The Underwear Tycoon in the Making Chapter 35: Truly Brilliant

Yesterday evening, that so-called upper-class individual from the Sacred Hall returned, trailed by her usual attendants. She was visibly astonished to discover Luo Xingchen and his companions still alive, finding it inexplicable. That long-abandoned courtyard was infamously haunted—by a particularly vicious ghost, no less. More than one cultivator had met their end there. Although these three were cultivators too, they looked so young; their strengths couldn’t possibly be remarkable, certainly not enough to contend with such a fiendish spirit. Yet here they were, standing unharmed before her. The woman’s mind couldn’t make sense of it.

She wondered if, perhaps, the ghost had taken the night off and not appeared at all. Otherwise, with all three still alive, she’d even been denied the chance to gloat at their misfortune. None of it added up.

Her voice, sharp and commanding, drew everyone’s attention. Surrounded by so many eyes, she showed no sign of shyness, boldly pulling up her sleeve to reveal her sacred mark. Look at this—what is it? The symbol of a superior of the Sacred Hall! Do you have one? Do you?

Despite the bruises on her face, not yet faded from yesterday’s encounter, she seemed to have forgotten her humiliation and began showing off once more.

“Why do you keep haunting us, you old hag?” Luo Xingchen retorted without a shred of courtesy, launching straight into insults.

“Didn’t you get enough of a beating yesterday? Or have you brought reinforcements to avenge yourself?”

“Elder Luo, what’s happening here?” Ye Mingyue, glancing between Luo Xingchen and the arrogant woman, couldn’t help but ask.

Just as the woman was about to belittle Luo Xingchen, she caught something familiar in Ye Mingyue’s voice—and her back looked strikingly familiar as well.

“And you are…?” she asked, puzzled, eyes narrowing.

Ye Mingyue turned to face her.

When the woman finally recognized her, her expression changed drastically. “P-Princess Mingyue…”

As a resident of the Inner City, knowing the faces of the palace’s most important figures was fundamental—especially the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and, of course, Princess Mingyue. And then there was Li Minghao—Li Junzi!

Wait—wasn’t Li Junzi always by the Crown Prince’s side? Why was he now with Princess Mingyue? Had he switched allegiance? That would be major news. But more than that—how did these disciples of the Grand Induction Sect know them?

Could it be that the ones sent to exorcise the demon were these three youngsters?

As these thoughts raced through her mind, the woman’s expression shifted repeatedly.

If that were the case, she dared not act too brazenly. Anyone entrusted with exorcising such a menace couldn’t be weak. Even if the other two girls were overlooked, the young man must hold some standing within the Grand Induction Sect. Her own status as a low-ranking superior of the Sacred Hall meant little in comparison. It was only enough to intimidate commoners and low-powered cultivators without backing. In situations like this, her authority evaporated, especially in the presence of Princess Mingyue or Li Minghao, the famed first gentleman of the Azure Cloud Empire, the Crown Prince’s right-hand man.

Had she accumulated two or three more sacred marks, perhaps things would be different.

In the briefest moment, countless thoughts surged through her mind, her attitude shifting wildly. Yet, to the onlookers, she simply appeared lost in thought.

Ye Mingyue, sensing some previous conflict between the woman and Luo Xingchen, asked, “Elder Luo, what happened here? Do you need my help to resolve it?”

Before Luo Xingchen could respond, the woman hastily collected herself and, with the utmost obsequiousness, replied to Ye Mingyue, “It’s nothing at all—just a minor misunderstanding between me and this young man, which has now been resolved. There’s absolutely no need for you to trouble yourself, Princess Mingyue.”

Before those of lesser status, she acted with arrogance; yet in front of her betters, she became wholly deferential. That was the nature of a superior in the Sacred Hall—rank and hierarchy ingrained deep within every member.

Ye Mingyue cast the woman a sidelong glance, then looked to Luo Xingchen. Reading the mocking amusement in his eyes, she gleaned the gist of what had transpired.

“There’s nothing here for you. You may leave,” Ye Mingyue said coolly.

The woman bowed and nodded repeatedly, then hurried off with her followers.

“Elder Luo, can we finally get to the real business—start the investigation?” Ye Mingyue asked, turning her attention to Luo Xingchen.

He shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Why not? There were two new victims just last night. Aren’t you going to inspect the crime scene or their bodies?” Ye Mingyue was clearly frustrated by his apparent indifference.

