Chapter 31: There’s Something Wrong with the Tea

Lin Mingyue’s expression paused, a fleeting shadow passing through his eyes, but he quickly took the jade box and smiled warmly. “You’re very thoughtful. Don’t just stand there—come in and have a seat. I have some free time today, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

Seeing Lin Mingyue gesture in invitation, Jiang Min hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to trust her own judgment. She had made a point of inquiring about Lin Mingyue beforehand and learned that this Foundation Establishment uncle was known for his kindness towards Qi Refinement disciples. Many disciples often went in groups to Snow Listening Peak to seek his advice, and he was deeply respected and beloved by them.

Lin Mingyue’s cave residence was simple and tidy, with a special hall set aside for receiving guests. As they entered the hall, Lin Mingyue said, “Have a seat. I’ll make some tea—let’s use this ‘Moon among the Clouds’ for brewing.”

“Thank you, Uncle Lin.”

Jiang Min sat down. Once Lin Mingyue turned away, she lowered her eyes. After all, entering a male cultivator’s cave residence made her uneasy. Only the short dagger strapped to her leg and the swift-movement talisman hidden in her sleeve gave her some comfort.

Still, facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, those methods were hardly enough. But she had one more trump card: the mysterious peach branch rooted in her dantian. When the branch was weak, it could easily devour even a peak first-tier demon core; now that it had further evolved, its power must be even greater. The only problem was, she still didn’t know how to control it—she only used it to absorb demon cores and advance her cultivation.

Thinking this, Jiang Min realized she was perhaps overcautious. Perhaps her anxious attitude was a remnant from her days as a menial servant, when she’d lived in constant fear.

“What’s the use in worrying so much? If I want to learn talismans, I’ll have to deal with this uncle sooner or later.”

Soon, Lin Mingyue returned with spiritual tea, poured her a cup as he sat down and asked, “Have you encountered any difficulties in your studies? Tell me—let’s see if I can help.”

Jiang Min quickly voiced her questions, and Lin Mingyue answered each one with great patience and detail, even recommending some reference books for her to look for in the library.

“Why not try the tea? Or are you not used to drinking it?” Lin Mingyue suddenly asked.

Jiang Min’s eyes flickered, and she offered a sheepish smile. “Forgive me, Uncle Lin—truthfully, I’ve never had such fine tea before. I’m a bit nervous.”

“No matter—the tea is meant to be enjoyed. ‘Moon among the Clouds’ is a famous variety, grown only in the southern Cloud Mountain. Only a small amount is harvested each spring. For you to bring such a rare tea shows your sincerity. Go on, try it—it has a wonderful flavor.”

As he spoke, Lin Mingyue picked up his own cup and savored it delicately.

A strange feeling welled up in Jiang Min’s heart. But unable to refuse, she picked up her cup and mimed taking a sip, without letting a drop pass her lips.

“Uncle Lin, could I trouble you to recommend some annotated editions of ‘The Origins of Spiritual Talismans’? The library’s collection is overwhelming and I’m not sure which books are best for study.”

Lin Mingyue raised his brow and smiled. “Annotated editions of ‘The Origins of Spiritual Talismans’? There are indeed quite a few. Some of them are excellent for learning about talismans.”

Hearing the reservation in Lin Mingyue’s tone, Jiang Min pressed on. “Could you recommend one or two, Uncle?”

Lin Mingyue suddenly gave her a meaningful smile and changed the subject. “Nephew Jiang, you must understand—even with detailed annotations, talisman study is extremely difficult to master on your own. Drawing talismans isn’t mere theoretical talk; without a mentor’s guidance, you’ll waste much time. Why else do we have formal talisman classes?”

His attitude shifted abruptly.

Jiang Min sensed the implication and felt a chill. She pretended not to understand and answered earnestly, “Uncle Lin, you’re often busy. That’s why I only ask for some recommended books, so I can study on my own and avoid troubling you too often. If I ever succeed, I’ll present you with a generous gift to thank you for your guidance.”

