Chapter 108: Where Have You Led Me?

Rustle rustle rustle~

In the early morning hours, a light rain began to fall within the city.

The sparse lights on the street were rendered hazy by the rain and mist, and there were no pedestrians on the road.

Linghu Qingmo held an oil-paper umbrella and walked along the street; the empty, silent street offered no scenery to admire, and there was not a single trace of evil cultivators, so a look of worry inevitably formed between her brows:

"How did Xie Jinhuan always find evil cultivators before? Why can't I find them?"

"Goo-ji?"

Meiqiu, perched on her shoulder, seeing that Linghu Qingmo was also out to find people to kill late at night, did not slack off in consideration of the late-night snack; she spread her wings, flew into the high sky, and began searching for fellow Daoists willing to open their hearts and donate travel expenses...

This was Linghu Qingmo's first time going out with Meiqiu, and she looked slightly puzzled at this.

However, she still understood that Meiqiu must be going to find evil cultivators, so she stood under the eaves and waited; after two quarters of an hour, Meiqiu had not returned, and she even feared she had lost Meiqiu.

But fortunately, after a long time, Meiqiu flew back, landed on her shoulder, shook her head and body to shake off the rainwater all over her, and then looked forward:

"Goo-ji!"

This time the meaning was simple and clear!

Seeing that Meiqiu had found a target, Linghu Qingmo immediately followed the guidance and walked, resulting in her running from the inner city all the way to the outer city, arriving in the area of Xiaoyao Cave.

At night, Xiaoyao Cave becomes a ghost market; within it, people from all walks of life gather, patrol personnel are reduced on rainy days, and there are actually more people who cannot be seen in the light inside.

Linghu Qingmo hid in a dark place, cautiously watching the various pedestrians on the street; following Meiqiu through many twists and turns, she finally stopped near an old shed.

The shed was built of wood, with firelight inside and a cloth curtain hanging at the door; occasionally, one could see people dressed as retainers from wealthy households running inside, and shortly after, they would come out with a burly man, and low conversations could be vaguely heard:

"Wanchun Tower, third room..."

"Rest assured, Master, I have always been efficient in handling matters..."

?

Linghu Qingmo frowned secretly, feeling that this must be a den for hiring assassins.

A faction daring to accept bloody business must have a formidable background; Linghu Qingmo did not possess Xie Jinhuan's terrifying killing skills, so entering alone would likely yield no good outcome; after deliberating repeatedly, she simply carried Meiqiu and headed toward Lin Fu...

——

Rustle rustle rustle~

By the early morning hours, the chill grew intense, and the sound of continuous rain came from outside the window.

Due to her cultivation technique, Lin Wanyi suffered from internal cold; in her dream, she was blown by a cold sea breeze, so her whole body was almost curled up under Xie Jinhuan's armpit, and in her drowsy state, she even pulled the autumn quilt over herself, burying her entire body within it.

Xie Jinhuan lay on the outside, embracing the person in his arms while comprehending the Dao in his dream, and later, exhausted mentally, he fell asleep too.

After such quietness for an unknown duration, a sound suddenly came from outside the room:

"Goo~ goo..."

?

Xie Jinhuan woke up abruptly, glanced out the window with some confusion, then turned his head to look at the big milk cat.

Lin Wanyi's whole body was curled up inside the autumn quilt; only her beautiful face could be seen; perhaps she had also heard the commotion, her eyelashes twitched, then she opened her eyes, realized she was sleeping like a concubine, and her face immediately flushed red; she wanted to push the man away:

"You..."

"Shh~ Meiqiu seems to be outside."

"Hmm?"

Seeing this, Lin Wanyi naturally stopped moving; she listened carefully and indeed discovered Meiqiu's cooing sounds; she raised her eyes to look at the pitch-black window:

"Does Meiqiu know where I live?"

Xie Jinhuan had never brought Meiqiu here before; after a moment of thought:

"Someone from Wang Fu must have come to find me."

"Ah?! Does Wang Fu know you slept here with me last night?"

