AUOF - 48

To avoid arousing the Divine Maiden’s suspicion, Sang Li didn’t deliberately choose the same route as Cui Wanning.

She set out first and arrived at the Wuding Sect of Beinan Mountain three days later.

In the mortal realm, the Wuding Sect was considered a major sect.

Its gates stood on the mountainside, surrounded by abundant spiritual energy. They arrived in the early morning, where several young gatekeeping disciples were diligently sweeping the steps.

“Little Daoist, I have something to ask you about.”

The young disciple holding a broom looked up and sized them up for a moment.

They hadn’t concealed their spiritual energy but merely veiled their faces with hats. However, through their spiritual eyes, one could clearly see the dense divine aura enveloping both of them.

The young Daoist was startled and immediately straightened his expression. “Are the two immortals here to meet our sect leader? If so...”

“No, no, no,” Sang Li interrupted him. “I just want to ask—do you have a Daoist named Lu Heqing here?”

“Do you mean Senior Brother Lu?”

“Yes, him.”

The young Daoist frowned and sighed regretfully. “Six months ago, Senior Brother Lu betrayed the sect and was expelled from the mountain. Since then, there has been no news of him.”

Sang Li pressed further. “Do you know why?”

The young Daoist shook his head. “I’m only an outer disciple. I don’t know the details.”

Sang Li’s expression darkened.

She unconsciously touched the storage pouch at her waist, which still held Lin Xiang’er’s keepsake.

Letting out a sigh, she bid farewell to the young Daoist and descended the mountain.

As he watched their retreating figures, the young Daoist resumed sweeping. After a while, a senior disciple from inside the gates emerged. “Who were those two from earlier?”

The young Daoist replied honestly, “They seemed to be immortals from the upper realms. For some reason, they inquired about Lu Heqing.” As he mentioned that name, all traces of respect vanished from his tone, replaced by a subtle disdain.

“Did you say anything?”

“I naturally didn’t dare say much. I only told them that he betrayed the sect and disappeared without a trace.”

“That’s good.” The senior disciple sneered. “That shameless dog. From now on, he will have no connection to our Wuding Sect. If anyone else asks about him, just say you don’t know who he is.”

“Yes.”

The morning mist on Beinan Mountain began to dissipate, slowly revealing the emerald peaks and the soft glow of dawn.

After descending the mountain, Sang Li stubbornly went around nearby villages and towns once more, but the answers she received were always the same—unfamiliar, or no knowledge.

Feeling disheartened, she dragged her weary body to a small teahouse with Situ to rest.

“Is that Lu Heqing your lover? Why are you so concerned about him?”

Sang Li shook her head and succinctly recounted what had happened in Wanshui Prefecture. “That Lin Xiang’er can be considered my savior. Naturally, I want to fulfill her last wish.”

Situ pursed her lips and rested her cheek on her hand. “What if you find him? If he doesn’t know the truth, he might still hold onto a sliver of hope and continue searching. But if he learns the truth, it will only leave him in anguish. Besides, you don’t even know what kind of person he is. What if he has already found someone new? Wouldn’t that leave you feeling miserable?”

Sang Li countered, “Then is it right to know the truth and not tell him?”

Situ fell silent, picked up her teacup, and drained it in one gulp.

An incense stick’s time later, the two continued on their journey.

“Not looking anymore?”

Sang Li shook her head. “Searching for someone can’t be rushed. Let’s go to Huashan City first.”

The Nine Ling World was vast like an ocean. If one intentionally searched, it might take many years without success.

After traveling another night, Huashan City came into view.

Huashan City wasn’t as beautiful and peaceful as its name suggested; on the contrary, it was quite chaotic. Located at the intersection of four mountains, it leaned against a sacred mountain to the left and bordered Ghost Territory in the back, with countless people from various realms passing through daily.

The city had no ruler, no governance, and its systems were in disarray. Human trafficking and underground trading were rampant everywhere.

—Whatever you desire, as long as you have money, you can buy it here.

Considering the crowded and prying eyes, both Sang Li and Situ made simple disguises.

Upon entering the city, a suffocating atmosphere greeted them.

The buildings here were staggered and uneven, with one tall building stacked atop another.

