Back in the VIP room, Jaz Vixen's smile softened as she leaned back against the couch.
"I wanted to ask whether Little Fall would be willing to retrieve something for me after he leaves Cold Steel City. If he returns with the information or items I need, I'm prepared to offer him a reward worthy of his time and effort."
Purple Night raised an eyebrow.
"Is it even worth my time to hear you out?" she asked lazily.
"I'm more than willing to offer him something that truly reflects the value of his time and effort," Jaz Vixen replied casually.
The same gentle smile remained on her lips, as though she had already anticipated Purple Night's response.
Purple Night considered her words for a moment before reaching for another snack.
"Since this is a personal request from you, Jaz Vixen, I can't simply turn you down."
She paused to take a bite before turning her attention toward Fall Night. She licked a crumb from the corner of her lips before continuing.
"However, Fall Night can only consider your request after our current mission is complete."
Purple Night glanced at him again.
"And more importantly, he's the only one who can decide whether to accept or decline."
The room fell silent as both women waited for Fall Night's answer.
"I accept your request."
Purple Night's eyes shifted toward him, a trace of mockery appearing in her expression.
Before Jaz Vixen could celebrate, however, Fall Night continued.
"But I have a few conditions."
Jaz Vixen's interest immediately returned.
"What are your conditions, Little Fall?"
"If this request turns into a life-or-death situation, I will withdraw." Fall Night's voice remained calm and measured. "I won't continue the task, nor will I return to Cold Steel City afterward just to explain what happened or what kind of danger I encountered."
Jaz Vixen's smile widened.
"That's acceptable."
"My other condition is that I get to keep anything I find beyond the specific items or information you've requested."
This time, Jaz Vixen remained silent for a moment.
She studied Fall Night with renewed interest, seemingly weighing the implications of his condition.
Meanwhile, Purple Night continued enjoying her snacks as she observed the exchange.
'He's clever. He never reveals his hand or allows his emotions to show easily. The Midnight Clan must be a den of lions.'
Purple Night's eyes narrowed slightly as she continued watching him.
Jaz Vixen eventually broke the silence.
"Hmm... Very well, I'll allow it. However, if you happen to find anything of exceptional importance, I'd appreciate it if you brought it back to me."
"That is fine."
Jaz Vixen smiled once more before brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Little Fall."
Her agreement had come without hesitation. After all, every cultivator needed a way to retreat when a situation became too dangerous. There was little point in making a request if the person carrying it out had no opportunity to protect their own life.
Jaz Vixen straightened up and leaned toward Fall Night, her expression becoming slightly more serious.
"Then allow me to explain what I need, Little Fall."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"I need you to locate the ruins of the Nine Tails branch clan of the Purple Pupil Vixens. Somewhere within those ruins should be a stone tablet. I want you to retrieve it and bring it back to me."
She raised a finger.
"If the tablet cannot be removed, then simply tell me where you found it and provide as much information about its location as possible. Once you return, I'll have something good waiting for you."
Purple Night's gaze hardened.
"I have a question for you, Jaz Vixen."
Jaz Vixen turned toward her with a playful smile.
"Go ahead, Little Mother Hen."
"Don't blame me when I pluck your eyes out."
Purple Night's voice remained casual, but her expression suggested she was entirely serious.
"Now, why do you specifically want Fall Night to handle this request?" She stared directly into Jaz Vixen's eyes. "There should be plenty of people willing to assist you if you're offering the right price."
Jaz Vixen laughed softly.
"Sharp as ever, Little Mother Hen. Oops... I mean, Purple Night."
She crossed her legs, seemingly unbothered by the threat.
"Yes, I could entrust this task to almost anyone. However, the Midnight Clan has an excellent reputation for fulfilling its clients' requests."
Purple Night's eyes narrowed.
"Then does that mean anyone from the Midnight Clan would do?"
Jaz Vixen's playful expression faded slightly.
"Miss Night."
She placed both hands neatly on her lap.
"Asking too many questions can be bad for one's health and longevity."
Her eyes sharpened, and the warmth in her smile diminished.
"Being a busybody in someone else's affairs won't help you, either. If I were you, I'd stop while I was ahead."
"Is that a threat, Jaz?"
"Jaz?"
A small giggle escaped Jaz Vixen's lips.
"I didn't realize we were that close."
She tilted her head, her smile returning.
"It's not a threat, Purple Night. Just a friendly reminder that sticking your nose too deeply into someone else's business can be bad for your health and longevity."
