Chapter 52

A sliver of moonlight hid behind the clouds, and the air was thick with the oppressive heat and humidity that often comes before a heavy rain.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, casting multiple shadows on the young woman before Yan Wushu. Her face, which should have appeared clear and simple, became indistinct in the shifting light, its features blurring in and out of focus.

“What did you say? Ear shape?”

The girl touched her ear, gently pinching the small, delicate curve with her fingers.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, as if she were hearing this for the first time.

“Can ears really identify people? How strange.”

Yan Wushu’s eagle-like gaze fixed on her.

The qi he released silently surrounded the girl, a strand of vital energy unknowingly probing up her neck. Beneath her thin skin, the blood flowed in steady, uninterrupted pulses.

It was calm, with no fluctuation at all.

Yan Wushu had practiced the methods of the Fa family for eight years. Although his time was still short, he had ranked among the top in the Ling Yong Bi Yue Palace and had achieved some progress.

At least he could discern that the girl’s qi sea was unopened. This observation was unlikely to be mistaken.

Yan Wushu’s expression grew darker.

“There are millions of people in the world, and each has different palm prints and ear shapes. Fortunately, my memory is quite good. Once I see something a few times, it’s hard to forget.”

The girl made an exaggerated expression of awe. “Then you must be really good at memorizing books, right?”

Yan Wushu observed every change in her expression.

“Aren’t you going to ask me who Yinshan Liuyu is?”

The girl smiled sweetly and innocently, carrying the simplicity of a country girl.

“Didn’t you already say? She’s someone you know, and from the sound of it, she must be from some noble family. Does my ear look very similar to hers? I must be really lucky, huh?”

She turned the scrutiny back on Yan Wushu.

“By the way, judging from your outfit, you’re someone from the noble person who came to the village today, right? How much do you get paid? How many days off do you have every month? Are you hiring anyone? To be honest, my husband was chosen by the noble person, and people say that when a man rises in rank, it’s always at the cost of his wife’s life. What if he gets chosen by the young lady? I’ve been thinking, I’d better keep an eye on him…”

She furrowed her brows in genuine worry, as though she were holding something precious that might be coveted by others.

But in reality, she was the only one who would think of a country bumpkin as something precious. Her concern that the young lady might take a liking to her husband seemed like needless worry.

Yan Wushu had seen many such people before. His previously determined thoughts wavered slightly.

Did it look similar?

Her ear and figure might have a bit of resemblance.

But after all, he had only interacted with Yinshan Liuyu a few times, and the portraits he had drawn from memory couldn’t be guaranteed to be 100% accurate.

Furthermore, her speech and behavior were completely at odds with the Yinshan Liuyu he remembered. She seemed like the most ordinary, rustic woman.

He interrupted her chatter.

“The little girl earlier—who is she to you?”

“Who? Xiao Mei?” The girl looked up and glanced toward the direction the moon had left. “What do you want to know about Xiao Mei? If you want to ask, it’ll cost you ten spiritual roots.”

Yan Wushu narrowed his eyes.

He tossed her ten spiritual roots.

The girl eagerly accepted them, smiling.

“Xiao Mei works at the Xuefu Pavilion in Taiping City. She usually helps deliver the cosmetics in the shop… Is she someone you know, my lord?”

Yan Wushu did not respond but made a gesture with his fingers.

“Let me see the cosmetics.”

Liuyu took out a box of rouge.

It had the Xuefu Pavilion’s symbol engraved on it. This rouge was meant for use on the disguise cicada paper.

Since the cicada paper needed to be replaced daily, and with the heat and sweat, the rouge was used faster than Liuyu had expected, which was why she had asked Yue Niang to buy some while passing by.

She hadn’t expected it to be used as a cover in this situation.

Even if Yan Wushu investigated and found that no one named Xiao Mei worked at Xuefu Pavilion, it wouldn’t matter. Liuyu would simply act as though she didn’t know anything.

