AUOF - 124

Something seemed off. After Sang Sang cast an inquiring glance, the apprentice hastily shook his head, panic evident.

Just as she was about to speak, the noisy crowd of onlookers parted, and Sang Ning walked in. His presence was like the wind—his every step exuded a vibrant aura of heroism. His handsome features immediately drew Si Tu’s attention, making it impossible for her to look away.

There were no shortages of celestial beings with striking appearances in the divine realm.

However, those who achieved immortality often lacked worldly charm—beautiful exteriors were just that: beautiful. Yet when Sang Ning approached, Si Tu saw something far more captivating than mere looks—a fiery charisma that burned brighter than any physical beauty.

Clinging to the medicine bag, she found herself gazing deeply at him, momentarily forgetting about Ji Hengyu standing behind her for the first time in her life.

“Sister,” Sang Ning, still unaware of Si Tu’s presence, urgently asked Sang Sang, “I heard someone caused trouble here, so I rushed over. Are you alright?”

Sang Sang glanced at Si Tu and slowly shook her head.

Sang Ning sighed in relief, then noticed the outsiders in the pharmacy. His gaze swept over Si Tu, causing her heart to skip a beat and leaving her momentarily breathless.

Soon, the rest of her fellow disciples arrived, filling the small pharmacy to the brim.

Since the pharmacy had just opened, Sang Sang didn’t want this incident to affect future business. With a headache brewing, she pinched the bridge of her nose and extended her hand toward Si Tu: “Could you let me take a look at the medicine?”

Si Tu stole a glance at Sang Ning and hesitantly handed over the medicine.

Sang Sang opened it; the herbs were clean, with no sign of the so-called bugs.

With many onlookers still gathered outside, Si Tu bit her lip and nervously stood up, saying: “There are no bugs—it was my mistake. The medicine is fine. Everyone, please disperse.” Compared to her earlier arrogance, Si Tu now appeared as meek as could be.

Chunhua and Chunmao exchanged glances, both silently wondering if their junior sister had suffered some sort of shock.

Si Tu raised her eyes and stole a glance at Sang Ning, only to find him looking back at her. Her emotions tightened, and in a panic, she glanced toward Ji Hengyu, who stood among the crowd.

From start to finish, he had stayed by his wife’s side, not sparing them even a glance.

In the past, Si Tu would have been furious. But strangely, she felt no anger—only a vague sense of resentment, not for herself but for Sang Sang. Such a charming and enchanting wife being harassed in public, how could her husband stand idly by without uttering a single word in support?

What a coward!

A sudden, inexplicable surge of anger flared within her, leaving even Si Tu herself bewildered.

Clearing her throat lightly, she stepped before Sang Sang: “I apologize. I’ll buy all the remaining medicine in your shop.” Si Tu was generous, tossing over a heavy pouch of coins.

Sang Sang couldn’t help but smile faintly, politely declining: “If this were a cosmetics shop or one selling snacks, I’d gladly accept. But a pharmacy is different. If someone urgently needs medicine in the middle of the night and my shop has nothing to offer, wouldn’t greed cost lives?”

Her words earned widespread approval from the onlookers.

Si Tu clutched the heavy pouch of coins, her heart growing heavy alongside it.

She followed her fellow disciples as they left, turning her head back thrice, reluctant to part ways.

Seeing there was no more spectacle to watch, the crowd dispersed. However, thanks to Si Tu’s commotion, the pharmacy’s business that evening indeed improved significantly.

With Ji Hengyu and the apprentice busy handling things, Sang Sang had some leisure time. She ordered a maid to brew tea, arranged the freshly purchased snacks, and sat chatting and eating with Sang Ning at ease.

Though it was called “eating,” in reality, Sang Sang was the only one indulging.

Sang Sang loved roasted peanuts but was too lazy to peel them, so Sang Ning peeled them and placed them before her.

A stack of peanut shells piled up before him, while all the kernels disappeared into Sang Sang’s stomach.

