Chapter 410: The Ingenious Use of the Peach Blossom Chains (1^st Update)

Two days later, Ye Wenxin and Xiao Zhang arrived at their destination—a town near Mo Clan Village. Along the way, Ye Wenxin kept her distance from Xiao Zhang, worried that Long Qingyue might read Xiao Zhang’s memories and discover things she shouldn’t.

Xiao Zhang also appeared very cautious. Now, they were sitting in a guest room, and Xiao Zhang proactively brought up the topic. “We’ll reach Mo Clan Village tomorrow.”

Ye Wenxin nodded, her gaze drifting towards Xiao Zhang, who also kept a subtle distance from her. There was an indescribable sense of awkwardness. Thinking that this awkwardness couldn’t continue, Ye Wenxin took a sip of tea and asked, “How have you been lately, Xiao Zhang?”

Hearing Ye Wenxin’s polite question, Xiao Zhang couldn’t help but laugh. “Same as usual, always running around. But I have to say, being with you feels the most relaxing.”

After that, Ye Wenxin nodded again. Xiao Zhang didn’t seem to want to continue talking, and started drinking tea as well. After several days of busy travel, this tranquility was hard to describe with words. Ye Wenxin thought for a moment and finally decided to just go to sleep.

“Then, let’s sleep for today.”

Xiao Zhang nodded and naturally got into bed. No further conversation took place, as if the insertion of Long Qingyue into this scenario had changed the mindset of both Ye Wenxin and Xiao Zhang.

One didn’t want Long Qingyue to see her flaws, and worked hard to hide the changes in herself.

The other didn’t want Long Qingyue to control Ye Wenxin, and hid her true thoughts.

In the end, both turned away, facing opposite sides where they couldn’t see each other. Ye Wenxin felt a hint of fatigue, and then she heard Xiao Zhang whisper in a very faint voice, “I’m sorry, Wenxin.”

Ye Wenxin didn’t know what exactly Xiao Zhang was apologizing for, and she didn’t ask. Gradually, she drifted into sleep. The next morning, after just over two hours of travel, they arrived at Mo Clan Village.

When they arrived in the village, the two of them didn’t rush to find the mysterious man. Instead, they started gathering information about Mo Clan Village…

Mo Clan Village was located on the edge of the Golden Age Dynasty, along the northern border adjoining the White Feather Dynasty. However, since the Golden Dynasty and the White Feather Dynasty were currently in a truce, the region enjoyed peace and prosperity. Gradually, due to the shifting circumstances in this border area, a large influx of outsiders began to settle here.

Over the past few decades, the original inhabitants of Mo Clan Village had dwindled to about thirty percent, with the rest being settlers from other regions.

When Ye Wenxin and Xiao Zhang appeared, the villagers reacted with peculiar expressions, seeming very cautious about their presence. Many of the outsiders here were either black-hearted criminals or retired warriors. Even though Ye Wenxin and Xiao Zhang were dressed like ordinary people, they still seemed rather conspicuous.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask, esteemed guests?” The innkeeper, though, was welcoming, explaining Mo Clan Village’s background in detail, and advising them not to cause any trouble in the area.

Ye Wenxin thought for a moment and simply ordered an extra lamb dish, refraining from further inquiring about the whereabouts of the mysterious man. She wanted to avoid the Jiangshi King overhearing, and finding the key figure before they did.

After lunch, the two continued to wander around the area. Contrary to what Ye Wenxin had imagined, Mo Clan Village was bustling with activity.

“Xiao Zhang, let’s split up for now and meet again in the evening,” Ye Wenxin suggested to Xiao Zhang, who had been following closely behind her.

Xiao Zhang had been matching Ye Wenxin’s pace but didn’t insist when she heard this suggestion. She quickly used her Shape-shifting, and before long, a woman in her forties appeared. Her face was entirely unremarkable, but the look she gave Ye Wenxin held a trace of tenderness.

“Then I’ll go gather some information.” Xiao Zhang’s voice emerged from the lady’s mouth. Ye Wenxin nodded and watched as Xiao Zhang walked over to join a group of local women, seamlessly blending in.

Ye Wenxin took one last glance in that direction before quickly heading the opposite way. She transformed into Ye Liangchen, then used the peach blossom chains to charm the young women nearby.

“Young master, listen to me.”

“Young master, you should listen to me.”

The two women completely lost their self-control, soliciting Ye Wenxin in various ways. It had been a while since Ye Wenxin had used this face. With a faint smile, she wrapped her arms around the two women’s waists, and listened as they eagerly told her everything about Mo Clan Village.

However, the information Ye Wenxin wanted to know was scarce, while the two women were becoming more eager with their touches. Feeling helpless, Ye Wenxin decided to ask directly, “Are there any famous people in Mo Clan Village?”

One of the women immediately answered, “Of course there are! Our Mo Clan Village has produced many talented people. Do you know Mo Sihuan? She’s the best doctor and also the most beautiful woman in our village.”

Ye Wenxin noted the name and then asked, “Are there any other notable figures? For example, any outstanding young men?” Ye Wenxin was primarily interested in the whereabouts of a particular man, but these two women were likely too young to know much about events from many years ago.

Still, Ye Wenxin was reluctant to use the peach blossom chains on older women, so she decided to try her luck and see if she could uncover any real secrets about the village from these young women.

The other woman shook her head, but the more enthusiastic one chimed in again, “There aren’t really any famous men. Wait, there is someone—Mo Xiaohei, who later went to the Southern Dipper Temple and became a monk. I heard he’s quite well-known. Does that count?”

Ye Wenxin shook her head. “No, I’m asking about men, not monks—someone distinguished and accomplished, like Ling Jue.” Since she knew nothing about the mysterious man, she used Ling Jue as a comparison.

The two women looked confused. Mo Clan Village was too small; they had no idea what the Unparalleled Beauty List was, let alone who Ling Jue was.

Ye Wenxin loosened her hold on their waists, ready to give up on questioning the young women. The more eager one panicked when she saw this and quickly said, “Don’t go, young master! I just remembered something.”

As she spoke, she clung to Ye Wenxin’s arm, her delicate face showing a hint of reluctance. Ye Wenxin was puzzled. She had already deactivated the peach blossom chains’ charm, so she couldn’t understand why this girl was still so besotted. But seeing that the girl seemed to have something to say, Ye Wenxin asked, “What else do you know?”

The girl clung even tighter, taking a deep breath to savor Ye Wenxin’s scent, her face showing a trace of infatuation. Seeing that Ye Wenxin appeared slightly annoyed, she finally spoke up, “I also know that in three days, Mo Clan Village will host a beauty contest that happens only once every ten years.”