She had indeed bought the rouge, but if the seller’s identity was problematic, what did that have to do with her as an innocent buyer?

Yan Wushu took the rouge box and examined it, turning it over and over.

Liuyu’s gaze lingered on his hand.

His fingers were thick, with faint scars on the back of his hand.

In her previous life, it was this pair of hands that had driven the sword’s tip into her heart.

The methods of the Fa family, the Sword of Judgement, and the sword qi could tear through the lungs, the pain so excruciating it would reach the brain.

If he stopped now, she wouldn’t rush to take his life.

But if he insisted on investigating further, Liuyu didn’t mind letting him meet his end tonight, ensuring it would be more painful than the time she had snapped his throat in her past life.

Liuyu shifted her gaze, lifting the ten spiritual seedlings that Yan Wushu had handed to her, and blew gently at them under the moonlight.

The seedlings emitted a clear sound.

Yan Wushu slowly raised his eyes and looked at Liuyu.

Despite there being no illogical behavior, not even a flaw in the cheap rouge box, when he studied the young girl before him, for some unknown reason, there was always a sense of inexplicable caution.

If it had been Yan Wushu in his previous life, he would have easily understood the subtle contradiction.

Because she showed no sign of fear.

Although Yan Wushu was merely a follower who carried out orders near the noble families, he walked among the high-class, and the common people viewed him as he viewed the esteemed ones in the immortal capital.

The innate fear of lower-class people when facing the higher-ups couldn’t be concealed.

No matter how skilled Liuyu was at disguising herself, she couldn’t hide that fear.

It was like Yan Wushu in his previous life, with his new identity and high position, still couldn’t fully disguise himself as a true nobleman.

But now, this twenty-two-year-old Yan Wushu wasn’t as seasoned.

He returned the rouge box to Liuyu.

“You may leave.”

Liuyu blinked. “What about the matter of attracting attention…”

“Don’t attract any.”

Liuyu feigned regret and, with the rouge box in hand, began walking toward the estate.

“Yin Mountain Liuyu.”

A voice sounded behind her—Yan Wushu’s persistent tone. Liuyu had to stop and turned around, her face showing just the right amount of confusion.

Unknowingly, Yan Wushu had put on a glass mirror capable of distinguishing disguise and illusion, and was now standing in the night, gazing at her.

“I forgot to ask, what’s your name?”

Liuyu didn’t shy away.

“My name is Ming Gui, the ‘Gui’ from the word ‘rose’… Is there anything else, my lord?”

This time, Yan Wushu didn’t say anything further and allowed Liuyu to return to the estate.

It wasn’t until she reached her thatched hut that the faint smile on Liuyu’s face gradually faded.

Even with a second life, unexpected variables could arise at any moment.

She couldn’t afford to be careless.

Liuyu lit a lamp, walked to the bedside, and took out a letter sealed with a spell from under her pillow.

As they had previously discussed, the apprentice at the breeding manager’s place, Dan Sui, would take the opportunity to investigate the entire estate’s warehouse.

Progress had been difficult up until recently, but in the past few days, about 70% of the estate had been replaced with demons and ghosts, making it much easier to move at night.

Liuyu opened the letter and carefully scanned through it.

Grains, spiritual plants, flower seeds, fodder…

It was recorded across five pages.

Liuyu roughly estimated the supplies in the granary—if her fort was full of people, it could last them for three to five years.

These were the most basic provisions and spiritual plants.

The more valuable elixirs were likely stored in the main estate’s warehouse, where cultivators coveted them, and it was also heavily guarded by the Xuangli family.

Everything was ready.

Now, all she needed was for the mountain demon to send back the cultivator distribution map of the main estate, and then she could issue the Qinghuo Order to summon the demons and launch the official attack on the Xuangli family.

Liuyu gazed at the thatched roof, mentally rehearsing the strategies for the day of the official attack.

For now, staying hidden at the estate was fine, but it wouldn’t last forever.

The worst-case scenario was that they were exposed while Zhong Li Lingzhao and Jiu Fang Shao Geng were still in the main estate. In that case, she would have to confront them.