“That girl doesn’t seem like an ordinary person.”

Sang Sang had sensed residual traces of magic in the medicine bag.

The moment they entered, she caught a faint flicker of spiritual energy—though deliberately suppressed, it couldn’t escape her sharp eyes.

“Could she be a disciple from some sacred mountain?”

Sang Ning neither confirmed nor denied: “It’s likely not that simple.”

After peeling a full plate of peanuts, Sang Ning brushed off the remnants and looked up to see Ji Hengyu approaching. He promptly replaced Sang Sang’s tea with a fresh, steaming cup.

“Thank you, Husband.” She smiled brightly, dimples forming on her cheeks.

Sang Ning had spent hours peeling peanuts until his fingers ached, yet hadn’t received a single word of thanks. This wild man simply poured her a cup of water, and she smiled so happily—Sang Ning immediately grew displeased. But before he could vent his frustration, Sang Sang portioned out some peanuts for him: “Brother worked hard too. These are for you.”

Only then did Sang Ning’s expression improve slightly.

Without hesitation, he quickly ate the peanuts, stood up, and said: “I still have affairs to attend to at the estate. If anything arises, send Lingxiu to the Marquis’s residence to find me.”

Sang Sang and Ji Hengyu escorted him out of the pharmacy together.

From the pharmacy to the Marquis Wu’an’s residence was only three streets away. Seated in the sedan chair, Sang Ning closed his eyes to rest. Before they had traveled two streets, he detected a suspicious presence trailing behind.

Sang Ning abruptly opened his eyes: “Xiao Wu.”

“Yes, Master? What is your command?” The curtain was lifted, and the attendant respectfully inquired.

“Stop ahead.”

Xiao Wu was puzzled but obediently reined in the horses and stopped by the roadside.

After dismissing the servants, Sang Ning strolled alone toward the city gates.

The suspicious presence continued to follow at a moderate distance.

He pretended not to notice, leisurely strolling out of the city and heading straight for Chuiyun Ridge.

Chuiyun Ridge marked the boundary between Qingyang Mountain and the demon realm. This place was teeming with demonic barriers and lurking monsters. Ordinary folk avoided it at all costs, and even lesser cultivators dared not tread lightly, opting to detour instead.

Sang Ning intentionally tested the waters, luring the pursuer into Chuiyun Ridge. Then, concealing his presence, he climbed a tree to observe like a hidden thief.

From above, his calm and indifferent gaze blended seamlessly with the shadows of the trees.

Si Tu’s tracking skills were rudimentary. In the dark forest, her red figure stood out glaringly, drawing attention from the demons that had escaped through the barrier.

A disciple from a sacred mountain?

Sang Ning sneered inwardly. Her spiritual energy was pure and unblemished. Among the accompanying youths, several had clearly crossed swords with him.

Whether they were ordinary cultivators or minor immortals from Tiange, a test would reveal the truth.

Unaware that she had fallen into his trap, Si Tu couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Marquis Wu’an seemed familiar after leaving the pharmacy. Compelled by some unknown force, she followed him—but… where was this?

Having just arrived in the mortal realm, Si Tu had only a superficial understanding of Qingyang City.

The ridge was deep and dense, with trees growing wildly, leaving no gaps between roots. Deeper inside, the darkness was ink-like, shrouded in an indescribable chill that sent goosebumps crawling up her spine.

Si Tu slowly retreated, worried for Sang Ning.

Forcing herself to stop, she mustered the courage to call out into the depths: “San… Sang Ning, are you alright?”

At the sound of her voice, Sang Ning adjusted his position, calmly lowering his gaze.

After a brief contemplation, he deliberately cast a spell to create noise in the forest.

Sure enough, the rustling sounds caught Si Tu’s attention.

The young goddess, barely grown and with limited cultivation, had been spoiled in Tiange and had never witnessed the hardships of the mortal realm.

Startled by the sudden noise and thinking of Sang Ning’s mysterious disappearance and uncertain fate, she steeled herself against her fear and ventured deeper.

