Chapter 1039: White Tiger Fate Pattern

While the white-robed figure continued to float in the air, monitoring the entire area, the other black-robed individuals quickly entered the house.

After only a few steps, a scream rang out: "Ah!"

The yellow-robed figure then spotted Tang Tian'er in the bathtub. Startled, he quickly shut the door and gestured for the others to stay out.

“Who told you to come in?!” Tang Tian'er demanded furiously. She clutched herself tightly, shrinking beneath the water's surface with only her head visible, glaring angrily at them.

The yellow-robed figure offered a wry smile. “Miss, a thief overheard many confidential matters today, and we must find him. He ran into this vicinity, and we wouldn't want him to disturb you. It would be best if we conducted a thorough search to ensure your safety.”

Tang Tian'er said coldly, “I haven't seen any intruder enter here; I've only seen you people.”

The yellow-robed figure replied, “That person is exceptionally skilled at concealing his whereabouts. Even we didn't detect him at first, so please do not be careless, Miss.”

The others, having disregarded Tang Tian'er, swiftly began searching the room.

The room wasn't particularly large, and given their cultivation levels, they quickly searched every corner.

They shook their heads at each other, evidently having found nothing.

Just then, Tang Tian'er suddenly trembled slightly, her pretty face turning exceedingly red.

The nearby blue-robed elder approached and asked in a low, muffled voice, “Why is your face so red? And why is your heart beating so fast?”

Given their cultivation, it was clearly not difficult for them to discern Tang Tian'er's heartbeat.

“I'm taking a bath, and you grown men barged in! How can I *not* blush and have my heart race?!” Tang Tian'er snapped, clearly annoyed.

However, the blue-robed elder didn't believe her; instead, he walked up to the bathtub and peered inside.

Unfortunately, a layer of petals floated on the water's surface, making it impossible to see what was beneath.

Noblewomen often sprinkled petals in their baths to enhance their fragrance, but to use so many was an extravagant display of wealth.

“What are you doing?!” Tang Tian'er cried, shrinking further down until the water almost reached her lips.

The blue-robed elder wore a mask beneath his cloak, preventing Tang Tian'er from seeing his face clearly.

The blue-robed elder didn't answer; instead, he slowly extended his hand, seemingly intending to push aside the petals on the water's surface.

At this point, Tang Tian'er said coldly, “Is the thief you’re chasing a man or a woman?”

The blue-robed elder paused, clearly not expecting such a question, and instinctively replied, “A man.”

Tang Tian'er sneered, “You wouldn't possibly think I'd hide a man under the water in this state, would you?”

The blue-robed elder immediately hesitated; it was indeed illogical.

Then Tang Tian'er added, “I think you're trying to take advantage of me. You're so old, yet your lustful desires haven't died. Bah!”

The others also cast strange glances at the blue-robed elder. The young lady was bathing in the tub, and with the petals on the surface, her body was not visible.

If those petals were gone, with their keen eyesight, wouldn't they see her entire body?

“You impudent girl!” the blue-robed elder instantly retorted, agitated. He certainly didn't want to be burdened with such a scandalous accusation.

Just then, the yellow-robed figure stepped forward, blocking the bathtub. “Gentlemen,” he said, “the room has been thoroughly searched. Our priority now is to find that thief; let's not waste any more time here.”

After all, this was the Zhenyuan Chamber of Commerce's territory, and a certain level of respect had to be shown. The figures quickly filed out, and even the most reluctant blue-robed elder found himself unable to protest further.

“Apologies for the disturbance,” the yellow-robed figure said, nodding to Tang Tian'er, before deliberately closing the door for her.

Soon, the sounds of people gradually leaving faded from outside, and the maid named Xiao Chan rushed in, flustered.

“Miss, Miss, are you alright?”

Tang Tian'er glared fiercely at her: “With so many men coming in, how could I be alright?”

“Ah?” Xiao Chan was stunned, her words fumbling, “Miss, you were… you were…”

Tang Tian'er said exasperatedly, “What are you thinking? I was merely startled by so many people barging in while I was bathing.”

As she spoke, her face flushed again. “Now go outside and stand guard. If anyone else comes in, I'll sell you to the Biyu Pavilion.”

“Ah, no, Miss!” Xiao Chan was instantly terrified.

“Then go and guard the door quickly!” Tang Tian'er glared at her. Had she not overheard the maid's diligent attempts to block them outside earlier, she might genuinely have punished her severely after what had just transpired.

Once Xiao Chan was outside the door, Tang Tian'er shifted back slightly, lowered her head, and said, “You can come out now.”