When the time came, how to deploy her forces, and who should face whom, had to be carefully considered.

If she were Zhong Li Lingzhao, how would she respond?

If she were Jiu Fang Shao Geng, how would she counterattack?

These thoughts kept swirling in Liuyu’s mind, and she had to sort through each one carefully.

A long while later, she finally pulled herself from her tangled thoughts. As she snuffed out the lamp’s flame, she turned over, burying her head into a pillow made of rice husks.

“…I’m so tired, please knead my shoulders…”

Liuyu had just begun to call out for Mo Lin to knead her shoulders when she suddenly realized he wouldn’t be returning tonight.

Not just tonight.

Before Zhong Li Lingzhao withdrew from Taiping City, to avoid alerting anyone, he should stay by her side.

The sleepiness in her eyes suddenly became clear.

Liuyu felt a strange, unfamiliar emotion spreading through her body.

Having never experienced this emotion before, for a moment, she didn’t even know how to describe it exactly.

After a long time, she finally realized—

This emotion was called jealousy.

At this moment, Zhong Li Lingzhao had no idea that, for the first time in her life, she had unknowingly made Liuyu suffer a setback.

The banquet was filled with music and laughter.

The guests were mostly local gentry. When they heard that the noble guests from Xian Du Yujing had come, they immediately flocked to make acquaintances, their intentions obvious.

Zhong Li Lingzhao had been polite for a while but was starting to feel a bit tired.

The red-faced steward Lei Yan was still toasting to her.

“…Miss Lingzhao, you can rest assured. These spiritual herbs and plants will definitely be delivered to the main estate in good quality and on time. We will never delay anything for the esteemed guests…”

The maidservant poured amber-colored wine into a glass and, as she gazed at the flowing wine, asked in a daze:

“Today, I wandered around a bit and heard those cultivators saying that the farmers in your estate caused some trouble a few days ago. Will there really be no delay?”

“If it were any other steward, it wouldn’t work,” Lei Yan patted his chest confidently, “But with me, Lei Yan here, it’s no problem. Those are just mud-legged people who haven’t even opened their Qi sea. How could they cause trouble?”

Zhong Li Lingzhao glanced at the account book Lei Yan had sent over, which clearly recorded the output of the spiritual herbs and plants.

As he said, not only had the output not decreased, it had increased daily.

As for the farmers who were being replaced like consumables…

As a member of a noble family, one should maintain a high position in the court, turning a blind eye to minor conflicts below, as long as they do not interfere with her interests. She would not interfere with too much.

“That’s good.”

For every task handed to her by the family, she not only has to complete it flawlessly but also surpass any of her sisters, ensuring that she is irreplaceable and better than anyone in the family.

Her foolish second sister refuses to marry the young emperor, who is ten years younger than her, but there are plenty of girls in the family who are willing to marry into the Central Plains’ royal family to influence the court and ensure that the next emperor carries the blood of the Zhongli family.

Zhongli Lingzhao knows that if her second sister were to relent, this position would no longer be hers.

She must grow faster, showing the family that she is the most irreplaceable among the many daughters of the Zhongli family, ensuring her own marriage into the royal family.

Zhongli Lingzhao lifted her head, finished her drink, and stood up.

“What about the people we’ve collected today? Summon them here.”

The hour was already late, and a maid suggested, “It is already late, Miss, you have worked hard today with the inspections. Should we not wait until tomorrow…?”

Zhongli Lingzhao held her forehead, closing her eyes to rest as she slowly spoke, “Today’s tasks must be finished today. If one thing is delayed, everything else will be delayed.”

The maid did not persuade her further.

Soon, someone passed on Zhongli Lingzhao’s command, and Mo Lin entered the room, guided by the maid.

At first, Zhongli Lingzhao did not recognize him. She had only caught a brief glance earlier and remembered that his appearance was quite regular, not unattractive. With some grooming, he wouldn’t tarnish the Zhongli family’s reputation.

