Many demon cultivators in the city rushed over to investigate the commotion.
“What’s going on? Isn’t that the Snake clan’s territory?”
“Hey, why did the territory of the Fire Fox clan, which is a vassal of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan, blow up as well?”
“Who are they chasing? Are the two clans fighting?”
“No idea.”
Wen Li didn’t want to miss any excitement. Seeing many demon cultivators flying toward the center to investigate, she immediately took flight and headed toward the explosion site as well.
She looked around as she flew, ready to soak up the gossip.
She reached the nearest explosion site, which was already crowded with demon and human cultivators gathered to watch the spectacle.
“Fellow Daoist, what happened?” Wen Li tapped a fox demon on the shoulder.
The female fox demon had a human head and a fox’s face, wearing an extremely seductive, lotus-pink, off-the-shoulder long dress. “Oh, it seems someone tried to steal the Fire Fox clan’s sacred treasure. They were caught but managed to escape, and they blew up the Fire Fox clan’s sacred grounds in the process. Right now, they’re busy putting out fires and searching for the culprit everywhere.”
Wen Li nodded. “Oh, that person is truly bold. To strike in the heart of demon territory, it must have been a member of the demon race.”
The fox demon turned to look at her, her red lips curling into a smirk. “Oh? What if it was a human?”
“If it was a human, then such scum has disturbed the peace between the human and demon races. They deserve a beating,” Wen Li said with a cool, detached expression.
The fox features on the female demon’s face faded away, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face as she leaned in close to Wen Li, nearly kissing her.
“Is Fellow Daoist a human?”
As expected of a fox spirit, she was truly stunning. Wen Li’s pupils dilated slightly as she stiffened her neck and leaned back to create some distance.
“What if I am?”
“Hahaha, nothing at all.”
Seeing her Charm Technique fail, Qi Mei’er gave a flirtatious laugh. The faint light in her fox-like eyes vanished, and she began to sway her body while holding a round fan, projecting an aura capable of stealing one’s soul.
“It’s just that this humble one usually smells a certain stench on humans, but on you, Fellow Daoist... there’s a fragrance. I was merely curious.”
Wen Li looked at her in disbelief, lifting her sleeve to take a sniff. “You couldn’t be talking about my clothes that I haven’t washed in three days, could you? Do you actually like that smell?”
She looked at the demon with a bizarre gaze, as if she were looking at a pervert.
“...”
Qi Mei’er’s expression froze, her seductive eyes wide with shock and speechlessness. Then, she let out a soft giggle. “Fellow Daoist, you really are interesting.”
BOOM—
Suddenly, another massive explosion rang out.
Wen Li immediately turned around and ran without looking back.
Swoosh!
Just as Qi Mei’er set up a barrier to block the shockwave of the explosion, she turned back to find that Wen Li was already nothing more than a distant shadow.
“She runs quite fast.”
Qi Mei’er lightly brushed her face with her fan. Soon, a female demon flew up to report to her.
“Miss, the Fire Fox clan’s sacred relic, the Cloud Porcelain Kunxu Fan, is indeed gone.”
“They kept it hidden for so many years without issue, yet something happens the moment I ask for it. Send people to investigate. See if they’ve stolen it themselves to try and deceive me,” Qi Mei’er said, her willow-like brows furrowing.
“Yes.” The subordinate paused. “Miss, the Dragon clan’s Young Master wants you to visit the Dragon clan after you return to discuss the wedding arrangements.”
Qi Mei’er gave a cold snort. “Discuss? What is there to discuss? Just follow the protocol of the two clans. Tell him I’m busy and that he can handle it as he sees fit.”
“Understood.”
Qi Mei’er looked toward the direction where Wen Li had vanished, her gaze contemplative. A human who could resist her Charm Technique... unfortunately, she was only at the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection stage. Otherwise, she might have tried to recruit her into the clan.
Wen Li flew back to the inn.
Not long after her return, the evening sky began to darken.
Zongzheng Huangyue and Gu Linshu were the first to return, followed by Xie Tinglan and Yao Dai, and finally Hua Cishu and Xin Jiuxian.
