A Privileged Meal and an Unexpected Challenge

Host Yun’s lecture lasted a long time, and it was no longer noon, but evening.

The sun sets in the west, and only a little time remains hanging above the peaks, unwilling to sink.

The last rays of the setting sun painted the ground, landing precisely upon the grand entrance of the main hall.

Lin Mo and Ji Xue emerged together, finding the main hall teeming with people, each bustling with a clear purpose.

Only the two of them, like unyielding stones in a rushing stream, seemed to divert the flow of the crowd.

However, the primary reason for their stillness was Ji Xue’s uncertainty about where to go.

Lin Mo, on the other hand, had already set his sights: the moment Ji Xue uttered “off duty,” he would dash straight to the dining hall!

This morning’s breakfast still lingered tantalizingly in his memory.

If breakfast alone could be so delectable, he dared not even imagine the exquisite taste of dinner.

Yet, Lin Mo, ever the professional, kept his thoughts to himself.

His body, however, was less cooperative.

A distinct rumble emanated from his stomach, akin to an empty bamboo tube sinking into water, gurgling through a nascent crack.

A blush crept onto Lin Mo’s face, and he cleared his throat, saying, “Today, I was so preoccupied with acquiring breakfast for Your Highness that I quite forgot to procure a portion for myself.”

Ji Xue remained unconvinced; that morning, when he had presented the plates, she had distinctly noticed the sheen of oil around his lips.

Nevertheless, Ji Xue did not expose him, merely stating, “Hmph, a commoner is a commoner, always preoccupied with food. Come, let us dine together. Put away the umbrella; your hand is unsteady, and the setting sun keeps flickering in my eyes.”

Lin Mo, glancing at his own perfectly steady hand, said nothing in retort, simply tucking the umbrella into his storage ring and responding with a light chuckle, “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Lin Mo, having put away the umbrella, cast a glance behind him, but the familiar small figure was nowhere to be seen.

Turning his gaze towards the entrance and exit of “Jia-Domain,” he noticed a considerable number of people already emerging.

‘I haven’t had a chance to explain this morning… Never mind, I’ll head to Liu Ruyan’s dormitory after dinner and clarify what happened earlier.’

The dining hall stood apart from the main hall’s complex of buildings, nestled discreetly within the woods.

A wooden boardwalk, winding through a vibrant green bamboo forest, led deeper into the serene expanse.

Upon reaching the end of the boardwalk, as the bamboo parted gently, the scene before them dramatically opened up.

A vast, misty mirror-lake stretched out before their eyes, its crystal-clear surface reflecting the celestial light and drifting clouds, while at its very heart, an exquisite and unique pavilion floated serenely atop the water.

The mirror-like lake reflected everything within its depths, as if the two ends of the world were connected by its expanse.

Despite its remote and secluded location, the surroundings were far from desolate; people came and went, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

The lively human touch, even atop this mountain far removed from the mundane world, persisted unbroken.

This, then, was the dining hall of the Hall of Clarity: a lakeside pavilion, exuding an air of refined elegance.

From a distance, figures bustled within the pavilion.

Though no elegant music accompanied the scene, countless beautiful women sat by the encircling railings, some with their cloud-like hair gently swept up, others with their long tresses dancing in the breeze.

To Lin Mo, were these women, amidst such splendor, not themselves an integral part of the beautiful scenery?

“This place is quite lovely,” Ji Xue remarked with admiration.

Even having witnessed the opulent grandeur of the imperial palace, she could not help but be impressed.

“Oh, so even Her Royal Highness the Princess finds it agreeable?” Lin Mo teased playfully. “Shouldn’t the imperial palace be of this caliber? I half expected you to declare, ‘Hmph, the Xuan Nv Sect is nothing special.'”

“A commoner is a commoner. The architecture of the imperial palace ultimately embodies the majesty of imperial power. This, however, is merely designed to complement the beauty of this scene. Furthermore, when have I ever uttered a ‘Hmph’?”

“It just felt like something you’d say,” Lin Mo replied.

“Why is there no one else on our path?”

Only then did Ji Xue notice that the boardwalk they were traversing was entirely devoid of other people, save for the two of them.

In the distance, every other boardwalk teemed with individuals.

“Hehe~ This is my special privilege. As long as it’s unrelated to assessments, Pavilion Master Xian grants me conveniences in daily life~ Therefore, I’m always first for meals!”

Lin Mo had only gained this particular privilege that very morning.

While it might seem like a trivial perk to others, for Lin Mo, it was undoubtedly the finest compensation.

After a decade of bland, watery sustenance, he could finally indulge in delicacies from both land and sea.

How could Lin Mo not be overjoyed?