However, upon a closer look, she found that the young man was tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His deep-set brows and indifferent eyes gave him an air of grace. The Zhongli family’s attire fit him surprisingly well, adding to his aloof and elegant appearance.

The maids in the room sneaked a few glances at him.

If he were from a prestigious noble family, they would not dare to look, but this young man, coming from a family even more humble than theirs, did not warrant such reverence. They felt it was fine to look at him more.

Zhongli Lingzhao, from her elevated position, scrutinized him with satisfaction.

During her visit to Taiping City, the acquisition of the Infinite Sea and the “Complete Book of Immortal Agriculture” was not exactly perfect, but it could be considered standard. However, if she could also bring back a useful talent for the Zhongli family, it would be a perfect success.

Just as she was about to speak, a maid announced from outside, “Miss, Lord Yan requests to see you.”

The woman in simple white clothes on the higher seat gave a cold smile.

“Let him in.”

The inner room, cooled by a fragrant pearl, felt like spring. Yan Wushu entered the courtyard but felt the coldness seep through his skin, forcing him to remain on high alert.

“Subordinate Yan Wushu greets Miss Lingzhao.”

Yan Wushu.

Mo Lin, who had been silently standing nearby, lifted his eyelids, his pupils momentarily narrowing.

The young man, appearing to be in his early twenties, had sharp, bright eyes and long eyebrows angled sharply, emanating ambition and desire. However, he was not unattractive.

Otherwise, Mo Lin wondered if he could endure long enough to wait for them to leave Taiping City before taking action, as he disliked the idea of someone as repulsive as this man eyeing Liu Yu.

However…

Mo Lin caught a familiar scent in the wind that brushed past Yan Wushu.

Although faint, he was certain he was not mistaken.

It was Liu Yu’s scent.

In silence, a pair of dark eyes fixed on Yan Wushu’s back.

Yan Wushu vaguely sensed the gaze behind him, but as Zhongli Lingzhao had not spoken, he did not dare to move.

After a long while, a cold, crisp voice came from above.

“How strange. Why does someone from Jiufang Shaogeng’s team come to see me?”

Yan Wushu knew she was mocking him for being opportunistic, so he did not waste time with empty words and directly got to the point.

“Recently, Jiufang’s third young master has been quite interested in the methods of the legalists and was invited to a gathering in Longduo City by the noble families. He brought me along. I intended to return early, but at the gathering, I overheard that the third young master had recently been assigned to the Yanshan Tianmen area, so I stayed here a little longer.”

Zhongli Lingzhao frowned slightly.

She glanced at Mo Lin, and the maid quickly understood.

“Please leave for now. Miss will see you another time.”

The quiet young man did not say a word or even salute; he simply turned and left.

The maid frowned in dissatisfaction behind him.

“Of course, he’s just a country bumpkin. No manners at all.”

Zhongli Lingzhao thought the same, but she was too busy to care about such trivial matters. She addressed Yan Wushu:

“Yanshan Tianmen? Isn’t that the place where they seal the evil beings from beyond the heavens? What is Jiufang sending him there for?”

“The head of the Jiufang family has been appointed as a general, and this third young master holds a position with a golden seal and purple sash. I suspect it may have something to do with the sealing of the evil beings or a missed demon from beyond the heavens,” Yan Wushu explained.

Zhongli Lingzhao’s expression darkened.

“What else did he say?”

Yan Wushu lowered his head. “Apart from retrieving a blood-stained silk thread from the waterfall flowing from Yanshan, there was nothing else.”

“A silk thread?”

“Second Young Master has been wearing it as a bracelet, and he has been studying it in his spare time.”

The waterfall from Yanshan, with its backflowing currents, could strip even a seventh-level cultivator of their skin. How could a silk thread, stained with blood, remain intact and undamaged?

Although puzzled, Zhongli Lingzhao was not interested in demons from beyond the heavens or Tianmen. She would just report this information to the Zhongli family.

