Xie Zhihan led the way, with Changyi at her side, and Yangshuo and Xiu Ming following behind.
The group of four turned through two streets and entered a remote alley.
The alley was long and lined with many homes. However, upon seeing Xie Zhihan, the residents began pointing and whispering.
Then, a couple of well-informed old women whispered amongst themselves. The crowd cast a frightened and fearful glance at Changyi’s group before quickly retreating into their own courtyards, not showing their faces again.
A few children who wanted to come out and play were also pulled back inside by their families.
Xie Zhihan walked on with her head down, nearly reaching the end of the alley before stopping in front of a small courtyard gate. It looked ordinary, yet was relatively simple and elegant.
"I live here. Please come in, esteemed Mages." Xie Zhihan pushed the gate open, stood to the side, and invited Changyi’s group to enter.
Changyi’s smile never wavered. He nodded and replied, "Pardon the intrusion."
As soon as he spoke, he was the first to enter.
Yangshuo, with a calm expression, offered a compliment. "Simple and clean. You’ve taken great care, madam."
He followed Changyi inside as he spoke.
Xiu Ming was right beside Yangshuo. He felt as if the courtyard gate before him was the gaping maw of an abyss, and that the moment he stepped inside, he would be swallowed by a great beast.
However, he was a Daoist who had achieved success in his cultivation at a young age. His talent, aptitude, Mental Realm, and courage were by no means weak. He had faced Demons and Ghosts before and was no inexperienced novice.
He had only been startled for a moment, suddenly coming face-to-face with the ’big boss’. Now, he had calmed his Mental Realm. As he walked into the courtyard, he even thanked Xie Zhihan.
He appeared innocent and harmless, perfectly fitting the image of a little junior brother out gaining experience with his seniors.
Looking at the fair-skinned young man with his beaming smile, a flicker of avarice flashed in Xie Zhihan’s eyes. It vanished in an instant, replaced by a faint smile. "You’re too kind, Mage."
After all three had entered the courtyard, Xie Zhihan came in last, gently closing the gate behind her.
CLICK! Xie Zhihan slid the bolt into place.
"Please." Xie Zhihan took small, quick steps to the door of the main house, opened it, and gestured for them to sit on the stools. She then picked up a nearby teapot and began to pour tea for them.
"This is a chilled tea I brewed just this afternoon. Please, esteemed Mages, drink your fill."
Xie Zhihan passed three teacups to the three men.
Changyi and the others took the cups, holding them in their hands.
Looking at the clear tea in his cup, Changyi looked at Xie Zhihan with an expression full of concern. "It must be very hard for you to live here all alone, madam."
Xie Zhihan sighed faintly. "Just having a roof over my head is enough to satisfy me."
Yangshuo also held his teacup and asked with feigned concern, "Now that your husband has passed, how do you plan to support yourself, madam?"
Xie Zhihan’s movements paused. Her eyes shifted, and she said softly, "I can always survive by washing and cleaning."
At this point, Xie Zhihan said to them, "Please, drink your tea."
Xiu Ming also held his cup, raising it to his chest. "Madam, you are so beautiful. If you’re washing and cleaning, showing your face in public, it would be easy for others to take advantage of you."
Xie Zhihan forced a smile. "The Mage is right. That was an oversight on Zhihan’s part."
Xiu Ming nodded seriously. "So you’ll have to think of some other way."
"Thank you for your concern, Mage." Xie Zhihan agreed, while gesturing with an open hand. "Esteemed Mages, please drink your tea. If you let it sit for too long, it will grow cloudy."
"The tea can wait. Solving your problem is more urgent." Changyi waved his hand dismissively, taking over the conversation. "Do you truly have no other relatives in Changping Prefecture, madam?"
"That is correct," Xie Zhihan replied.
Changyi looked at Yangshuo. "The people of Cui Mountain Town are simple and honest, and the town is growing. It would actually be very suitable for madam to go live there."
Yangshuo nodded. "Indeed, it would be."
Xie Zhihan took a deep breath, a look of longing in her eyes. "I have also heard of Cui Mountain Town. It’s situated at the foot of the Divine Mountain, a place where the people live and work in peace and contentment. It is a pure land."
"If I could move to Cui Mountain Town, it would be a blessing I’ve earned over several lifetimes." Xie Zhihan looked at the group, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"You’re welcome." Xiu Ming waved his hand. "We are disciples of Daluo Palace. Arranging for one person to live in Cui Mountain Town is a piece of cake for us."
Xie Zhihan poured a cup of tea for herself as well and raised it in a toast. "I will use this tea in place of wine. Thank you, esteemed Mages."
Changyi and the other two finally raised their teacups, bringing them to their lips.
Just as they were about to drink, the three of them suddenly froze and turned in unison to look east.
"There’s Demon Qi!"
"It’s harming people!"
"We have to go, quickly!"
They spoke one after another, then abruptly stood up, each placing their teacup back on the table.
"Please wait here, madam. We’ll be right back!"
After saying this, Changyi pushed open the door and darted out.
Yangshuo and Xiu Ming followed close behind.
"It’s in the eastern part of the city. Doesn’t feel too powerful," Xiu Ming said with a laugh.
"Don’t be careless," Yangshuo reminded him. "It might have helpers!"
As they spoke, they prepared to leap over the courtyard wall.
But they were only halfway into their jump when a surge of Demon Qi erupted before them, blocking them inside the courtyard.
Changyi’s heart sank. He, Yangshuo, and Xiu Ming landed back on the ground and turned to see Xie Zhihan standing silently at the door of the main house, her gaze fixed eerily upon them.
The small courtyard fell into a brief silence.
Xie Zhihan looked at Changyi, the corners of her lips curling slightly. Her previous pitiful and helpless demeanor was gone, replaced by an infinite allure. The upward tilt of her eyes held a soul-stealing charm.
However, the perceptive Changyi still spotted a trace of shame and annoyance in the depths of her eyes.
"How did you figure it out?" Xie Zhihan asked, her voice ghostly.
Changyi gave a sly laugh and, along with Yangshuo, shielded Xiu Ming behind them. "But I wonder, madam, why did you decide to move against us?"
Xie Zhihan didn’t answer. With a light wave of her hand, the three teacups full of tea from the table inside flew out past her, hovering in front of Changyi’s group without spilling a single drop.
"Don’t be afraid. Drink this tea, and I won’t kill you." Xie Zhihan tilted her head slightly, her eyes glittering.
"As long as you retrieve an item for me from Daluo Palace, not only will I spare your lives, but I will also let you experience the ultimate mortal pleasure."
Xie Zhihan shot a flirtatious look at Xiu Ming, who was peeking out from behind Changyi, and then lightly licked her lips.
Xiu Ming flinched and couldn’t help but ask, "Retrieve what?"
"Drink this tea, and I’ll tell you," Xie Zhihan said, pointing at the cups before them.
Changyi looked at the clear tea in the cup. He sent out his Divine Sense but detected nothing unusual, a testament to the profoundness of her Magic.
’I don’t know if the elders can help me dispel whatever trick is in this tea, but I’m not about to take that risk.’
"In that case, you’d better tell our elders yourself," Changyi said to Xie Zhihan with a smile.
The next moment, the three of them felt the Five Elements flowing beneath their feet. A ball of Taoist True Qi enveloped them, and they instantly sank into the ground, vanishing from the courtyard.
At the same time, an old Daoist with graying hair and a beard emerged from the courtyard’s soil. He clasped his hands in a formal salute to Xie Zhihan. "Yan Qi of Daluo Palace. I greet you, madam."