Wen Li sat in the seat of honor, looking at the six of them. She didn't ask about the information they had gathered. Instead, she asked,
“The commotion from the Snake clan and the Fire Fox clan this afternoon—who did it?”
The six of them looked at each other, the atmosphere turning strange.
Yao Dai was the first to speak, shaking her head and confessing honestly. “Master, you know me. If I had done it, I would have scattered ten jin of Hehuan Powder and let it explode. At that point, no demon cultivator would have been in the mood to catch anyone.”
That wasn't her area of expertise.
Wen Li glanced at the second one.
Xie Tinglan crossed his arms, his cold face indifferent. “Master, you know me. With my cultivation, no one would have been left alive to make such a commotion.”
A ruthless one, indeed.
Wen Li frowned and looked at Gu Linshu.
Gu Linshu said, “M-M-Master, you know me. I-I-I have plenty of magical treasures. Other than swords, I-I-I’m not interested in anything else.”
He had enough money that he didn't need to steal.
Wen Li was speechless. She looked at the fourth disciple.
Zongzheng Huangyue: “...Master, you know me. If it really were me, the rumors right now would be saying that the wanted person is named Xie Tinglan.”
If she were caught, she would have used the opportunity to frame him.
Xie Tinglan shot a cold glare at her, which she ignored completely.
Then it was Hua Cishu’s turn. “Master, you know me. I have no money and no cultivation. I only like the magical artifacts you give me.”
Given the commotion this afternoon, how many explosive talismans and how much spiritual power would it have required? He had no capital to commit such a crime.
Wen Li and the other five looked at Xin Jiuxian.
“...”
Xin Jiuxian let out a light cough. Her weak, paralyzed face remained silent for a moment before she followed the pattern. “Master, you know me. If I had done it, you’d be on your way to rescue me right now.”
She was only at the Foundation Establishment stage; she didn't have that kind of strength.
The other five stifled their laughter.
Wen Li leaned back and let out a long sigh of relief.
“That’s good. As long as it wasn't you, that’s good...”
Otherwise, starting a whole mess of trouble the moment they arrived would be a real pain.
Suddenly.
Snap.
The sound of a fan opening echoed.
Everyone’s eyes shifted.
Hua Cishu was holding a blue-and-white jade fan dusted with gold. It was carved with auspicious clouds and landscapes, glowing with a gentle, beautiful luster. The fan handle featured openwork patterns of viburnum flowers. At the moment, they were white, but if the grooves were stained with blood, they would turn red.
He fanned himself elegantly. With his slightly curly black hair, the exquisite silver bell, and the deep, fair, handsome face that Wen Li had nourished during this period, he was a sight to behold.
At his young age, he already possessed a captivating, androgynous charm. When he grew up, he would undoubtedly be another soul-stealing, elegant young gentleman.
Everyone narrowed their eyes. One look was enough to tell that this fan was a magical artifact.
Oh, what was the name of the sacred artifact the Fire Fox clan lost? The Cloud Porcelain Kunxu Fan...
A fan...
Wen Li and the other disciples immediately glared at Hua Cishu.
“Old Five!”
Yao Dai shouted, “How dare you say it wasn't you?! The stolen goods are right in your hand!”
Zongzheng Huangyue and Wen Li both remembered that he had always wanted a fan, having learned it from that show-off Yan Yurong. He thought it looked good and sophisticated.
“The commotion this afternoon really wasn't my doing. If I said I just picked it up, would you believe me?”
Hua Cishu elegantly flicked the fan, lifting his amber phoenix eyes as he spoke slowly.
“This afternoon, Old Six and I were assigned to scout the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. Since the Fire Fox clan is their vassal, I naturally went there. As it turns out, just as I was about to head back, an explosion occurred at the Fire Fox clan, and there was also movement from the Snake clan. Fearing danger, I wanted to hurry back. When I passed through an alley, this fan fell from the sky. It would have been a waste to leave it, so I picked it up and brought it back.”
“Who’s to say if this is the Cloud Porcelain Kunxu Fan? What if it isn’t?”
Rate on N.U.