The atmosphere between the two women grew noticeably colder.
Their smiles remained, but neither seemed particularly amused anymore.
Fall Night silently watched their exchange for a moment before deciding he'd had enough of their verbal sparring.
He extended his map toward Jaz Vixen.
"Please mark the area where I can find the ruins."
Jaz Vixen accepted the map and studied it carefully. After a moment, she extended one of her claws and pricked the tip of her finger. A small bead of blood emerged, and she used it to draw a circle around the region where the ruins were believed to be located.
Fall Night's gaze followed the movement of her finger.
The moment her blood touched the map, a faint bloodline aura spread through the paper.
Fall Night's attention immediately sharpened.
His gaze lingered on the bloodstain as he carefully sensed the aura emanating from it.
Jaz Vixen noticed his reaction at once.
Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched him closely. She had deliberately allowed a trace of her bloodline aura to escape.
Fall Night nearly asked her why she had done so.
Then he sensed something unusual within her bloodline.
It was a strange quality, unlike anything he had encountered before.
Something about it suggested an advantage he had yet to understand.
Before he could investigate further—
Bang!
Purple Night lightly stomped her foot against the floor.
The sudden vibration jolted Fall Night out of his concentration.
Jaz Vixen's expression darkened immediately.
She knew exactly what Purple Night had done.
For a brief moment, neither woman spoke.
Then, without commenting on the interruption, Jaz Vixen retrieved a talisman and tossed it toward Fall Night.
"This will help you with the search," she explained briefly, offering just enough information for him to understand how to use it.
Once she finished, she rose from the couch and stepped toward him.
Before Fall Night could react, she leaned forward and pulled him into a quick embrace.
Her lips drew close to his ear as she whispered playfully.
"You still need to mature a little, Little Fall. Don't keep this Pavilion Master waiting too long. I have some interesting plans for you if you manage to complete this task."
She pulled away with a seductive grin, seemingly pleased with the effect of her words.
"I'd love to spend more time playing with you, Little Fall, but money waits for no one. I have plenty of pavilion affairs to attend to."
She adjusted her clothing before giving him one last smile.
"I'll see you again before you leave the Banner of Crest Palace."
With that, Jaz Vixen turned and left the VIP room.
As the Pavilion Master of the Banner of Crest Palace, she had countless matters demanding her attention. She couldn't afford to spend the entire day entertaining guests who might never return.
Even if Fall Night had agreed to her request, there was no guarantee he would ultimately carry it out.
His agreement was merely a promise to consider the task once his current mission was complete.
Anything could happen between now and then.
The door closed behind Jaz Vixen, leaving Purple Night and Fall Night alone in the VIP room.
Fall Night slowly exhaled, trying to settle the uneasiness that had been building within him.
Both women were interested in him, but for very different reasons.
Jaz Vixen seemed intrigued by his bloodline, while Purple Night was more interested in the secrets surrounding him.
Neither woman was someone he could afford to underestimate.
He leaned back against the couch, crossed his arms, and shifted into a more comfortable position. His eyelids lowered slightly, making him appear as though he might fall asleep at any moment.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The earlier tension gradually subsided, replaced by a quieter atmosphere. Yet the silence between them was not entirely peaceful.
With Jaz Vixen gone, there was no longer a need to maintain the appearance of a pleasant social gathering.
Purple Night had other matters to discuss.
She lifted her wineglass and took a slow sip. Afterward, she gently swirled the remaining wine around the cup, watching the liquid trace its familiar circle.
It was a trademark habit of hers whenever she intended to get down to business.
"Fall Night, let's return to our unfinished business."
Her eyes settled on him.
"Specifically, the matter concerning the Midnight Clan."
Fall Night didn't immediately open his eyes.
"Purple Night, I don't have clearance to access any high-level information about the Midnight Clan. And even if I did, I'm not sure it would be of any use to you."
Purple Night let out a quiet scoff.
"You're petty. For someone who's still considered a boy by our standards, you certainly know how to keep your cards close to your chest."
She continued swirling the wine in her glass, occasionally taking another slow sip as she studied his reactions.
Every word, every pause, and every change in his expression might offer her a clue. Yet Fall Night remained frustratingly composed.
He merely shrugged.
"Not my fault."
Purple Night's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Oh, it is, Fall Night. You see, I always get what I want."
She raised her wineglass and took another sip.
"It's only a matter of when."