Chapter 161 Frost Falls upon the Mirror, Yet All Remains Spotless

No matter what, Your Excellency, you have done Qingyu Pavilion a massive favor. Unfortunately, this humble maiden has no way to repay you adequately and can only offer some coarse tea to host you. Might I be so bold as to slightly intrude and bring this tea inside for you? With an elegant wave of Qin Ruohen's hand, a silver tea tray materialized out of thin air. Resting upon it were exquisitely crafted teapots and cups, adorned with bizarre and peculiar patterns that seemed to hint at some profound, hidden meaning.

A faint, lingering fragrance drifted from the pot, permeating and saturating the very air around them. Who would have thought that such humble tea leaves could emit a fragrance so fresh and revitalizing? Even more astonishingly, this aroma spread to every corner of the room. The scent lingered near the tip of the nose, refusing to dissipate for a long time, casting a spell of deep fascination upon everyone. Yet, this fragrance felt strangely familiar, bearing a striking resemblance to the blue leaves of the Yanlan Academy. However, this scent was far more intense; even the slightest brush against it would cause the aroma to anchor itself for a long time, impossible to wash away.

Just based on this fragrance alone, I can already determine that if I were to miss it today, I would regret it for the rest of my life. If Lady Qin and the other young heroes do not mind, let us drink this tea together. As soon as the man's voice faded, the light gauze hanging before the entrance lifted of its own accord. Qin Ruohen smiled faintly and walked forward carrying the tea, her joy entirely evident. She could hardly wait to fly into the private room and take a good look at the person who had drawn his sword to help her. Seeing this, the others followed closely behind Qin Ruohen without a moment's hesitation.

As they stepped into the private room, a man seated leisurely in a wooden chair came into view, instantly brightening everyone's vision. The man, bearing a trace of fatigue on his handsome face, was lazily toying with a porcelain cup resting upon the tea table, looking thoroughly at ease. Upon seeing them enter, he hastily rose to his feet, offered them a faint smile, and spoke with utmost respect: "I am Jing Luohan. To be able to encounter several young heroes upon first arriving at this place is truly my immense fortune, making this journey worthwhile!" He then glanced toward Qin Ruohen and said softly, "You must be Lady Qin, the manager of Qingyu Pavilion. Truly, your name befits your person—as flawless and immaculate as a trace of mist without a blemish!"

Only then did Qin Ruohen raise her head, gazing naturally and smoothly at the man. Only by doing so would she avoid appearing abrupt; instead, it left people feeling that this woman was exceptionally courteous, devoid of the slightest flaw. When Qin Ruohen's gaze locked with Jing Luohan's eyes, the atmosphere between them instantly turned subtle and delicate. The man was truly as his name suggested: as dazzling and brilliant as a clear mirror. Yet, his demeanor carried the chill of winter frost, resembling snow, yet entirely devoid of arrogance, replaced instead by a gentle and mild warmth.

Jing Luohan was dressed in a flowing azure gauze robe, his movements exceptionally graceful as he walked. His eyes were as brilliant and dazzling as shooting stars, possessing an alluring charm. Although the slight weariness on his face clashed somewhat with those radiant eyes, it lent him a unique and captivating aura. Above those eyes grew a pair of thick, jet-black, lustrous eyebrows, adding a heroic flair to his otherwise striking gaze. His straight, well-defined nose was set squarely in the center of his handsome face, and the deep contours on either side only served to highlight his resolute and unyielding strength.

The corners of his thin lips curled upward into an approachable smile, which instantly shortened the distance between him and everyone present. For some unknown reason, the group suddenly felt that this person was not an enemy. Although vigilance is always necessary, they found themselves completely unable to raise their guard against him. They instinctively felt that someone capable of possessing such a warm and comforting smile could not possibly be a bad person. Furthermore, the fact that he had just driven away that arrogant young scion proved at the very least that he was not standing against them. If he genuinely harbored intentions of friction with them, he would never have gone to such great lengths to approach them. If he had grudges to settle or scores to repay, he could simply have done so directly; he hardly seemed the type to expend so much elaborate effort.