Xie Jinhuan's eyes showed helplessness: "I did not return all night, so I had to leave a message. Don't worry, only Miss Linghu knows."

Linghu Qingmo?

Lin Wanyi blinked her eyes; the meaning in her eyes was roughly:

You ran here to secretly spend the night, and you dare to tell Miss Linghu? Aren't you afraid she will get jealous?

You ran over before dawn; could it be that the vinegar jar has tipped over, and she is coming to trouble you?

Unlike me, who saw you were busy all day and still cooked dishes for you...

While her mind was wandering with wild thoughts, Lin Wanyi shrank back a bit and pushed Xie Jinhuan away:

"You go out quickly! Don't say you slept in my room; just say it was in the guest room..."

Xie Jinhuan knew that Seeing Mo Mo must have come for something important, so he did not chatter; he stood up, hung his weapons, then turned around and tucked the quilt in properly:

"It is not dawn yet; sleep a while longer."

"?"

Lin Wanyi, wrapped up like a caterpillar, had a rather strange look in her eyes:

"You... you should also pay attention to rest."

"Sleep well..."

After tucking the quilt in properly, Xie Jinhuan darted out the window and disappeared without a trace.

Lin Wanyi's face grew hot; she originally wanted to sleep a while longer, but since the person had left and she had been called out of the room by Linghu Qingmo, she found it hard to sleep; therefore, she secretly pondered:

He said the money for the medicinal herbs was gathered, so he must want to refine pills as soon as possible; the medicinal herbs should also arrive in a few days...

Refining pills will require Zisu to step forward...

Judging by the situation, Xie Jinhuan will have to stay in Jingcheng for some time; perhaps I should call back that mischievous girl...

Upon thinking of this, Lin Wanyi had no heart to sleep; she sat up and began writing a family letter...

——

Outside the mansion.

Fine autumn rain scattered over the deserted long street; the lanterns hanging at the mansion gate were the only light on the street.

Linghu Qingmo, dressed in a white skirt and holding her sword, stood under the eaves of the small building, gazing at the drizzling rain curtain before her and the lantern hanging in the distance bearing the character Lin.

Why hasn't Xie Jinhuan come out yet...

Could he still be doing bad things with Physician Lin...

It's not even dawn, and I've already run here to find Xie Jinhuan; won't Physician Lin come out and peek at me later?

(←_←)!

Eh~ tsk tsk tsk...

Thinking of that sour look, Linghu Qingmo couldn't help but shrink her neck, muttering to herself:

I'm investigating a case, not competing with you, you big sour radish, over jealousy...

After such wild thoughts for a moment, Meiqiu, circling above the house, dove straight down into the mansion, followed by a sound:

"Slap slap slap—"

It seemed she was using her wings to whip someone's head.

Linghu Qingmo came to her senses, gazing into the distance, and saw a figure silently leap out, cross the fine autumn rain, and land beneath the eaves in an instant:

"Mo Mo, why have you come?"

Linghu Qingmo glanced at Xie Jinhuan's face, found no lipstick mark, then turned her gaze toward the mansion:

"Physician Lin didn't see you off?"

"It's not even dawn; it wouldn't be right to disturb Miss Lin. I didn't do anything; I was just practicing my arts."

Linghu Qingmo was no silly girl; she didn't believe such empty words, but she wasn't here to catch anyone in the act, so she didn't waste more words on the matter. She picked up the oil-paper umbrella leaning against the wall:

"After you left last night, I ran off to find clues again. Finally, I had Meiqiu go find someone, and it led me to a hidden dwelling in Xiaoyao Cave, which looked like a place where hired assassins operate."

"Xiaoyao Cave..."

Xie Jinhuan turned to look at Meiqiu, intending to ask, but Meiqiu directly mimed cutting her throat and extending her claws; he quickly pressed her down:

"Uh... it does indeed look like an unsavory place. Let's go take a look."

As he spoke, Xie Jinhuan took the oil-paper umbrella, held it over Mo Mo's head, and walked with her into the rain curtain.

