Blossoming Path

Chapter 97: Nuts About Secrets

"I hope Elder Zhu would be willing to help me make the elixir..." I mumbled to myself.

Having his support to create such a product would guarantee its success, and I didn't want to make mistakes with such valuable ingredients. Maybe he'll be more partial to it once I win the Gauntlet! Haha!

Walking into Cloudrift Pavilion, I was met with an airy, elegant interior that instantly put me at ease. The restaurant was designed with a wind theme, giving it an open, breezy feel. The walls were adorned with delicate paintings of clouds and gusts of wind, while the ceiling was a vast expanse of sky blue with intricate, swirling patterns. The dining area was spacious, with tables arranged to provide a scenic view of the city from all angles. Open windows lined the walls, allowing natural light to flood in and offering breathtaking vistas of Crescent Bay City.

A waiter approached me with a polite smile. "Good evening, sir. How many will be dining with us tonight?"

"Just two. I'm expecting someone shortly," I replied.

"Of course. Do you have a seating preference? We have several tables available, and there are even more options upstairs if you prefer."

I glanced around the room, my eyes drawn to a corner table situated at the edge of the dining area. It offered an unobstructed view of the city, with the lights twinkling like stars below. "I'll take that table in the corner," I said, pointing to it.

"Excellent choice," the waiter said, leading me to the table. "Please, have a seat. Here is the menu. Can I get you something to drink while you decide on your order?"

I settled into the chair, taking in the panoramic view of the city. "I'll have a cup of green tea, please," I said, needing something to calm my nerves after the tumultuous day.

As I waited, I opened the menu and began to peruse the offerings. My mind, however, kept drifting back to the events of the day and the possibilities ahead. The Breezesong Fruit, Duan Jian, and tomorrow's round... It was a lot to digest.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of my tea. The waiter set the steaming cup before me with a practiced grace. "Here you go, sir. Have you decided on your order, or do you need a few more minutes?"

I smiled, shaking my head. "I need a few more minutes, thank you."

"Take your time," he said, stepping back to give me space.

I sipped the tea, feeling the warmth spread through me. It was soothing, a momentary respite from the whirlwind of my thoughts. The gentle hum of conversations around me and the serene ambiance of the Cloudrift Pavilion helped me to relax, if only slightly. The view from my table was mesmerizing. Crescent Bay City stretched out below, the buildings illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. The bustling streets, the distant sounds of music and laughter—all of it painted a picture of a vibrant, living tapestry.

But through the din of idle chatter, I heard a voice, faint but familiar. "Father, I—"

I froze, my ears straining. That was Jingyu Lian's voice. Glancing up, I realized the source was from the floor above. My heart raced as I strained to catch more of the conversation.

"Be quiet and let me keep speaking," another voice chided, presumably her father's. It was strong and authoritative.

The voices faded into a quiet, unintelligible whisper. My curiosity was piqued, I needed to hear more. Half-tempted to crawl up the railing and strain my ears, I considered my options. Moving my table upstairs was out of the question; it would draw too much attention.

Desperately, I glanced at the menu, searching for inspiration. My eyes landed on the Gingko Nut Stir Fry Vegetables dish. The idea sparked, and I waved the waiter over.

"Excuse me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Could I order the Gingko Nut Stir Fry Vegetables? But could you serve the gingko nuts separately and as quickly as possible?"

The waiter looked slightly puzzled but nodded. "Of course, sir. I’ll have that prepared right away."

As he walked away, I tapped my fingers on the table, my mind racing. The gingko nuts, known for their properties to enhance cognitive functions and senses, were my best bet. If I could enhance my hearing, I might catch more of the conversation upstairs.

Minutes felt like hours as I waited for the dish to arrive. The voices above remained low, frustratingly just out of reach. I sipped my tea, trying to maintain my composure, but the urgency gnawed at me.

Finally, the waiter returned with a small bowl of gingko nuts, fragrant as cow manure. "Here you are, sir," he said, placing them before me.

"Thank you," I said, barely able to contain my disgust. Eugh! That smell was potent!

I double-checked the nuts and how thoroughly cooked they were. Translucent bright green and tender to the touch, they were cooked perfectly. That would help degrade the aptly named gingko toxin that could've caused vomiting. Hopefully this gamble pays off.

Taking the bowl and discretely hiding it under the tablecloth, I began extracting their essences, hoping that glow wouldn't be too powerful.

