After leaving the Small Pond Town, Zhang Xiaofan, Biyao, and Shi Tou headed east, flying for a while before they descended to the ground.
Shi Tou, turning to Zhang Xiaofan, asked first, “Brother Zhang, where are you heading next?”
Zhang Xiaofan pondered for a moment, then replied, “Since Senior Sister Yan Hong from the Fragrant Incense Valley mentioned that my Master is going to Liubo Mountain in the Eastern Sea, I will head there as well. What about you?”
Shi Tou thought for a bit, then responded, “I might as well go too. My Master has sent me out to travel the world and accumulate good karma. Plus, I’ve heard that the remnants of the Demon Sect are planning to stir up trouble again; I might as well lend a hand.”
“Hmph!” Suddenly, a cold snort came from beside them. It was Biyao, who glared at Shi Tou and said icily, “Such noble intentions and righteousness! Just make sure you don’t end up being subjugated by those remnants instead of subjugating them.”
Shi Tou was taken aback, not knowing how to respond. He turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan, who also seemed awkward, unable to say anything when he looked back at Biyao.
Biyao sneered, “What are you looking at me for?”
Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou exchanged glances. Zhang Xiaofan, who had spent some time with Biyao before, was somewhat familiar with her temper and was not too bothered by her identity. However, Shi Tou, a straightforward and rough man, was suddenly hit by her unexpected jibes, feeling frustrated but unable to get angry at such a delicate and pretty girl. He recalled his Master’s repeated warnings to stay away from women, especially beautiful young ones, and thought, “My Master is indeed wise.”
Zhang Xiaofan, noticing Shi Tou’s stunned silence, felt a bit guilty. He didn’t know that Shi Tou was reflecting on his experiences with women and praising his Master’s wisdom. Zhang Xiaofan thought Shi Tou was just sulking after being scolded by Biyao.
Turning to Biyao, Zhang Xiaofan sighed and asked, “Where are you planning to go?”
Biyao shot him a glare and retorted, “None of your business!”
Zhang Xiaofan was momentarily speechless, but he wasn’t too angry, understanding that going to Liubo Mountain would mean facing her as an enemy. At this moment, Shi Tou walked behind him, sympathy in his eyes, and patted Zhang Xiaofan’s shoulder, as if to say, “I understand.”
Zhang Xiaofan stared at Shi Tou, his mouth agape, unable to find words, feeling deeply embarrassed and frustrated.
In the end, Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou couldn’t get Biyao to reveal her destination. After her sharp words, they dared not ask again. As they continued east, Biyao walked ahead, her mood sour, her words cold and unyielding. By the end, Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou were almost afraid of her, immediately quieting down or lowering their voices whenever she glanced their way.
※※※
After two days of traveling, the trio arrived at a large city called Changhe City. Inquiring around, they learned that it was the closest major city to the Eastern Sea, with the coastline just four hundred miles further east.
As they walked through Changhe City, they noticed that the local dwellings and people’s attire were similar to those in the Central Plains. This place was a strategic location for trade and travelers, and recently, many cultivators had been seen. Walking on the streets, they spotted many different sects’ disciples, likely heading to Liubo Mountain.
Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou decided to find a small inn to stay for the night and set off for Liubo Mountain the next morning. They raised their voices, expecting Biyao to hear, but she stood there, expressionless, gazing at the passersby without a reaction.
Zhang Xiaofan mustered his courage and approached her, asking, “Miss Biyao, what do you think of this plan?”
Biyao jumped slightly, her gaze returning from the distance. She frowned, seemingly deep in thought, not deliberately ignoring them. Zhang Xiaofan, curious, asked, “What’s wrong?”
Biyao glanced back into the distance. Zhang Xiaofan followed her gaze, seeing the bustling crowd, including many peculiarly dressed cultivators. Biyao remained silent, then turned to him, “What did you ask me?”
Zhang Xiaofan explained their plan to stay overnight. Seeing her still unresponsive, he lowered his voice, “And what about you? You can’t come with us to see my Master. This city has many righteous cultivators, and if your identity is exposed, it could be dangerous!”
Biyao looked at him, then asked, “Are you worried about my safety, or do you fear I might drag you down?”
Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback, meeting her intense gaze. His heart skipped a beat.
Biyao smiled and turned away. Shi Tou, walking over, asked, “So, what did Miss Biyao say?”
Before Zhang Xiaofan could answer, Biyao turned back, a rare smile on her face, “Aren’t we supposed to find an inn? Let’s go!”
Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou were surprised, exchanging glances. Shi Tou admired Zhang Xiaofan, giving him a thumbs-up, “Brother Zhang, you have a way with words. A few sentences, and you made this lady happy!”
Flustered, Zhang Xiaofan couldn’t argue, so he and Shi Tou followed Biyao, though he wondered if his connection with this woman of the Demon Sect was too deep.
※※※
Following their plan, they intended to find a small inn. However, Biyao walked into a luxurious establishment called “Haicun Lou,” far more opulent than any small inn they had imagined.
Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou hesitated but followed her in. On the way, Zhang Xiaofan whispered, “Brother Shi, do you have enough silver? I only have four taels…”
Zhang Xiaofan’s voice faltered, remembering that even those four taels had been swindled by Zhou Yixian, the fortune-teller.
Shi Tou, oblivious to Zhang Xiaofan’s distress, said, “I have a bit more, but only a few more taels.” Pausing, he added, “This place looks like it costs at least thirty to forty taels…”
At the counter, Biyao threw a small ingot of gold, worth at least eighty taels. The innkeeper, smiling, offered, “Miss, would you like a room?”
Biyao interrupted, “Give me the best room, clean and comfortable.”
“Of course, of course,” the innkeeper assured her.
Biyao glanced back, “Find a room for those two as well.”
The innkeeper, eyeing Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou, smiled, “For these two as well?”
Biyao snorted, “Just give them a storage room.”
The innkeeper was speechless.
Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou were equally stunned.
Finally, the innkeeper, treating Biyao like royalty, led her to her room. Zhang Xiaofan and Shi Tou were given a basic room, but they didn’t mind. They were used to hardship, but they now understood Biyao’s temper even more.
Later, in the evening, as the rain began to fall, the courtyard became a shadowy, mystical place. Zhang Xiaofan, unable to sleep, got up, put on his clothes, and stepped outside.
In the darkness, the courtyard seemed infinitely deep. A faint, ghostly light illuminated the distant white birch tree standing in the rain.
Zhang Xiaofan looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath. The cool, damp air filled his lungs, and the fine raindrops brushed his face.
He closed the door behind him and walked along the corridor, the wind howling, the rain pouring.
The raindrops splashed on the stone slabs, creating a symphony. The water trickled down the eaves, forming miniature waterfalls. As he walked, it felt like he was in a deep, secluded mountain cave.
Memories of past nights, with the wind sighing, came flooding back.
In the rain, he saw a figure, holding an umbrella, standing silently under the tree. Her eyes, like pools of water, sensed his presence and turned to meet his gaze.
The sky and the rain were silent.
He and the woman stood there, wordlessly, the wind and rain still enveloping them.
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