Chapter 48:

Yun Qingxue remained vigilant as she watched Shui Liu’s figure recede into the distance until it disappeared completely.

Her tense heart finally relaxed. It seemed that although Shui Liu was displeased with her taking A’Dai and the storage ring, he had ultimately refrained from attacking her—likely because of his unwavering loyalty to Jin Lin.

So, even in Jin Lin’s absence, he hadn’t harmed her…

But…

Thinking back to Shui Liu’s parting words, Yun Qingxue’s heart sank again.

Though he hadn’t acted against her now, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t create obstacles for her on her journey ahead!

“A’Dai.”

Yun Qingxue lowered her head and raised her wrist, gazing at the little snake coiled around it, her eyes flickering with emotion.

“This journey of mine will likely be fraught with peril. Though we’ve formed a master-servant contract, I truly consider you a friend…

If you wish to return to the aquatic clan now, I won’t stop you. If we meet again in the future, we’ll still be friends.”

“Hiss~” A’Dai flicked its tongue, its tiny head drooping dejectedly instead of staying raised, its eyes filled with disappointment.

Yun Qingxue understood instantly and quickly explained, “I’m not sending you away because I’m afraid of Shui Liu…

It’s just that I believe the road ahead will be fraught with danger. If you follow me, the worst outcome would be perishing alongside me.

So… I’m giving you a choice—only this one chance. Think carefully.

Whether you stay or go, I’ll respect your decision.”

“Hiss~”

Her explanation seemed to revive A’Dai’s spirits. It raised its head again, nodding twice at her, then tightened its coils around her wrist before affectionately nuzzling her arm.

Yun Qingxue smiled warmly, her lips curving like a spring breeze. “Then it’s settled—we’ll live or die together, A’Dai. Let’s strive to survive!”

“Hiss~!” A’Dai lifted its head and nodded in agreement.

Yun Qingxue glanced toward the southeast and resumed her journey.

After walking for about another hour, the open terrain gave way to dense woods, yet the area remained desolate and uninhabited.

As the sun slowly dipped westward, Yun Qingxue stepped into the forest. If she couldn’t make it out by nightfall, she planned to find a secluded spot to rest.

Her first task upon entering the woods was to locate a hidden spot and retrieve the two disguise pills Jin Lin had gifted her the night before from her storage ring.

The two pills were black and white in color.

The black one, when ingested, would alter one’s appearance to something unattractive, with no time limit—unless countered by the white antidote or forcibly dispelled by magic.

Without hesitation, Yun Qingxue swallowed the black pill and stowed the white one back into her ring.

A’Dai watched curiously with round, unblinking eyes as Yun Qingxue’s face began to transform.

Her originally stunning features rapidly distorted—her face elongated and widened, her lips thickened, her delicate nose flattened, and even her large, expressive eyes shrank as her eyelids drooped.

Her once-slender figure also bloated unnaturally, and her fair skin darkened and roughened.

When the changes finally ceased, Yun Qingxue stared blankly at her now-coarse, darkened hands.

Without a mirror, she couldn’t see her new appearance, but Jin Lin had assured her the pill would make her ugly—though he hadn’t specified just how ugly.

“A’Dai.”

She looked down at the only living creature who could understand her, touching her face. “Am I ugly now?”

A’Dai nodded dazedly at first, then as if triggered, began nodding vigorously.

“Are you tired?” Yun Qingxue asked, concerned by its frantic movements.

A’Dai finally stopped, its tiny round eyes glistening as if holding back tears.

“This medicine works well,” Yun Qingxue remarked with a chuckle. “Now that I’m ugly, we’ll be much safer.”

A’Dai lowered its head and coiled tightly around her wrist.

With her new appearance, not only would their safety improve—any ill-intentioned person who saw her might burst into tears! Thankfully, A’Dai had a strong heart and managed not to cry.

“Alright, let’s keep moving.”

With her transformation complete, Yun Qingxue cheerfully resumed her journey.

After nearly two more hours of walking, the sun dipped below the western horizon, and dusk gradually settled. Just before nightfall, Yun Qingxue emerged from the woods.

Ahead lay another vast open area, and in the distance stood two thatched cottages, thin wisps of smoke curling from their chimneys.

People lived here? Yun Qingxue’s heart leapt with joy, but she quickly surveyed her surroundings.

Though they’d left the forest, the area was still remote wilderness. The sudden appearance of dwellings in such a desolate place reminded her eerily of *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*.

Combined with the deepening twilight, the scene perfectly matched the eerie openings of supernatural tales.

“A’Dai, should we ask for lodging?” Yun Qingxue hesitated, eyeing the cottages. “If we don’t, we’ll have to spend the night outside. But this place… it gives me the creeps.”

“Hiss~” A’Dai flicked its tongue, then suddenly shot forward like a purple streak toward the cottages.

Moments later, it returned just as swiftly, coiling back around Yun Qingxue’s wrist and nodding twice toward the cottages.

“No danger?” she asked.

A’Dai nodded again.

“Then let’s go.” Reassured by A’Dai’s scouting, Yun Qingxue decided to proceed.

In ancient times, land was vast and people sparse, with many reclusive sages choosing to live in seclusion. Perhaps these cottages were just that—nothing sinister. She’d been scaring herself over nothing.

Tucking A’Dai securely under her sleeve, Yun Qingxue hurried toward the cottages.

After a full day of travel, she needed rest. But just as she reached the door and raised her hand to knock, a middle-aged man approached from afar.

Dressed in coarse, patched clothing, the man was tall and burly, with something slung over his shoulder.

Soon, he drew near.

Spotting Yun Qingxue, his expression shifted to surprise.

“Miss, do you need something?” The man set down his sack and spoke politely.

“Uncle,” Yun Qingxue smiled warmly, “I’ve been traveling and noticed the hour growing late…”

“Ah.” Understanding dawned on his face, and he grinned kindly. “You’d like to stay the night?”

“If it’s inconvenient, I can—”

“No trouble at all.” He scratched his head and called toward the cottage, “Old woman, I’m back!”