Zhong Li, hidden amidst the corpses, watched the innkeeper re-enter the backyard. Seeing him speak and glare fiercely in the direction of their room sent a chill down her spine.
Yesterday, when the three of them had eaten, she had, as a precaution, added an antidote powder to their food. It turned out to be a timely decision.
The innkeeper walked up to the pile of bodies, kicked the closest one with disgust, and began to search through them bare-handed.
The young waiter, who accompanied him, dared not slack off and also started working.
The innkeeper glanced at him, his eyes darting around. He grabbed the waiter by the collar and said, "Listen, I promised to give you one when the time comes. Don't you dare try anything tricky."
The waiter, dangling from the innkeeper's grip, was naturally small and frail, like a weak chicken. Now, with the sudden, forceful grip, his face turned red as he gasped for breath. He said, "Boss, your subordinate, your subordinate understands... Your subordinate came to this Yuxian, knowing... knowing he lacks the luck to be favored by the Goddess. The only... the only way to possibly obtain... this divine medicine is by... working with you. Your subordinate... has been guarding here for two years, and would never... do anything to betray you at this moment."
"Is that so?" The innkeeper narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, yes..."
"Hmph!" The innkeeper released his grip and tossed the waiter onto the ground.
Gasping for air, the waiter coughed and breathed in madly.
Observing the waiter's symptoms from a distance, Zhong Li had already formed a conclusion about his illness; it was likely asthma.
"Damn it, after searching for so long, why haven't we found even a ghost?"
After a while, the innkeeper, exhausted and panting, took off his straw hat and sat under the eaves.
The waiter, also unable to straighten his back, leaned against the wall and said, "Boss, could it be that those three really took it?"
"Damn it!" Hearing this, the innkeeper stood up and slammed a fist heavily onto the round pillar supporting the roof. "How many more bodies are there? Hurry and search. Don't wait for the disciples of the Goddess Cult to collect the bodies and let those beasts get their hands on it! If it truly was those three who took it..."
As the innkeeper spoke, he looked up at Zhong Li and the others' room, a sinister smile appearing on his lips. "I'll take their lives right now."
"Yes!" The waiter, upon hearing this, quickly wiped the raindrops from his cheeks, tied up his wet trouser legs, and resumed his work.
Zhong Li subtly glanced at the innkeeper, who was still gasping for breath on the ground. Recalling his earlier words, she pondered for a moment, then took out the small bottle Lin Jin had given her earlier and slid it along the ground, directly towards the waiter's feet.
"Found it, found it!" In the next moment, the waiter's delighted voice rang out in the courtyard.
Hearing this, the innkeeper disregarded the rain. Without even putting on his hat, he took the bottle from the waiter and opened it to inspect. He sniffed it carefully, and his face lit up with a smile. "The Goddess's immortal pill, this is the Goddess's immortal pill!"
Watching the two men engrossed in their excitement, Zhong Li quietly circled around the corridor and headed towards the front courtyard.
When Zhong Li returned to the room, Lu Wuxie had already woken up. He stood by the window, watching everything outside through the gaps.
"Li'er." Seeing her return safely, the anxiety in his heart slowly subsided.
Lin Jin poured a cup of water and placed it on the table, then quietly withdrew from the room.
"When did you wake up? How do you feel?" Zhong Li walked to the washbasin, cleaned her hands, and then sat at the table, drinking water as she asked.
Lu Wuxie sat beside her, looking at her rain-soaked cheeks. He took a handkerchief from his怀 and gently wiped her still-dripping temples. He said, "You had only been out for a while when I woke up."
"So you saw everything I did in the courtyard just now?" Zhong Li asked.
Lu Wuxie nodded, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at her slightly pale fingertips on the table. He reached out and cupped her hands in his. "I know I can't persuade you, but for my sake, you must take care of yourself."
Zhong Li curved her lips and clasped Lu Wuxie's hand in return. "I'm fine, but your time is running out, and we cannot just wait for death."
Upon hearing this, Lu Wuxie swallowed the words he had intended to say, his throat bobbing. He lowered his gaze to the loose, thin garment he wore, and his body that grew breathless even after a few steps. A bitter smile played on his lips. In the past, he had at least been in control of all situations. This was the first time he felt a strong desire but lacked the strength to act.
"Li'er, if this case is more complicated than you imagine, if it endangers your life, then don't worry about me. You still have a chance to leave..."
"Lu Wuxie!" Hearing his words, Zhong Li's gentle gaze turned sharp. She interrupted him, saying, "You've spent so much time with me; you understand my nature best. No matter what happens, it's impossible for me to abandon you. Moreover, Qi Lei sacrificed so much for this case. His entire family, old and young, perished in Liaocheng, and their heads were displayed on the city walls for insult. Do you think I would still be myself if I just left?"
Lu Wuxie looked at the woman before him, her eyes flickering and her emotions showing a hint of anxiety. He glanced back at the pouring rain outside the window and murmured, "Li'er, I don't want to be your burden."
Zhong Li followed his gaze to the window. Some rainwater was flowing in from the windowsill and down the wall. A thought flashed through her mind, but it was too quick for her to catch.
As both of them fell silent, a crisp knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Zhong Li asked.
"Guest, the county has sent officials, wanting to investigate a matter. May we know if you are available?" the waiter's voice came from outside.
Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie exchanged glances. Assured that neither of them had any slip-ups, Zhong Li got up to open the door.
The waiter stood at the doorway, looking the woman inside up and down. Seeing her yawning and appearing groggy, he said, "Guest, it's almost noon, and you're still sleeping?"
Zhong Li covered her mouth and feigned impatience. "Perhaps it's due to being unaccustomed to Yuxian. It rained all night, and I slept for a long time. If you hadn't knocked, I would still be asleep."
Upon hearing this, the waiter's lips curved into a smile. "Then I truly apologize for disturbing you, guest. I'll have some lunch prepared for you later. There's a master waiting downstairs for you to meet."
"Master?" Zhong Li said, her gaze sweeping past the waiter's shoulder to the lower floor. She saw a man in official attire sitting at a large table, his back to her. After a moment of thought, she said, "Then allow me to change my clothes before coming down."
"Alright!"