Han Li was willing to distance himself from Dong Xuan’er, which naturally pleased Senior Brother Feng and Yan Yu immensely.
Not only did they not try to stop him, but Yan Yu even enthusiastically handed him a jade slip containing a map of Yanling Castle. This would save Han Li time, allowing him to head directly to his destination instead of wandering around aimlessly like a confused fly.
As for Dong Xuan’er herself, she was greatly surprised that Han Li had suddenly released his restraint on her! But being free to mingle freely among the male cultivators delighted her. Of course, she still shot Han Li a few puzzled glances, utterly bewildered by his intentions.
“Intentions? Hmph, I just didn’t want to carry around dead weight. Besides, acting alone is so much more comfortable!” Han Li strolled leisurely along the bluestone paths of Yanling Castle, hands clasped behind his back, occasionally glancing at the shops on either side.
These shops sold talismans, materials for artifact refining and pill concoction, and there were even one or two selling low-grade magical instruments. However, most of the shopkeepers were mortals without any spiritual power.
This wasn’t surprising. The entire Yanling Castle was vast, with a population of over a hundred thousand. But only a small fraction had spiritual roots and could practice cultivation—the majority were ordinary mortals.
Some of these mortals, who should have lived in the secular world, lacked spiritual roots but still had blood ties to the Yan family. Others were relatives of Yan family disciples. After all, it would be highly inappropriate for the Yan family to only intermarry among themselves. Introducing new blood was necessary to keep the family strong and thriving.
Of course, to maintain secrecy, these mortals who entered Yanling Castle were forbidden from leaving the city for the rest of their lives, destined to live and die within its walls. Although they would want for nothing in terms of food and clothing, it was still an exceedingly sorrowful existence.
Those who had moved in from the outside had at least experienced the bustling world beyond, but those born and raised in the castle without spiritual roots would never even get a glimpse of the outside world.
However, when these mortals first entered the castle, none were forced—they were either desperate or deeply indebted to the Yan family and had chosen this path willingly. Moreover, Yanling Castle was heavily guarded, enveloped in formations, and any mortal caught trying to flee would be executed on the spot. Thus, there had never been any rumors of a mortal successfully escaping.
Of course, Han Li hadn’t guessed this information—it came from the additional details attached to the map jade slip. With this, he had a general impression of Yanling Castle.
He was now heading to a teahouse within the castle. From what Han Li understood, most cultivators had a great fondness for fine tea. Teahouses were almost essential gathering spots for cultivators. Han Li thought he might meet other cultivators there and perhaps join a small group. This was a rare opportunity for exchange—after all, isolating oneself and working behind closed doors was hardly advisable!
At the end of this stone street, at a three-way intersection, he should be able to see the teahouse’s sign. Thinking this, Han Li quickened his pace.
But suddenly, from one of the shops beside the street, came the sound of a heated argument between a man and a woman, followed by a man’s angry roar. A young woman, dressed like a married woman, stormed out of the shop in a fury, rushing onto the stone street and nearly colliding with a slightly surprised Han Li.
The young woman appeared quite beautiful, and Han Li, like any man, casually glanced her way. But when he got a clear look at her face, he froze in place, utterly stunned.
The young woman, seeing Han Li staring so brazenly at her, was extremely annoyed!
Though she had no spiritual power, having lived in the castle for some time, she could tell from his attire that Han Li was a cultivator. Too flustered to pay attention to his features, she only felt he looked somewhat familiar. Suppressing her anger, she lowered her head and said stiffly, “Cultivator Sir, could you let this humble woman pass? I am a married woman! Isn’t it improper for you to stare so at a mortal woman?”
After saying this, she wasn’t particularly worried. Yanling Castle had strict rules forbidding cultivators from harassing ordinary people, with severe punishments for violations! Of course, ordinary people were also required to show absolute respect to cultivators; any disrespect would allow cultivators to deal with them as they saw fit.
And since they were on a public street with many eyes watching, she had no fear of him attempting anything untoward.