I could feel the slightest pull on my qi reserves, letting me know that even though I couldn't see it, the technique was working just fine.

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I quickly slipped the essences into my green tea, watching as the liquid took on a dull glow and emitted a potent smell, multiplying the intensity of the gingko nut's odor.. Almost immediately, the people around me began to wrinkle their noses and mutter complaints about the garbage-like scent wafting through the air. Ignoring the commotion, I swiftly drank the tea, the strange odor persisting.

Despite the horrendous violation the gingko nuts brought upon my nose, the taste was quite pleasant.

Setting the now dull and stale-looking gingko nuts back on the table, I closed my eyes, feeling the immediate effects. My senses sharpened to an uncomfortable extent—smells, sounds, and sights all intensified. Even the lingering scent of gingko nuts came back in full force. I had to focus, tuning out the overwhelming sensory input to concentrate on the voices above.

With my enhanced hearing, I could catch every word, even their hushed tones.

"—Your performance must be impeccable to counteract his influence."

"I know, father," Jingyu Lian murmured. "I can do it without resorting to these...tactics. I just made a mistake in the last round. I know I’m the best alchemist among the contestants."

Her father sighed. "Yes, your skills are unparalleled. But there are other contestants who pose a serious threat, including the one with the Essence Extraction skill. It's been thought lost for decades, yet he wields it as if it were second nature. He could challenge you and make this situation all the more precarious. A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant's nest. And with him judging in the later rounds, he won't leave any stone unturned. Even securing a place to talk was difficult. My brother has eyes and ears all over our compound."

Hearing this, a thrill of pride surged through me. Even Jingyu Lian's father acknowledged my skills. Truly! As Feng Wu once said, a thousand-mile horse is rare, but not as rare as the who can recognize and appreciate it! To think one of my greatest admirers would be Jingyu Lian's own father! No wonder she's so jealous towards m-

"We can't afford to take chances," her father continued. "Taking risks is a luxury we cannot afford. Your victory must be assured, even if it requires certain... adjustments. The upcoming round will test your ability to decipher a partially-given recipe. We have put measures in place to ensure your success. You will follow them. Is that clear?"

My heart raced as I leaned in closer, straining to hear every word. Deciphering a recipe? Her father knew what was happening in the next round?

"Father, please," She pressed on, her voice still in a low whisper. "Elder Wei Lian can't—"

"My brother can, and will." Her father interrupted. Even though I was an entire floor down, I could feel chills going down my spine. Jingyu Lian quieted down immediately. "Do you realize how long he's been waiting for this? This extends beyond your personal honor; it encompasses my standing within the sect. Your defeat would bolster his son's claim to lead the alchemy pavilion, an outcome disastrous for our clan. Can you shoulder this responsibility?"

The last words leaving his mouth felt like a punch to the gut.

She didn't respond. Only silence remained, before her father's voice continued, albeit softer this time. "...Although the specific recipe isn't chosen until the round begins, my informant's made sure that the interior of the envelope on your station will contain all the information you need to pass the round at first place. Make sure to revise your knowledge before then."

Jingyu Lian's reluctance was palpable in her silence. I could almost see her conflicted expression, torn between her principles and the immense pressure her father was placing on her.

"Little Jing," her father said softly, his tone taking on an affectionate note. "This is all to secure your future. If it weren't for Wei Lian's interference, you would have won the Gauntlet cleanly, and I would have allowed you to go unimpeded. But we must adapt to the situation. You understand, don't you?"

There was a heavy pause before she finally spoke, her voice filled with reduced to the softest whisper that even I could barely hear with my enhanced senses. "Yes, father. I understand."

"Our clan's legacy rests upon your shoulders, Jingyu. This is not merely about winning a competition, but about upholding our family's honor and maintaining our position. You have the talent, but you must also wield the wisdom to navigate these trials if you want to be the next head. Do not let sentiment cloud your judgment."

Her father's chair scraped against the floor as he stood up, the sound echoing in the now silent space. His footsteps were deliberate and measured as he walked away, leaving Jingyu Lian alone. The quiet that followed was profound, filled only with the subtle rustle of fabric and the occasional clink of cutlery from the other diners. I opened my eyes, now letting myself relax as the conversation ended. My back was covered in sweat, both from intense focus and the weight of this situation.

