On the surface, Ian Song agreed not to steal any techniques from the Scarlet Flame Sect, but in his heart, he’d already made up his mind—he was going to pull a job.
After a full day of travel, Ian and his two companions finally arrived at a bustling town at the foot of Red Sun Mountain just before nightfall.
The town was large and lively, with plenty of men and women in Scarlet Flame Sect robes walking around.
They found an inn and booked two rooms.
"Chloe and I will share a room!"
The veiled girl said this to Ian, then took Chloe straight into one of the rooms.
Ian had no objection to this arrangement.
He asked the inn boy to bring up hot water to wash off the dust from the road, then changed into a black robe. His white robe from earlier was already covered in dirt after a whole day of travel.
"Once you’re done washing up, come downstairs for dinner!"
He called out outside the veiled girl's room, then headed straight downstairs.
Nowadays, most inns and restaurants are combined—eat and stay all in one place.
Ian picked a window seat, called the inn boy over to order a few dishes and a pot of wine, then waited quietly. In reality, he secretly activated his Clairvoyant Vision and began sizing up the Scarlet Flame Sect disciples in town.
None of these Scarlet Flame Sect disciples were particularly strong—the best among them was only at Divine Sea Stage, but most were at Divine Strength Stage. They were clearly Outer Sect disciples.
During today’s journey, he’d learned quite a bit about sects from the veiled girl.
In this world’s martial sects, there aren’t a bunch of ranks—just a split between Outer Sect and true-line disciples.
Outer Sect disciples can at most get high-level Mortal-Grade Techniques; only true-line disciples receive King-Grade or better manuals.
Plus, Outer Sect disciples have to pay a yearly tribute after joining.
If they reach Divine Sea Stage, they can stay in the sect a bit longer.
But those with poor talent get kicked out after three years at most.
Even so, plenty of people will do whatever it takes to get into a sect. Even being an Outer Sect disciple is a status symbol.
Outer Sect disciples often band together. If someone runs into trouble, all the nearby Outer Sect disciples will rush over to help as soon as they get the message.
Plenty of Scarlet Flame Outer Sect disciples came to town to have fun, but after searching around, Ian didn’t find a single true-line disciple. That left him disappointed.
Once the food and wine were served, the veiled girl arrived with Chloe, both of them now changed into fresh clothes.
"Want some wine?"
Ian looked straight at her and asked.
The veiled girl didn’t answer, just glanced at the cup. Ian smiled, picked up the wine jug and poured her a glass, then filled his own. He raised his cup to her and downed it in one go.
"Mm, not bad!"
Ian found the wine pretty decent. Next, he picked up his chopsticks, put some food in Chloe’s bowl, then thought for a moment and put some in the veiled girl’s bowl too.
The veiled girl was briefly stunned, but then an odd feeling welled up inside her. She glanced at Ian—and suddenly found him much more agreeable.
Just then—
A group of young men in Scarlet Flame Sect robes swaggered into the inn.
"Ah, sirs, you’re here! Please, come in!"
The inn boy spotted them and rushed over, greeting them with extra enthusiasm.
"Here, for you!"
The leader grinned arrogantly and tossed the inn boy a silver ingot, making him even more eager to please.
After sitting down, one of the sect disciples shouted, "Hurry up with the wine—don’t dawdle!"
The inn boy quickly replied, "Yes, sirs! Just a moment—coming right up!"
Just then, a slightly chubby Scarlet Flame disciple noticed Ian’s group. He quietly tugged at the sleeve of a nearby disciple and whispered, "Brother Ma, look at that little girl—she’s pretty cute. And the veiled one, even though you can’t see her face, I bet she’s gorgeous too."
Even though the fat disciple tried to keep his voice down, he was naturally loud, so Ian’s whole group heard every word.
Ian didn’t react much, but the veiled girl’s expression darkened—clearly annoyed.
Brother Ma looked them over, his eyes practically glowing green, then got up and walked their way.
The other Scarlet Flame disciples watched with amusement and didn’t try to stop him—they all knew Marcus Ma was infamous for chasing girls.
He’d already played with every pretty girl in the local brothels, and when he got bored, he started targeting respectable families. After all, every season, new young men and women came to Red Sun Mountain to seek a master.
But even Outer Sect disciples aren’t just anyone—getting in is tough.
Marcus Ma had a silver tongue and had tricked plenty of naive girls.
Since he hung around town so much, Marcus could tell at a glance that Ian’s group weren’t locals. Most likely, they were here to seek apprenticeship—so he figured he’d found another opportunity.
"Greetings, you three. I’m Marcus Ma, Outer Sect disciple of the Scarlet Flame Sect!"
"So it’s Young Master Ma—greetings. I’m Evan Chu." Ian knew the guy was up to no good, but he deliberately pretended not to notice and stood to return the greeting.
"Mm."
Marcus Ma nodded arrogantly, then fixed his gaze on the veiled girl. "And how should I address this young lady?"
"Get lost!"
The veiled girl didn’t even glance at him—she just spat out a single word.
Marcus Ma’s face darkened, his eyes flashing cold. "You’re awfully rude, miss. I came over to greet you—why the harsh words?"
The other Scarlet Flame disciples burst out laughing at Ma’s humiliation, making his expression even gloomier.
"Get lost!" The veiled girl still didn’t look up, repeating herself.
Marcus Ma’s face was practically purple with rage, his chest heaving. He sneered, "You’re here to seek apprenticeship, aren’t you? Well, with me around, you’ll never join the Scarlet Flame Sect!"
This time, the veiled girl finally looked up, which made Marcus Ma feel smug.
Just then, the veiled girl spoke again: "Are you done? If so, get lost."
Marcus Ma: "..."
In the end, Marcus Ma slunk away, his face terribly grim.
"Brother Ma, you’re just going to let this go?"
The chubby young man whispered.
"Let it go?" Marcus Ma flashed a vicious, cold smile. "It’s not wise to mess with them now—we’d get in trouble with the sect. But after midnight, I’ll settle things with her myself!"
Even though they kept their voices low, the veiled girl still heard every word. She smirked—these Outer Sect disciples didn’t even have anyone at Divine Sea Stage. Even if they all attacked, they couldn’t lay a finger on her.
Ian just gave her a playful smile.
Late at night.
The inn had already closed for the night.
Ian was sitting cross-legged on his bed, refining his inner qi, when his ears twitched—he heard a faint whoosh. Activating his Clairvoyant Vision, he spotted a man in black leaping lightly onto the inn’s roof with a tap of his right foot. It was Marcus Ma, the same man from dinner.