Incursions by demonic forces in several areas below the mountain had led the Mingxin Sect to dispatch numerous disciples. The other three individuals in their group were from the Danning Peak, specializing in pill cultivation, akin to three mobile medicine chests, possessing every kind of elixir.
As Cheng Wen Yu was currently blind, Qiu Tao produced a flying artifact for the six of them to use.
The flying artifact was remarkably stable. Feeling the wind brush against their faces, it momentarily created an illusion that they were not heading into battle against demons, but embarking on a leisurely journey.
They chose to land in a village not far from Licheng. After disguising themselves, concealing their weapons, they presented themselves as a party of young masters and ladies out for a spring outing.
The villagers regarded these strangers with palpable suspicion. As they walked, they gleaned no information but noticed something amiss.
There wasn't a single child in the village. Initially suspecting demonic influence, their investigation revealed no demonic energy. Furthermore, all the women in the village appeared alarmingly weak.
Although Cheng Wen Yu couldn't see, he could deduce some of the situation from the sounds he heard along the way. Its proximity to Licheng made this predicament all the more concerning.
The six immediately decided to stay and investigate. To their surprise, the villagers, who had been so wary of them moments before, suddenly became exceedingly hospitable upon hearing their request to lodge for the night.
The sense of unease grew palpable. Despite the clear azure sky, an inexplicable chill permeated the air.
They were lodged at the village chief's home. The chief, Li De, was a man with an honest appearance, his smile particularly benevolent, making anyone believe him to be a kind-hearted soul based on his looks alone.
The neat and tidy interior offered no clues, and the room was filled with a heavy incense. However, mixed within the aroma was a faint scent of blood that ordinary people might not detect. But being cultivators, the subtle whiff of blood upon entering the room caused a flicker of solemnity in the eyes of the six.
At this point, Qiu Tao feigned disgust, covering his nose. "What's that smell? You expect this young master to stay in this hovel?! What is this inferior incense? Get rid of it, get rid of it, get rid of it!"
"Ah, please don't be angry, young sir. This incense was made by my old wife. If you dislike it, I'll move it out immediately," said Village Chief Li De, reaching for the incense burner.
As he passed Qiu Tao, he recoiled as if from something filthy, muttering, "As expected of the lower class, what trash they use."
His voice was not loud, but Li De heard it clearly.
His movements faltered. A flash of malice crossed his eyes as he looked up at Qiu Tao, which was instantly replaced by a fawning smile. "Yes, yes, you are right. In that case, when will the 100 spirit stones be paid?"
He appeared to be a simple man driven by greed.
Qiu Tao deliberately exposed his storage ring, but Li De paid it no mind, which gave Qiu Tao cause for thought. He took spirit stones from his storage ring and placed them on the table. Li De's greedy expression intensified, and he called for his wife to help move the incense.
When the village chief's wife entered, she kept her head down, remaining silent. Even when she attempted to look up midway, Li De secretly warned her, and she quickly lowered her gaze.
The six found seats and sat down. Qiu Tao and Cheng Wen Yu sat on Shen Jian Xi's left and right, respectively. Lin Xing Lan leaned against a pillar directly opposite her, with Fu Zi in his fox form cradled in her arms.
Heaven, why did she feel such a strong urge to flee?
Sensing the strange atmosphere on their side, one of the three unfamiliar disciples, named Gongsun Qing, spoke up. "Third brother, how shall we allocate the beds today?"
After speaking, a disciple named Su Rong kicked him.
Gongsun Qing looked at him in confusion. "Why did you kick me?"
Su Rong replied, "I felt like it, alright?"
Gongsun Qing retorted, "Are you looking for trouble? You've always liked to oppose me. Let me tell you, Su Rong, I'm not afraid of you..."
Gongsun Qing's incessant chatter filled the air. Su Rong looked at him speechlessly and turned away, unwilling to look at the fool any longer.
The three senior brothers on the other side were clearly interested in Senior Brother Wen Yu's wife, and he had asked such a question. Was he not trying to make the atmosphere even more tense?
Qiu Tao lazily raised an eyelid and looked at Shen Jian Xi. "Xi'er, who do you want to sleep next to?"
There were only two beds in the room. Shen Jian Xi gave a dry laugh and was about to speak when Cheng Wen Yu suddenly put his arm around her waist. "Xi'er is my wife. She can sleep next to me, on the innermost side."
The innermost side was the wall. Shen Jian Xi felt like giving Cheng Wen Yu a thumbs-up.
Just then, Qiu Tao spoke again. "I don't think Xi'er likes sleeping next to the wall. She prefers to sleep in the middle. What do you think?"
Shen Jian Xi replied softly, "Yes."
The hand around her waist tightened.
She knew Cheng Wen Yu was unhappy, but she had already decided to tell him everything about the wedding once his eyesight recovered. For now, she needed to start distancing herself from Cheng Wen Yu subtly, so that when her attitude changed, he wouldn't be completely unprepared.
Upon hearing her answer, Qiu Tao chuckled. As he smiled, the corners of his eyes curved alluringly, and his gaze flowed with a charming allure that made the three on the other side blush.
Although they knew Senior Brother Qiu Tao was handsome, this was the first time they had seen him smile like this. No wonder the female disciples in the sect were infatuated. This... even they found it a little overwhelming.
Coughs erupted from various places in the room. Qiu Tao remembered the presence of a few irrelevant people, withdrew his smile, lay on the bed, and patted the space beside him.
"Little Xi'er, come here. First Senior Brother will make a compromise and sleep by the wall."
When they had first sat on the bed, Cheng Wen Yu was already in the innermost position. There was no need for him to move now.
Cheng Wen Yu's lips pursed into a straight line, his voice turning cold. "Second Junior Brother, do you think this is appropriate?"
Qiu Tao replied, "It seems fine. After all, we are out here on important business. The Mingxin Sect's highly capable and always considerate First Senior Brother should not be bothered by such minor details, should he?"
Shen Jian Xi glanced at him. After so long, Qiu Tao's ability to provoke people had certainly improved.
Cheng Wen Yu's expression visibly chilled completely. "What if I say I mind?"
The atmosphere became even more somber than before. Shen Jian Xi rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
Although Cheng Wen Yu had successfully completed his "capture," Shen Jian Xi didn't want to treat him too poorly. Even their separation, she tried to approach in a gentle manner. As for Qiu Tao, with the mission ongoing, she couldn't be rude to him for the next month.
As if sensing her dilemma, another mission was issued, making the choice for her:
"Ding! Random Mission Issued: Watching a play has always been the most immoral thing. In a trio, how can one person be left out? Therefore, Host, please tell Cheng Wen Yu that you wish to sleep next to Lin Xing Lan and Qiu Tao."