Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Damn Woman Dared to Throw Away My Token

The curious guard couldn’t help but ask, “Are you all in some kind of trouble?”

He Yueyue waved her hand solemnly. “It’s not really trouble. We just happened to find something very important and didn’t dare leave without waiting for the owner.”

A finely dressed man riding a brown steed in the middle of the group was about to scold the guard to move along quickly, but upon hearing He Yueyue’s words, he reined in his horse and asked, “Miss, what important thing have you found to warrant such caution?”

He Yueyue’s eyes immediately brightened when she saw him. She stepped forward quickly and bowed. “So it’s the eldest son of the Chancellor’s residence. This humble woman greets you, young master.”

She then raised the National Master’s token above her head with both hands. “Our caravan found the National Master’s token in the roadside grass and didn’t dare neglect it, so we stopped to wait for the person who lost it.”

Li Jiaze glanced at it, confirming it was indeed the National Master’s token. He raised an eyebrow. “This really is the National Master’s token? How did it end up out here in the wilderness?”

Today, a woman carrying the National Master’s token had entered the palace. Upon hearing this, his father had instructed him to keep an eye out. He had brought his men all the way here, only to have the token handed to him so readily.

What a coincidence! How intriguing!

“And who might you be?” Li Jiaze looked He Yueyue up and down.

He Yueyue raised her face without hesitation, meeting his gaze boldly. “I am He Yueyue, the manager of Chaoyang Trading Company.”

Chaoyang Trading Company had risen in the past two years to become the largest trading house in the capital. But more astonishing than its size was that its manager was a woman.

Everyone said she was shrewd and capable, fearless and wise—possessing both the skill and the backing necessary. Otherwise, a woman alone could never have sustained such a vast enterprise.

Seeing her in person, apart from noting her beauty and sharp gaze, there was nothing especially remarkable—just a touch aloof.

“Rest here for a while,” Li Jiaze suddenly ordered as he dismounted.

Seeing his indifference to the National Master’s token, He Yueyue didn’t hesitate to slip it back into her sleeve.

Suddenly, a carriage curtain was lifted, and a young gentleman with delicate, sculpted features emerged. His brows held a serene depth, and his clear eyes seemed to pierce the soul, as though harboring the stars and seas—radiating wisdom and gentleness. He looked like a figure stepping out of a painting, impossible to ignore.

Li Jiaze was momentarily stunned.

He Yueyue was taken aback for a moment but quickly recovered, smiling shyly as she hurried over to Yan Weiyu and spoke with a strong accent, “Young Master Yu, why are you coming down? Did we disturb your rest?”

Yan Weiyu gave He Yueyue a faint smile, then turned to Li Jiaze. “Manager He, who is this?”

He Yueyue promptly introduced them courteously. “Young Master Yu, this is Li Jiaze, eldest son of the Chancellor’s residence. Li Jiaze, this is Young Master Yu of Cangxian Mountain.”

Cangxian Mountain! Li Jiaze’s eyes widened instantly.

No wonder everyone said the mysterious backing of Chaoyang Trading Company was untouchable. It turned out they had connections with Cangxian Mountain—the most enigmatic place on the entire continent.

And judging by this man’s demeanor, there was no doubt he was truly from Cangxian Mountain.

Li Jiaze immediately stepped forward with respect. “I am Li Jiaze. It’s an honor to meet Young Master Yu.”

Yan Weiyu nodded lightly, perfectly embodying the aura of a reclusive master. “Young Master Li, the courtesy is appreciated.”

He then looked at He Yueyue. “Why stop here in the middle of nowhere, with no village or inn nearby?”

He Yueyue took out the token and handed it to Yan Weiyu. “A guard found this token. Since Young Master was resting here, we thought it best to wait for the owner.”

Yan Weiyu glanced at the token, then casually tossed it into the roadside grass. “If someone lost it, they should come back looking for it.”

Li Jiaze couldn’t help but feel uneasy seeing Young Master Yu treat the National Master’s token so casually. He quickly stepped forward to retrieve it, smiling ingratiatingly. “I know the owner of this token. If Young Master Yu has matters to attend to, allow me to hold onto it for now and return it when we find the rightful owner.”

Yan Weiyu nodded indifferently. “Very well, then. Thank you, Young Master Li. Please continue on your way.”

Without another word, he turned and got back into the carriage.

He Yueyue hurriedly bowed to Li Jiaze and rushed after Yan Weiyu. “Young Master Yu, please wait for me.”

Li Jiaze had hoped to strike up a rapport with Young Master Yu along the way, but their horses were surprisingly faster than his steed.

They pushed their mounts to the limit, yet still couldn’t catch up. The distance only grew until they vanished from sight.

Li Jiaze’s frown deepened.

Since the National Master’s token had ended up in his hands, the woman carrying it must have already left the capital. Fearing trouble, she probably discarded the token.

No doubt she was timid—otherwise, she wouldn’t have used such an important token for just one trip to the palace.

After some thought, he decided to return.

But from now on, his attitude toward Chaoyang Trading Company would have to change.

Inside the carriage, He Yueyue looked at Yan Weiyu, clad in men's clothes, and clicked her tongue in admiration. “Boss, you’re getting better and better at pretending to be from Cangxian Mountain. What will you do if you actually meet the real masters one day?”

Yan Weiyu shrugged nonchalantly. “Just keep your thoughts to yourself. If people from Cangxian Mountain came out so easily, it wouldn’t be a secluded immortal mountain.”

Meanwhile, Yuan Kaiji and his group were urging their horses forward and ran headlong into Li Jiaze and his party returning.

Li Jiaze saw them from a distance, immediately dismounted respectfully, ready to salute Yuan Kaiji.

But Yuan Kaiji didn’t even glance at him, nor slow his pace, galloping past them.

Li Jiaze narrowed his eyes, looking down at the token in his hand before glancing at the rapidly disappearing group. A flicker of cruelty crossed his gaze.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he carefully pocketed the National Master’s token, vaulted onto his horse, and headed back toward the capital.

Yuan Kaiji hadn’t gone far when a mighty eagle flew directly toward him.

He leapt up and took the message capsule from its talons, continuing to urge his horse onward as he opened it.

At just a glance, his back molars clenched tightly. “Damn woman, getting more daring. She even dared to throw away my token.”

Yuan Yi took the note and asked, “Master, the token has fallen into Li Jiaze’s hands. Should we send someone to retrieve it?”

Yuan Kaiji snorted coldly. “No need. I doubt he’d dare misuse my token. First, we catch that damned woman.”