#16: In Peril (2)

Two days later. Yao Yin had spent two more days recuperating in bed, and her body was much better. She continuously marveled at the miraculous effects of Yun Yan’s elixir. For these two days, Yun Yan and Zichen took turns accompanying her in the room for half a day each. Zichen and Yun Yan, one large and one small, the elder meditating and cultivating all day, the younger maintaining a serious adult demeanor every day, their expressions so grave that Yao Yin felt a chill down her spine.

Yun Yan seemed to sense Yao Yin observing him. Halfway through his cultivation, he opened his eyes and looked back at her. Seeing him open his eyes, Yao Yin immediately averted her gaze and casually picked up a book to read. When she glanced at Yun Yan out of the corner of her eye again, she found his expression even more serious.

“This child is too fierce, even fiercer than Master,” Yao Yin often thought.

After lunch, Yun Yan and Zichen both left. Yao Yin opened the window and saw the bright sunshine outside, so she decided to go out and bask in it. They had already rented out the entire inn; such a large inn housed only the three of them, so the environment was, needless to say, exceptionally quiet.

It had snowed all night yesterday, but it cleared up this morning. After Yao Yin went downstairs, she headed to the backyard. A thick layer of snow still covered the ground. The melting snow made the temperature coldest, but due to the sunshine, it wasn’t too unbearable. The sunlight freely bathed Yao Yin, and she felt warmth all around, a scene of peace and harmony.

Tomorrow was the Lunar New Year in the mortal world, and from time to time, the sounds of children playing with firecrackers could be heard in the streets and alleys. She listened for a while and was about to go out and see, when suddenly, she heard intermittent sounds of fighting coming from the woodshed. A line of small footprints extended from the door to the woodshed. The footprints weren’t covered by snow, indicating they had appeared after this morning.

Yun Yan was the only child in the inn. Could it be that Yun Yan was being bullied?!

Yao Yin immediately rushed over, and with a loud “bang,” kicked the door open.

Yun Yan looked towards the doorway in shock.

Yao Yin was also instantly dumbfounded.

Yun Yan was seen pinning Zichen down, his right hand raised high. Zichen lay on the ground, half of his collarbone exposed, looking resigned to his fate. However, his face was turned to the other side, so Yao Yin couldn’t see his expression. Both were disheveled, their cheeks flushed, and panting continuously.

“You two...”

Yao Yin was dumbfounded and immediately retreated out the door, sitting bewildered in the snow. She had long heard that the “cut sleeve” custom was sweeping across the land, but she hadn’t expected Yun Yan to be so young when he... truly, the world was degenerating, and people’s morals were declining. She should hurry and complete her mission to return to Pure Heaven.

Just as Yao Yin was feeling disheartened, she heard a rustling sound from inside the house, and soon Yun Yan ran out. He didn’t even glance at Yao Yin, but turned his head and scurried back into the inn.

Yao Yin looked at his retreating back, wanting to ask what happened, but he seemed very embarrassed. But then, encountering such a thing, it would indeed be awkward...

“The Cloud City God’s Temple Fair will be very lively tonight. Do you want to go?”

Zichen’s voice came from above. Yao Yin turned around and saw him leaning against the door frame. His clean clothes had slight wrinkles, and his flushed cheeks were like peach blossoms blooming in March, but his eyes were clear, without a hint of embarrassment.

Yao Yin’s mind went “boom,” and she unconsciously felt her cheeks flush. She stood up, turned her back to Zichen, and nodded, “I do want to go.”

“Then, I’ll pick you up in the evening.”

“Mm.” Yao Yin said, then forced her stiff body to walk back to the inn step by step. During this, she clearly felt the burning gaze behind her, and was even more unwilling to linger, running back to her room like a streak of smoke. Back in her room, Yao Yin calmed down for a moment before she started to regret—they were the ones with the problem, why was she nervous?

In the evening, the sky was covered with colorful clouds. The capital city was adorned with lanterns and bustling with people. Although there was still thick snow on both sides of the road and the air was chilly, it did not diminish the people’s enthusiastic mood in the slightest. Vendors vied with each other, hawking all sorts of goods, but mostly lanterns.

Yao Yin and Zichen walked towards the City God’s Temple. Along the way, they saw smiles on everyone’s faces, happily greeting those around them. Merchants discussed the year’s business, and farmers talked about the year’s harvest. Children gathered in groups of three or five, having snowball fights in the snow, playing with great joy. In such a joyful scene, Yao Yin was also infected by their merriment. At this moment, all thoughts of the Bashe and her injuries were cast aside; having fun was the only true thing.

“Bang!” Suddenly, a group of children waving firecrackers ran over and collided with Yao Yin. Zichen, quick-eyed and quick-handed, immediately stepped forward to support her, preventing her from falling to the ground.

