinging to his leg.

Sure, she was messy.

Her hair was tangled and half-covering her face, her robes were plain and slightly worn, and her eyes were red from crying.

But beneath all of that... she was a truly beautiful woman.

The lines of her face were soft and delicate.

Even with tears on her cheeks and strands of hair stuck to her skin, her features were fine — the kind that would stand out if she ever bothered to tidy herself.

Her amber eyes, watery as they were, held a clear, gentle light.

And the sinful body pressed against his leg was impossible to ignore.

Full, soft, and generous in a way that the loose outer robe could not hide, especially with how tightly she was hugging him.

Li Jian’s gaze lingered for a moment.

’If she cleaned up... she wouldn’t lose to most of the outer sect’s top beauties.’

The thought passed through his mind calmly.

Nangong Mei sniffled against his robe, unaware of the shift in his thoughts.

Her arms stayed wrapped around his leg, the softness of her chest still pressed against him.

"I really... really thought it was over..." she mumbled again, her voice small.

Li Jian was quiet for a few seconds longer.

Then he asked,

"Fellow Daoist Nangong. When the Resource Hall gave you credit... did they ever ask you for anything else? Or did anyone else come to collect, besides them?"

At the question, Nangong Mei blinked.

The tears on her lashes made the motion look almost cute.

She stayed kneeling there, arms still loosely around his leg, and seemed to think for a moment.

Her brows drew together slightly as she searched her memory.

"They... didn’t ask for anything else," she said slowly. "It was always the same senior brother from the Resource Hall. He’s the one who approved my credit every time. He would come by, check what ingredients I needed, and add it to the debt."

She looked up at him, her amber eyes still red but clearer now.

"He never sent anyone else. And he never asked me to do anything strange. He just... kept letting me borrow. Even when the amount got big, he said it was fine as long as I paid the interest."

Hearing all of that, Li Jian’s eyes narrowed faintly.

’Always the same person... personally approving the credit and never cutting her off even after two thousand?’

That was not normal procedure.

"What’s his name?" he asked.

Nangong Mei hesitated, then answered.

"It’s Senior Brother Guo Ran. He’s... usually nice to me. He even told me not to worry too much about the debt last time."

Her voice was soft, without any suspicion in it.

To her, Guo Ran had simply been kinder than the others.

Li Jian’s hand rested on her head a moment longer.

His expression remained calm, but the suspicion in his chest settled deeper.

"I see," he said. "And he never mentioned what would happen if you couldn’t pay? Or asked you to meet him anywhere else?"

Nangong Mei shook her head.

"No. He just said to keep refining and pay when I could... That’s all."

She looked up at him again, a little confused by the questions.

Li Jian was silent.

’Either that senior brother is unusually soft-hearted... or he’s been keeping her debt open for a reason.’

He looked down at the beautiful, tear-streaked face tilted up at him and gave her hair one last light pat.

"Alright. That’s enough for now. Sit back up. Let’s talk about the recipe."

Nangong Mei nodded and slowly let go of his leg.

She wiped her eyes again and moved back to the stool, still holding the pouch of spirit stones close.

Once she was seated, Li Jian spoke again, his tone calm but firm.

"From today onward, don’t borrow anything else from the Resource Hall. Not ingredients, not spirit stones, nothing. If you need materials or stones, just come find me. I’ll cover it."

Nangong Mei’s eyes widened.

"A-All of it? Even the debt?"

"I’ll pay all of your debt," Li Jian said. "But not right away, and not in a way that draws attention. We’ll clear it bit by bit. What matters is that you stop adding to it."

He looked at her directly.

"And do not announce this to anyone... especially to that Senior Brother Guo. If he asks why you suddenly stopped borrowing, just say you’re trying to refine with what you already have. And make sure you don’t mention me. Don’t mention that someone is helping you with the debt. Understand?"

Nangong Mei stared at him, clearly startled by how serious he had become.

But she nodded quickly.

"I... I understand. I won’t tell anyone. Especially not Senior Brother Guo!"

"Good."

Li Jian leaned back slightly, the kind smile from earlier gone, replaced by a quieter, more measured expression.

"Now. The recipe. Tell me which one you’re most confident in, and what you need for a proper attempt. We’ll start there."

Nangong Mei swallowed, then began to speak, listing the ingredients in a small but steadier voice while Li Jian listened.

He stayed silent as she went through them one by one.

Low-grade Qi Gathering Pills, Basic Recovery Pills, a simple Blood-Staunching Powder.

All common, all expected from a struggling outer alchemist. Li Jian nodded occasionally, already calculating the cost of the ingredients in his head.

Then she hesitated, fingers tightening around the spirit stone pouch.

"...There’s also one more," she said quietly.

"I’ve only succeeded twice, and both times the quality was low. But... I can refine Meridian Soothing Pills."