Were it not for his classes and cultivation, Lin Mo would have gladly taken up residence here, simply opening his mouth when hungry for a meal to be delivered.

“Let me tell you, the private rooms here offer absolutely stunning views! And what’s more—”

Before Lin Mo could finish his sentence, a woman clad in a green robe abruptly appeared before them.

Her face was comely, her age indiscernible, and her person bore no distinguishing marks.

She merely bowed respectfully to Lin Mo, saying, “The Lakeside Pavilion welcomes Disciple Lin. Your private room is prepared; please follow me.”

She was not the same person who had greeted him that morning, but Lin Mo paid it no mind.

“Much obliged,” Lin Mo responded, returning the gesture.

“Disciple Lin, you speak too highly; this is merely my duty,” the green-robed woman replied with a slight curtsy before turning to lead the way.

A shimmering stream of seven-colored light emanated from her sleeve, swiftly coalescing into a towering bridge of light that reached directly to the top floor.

The radiant, multi-hued curtain of light spanned across to the uppermost level, much like a vibrant rainbow.

She stepped lightly onto the rainbow bridge, and with each graceful stride, the curtain of light rippled outward in gentle waves.

Following this rainbow bridge to its end, and passing through a flowing curtain of light, they arrived at the top floor of the Lakeside Pavilion.

Unlike the bustling activity outside, this floor was remarkably serene.

It felt as though they had stepped into a secluded realm, completely cut off from the clamor of the outside world.

Along the spacious corridor, private rooms were arranged according to the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, winter—and the twelve months.

Following this order, the ‘Spring’ rooms represented the highest standard, while the ‘December’ rooms were the least.

The green-robed woman who had guided them vanished shortly after their arrival, but Lin Mo felt no alarm.

As someone personally instructed by Pavilion Master Xian to be entertained, he knew he was free to use any private room here.

He could even, if he wished, simply expel anyone he found displeasing.

A true privilege!

Lin Mo didn’t even understand why such extensive privileges were granted, but he didn’t care; if she offered, he would certainly enjoy them.

‘Were it not for the fact that I am male, and unaware of any hidden surveillance, I would almost wish to strip off this female disguise and run naked here, reveling fully in my male identity!’

‘Ahem, of course, that’s merely an exaggerated expression. Lin Mo would never actually do such a thing.’

“Hehe~ Your Highness, what do you think! Was taking me on as your attendant worth it or not? Getting to dine in such a high-class establishment simply by flashing my face—it certainly doesn’t diminish your status, does it~” Lin Mo said proudly to Ji Xue.

Ji Xue, of course, found herself with no grounds for complaint; she could only concede that she had indeed made the right choice.

“Hmph—” Just as she was about to let out a huff, the memory of Lin Mo’s earlier jibe flashed through her mind.

She quickly stifled it with a cough, amending her statement: “You’ve done well.”

“Then, wouldn’t another raise in my wages be perfectly reasonable?” Lin Mo asked with a smile.

Ji Xue’s face twitched involuntarily.

‘You’re a personal disciple, for goodness sake,’ she thought, ‘how did you become such a money-grubber?’

‘Didn’t I just give you a raise when we left the main hall? And now you want more?’

‘While I’m not short on money, I can’t just throw it around like this, can I?’

‘Even if Lin Mo performed exceptionally today, he shouldn’t push his luck, constantly demanding more money.’

‘If I give him a raise today, won’t he be trying to become the master tomorrow?’

‘Isn’t this just helping him accumulate capital, providing him with the means to usurp me?’

‘Throughout history, among the countless fallen dynasties, how many were not overthrown precisely in this manner?’

‘No!’

Having studied history diligently, Ji Xue knew deep down that no matter how well a subordinate performed, they must never be allowed to amass significant capital.

‘People are most obedient when they lack resources.’

‘Once they have money, their wings and bones grow strong.’

Ji Xue had firmly made up her mind, and just as she was about to speak.

“Princess Ji Xue, why are you here?”

An unexpected voice suddenly broke through, capturing the attention of both Ji Xue and Lin Mo.

However, this greeting carried none of the joy of long-lost friends reuniting in an unforeseen place.

Instead, it was the ubiquitous prelude to countless dramatic scenes: a blatant provocation.

“You are merely a Class B disciple; how dare you step foot in such a place? It seems to me you have absolutely no shame!”

Lin Mo was utterly bewildered.

‘They know she’s a princess, yet they’re still so brazen? How robust are their nine clans? Are they perhaps unkillable?’

‘I am a personal disciple of the Sect Master. May I ask how many “nine clans” you possess, that you dare speak to an Immortal Dynasty Princess in such a manner?’