Chapter 127: Keeper

　　Not being able to find Lu Mingshu, Kou Wei and the rest left the pharmacy and started to wander around the street.

　　Disappointed that they were unable to find her, Qi Sheng kept pestering Shao Zhengyang, “Where did she go? Brother Shao, was she in the hotel when you came out?”

　　“No,” Shao Zhengyang sighed in his heart. He lost count of how many times he had answered Qi Sheng. “If Brother Qi doesn’t trust me, we can go back to the hotel right now to have a look.”

　　“Brother Shao, just ignore him,” Kou Wei added, “He’s like that. If he wants something, he will keep thinking about it until he gets it.”

　　“How foolish, eh?” Yue Lingyin added on.

　　Shao Zhengyang and the rest burst into laughter.

　　Qi Sheng pouted, “I refused to believe that none of you are curious about her.”

　　“I am!” Kou Wei pointed his fan at the street, “Aren’t we looking for her right now?”

　　Qi Sheng rolled his eyes at Kou Wei, “Are you teasing me again? Tianyun City is huge; how are we supposed to find someone just by loitering around here?”

　　Kou Wei was about to retort when Yue Lingyin suddenly pointed at something, “Eh? It’s so crowded; perhaps something interesting is going on?”

　　Their group squeezed into the crowd, only to realize that people were crowding in front of a rune-carving shop.

　　Kou Wei looked around and tapped on a spectator, “Mister, may I know what’s going on?”

　　“Oh, they held a competition at their arena just now.”

　　“What’s there to see? It’s just rune carving,” Qi Sheng continued pouting.

　　“You’re wrong, Mister,” the guy looked at him seriously. “I had the same mindset as you, but just now, something weird happened…”

　　The guy told the group what happened earlier on, and all of them were taken aback.

　　“Drawing a talisman in the air?” Yue Lingyin muttered in awe as she turned to a girl, “Yun, have you learned that before?”

　　The girl who was called out shook her head, “Nope. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention?”

　　“Drawing a talisman in midair!” Kou Wei fanned himself. “Hmm… this is significant. If the rune-carving industry goes this way, rune-carvers would become very powerful…” he muttered.

　　This bunch of people were all the best of their sects, and they had exceedingly good foresight. If what Kou Wei said came true, rune-carvers would become a necessity in the world.

　　“Mister, may I ask…” Shao Zhengyang suddenly commented, “did you say that the girl was called Miss Lu? Was she wearing clothes that are similar to mine?”

　　The guy scanned Shao Zhengyang and exclaimed in excitement, “Ah, yeah! Do you happen to know her? What sect are you from, anyway? Tianyun City is so crowded nowadays, so it’s hard to recognize…”

　　After hearing that response, the group of people stared at each other in silence, faces turning pale.

　　After a moment, Qi Sheng cut the silence. Softly, he asked, “Brother Shao, is it your Junior Lu again?”

　　Shao Zhengyang sighed and nodded, “Among all the Harmonization Realm disciples in Tianyun City, she suits the description most.”

　　Shao Zhengyang was currently having mixed feelings. Previously, when he first knew that Lu Mingshu went to the arena at the Hall of Immortals to compete, he was taken aback by the fact that she even knew about that industry. Now, she was here competing at a rune-carving shop, and he wasn’t sure how to feel. How many more pleasant surprises would this junior of his, who had stayed in Green Jade Valley for eight years, bring him? Or should he say… shock?

　　“Since she’s called Miss Lu, she should be your junior,” Kou Wei said in awe. “This Miss Lu is really unpredictable, huh?”

　　“Hey, which arena do you think she’ll visit tomorrow?” Yue Lingyin pointed out.

　　“Hah, interesting question right there,” Kou Wei laughed. “Let’s come back here tomorrow and see.”

　　…

　　Lu Mingshu had just returned to the hotel and was preparing to feed Little Daze when somebody knocked on her door.

　　“Is Senior Sister Lu in?”

　　Lu Mingshu opened the door to see an Inner Breath Realm disciple standing outside.

