Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Agreement

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After Zou Jiren mentioned it, Su He and the others fell silent. After a moment, Yi Qingchen gathered the small mountain of bones and returned inside with the group. They agreed that the matter required urgency, deciding to make their move on Liu Xinzhai around midnight.

As the discussion ended, Genci recalled the situation at Yuzhen Peak and felt it necessary to speak up. “By the way, there’s something I forgot to tell everyone.”

“What is it?” Su He asked.

Yi Qingchen and the others also looked up at him.

Genci sighed. “It’s not good news—the immortal friends at Yuzhen Peak are all gone.”

“What?”

Upon hearing this, Su He and Hua Yin stood up from their seats. Only Zou Jiren’s heart sank. Even without Genci revealing the cause, he had a rough idea of the root.

“At first, I suspected that Fan Si and the others from Liu Xinzhai were responsible, having committed countless crimes. So I ordered everyone to immediately return to White Gourd Mountain for support. In fact, we just happened to encounter Fan Si’s group, which made me more certain that they were the source of the disaster.” He then looked at Zou Jiren. “But after hearing his account, I sensed something was different. If Liu Xinzhai has such strict demands for sacrifices, then why would they kill without capturing? Therefore, I believe this might have been done by someone else. Yet to commit such a murder without alarming the countryside, it must not be a mere mortal. What do you all think? Is this related to Liu Xinzhai or not?”

Though he addressed everyone, it was clearly aimed at Zou Jiren. It was no wonder they held grudges against him, largely due to the sins he had committed while following Lin Mao.

Now, despite Genci Scar Three being considerate toward Su He by not making things difficult for him, that did not mean the past could be forgotten. After all, White Gourd Mountain had lost many female immortals because of Zou Jiren.

Even if he did not kill them himself, he could not escape being an accomplice.

Zou Jiren’s expression remained unchanged; he simply lowered his gaze and folded his sleeves, calmly saying, “If you say it’s related, then it is. If you say it’s not, then it doesn’t matter.”

“How so?” Scar Three, with his rugged appearance and simmering anger, made the scar on his face seem even more fearsome.

“Actually, given your sources, you should have heard about it.”

Genci asked, “Shall I explain clearly?”

“Surely you have heard about the Three Evils escaping from Bafeng Island?”

Scar Three glanced at Genci and nodded. “That’s right.”

Zou Jiren continued with lowered brows, “You only know that Liu Xinzhai captures people for sacrifice, but do you know where the bodies go after the sacrifice?”

“You mean…” Genci hesitated, his mind swirling with thoughts. Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock. “Could it be what we just saw?”

If that were true, then… could Yuzhen Peak also be involved?

Zou Jiren did not refute his thoughts but went on quietly, “Do you understand now?”

Hua Yin, however, said, “There’s something I don’t understand.”

“Hmm?”

“Back then, we found a burial site in the forest, but it was later relocated. If the Yinshan Lake is indeed where the Three Evils reside and many bones are theirs, why were the later bodies buried instead of used?”

“Heh heh heh… that’s simple. Just ask around what’s been happening outside recently, and you’ll find the answer.” Zou Jiren laughed, but the warmth beneath it was scant.

At first, the others were confused, but Genci and Yi Qingchen—leaders of White Gourd Mountain and the current manor head—naturally had their own sources of information.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come down the mountain herself to find Su He, setting aside her worries.

Hua Yin might still be unclear, as his information was not as accessible as the others’.

Yi Qingchen said, “I see. That explains why there’s only one fire tender at Yinshan Lake.”

At the time, she and Sui Yu Ren had doubted how such a large place could have just one person.

Zou Jiren raised his eyebrow but said nothing, quietly sitting back in his seat.

He preferred to avoid conflict with Hua Yin, knowing well that if he revealed the truth now, he had no chance of winning.

Hua Yin would have to find another opportunity.

With Su He and the others present, it would be hard to take action. He would have to drive them off first, then finish the matter somewhere discreet and unnoticed.

Unfortunately, Zou Jiren was currently holding back tightly, making things difficult for him.

Sui Yu Ren still clung to Yi Qingchen with a naive affection, addressing her as sister, all the while subtly observing the undercurrents between the two.

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After hearing this, the rest fell silent.

Que Yunzi glanced around and said, “I think this might not be entirely bad news.”

Su He asked, “What insight do you have, senior?”

“Think about it. Lin Mao’s master is the Demon Child. Yinshan Lake is somehow entwined with Liu Xinzhai. Given the current state of the Demon Realm, even if I gave a hundred bold men, they wouldn’t dare start a Tier-Two war first—unless the Three Evils and the Demon Child had fallen out.”

“But what if this is their game within a game, a plot within a plot?” Someone wanting to put on a grand show for the world, yet secretly harboring rebellious ambitions.

Putting aside the outcome of the Divine Maiden Hall affair, the entanglements arising from this matter are as precarious as an egg balanced on a knife's edge.

Que Yunzi paused and said, “We can’t rule out that possibility, but let’s set it aside for now.

Overall, the Three Evils escaping is indeed a great harm and brings considerable trouble. But precisely because of this, the situation in the Demon Realm must also be complicated. They probably cannot spare the resources to deal with you boys personally at the moment.”

Isn’t that good news for us?

Su He nodded. Genci stood and said, “Since we have agreed to act tonight, let us return to White Gourd Mountain to make arrangements.

We will wait for you outside Liu Xinzhai then.”

“I’ll escort you two,” Su He said, and Yi Qingchen lifted the barrier.