“Thank you,” Yao Yin said, not paying much attention. She quickly left Zichen’s embrace and walked to a nearby stall, playing with a small silver mirror with a hollowed-out back.

Then came several “bang-bang-bang-bangs—” and the children’s firecrackers exploded around her with crackling sounds. When Yao Yin was young, the first time she came to the mortal world with Master Lisheng, she had been startled by firecrackers, so she was instinctively a little afraid.

Yao Yin tensed up and hid behind Zichen. Zichen didn’t speak or expose her, just quietly kicked the firecrackers further away. He stood in front of her. Although he wasn’t as captivated as Yao Yin, he was clearly in a good mood.

“Why didn’t Yun Yan come along?” At this moment, Yao Yin couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Did you two... argue today?”

Zichen curved his lips and shook his head: “Nothing.”

“Oh,” Yao Yin said sullenly.

Presumably, Zichen was thin-skinned, so he didn’t want to say more? After all, being ridden and beaten and humiliated by a child was hardly glorious. Thinking of this, Yao Yin felt her cheeks flush again... So she shook her head and quickened her pace forward.

Before long, the two arrived in front of the City God’s Temple.

The City God’s Temple was brightly lit with lanterns, and incense smoke curled up abundantly. In front of a sugar figurine stall on the street, a little girl looked at the various sugar figurines displayed on the board with longing eyes, filled with desire, pleading repeatedly: “Mama, please buy me one, okay?”

“It’s so expensive, how can I buy it?” The woman next to her looked very impatient and urged, “Don’t look anymore. Wait until your father earns money next year, then let him buy it for you.”

The little girl was completely entranced; how could she listen?

She reached out and took a fairy-shaped sugar figurine, gripping it in her hand, looking at it as if it were a precious jewel.

“I told you not to look, and you even took one!” The woman was slightly annoyed and snatched at the sugar figurine. Unexpectedly, the little girl dodged backward, and the woman not only failed to retrieve the sugar figurine but also knocked it away. The sugar figurine fell to the ground with a “smack,” instantly shattering into pieces.

“Waaah—” The girl began to cry loudly.

“You pay for my sugar figurine!” The hawker only cared about money.

The woman’s face grew increasingly unpleasant. She frowned and shouted, “I’ll smash your hand if you don’t watch out!” As she spoke, she made a gesture as if to slap the little girl.

Just then, a man holding a folding fan and dressed in dark robes grabbed the woman’s wrist and smiled, “Beautiful lady, it’s so ugly to be angry. Besides, it’s New Year’s, and getting angry is unlucky.”

“You... pervert!” The woman feigned anger, but her cheeks flushed.

The folding fan gentleman released her, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying, “I was in a rush and offended madam. Please forgive me.”

The woman “hmph-ed” and turned her head away, no longer paying him any attention.

Yao Yin saw the situation and walked over, handing the vendor half a qian of silver, saying there was no need for change. Then she took another fairy figurine and gave it to the little girl. Yao Yin wiped away the girl’s tears and smiled, “Here you go, Happy New Year.”

“Thank you!” The girl took the sugar figurine, her face breaking into a wide smile. The woman was a little embarrassed but said nothing.

Yao Yin then added, “Hurry and go offer incense with your mother, and pray for your father to return quickly.”

“Mm!” The girl nodded heavily and left with the woman.

After the two left, Yao Yin gave the folding fan gentleman a faint smile and praised, “Sir, you have a kind heart.”

“You flatter me, Miss,” the folding fan gentleman bowed. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a loud shout—

“Evil spirit!” As soon as the words fell, a middle-aged Taoist priest in a yellow robe suddenly emerged from nowhere, and a talisman was quickly and accurately pasted onto the folding fan gentleman’s cheek.

“Your vital energy has been exhausted, why do you linger in the human world, unwilling to leave!” the Taoist priest said, then brandished his peach wood sword and struck towards his face. The gentleman holding the fan moved unhurriedly, merely shifting his body slightly, causing the Taoist priest to miss.

The old Taoist’s stance was unstable. After missing, his wooden sword went straight towards Yao Yin, who was behind the folding fan gentleman.

Zichen frowned, then flicked his sleeve, and the peach wood sword broke into three pieces, falling to the ground.

“Are you hurt?” Zichen asked Yao Yin with concern.

“I’m fine,” Yao Yin shook her head.

The gentleman with the fan tore off the talisman from his face and laughed helplessly, “Heh, there are truly more and more tricksters in this world.”

Seeing that things were not looking good, the old Taoist priest put away his magical instruments and said with a solemn expression, “Please, do not let your outward appearances cloud your judgment!”

“What nonsense are you spouting here, old Taoist?” The gentleman with the fan opened his fan, and on it were four powerful ink-black characters: Wenren Liansheng.

