At the same time, Steward Zhu, Qi Mo, and A You received a secret message from Tian Ji while procuring supplies.
After reading it, Steward Zhu’s expression was a mixture of anger and disappointment. His sister was so stubborn, truly wasting the fairy’s kindness. She would eventually taste the bitter fruit of her own actions.
A You, seeing Steward Zhu’s complexion, asked with concern:
“Uncle Zhu, what’s wrong? Did you receive bad news?”
Qi Mo also leaned closer, having also noticed Steward Zhu’s unusual demeanor.
“Madam Zhu of the Chaotian Immortal Sect has been discovered by Tian Ji to be the one who conspired with Taiyi Zhenren’s disciples from the Eastern lineage to send assassins to ambush us along the way. Our whereabouts were exposed in Jiuye City. I suspect there’s a spy near Yang’er.”
“Uncle Zhu, isn’t Madam Zhu your sister? Why would she be against our Fairy Master?” A You was very confused.
“Uncle Zhu, don’t worry, I will protect the Master!” Qi Mo, who spoke little, surprisingly uttered a few words.
“I also know her intentions. If it weren’t for the fairy showing mercy for Yang’er’s sake last time, she would not have let her off. Forget it, I won’t interfere with what happens this time. Life and death are predetermined; if she courts death, no one can stop her.” Steward Zhu had long severed ties with his sister. However, seeing her walk towards her doom still caused him sadness.
Qu Biyao, mindful of repaying Ju Xun, had been sending the young servants of Qiongyu Pavilion to the streets to find Steward Zhu. The servant recognized Steward Zhu and searched street by street, finally finding him at the spiritual plant shop. The servant immediately, with joy, pulled Steward Zhu:
“Senior Zhu, my young lady sent me to find you. We’ve finally found you. Please come to Qiongyu Pavilion with me!”
“What is so urgent?” Steward Zhu, along with the other two, followed the servant, thinking the fairy had something important to discuss. He wasn’t afraid of a trap; he recognized the servant as someone from the Qu family’s shop.
“I’m not entirely sure, young lady is waiting for you at the shop.” The servant wiped sweat from his brow; he had been searching for half an hour.
Upon arriving at Qiongyu Pavilion, they saw the eldest daughter of the Qu family and a handsome, tall young man waiting.
“Senior Zhu, we’ve finally found you.”
Qu Biyao was very happy to see Steward Zhu. She also wanted to save her younger brother. After dealing with matters at home and seeing her brother had woken up, she had hastily brought her cousin to their family’s storeroom to pack raw stones. She had been waiting for Senior Zhu to contact her, then remembered they had no contact method. So, she resorted to this clumsy method, dispatching seven or eight servants to find him.
“Miss Qu, has something happened?” Steward Zhu was puzzled, wondering if the deal was off.
“Senior Zhu, this is my cousin, Tu Yue. My cousin also has some of the raw stone waste that the fairy wanted. The fairy said to have me come and discuss it with you, so I brought it over.”
“Oh, so that’s what it is. Alright, leave it to me.” Steward Zhu readily agreed. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
“Isn’t our fairy with you? Is your younger brother alright?” Steward Zhu had initially assumed the fairy was still at the Qu residence.
“Thank you, Senior Zhu. My brother was saved by the fairy. These raw stones are the consultation fee, please accept them!” Her brother had recovered, and the mountain pressing on her heart had disappeared. She even showed more leniency towards dealing with her second uncle’s family now!
Tu Yue handed over a Qiankun bag filled with raw stones.
“The fairy agreed?” Steward Zhu was surprised. No need to pay spirit stones?
“Yes, Senior Zhu. Fairy Ye saved my cousin’s life. This worthless raw stone material is not much! Please accept it!” Tu Yue was also full of gratitude. After all, any other spiritual doctor would have demanded an exorbitant price.
