Qu WeiYin flew steadily on her sword, seemingly mindful of Luo JinXiao behind her. After two hours of flight, Lu FanZhi, who had been lagging, finally couldn’t take it anymore and loudly demanded a break.
Qu WeiYin, not even slightly out of breath, glanced back at her and said, “There’s a town ahead. Let’s stop and rest.”
Hearing this, Lu FanZhi acted as if granted amnesty, bowing repeatedly to Qu WeiYin before darting off.
To avoid alarming the townsfolk, they landed outside the town. As soon as Lu FanZhi’s feet touched the ground, she squatted down, dizzy and exhausted.
“Only two hours and you’re already tired. Useless,” Yan Ying quipped, gracefully landing in front of Lu FanZhi.
Too drained to argue, Lu FanZhi just waved a fist in frustration.
Jumping off Qu WeiYin’s sword, Luo JinXiao went to help Lu FanZhi up, discreetly transferring some spiritual energy to her. “Are you alright?” she asked with a smile.
Lu FanZhi recovered, waving her hand dismissively. “Why do you get to ride with someone while I have to fly myself?”
“Perhaps Little Martial Aunt can take you next time, and I’ll fly myself,” Luo JinXiao suggested sincerely.
Lu FanZhi peeked at Qu WeiYin, standing a bit away, and shivered, shaking her head vigorously. “No thanks, I don’t dare.”
Chang SiYu, having circled the town earlier, returned and landed beside Qu WeiYin. Leaning close, he suggested, “Little Martial Aunt Qu, their cultivation isn’t strong enough for overnight travel. We’re still quite a distance from Xu Mi Villa, and there’s nowhere else to stop for miles. Why not rest here for the night?”
Qu WeiYin subtly distanced herself, nodding in agreement.
Chang SiYu beamed, showing his teeth, then turned to the group, leading them towards the town’s entrance. The town was small and lacked a gate, marked only by a weathered, rain-worn wooden signpost reading “Pingxi Town.”
The town seemed rarely visited, its stone roads pocked and puddled. Locals eyed them curiously as they passed.
Qu WeiYin’s pace slowed, and Luo JinXiao, following closely, noticed her unease.
She seemed… a bit out of her element.
“Who are you, and what business do you have here?” an elderly man with a cane approached, his head wrapped in a tattered cloth, nearly resembling a beggar if not for his clean attire.
Qu WeiYin instinctively stepped aside, her expression unchanged, but her eyes betrayed an unusual anxiety.
Seeing this, Luo JinXiao stepped forward, blocking Qu WeiYin from view, and smiled warmly at the elder. “We’re just passing through, sorry for any disturbance.”
“Passing through,” the elder nodded, scrutinizing Luo JinXiao. “There’s an inn ahead, but this town isn’t safe. Don’t go out past midnight.”
His voice was hoarse, carrying a chill that made one shiver even under the bright sun.
“Thank you, sir,” Luo JinXiao said, her eyes flickering as she continued onward. But she noticed Qu WeiYin hadn’t followed, turning to find her still staring grimly at the elder.
“Little Martial Aunt?” Luo JinXiao called softly, pulling Qu WeiYin away from the elder. “What’s wrong?”
With a reluctant step, Qu WeiYin followed, then shook off Luo JinXiao’s hand. “I have a bad feeling about this place.”
“Did you notice something?” Luo JinXiao paused to observe. The road was ordinary, aged and moss-covered, with occasional passersby casting curious glances.
Qu WeiYin shook her head, her hand reaching for her sword. “I’m not sure. Let’s be cautious and find lodging before dusk.”
Luo JinXiao nodded, gesturing for Qu WeiYin to proceed. Avoiding her hand, Qu WeiYin strode ahead, and they soon caught up with Chang SiYu and the others.
“JinXiao, where did you go? We found an inn. Let’s stay there tonight,” Lu FanZhi said, pulling Luo Ning along, both looking excited.
Luo JinXiao relayed the elder’s warning. Lu FanZhi waved it off, unimpressed. “We’re cultivators. Why fear a little unrest?”
Luo Ning, however, seemed worried. “Sister, maybe we should keep going. What if something happens…”
“Even if something does, isn’t it our duty to rid the world of demons? Helping them would be a good deed,” Lu FanZhi exclaimed.
Luo JinXiao’s heart skipped, rushing to cover Lu FanZhi’s mouth. Talking about demon hunting with Qu WeiYin nearby was risky.