Lin Mingyue kept his faint smile and slowly picked up his teacup. “No need for any gifts—this ‘Moon among the Clouds’ is already a rare token. I really am busy, between teaching and my own cultivation. However, if you’re willing to pay an extra price, I could tutor you privately. I guarantee that in just two years, you’d be fully proficient.”

He looked at Jiang Min, his smile growing more playful.

A cold feeling crept over Jiang Min’s heart. She stood up at once, bowing respectfully. “If it’s inconvenient for you, Uncle, I won’t trouble you further. Forgive my disturbance. I’ll come another time.”

Lin Mingyue seemed to see through her thoughts. He smiled slightly and stood as well. With a flick of his finger, a ripple of spiritual energy shimmered across the entrance to the cave residence—a sign that the protective ward had been activated.

Jiang Min’s expression changed.

“Uncle Lin, what is the meaning of this?”

“If you’re willing, I can teach you as long as you want. Why make things so complicated?” Lin Mingyue replied slowly, his tone unhurried. “You’re quite clever—not drinking my tea. Otherwise, you’d already be lying on the ground.”

The tea? There really was something wrong with the tea!

Jiang Min’s face grew grim.

Seeing that he had dropped all pretense and revealed his true intentions, she no longer circled around the issue. Her voice was tense. “What do you intend? Aren’t you afraid I’ll spread word of this and ruin your reputation?”

Lin Mingyue walked toward her, his tone gentle. “Nephew Jiang, whether you came to me for talisman lessons or I gave you books, there were always witnesses nearby. All I need to say is that you tried to seduce me in exchange for talisman instruction, and when I refused, you grew angry and tried to slander me out of spite. Tell me—who will people believe? Me, or you?”

A chill ran through Jiang Min.

Lin Mingyue had been cultivating his reputation for years and was held in the highest esteem. With his standing, no matter what she accused him of, no one would believe her.

As Lin Mingyue drew closer, Jiang Min immediately reached for the dagger strapped to her thigh. But before she could move, Lin Mingyue tapped her shoulder with lightning speed, instantly sealing her spiritual power and immobilizing her. At best, she could still speak.

She was terrified, but forced herself to change her demeanor and managed a strained smile. “Uncle, you give me too much credit. I’m just a poor country girl, low-born and untalented. Why bother with me?”

Lin Mingyue kept smiling. “It’s precisely because you have no power or influence that you’re an easy target. Everything I mentioned just now, I can do—as long as you’re willing. In just two years, you could master talisman drawing.”

Jiang Min clung to a sliver of hope and tried to reason with him. “Why not let me go? I’ll pretend nothing happened and won’t breathe a word. You know no one would believe me anyway—I know what ought to be said, and what must never be spoken.”

She still couldn’t understand why Lin Mingyue, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, would set his sights on a mere disciple like her. Was it simply lust? Looking back on their past encounters, she realized that from the very first time he gave her a book, Lin Mingyue had already been baiting his trap, just waiting for her to take the hook.

Only now did she realize her mistake—she had been wrong, so very wrong. No matter who she was dealing with, she should never have put herself in such a dangerous position. From the moment Lin Mingyue introduced himself and offered her gifts, she should have been cautious. In a world of cultivation where profit ruled all, why would anyone help another out of pure kindness?

All gifts freely given come with a price.

Despite Jiang Min’s repeated pleas, Lin Mingyue merely smiled, stepping before her, bending down to look her in the eye, and whispered, “If I let you go now, you’ll never be content. Since that’s the case, why should I let you leave?”

This all began when he discovered a most sinister cultivation technique in a ruined cave residence.

Among the techniques of the immortal path, most dual cultivation methods were mutually beneficial. Yet some were cruel and predatory, draining one to enrich another—some seized Yang essence, some Yin. The victim could be left with depleted vitality, a shattered foundation, or even death.

The technique Lin Mingyue found was called the “Manual of Yin Plunder”—capable of seizing a cultivator’s Yin foundation and increasing his own power.