Zi Lingling's body stiffened slightly, a tingling sensation spreading from her earlobe, causing her cheeks to flush.
She playfully glared at Ye Lingyuan and exclaimed, "Ye Lingyuan, you're taking advantage of me again!"
With that, she gave him a sudden push, sending him tumbling into the water.
Of course, Ye Lingyuan had intended for this to happen.
"Ling'er, you're becoming ever more mischievous. Daring to push this King into the water, just you wait and see how I punish you!"
As Ye Lingyuan spoke, he feigned a move to pull Zi Lingling into the water, subtly palming a stone.
Zi Lingling chuckled coquettishly and said, "You'd better catch me first!"
With that, she turned and ran ahead.
Ye Lingyuan climbed out of the water, casually picked up a few more small stones and tucked them into his sleeve, then gave chase to Zi Lingling.
"Ling'er, here I come!"
He sped after her, discreetly tossing a stone towards the side as he went.
"Ouch!"
From the spot where the stone landed, a figure sprang out.
The person was wiry with a pointed face and monkey-like cheeks. Seeing Ye Lingyuan and Zi Lingling disappear into the distance, he licked his lips greedily.
"This man is so handsome, Alan should like him. This woman is also beautiful, Gui Si should like her too."
Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan didn't go more than a mile before spotting the archway at the entrance to Fuyuan Town.
They exchanged a smile and walked in hand-in-hand.
Fuyuan Town was bustling with activity, the calls of vendors and hawkers rising and falling from both sides of the street.
They strolled along leisurely, their presence causing people on the street to stare.
"The man is handsome, the woman is stunning, truly a match made in heaven!"
"Indeed, they look like they've stepped right out of a painting!"
"Alas, what a pity. Such beautiful people, and they won't see tomorrow's sun!"
"How true! How could the Four Evils possibly let them go?"
"Alan specifically lures handsome men. She must have gotten wind of their arrival by now!"
"And Gui Si also likes beautiful women, so he should be coming soon too."
...
Although Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan had lost their spiritual power and divine senses, their hearing was unaffected.
Thus, the surrounding whispers reached their ears word for word.
Alan?
Gui Si?
It seemed these were two of the Four Evils. Su Dan Novels.
Interesting!
Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan remained outwardly calm and continued forward.
A snake might be difficult to deal with while hidden in its hole, but once it leaves, then hehe...
That's right!
The reason they were being so conspicuous was precisely to lure the snakes out of their holes.
After all, to enlighten the Four Evils, one had to meet them, understand their wickedness, and then devise a plan, didn't they?
Soon, Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan arrived at Fuyuan Town's largest inn – the Fuyuan Inn.
The innkeeper, upon seeing them enter, paused for a moment before smiling, "Are the two guests here to stay or to have a meal?"
"First a meal, then a room!"
Zi Lingling replied coldly.
Her voice, though icy, was incredibly pleasant, like a fairy untouched by the dust of the world, causing a delicious shiver to run down one's spine.
Ye Lingyuan remained silent.
His intention was clear: everything was up to Zi Lingling's arrangements.
The innkeeper bowed subserviently, "In that case, please take a seat anywhere, your food and drink will be here shortly!"
Zi Lingling nodded and walked towards an empty seat by the window.
Ye Lingyuan, the devoted husband, followed closely behind.
However, with their extraordinary presence, even sitting casually, they drew the attention of everyone in the hall.
The hall fell silent.
"Your food and drink, honored guests, please enjoy!"
The waiter efficiently set down their meal and withdrew.
However, his voice broke the brief silence of the hall.
Sighs arose from all around Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan.
At the same time, the couple felt several sympathetic gazes upon them.
"Alas! Young lady, you and this young gentleman should leave quickly after your meal!"
An elder stood up and advised them earnestly.
The others in the surroundings chimed in.
"Yes, yes!"
"This old man speaks the truth!"
"You should leave as soon as possible!"
...
A faint smile touched Zi Lingling's lips. "What do you all mean by this? Are we not welcome to dine here?"
Ye Lingyuan seemed not to hear, diligently serving Zi Lingling food.
"My lady, please do not misunderstand. That is not our intention. Rather, if you and the young master linger too long, you may invite disaster."
The elder spoke again with deep concern.
"Invite disaster? Why is that?"
Zi Lingling feigned surprise.
The elder glanced towards the door, finding no cause for alarm, and continued, "My lady, you may not know, but in our Fuyuan Town, there are four infamous villains who specifically prey on handsome men and beautiful women."
Zi Lingling pretended to be shocked. "Four... villains? Old sir, are you joking?"
The elder shook his head. "My lady, do I look like I have the inclination to joke with you?"
Zi Lingling smiled faintly. "If you are not joking, then might you tell me in detail about these Four Evils, so I may broaden my horizons?"
The elder nodded. "Very well, I shall tell you in detail."
"Our Fuyuan Town was once a place of peace and harmony. But a year ago, four people suddenly arrived. They called themselves brothers and sisters, named Da Xi, Alan, E You, and Gui Si."
"Oh, and then?"
"Da Xi lives in the east of town. This man is insatiably greedy. All passing merchants must leave behind money to buy their lives, otherwise, they face a bloody disaster. At best, they lose limbs, at worst, their lives are forfeit!"
"Alan lives in the west of town and specializes in seducing handsome men. Those men are utterly infatuated with her, but after a night of pleasure, they must leave behind something of themselves, be it a finger or a toe."
"E You lives in the south of town. He is obsessed with cultivating flowers and likes to use human flesh as fertilizer. And it must be the flesh of handsome men or beautiful women."
"Gui Si lives in the north of town. His temper is extremely volatile. Anyone who displeases him even slightly will have their arm chopped off. He enjoys calligraphy, using blood as ink and skin as paper."
As Zi Lingling listened, a trace of coldness flickered in her eyes.
If she were outside, she would have sharpened her blades and killed these beasts.
But not now. The sixth trial was enlightenment. Killing these four would mean failing the trial.
"Thank you for telling me, old sir. We will be careful!"
Zi Lingling smiled at the elder and continued, "But we cannot leave, for we intend to help you rid Fuyuan Town of these four pests!"
"What did you say? Young lady, are you jesting?"
The elder said incredulously.
Zi Lingling laughed. "Do I look like I'm joking? We have indeed come to help rid you of these evils!"