As the pale yellow figure darted past, everyone was startled and let out strange cries.
Ahead stood an old cypress tree. Without blinking, Shi Cuiyan lightly tapped her toes, and her body soared into the air like a celestial maiden ascending to the heavens. Using the branches as a base, she effortlessly leaped onto the towering city wall in just a few steps. Once she steadied herself, she exhaled, fixed her gaze, and deftly removed the human skin mask, revealing a spirited and lively face under the moonlight.
“Hmph, why do you always choose such high places to discuss matters?” Shi Cuiyan said towards the shadow by the wall.
“How else could I admire the lightness skill of Zui Leweng’s prized disciple?” A pair of black mosquito-patterned silver boots stepped out of the shadow, revealing a slender man dressed in black. His skin was deathly pale, with heavy dark circles under his hollow eyes, making him look more ghostly than human. This peculiar figure was none other than Shi Cuiyan’s Jianghu friend, Yu Xiang.
“Hmph, don’t give me that. You just want to tire me out, don’t you?” Shi Cuiyan playfully scolded.
“Well said, well said,” Yu Xiang chuckled.
“So, what news have you gathered?” Shi Cuiyan crossed her arms, looking like a young lady addressing a servant. The man before her was as skilled at gathering information as Shi Cuiyan, though his natural laziness always placed him second.
“The group that entered Wu Feng Valley five days ago has left. They originally had seventy-five people, but half died trying to force their way through the traps. The remaining ones didn’t dare to go further and retreated. However, the two envoys from the Luo Family were clever. Somehow, they managed to get inside, but they haven’t come out yet.”
“Let them go if they want. Gui Po isn’t there anyway… What about the matter I asked you to investigate?” Yu Xiang’s pale face suddenly wrinkled as he said, “It’s strange. I’ve been to all the villages outside Wu Feng Valley, but I couldn’t find a trace of Gui Po. Everyone claims they haven’t seen an old person like Gui Po. I think she must have taken a mountain path to hide. If she’s really been out of the valley for half a year, this will be difficult to track.”
“As long as Gui Po doesn’t appear, those people won’t dare to act rashly,” Shi Cuiyan said calmly. “Spread the word that Gui Po has left the valley. Let those Jianghu brutes panic first. We can wait until the Luo Family finds a clue before making a move.”
“You little devil, letting the Luo Family run around while you sit back and reap the benefits? Is it that easy?” Yu Xiang laughed.
“Who doesn’t know that the Luo Family Head’s senior disciple is the current Martial Arts Alliance Leader? With their resources, they have many channels. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Besides, I’m just a weak woman without the skills to roam Jianghu,” Shi Cuiyan said innocently.
Hearing this, Yu Xiang suddenly burst into laughter. “I don’t know about others, but you, the Jianghu expert known as Emerald Exquisite, definitely have the ability to stir up Jianghu. You know, even those martial arts sects would have to give up their seats for you, the young mistress.”
“Isn’t it just because of the power of rumors?” Shi Cuiyan said slyly. “Those self-righteous and pretentious sects can’t withstand a little gossip, can they? I just keep some interesting things in mind. If they ever upset me, hmph.”
“You have a knack for listening to all sorts of trivial things,” Yu Xiang teased her, but Shi Cuiyan didn’t mind.
“Alright, tell me something I like to hear. How much do you know about Tiger Dragon Cave?”
“What can I know? I’m not as skilled as you, Emerald Exquisite. Besides, I don’t touch such tricky information,” Yu Xiang said, trying to leave, but Shi Cuiyan stopped him.
“Not involved? Ever since you started investigating Gui Po, you’ve been involved!” Shi Cuiyan glared at him.
As a merchant dealing in Jianghu information, there’s no avoiding the muddy waters of Jianghu disputes. Now that she’s involved with Tiger Dragon Cave, she has to continue. Yet, this shameless man claims it’s none of his business? Ridiculous!
