**Chapter 40: You Don’t Recognize Me After Not Even Putting Your Pants Back On?**

"What are you trying to do? There's a crowd outside, so many people!" Lin Fengmian whispered.

"Isn't that what makes it more exciting?" Liu Mei giggled. "This is your reward!"

"Isn't this more like punishment?" Lin Fengmian protested, exasperated.

With a soft, delicate touch, Liu Mei effortlessly made Lin Fengmian, who was initially resisting, completely unable to stay composed.

"Your words say no, but your body is quite honest." 

She gave Lin Fengmian a seductive glance, ignoring his embarrassment as she slowly crouched down.

From his vantage point, Lin Fengmian looked down, catching a glimpse of the scene below. Lowering his voice, he said, "Don't... those people are acting strange!"

"Hmm? Tell me then... what's strange about them?" 

Usually eloquent, Liu Mei now spoke haltingly, which only made Lin Fengmian more frustrated.

"That Fazhi's moves were too sinister, it doesn't feel like... he's from the righteous path!" 

Seeing Liu Mei's confusion, Lin Fengmian grabbed two key points and began explaining things in a more straightforward way.

Despite her usual sharp wit, Liu Mei couldn't grasp Lin Fengmian's meaning even after an intense flurry of actions.

Lin Fengmian tried his best to patiently explain everything, feeling increasingly impatient as time passed.

Finally, unable to hold back, he went all out, explaining everything to the seemingly cold but inwardly seductive Liu Mei.

Liu Mei furrowed her brows, digesting his words for a moment before swallowing the "bitter pill."

After a lengthy "lesson" from Lin Fengmian, she finally understood. Now, she was enlightened and brimming with knowledge.

Recalling his earlier impatient attitude, Lin Fengmian couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

Liu Mei licked her red lips and playfully teased, "You said no, but weren't you enjoying yourself? Holding onto me like that, almost choking me!"

Lin Fengmian was utterly embarrassed. Now, in his moment of clarity, he felt a sense of remorse and sighed, "You're the one who led me astray!"

Liu Mei laughed heartily, "So, do you want to come to my room tonight and get to know each other better?"

Lin Fengmian, acting righteous, rejected her, "No, you come to my room!"

Liu Mei burst into laughter, shaking with amusement, her body's movements making Lin Fengmian feel a bit dizzy.

Damn, even if she doesn't drain my energy, at this rate, I'll be drained dry anyway.

With a teasing smile, Liu Mei added, "Aren't you supposed to be meeting the City Lord's wife tonight?"

Lin Fengmian was shocked. How did she even know about that? Does she keep an eye on me 24 hours a day?

"I'm strong, no worries!"

Giggling, Liu Mei returned to the serious topic. "I've also noticed something strange about those people. What do you think?"

"What do I think? Isn't this your problem?" Lin Fengmian said, puzzled.

"Aren't we on the same side? You don't recognize me after not even putting your pants back on?" Liu Mei said, feigning hurt.

"Uh..."

Lin Fengmian realized that it's not just the one who eats that feels soft-spoken, but sometimes, the one being eaten finds it hard to speak too.

But Liu Mei was right. Since he had already acted, there was no way he could run now if they were discovered.

"What if we... run away?"

Liu Mei thought for a moment, feeling reluctant to abandon the disciples they had recruited. But ultimately, she agreed.

"Now isn't the right time. We'll leave tonight under cover of darkness. Keep an eye on those two!"

Lin Fengmian never imagined he'd be collaborating with them in such a situation, lamenting how unpredictable life could be.

However, gaining their trust was his only chance at escaping.

He nodded, "Alright, got it."

"If the situation turns bad, we'll leave them behind. I'll take you with me and escape," Liu Mei said with a grin.

"Uh, I'm not great at flying. I might slow you down. How about you give me the antidote and I stay behind?" Lin Fengmian suggested.

As long as he could part ways with them, it would be easy for him to disguise himself and slip away.

"No way. How could I bear to leave you behind?" Liu Mei saw through his little scheme, smiling as she spoke.

Lin Fengmian's face stiffened, but he could only smile awkwardly, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for not abandoning me."

The two of them walked out of the room to find the others, including Xia Yunxi, already waiting in the living room.

"Oh, finally done, Senior Sister?" Mo Ruyu teased.

Lin Fengmian blushed, stammering, "We were just talking..."

"Your pants aren't even on properly," Wang Yanran pointed out.

Lin Fengmian jumped in surprise and looked down, only to realize he had been tricked.

Wang Yanran and Mo Ruyu burst into laughter, their mirth contagious, causing Lin Fengmian's face to flush even more.

These wicked women!

He couldn't help but glance at Chen Qingyan and Xia Yunxi, noticing that Chen Qingyan's face looked unhappy while Xia Yunxi seemed a bit downcast.

"Alright, enough teasing. Junior Brother Lin said that Fazhi seemed off. They might not be genuine monks," Liu Mei said seriously.

The others were startled, quickly asking, "What's going on?"

Liu Mei explained the situation in detail, her eyes darting to the two "scallions," noticing their evasive gazes.

"Later, we'll go ahead with recruiting disciples and hand them over to the City Lord. Tomorrow night, we'll meet outside the city!" Liu Mei ordered.

The other women nodded seriously, agreeing without hesitation.

Given their sensitive identities, exposure would bring serious trouble.

Their lives were at stake!

They hadn't even checked those people's identity tokens, and that negligence now felt like a guilty conscience.

The disciple recruitment in the afternoon went smoothly. Thanks to Lin Fengmian's outstanding performance, the townspeople were even more enthusiastic.

Lin Fengmian's disciple recruitment line was especially long, filled with many lovestruck young women, giving him a taste of fleeting fame.

But he didn't let it go to his head and kept an eye on the two "scallions."

He noticed that one of them had activated a spirit-testing stone but didn't report it. Instead, they allowed a hooded person to leave.

Lin Fengmian immediately realized that this person was likely one of their group, disguised and infiltrated.

Not good!

Making an excuse, Lin Fengmian quickly informed Liu Mei, "Something's wrong with those two scallions!"

"Scallions?" Liu Mei was confused for a moment, then burst out laughing, "That's quite vivid!"

"Stop laughing!"

Lin Fengmian hurriedly explained his findings to her. Now that they were all in the same boat, he didn't want to die for no reason.

Liu Mei's expression grew serious. She nodded and said, "We'll leave right now. You maintain the current situation and don't startle them."

"Find a way to slip away later. We'll meet up on the north side of the city!"

"What about them?" Lin Fengmian hesitated.

"Forget about them. We'll leave right away!" Liu Mei said firmly.

"What about my antidote? Give me the antidote first," Lin Fengmian pleaded anxiously.