The others each returned to their rooms to rest, but Lu Yaoyao didn’t. Instead, she headed to the separate courtyard to see Nani Gu.
As soon as she entered, the devil youth appeared. “You’re finally back.”
Seeing him waiting for her, she nodded. “Yes.”
Nani Gu studied her carefully. He had known all along that the little princess had ventured into the lion’s den tonight with the humans, so he’d been waiting for news. Now, seeing her safe and sound, he was relieved that she hadn’t encountered any dangers.
Lu Yaoyao went straight to the point. “We’re leaving early tomorrow morning.”
“Including me?” Nani Gu’s tone lifted with anticipation. He was tired of being stuck here with these dull weaklings. If he could leave with the little princess, life would be much more interesting.
Lu Yaoyao replied sternly. “No, as we agreed, you’ll stay and leave with the others. You guys will settle here for a while, and someone will come to take you all away. Don’t worry—you’ll be safe here.” Her gaze lingered on him, particularly warning him not to cause trouble.
“When will that be? You’re not going to forget about me, are you?” Nani Gu grew uneasy upon hearing she was leaving them behind. Though she had mentioned this arrangement before, he couldn’t shake the uneasiness away. How long ‘a while’ is, anyway? As far as he knew, she might keep him here for months, years, or even decades.
“I won’t.” Lu Yaoyao replied patiently, “I’ve already sent word. At the latest, someone will come for you within seven days. Everything is arranged.”
Her expression then grew stern. “If you can’t even trust me on this, then don’t talk about wanting to follow me.” She knew Nani Gu’s experiences of being sold twice had made him wary and distrustful, but she wouldn’t indulge him too much. If he wanted to be her subordinate, he had to learn to trust her.
Hearing her firm tone, Nani Gu quickly replied, “Of course, I trust you, Your Highness.”
“Then it’s settled.” After confirming that Nani Gu would behave and wait patiently, Lu Yaoyao left and returned to her room.
Too tense for a good night’s sleep, she emerged from her room before dawn, fully alert and ready to leave. Yan Zihui and the others soon joined her, already prepared to depart.
Seeing her, Yan Zihui asked, “Are the demons and devils all taken care of?”
“Yes, everything’s arranged.” Lu Yaoyao nodded. She then asked back, “What about the people outside?”
Several groups were still keeping a close watch on them. Those spies had followed them back last night and were likely still around. If they left now, wouldn’t they be noticed?
“Don’t worry, I’ve handled it.” A familiar voice cut in from behind. Lu Yaoyao turned to see Baitong jumping over the courtyard wall.
“This is as far as I can help you. The rest is up to you.” Baitong pulled out a fan and lazily fanned himself.
“Senior Brother Bai!” Lu Yaoyao beamed. “Thank you!”
“No need to thank me. Your senior brother already paid for my help,” Baitong replied with a sly smile. He never worked for free.
Yan Zihui added, “I’ll leave the matter of the spiritual materials to you.”
“Of course. Young Master Baitong, I, am a reliable businessman,” Baitong said, his tone casual but confident.
“Then farewell for now.”
Yan Zihui opened the back door, revealing a magnificent flying carriage waiting outside. Lu Yaoyao extended her spiritual senses and confirmed that the spies’ presences were indeed gone.
“Goodbye, Senior Brother Bai.” Before boarding the carriage, Lu Yaoyao turned to wave at Baitong, who raised his hand in response. “If I find the Star Sand, you’ll have to tell me who your mother is.”
Lu Yaoyao was speechless. “…We’ll talk about it then!”
The carriage’s interior was spacious, comfortably accommodating all five passengers without feeling crowded. Once the doors closed, a middle-aged coachman sitting at the front snapped the reins, and the flying carriage quickly headed for the city gate.
Chao Muxue, still a bit uneasy, asked, “Are we sure we can safely leave through the gates?”
Yan Zihui assured her, “Don’t worry. Everything’s been taken care of.” Besides, if Hua Bailing truly intended to stop them, it would be easier to act outside the city than within its walls.
