With Lin Dalu carrying Xiang'er and Liu Hai following closely, they walked toward the west of town. The streets grew wider, and the gray tiles on the walls were covered in layers of moss. Ahead, a manor with high vermilion gates stood tall, guarded by two stone lions, looking very grand. Gold characters shimmered on the door lintel—"Liu Manor."
Before long, the three arrived near the Liu Manor. From a distance, they saw a broad bluestone road outside the courtyard. A short, plump, and bloated middle-aged man stood before the gate. This man had a shiny bald head and a face like a round pancake; his small eyes were squinted, and he wore a Deep Crimson Brocade Robe with a jade belt around his waist. On his thick fingers, he wore a massive Jade Ring. He was followed by four or five servants, exuding great influence. He was giving orders to a merchant with a harsh expression.
That merchant was in his fifties, wearing a brown long robe, his face somewhat thin, and his eyes darted around constantly; he was Shopkeeper Tan of the Guangde Cloth Shop. He was stooped, his face full of fawning smiles, yet he did not dare look up directly. The servants behind him moved to and fro, bowing and scraping from time to time.
Liu Hai smiled and said, "Brother Dalu, you rest here. Wait for me to speak; it will surely be a success." With that, Liu Hai was about to go forward to strike up a conversation.
Suddenly, a cold wind swept through the street entrance, swirling up fallen leaves on the ground. A middle-aged Daoist in a grayish-brown robe walked slowly toward them. Looking at the Hunchback Daoist, his hair was half-white, he was bent over, his eyes were cold, and his face was ashen. His nose was sharp and thin, and his aura was cold and eerie. A black-gold woven sash was tied around his waist, reflecting an eerie light under the setting sun; only his triangular eyes flashed with sharp light.
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/gjfKX3CG/Q0005B.jpg
Seeing this person, Young Master Liu hurriedly pushed Shopkeeper Tan aside, a flattering smile squeezed onto his fat face. He hurried forward, his voice loud, "I welcome Immortal Master Zhuo Huan! Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar!"
This Hunchback Daoist named Zhuo Huan snorted and waved his sleeve, his voice raspy like sandpaper rubbing, "Spare the pleasantries, Liu Taifei. I have come to ask if the objects prepared for the Yin Spirit Pavilion are all ready?"
"They are ready! All ready!" Liu Taifei bowed repeatedly. "Rest assured, Immortal Master! Anything required by the Immortal Master or for the Pavilion Master's business, how would I dare be negligent? The tools and silk offerings you requested last time, as well as the cloth and brocades, are all prepared for your inspection."
Zhuo Huan nodded slightly, his withered fingers stroking his goatee, "Liu Taifei, I am acting on the Pavilion Master's orders. What the Pavilion Master seeks is beyond what you mortals know. Everything is for the Pavilion Master's well-being. If there is any slip-up in the tasks the Pavilion Master entrusted, can you account for the consequences?"
Liu Taifei's face was full of smiles, "I know. My current wealth is all thanks to your recommendation and the Pavilion Master's great fortune. If not for your help, how could I have the honor of seeking this Immortal family's blessing, or have the Yin Spirit Pavilion protect my entire Liu family's peace for a thousand years..."
After saying this, Liu Taifei wiped away cold sweat and then took a list from his sleeve, presenting it with both hands. He then immediately gave a look, and a servant behind him respectfully brought out a Rosewood Casket. Liu Taifei took it and presented it to Zhuo Huan, smiling, "This is a small token I specifically prepared for you, Immortal Master. Inside the casket is Southern Pu Crystal Sand obtained last month, which can aid in the power of Artifact Refining. I have also prepared two dancing maids and sent them to your quarters to serve your daily needs and assist your quiet cultivation."
Only then did Zhuo Huan show a hint of a smile, his laughter piercing like a night owl, revealing a mouthful of yellowish teeth. He said in a dark voice, " Young Master Liu is thoughtful; the Pavilion Master will naturally take note." Shopkeeper Tan also stepped forward with a fawning smile, "Immortal Master, rest assured, the prepared items are all carefully selected to ensure satisfaction!"
Just then, Lin Dalu and the others reached the gate. They saw these two whispering and fawning, leading the grayish-brown robed Hunchback Daoist toward the manor gate.
At this moment, Xiang'er slightly raised her head, and her gaze inadvertently swept over the grayish-brown robed Hunchback Daoist. Suddenly, Xiang'er shuddered all over as if disturbed by a nightmare. She abruptly broke free from Lin Dalu's back, staggered to the ground, and clutched her head, letting out a pained low moan, "No... don't..."
"Xiang'er!" Lin Dalu was shocked and hurriedly knelt to support her.
Xiang'er's face was as pale as paper, fine cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and her eyes were unfocused. Her body went limp, lying in Lin Dalu's arms, her whole person trembling slightly, clearly in immense pain, as if she had seen something extremely terrifying. "Ah!... Ah!... Don't..." Her slender fingers firmly grabbed Lin Dalu's sleeve, her knuckles turning white, and then her body went limp as she fainted.