Red lanterns hung densely in the sky, one after another, forming a rather eerie crimson canopy. The entire mountain city was shrouded in a stifling blood-red hue.

Ghosts, immortals, demons, and various other factions openly wandered through the streets and alleys.

Aside from stalls selling spirit stones and treasures, the streets were lined with brothels and arenas. Righteous individuals clad in Daoist robes casually entered and exited these places, causing Sang Li’s brows to furrow deeply.

“Do you know why they’re so brazen?” Situ leaned over to whisper in Sang Li’s ear.

She shook her head.

“There’s a naturally formed lake outside Huashan City called the Forget-Memory Lake. It records everyone who enters and exits Huashan City. If you leave and don’t want others to know you’ve been here, you can erase all memories related to yourself from the lake. That’s why they dare to reveal their true selves—they know that once they leave, no one will recognize or remember them.”

Situ sneered. “Each one claims to be noble and virtuous, but in reality, they’re all hypocritical clowns. Even the divine realm everyone aspires to reach is...”

Situ trailed off, her disgust and displeasure evident in the eyes hidden beneath her veil.

Sang Li remained silent.

At that moment, a group of people hurried past them. If Sang Li hadn’t dodged in time, she might have been trampled under the hooves of their horses.

Behind them, they pulled a large cage.

The cage was covered with black cloth and sealed with a protective array, making it impossible for outsiders to peek inside. On the lower right corner of the black cloth was embroidered a peculiar arrow-shaped totem, resembling a family crest.

Curious, Sang Li glanced at it a few times. “What is that?”

Situ said indifferently, “Perhaps captured evil spirits.”

“Evil spirits?” Sang Li was puzzled. “Can evil spirits also be captured?”

Situ explained, “After the Heavenly Gate closed, some evil spirits or demons were left behind here. Once captured, they are sold to nobles for entertainment or sent to the arenas. Either way, their fates aren’t good.”

Watching the caravan disappear into the distance, Sang Li wore a contemplative expression.

Situ turned her head to ask, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Sang Li averted her gaze, reminded of the murals engraved in Wanshui Prefecture.

If not for the calamity, they wouldn’t have fallen to this state.

________________________________________

The two didn’t wander much further and settled into a relatively quiet inn.

Before Sang Li could rest, a small paper figure suddenly darted in front of her eyes.

—At the third watch of the night, behind the alley in Huashan City.

Ah, it seemed like a mission had arrived.

The paper figure burned to ashes before her eyes. Sang Li sat on the bed, pondering how to convey the message to Ji Hengyu.

After some thought, an idea struck her.

She retrieved a small knife from her storage pouch, rolled up her sleeve, and slowly began carving words onto her arm.

[Yan Jinglou wants me to meet him at the third watch.]

Period.

Surprisingly, this curse was quite useful.

As she watched the bloodstains fade, she believed the message had been successfully transmitted.

She licked her lips, about to continue, when a streak of spiritual light shattered the window and knocked the small knife out of her hand with a clatter.

Sang Li stared blankly at the fallen knife, then looked up toward the window.

Ji Hengyu was half-sitting on the windowsill, silent, his expression visibly displeased.

Her mouth opened slightly, “...Ah...” Her lips trembled faintly. “You’re here.”

Ji Hengyu took a deep breath and held up his inner forearm to her.

Half of his arm was covered in bloody writing, especially the name “Yan Jinglou,” which was written large and prominently.

Sang Li immediately straightened up, bringing her legs together and unconsciously squaring her shoulders. “I... I just didn’t know how to send you a message!” She paused after speaking, then—

“Hehe.”

She gave a couple of ingratiating chuckles.

For the first time, Ji Hengyu’s face displayed something akin to speechlessness.

Sang Li hastily gestured, “My lord, please come inside. There are too many prying eyes outside; it wouldn’t be good if they saw you climbing through the window.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Hengyu jumped down from the window and closed it tightly behind him.

Knowing she was in the wrong, she hurried to serve tea, presenting it with both hands. “My lord, please have some tea.”

“Not thirsty.”

“How about sunflower seeds?”

“Too much trouble for my teeth.”

“Dried fruits?”

“Sang Li.” Ji Hengyu lifted his gaze. “Am I here to chat with you?”