Linghu Qingmo held her sword, glanced upward, then flicked her eyes toward Xie Jinhuan, as if to say—just came out of Physician Lin's bed, and you're being so warm to me; aren't you afraid Physician Lin will see and get angry?

Xie Jinhuan could understand Mo Mo's meaning and spread his hands slightly:

"I didn't bring an umbrella; let's squeeze together. Why did you come out alone to investigate clues? What if you really encounter a demon bandit?"

"After all, I am a scion of a prestigious family; my cultivation is only slightly weaker than yours. With Meiqiu as a lookout, if I can't even handle reconnaissance, how will I travel the world and slay demons in the future?"

"Heh..."

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing; just gratified. If all officials in the government office were as tireless as Miss Mo Mo, where in this world would evil spirits have room to hide?"

Linghu Qingmo felt Xie Jinhuan thought she was weak, but she didn't argue. After walking two li, she noticed a bun shop had opened, bought several large meat buns, and handed them to Xie Jinhuan:

"You must have been quite tired last night; eat something first, so you won't be powerless if you encounter a demon bandit later."

Quite tired...

Xie Jinhuan sensed there was more to her words, but seeing that Mo Mo was saving him trouble, he didn't boast; he took a large meat bun and began eating with her...

——

Blood Rain Tower, Luoying Office!

As the sky gradually brightened, inside a shed in the hidden area of Xiaoyao Cave, four or five burly men who had not received any customers gathered around a small fire basin, sighing and gazing at the door curtain, hoping that before closing time at dawn, another patron would arrive.

The leader, Fan Hai Nie, sipped small wine by the table; two side dishes for drinking were also on the table, his eyes containing a third part mockery:

"Working in this line is just like being a brothel girl; not only must you be bold and unrestrained, unafraid of dirt and hardship, but you must also diligently practice daily, mastering all eighteen martial arts skills: blowing, playing, singing, and dancing.

"Who can't just lie on the kang and earn silver?

"When patrons spend silver to choose someone, others know some tricks and have better bodies than you four; why should you earn this silver?

"I don't support idle people; if you don't work for three days, get out yourself; don't sit here and be an eyesore..."

Several dejected men quickly bowed and nodded:

"I will definitely practice hard when I return; Master Fan, please be kind and assign us a job..."

"Yes, we're about to have no food to cook..."

"Big jobs have ruthless patrons you dare not take; small jobs you look down on for those two measly coins; what job should we assign?"

Amid such endless chatter, footsteps suddenly came from outside the door:

Tap tap~

Then, a round-tailed mace handle lifted the cloth curtain at the entrance; a noble Young Master in a white brocade robe appeared outside the door, glanced into the room, followed by a female knight in matching couple's attire with a puzzled look.

The four or five burly men, seeing this, quickly stood up, straightened their chests to display their pectoral muscles, abdominal muscles, and biceps, their expressions all different.

Some were cool and stern, some sunny, some round-faced with beards like little white bears...

Rustle rustle rustle~

Silence fell for an instant inside and outside the room, leaving only the pattering sound of rain.

Facing several intense gazes, Xie Jinhuan felt his scalp tingle; he turned to look at Meiqiu, thinking:

Where exactly have you dragged me to?

Xiaoyao Cave selling hooks; so it wasn't just a legend...

"Gurgle?"

Meiqiu raised her wings and flapped them at the questioner's head!

Xie Jinhuan hadn't sunk so low as to rob someone of their prostitution money; he wanted to turn and leave, but since he'd come all this way, walking in seemed inappropriate—he just wanted to throttle the personal servant who'd led him here blindly!

Fan Haiye, seeing the two men and the bird at the door exchange glances, couldn't help but frown:

"Young Master, are you here to select someone, or to hire a job?"

Xie Jinhuan had come to rob, but the room clearly held no wealth; as for beauty… ugh…

Xie Jinhuan, however, possessed ironclad composure; after a moment of silence, he turned to Seeing Mo Mo:

"Wait outside. I'll go in and chat."

