Chapter Forty One.

Qingfeng Pavilion has regained its glory and it's bustling as before. Duan Xinyue and the showgirls are performing when Lei Qiang and Hong Yi arrive. The two settle to watch the performance. Duan Xinyue glances across the room and sees Lei Qiang and smirks a bit. After the performance he heads straight to his room. He didn't notice when Lei Qiang left so he's surprised to find Lei Qiang seated in his room waiting for him patiently.

Duan Xinyue's gaze is fixed at Lei Qiang's sword which is resting on the table. He's wondering why the sword that never leaves Lei Qiang's waist has made its way to the table. Lei Qiang follows Duan Xinyue's gaze and then chuckles awkwardly before clarifying what's going on,"I had a little stomachache and I felt the sword was restraining me."

"Is that so?" Duan Xinyue stoops and stretches out his hand to touch Lei Qiang's tummy,"Does it hurt that much?"he asks in a concerned voice.

"What are you doing?" Lei Qiang asks his body becoming tense.

"I'm examining you."

"No need I'll be fine in a few hours,"Lei Qiang gently brushes off Duan Xinyue's hand off his tummy.

"Why are you here Lei gongzi?"

"Why did you leave the sect?"

"I don't want to study anymore."

"Oh,"Lei Qiang says in a disappointed tone,"Are you still angry with me?"

"Well, kissing me was a bit rude but I don't mind,"Duan Xinyue replies biting his lower lip sexily. Of course he didn't find it offensive.

"My apologies then."

Lei Qiang gets up ready to leave. As he walks to the door Duan Xinyue calls him. He turns around and Duan Xinyue walks over towards him and hands over the sword to him and deliberately brushing off his hands against Lei Qiang's.

"Be careful not to hurt your waist."

Lei Qiang opens the door and leaves. Duan Xinyue locks the door and heads to the bathroom.

Lei Qiang walks out of Qingfeng Pavilion and finds Hong Yi waiting for him anxiously.

"My Lord have you spoken with Duan gongzi?"

"Mm,"Lei Qiang replies bluntly as he gets in the carriage.

For the next few days Lei Qiang doesn't hear from Duan Xinyue. Even if he misses him he doesn't have the guts to go to Qingfeng Pavilion because the moment he shows up there and looks Duan Xinyue in the eyes he's gonna lack a rational excuse for visiting. So he will hopefully wait for Duan Xinyue to visit him. Today the heavens finally answer his prayers. His face brightens when he sees Duan Xinyue walking in but the person behind Duan Xinyue makes him frown. The other visitor is obviously Du Yichen. The two visitors humbly bow to Lei Qiang greeting him in the process. Duan Xinyue requests to speak with Lei Qiang in private so they head to Lei Qiang's room.

"Well furnished room,"Duan Xinyue nods in acknowledgement.

"You smell like sandalwood."

"I discovered this sandalwood scent suits me the most."

"Oh. "

"I'm actually here to confirm something."

Duan Xinyue takes out a small piece of paper with writings on it and hands it over to Lei Qiang.

"A secret letter?"

"Yes. Is that your senior brother's handwriting?"

"Yes. How do you know?"

"I saw his handwriting once but I wasn't sure of it so I had to confirm it."

"It's a letter about the Illusion Lair. Where did you find it?"

"I've studying the Illusion Lair communication techniques and I've studying the different kinds of pigeons used to send letters and I came across a certain unique pigeon so I decided to tamper with it."

"You're investigating the Illusion Lair?"

"That's right."

"Why didn't you inform me?"

"You should concentrate more on your sect's matters,"Duan Xinyue replies his tone full of total ridicule.

"So you decided to let Du Yichen tag along?"

"I know you don't like him and if you're not happy with it think about better ways of making it up to me and I will let you tag along too."

"If I make it up to you well will you discard him off the team?"

"That will depend on your performance,"Duan Xinyue smiles mysteriously and leaves.

Duan Xinyue and Du Yichen walk out of White Pavilion chatting happily.

"What did you talk to Lei Qiang about?"

"I wanted to confirm something from him."

"He didn't seem pleased to see me."

"Is that so?" Duan Xinyue chuckles awkwardly.

"Where are we going next?"

"Hope Temple."

"Hope Temple?"

"Yeah but we'll go with Xu Han."

Duan Xinyue's intention of going to Hope Temple has changed. He wants to find out more about the mysterious Miss Yun and maybe more about the young lady she was with at the restaurant the other night. So in the afternoon,the three of them head to Hope Temple along with Lei Qiang and Du Bai Xin tagging along.

Initially Duan Xinyue never paid attention to Miss Yun. He thought she was merely obsessed with love and dating but it turns out she needs to fake her identity and interests to hide her real identity. Despite his handsome face, he has to capture her attention more either by being a slow learner or fast learner. He has to study how different Miss Yun interacts with fast learners and slow learners so he can choose a side.