She eased her pressure on Yan Wushu’s shoulders.

“You were accepted into the Zhongli family by the Yinshan family. Just because Yinshan does not care does not mean I won’t. Remember this, or I will make your days in Xiandu Yujing very difficult.”

Yan Wushu nodded in agreement.

“There’s one more thing.”

He withheld the matter of Yue Niang and instead informed Zhongli Lingzhao about the person he saw today at the manor who bore a striking resemblance to Yinshan Liuyu.

Upon hearing this name, Zhongli Lingzhao’s expression showed a slight change.

Taiping City was only separated from the Nine Hells by a demon-ghost Great Wall, so it wasn’t impossible for Yinshan Liuyu to appear here.

However, Yan Wushu claimed to have verified it using a glass mirror lens, and it wasn’t a case of disguise or illusion.

Zhongli Lingzhao pressed her forehead, closing her eyes as she spoke:

“If it’s her, we’ll know once we make a move.”

If she dies just like that, then it’s clearly not her. If she doesn’t want to die, she’ll definitely reveal a flaw.

Yan Wushu glanced in the direction where Mo Lin had left and added:

“By the way, this person claims that her husband was chosen by Miss Lingzhao. It seems she’s the wife of that gentleman.”

“And so what?”

Her voice sounded indifferent due to fatigue: “If they enter the Zhongli family, will they lack wives? If he strives for it, I’ll even give him four or five wives, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

At this point, Zhongli Lingzhao looked at Yan Wushu below.

“You men, do you really value your wives more than your future?”

Yan Wushu just smiled without replying.

Soon, Yan Wushu left the inner room and after taking a few steps, saw a figure at the far end of the long corridor.

The figure almost blended into the darkness, like a ghostly shadow.

Had Yan Wushu not sensed the presence of another person, he would have likely been startled by the sudden appearance.

“—You, your name is Mo Lin, right?”

Yan Wushu stepped forward toward Mo Lin.

“I am Yan Wushu, and will be serving Miss Lingzhao in the future. Please, I look forward to your guidance.”

Given Yan Wushu’s current status, he didn’t need to be so polite to an ordinary person who hadn’t even opened their Qi Sea.

However, Yan Wushu was naturally cautious, and after spending so much time in a place like the immortal city of Yujing, where powerful experts were everywhere, he always showed respect when dealing with others, to avoid creating unnecessary enemies when someone inevitably rose to prominence.

Yet the other person’s reaction was somewhat different from what Yan Wushu had imagined.

This person didn’t greet him nervously, nor did they show any excitement at having come into power.

Instead, they simply looked at him quietly with eyes that were cold and damp like a deep pool, before saying:

“You’re too kind.”

The tone was very plain.

Yet for some reason, it sent a chilling sensation down Yan Wushu’s spine.

Yan Wushu’s intuition was sharp as always, and at this moment, he grew somewhat curious about the person named Mo Lin. Unfortunately, as soon as he spoke, he saw the person step past him.

Three steps later, the person suddenly stopped, turned around, and said:

“Seems like you’ve dropped something, my lord.”

Yan Wushu quickly turned his head and saw the person holding a handkerchief.

The jade green silk handkerchief was made of high-quality fabric, with a small flower the size of a fingernail embroidered in gold thread at the corner.

The flower was intricate and full, with a hint of gold powder at the tip.

It was golden-threaded jade.

— This handkerchief was always kept close to him; how could it have been dropped!

Yan Wushu looked at the handkerchief being handed to him, and a layer of goosebumps instantly covered his body.

He saw it.

If this person recognized the golden-threaded jade and knew who Zhongli Lingzhao most despised, what kind of consequences would there be?

Mo Lin slightly lifted his eyelids, his black pupils reflecting the image of Yan Wushu, drenched in cold sweat.

It was a gaze looking upward, yet to Yan Wushu, it felt like a lofty and disdainful murderous intent.

He moved his lips:

“Since it’s something you treasure, my lord, please keep it properly.”