The lanterns at the entrance of the alley swayed unsteadily.
Jiang Xun came to a halt. He didn't charge forward, nor did he immediately retreat; at this distance, moving in either direction felt wrong.
He raised his eyelids slightly, using the meager light to scan the newcomer from head to toe.
A long robe.
It wasn't the short tunics or coarse cloth clothes the townspeople usually wore, but a dark, long robe made of fine, tough fabric with a tailored fit.
Not a local.
Jiang Xun immediately made a judgment. Moreover, since the person was interested in something like a Spirit Medicine, which was clearly used by Cultivators, he could only conclude that the newcomer was also a Cultivator.
An expression mixing exhaustion and vigilance appropriately surfaced on his face. His shoulders slumped slightly as he asked in confusion:
"Spirit Medicine? This... My lady, did you perhaps mishear? I was just fooling around; how would I know anything about Spirit Medicine?"
"Mishear?"
The person took a small half-step forward, and the light finally, begrudgingly, illuminated the lower half of her face. Her lips were pursed, and her voice held a hint of annoyance at being slighted. "I heard it loud and clear! You still dare to try and deceive me?"
She had been bored at the inn when she saw Jiang Xun turn into the alley, so she followed him and heard what he said inside the room.
Originally, she just wanted to watch the fun, but upon hearing the words 'Spirit Medicine', she immediately couldn't wait to reveal herself and demand clues.
If it was a high-grade Spirit Medicine, then her Sect trial mission would be considered a success.
Jiang Xun clicked his tongue inwardly.
Being able to hear the conversation inside through the gambling den's walls from such a distance wasn't just a matter of having good ears.
Spiritual Sense detection—a Cultivator's technique.
With his newly-initiated Qi Refining cultivation, he was practically defenseless before her.
"There really isn't any."
He adopted the rogueish, rascally tone common among street hoodlums, spreading his hands and even trying to squeeze out a helpless smile:
"Look at me; do I look like someone with that kind of luck? I was just talking big to scare those people."
"You!" The young girl had clearly rarely encountered such an obstinate Mortal and was momentarily choked with anger.
In her view, if she deigned to lower herself to ask, the other party should be deeply grateful and tell her everything.
This perfunctory attitude was simply an insult!
Jiang Xun's muscles had already adjusted to a subtle state; he appeared relaxed, but was actually like a half-drawn bowstring. From the corner of his eye, he had already scanned his escape routes and possible cover.
Fighting head-on was the worst option, but if she really intended to strike, he would never just sit and wait for death.
"Hmph! It seems I must give you a taste of suffering!"
The girl's patience had clearly run out. Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, suddenly rose.
Several glints of golden light shot out from her sleeve—three golden bangles. In the blink of an eye, they grew to the size of a human head, their surfaces engraved with dense runes, humming as they shot toward Jiang Xun's upper, middle, and lower sections!
Definitely a Cultivator! And one who attacks at the slightest provocation!
Jiang Xun's heart tightened, but his movements were faster than his thoughts.
He didn't try to dodge completely—they were too fast. Instead, he jerked his body backward, his core muscles snapping into action as he threw himself sideways and back, rolling on the ground.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Two golden rings aimed at his neck and chest grazed his clothes as they flew past, the sharp wind they kicked up stinging his skin.
But the third ring, aimed at his ankles, he ultimately couldn't avoid entirely.
"Click! Click!"
With two crisp metallic clicks, the golden rings accurately locked around both his ankles.
A heavy, iron-like, cold, and hard sensation of restraint instantly washed over him, accompanied by a faint flow of Spiritual Qi suppressing his movements.
Almost simultaneously, the two rings that had missed earlier nimbly looped back, easily snapping onto his wrists and neck.
Jiang Xun struggled for a moment, but the golden rings didn't budge; instead, they showed a faint tendency to tighten.
He stopped moving, no longer putting up useless resistance.
Only then did the girl fully emerge from the shadows. She strolled up to him and tilted her face slightly; by the light, he could finally see her appearance clearly.
She only reached Jiang Xun's chest and wasn't fully grown. She wore a high-quality azure-green ruqun, the hem embroidered with sparse orchids in silver thread that shimmered faintly with her movements.
Her hair was styled in delicate twin buns, adorned with matching bead flowers and a jade hairpin.
Her face was exquisite, with porcelain-white skin and lively eyes. Her lips were naturally cherry-red. She should have looked like a charming, sheltered Young Miss who knew nothing of the world, but currently, her cheeks were slightly puffed out in anger, and she was trying hard to glare with her almond-shaped eyes to make herself look fierce.
She looked like a little girl who had stolen her older sister's fine clothes and sneaked out to "act as a hero," only to be rebuffed.
