Chapter 35: “I'll do anything you ask of me”

Lin Fengmian was taken aback, "Me?"

He could understand why the city lord's women couldn't go out into public, but why they would ask him to test their spiritual roots was beyond him.

"Yes, you! Why? Are you unwilling?"

Liu Mei walked over to his side with a smile, "You should communicate more with the ladies; they won't drain your essence."

Lin Fengmian immediately understood the hidden meaning in her words and hurriedly replied, "Senior sister, you must be joking."

"I'm not joking at all. In the eyes of outsiders, you're a celestial master."

Liu Mei giggled, "If I drain you, you can drain them too. Go ahead, just don't forget to come back." 

Under Liu Mei's teasing, Lin Fengmian left with a complicated expression, holding the pill.

When he arrived at the city lord's backyard and explained his purpose, a beautiful maid led him inside.

Along the way, the maid kept sneaking glances at him, her eyes filled with affection. Even when Lin Fengmian spoke a few words to her, she blushed.

Moreover, every person they passed greeted him with respect, their eyes filled with admiration and awe.

This made him recall Liu Mei's words. To her, he might be nothing more than a scapegoat, but to ordinary people, he wasn't.

When Lin Fengmian finally met the city lord's wife, he was a bit stunned.

He had expected a middle-aged woman in her forties or fifties, but instead, she appeared to be just over thirty, dressed in a red palace gown, dignified and elegant, exuding nobility.

It seemed that this woman was likely not the city lord's first wife.

Slightly plump but with a generous figure, the city lord's wife respectfully greeted Lin Fengmian, "Greetings, Celestial Master."

The other women also curtsied one after another, creating a spectacle of varying beauties, leaving him momentarily dazzled.

Although the city lord was unattractive, his wife and concubines were all stunning, most of them young and beautiful, with some even younger than his daughter.

However, Lin Fengmian had seen plenty of such things in the mortal world, so it didn't surprise him.

"Madam is too polite. I have come by my senior sister's order to deliver this beauty-preserving pill to you," Lin Fengmian said, taking out the pill bottle.

All the women's eyes lit up. What woman doesn't love beauty? In their eyes, the pill in Lin Fengmian's hand was a prized possession.

"Thank you, Celestial Master."

The city lord's wife took the pill bottle, her fingers lightly brushing against his palm, which made Lin Fengmian slightly flustered.

But when he looked closely, she remained dignified, calmly placing the bottle aside, as if the previous touch was merely an accident.

The city lord's wife then said to the other women, "I'll keep this pill safe for now. I'll discuss it with the city lord before distributing it."

Although some women seemed dissatisfied, they didn't dare voice their complaints and nodded obediently.

"My senior sister also instructed me to test the spiritual roots of the madam and young ladies. Are all the women in the household present?" Lin Fengmian asked with a smile.

"They're all here," the city lord's wife replied with a smile.

Lin Fengmian took out the spiritual root testing instrument and began testing the ladies, including the maids, one by one.

The courtyard was soon filled with the cheerful chatter of women, fragrant scents wafting through the air, leaving Lin Fengmian somewhat overwhelmed by the sights.

He was merely going through the motions, but to his surprise, one of the women actually possessed spiritual roots.

It was the city lord's daughter, a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen. Upon learning that she had spiritual roots, she excitedly hugged Lin Fengmian, jumping up and down.

"Celestial Master, can I really cultivate immortality?"

Lin Fengmian smiled and said, "I'll need to check with my senior sister first, but it shouldn't be a problem."

Although her spiritual roots were not outstanding, her young age made her suitable for recruitment into the Hehuan Sect.

The girl, overjoyed, gave Lin Fengmian a kiss on the cheek, startling him.

The city lord's wife quickly pulled her back, apologizing to Lin Fengmian, "Yaner is undisciplined. I apologize for her behavior."

Lin Fengmian was surprised to learn that this girl, Yaner, was her daughter.

He smiled and said, "No harm done."

The tests concluded, and only the city lord's daughter had spiritual roots. The others were all without.

One woman, unwilling to give up, asked, "Celestial Master, can't I really cultivate immortality?"

Others, however, were more interested in Lin Fengmian himself, daring to ask, "Celestial Master, how long have you been cultivating? How old are you?"

"Celestial Master, is it true that immortals can retain their youth and live forever?"

"…"

Surrounded by curious ladies, Lin Fengmian was bombarded with questions, caught amidst the fragrant aroma of perfumes and a rather overwhelming display of beauty.

Though he tried to remain composed, he couldn't help but feel the intensity of the situation.

At that moment, the city lord's wife cleared her throat and said, "How can you all act so improperly? Go back to your rooms and stop disturbing the Celestial Master's peace!"

"Yes, madam," the others reluctantly dispersed.

Yaner, the city lord's daughter, wanted to stay behind to chat with Lin Fengmian, but her mother quickly ushered her away.

The city lord's wife then apologized, bowing slightly, "They are undisciplined. I hope Celestial Master won't take offense."

Lin Fengmian quickly replied, "Madam is too kind."

"If the Celestial Master has no pressing matters, how about staying for a cup of tea before you leave?" the city lord's wife offered.

Not wanting to appear rude, Lin Fengmian accepted, sitting down to chat with her while averting his gaze.

Noticing his subtle avoidance, the city lord's wife deliberately bent down to pour tea, giving him a clear view.

"About Yaner's cultivation, I do hope the Celestial Master can put in a good word."

Lin Fengmian waved it off, smiling wryly, "I don't have much say. My senior sister will decide, but it shouldn't be an issue."

Being a pampered lady in the mortal world, why the desire to join the Hehuan Sect and become some sort of temptress?

The city lord's wife, however, believed Lin Fengmian was merely being modest. Suddenly, she collapsed weakly onto him.

Lin Fengmian hurriedly supported her and asked, "Madam, are you feeling unwell?"

The city lord's wife leaned against him, her body soft and weak, pressing closer.

"I suddenly feel a bit dizzy. Could the Celestial Master check on me?" she murmured.

Lin Fengmian held her hand, sending a bit of spiritual energy into her body, but found nothing wrong.

Frowning, he asked, "Where exactly do you feel discomfort?"

The city lord's wife tugged down her already low neckline, nearly revealing too much, and said with a frown, "I feel a tightness in my chest."

Realizing what was going on, Lin Fengmian finally understood. It seemed the madam wasn't truly unwell but rather hoped for a more "thorough" examination.

Holding her delicate and soft hand, he calmly said, "Does madam wish for me to help your daughter join the sect?"

Exposed, the city lord's wife stopped pretending and leaned into him, her eyes filled with seductive allure.

She whispered softly, "As long as the Celestial Master helps Yaner join the sect, I'm willing to do anything for you."