They say a talisman cultivator's most important traits are their divine sense and mental strength.
According to the boasts of the elders in the hall, Xie Zhou could draw talismans after just three days in the Nine Saints Hall and had created his own talisman within ten days. He was truly a genius among geniuses.
Before her death, his strength had already reached a near-terrifying level, and it went without saying that he was even stronger now.
There was no need to even think about it; everything that had just happened in Heaven Room Three next door must have been fully perceived by him.
Since her rebirth, she had deliberately avoided using the sword techniques she had created in her past life. The swordplay she used now was mostly disorganized and chaotic, all to prevent anyone from noticing any clues.
Her Fourth Junior Brother... shouldn't be able to tell it was her.
After all, there were plenty of similar people in the world. Who would ever suspect something as absurd as soul-swapping rebirth?
With that thought, she sat back down with poise, meeting his gaze at eye level. “The elder told us to look into Fifth Senior Sister's whereabouts, which is why I followed Ye Chang'an here.”
Xie Zhou nodded in understanding. “I see. I thought...”
Song Yao: “Thought what?”
Xie Zhou let out a soft chuckle. “I thought you were here to play again.”
Song Yao: “...”
“Again.”
What did he mean by “again”?!
She had the distinct feeling of having shot herself in the foot, yet she couldn't easily argue with him.
In the flickering, dim candlelight, Xie Zhou cast his eyes down. His gaze drifted over the young girl's tightly pursed lips from her displeasure and her cheeks, which were slightly flushed from the wine.
He didn't tease her further, getting up to walk to the tea table on the other side to pour a cup of tea.
The tea, which had gone cold, warmed up again in his palm before he placed it in front of Song Yao.
He casually changed the subject. “What did you find out?”
He must have heard everything just now anyway, so there was no point in hiding it.
Song Yao spoke honestly. “The Wen family has likely joined forces with Taiqing Pavilion. Fifth Senior Sister refused to cooperate with them, so she was taken away by the people of Yong'an Tower...”
She paused, then added, “But I can't fully trust what Ye Chang'an said. Fourth Senior Brother, do you think he was lying?”
Xie Zhou looked up, seeing right through her thoughts.
Using his divine sense to verify the truth—she really wasn't holding back.
He spoke flatly, “You threatened him to that extent. He wouldn't dare lie.”
Song Yao: “So it's true then.”
She scrambled to her feet and solemnly cupped her hands toward Xie Zhou. “In that case, I'll have to trouble you to pass this information along to Third Elder, Fourth Senior Brother.”
Xie Zhou paused. “Why not tell him yourself?”
Song Yao replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, “I don't have the money to buy transmission talismans.”
Xie Zhou: “...”
Song Yao suddenly remembered something, her voice rising an octave. “Oh, right, Fourth Senior Brother! Last time you were injured, you used a massive jar of my Clear Spirit Ointment. You still owe me a hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones, and you haven't paid me back yet.”
She plopped back down onto the cushion, leaning in close to him. Her eyes blinked as she gave him an interrogative look. “You didn't forget, did you?”
Xie Zhou: “...”
She had always lacked any sense of personal boundaries, behaving like a minor spirit that had just taken human form and knew nothing of the world's ways.
She was like this in the past, and she was still like this now.
Being this close, he could see the faint red mole at the corner of her eye.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice calm and indifferent. “Of course I haven't forgotten. However, I am quite curious about one thing.”
Song Yao: “What is it?”
His eyes held a sharp, soul-penetrating insight as he looked back into her eyes. “Seventh Junior Sister, you have never studied cultivation properly. How did you manage to beat the Young Master of Taiqing Pavilion so thoroughly that he couldn't even fight back?”
“...”
Song Yao was instantly pinned down by her Achilles' heel.
She had been interacting so normally with everyone from the Nine Saints Hall lately that she often forgot to maintain her distance.