"Lady Xiang'er!" Liu Hai was also panicked, "Brother Dalu, come, let's enter the manor to seek the medicine!" Turning around, he saw Liu Taifei leading the Daoist into the manor and hurriedly shouted, "Uncle! Your nephew, Liu Hai! I came to your manor as a child! Do you still recognize me?"
Liu Taifei turned his head at the sound, a flash of displeasure across his fat face. But seeing Zhuo Huan present, he had to suppress his anger and gave a look to the servants beside him, "What kind of ruffians are these, making a noise here? Drive them away immediately!" Turning back to Zhuo Huan, he bowed deeply, hiding his anger with a forced smile, "Cough, ignorant juniors being senseless; I apologize for the embarrassment, Immortal Master." Zhuo Huan smiled faintly, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
Liu Hai ignored formalities and stepped forward, "Uncle, please grant us some Autumn Poria Mushroom to save a life! This lady is seriously injured, and the physician said we only lack this medicine!" Liu Hai rushed to the door but was blocked by two servants. "Uncle! I only ask you to bestow two taels and three mace! That is all!"
Liu Taifei's expression changed abruptly, his fleshy cheeks shaking with rage, "Bastard! That Autumn Poria Mushroom is a treasure for the Immortal Master; is it something you can covet? Get out!"
Lin Dalu hurried forward and cupped his fists," Young Master Liu, if you are willing to part with it, I am willing to exchange it for ten taels of silver; two taels and three mace are all we need."
Seeing this, Shopkeeper Tan hurried over and lowered his voice as he spoke to Lin Dalu,"Young Lin, take your brother and leave quickly! Today is not right; the Immortal Master is here. If you annoy him, your lives will be forfeit!"
Lin Dalu picked up Xiang'er and said in a deep voice, "I beg Shopkeeper Tan to help; we only seek two taels and three mace of Autumn Poria Mushroom to save a life."
"Ten taels of silver? Do you think that's a high price?" Liu Taifei sneered,"You paupers, get out of here quickly!"
Before he finished speaking, Liu Hai was already scuffling with the servants. One servant used too much force and pushed Liu Hai to the ground; his elbow was scraped, and blood began to seep out.
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/fy6vtYGW/Q0005C.jpg
"Liu Taifei! You watch someone die and do nothing; you are unworthy of being an uncle!" Liu Hai endured the pain and shouted, "You only care about pleasing the Immortal Master and disregard the lives of your kin; where is your conscience?" "Presumptuous!" Liu Taifei was furious. "Teach him a lesson!" "Liu Taifei! By doing this, you are also shaming the Liu family!" Liu Hai cursed, struggling to stand.
In the midst of the chaos, inside the manor gate, Zhuo Huan stopped in his tracks, his triangular eyes narrowing as he looked outside. When his gaze fell upon Xiang'er in Lin Dalu's arms, his ashen face suddenly changed, and his pupils contracted sharply, "It's her!" Zhuo Huan immediately pulled back inside the gate.
"Stop!" a raspy voice came from within the courtyard.
Outside the Liu Manor, everyone stopped; the noise came to an abrupt halt. Liu Taifei was stunned, thinking he had misheard, "Immortal Master, this..."
Zhuo Huan barked at Liu Taifei, "Give them the Autumn Poria Mushroom, appease them immediately, and apologize! Do not make a scene!"
Liu Taifei was shocked, "Im... Immortal Master? This medicine is..."
"Do it!" Zhuo Huan's tone was icy. "I have urgent business and must return to the Sect immediately! Today's matter must not be spread!"
After saying this, he took out a Jade Slip from his robe, and with two fingers joined, he swiped quickly across the slip, his fingertips glowing with a faint green light. A moment later, he tossed the Jade Slip into the air; it turned into a stream of light and vanished into the horizon.
Liu Taifei, standing close by, only felt the surrounding air suddenly turn cold. Shortly after, Zhuo Huan turned and left, leaving behind a wisp of eerie light.
Although Liu Taifei did not understand why, he did not dare disobey. He put on a smiling face and personally brought a package of Autumn Poria Mushroom, handing it to Lin Dalu, "It was all a misunderstanding... this bit of Autumn Poria Mushroom is a small token; please accept it."
Shopkeeper Tan also put on an expression of concern, "Since you said this medicine is essential, it must be for saving a life. Take it back quickly and treat this lady's injuries."
Lin Dalu's heart was filled with suspicion, but seeing Xiang'er's weak breath, he could not afford to think too much. He took the medicine, helped Liu Hai up, and hurried away.
As the three walked away, a blurry figure slowly emerged in the shadows of the street corner, their face obscured. A stray dog nearby was about to bark, but upon meeting the person's gaze, it let out a terrified whimper and fled with its tail between its legs. The figure silently watched the direction in which Lin Dalu and the others had left for a long time, unmoving, but within those eyes shone two wisps of eerie light, icy and dark.
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/7hpNGSFx/Q0005D.jpg
——(End of Chapter)