“Sigh… Shi Cuiyan,” Yu Xiang looked at her helplessly. “If it’s Jianghu gossip, I won’t stop you. But Gui Po’s whereabouts are a mystery. Don’t get too caught up in it. As for the treasure, the dragon ring, and Tiger Dragon Cave, just leave them be. Didn’t you see clearly back then? Don’t forget your master lost his life over those things.”
“Precisely because my master always nagged about those things, I want to see for myself!” Shi Cuiyan stubbornly glared at him.
Yu Xiang stared at her for a while, reminded of the past. The master with unparalleled lightness skill, who loved to drink and spout nonsense, yet had exceptionally clear eyes—Zui Leweng. The same bad temper, the same stubbornness. Even without a blood relationship, they were like father and daughter, sharing the same temperament.
So he understood that the renowned Emerald Exquisite would definitely wade into those troubled waters, and there was no stopping her.
“Anyway, don’t rush. Put Gui Po’s matter aside. Even the Baili ring hasn’t been found yet,” Yu Xiang said helplessly. It’s rumored that to open the treasure, one must first obtain the key. The ring, split into two, is held by Baili and Gui Po. With both rings’ whereabouts unknown, how can they talk about Tiger Dragon Cave?
“Alright,” Shi Cuiyan readily let go. “Let me know if you hear anything. You know I won’t give up.”
Yu Xiang just smiled silently, then turned and disappeared into the shadows. Under the moonlight, Shi Cuiyan’s ethereal beauty seemed a bit dim. She knew Yu Xiang meant well. The boy who clung to her master, wanting to become a disciple, was now the only elder brother concerned for her safety. She understood that getting involved with Tiger Dragon Cave would bring no good… but her master’s nagging figure kept swirling in her mind.
She wanted to see what it was that he couldn’t forget.
Even at the cost of his life, taking away the person she respected most.
An hour after Yu Xiang left, Shi Cuiyan finally composed herself and returned to the inn. She pushed open the door and dragged her weary body to the bed, only to see a sturdy little girl wrapped in the quilt. The girl had a red mark on her right cheek, looking like a demon under the cold moonlight. But Shi Cuiyan knew better than anyone that she was just a paper tiger, not even worthy of being called a tiger.
“Why are you taking up most of the bed? Where am I supposed to sleep?” Shi Cuiyan muttered helplessly, then pushed Xi Fuhong further onto the bed and lay down on the edge herself.
She heard mumbling behind her and couldn’t help but glance back. She saw Xi Fuhong, whom she had just pushed away, still asleep but restless, almost kicking Shi Cuiyan off the bed. Fortunately, Shi Cuiyan reacted quickly and held down Xi Fuhong’s foot.
“Even in sleep, you’re restless!” Shi Cuiyan got up, intending to wrap Xi Fuhong in the quilt. But as she pulled the quilt halfway, something caught her eye. Upon closer inspection, it was a crescent-shaped pendant hanging from her chest. Initially, Shi Cuiyan didn’t think much of it, but as Xi Fuhong turned towards her, the pendant fell onto the pillow. The faint blue glow stung Shi Cuiyan’s eyes, and she leaned in for a closer look, discovering something intriguing!
The crescent-shaped pendant was made of black rock, thin as a cicada’s wing, slightly larger than the rim of a wine cup. It was intricately carved with a dragon coiling around, surrounded by clouds, with a round hole at the end, perfectly threaded with a red string around her neck.
Shi Cuiyan straightened up, thoughtfully twirling her hair.
She chuckled to herself, thinking, “As the saying goes, ‘You search high and low only to find it effortlessly!'”
Xi Fuhong was awakened by the heat. She opened her eyes to find herself wrapped tightly in a quilt, unable to move. She was puzzled, wondering if her sleeping posture was really that bad to have tied herself up like a bundle. Turning her gaze, she saw Shi Cuiyan standing by the window with a pensive expression on her twisted face.