“Thank you.”

“Please.”

After seeing them off, Su He returned to the main house. Just as he stepped inside, Yun Xingyu rose and said, “Baili Su He, may I speak with you alone?”

Su He was slightly taken aback but withdrew his foot and stepped aside. “Brother Yun, please.”

They walked to the small courtyard and spoke privately beneath the shade of a tree.

Inside, Hua Yin and others occasionally glanced out, with occasional laughter and playful voices.

Yun Xingyu said, “Aren’t you curious about my background? You trust me so openly after just one help.”

“If you intended harm, you could just side with the Demon Child. Why bother with all this?” Su He lowered his robe, clasped his hands, and bowed sincerely.

Without his help, Yi Qingchen and Sui Yu Ren would have been truly imperiled.

“If I said I came on the Demon Child’s orders, deliberately approaching you only to eliminate you?”

Su He was stunned for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Brother Yun, you’re truly amusing.”

Seeing the ruse fail, Yun Xingyu dropped the pretense and spoke frankly, “To be honest, I studied under Xiu Men, the Five Thieves. The elder is quite familiar with your friend Fu Qingfeng. He came because he foresaw trouble for you later but would be otherwise occupied and unable to help. So he entrusted my master to watch over you. My master predicted the day trouble would come and sent me to assist. Truth is, by staying close to you, I hope to find my own answers someday.”

Su He sighed deeply, admiring Fu Qingfeng’s earnestness, which made him feel ashamed.

“Brother Yun, do you know anything about your friend’s whereabouts?”

“No.”

“Set aside your worries. With his ability, there are probably few places he cannot reach.” Yun Xingyu raised his eyelids, quietly scrutinizing Su He.

What was so special about him that a figure like Fu Qingfeng held him in such high regard?

“Perhaps I’m overthinking. I look forward to your guidance in the future.”

“Gladly.”

That bow was sincere. In terms of ability, the only ones Yun Xingyu respected besides the Five Thieves were Fu Qingfeng and Baili Su He.

If not for his master’s orders, he would have merely glanced at Su He and left once the task was done.

After Su He finished bowing, Yun Xingyu said calmly, “There is something I wish to ask you about.

Or you could find someone to inquire for me later.”

“What is it?”

Yun Xingyu looked at the drifting clouds and then at Su He. “Some things, I believe you already understand.”

Though unspoken, Su He knew what he meant and said, “Please go on.”

“My master once received a kindness during a time of hardship.

After recovering, he sought out that person, intending to teach him some skills, but the man’s foundation was too weak. He later opened a teahouse and was taught the Five Grades Tea to help establish his livelihood.

Have you ever heard of this during your travels?”

He fell silent, waiting for Su He’s reply.

“Did the master say how to proceed after finding that person?” Su He hesitated before cautiously asking.

“Nothing much. My master said one must never forget a kindness. He asked me to take this chance to visit the place. If I recall, the teahouse is in the Xiao Tong River region.

Tomorrow, when you have time, you should take me to see it and help me fulfill my master’s wish.”

It was hard to tell that someone like Yun Xingyu, with his cultivation, still spoke of his master with the eagerness and hope of a novice entering the sect.

Seeing Su He seem troubled, he frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Can’t you go?”

“No.”

“Then why the frown?”

Su He sensed Yun Xingyu’s displeasure and honestly said, “May I ask, Brother Yun, is the Five Grades Tea like this?” He then described the tea he had seen in detail.

After hearing it, Yun Xingyu nodded, though he didn’t fully understand what Su He meant. “Exactly.

This tea was my master’s unique creation, only available at Youhaitian.

He once said he feared the young man would invite jealousy, so he specially appointed a shopkeeper while the young man worked as a waiter, hiding his abilities to protect him. Officially, the owner was someone else.

This helped the young man settle and kept others from coveting him.”

Hearing this, Su He hesitated. “Brother Yun, you’re late.”

“How so?”

“Earlier, when I first arrived at Youhaitian and passed through Xiao Tong River on my way to Yaoyue Peak, I was fortunate to rest at a teahouse there, which also sold Five Grades Tea.”

Yun Xingyu asked urgently, “Where is he?”

“He’s turned to dust.”

“By whom?”

“If I’m not mistaken, it was the work of Huangsengtai’s Flower Shadow, Yusu’er.”

“Why?”

“Alas, it was because I involved him.”

“Explain clearly,” Yun Xingyu suddenly exploded, grabbing Su He’s collar and slamming him against a tree, scattering leaves.

Inside the house, everyone was startled. Hua Yin rushed to the door. “Why are you fighting now?”

“Wait, why so impatient? If he really wanted to harm Su, who among you could stop him?” Que Yunzi leaned back in his chair, picking his hair with indifference.

“This…”

“This what? Sit down properly. Old man, my tea’s gone cold—hurry and get him a fresh cup.”

Hua Yin rolled his eyes. “Since when did you start drinking tea?”

Que Yunzi glared back. “Mind your own business.”

…

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Yun Xingyu’s anger welled up. His master rarely cared for anyone. Finally, he had someone, but because of this fellow, he died.

How could he bear it? How could he rest?

His master had said, “Xingyu, there’s little more I can teach. The rest of the path, you must walk yourself.

Staying in Xiumen won’t help you anymore. Now Baili Su He is in trouble; go help him. One day, you’ll find your answer.”

Answer? The answer was that even now, he could change nothing.

Su He sighed, feeling it was fate and debt intertwined.

“Listen to me…”

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