Magic Chef of Ice and Fire

Shi Jue stood up, saying, "Alright, if you have any questions in the Guild, just ask me. It's getting late, I won't interrupt your rest any longer. From now on, we're brothers. I have to go now." Shi Jue handed the key he held to Nian Bing. He had his own scheme in mind, knowing that Nian Bing had a higher magic level than himself. Despite not caring for the Dragon Spirit, gaining such a brother was sure to further secure his standing in the Bing Yue Empire Mage's Guild.

Nian Bing also stood, escorting Shi Jue to the door, and gave a small smile, saying, "Big brother, you should rest earlier too. I won't see you out."

Shi Jue suddenly gave a mysterious smile, whispering, "I heard from Teacher Li De that you have a keen interest in the library's material. I'll tell you, the first three stages only contain ordinary magic material. The Guild's secrets are all in the fourth stage, but there is powerful magic restriction there. Even the Magic Instructors in the Guild could not enter."

Nian Bing's heart moved, replying, "Big Brother, are you saying that you can enter it?"

Shi Jue confidently said, "Didn't I just tell you? My status in the Guild is unique. I grew up under the guidance of my Master, along with Ling'er. As disciples of the master, we were given some privileges and were able to enter the fourth stage. However, this is a secret, you shouldn't let it out. Perhaps someday I could take you with me. The records there are extremely difficult to understand. So, even if we could go in, it won't be of great use. The meditation method that Ling'er and I now use will speed up our progress significantly because of the materials there. From now on, we're a family. If there's any benefits, I'll certainly not forget you." After he finished his words, Shi Jue gave Nian Bing a mystical smile then turned to leave.

After Shi Jue left, Nian Bing also smiled. Was this an attempt to buy me over? It seemed that Shi Jue also had his own faction. This was good, as he wasn't one to follow regulations too strictly which may prove beneficial. If he enticed him, there would no longer be any secrets in the fourth stage of the library. What special magic may be recorded there? Thinking about it, Nian Bing's heart was eager. If he could learn more powerful magic, then reaching Ice God Tower would no longer be far-fetched. He carefully took his Morning Dew Knife from his pocket, hid it under his mattress, looked around and then took his newly acquired Ice Wand and left his room. He would head back to Qingfeng Vegetarian Restaurant for now. He'd been out for quite a while; hopefully, Uncle Li wouldn't suspect anything. He only hoped his luck wasn't bad, and Ming Yuan would not find trouble for him.

Picturing what could possibly happen, Nian Bing discreetly left the Mage Guild as fast as possible. After confirming he wasn't being followed, he removed the Mage Robe he was wearing, bought a square cloth from the street, and wrapped the Mage Robe and Ice Wand in it, before rapidly returning to Qingfeng Vegetarian Restaurant.

Just as he entered through the back door, he saw a tall, red figure. His body went stiff in surprise, "Miss, why are you here?" His surprise was genuine.

Xue Jing turned her cold gaze onto Nian Bing, "Hello! Uncle Li told me you've been out since noon, why are you only coming back now? And don't tell me that you've been out gallivanting."

Nian Bing gave a wry smile, "Miss, look at me, an impoverished lad. What could I even go out gallivanting for? Did you come to practice your sword in the backyard today?"

Xue Jing humphed, "I knew you wouldn't dare to gallivant. Even if you wanted to, you don't have the resources. Just like you, you don't have the capability. I've been looking for you several times today and you're always out. I came here specifically to wait for you. I want to see exactly when you come back. You're lucky, you didn't return too late, I'll forgive you this time. But be careful from now on."

Nian Bing pointed at the package in his hand that contained the Magic Wand and Mage Robe, saying, "Miss, I was actually just buying clothes. This is my first time in such a big city. I bought some rough clothes and was lucky enough to stumble onto a sale, two copper coins a piece, such a bargain, do you want to take a look?"

Xue Jing said with some disdain, "Why would I look at just a few pieces of raggedy clothes?"

Nian Bing sighed inwardly, noting to himself that his tactical retreat seemed to have worked. She had begun looking at his parcel, which was why he had started explaining about it.

Seeing Nian Bing fall silent, Xue Jing's gaze softened a little, saying, "You healed up pretty quickly, your skin must be thick."

