Chapter 116

The old drunkard wiped his greasy hands casually on his clothes, took the scroll, and slowly unrolled it; a pair of pale blue eyes shimmered with light.

“It’s her. No mistake.”

Lu Fang pressed: “Where did you see her?”

The old drunkard slowly rolled the scroll back up, his face clouded with memory: “This woman was named Lita. More than ten years ago, she was the daughter of a noble in the Buddha Kingdom, and at the time, she was betrothed to the royal family.”

“But for some reason, rumors suddenly spread that the royal heir and Lita had died together in a suicide pact, and a grand funeral was held.”

“Dead more than ten years ago?” Lu Fang frowned.

He doubted whether the old drunkard was referring to Lu Ling’s mother—after all, Lu Ling should have just been born back then.

Then again, maybe not.

Perhaps that was precisely why Lu Ling’s mother never returned to Da Zhou.

But if Lu Ling learned her biological parents had died together, she’d be heartbroken.

The old drunkard grinned crookedly: “I thought she was dead too—until the next year, in the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds, I saw Lita again, the one who was supposed to be dead.”

“She didn’t die? And she appeared in the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds?” Lu Fang was startled.

According to the information he’d gathered before arriving, the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds were like a small upper realm.

How could someone who had already died and been buried gain entry?

The old drunkard nodded vigorously: “At first, I thought she merely resembled her, or that I’d dreamed it—but the dream kept recurring, and I realized it was a sign.”

A dream?

Lu Fang frowned tightly. By the old drunkard’s tone, he had seen Lita in a dream within the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds?

The old drunkard noticed Lu Fang’s expression and gave a self-deprecating smile:

“Does it sound absurd? I thought so too. But to uncover the truth—or perhaps to find an opportunity—I finally found the entrance to the underground palace from my dream.”

“I was so thrilled I jumped up—can you imagine? Every sign in the dream was real.”

Here, the old drunkard paused, swallowed hard, and said:

“When I reached out and pushed open the crack of the underground palace’s door, a voice like a demon’s whisper echoed in my mind.”

“I’ll never forget that feeling—it was as if a demon was staring at me from behind, freezing my blood, making even breathing agonizingly difficult.”

“The fear paralyzed me. Yes, I didn’t even close the door—I turned and ran.”

“But soon I regretted it, because in my dream I saw Lita being chased by a demon inside the underground palace; it paced endlessly by the window, emitting terrifying sounds.”

“I could have gone in and saved her.”

“I’m certain it was all real. Lita showed me how to sense the entrance—I felt her fear.”

“But because of my own fear, I missed everything.”

Lu Fang listened, his expression thoughtful.

Lita, already dead, was trapped in an underground palace within the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds—a place resembling a small upper realm—with a demon prowling outside.

She could only reach out for help through dreams, appearing to passersby.

Was the old drunkard drunk, making up nonsense?

Thinking of this, Lu Fang asked: “Can you pinpoint exactly where in the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds you dreamed of her?”

The old drunkard nodded: “It’s useless. Ever since I fled in fear from the entrance of the underground palace, I returned the next day—but the entrance was gone.”

“No matter how hard I tried, I never dreamed of Lita again.”

“Only after I left the Buddha Kingdom’s trial grounds and told my master did he tell me it was my inner demon.”

“But I know it all happened. I can clearly recall the strange sensation of entering that place.”

“Thick, lingering mist. A deathly silence. Not a single living creature—not even a bird or insect.”

“When I first entered, I tried to leave—but I couldn’t. It was as if a formation had trapped me there.”

“Then I fell asleep and began dreaming of Lita. After the entrance vanished, the mist disappeared, and I saw birds and insects again.”

“That’s why I’m certain it was real.”

Seeing Lu Fang’s skeptical look, the old drunkard smiled bitterly: “Maybe you don’t believe me—but even now, I still often dream of Lita begging for help.”

“I’m filled with guilt.”

“All my cultivation is meaningless. My mind is consumed by self-reproach.”

“That’s why alcohol is such a good thing—it lets you forget many unhappy things. If you don’t believe me, I won’t ask for the Bodhi Fruit wine back.”

“But I’ll give up the thousand taels.”

“If—if one day you truly rescue Lita from there, I think I’ll be happy.”

Lu Fang fell silent for a moment, then nodded. After asking where the old drunkard had trained and about Lita’s family, he left with a thousand-tael banknote.

At the very least, he had a lead.

Whether true or false, he could ask others later.

…

On the road out of the city.

Lu Fang did not reveal the lead—he knew the information from the old drunkard was too troubling, and telling Lu Ling would only cause her worry.

It would only burden her.

He could wait until everything was confirmed.

When Lu Fang and his group exited the city, they found the camel caravan preparing to depart. Their leader, Zhao Ya, smiled and greeted them: “I was just about to send you a message talisman.”

Lu Fang nodded in acknowledgment. Seeing Zhao Ya seemed to have something to say, he told Lu Ling and the three women to return to their private carriage.

“What is it?”

He asked with a smile.

Zhao Ya nodded: “Ahead, our caravan will cross a vast desert, and we may encounter the infamous Sand Bandits.”

“But Young Master Fang, don’t worry—we have two fifth-rank experts guarding us, and we’ve traveled this route countless times. Even if we meet bandits, they rarely attack us.”

“I just wanted to warn you: if this happens, don’t panic. Just stay inside your carriage. Our people will handle it.”

“No need to trouble you, Leader Zhao,” Lu Fang smiled.

He had a third-rank Confucian scholar beside him—a being who could step into the Semi-Sage realm in an instant. Even if bandits appeared, he had no fear.

Besides, he had confidence in his own strength.

Zhao Ya chuckled: “That’s right. You’re not carrying anything particularly valuable—if you were, I’d need to assess it beforehand, for your safety.”

Lu Fang shook his head: “Nothing important. We’re just traveling to the Buddha Kingdom to find family.”

“Good, good.”

Zhao Ya exhaled in relief.