Steward Zhu recalled the expressions of Young Master Feng and the fairy and knew these stones were likely very important to them, so he accepted them readily. At the same time, he asked A You to give Miss Qu two bottles of medicine. One was Shenxian Zui, and the other was its antidote. After briefly explaining their effects, he handed them over. Though he hadn’t known the fairy for long, he understood she never took advantage of others.
Miss Qu, unable to refuse, accepted them. This medicine would later help her overcome a great tribulation, but that’s a story for another time.
As it was getting late and the time to rendezvous outside the city was approaching, Steward Zhu bid farewell to Miss Qu and the others and got into the carriage to head outside the city.
Outside the city, they indeed saw the couple Chi Zu and Zhi Meng at the city gate.
“Steward Zhu, you’re finally here. My wife and I have been waiting for a long time.” Chi Zu, seeing Steward Zhu and the others, greeted them cheerfully. There were too many people in the city, and the couple had only bought essentials for themselves and some jewelry and rouge for worldly women. Chi Zu found it extremely boring. The fairy had forbidden them from causing trouble, so they felt somewhat restricted and weren't enjoying themselves much!
“Why are you here so early?” Steward Zhu knew that this couple usually only ate and then closed themselves in their rooms for cultivation, not being fond of lively gatherings.
A You obediently returned the carriage. The carriage driver saw A You and was extremely happy. These distinguished guests were truly easy to earn money from; the sun was still high, and they were already returning the carriage!
The group sat in a nearby tea stall and drank tea. The fairy and Ji Wuye and the others must have been delayed, as the appointed time had passed, and they were nowhere to be seen.
Qi Mo began to get restless, wondering if his Master had encountered trouble. He suddenly stood up, wanting to go find them.
“Xiao Mo, don’t rush. If there’s anything, the fairy will send a transmission token. Let’s wait for another half an hour. If they still haven’t arrived, it won’t be too late to go look for them!” Steward Zhu soothed Qi Mo.
Suddenly, the air rippled, and Qi Mo became vigilant.
“Xiao Mo, it’s us!” Ju Xun’s voice echoed.
In the blink of an eye, Ju Xun, Feng Chu, Ji Wuye, and four others appeared in front of Qi Mo. Steward Zhu and the others’ tense hearts finally relaxed, and they excitedly gathered around.
“Master, were you ambushed?” Qi Mo sensed something was wrong; he smelled blood on them.
“Hehe, we went to clear out a hideout for assassins, the same group of black-clad men who ambushed us.” Xiao Bai took out her candied hawthorn and crunched on it noisily, not forgetting to boast about her great deed.
Qi Mo felt jealous for a moment. Why hadn’t he gone along? This day with Steward Zhu had been incredibly boring.
A You went to the carriage company again, this time empty-handed. The driver looked displeased. Although he had been compensated with spirit stones, he knew horses were difficult to tame, and two good horses had been lost for nothing!
A You ignored the driver’s expression but felt embarrassed about losing his carriage. He paid the spirit stones and ran.
Ju Xun released the Purple Bamboo from her spatial dimension, and everyone boarded the ship. Steward Zhu then announced that he had received a letter from Tian Ji. Everyone fell silent upon hearing it. Madam Zhu was Steward Zhu’s sister and the mother of Chao Yangzi and Chao Xiangzi. Feng Chu’s expression was impassive, his cold face carrying a murderous aura. Ignorant fools, come at them. They had just annihilated one assassin hall; he didn’t mind annihilating a second, a third…
Ju Xun’s thoughts, however, were focused on what Tian Ji said in the letter: to prevent her from going to Tianxing Continent. She couldn’t understand what was on Tianxing Continent that caused them to fear her going there.
“What is on Tianxing Continent? Tell me, why does that Dongfang what’s-his-name Zhenren fear me going there?” Ju Xun voiced her question to everyone. Three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang; she never overestimated herself. Seeking the collective wisdom of her companions was better than racking her own brain.