Despite having lived in Mingdu for quite some time, Lin Xiao couldn't help but marvel at the city's architecture every time he saw it.
Its building style was entirely different from other cities, with decorations that occasionally felt strikingly familiar, making Mingdu seem less like a city of the Douluo Continent and more like a shadow of the cities from his past life's memories.
As the evening lights began to glow, a towering building stood out among the neatly arranged shops, shimmering under golden embellishments as if a golden phoenix were about to take flight. Faint music drifted from within, mingling with the bustling noise of the street.
Qiwu Garden.
Two days had passed in a flash, and Lin Xiao had come as promised. Though he didn't know Shangguan Wei'er's intentions, with her status and strength, she wouldn't need such elaborate means if she truly meant him harm.
The street was filled with an endless stream of ornately decorated carriages, and occasionally, someone would pass by riding a fine soul beast, accompanied by a retinue of servants as they entered the building.
Compared to these dignitaries, Lin Xiao's attire was far plainer. However, there was no cliché moment where the guards at Qiwu Garden's entrance looked down on him, nor did he get the chance to dramatically present his invitation.
As he stepped through the entrance, the scent of cosmetics and fragrant food hit him, mixed with the subtle, elegant aroma of wutong wood. In the center of the hall, a delicate artificial rockery pool gurgled, while above, a chandelier made of countless tiny glass pieces and metal frames shaped like phoenix feathers rotated slowly.
Every decoration exuded an air of opulence, and Lin Xiao even felt the place was more luxurious than the imperial palace.
"Welcome."
Lin Xiao had barely entered when someone noticed him. A waiter, as if waiting for a long time, broke into a smile and quickly approached.
It was the same person who had come to the academy two days ago.
Whether Shangguan Wei'er was certain he would show up or had made such arrangements regardless, Lin Xiao couldn't tell.
"Please follow me."
The waiter bowed slightly to Lin Xiao and gestured for him to follow.
Ascending the carved staircase, clear and melodious zither music filled the air. The waiter softly reminded him to watch his step, while several young women along the stairs nodded gently in his direction.
The whole experience almost made Lin Xiao feel like he was some kind of dignitary.
"We're here."
After walking down a long corridor, the waiter finally stopped before a door. Pushing it open, the light from an illumination soul tool filtered through pale pink gauze, casting a warm glow over the room. A unique fragrance filled the space, rich but not overpowering.
Lin Xiao looked up, his steps pausing slightly.
Shangguan Wei'er, whom he had met once before, was smiling at him from across the room. Shangguan Qing stood by her side, dressed differently than usual, exuding a more mature charm under the room's lighting.
"Please come in, honored guest. I've been waiting for you," Shangguan Wei'er said.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Proprietor," Lin Xiao replied.
"Hehe." Shangguan Wei'er covered her mouth with a light laugh, as if hinting at something. "Calling me 'Proprietor' feels a bit distant. I manage a modest enterprise called the Ordinary Alliance, and thanks to the care of my friends, they address me as Alliance Leader."
Looking at Shangguan Wei'er, Lin Xiao couldn't sense her cultivation level at all. It was hard to believe that the person before him had strength comparable to at least a Titled Douluo. Her every move made it easy to overlook her age.
"May I ask why Alliance Leader Shangguan invited me here?" Lin Xiao got straight to the point as soon as he sat down, feeling somewhat uneasy in this setting.
"The night is long, little guest. Why the rush?" Shangguan Wei'er said with a smile, standing up to personally pour tea for Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao quickly covered his cup. "Alliance Leader, I can do it myself."
"No need for that, honored guest. I run this establishment to welcome guests. Since you're here at Qiwu Garden, you're my guest. How could I let a guest pour their own tea?"
Looking at Shangguan Wei'er's smiling face, Lin Xiao couldn't calm his mind.
Even an ordinary merchant, once they gained fame and fortune, would inevitably carry some airs.
Yet, as the leader of the Ordinary Alliance, one of Mingdu's three major underground forces, Shangguan Wei'er, despite her status, could treat someone like Lin Xiao—far inferior in strength and age—with the demeanor of an ordinary merchant. This was no small feat.
"I heard about you from Qing'er," Shangguan Wei'er said, gently taking the teacup from Lin Xiao's hand. "Mingdu had just stabilized when I heard that a student, on their first day at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, became the disciple of the academy's director."
"I was truly curious. After some inquiries, I learned that you were personally recommended to the academy by Hall Master Hongchen. I've always wanted to meet you, but I didn't expect that we'd already crossed paths once before."
Lin Xiao understood that Shangguan Wei'er had noticed him during their encounter at the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, but he remained silent.
Despite having memories from two lives, his previous life spanned only a little over twenty years. Combined, his experience was no match for Shangguan Wei'er. The best he could do was say as little as possible.
"No need to be nervous, honored guest. I invited you here personally just to ask a few things," Shangguan Wei'er said.
"Please speak plainly, Alliance Leader Shangguan."
"The first matter…" Shangguan Wei'er glanced at Lin Xiao. "As I mentioned earlier, I manage a modest enterprise called the Ordinary Alliance."
"Last year, a shipment of goods from the Ordinary Alliance went missing at the Sun Moon Empire's border. Do you happen to know where those goods ended up, honored guest?"
Lin Xiao's expression didn't change, but his mind raced with thoughts. Shangguan Wei'er's simple question carried a wealth of implications.
When he had gone to the border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire to "pursue" Xu He, he had indeed seen a shipment from the Ordinary Alliance—two dragon girls.
They were later taken by people from Shrek Academy and, from what he heard, were settled by the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Though he had appeared near the border afterward, how did Shangguan Wei'er know he was aware of the dragon girls' whereabouts? Was this a probe based on his movements, or did she truly know the truth?
When people from Shrek Academy clashed with those from the Ordinary Alliance, he had been wearing a mask and even fled to another location overnight to avoid the conflict. How did Shangguan Wei'er know it was him under the mask?
"Hehe." Seeing Lin Xiao remain silent, Shangguan Wei'er chuckled again. "No need to worry, honored guest. Though there were some tensions between my side and your sect before, we're now in business together. Naturally, I won't make things difficult for you."
Well, that settled it.
Lin Xiao suddenly let out a breath of relief. No wonder Shangguan Wei'er had asked him to call her Alliance Leader from the start—she had known he was from the Holy Spirit Sect all along.