Even Yushang found himself unable to generate any feelings of repulsion toward this man. Although Jing Luohan's words revealed that he had intentionally waited here for them, Yushang could at least be certain that his arrival did not spell disaster. Their stances might differ, but it was unlikely to spark any major conflict. Nonetheless, Yushang remained deeply curious about Jing Luohan's true identity. From the expression of the scion who had fled in panic moments earlier, Yushang had long since concluded that this man was no ordinary figure. Without shouting to establish dominance, a single detached strike had been enough to send that person packing—truly an interesting display. Yet, Yushang had a gut feeling that Jing Luohan would not reveal his identity so easily.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. This humble maiden merely possesses the modest looks of an ordinary family and is hardly fit for sophisticated company. Please, I beg of you to first partake in this cup of gratitude tea!" Hearing this, two delicate flushes crept onto Qin Ruohen's cheeks. She then placed the fragrant tea upon the wooden table and personally brewed a round for everyone. For some inexplicable reason, Xun Mishuang, standing quietly in the corner, caught sight of a shy, maidenly bashfulness in Qin Ruohen that she had never before revealed in front of others. Having known her for so long, Xun Mishuang had never witnessed her behave in such a manner. Could it be that this Jing Luohan was her destined match? If that truly were the case, a wonderful show was about to unfold!

"Oh? This tea is truly bizarre! The brewed liquid is red in color, and despite the steam rising from it, drinking it feels remarkably cool. A unique, refreshing fragrance lingers upon the tip of the tongue. I am genuinely curious as to what kind of tea leaves were used to brew this!" Jing Luohan picked up a tea cup, turning it over in his hands with undisguised fondness, occasionally sniffing the floral-rich aroma of the tea. Yet, strong as the fragrance was, it retained an unadulterated freshness born of nature. Seeing him so intoxicated, the others picked up their cups and began to sip slowly. Just as Jing Luohan had stated, to miss this would indeed be a lifelong regret.

"This is a proprietary fragrant tea produced exclusively by Qingyu Pavilion; you won't taste it anywhere else. As for what plant it actually comes from, to be honest, I am not entirely certain myself. Ever since I moved here, a strange tree has been growing in the backyard, with branches, leaves, and trunk all glowing a deep, unique red. Initially, I had no idea its leaves could be used to brew tea, but one day, while casually carrying a cup of water past it, a single leaf drifted down silently and landed right in my cup. In the blink of an eye, the clear water transformed into a pale red hue. Out of curiosity, I took a sip, and the flavor was truly wondrous, unforgettable upon the palate. Ever since then, I have used it to host the distinguished guests of Qingyu Pavilion," Qin Ruohen explained slowly to Jing Luohan. Judging by her tone and her level of excitement, she seemed profoundly interested in him.

"You always claim you use it to entertain the distinguished guests of Qingyu Pavilion, yet every single time I come here, I never see you brew such precious tea for me! To my mind, this Young Master Jing must be the second person in history to taste this tea, while the rest of us are merely basking in his reflected glory and have the fortune to partake," Xun Mishuang teased with a mischievous smirk as she spoke softly. She wanted to see if this little girl had truly fallen for the man named Jing Luohan. If that was indeed the case, it must be love at first sight, and she ought to feel genuinely happy for her.

"You contribute nothing to my Qingyu Pavilion on ordinary days, yet every time I visit, I am dragged aside just to listen to your endless grievances. I haven't even asked you for compensation yet, and here you are, picking faults with me instead! Do you really need me to recite those words verbatim before you realize just how agonizing it is to play the role of a listener?" Qin Ruohen fired back with an equally mischievous grin, refusing to let herself be outdone. This naughty girl actually dared to plot against her, forgetting just how many dirt she had on her; a single sentence from her lips would send Xun Mishuang fleeing in embarrassment.