"Will you talk, or not?" She tried to lower her voice to sound authoritative, but couldn't hide its childishness. "If you dare to deceive me again, I... I really won't be polite!"
Jiang Xun looked at the face before him, which was trying hard to look stern but held no real intimidation. Feeling the very real, spiritual-power-infused restraints on his hands and feet, a sense of absurdity momentarily outweighed his tension.
He, a college student, had actually been caught on the spot by a girl who looked like a high schooler.
"I'll talk, I'll talk."
Jiang Xun sighed, his tone carrying a hint of resigned helplessness, while his mind raced to weave a plausible lie.
"It's just something my dad mentioned once when he was drunk. He said that further into Wild Monkey Gully, near the Eagle Cliff area, he seemed to have seen something like 'Three-Leaf Nether Grass'. I only heard the name; as for what it looks like or if it's actually there, I really don't know..."
While he fabricated names and environments typical of low-grade Spiritual Plants in games, he closely watched her expression.
As the girl listened, her small brows furrowed as if judging how much of this was believable.
Master often said that when out in the world, one must never easily believe a man's words.
Suddenly, her eyes darted around as if she had remembered something, and she patted the intricately patterned Storage Pouch at her waist.
With a faint flash of light, a heavy silk pouch appeared in her hand. Untying the drawstring, she flipped her wrist.
*Clatter...*
A small pile of translucent, thumb-sized jade stones emitting a soft, pure Spiritual Qi tumbled into her hand—about a dozen pieces.
Spirit Stones, and of quite high quality.
"Don't you just want money?" The girl's tone was patronizing. "If it's true, I'll give all of these to you. Are you sure you're telling the truth?"
Jiang Xun looked up at the girl's face, which was practically screaming "be grateful and weep," and felt a speechless sensation hit him square in the forehead.
My dear Young Miss, this is Yunshan Town!
Spirit Stones are controlled items; private possession or trade is akin to treason! If I take these things, can I trade them for rice or buy some cloth?
This isn't wealth; this is an invitation from the King of Hell!
While his mind was in turmoil, a fawning fake smile quickly appeared on his face, and he bowed even lower.
"Oh, you're far too kind! How could I possibly be worthy of such precious things?"
"Just now, I was muddled and didn't tell you the truth! Actually, my father didn't mention Three-Leaf Nether Grass—that thing isn't very rare... What he mentioned was more like Purple-Veined Earth Essence! Yes, Purple-Veined Earth Essence! It's probably near that Rocky Slope east of Blackwater Pool..."
Without changing expression, he switched to an even more remote location and a Spiritual Plant name that sounded more likely to be rare, describing it in vivid detail.
The girl listened, her fingers habitually pinching her chin, seemingly thinking this version was a bit more credible than the last.
She nodded and put the Spirit Stones back into the bag, her movements as casual as if she were putting away a few pebbles.
Eh? Weren't you going to give them to me?
However, her next words caused Jiang Xun's smile to freeze completely.
"Just talking is useless." She brushed off non-existent dust from her hands, her tone matter-of-fact. "Tomorrow morning, you will take me there."
Lead the way? Into the mountains?
The fake smile on Jiang Xun's lips seemed frozen; it twitched but couldn't be maintained.
"What? Unwilling?" The girl was clearly satisfied with his expression, and her finger moved slightly.
The golden rings on Jiang Xun's wrists and ankles immediately tightened a notch in response. The cold, hard metal edges bit into his flesh, sending a clear sensation of pain.
"Either lead the way obediently," the girl tilted her head slightly, her tone light but her words chilling, "or... I'll send you to a quiet place right now to think it through."
A threat—a naked threat.
Jiang Xun took a slow breath and exhaled slowly, suppressing the many thoughts swirling in his mind. The situation was stronger than the person; this girl's background was definitely not simple, and there was no benefit in resisting.
"...Fine." He squeezed out the word, his voice steady.
The golden rings loosened as requested, turning into three imperceptible golden lights that "whooshed" back into the girl's wide sleeves.
Jiang Xun massaged his wrists and ankles, which were marked with red welts. He stood up silently and brushed the dust off his clothes, as if the brief capture and confrontation had never happened.
He looked at the girl, his tone returning to its previous flatness. "How should I address you? What time tomorrow, and where shall we meet?"
"Sang Linger." The girl lifted her small chin and announced her name, then added pointedly, "Sang as in mulberry tree, Linger as in poria cocos. Remember it well.
Tomorrow at dawn, under the old locust tree next to the Deacons Office at the town entrance, wait for me. Don't get any funny ideas; I can find you."
Sang Linger. Jiang Xun repeated the name twice in his mind and nodded; he had remembered it.