　　“Yes?”

　　The disciple heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing her, “Senior Sister Lu, you’re finally back! Elder Yin is looking for you. She’s been asking for you.”

　　“Elder Yin?” Lu Mingshu furrowed her eyebrows. Yin Hong? Why would she ask for me? I have nothing to do with the line of Fluffy Clouds.

　　“Yeah! Please hurry, Senior Sister!”

　　Lu Mingshu nodded, “Thank you so much. I’ll make my way there now.”

　　No matter what Yin Hong wanted, she was an Elder and one of the chaperons. Since she asked for Lu Mingshu, she had to go.

　　As soon as she reached the place where the chaperons stayed, Yin Hong and one other person walked out.

　　“I’m so sorry that you had to wait for such a long time….”

　　“It’s fine. My duties…”

　　Lu Mingshu went toward her, “Elder Yin.”

　　As soon as Yin Hong saw her, she looked more than pleased, but she pressed her lips tight immediately, “Where did you go? It’s so late, and you’re a girl! Aren’t you worried about your own safety?”

　　Lu Mingshu found what she said strange. I am not an ordinary girl who couldn’t protect herself, why would she be worried about my safety? However, Yin Hong was an Elder, and it would be disrespectful for Lu Mingshu to fight back, so she remained silent and listened to Yin Hong tell her off.

　　After a while, Yin Hong regained her regular tone as she slowly explained, “It’s not like I enjoy telling you off, but Madame has informed me to take good care of you.”

　　Lu Mingshu gave her a stiff smile.

　　Yin Hong turned to the guest next to her, “Sorry to act like a laughing stock in front of Keeper Guo. This is our sect master’s daughter. Our sect master wasn’t at ease letting her come so far, and he repeatedly nagged at me to take care of her.”

　　The guest was a woman in a blue gown and full of smiles. Upon hearing Yin Hong, she giggled and nodded, “Ah, parents are always full of worries when their child is bound for a long journey away from home.”

　　Yin Hong introduced her to Lu Mingshu, “This is Keeper Guo, greet her.”

　　Lu Mingshu bowed, “Nice to meet you, Keeper Guo.”

　　“Save the politeness,” Keeper Guo put her hand up. She looked at Lu Mingshu gently, but in an instant, she had scanned her from head to toe, then nodded with satisfaction, “This Miss was born with an appearance as if it was God’s creation, and she’s so talented. I’m sure she has a bright future ahead.”

　　“Thank you for your praises and well-wishes, Keeper,” Yin Hong giggled before making eye contact with Keeper Guo, “She will still need your care after all.”

　　“No, it’s all her own effort if she succeeds.”

　　“You’re too polite. Please enlighten her with your knowledge and experience, I think it would be a great help.”

　　Keeper Guo shook her head, “I only work for Emissary Xiahou, I’m not that capable.”

　　“You’re too humble. Who doesn’t know that you’re Emissary Xiahou’s most valued right-hand woman?”

　　Keeper Guo was only in the Spirit Realm, and Yin Hong was way more powerful than her, but when Yin Hong spoke to her, she was full of respect.

　　Lu Mingshu had a small smile on her face as she listened to their conversation.

　　“…Miss Lu is a rare talent. I think that Emissary Xiahou may like to meet her.”

　　Yin Hong smiled widely after getting that vague promise from Keeper Guo.

　　“Thank you for all the praises.”

　　“It’s fine. Anyway, I still have to report back, so I’ll take my leave now,” she said, then gave Lu Mingshu a smile, “Goodbye, Miss Lu.”

　　Lu Mingshu bowed again, “Have a safe journey.”

　　Looking at Yin Hong sending Keeper Guo out of the hotel, Lu Mingshu smiled slyly.

　　Examining the goods? Keeper Guo; Xiahou Shan’s assistant… looks like my stepmother found a great buyer for me! But… doesn’t she find it awkward to be so polite?

　　She sneered and shook her head, then took her leave before Yin Hong came back.

　　She has done her job, so there shouldn’t be anything else for now.