“...” Fine.

She set aside the snacks and sat awkwardly across from him.

Sang Li didn’t dare look at Ji Hengyu’s expression at the moment. Her palms rubbed back and forth on her thighs, feeling guilty but still trying to justify herself. “I was just eager to pass on the intelligence to you, so I resorted to this desperate measure.”

Ji Hengyu helplessly twitched the corner of his mouth and pulled out a small conch shell, tossing it to her. “Next time you want to contact me, blow this.”

The conch shell was about the size of a finger, purplish, and exquisitely delicate.

She joyfully picked it up and played with it for a while. “Can I blow it anywhere? Will you come no matter what?”

Ji Hengyu sipped his tea lightly. “As long as I’m not dead.”

Sang Li removed her necklace pendant and replaced it with the conch shell. After re-wearing it around her neck, she carefully tucked it beneath her collar, feeling its slight coolness and simultaneously sensing immense security.

“How wonderful.” Sang Li smiled sincerely. “It feels like Lord Ji is always by my side.”

Ji Hengyu’s hand holding the teacup paused momentarily, and he finally tipped his head back and drained the cup in one gulp.

The tea in the cup was already empty; all that remained was the faint smile at the corners of his lips.

“Shall we go take a walk?” He set the cup down, his eyes questioning her.

Sang Li tilted her head slightly, her expression full of surprise.

Ji Hengyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I mean… while gathering intelligence casually.”

“Oh, then…”

Just as Sang Li was about to agree, she suddenly spotted a black shadow flash past the window.

Her heart clenched, and before she could warn Ji Hengyu, he swiftly transformed into a flying insect, concealing his presence, and hid himself on the beam above.

Sang Li: “.” Quite skilled.

Click.

At the same time, the window opened, and Yan Jinglou leapt in.

Compared to Ji Hengyu, his movements were extremely rough.

Looking at the swaying window, Sang Li suddenly felt... Ji Hengyu was indeed quite refined.

She retracted her earlier disdain and rose to greet him respectfully. “Greetings, my lord.”

“Did you receive the message?” The mask on his face gradually faded as he approached the table while asking.

Sang Li lowered her head and replied, “Yes, I did. My lord needn’t have come in person.”

Yan Jinglou swept his gaze over the two teacups on the table, picked one up, and felt the slight chill emanating from it. His expression turned dangerous. “Someone has been here?”

Sang Li’s back stiffened. “It was the Divine Maiden. She came by to sit for a while.”

Yan Jinglou swirled the teacup, his expression murky and unclear.

He slowly paced through the warm room, the tearoom, and then behind the screen. The bathtub still held hot water.

Yan Jinglou turned his head, his gaze falling back on Sang Li.

She stood there nervously, completely devoid of any of her usual flirtatious demeanor.

Yan Jinglou scrutinized her carefully, noticing several discrepancies.

Due to her identity, he preferred her to remain inconspicuous. In the past, she wore practical clothing for ease of movement, even leaving her head unadorned.

Now, the woman standing before him wore a simple green robe, but its style was the latest fashion—cinched at the waist, with wide, flowing sleeves. Upon closer inspection, she even wore a delicate jade pendant.

Even her hair...

She had styled it in a Suíyún Bun, adorned with a single emerald hairpin, standing there vividly. Her entire being radiated an untouched purity, and even the fox-like allure in her eyes had dimmed.

“Sang Li.”

Sang Li raised her eyebrows slightly.

Her foxy eyes shimmered, reflecting a watery glow.

“Since Fu Tianhou escaped, his whereabouts have been unpredictable. But I know he won’t let things rest.” Yan Jinglou’s tone was measured. “He might use those close to me to restrain me. Therefore, I want you to pose as Wanning to lure him out.”

Sang Li’s eyes widened slightly.

Yan Jinglou continued observing her closely. In her pupils, there was nothing but surprise, no other emotion.

His mood sank slightly.

“To ensure the message gets out, I’ll stay here tonight.”

“...?”

“............??”

“Huh?”

Sang Li froze.

Stay here?

Who was staying here??

She stood rigidly in front of Yan Jinglou, thinking about the “moth” hiding on the beam above.

Somehow... she felt her situation had become dire.