She stood up and backed away, averting her gaze with a bit of guilt. “How should I know why he's so weak? Maybe whatever Taiqing Pavilion teaches is just flashy and useless...”
What a brilliant excuse—flashy and useless.
If the people of Taiqing Pavilion heard this, they would probably cough up blood.
He didn't expose her, adding, “He is the Young Master of Taiqing Pavilion. Aren't you afraid that he will tell the Wen siblings and seek revenge on you after what you did to him?”
Song Yao wrinkled her nose. “He'll definitely seek revenge, but knowing his character, he probably won't tell the Wen siblings about this anytime soon. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hold his head up in front of them anymore. At most, he'll hire a few assassins.”
Xie Zhou paused, then said nonchalantly, “This should be your first time meeting Young Master Ye, yet you seem to know him very well.”
“...I've heard some things about Young Master Ye's way of doing things. Just a guess.”
Not wanting to linger on the topic, she quickly added, “We can talk about the spirit stones next time. It's getting late, so I should head back, or the others will worry.”
With that, she turned around, looking very much like she was fleeing in panic.
Xie Zhou's expression softened slightly, the corners of his lips twitching upward before he quickly pressed them back down.
He raised his sleeve, and two talismans flew out to block the door. “Come back and drink the hangover tea. The people from Yong'an Tower haven't gone far, and the streets aren't safe. Once you finish, I'll escort you back.”
Song Yao retracted her outstretched leg.
Returning to the table, she downed the warm tea in one gulp and couldn't help but ask, “So, Fourth Senior Brother, why did you kill that Yong'an Tower member?”
Xie Zhou paused, his eyes drooping slightly as he gently rubbed his fingertips.
He hadn't intended to let her see him kill anyone.
Since things had come to this, he explained succinctly, “A few months ago, someone attacked Master. The trail led to Shanhai, but before I could get any answers, I accidentally killed him. It wasn't intentional.”
Song Yao: “...”
This was indeed getting rather troublesome.
She had originally thought these incidents were just under-the-table conflicts among the three major sects. Why was Yong'an Tower suddenly getting involved as well?
Was the attack on Master commissioned by Taiqing Pavilion, or did Yong'an Tower do it on their own...
And Fifth Senior Sister was also taken by Yong'an Tower. Was that just a coincidence?
Xie Zhou recalled the talismans from the door, interrupting her train of thought. “Let's go.”
Hearing movement in the corridor, Song Yao stopped him and said politely, “No need to trouble yourself, Fourth Senior Brother. I have people to walk back with.”
With that, she pushed the door open.
At the end of the corridor outside, Ye Chang'an was limping along at the very front, followed by a bewildered Wen Wushuang, Wen Wumian, and Jiang Jin.
“There are many of us, and with Ye Chang'an around, Yong'an Tower shouldn't make a move. Having you tag along would only draw unwanted attention, Fourth Senior Brother.”
She cupped her hands again and added before turning to leave, “Next time we meet, remember to pay me back.”
Her figure was like a gust of wind, departing without the slightest hesitation.
Xie Zhou stood frozen in place.
Outside the window behind him, two dark figures slipped inside silently, their dark robes almost melting into the night.
The two bowed and cupped their hands, keeping their voices extremely low. “Villa Master, the people from Yong'an Tower have all withdrawn. It seems they are feeling guilty and dare not pursue Shanhai's death. Shall we continue our investigation?”
Xie Zhou remained standing where he was, offering no response. Only his fingertips curled inward unconsciously.
Sensing something was amiss, one of them called out softly again, “Villa Master?”
Xie Zhou seemed to finally snap out of it. His eyelashes drooped, and his voice was slightly raspy. “Investigate according to the original plan. Additionally, I need to know Wen Tang's whereabouts. Inform me immediately if you get any news.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Also, tell the manager of Wanchun Pavilion that nothing that happened in the Heaven Rooms tonight is to be leaked.”
“Yes, sir.”
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