"Hehe, I was merely joking with you! Why are you taking it so seriously? Just pretend I never said anything a moment ago. You must know this is a secret that belongs solely to the two of us; how unsightly would it be if others overheard? Besides, you are not the kind of person who enjoys gossiping about others. You certainly wouldn't waste your precious time on such boring trivia just to tell them pointless stories, right?" Sensing danger, Xun Mishuang quickly offered a conciliatory smile. This girl was truly ruthless! She had only wanted to tease her a little, only to end up threatened in return. This truly was a losing venture!

Standing nearby, Leng Huaiyi chuckled inwardly while letting out a deep sigh at the same time. His current state of mind was clearly a tangled mess. It seemed that during the days he had abruptly vanished from Yanlan Academy, this girl had only been able to come to Qingyu Pavilion to pour her heart out to Qin Ruohen! She remained truly steadfast in her devotion to him; no matter what kind of hurt he had inflicted upon her, this foolish girl was always willing to let bygones be bygones and treat him with such infatuation. Leng Huaiyi could consider this lifetime complete without regrets for having such a devoted love, yet it was a pity they were fated never to truly continue their romance. While he was touched by Xun Mishuang's deep affection, he still hoped she could let go. After all, spending the rest of one's life guarding memories must be an agonizing ordeal. Rather than clinging to that pain, it would be far better to open her arms and embrace the right person. Though he might feel a lingering reluctance, he would still sincerely bless her.

"By the way, there is one thing I do not quite understand, and I hope Brother Jing can enlighten me," Yushang said softly, gazing at Jing Luohan, who wore a perpetual, faint smile. This person gave him a feeling strikingly similar to Leng Huaiyi—both equally gentle and warm, seemingly devoid of temper, yet if truly provoked, the consequences would not be pretty. One had to understand that when men of this type turned ruthless, they could be far more terrifying than outright villains. Still, Yushang could be certain that Jing Luohan at least posed no immediate threat to them, for he could sense that the man's inner state was as calm and undisturbed as a mirror. If he harbored malicious intent, no matter how skillfully he masked it, he could never entirely control the natural frequency of his heart. Thinking this, Yushang's mind finally settled completely. After this brief observation, though he remained ignorant of the man's origins, confirming that he meant them no harm was enough.

"Please speak. If it is within my knowledge, I shall tell you everything I know without holding anything back," Jing Luohan replied, noticing that Yushang had completely lowered his guard. The smile on his face deepened, though it remained entirely devoid of malice. He seemed merely pleased by their acceptance rather than harboring any ulterior motive. Moreover, his arrival in Biluo Ancient City was not meant to scheme against them, but simply to witness the breathtaking scenery of this mystical realm for himself. It was only because he had recently caught wind of certain rumors concerning this group that curiosity had driven him to invite them to share a cup of tea. In any event, becoming enemies with them was out of the question, and if they were willing to accept him as a friend, he would gladly welcome it.

"Judging by Brother Jing's remarks just now, it seems you were already somewhat familiar with us beforehand. May I ask why that is? After all, we are total strangers to you, and hearing remarks that defy reason in such a manner is indeed baffling." Everyone had expected Yushang to press Jing Luohan about his true background, never imagining he would approach the matter from this angle. Yet, once Yushang brought it up, doubts stirred within the others as well. After all, they possessed no grand renown to speak of in this world. Why would Jing Luohan claim that meeting them was a stroke of triple fortune? Furthermore, his tone had hardly sounded like perfunctory, polite banter. Unless he had deliberately waited here for their arrival, how could he possibly have known they would come to this exact place? One had to realize that visiting Qingyu Pavilion had been a spontaneous decision; even they themselves had been entirely unaware of it beforehand. This truly left everyone deeply perplexed and mystified.