Baitong, who had long operated in Moxuan City as a skilled information broker, had plenty of connections. The city wasn’t as impenetrable as it seemed, and some elders, unwilling to offend the Guiyuan Sect, were willing to provide assistance.
Sure enough, when they reached the city gate, the coachman presented a token. Upon recognizing it, the guards respectfully waved them through without even inspecting the carriage.
They left the city gates without incident. The towering city walls of Moxuan City gradually receded into the distance as the carriage moved further away. The window of the carriage opened, and curious heads peeked out to look back.
“We’re really out!”
“Thank goodness! I thought we’d have to fight our way through!”
After traveling some distance, the city gates now far behind them, the carriage slowly came to a stop. The coachman stepped down from his seat, bowed toward the carriage, and said, “Fellow Daoists, this is as far as I take you. May you all have a safe journey.”
Yan Zihui opened the door and stepped out. “Please convey my thanks to your master. I owe him for this favor. If he ever needs assistance, he’s welcome to ask.”
“I’ll pass on the message.” The coachman was one of Baitong’s trusted subordinates. Having fulfilled his task of escorting them out of the city, he prepared to return and report.
Without lingering further, the coachman took a deep breath, tapped his foot lightly, and sped off toward the city.
Yan Zihui didn’t delay either, urging the flying carriage onward. Moments later, the horses leaped into the air, pulling the carriage skyward. Within seconds, it became a small black dot, disappearing into the clouds.
…
In a secluded alley of Moxuan City, a young cultivator slowly regained consciousness. Finding himself lying on the ground, he blinked at the unfamiliar surroundings, confused. “Where am I?”
Then the memory struck—he had been keeping surveillance on the Guiyuan group when, out of nowhere, he lost consciousness.
‘This is bad!’ The youth’s face darkened as he scrambled to his feet, intending to return to his post. However, the area was unfamiliar, and the alley branched in all directions. Whoever had knocked him out had dumped him in a completely different part of the city. It took him quite some time to find his way out, and when he did, he sprinted toward the residence on the other side of the city.
As he approached his destination, his suspicions grew. Something didn’t add up—he had been knocked out, and now the residence was eerily still. To confirm his suspicion, he quietly leaped onto the tall wall and landed inside the courtyard without a sound.
Just as his feet touched the ground, a figure suddenly appeared behind him. A cold blade pressed against his neck before he even had time to react. Startled, he realized he had been caught.
Baitong stepped into view, fanning himself leisurely. “Breaking into my property? You’re quite bold, eh? Now, tell me—who sent you?”
Baitong already knew that the Hua Bailing had deployed spies to monitor Yan Zihui’s group. He had knocked those spies out earlier that morning and dumped them elsewhere, assuming they would all report back to their mistress. But to his surprise, one hapless individual had wandered into his estate instead.
The young cultivator stiffened. “Excuse me, but I didn’t mean to intrude and had no ill intent…”
Baitong gave the guy a once-over and decided he didn’t seem to be one of the Hua Bailing’s men. Waving a hand, he signaled for his subordinates to investigate, and they left to follow his orders.
Circling the intruder, Baitong spoke slowly. “I’m a reasonable man. I don’t resort to violence unless necessary. If you tell me why you’re here, I’ll let you go. How about that?”
The cultivator clung to the hope of bluffing his way out. “I just got lost…”
Baitong maintained his genial demeanor. “There’s nothing I, the know-it-all Baitong, can’t uncover.”
With that, he turned and walked back inside, the captive in tow, as his subordinates kept a firm grip on him. Baitong settled into a chair, sipping the tea that had been served.
Not long after, his subordinate returned. “Reporting to Young Master, this person is a disciple of Cao Zhuogao from the Weapon Hall of Wentian Sect. Cao Zhuogao himself is currently staying at an inn.”
Baitong set his teacup down, his expression thoughtful. “Wentian Sect, huh…” What business did they have with Yan Zihui and his juniors?
Realizing his identity had been exposed, the young man straightened and declared arrogantly, “I advise you to let me go. Wentian Sect won’t take this lightly if you harm me.”
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