Nian Bing touched his face. Without the First Rank Healing Art, it would probably take a week to heal. She scolded him for having thick skin after hitting him. Women, truly...

Xue Jing said, "Nian Bing, I have a favor to ask of you. Would you mind?"

Nian Bing paused, then said, "Miss, I'm just an ordinary lumberjack servant. What could I possibly help you with?"

Xue Jing huffed, "Don't worry about that, all you have to do is tell me if you are willing or not."

Could Nian Bing refuse? At this point, he had no plans to leave Qingfeng Vegetarian Restaurant, so he could only reluctantly nod and say, "It would be my honor to help Miss."

A spark ignited in Xue Jing's eyes, making her already beautiful appearance even more spirited. Her gaze seemed to say, it's best that you understand, "Good, then it's settled. I want to borrow your face for a while."

Nian Bing jumped, "Miss, you…"

Xue Jing disdainfully said, "Look at you, not an ounce of masculinity in you, what are you afraid of, I won't eat you." As she said this, a faint blush appeared on her pretty face, her voice dropped a little, and she continued, "Do you remember the matter I talked about with you in the pavilion last time? What I want you to help with is related to that."

Nian Bing frowned slightly and said, "Are you talking about the person you like? How can I be of help in this?"

Xue Jing huffed again, "Anyway, you've already agreed. If you do this well, I'll ask Uncle Ming Yuan to teach you a few more skills so that you can better survive in the future."

Nian Bing sighed, "Miss, you should at least tell me what you want me to do."

Xue Jing walked over to Nian Bing and whispered, "I want you to be my boyfriend."

Inhaling the virgin fragrance from Xue Jing's body and hearing the sudden soft, intimate whispers, Nian Bing felt like he was walking on clouds. He struggled to control his heart and said, "Miss, I'm afraid this won't work. You're a young lady, I'm just a servant..."

Xue Jing hit Nian Bing lightly on the shoulder, lightly scolding, "Would you let me finish? You're like a toad wanting to eat swan meat, do you think I really want you to be my boyfriend! I just want you to help me test him, to see if he has any feelings for me or not. Tomorrow night, I'll take you to a banquet with me. Your appearance is quite good, so I said earlier that I wanted to borrow your face. At that time, he will also be there. I'll be affectionate with you. If he has feelings for me, he'll definitely feel jealous. Then, then..."

A cold feeling rose from Nian Bing's heart, Toad wanting to eat swan meat? Xue Jing, you underestimate me, Nian Bing. As for a girl like you, I might not even fancy you. I'll remember this, and one day, I'll make you pay. His unfortunate childhood made Nian Bing prone to extremism. He gave Xue Jing a cold look, she was currently lowering her head as if she was thinking about a beautiful future.

"Miss, although I look decent, my status is low. I'm afraid it's not appropriate, is it?" Nian Bing intentionally put a bit more stress on the word 'low'.

Xue Jing did not notice the change in Nian Bing's tone and impatiently said: "I have my own plans for this. Since I'm taking you with me, I won't let you lose face. After all, it would be a loss of my face. Not just anyone can attend a top-level banquet like the one in Bing Xue City. Perhaps, this might be the only chance you'll get in your lifetime. You should be thanking me instead of shirking away. Tomorrow, I'll prepare a Mage Robe for you and have you pretend to be a mage, I'll handle the rest of the affairs, you don't have to worry about it. Tomorrow, you don't have to work. In the morning, I'll come to find you and teach you some necessary etiquette. At the banquet, you don't have to do anything, just follow me around, that would be enough. Do you understand?"

Nian Bing's heart grew even colder. He nodded and said, "Alright, I'll try my best to satisfy you."

Xue Jing gave a light smile and said, "Rest assured, I always keep my word. As long as you do well, I will definitely fulfill my promise after we get back. That's that, you should rest early and be more refreshed tomorrow." After speaking, her red figure gently rose, flashed a few times in the air, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Staring coldly in the direction Xue Jing left, Nian Bing muttered to himself, "Considering that you've helped me out before, I won't hold this against you. But this is the last time. No one can insult me and not pay for it." Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind and he slapped his forehead, "Ah! I completely forgot about the arranged meeting. It seems like I have to go back to the Mage Guild." It was time for the arranged meeting, he was curious to see what tricks the Ice Mage could pull off.