Luo Xingchen replied blandly, “As I said before, the murderer has ways to erase all traces of their presence. Even if we visit the scene or examine the victims, we won’t find anything useful.”

“Furthermore, news of our Grand Induction Sect’s exorcism mission has been spread far and wide—thanks to you—and yet the killer continues unabated. What does that tell you?”

Ye Mingyue had no answer.

“It means the culprit is perfectly aware of our movements,” Luo Xingchen continued, a hint of irony in his tone. “Knowing exactly where we are, the criminal proceeds without fear.”

“There are two possibilities: either we have a traitor among us… Don’t be scared, Enbao—we won’t betray you,” he said, patting Enbao’s ghostly head—a remark as baffling to the group as it was to Enbao himself.

I’m not even scared, Enbao thought, bewildered.

Luo Xingchen went on, “To put it another way, either there’s a spy in our midst, or you’re all so conspicuous that everywhere you go, you attract attention.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ye Mingyue declared, “There’s absolutely no way a spy has infiltrated our group!”

Luo Xingchen gave her a wry, knowing smile. “In that case, it must be the second reason: you’re simply too high-profile, drawing crowds wherever you go, which makes it impossible for me to investigate in peace.”

“So, from now on, you and your entourage will refrain from interfering. Leave this matter to me, Pi Yatou, and Yu Yatou. I’m confident that without your disruptions, we’ll soon solve the case and apprehend the real culprit.”

Ye Mingyue found his words deeply displeasing. Was he implying they were a burden?

Wang Zhengyu, on the other hand, suddenly brightened with realization.

It must be that hidden expert secretly arranged by Master who’s about to make a move! If Princess Mingyue and the others stay with us, that expert will be inconvenienced. Only by sending them away can the expert act freely. Soon, I’ll slay the demon and make a name for myself! Father, little brother—just wait to be astonished!

Li Minghao, meanwhile, felt rather helpless. Since earning the title of First Gentleman and the adoration of the people, he’d never been so thoroughly snubbed. But, seeing Luo Xingchen’s determination to separate from them, he decided not to press the issue.

He turned to Ye Mingyue. “Princess Mingyue, since Immortal Luo has no need of us, perhaps we shouldn’t impose further. Let’s return and await news from him.”

Ye Mingyue, her chest heaving with indignation, glared at Luo Xingchen for a long moment.

“Then I wish Elder Luo all the best,” she said coldly before leading her people away at a brisk pace.

Li Minghao saluted Luo Xingchen, then departed as well.

“Master, why did you send them away? They didn’t do anything,” asked Tie Pipi, whose mind revolved only around food and sleep, unable to grasp Luo Xingchen’s reasoning.

“Precisely because they did nothing, they needed to go,” Luo Xingchen replied.

Tie Pipi was still at a loss.

Wang Zhengyu, assuming a knowing air, explained, “Pipi, don’t ask so many questions. Just follow our senior brother’s lead and act when the time comes.”

“Act? As in cook chicken or chase after it?” At the mention of food, Tie Pipi’s mouth began to water.

Wang Zhengyu was left speechless. “Forget it, Pipi. Just stick with us. When the time comes, do as I do.”

As she spoke, Wang Zhengyu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, looking at Tie Pipi with a trace of pity. Such a promising talent, yet following Senior Brother Luo, she was bound to be led astray and turned into a little fool.

Having stuffed the last of the fried dough into his mouth, Luo Xingchen wiped his hands and lips with a napkin. Sensing his readiness, Wang Zhengyu asked eagerly, “Senior Brother Luo, where to now? What’s our next move?”

“We’re heading to the outer city,” Luo Xingchen replied. “Let’s stroll the streets and see if there are any local specialties worth trying.”

“Aren’t we supposed to be solving the case?” Wang Zhengyu was momentarily taken aback, but before Luo Xingchen could answer, she seemed to understand. “Oh, I get it, Senior Brother—you’re brilliant!”

On the surface, they would wander the city to mislead the enemy, while in reality, a hidden expert would be tracking the demon in secret. A classic feint—how clever! She hadn’t expected her senior brother to devise such a plan. No, perhaps he wasn’t that clever; perhaps it was all the master’s idea, designed to expedite the case and let her return home in triumph, proving her worth to her father and brother. Her master was truly too good to her.

Luo Xingchen was quite baffled by the praise. Was it just because he was handsome? Did any decision he made seem profound because of it? Yes, that must be it.