I sat back, my mind swirling with thoughts. The depth of the competition's intrigue was far beyond what I had imagined. Not only was there personal pride at stake, but the very fabric of sect politics and family honor was intertwined in this Gauntlet.

What should I do with this information? If I revealed it, it could ruin Jingyu Lian's reputation and her father's standing. But if I kept it to myself, it would mean allowing this deceit to potentially mar the competition. The fairness and integrity of the Gauntlet were at risk.

She was an arrogant, entitled princess who thought the world belonged to her. But... I couldn't call her a bad person. But even she doesn't want to do this. It was all because of stupid sect politics and geezers interfering, putting their noses where they don't belong. It had parallels to the situation between me, Ping Hai, and Elder Jun.

I suppose it was true; one can know a person's face, but not their heart.

"Damn it..." I whispered, rubbing my forehead for the ensuing headache.

I glanced over to the entrance of the restaurant, spotting Tao Ren. As he glanced around looking for me, I already knew what he was going to do.

With my increased reflexes, I bolted out of my table and sprinted towards him. The noise caught his attention, and he stared right at me with a big grin on his face. I could see him open his mouth, take the slightest intake of breath before beginning to shout at the top of his lungs.

"K-—urgh!"

Before he could shout my name and reveal my presence to the unaware Lian family on the second floor, I slapped a hand across his mouth and placed a finger to my lips.

"Please, please! Just be quiet. Let's bring you to the table." I muttered, looking around and apologizing to the nearby tables for the commotion.

I grabbed the muscled man and practically dragged him to the corner where our table was. Looking around, I swiveled his seat to face the open window, and moved myself across from him.

"Sorry, Tao Ren. Just be quiet for a little bit and don't move. Just stay in place."

Despite my instructions, he glanced from left to right, obviously confused. "Kai, what is going on?"

"I'll tell you in a bit. Just—just be quiet, okay?"

I hid my face as best I could, taking advantage of Tao Ren's large frame. I watched as Jingyu Lian's father came down the stairs. It was the first time I had ever seen him.

Jingyu Lian's father had a dignified aura, but one that didn't command much attention. His robes were nice, but not to the level of opulence I expected from a clan leader, especially considering how extravagantly Duan Jian was dressed. He was probably trying to be inconspicuous. His face was stern, lined with the weight of responsibilities and perhaps the toll of endless scheming, as expected of most sect elders.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he paused for a moment. My heart skipped a beat, hoping he didn't sense my gaze. But then he snapped his head in my direction, and I hurriedly looked down, pretending to focus on the menu, praying he didn't notice me.

"I'd like to place my order," Tao Ren called the waiter over, his voice breaking the tension. He ordered his dish, chatting casually while I kept my head low, feigning interest in the menu.

A few tense seconds passed, and then I saw Jingyu Lian's father glide towards the door. His steps echoed in my heightened senses until he finally exited. I breathed a sigh of relief, my muscles relaxing as the tension ebbed away.

The blacksmith leaned in, curiosity written all over his face. "Alright, spill it! What's with all the cloak and dagger stuff?"

I sighed. I didn't even know where to begin. Or rather, should I even begin?

I glanced over at him once more, seeing him tilt his head to the side. His slicked back hair was already beginning to fall back into its natural, tousled mess. He reminded me of a large, friendly buffalo. I think Tao Ren could be trusted with this information.

My mouth moved, as quiet as humanly possible, explaining the situation to him. His eyes widened in shock, and moved towards the ceiling as though he expected to see Jingyu Lian peering down on us from the next floor.

"I know that you're usually quite..." I fumbled around for the proper word to call him. "...lively, but please, for my sake and yours, keep this between us."

"You know me, Kai. I won't tell a soul. Blacksmith's honor. But this is your problem more than it is mine. What are you going to do about it?"

I was thankful he minded his voice, lowering it to a quiet whisper. "That's my problem. I don't know what to do. Clearly there's more to this than what we've seen. I don't want to ruin her here. But if it puts the integrity of the Gauntlet at risk..."

Tao Ren wiggled his eyebrows. "You don't want to rat out the girl you've been fancying; I understand. I don't know what I'd do in your situation; maybe I'd tell my old man. He could do something about it."

I clenched my fist, fighting the strong urge to sock him in the face. But as he said the last part, something in my mind clicked.

"...Tao Ren, is your father still around? Perhaps there is a way we can go about this."