Linghu Qingmo didn't understand what this place was for—though it seemed like a killer organization, it lacked solemnity or menace. He said nothing more, hugged Meiqiu, and stepped back to the alley's mouth.

Xie Jinhuan entered the room, facing the stares of five or six burly men; frankly, he felt pressure, feared the chair might be dirty, and didn't even sit down to posture:

"What business does the boss run here?"

Fan Haiye studied Xie Jinhuan for a moment, sensing ill intent; he put down his chopsticks, pulled out a price list, and pushed it toward Xie Jinhuan:

"At this hour, the Leisure Cave has no legitimate business—but if Young Master has come to uphold justice, you've come to the wrong place."

Xie Jinhuan glanced at the price list and saw a human figure drawn on it, with body parts labeled one, two, three, four…

Below it read:

One: fifty taels.

Two: one hundred taels.

Three: one hundred and fifty taels.

…

Xie Jinhuan pondered carefully, then asked:

"Human organs, sold this cheap?"

Fan Haiye frowned: "That's the business of demonic cultivators. I'm a proper black-path merchant. A slap to the face: fifty taels. Arms and legs: one hundred taels. All responsibility falls on the enforcers—guaranteed no link to the client."

"…"

Xie Jinhuan nodded slightly, understanding—the business was "Didi Enforcer"… "Got a problem?"…

Realizing this wasn't a hook seller but a thug broker, Xie Jinhuan felt a strange familiarity; yet, with his current righteous hero persona and no urgent need for silver, he had no intention of taking a job. He sat down at the table:

"Running this business in Jingcheng carries high risk. Which mountain does the boss rely on?"

Fan Haiye lifted his wine cup and took a sip:

"Blood Rain Pavilion."

Xie Jinhuan had heard of Blood Rain Pavilion—it was a Jianghu broker specializing in selling intelligence, hiring blades, and making connections.

It was no surprise that the Leisure Cave had a branch of Blood Rain Pavilion; but according to rumors, Blood Rain Pavilion maintained high prestige—once it showed its face, bloodshed inevitably followed…

Xie Jinhuan turned to the burly men beside the brazier, who stared hungrily—he thought this "bloodshed" might be a bit too… bloody…

"Er… I thought Blood Rain Pavilion never intervened directly. Now do they actually keep assassins on retainer?"

"These few scallions—do they look like assassins?"

Fan Haiye sighed: "Jingcheng's waters run too deep; business is hard. But we must earn some side income. Fortunately, wealthy young masters here love to brawl over women—we opened this shop."

"If Young Master has a mortal enemy, just come here. These men are carefully selected—they strike with precision. Say 'break the nose,' they won't touch the eyelid. If caught, if they dare whisper the client's name, Blood Rain Pavilion will clean up after you."

Xie Jinhuan wanted to deal with his mortal enemy—he'd never pay for it.

But he did want information. After thinking, he placed a silver note on the table:

"Do you know anything about Mingshen Sect's presence in Jingcheng?"

Fan Haiye fell silent for a moment, then waved his hand; the men quietly withdrew to the back courtyard:

"Mingshen Sect is buried too deep—we can't find them. But a few days ago, someone bought a large quantity of Zui Gu Xiang from a Weizhou herbal merchant. It's not as potent as Crazy Corpse Flower, but it's cheap and abundant. If you need to control many people with illusions, it's serviceable—possibly linked to Mingshen Sect."

Xie Jinhuan wasn't greatly surprised by this.

Mingshen Sect had failed to refine Hua Yao Dan—they must be seeking another. Whether they used Crazy Corpse Flower or another hallucinogen didn't matter; what mattered was identity and location.

"Do you know who the buyer and seller were?"

Fan Haiye pulled the silver note toward him:

"Buyer unknown. But nine out of ten herbal merchants in the Great Qian selling this stuff are from the Southern Frontier. I know how to contact them. Market price: one hundred taels."

Xie Jinhuan knew how to contact the Wu Alliance—he wouldn't waste money on this. Without another word, he rose and left the room…

———

Request moon tickets or 2!

(End of Chapter)