But after bowing her head for a while, the cultivator before her neither moved aside nor scolded her. Surprised, she couldn’t help but raise her head to look.
What met her eyes was a face with a faint, teasing smile that made her want to punch him. Instantly, that face transported her back ten years to a night on a path in the backyard—a memory vivid as yesterday—of a stingy senior brother and a clever, quirky girl bickering with each other.
“Senior Brother?”
“Junior Sister!”
The young woman finally recognized that unchanged face, and Han Li, upon hearing her call him “senior brother,” confirmed that this stunningly beautiful young woman was indeed the clever, quirky little girl from years ago—Mo Cairuan, Mo Dafu’s youngest daughter, the little junior sister he had personally addressed as such!
“You’re really Senior Brother Han Li?” Mo Cairuan asked, first astonished and then overwhelmed with emotion, though her face still showed disbelief.
“Was the Yingxiang Pill I gave you effective?” Han Li suddenly asked softly.
“Se-Senior Brother, it really is you!” The moment Han Li mentioned the name of the gift he had given her that day, all her doubts vanished. But her eyes suddenly reddened, and she began to sob as if she had suffered immense grievances.
Han Li was dumbfounded! They were on a stone street with passersby and a few cultivators around. Having such a beautiful young woman crying in front of him would surely lead to all sorts of speculation!
Thinking this, Han Li scratched his head and mustered the courage to say to Mo Cairuan, “Junior Sister, should we find another place to talk? This doesn’t seem like the right spot.”
“Mhmm… I’ll listen to you, Senior Brother.” Mo Cairuan stopped crying and replied obediently.
Her behavior surprised Han Li. After all, the Mo Cairuan he remembered was a little impish girl. Her sudden gentleness and obedience felt somewhat unfamiliar. But where could they find a quiet place? Han Li glanced around the street, feeling a bit frustrated.
“Let’s go to my home! My mother is there too.” After calming down a bit, Mo Cairuan suddenly spoke up.
“Fourth Master is also in Yanling Castle?” Han Li was shocked! It seemed something major had indeed happened at the Mo Manor. Otherwise, Yan Shi, the head of the Mo family, wouldn’t have ended up here.
“Yes, Senior Brother! My mother is sick, very seriously! You must save her!” Tears welled in Mo Cairuan’s eyes as she pleaded bitterly.
“Alright, let’s talk about everything when we get to Master’s place. As long as it’s not some rare and tricky illness, I should be able to cure it!” Seeing Mo Cairuan’s pitiable state, Han Li couldn’t help but recall her carefree days at the Mo Manor. His heart softened, and he comforted her.
“Mhmm! I believe you, Senior Brother. Second Sister once said that your medical skills surpassed hers long ago. Now Mother can be saved!”
Hearing Han Li’s words, Mo Cairuan’s tears turned to joy. Her radiant, flower-like beauty made Han Li momentarily dazed, but he quickly collected himself, avoiding embarrassment.
“Let’s go. My home isn’t far—just past one street. Mother will be so happy to see you!” Mo Cairuan naturally grabbed Han Li’s sleeve and led him forward, overjoyed as if she had found her pillar of support.
A young woman openly pulling a man along the street naturally drew sidelong glances from those nearby. But since Han Li was dressed as a cultivator, no one dared say anything unpleasant to their faces. What they said behind their backs, however, was another matter.
“Junior Sister, how did you and Master end up here? Did something happen at the Mo Manor?” Han Li walked side by side with Mo Cairuan, subtly pulling his sleeve back when she wasn’t paying attention, and asked calmly.
“That’s a long story! But the Mo Manor was destroyed seven years ago, and the Jingjiao Society was wiped out too!” Mo Cairuan trembled slightly, her face darkening.
“What about your other sisters and masters?” Although Han Li had already guessed most of it, he still sighed and asked about the others.
“Second Mother and Fifth Mother died… I don’t know what happened to the others. Mother and I barely escaped with our lives. It was too chaotic—everyone had to flee separately!” Mo Cairuan’s voice trembled, filled with pain.
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