“Sang Ning?”

The leaves rustled slightly. In the darkness, she locked eyes with a pair of blood-red pupils.

Si Tu gasped, her spell barely forming in her palm before the monster opened its massive jaws, releasing toxic gas that made her vision blur and sapped her strength entirely.

Her limbs went limp, and she collapsed unconscious.

The creature had a snake-like head, twin tails, a massive body covered in venom, incredible speed, and a penchant for devouring humans while disguising itself—a common “demon parasite” from Tianzhechuan. It was one of the hundred demons that troubled countless cultivators.

The demon parasite leisurely approached Si Tu with its twin tails. Though barely conscious, Si Tu watched as the tail tip neared her waist. Summoning her last ounce of strength, she hurled a weak spell. But it struck the creature’s hardened scales, leaving not even a scratch.

Breathing faintly, waves of dizziness overwhelmed her.

As darkness enveloped her, Si Tu vaguely saw a pair of black boots before her eyes. The intricate patterns on the hem of the robe brought a familiar scent to her nose. She wanted to look up for a closer inspection, but the encroaching darkness dragged her into unconsciousness.

Sang Ning calmly faced the demon parasite.

The creature silently locked eyes with him, gradually succumbing to the oppressive force in his gaze. Lowering its head, it timidly retreated into the forest, blending seamlessly with the myriad trees.

Silence returned. Sang Ning lowered his gaze to Si Tu on the ground, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. With one arm, he hoisted her onto his shoulder and carried her back.

________________________________________

Late into the night, Sang Sang was startled awake by intermittent knocking.

The knocking was unhurried, exuding patience.

The maids and steward also woke up. Considering the late hour and their status as newcomers, no one dared to open the door.

The candle in the厢房 was lit, and Ji Hengyu, wearing a simple outer robe, prepared to investigate: “Stay here. I’ll go check.”

Sang Sang wasn’t reassured. After much deliberation, she dressed and followed him.

The knocking came from the side door. When the candlelight illuminated the area outside, the knocking finally ceased. Sang Sang heard a familiar voice from beyond the courtyard:

“It’s me.”

“Brother?” Sang Sang, still suspicious, instructed the steward to open the door.

Outside stood not only Sang Ning.

On his shoulder, he carried someone—a figure draped in red, their head bowed, face obscured.

Sang Ning stepped inside with the woman slung over his shoulder, briefly glancing at Ji Hengyu: “Have the maids prepare a guest room.”

The maids hurried to tidy up a room.

The more Sang Sang examined the person’s attire, the more familiar it seemed. Glancing down, she immediately recognized the features, her eyes widening in shock: “The girl from earlier today?”

At the sound of her voice, Ji Hengyu’s expression shifted slightly.

“She went to Chuiyun Ridge and encountered some danger, but fortunately, I found her in time. She sustained some injuries and will need your help to tend to them,” Sang Ning explained. “My residence as Marquis Wu’an isn’t suitable for housing her, so I brought her here.”

Sang Sang understood.

Once Sang Ning laid the person on the bed, she quickly instructed the maids to boil a pot of hot water and sent Sang Ning on his way. Then, she began undressing Si Tu to treat her wounds.

Clatter.

As she removed Si Tu’s clothes, something fell from her bosom. Sang Sang bent down to pick it up.

It was a jade pendant.

Simple in design, the translucent white jade bore swirling clouds and cranes, with the character “Tu” engraved in the center. A wave of familiarity washed over her. Lowering her eyes in deep thought, her shoulders suddenly trembled as a cold chill shot up from her feet to her crown. Everything clicked in her mind.

Ji Hengyu… Ji Hengyu once had an identical pendant!

His pendant bore the character “Heng.” Sang Sang still remembered—he had initially intended to pawn it to provide her with settlement funds, but she refused. That money later bought a house in Zhuxi Village.

Identical…

Sang Sang clenched the jade pendant tightly, her mind suddenly flooded with countless thoughts.