“Mmmph!” Lu FanZhi flailed as Luo JinXiao hissed for silence.
“What’s going on here?” Qu WeiYin approached, glaring coldly. Luo JinXiao grinned sheepishly, attempting to placate her.
Qu WeiYin silently looked away.
“How many guests?” The innkeeper, lounging in a chair, sprang up at their arrival, greeting them with a broad smile.
“Six. Do you have rooms?” Chang SiYu asked, glancing back to count.
Luo JinXiao noted the innkeeper’s hesitant expression, fearing a common tale where inns lacked space, forcing shared rooms—she might end up with…
“Plenty of rooms, all empty! Please, come upstairs!” the innkeeper beamed.
Luo JinXiao was speechless.
The inn was surprisingly large, with two entire rows of rooms. Though aged, it was clean. Each found a room to rest, Luo Ning insisting on staying by Luo JinXiao, while Yan Ying inexplicably claimed the room on her other side.
The room was simple, with just a bed and table. Settling in, Luo JinXiao pulled bedding from her pouch, filling the space before lying down.
Just as she closed her eyes, a spiritual energy shot through the wall, hovering before drifting to the opposite side. Another soon followed, the frequency escalating, anger evident in the energy.
Finally, fed up, Luo JinXiao leapt from bed, stepping into the hallway.
With the door open, peace returned. Knowing rest was impossible, she headed downstairs for a meal.
The dining area was nearly empty. Qu WeiYin sat in a corner, a cup of her conjured Yunwu tea steaming before her. Luo JinXiao paused, meeting her gaze, then slowly descended.
“Why aren’t you resting?” Qu WeiYin asked as she approached.
“Can’t rest for now. Why are you here, Little Martial Aunt?” Luo JinXiao asked.
“I don’t need to,” Qu WeiYin replied, sipping her tea, her lips softly parting, alluring.
Luo JinXiao averted her gaze, noticing the innkeeper approaching with more tea for Qu WeiYin. She stood quickly to avoid him.
“Miss, you are truly beautiful. In all my years here, I’ve never seen anyone like you,” the innkeeper praised, smiling. “You must be from a wealthy family, traveling through. May I ask your purpose in our little town?”
“Passing through,” Qu WeiYin replied curtly, avoiding his gaze.
“This area is quite remote. Where are you from?” the innkeeper continued, chatty. Qu WeiYin, disliking interaction, glanced at Luo JinXiao for help.
Her eyes, though deep, held a hint of pleading. Moved, Luo JinXiao stepped forward, shielding Qu WeiYin. “We’re from WuZhong, heading to Zhe Sea.”
“WuZhong? That far? I’ve never traveled that distance,” the innkeeper marveled, respect evident.
Glancing back, Luo JinXiao saw Qu WeiYin hiding behind her, head bowed.
“But our people are like that, stuck here forever,” the innkeeper mused, his voice rising, “Xiu’er, where are you going!”
Startled by the sudden shout, Luo JinXiao instinctively shielded Qu WeiYin, missing her gaze.
The innkeeper dashed out, dragging a girl inside by her hair and throwing her to the floor. The girl cried out, toppling a chair.
Behind her, Qu WeiYin shifted slightly.
“Trying to run again?” The innkeeper, now harsh, handled the girl roughly, pulling her by her clothes.
The girl looked pitiful, shaking her head and crying out, resisting fiercely, only to be dragged along the ground, her clothes filthy.
Luo JinXiao turned to Qu WeiYin, seeing a flicker of pity quickly suppressed on her icy face.
Blinking, Luo JinXiao leaned down and asked quietly, “Little Martial Aunt, may I intervene?”
“If you want to go, go. Why ask me?” Qu WeiYin replied indifferently.
Luo JinXiao scratched her head, biting her lip. “If you don’t want trouble, I won’t.”
“Luo JinXiao!” Qu WeiYin’s voice, full of anger, made her jump.
“I’ll go!” Luo JinXiao rushed forward, grabbing the innkeeper’s wrist and pulling him aside, nearly toppling him.
Breathing heavily, the innkeeper was baffled by her strength but quickly dismissed it. “Don’t interfere, she’s my daughter. She’s mentally ill, always trying to run away. Everyone knows she’s possessed!”
Possessed? Luo JinXiao frowned, exchanging a glance with Qu WeiYin, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes.
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