Truly a Young Miss who hadn't spent any time in society, giving out her name so easily.
"Mm!"
Sang Linger considered her methods to be forceful and old-school, and she couldn't help but feel happy. She had already grown into a competent Disciple.
After a few more warnings, she disappeared at the entrance of the alley.
Jiang Xun breathed a sigh of relief.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; do not look down on a poor youth.
Just wait; in the future, who knows who will be tying up whom.
Returning home, he pushed open his creaking, broken wooden door. His bowl and chopsticks were already set on the table.
A small oil lamp was lit in the room, its light warm.
On the old but polished square table sat a bowl of thick millet porridge, steaming slightly, next to a plate of stir-fried green vegetables. There was very little oil, but they were vibrant green and looked refreshing.
Jiang Wanxing sat quietly by the table, her hands resting properly on her knees. Her head was lowered, staring at her fingertips, lost in thought.
Hearing the door, she looked up like a startled small animal. Seeing it was Jiang Xun, a light suddenly flashed in her eyes, which she quickly suppressed, turning it into a cautious restraint.
She quickly stood up. "Brother, you're back? The food... I just reheated it; it's still warm."
"Mm." Jiang Xun grunted in response, scooped some water from a broken clay basin in the corner to wash his hands, and sat at the table.
Only then did Jiang Wanxing pick up her own bowl of porridge, which was noticeably much thinner, and began to sip it. Her eyes, however, seemed beyond her control, frequently glancing at Jiang Xun.
Jiang Xun was indeed hungry and ate quickly.
But suddenly, Jiang Wanxing's nose twitched, and she caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance.
It was the scent of a woman.
Had her brother gone out to find a woman?
Jiang Wanxing's heart jolted. He used to just love gambling; now he was lustful too?
This was the thing she could least tolerate.
But what could she do?
When Jiang Xun put down his bowl, he saw that Jiang Wanxing on the opposite side had stopped at some point. Her head was lowered, and her shoulders were trembling slightly and uncontrollably.
Crying again?
Jiang Xun was startled. Wasn't she fine just a moment ago?
He looked closer; the tip of Jiang Wanxing's nose was red, and she was biting her lower lip hard, trying to stifle the sound. However, large tears were rolling down, splashing into her bowl of porridge—which was almost entirely clear broth—creating tiny ripples.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Xun was a bit bewildered.
Jiang Wanxing shook her head vigorously, her hair swaying with the motion. She still didn't speak, but her suppressed sobs finally escaped. Her thin shoulders heaved, making her look exceptionally pitiful.
Jiang Xun felt a rare sense of helplessness.
He recalled the scene after entering the door; nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He asked tentatively, "Not full?"
Jiang Wanxing continued to shake her head, lifting her tear-stained face. Her eyes and nose were all red.
She sobbed several times before haltingly, with a heavy nasal tone, squeezing out a full sentence: "Brother, on you... there is... there's the scent of another woman..."
Her five senses had been acute since childhood.
When Jiang Xun approached the table just now, she had caught a very faint, elegant, and cool fragrance. It was like some rare cold scent mixed with a hint of herbal freshness. It definitely wasn't the smell of any rouge or soap in town, nor was it her own scent.
Jiang Xun: "...?"
He instinctively lowered his head and sniffed his cuffs and lapels.
Besides the smell of dust and a faint scent of sweat, there was indeed a very weak, cool, and elegant fragrance lingering. It was probably from Sang Linger's golden ring artifacts or the scent of Spiritual Qi she herself was infused with.
She could even smell that?
Also, how did this girl's train of thought veer in this direction?
I went out to pit my wits against someone and engage in schemes, yet she thought I went to... seek out flowers and willows?
Seeing Jiang Wanxing's aggrieved and fearful look—as if her world had collapsed and she was about to be abandoned again—Jiang Xun didn't know whether to be angry or laugh. Ultimately, it turned into a sense of helpless exhaustion.
Jiang Xun had no experience dealing with girls in real life.
He raised his hand and rubbed his brow firmly, giving up on any complicated explanation; that would only make things worse.
In a dry, almost promising tone, he said directly:
"Don't overthink it. It's nothing."
[Ding!]
[Scenario Triggered: The Crying Younger Sister.]
[Option 1: Use a harsh tone, slam the table, and stand up to kick her: "What are you crying for? I give you good food and drink, and you're still crying? Are you looking for a beating?"]
[Option 2: Shut up, stay silent. If she likes to cry, let her cry her fill. Pick up a nearby willow branch and whip her severely.]
[Option 3: Women love to cry; just plug it up. Please plug her mouth for three minutes.]
[Time: 10... 9... 8...]
"Holy crap! Again?"