Chapter Fifteen: The Unexpected Person

"Young Master Lin, please don't be nervous. My lady wishes to see you." The woman in martial attire spoke with a smile, her entire body trembling slightly as she laughed, her eyes full of allure.

"Your lady? If I am not mistaken, this is my first time in Lower Hu City. I doubt I am acquainted with the lady you speak of." Lin Fan's gaze was clear, not the least bit moved. Lower Hu City was far too chaotic; a single misstep could lead to fatal consequences.

"Though you may not know my lady, she has long known you would arrive." The woman in martial dress noticed Lin Fan’s guardedness and covered her mouth with a light laugh.

"Token, Sister Lan, Madam Yun." The names she uttered were precisely the reason Lin Fan had left Celestial Capital Gate this time.

"So that’s it—your lady must be Madam Yun." Lin Fan let out a soft chuckle, his previously tensed body relaxing, seemingly lowering his guard. Inwardly, however, his confusion only deepened.

"This woman only mentioned the token, without referring to the Celestial Capital Gate. Although Sister Lan instructed me to come here, the true reason lies with Yunxi, and yet she did not mention her either. Is there some hidden secret at play?"

Thoughts churned in his mind, and a vague unease settled in Lin Fan’s heart.

"Moreover, even Madam Yun has never seen my face. It would be impossible for her people to find me the moment I entered the city—this is crucial. Either they have learned my appearance by some means, or there are acquaintances here, otherwise they would not have come so swiftly."

Despite his many uncertainties, Lin Fan betrayed none of them—instead, he appeared all the more trusting toward the woman before him.

"That’s right, my lady is indeed Madam Yun. You’ve brought the item, I assume?" The woman’s eyes flickered as she glanced around, ensuring no one was paying attention before speaking again.

"Come with me. My lady has been waiting for you a long time." Lin Fan hesitated briefly, then decided to follow her.

"The architecture of Lower Hu City is laid out in seven vertical and eight horizontal lines—bold and unrestrained, much like the temperament of its people. Even this layout holds deeper meaning; the city is divided into five major sectors." The woman explained, being a native of Lower Hu City and far more knowledgeable about it than Lin Fan.

"It is indeed remarkable, full of hidden significance. Lower Hu City truly deserves its reputation as the greatest city of the North, the formidable bastion against the Ghost Domain." Lin Fan nodded. Ever since he’d gained insight into the Way, he’d become faintly attuned to the subtle powers of heaven and earth, and he could sense the city’s strength.

"You really are extraordinary—just as Sister Lan said." The woman sounded a little surprised, but did not dwell on it.

"Sister Lan? You know her as well?" Lin Fan sensed something was off and asked.

"Of course, I know her. We grew up together. She’s originally from Lower Hu City." The woman smiled, oblivious to the implications of her words.

"Yet Sister Lan has only known me for a few months. How, then, could this woman know about me? There must be something strange here," thought Lin Fan. Outwardly, he remained calm, continuing the conversation without a hint of suspicion.

Soon, the two arrived at a mansion—its walls stretching so far that their ends could not be seen at a glance. Above the gate, the words ‘Yun Residence’ were inscribed, and two ferocious stone lions flanked the entrance, so intimidating that ordinary people would not dare approach.

"What an enormous and imposing mansion. To own such a residence in Lower Hu City, the master must be an extraordinary figure. It seems your lady is no ordinary person." Lin Fan turned to the woman with admiration.

"Naturally. My lady’s status is far from common, as you will soon see." The woman lifted her chin with pride, then led Lin Fan inside.

Yet upon entering, Lin Fan was taken aback. The courtyard was deserted, as lifeless as an abandoned ruin—far from the bustling activity he’d imagined. If he guessed correctly, it seemed only master and servant remained in the entire residence.

"My lady prefers tranquility and hates to be disturbed, so most of the servants were dismissed. Only the two of us are left." The woman seemed to sense Lin Fan’s confusion and offered an explanation.

"It’s of no consequence. I only wish to see Madam Yun and fulfill my entrusted task as soon as possible." Lin Fan shook his head; after all, a person’s preferences were their own, and sometimes, though odd, were not his to question.

After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the pair arrived at a grand hall. In the distance, a lone figure sat upon the main seat.

Her face was as radiant as a lotus, brows like willow leaves, skin as smooth as cream, delicate enough to break at a touch. No words could capture her perfection—she was like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.

But the moment Lin Fan saw her face, his entire body trembled. This woman looked exactly like Yunxi!

"What…what is going on?" Lin Fan staggered backward, unable to comprehend why Yunxi was here.

"What’s wrong? Don’t you recognize me?" Yunxi—or rather, Madam Yun—pursed her lips and glanced at him calmly.

"Impossible! Senior Sister Yunxi is in seclusion. How could she be here?" Lin Fan shook his head, unable to accept what he was seeing.

"Then tell me, who am I?" Yunxi rose gracefully, every movement exuding ethereal charm.

"If I am not Yunxi, then who could I be?"

A formidable aura, like a torrent, flooded the hall. Lin Fan shuddered under the crushing pressure, unable to regain his composure.

"What a terrifying aura—this is the Pulse Condensation stage?! No, something’s off. It’s not as overwhelming as I imagined, and within it is a familiar feeling!"

Lin Fan retreated, each step cracking the stone floor beneath him. The power of his body at the fifth perfection level soared forth, barely resisting the oppressive force.

"You can’t be Yunxi. If you were, I wouldn’t even be able to move. Though your aura is strong, your true power is only at the eighth level of physical cultivation. I don’t know what power you’re borrowing, but ultimately, it isn’t yours. Begone!"

Lin Fan let out a long roar; divine light burst forth, and seven great stars revolved above his head. A gigantic Kunpeng spread its wings—a manifestation of Lin Fan’s will, suppressing all adversaries.

Yunxi’s face turned pale, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth. Her aura was shattered, and she was slightly injured.

Lin Fan had guessed correctly: this Yunxi was a fake, all of it a ploy to deceive him.

"So it was you. No wonder the ancients said, ‘It is easy to paint a tiger’s skin, but not its bones; easy to know a face, but not a heart.’ Today, I finally understand what that means." Lin Fan was filled with disbelief and a trace of regret. In that instant, he had sensed the aura upon this false Yunxi.

"Am I right, Sister Lan?" Lin Fan clasped his hands behind him, his eyes full of helpless pain.