The old Taoist, seeing this, suddenly changed his previously inscrutable demeanor, bowing and scraping, “I... I am but a humble man with no discerning eyes, and I have offended Young Master Wenren. I deserve to die, I deserve to die...”

Wenren Liansheng smiled as he fanned himself: “Don’t play tricks anymore. You may leave.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll go now... I’ll go now.” The old Taoist vanished into the crowd like he had received a great pardon, disappearing without a trace.

Yao Yin pondered for a while, only remembering that there was a notorious demon lord named Wenren Tongtian in the Ghost Clan’s Night Bright Palace who killed without batting an eye. As for the name Wenren Liansheng, she had truly never heard of it... She figured he must just be a famous young master in the mortal realm.

Yao Yin saw that there was no more excitement to watch and was about to leave, but unexpectedly, Wenren Liansheng seemed very interested in them. He immediately stopped the two and smiled, “My name is Wenren Liansheng. May I ask for the young lady’s name?”

Yao Yin was somewhat stunned, the words “lecher” suddenly appearing in her mind. She glanced at Zichen, seeing his unconcerned expression, then replied calmly, “My name is Yao Yin, his name is Zichen, and we are from out of town.”

The implication was, “Who is Wenren Liansheng?”

“Don’t know him.”

Zichen smiled slightly and nodded.

“Miss needn’t be nervous. I have no other intention, but seeing Young Master Zichen’s extraordinary skill, I merely wish to spar with him,” Wenren Liansheng smiled, raising an eyebrow, and subtly closed his folding fan. Then, he suddenly flew up and kicked towards Zichen’s face.

Zichen instinctively raised his hands to block, but was still forced back a large step by his move.

Zichen was first surprised, then concentrated on the fight. The surrounding crowd was bustling, but they all, by unspoken agreement, cleared a path for the two of them, and cheers occasionally erupted.

“Why are you fighting just like that!” Yao Yin was a little worried, yet also quite excited.

How could a mortal fight an immortal without being at a disadvantage? Who exactly was Wenren Liansheng?

Wenren Liansheng narrowly avoided Zichen’s palm, then flew onto a large tree, perching on a branch, and said to Zichen, “Let’s fight over there.” With that, he flew towards the river that flowed through the city.

Zichen followed immediately without a word. Two streams of genuine energy, one black and one white, drifted like spirits in the dark night. Although neither touched the water, the calm surface of the lake still rippled, their aura powerful enough to shake the entire river. The surrounding mortals were amazed, but most simply thought they were performing acrobatics or martial arts.

Yao Yin watched the two intently, her heart filled with worry. On the river, Zichen’s body emitted a faint glow, invisible to mortals, but visible to Yao Yin. His hands formed seals, his lips moved, murmuring incantations. Yao Yin understood his movements and knew he was about to unleash a powerful spell. But to others, it was merely an instant.

Wenren Liansheng immediately retreated several zhang (about 10 feet), but it was already too late.

All the white light from Zichen’s hands went towards Wenren Liansheng, striking him completely. Wenren Liansheng suddenly lost his support and fell into the water with a “plop.”

“How did he suddenly fall into the water!”

“What just happened?”

The surrounding onlookers cried out in amazement, but Yao Yin knew that Zichen had used magic on a mortal... Yao Yin thought, “This is not good; someone might die.”

“What are you standing there for? Go quickly and save him!” Yao Yin shouted anxiously at Zichen from the bank.

Only then did Zichen snap back to reality. He flew forward, pulled Wenren Liansheng out of the water, and brought him ashore.

Wenren Liansheng, drenched, propped himself up and laughed heartily: “Young Master has good skills; I’ve lost.”

“Are you okay?” Yao Yin asked with concern.

“I’m fine,” Wenren Liansheng smiled and shook his head, “It’s just that the river water in this twelfth lunar month is truly unbearable...” His expression was composed; he didn’t seem injured, merely wet.

Yao Yin saw that Wenren Liansheng was fine, and her heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled. The onlookers, seeing he was unharmed, lost interest and immediately dispersed like birds and beasts.

Zichen helped Wenren Liansheng up. Wenren Liansheng stood up, opened his folding fan with a “swish,” and suddenly smiled at Yao Yin, “Congratulations, Miss, you’ve found yourself a good husband.”

Yao Yin looked around, and confirming he was speaking to her, she could only smile and shake her head in denial: “He’s just my servant.” While Yao Yin said this, she was inwardly amazed that Wenren’s folding fan had not a single trace of water, which was truly incredible.

Wenren Liansheng was a little embarrassed. Seeing Zichen show no reaction, he burst out laughing and put his arm around Zichen’s neck, saying, “Meeting is fate. Besides, we’ve become acquainted through fighting. If you don’t mind, how about being my guests at my humble abode?”

