Masquerade 4

"You will the only one that we shall be bringing with us into the Su Family, once we arrive. Since your Elder has assigned you the task, you should know who to contact, and what you need to do, correct? Well, brief the Su Family members about us once we get there, so that they know that we are not their enemy."

Then he paused, and tapped his chin with a finger. "In fact, you might wish to introduce me, as someone who has volunteered to help you with this small matter. Just remember to mention that my Master is a very reclusive fellow, so it would not be to their benefit to announce my involvement just yet."

Ye Honghua looked a little concerned about that last bit. "You are putting a good bit of pressure on our Snow Swallow Palace like that. They will wonder at who you are, and who your Master is, if I were to tell them that. And my position isn't really as high as all that, in my Sect."

"Ah! But Xu Yanzhi's status in the same is unassailable. And the fact that I am claiming to be a ... Well, just say that I am actively pursuing her, and that I have volunteered to aid you in this matter, in hopes of currying her favor ... I think that shouldn't be too difficult, should it?

"Not to mention the fact that I am a bit of an alchemist? And that I have several pills that may be of use to the Su Family? They should have some wounded among them, don't you think? After that first visit by their so-called enemies?"

Ye Honghua looked somewhat shocked, when she heard that. "You are an alchemist? You can concoct pills? Really? No one would believe something like that, given your age. Most alchemists are already in their middle age!" she cried.

"Not much of one. I know my medicinal herbs, and a few tricks that might be useful. I cannot concoct pills on my own, if you must know. But I do have some pills that I ... have obtained through my efforts, you might say."

She seemed convinced by the last, more than anything else that he had said. "In that case, I will do my best to convince them that you are an ally. Or at least, a potential one, given your pursuit of Xu Yanzhi."

"That would be best."

Ye Honghua claimed some excuse then, and fled. The speed at which she moved made that seem like a fitting way to describe it. There was certain no grace in her movements, as she half-ran back to inform the rest of her group about the plan.

Qin Feng sniggered to himself. Those pills that he had mentioned were part of the inventory that the Duchess had pressed into his hands. She was worried that Li Changhai would be too generous with his portion, and would pass most of his precious healing pills to his soldiers. Hence, all three of them, Lin Liushui, Du Yan and Qin Feng, had been given a small portion of the same, so that they would have some back-up resources.

Yet, they had hardly touched the Second Ducal Prince's stockpile at all, since none of his soldiers had suffered any major injuries that needed the same. So Qin Feng was rather certain that they had quite a few of those powerful healing medicines to offer, if it proved necessary.

So he doubted that he would have any trouble, claiming to be someone who knew alchemy. Besides, didn't he spend three whole years in the Heaven Sword School, dealing with medicinal herbs? He could use his experiences there, along with the Old Man's memories in his head, to awe these idiots, if it came to that.

"You are going to be playing alchemist?"

Qin Feng looked up with a start, and saw that Lin Liushui had quietly approached, after the Snow Swallow Palace girl had departed. And smiled when he saw the surprised look on the handsome fellow's face.

"It would explain why the two of you are willing to play at being my Protectors. That is quite common, isn't it? For more skilled folk with higher social status, to pander to the whims of someone who is clearly weaker?"

"That makes sense. It would make a very believable story, if word gets out. And Brother Changhai would definitely not lose out, should it be known that he was following at the heels of an alchemist. In fact, it would even explain how he mastered the Blue Lightning Fist so quickly."

Qin Feng frowned at that. He had heard how everyone was shouting about Li Changhai's Blue Lightning Fist, but he had no idea that it was so exceptional. "Would he need supplements then? To keep advancing?"

Lin Liushui shrugged when he heard the question. And gave Qin Feng that smile of his, to show that he was ignorant regarding the matter. "I have no idea whatsoever. It is apparently one of those secrets of his maternal family and I didn't dare to probe too deeply. His mother does have a certain reputation, you understand? A very, very violent one."

Qin Feng found that a little hard to believe at first. Then he remembered who her mother, or the Second Ducal Prince's grandmother, was. Lady Xie Nianxue certainly fitted the bill as the most violent, and most deadly, female martial practitioner that he had ever come across. So if her daughter had picked up some of her traits ...

It would also explain why Li Changhai's father was so mindful of his Second Wife. And how she had dared to tell him off, after that disastrous first dinner that they had together. The servants were all gossiping about it, when he returned to the Ducal Palace, so Qin Feng certainly did not miss hearing about it.

Well, he would do what he could to help the Second Ducal Prince to make some improvements to his martial cultivation, or his physical state with medicines or herbs, to show his appreciation for Li Changhai's efforts. But it would take a bit of digging, into the Old Man's memories, to find something that would suit the Ducal Prince's style of fighting. So that it wouldn't look too obvious that he was interfering.

To be fair, he would rather spend his time looking for some suitable medicine, that would improve the Ducal Prince's cultivation instead, if that was possible. It would be a suitable excuse for Li Changhai to trot out, if anyone asked why he was following Qin Feng about. And it wouldn't give away the younger man's secrets.

Not to mention the fact that it would keep his mother and his maternal grandmother mollified with regards to the Ducal Prince's role in this part of the game. Qin Feng certainly did not wish to get either of them angry with him!

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