51

As Su Zixuan followed the pale blue magic marker to the inner room doorway, Qingchen subtly condensed a wisp of magic power at his fingertips.

He didn't open his eyes immediately, but his Spiritual Eye Technique was already activated, pale golden light patterns flowing in his eyes, sweeping across the area three feet around the woman.

While his current spiritual sense wasn't as powerful as that of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, even a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator would reveal some fluctuations of spiritual power.

Qingchen squinted for a moment before speaking calmly, "You were the one who came with Mayor Chen that day, weren't you? What's your name?"

"Replying to Immortal Master, this servant is Su Zixuan." Su Zixuan's voice trembled, and she lowered her head even further.

Qingchen didn't rise, but only raised his right hand.

A wisp of pale blue magic power floated from his fingertips, wrapping around Su Zixuan's waist like a soft ribbon.

He deliberately didn't control his strength; as soon as he withdrew his magic, the woman stumbled forward, crying out as she crashed into his arms.

The person in his arms was very light, and had a faint scent of soapberry.

Qingchen's gaze swept over her flushed ears, but his fingers weren't idle, seemingly casually resting on her arm.

There was nothing hidden beneath her skin, and he didn't sense any unusual fluctuations in her blood and energy.

He breathed a sigh of relief, slowly helping her to her feet.

But one hand was less attentive, seemingly touching certain parts of her body.

"Imperial... Immortal Master... I..." Su Zixuan blushed deeply, even her neck turning pink, and she couldn't speak for a moment.

The vegetable basket in her hands fell to the ground. She tried to back away, but her legs were too weak to move.

In that instant, Su Zixuan felt her heart race, overwhelmed with shyness, yet daring not to resist in the slightest.

Qingchen placed the vegetable basket on the stone table, his gaze falling on Su Zixuan with a hint of amusement. "What's wrong with me? Why aren't you saying anything?"

As he spoke, his hand rose again, this time landing directly on her shoulder, gently squeezing it.

He could feel her trembling, and Qingchen's gaze roamed more freely over Su Zixuan's body.

His eyes held a playful glint, as if he were enjoying the feeling of being in complete control.

"Immortal...Immortal Master, the food...the food is getting cold."

Su Zixuan's voice was barely audible, her face flushed crimson from Qingchen's actions, tears welling in her eyes.

She stammered even more, "You...try it and see if it suits your taste. If not...tell me, and I...will go back...and change it."

She was clearly extremely flustered, terrified of angering the Immortal Master before her.

Qingchen's hand paused, then suddenly withdrew.

He stared at Su Zixuan's face for a moment.

He thought to himself: This isn't a flirtatious woman; she does possess a certain gentle grace, and her looks are quite pleasant—she'd make a good wife.

"Please eat first, Immortal Master. I'll serve you. Just call me if you need anything," Su Zixuan said, secretly relieved when he withdrew his hand, but still not daring to look up, her voice trembling.

Qingchen didn't respond, reaching out to lift the cloth lid of the vegetable basket.

Inside, everything was neatly arranged: a plate of stir-fried vegetables, a plate of pickled shrimp, and a bowl of egg drop soup…

It was exquisitely prepared, showing Su Zixuan's care.

“Eat together.” Qingchen picked up his chopsticks and pointed to the stone bench opposite him. “Judging from your appearance, you haven’t eaten before.”

Su Zixuan lowered her head even further: “This servant dares not… This servant brought some flatbread; I’ll just eat a couple of bites later. This servant is not worthy to eat these dishes.”

As she spoke, she reached into her robes and pulled out an oil paper package, inside which were indeed two dry, hard flatbreads.

Qingchen asked with interest: “Aren’t you the daughter-in-law of Mayor Chen? Why do you call yourself a servant?”

Su Zixuan timidly replied: “This servant was sold to Master Chen’s house as a servant by my father when I was young. Not long ago, Master Chen bestowed me upon the eldest young master for our marriage, and then I was sent here to serve the Immortal Master.”

Her voice held a hint of helplessness and sorrow, like that of an abandoned cat.

Qingchen smiled knowingly: “Oh, I see. This old man is quite adept. It seems the previous cultivators were also served like this?”

A hint of mockery flickered in his eyes.

"Yes, Master," Su Zixuan replied, glancing discreetly at Qingchen.

"Master Chen said that those who serve the Master well will have the opportunity to return to the Immortal Sect with him and continue serving him..."

Qingchen raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

He understood that everything starts from small beginnings, and often seemingly insignificant things can bring unexpected rewards.

"Let's eat together, and you can tell me about the situation on this island while you're at it."

Qingchen continued, his tone brooking no refusal. "Sit down, try these dishes first."

Only then did Su Zixuan dare to move closer, gently sitting on a corner of the stone bench, half her bottom dangling.

She picked up her chopsticks, her hands still trembling, and took a small bite of a piece of green vegetable.

Qingchen didn't urge her, only watching as she tasted everything on the plate, taking a bite of each, without showing any unusual reaction.

Only then did Qingchen completely withdraw his spiritual eye technique, the golden light in his eyes fading.

He picked up his bowl and ladled a spoonful of egg drop soup. "Besides the large number of martial artists on the island, is there anything else special?"

"No, nothing else," Su Zixuan swallowed her rice and quickly answered.

Qingchen picked up a shrimp; the shell was a bit hard.

He suddenly changed the subject: "That Mayor Chen, has anything unusual happened? Or rather, has he done anything secretive? Also, is his eldest son really mentally challenged?"

Caught off guard by the question, Su Zixuan thought for a moment before replying, "About Master Chen... this servant doesn't know. He always avoids us servants when he does things; even the steward has to wait outside.

But the eldest son is truly mentally challenged; everyone in town knows. Last year, he chased a dog halfway down the street, infuriating Master Chen...

Master Chen also has a younger daughter; he used to place all his hopes on her."

"He has a younger daughter?" Qingchen's gaze suddenly sharpened.

Su Zixuan paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, her name is Chen Zhu'er. But I haven't seen her in the past two years. I heard from Zhang Ma in the kitchen that Master Chen sent her away, and no one knows where she went. Master Chen gets angry whenever anyone in the manor mentions Chen Zhu'er..."

Qingchen didn't press further, but simply picked up his bowl and quickly finished the rest of his rice.

He put down his bowl, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and his tone suddenly turned serious: "You are not allowed to mention a single word of what I said today to Mayor Chen. If anyone asks, just say I didn't speak to you, didn't even look at you properly, and only had you serve me. Understand?"

Su Zixuan was so frightened that she quickly stood up, bowing even lower: "Yes, yes, this servant understands. Rest assured, Immortal Master, this servant will definitely not speak carelessly. Master Chen gave me to you, Immortal Master, so naturally I belong to you."

She responded respectfully, a blush rising on her face, making her appear shy and charmin