Yao Yin was about to refuse, but then she heard a loud “bang” behind her, followed by a pillar of fire shooting into the sky, and thick smoke immediately filled the air. The previously noisy City God’s Temple suddenly became quiet, only to hear a child’s high-pitched voice cursing loudly, “You’re trying to catch ghosts and you come for your ancestors! Today I only burned your shop, next time I catch you, I’ll burn your beard off!”

After the child spoke, the quiet street immediately erupted again. Some fled, some helped put out the fire, several groups of people busily coming and going, creating quite a commotion.

The next moment, a familiar figure emerged from behind the thick smoke. Yun Yan, covering his nose, stumbled out of the crowd, grumbling as he walked, “Insignificant mortal, you don’t know your place!” As he spoke, he ripped off the talisman on his head and threw it on the ground, stomping on it several times.

“Yun Yan...” Yao Yin said in shock, “Why are you here?”

Wasn’t he resting at home? Why did he follow them out again?

Upon seeing Yao Yin, the anger in Yun Yan’s eyes subsided slightly. He walked over, grabbed her hand, and bitterly said, “That stinking Taoist priest was spouting nonsense and tried to bully me!”

“Don’t bother with him. He’s just a swindler of a Taoist priest,” Yao Yin comforted Yun Yan, but in her heart, she smiled bitterly: Who was bullying whom, really?

The old Taoist priest’s shop had turned to ashes, and he himself could only stare blankly at the ruins before him, helpless. Yao Yin felt immense sympathy for him at this moment: Of all people to provoke, he just had to provoke this troublesome child.

Thinking of this, Yao Yin suddenly gasped, “Ah! A-Yan, you can talk!?”

“I could always talk. It’s just that my family suffered a great calamity before, and I was so traumatized that I became a bit withdrawn. Now I’m better, and I can talk,” Yun Yan looked at Zichen awkwardly. Zichen, however, was not surprised. Yun Yan continued, “I was a bit worried, so I secretly followed you. Who knew that stinking Taoist priest would be so blind as to claim my vital energy was exhausted and even put a shabby talisman on my head? I got angry, and then...”

Yao Yin and Wenren Liansheng exchanged a glance. He then chuckled, “That old Taoist priest just puts talismans on anyone he sees, just to swindle people.”

Yao Yin also nodded: “It’s great that you can talk! Are you still hurt anywhere?”

Yun Yan shook his head, burying himself into Yao Yin’s embrace. Yao Yin had never seen him so clingy and happily hugged him back, stroking him comfortingly. Petting him smoothly.

Zichen watched from the side, cold and expressionless. But for some reason, Wenren Liansheng always felt as if he was about to breathe fire, terrifyingly stern.

“Young Master’s magic is exceptional,” Wenren Liansheng coughed, cupped his hands, and bowed, “My name is Wenren Liansheng. May I ask for Young Master’s name?”

“I’ve heard of Wenren Tongtian, but Wenren Liansheng... unheard of,” Yun Yan snorted, poked his head out, gave him a disdainful glance, then turned his head away, no longer paying him any mind.

“You little brat, you show no respect for your elders, you should be punished,” Wenren said, closing his fan and attacking Yun Yan. Just as his fan was about to land on Yun Yan’s head, Yun Yan brushed it aside with a sweep of his hand. With a “snap,” the fan fell to the ground in the distance, breaking into two pieces.

Wenren’s face darkened, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Yao Yin quickly stepped forward, picked up the folding fan, and examined it. The fan was thoroughly shattered; repair was impossible, so she could only compensate for it. Yao Yin sighed inwardly, her face filled with helplessness.

Yun Yan, seeing this, rolled his eyes and scoffed, “It’s just a broken fan, why are you so nervous? Another day, I’ll have someone send him a hundred or so.”

As he spoke, he heard a “whoosh,” and the few of them turned around to see Wenren Liansheng, who had, out of nowhere, produced another folding fan, and fanned himself with a smile, “I have plenty of folding fans, Young Master need not trouble himself.”

His eyebrows and eyes clearly showed a smile, but Yao Yin felt a chill throughout her body.

This Young Master Wenren is a bit suspicious...

“How interesting,” Yun Yan said with a sinister return smile, “You’re to my taste.”

“The inn is humble, why not be guests at my humble abode?” Wenren Liansheng suggested again.

“Alright, it would be rude to refuse.” Before Yao Yin and Zichen could object, Yun Yan readily agreed, and despite their hesitation, he insisted on going.

Yao Yin, operating under the assumption that her immortal powers would ensure her safety in the mortal world, no longer demurred. The group returned to the inn, packed all their belongings, and then left the city under the cover of night...