Although Yu Daohan appeared amiable, he was notoriously vengeful in the martial world.
As they reached the village entrance, Li Naifeng cautioned again, "Master Yu, this village is truly bizarre. You must leave first thing tomorrow morning."
Yu Daohan nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, find me at the Midnight Spirit Shop in Jiangdu a month from now. If I'm not there, go to the Yan Shu Sect and find Tang Junsheng. Tell him Zhang Xiaoqiang is in danger here and ask him to come rescue me."
"Master Yu, are you referring to the renowned 'Shen Tong Chou' Master Tang, ranked tenth on the Black List?" Li Naifeng subconsciously repeated.
Yu Daohan nodded. "Precisely, Tang Junsheng of Shen Tong Chou."
"Will he come?" Li Naifeng sounded incredulous.
Black List experts weren't easily summoned. While he knew Zhang Xiaoqiang was an elder of the Yan Shu Sect, it was difficult to persuade someone of that caliber. Such experts typically remained to guard their sect unless a truly significant event occurred.
Yu Daohan was also uncertain. "I don't know, but you must try." He couldn't fathom why the Yan Shu Sect had appointed Qiangzi as an elder, but he was sure Tang Junsheng favored the young man. If he heard of Qiangzi's plight, he might come to his aid. However, this was just a guess, and he couldn't be certain.
"Alright, if you're not at the shop in a month, I'll go to the Yan Shu Sect to seek help." Li Naifeng then teased, "Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word, Master Yu?"
Yu Daohan smiled faintly. "You are Qiangzi's junior brother. I trust you."
Li Naifeng patted his chest and vowed, "Rest assured, Master Yu. I, Li Naifeng, swear to the heavens that I will find you at the shop on time."
Yu Daohan nodded. "Our lives, Qiangzi's and mine, are in your hands."
Li Naifeng nodded, offered a few more words of caution, and then turned to leave.
Watching Li Naifeng's retreating figure, Yu Daohan sighed helplessly. "I hope I'll be at the shop when the time comes." Ever since arriving in Taohua Village, Yu Daohan had felt uneasy, and this feeling intensified with each passing moment. He wasn't sure if Qiangzi and the other two had returned to normal. If he himself succumbed to the strange influence, they would be utterly lost. If something truly dire happened, he hoped Tang Junsheng could indeed be summoned.
Yu Daohan shook his head and returned to the inn, finding Zhang Xiaoqiang and the other two already drinking. He pulled up a chair and sat down. Zhang Xiaoqiang poured a bowl of wine and pushed it towards Yu Daohan. "Master Yu, I was wrong earlier. I won't say more; it's all in this wine."
Yu Daohan looked at the Taohua Brew on the table, hesitating. Ultimately, he declined. "Let's not dwell on it, brothers. When we leave tomorrow and return to the shop, we'll have a proper feast."
Upon hearing this, the smiles vanished from the faces of the three men. They put down their wine bowls and fell silent. Yu Daohan realized they didn't want to leave.
"Master Yu, perhaps we could stay a few more..." Zhang Xiaoqiang's words were cut short by Yu Daohan raising his hand. "No rush. We'll discuss it tomorrow. I'm going back to my room." With that, Yu Daohan stood and headed for his room.
The three watched Yu Daohan leave, then raised their wine bowls and continued drinking.
Back in his room, Yu Daohan's expression turned grim. He angrily punched the wall beside him.
*Crack!*
A hole appeared in the wall. Yu Daohan looked closer and realized it was hollow inside, with a yellowed, old piece of paper tucked within. Yu Daohan took out the paper and began to read. It contained a message.
"Hello, whoever you are, and whatever brings you here, when you read this, you must leave. There are no treasures here. What you perceive as treasures are merely lures for outsiders. Everything you see is an illusion. Beneath the peach blossoms lie not fallen leaves and petals, but vengeful spirits and withered bones. The so-called Taohua Brew is not fine wine, but a poison brewed with blood. Never drink the wine here. Once consumed, you will become addicted. If you plant a seed in the peach forest, you will never be able to leave this place until your flesh, blood, and soul become nourishment for these peach trees. Do not attempt to take your friends away. The moment they plant the seeds, their bodies and souls already belong here. They will try to stop you by any means. Perhaps by the time you read this, I will already be a part of this place, or perhaps this letter will never be seen by anyone. Leave! You must leave...!!"
After reading the letter, Yu Daohan crumpled the paper in his hand. He didn't know who had written it, but it was likely the author had already become one of the villagers. However, this confirmed his suspicions about the Taohua Brew. The most critical issue was the peach tree seeds, which seemed to be a form of sorcery that clouded the mind once planted. If he could eliminate these seeds, Zhang Xiaoqiang and the others might regain their senses. If his assumptions were correct, then Su Lai hadn't actually dug out the seeds. The seeds in his hand were fake!