With a splash, Zu An emerged from the water, wiping the water from his face as he cupped his hands and said, “Thank you for saving me, young lady.”

Tang Tian'er turned her face away, her voice a mere whisper. “If you truly want to thank me, then avert your gaze.”

Only then did Zu An realize, his face flushing. He quickly sprang out of the tub, turned his back, and said, “My apologies!”

As he spoke, he circulated his cultivation. Thanks to his affinity for water through the Blue Fulcrum, not much water had actually clung to him, and his clothes and hair quickly dried as if new.

Due to the unique properties of the Blue Fulcrum, his vision remained completely unaffected while he hid underwater. He saw everything he should and shouldn't have seen.

She was incredibly fair, so much so that she appeared utterly flawless.

Below her abdomen was a red pattern, resembling both a flame and a flower, exquisitely symmetrical. He wondered if it was natural or a tattoo.

That scene was truly overwhelming. Even though he repeatedly chanted the mantra "see no evil, think no evil," the image remained vividly clear in his mind.

Alas, if she knew, she'd probably kill me, wouldn't she?

Speaking of such a thing would only cause embarrassment for everyone, so he could only remain silent.

Just then, he heard the splash of water and rustling sounds from behind him, indicating Tang Tian'er was getting dressed.

To alleviate the awkwardness he felt, he took out a pill and offered it behind him. “Here, take this,” he said.

“What's this? Are you trying to poison me again?” Tang Tian'er's resentful voice came, clearly still bearing a grudge about being forced to take the 'Leopard Embryo Marrow Pill' previously.

“Last time was my fault; I truly shouldn't have forced you to take that poison. This time, since you've saved me despite our past, I specifically want to give you the antidote,” Zu An said sincerely. The 'poison' had been fake, so this 'antidote' was naturally also fake—merely an ordinary tonic pill.

Nevertheless, to put her mind at ease, he felt compelled to give her the 'antidote'.

“An antidote?” Tang Tian'er asked, tying the belt of her skirt while gazing at the pill with a half-smile. *This guy still doesn't know I've already figured out that 'Leopard Embryo Marrow Pill' was fake, does he?*

*Still trying to trick me!*

However, she ultimately chose not to expose him. She walked over, took the pill, and casually slipped it into her pocket. “Consider yourself to have a conscience,” she said.

Zu An breathed a sigh of relief. Turning around, he saw her in a loose white jacket and skirt. From her recent bath, her skin was fair with a rosy glow, and her damp hair fell casually over her shoulders. She truly appeared as fresh and lovely as a lotus emerging from water.

“Still staring? Haven't you seen enough already?” Tang Tian'er mumbled, instinctively tightening her collar.

Zu An cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. “By the way, I noticed the people from the Zhenyuan Chamber of Commerce seemed quite respectful towards you. What exactly is your identity?”

He absolutely refused to believe that an auction host from the Carefree Pavilion could receive such treatment.

Tang Tian'er replied, “Because the Zhenyuan Chamber of Commerce belongs to my family.”

Zu An was speechless.

Though he had made many guesses, he had never once considered such an answer.

“Owned by your family?”

“Yes.”

It was a long while before Zu An finally processed this astonishing news. After all, he had just heard people refer to her as 'Young Miss,' and the yellow-robed figure's respect for her was clearly genuine.

“Then why did you go to the Carefree Pavilion to be an auction host?” This was what Zu An found most perplexing.

Tang Tian'er scoffed, then turned, her skirt swirling, and sat gracefully in a chair. “This young lady dislikes managing family affairs. I simply enjoy going everywhere to role-play various people, experiencing life's many flavors. Isn't that impressive?”

“Uh, yes, quite impressive,” Zu An murmured, though he secretly thought, *Why would someone with the status of a young miss choose to work as a mere subordinate elsewhere? Isn't that crazy?*

“What about you? Why are you here?” Tang Tian'er picked up some prepared fruit and began eating, simultaneously pushing the fruit platter toward Zu An. “I just overheard them discussing that you apparently eavesdropped on some secret?”

Zu An, naturally, wasn't in the mood for food. After a slight hesitation, he replied, “I'm investigating a case. I just received information that the culprit might be at the Zhenyuan Chamber of Commerce, so I came to investigate. I didn't expect to stumble upon their gathering, and the culprit was indeed among them. However, there were too many powerful experts, so I had no choice but to temporarily retreat.”

Tang Tian'er smiled: “They are indeed very powerful. It's truly rare that you could escape with your life from their hands.”

Zu An was startled: “You know their identities?”