“...”
Hearing that her deductions were spot-on, the system, which had been behaving like a screaming chicken just moments ago, fell silent. It became increasingly curious about what such a brilliant host truly intended to do. If she could calculate the human heart so accurately, why would she have the leisure to play at some villain-rearing project?
Seeing no reaction from the system, Wen Li let out a light laugh. “What’s the matter? Calculating how I might be plotting against you?”
The system’s tone became coy and affected, its accent shifting. “No way~ I’m just curious, that’s all~ Host, how can you be so smart? Did you drink walnut powder all the time when you were little or something?~”
“How did you become even more disgusting after recovering your memories? You sound so pretentious,” Wen Li said with a look of disgust. “Walnut powder... where in the cultivation world would I find walnut powder to supplement my brain? When I was a child, I drank beast blood and grew up eating roasted beasts.”
The system picked up on something. “Host, you were transmigrated into this cultivation world as an infant!”
So it wasn't a soul transmigration halfway through. No wonder—no wonder she was so decisive and used to killing. This was how she had grown up.
Wen Li’s gaze was indifferent. “Do you know how the cat died?”
“Curiosity killed the—” The system answered subconsciously before abruptly stopping. It saw the dark, cold look within her smiling eyes.
The system fell silent, not daring to speak further.
“If you have free time, you should think of ways to suppress and strip others of their systems. Don’t let the male lead of providence on Xin Jiuxian’s line arrive and find that you’re useless when given the chance.” Wen Li wasn't someone who only knew how to threaten.
The system remained silent for a while. “...You really plan on helping me snatch a system? But you can’t kill a male lead of providence.”
Wen Li looked innocent. “I never said I’d kill him. I’m just snatching his system, not his life. What is there to fear? Since the plot of his system exists within your villain-salvation system, your level should be higher than his. You shouldn't be detected by his system, right?”
The system confirmed this point. “No, I won't be.”
“Then that’s it. With me around, what are you afraid of? We’re grasshoppers on the same rope. I’ve hidden things from you, and you’ve done the same to me.”
The system went silent again.
Wen Li chuckled. “Don’t worry, I have no interest in knowing what you’re hiding. You just need to cooperate with me, and I will cooperate with you. That is enough.”
She stopped paying attention to the system and waited under the locust tree for a while until a child in red robes walked over.
Upon seeing Wen Li, Hua Cishu practically ran to her. “Master!”
He immediately reached out to hold Wen Li’s arm, his right hand pulling warm chestnuts out from his robes where he had been keeping them warm.
“Master, these are chestnuts I peeled for you. Eat them while they’re hot.”
He looked up at her with sparkling, expectant eyes.
“How did you know I like these?”
Wen Li patted his head and reached out to grab a large handful of chestnuts. “These shells aren't easy to peel. Are your hands alright?”
“I’m fine. I reverted to my original form and peeled them with my claws.” Hua Cishu shook his head and walked down the street with her. “I remember Master likes sweets. I smelled these on the street and they were so fragrant, so I thought Master would definitely like them.”
“They are indeed delicious. You have one too.” Wen Li chewed on the soft, sweet chestnut, suddenly imagining his plump paws as a black fur ball clumsily peeling them. She was amused. “You didn't use your teeth to bite them open when you couldn't peel them, did you?”
She didn't want to eat “pre-chewed” chestnuts.
“Master, I’m not as unhygienic as Second, nor am I as stupid as Old Six. If I really couldn't peel one, I’d just step on it and eat it myself.” Hua Cishu’s lips curled downward as he looked at her with an aggrieved expression.
Wen Li was used to his little habit of putting others down and reached out to hold his hand.
“Alright, we’ll eat this bag of chestnuts together. Don’t eat things you’ve stepped on next time. You’re always using your feet to kick people and stomp on pills. The soles of your feet aren't clean; be careful or you’ll get sick.”
“I won't eat them; I peeled them all for Master.” Hua Cishu grinned, tilting his little head up. “I’ll collect the crushed ones for Old Six. She loves eating everything.”
“...Er.” Wen Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry and chose not to respond, lest this brat use her reply to provoke Old Six later. If Old Six came to her in a huff, it would be a headache. She still remembered his talent for drawing aggro out of spite.
“Master, why are we suddenly going to the Dragon lands?” Hua Cishu skipped along while holding Wen Li’s hand, the silver bell on his dyed-black hair tinkling. If not for his boyish voice, onlookers would have mistaken him for a beautiful little girl.
“Qi Mei’er is in the Dragon lands.” Wen Li paused and sighed. “Old Six was captured by her, and Eldest Disciple was heavily injured. I have to go rescue them.”
Eldest Disciple’s ability to escape was due to her extensive combat experience, but Old Six had been raised in the forbidden ground of the Tingyin Pavilion. She lacked practical experience and was a bit simple-minded. While she could be ruthless, she needed to grow some brains. It might be good for her to suffer a little so she would remember the lesson.
Hua Cishu’s body stiffened and his eyes darkened. Suddenly, he didn't want to go to the Dragon lands.
A bunch of trash. They had to be rescued by Master after being caught, yet they dared to mock him for having no cultivation.
...
Ancient Phoenix lands.
Zongzheng Huangyue and Gu Linshu walked along the streets, heading toward the most crowded places to gather information.
“Hey, I heard the Young Master still hasn't been found. The Clan Chief is going crazy with worry.”
“Security in the cities has been tightened significantly lately, with searches everywhere. No one knows where the Young Master went to play this time. The Beast Taming Sect’s Demon Tide Tournament is coming up soon; if he’s caught by malicious people, the consequences would be unthinkable.”
In a restaurant, the two of them sat behind a screen on the first floor near a window, sipping tea.
Idle gossip filled their ears.
Places with many people always had information, especially during leisure hours. Most of the news Zongzheng Huangyue heard was about the impact the alliance between the Dragon clan and the Nine-Tailed Fox clan would have on the Phoenix clan, as well as the continued disappearance of the Phoenix Young Master.
She held her teacup, savoring the tea while her mind raced with thoughts.
Suddenly, several blue-robed cultivators came down from the upper floor of the restaurant.
They left in a hurry, passing right behind their screen.
Zongzheng Huangyue noticed that the leader was Meng Qiaojiao—the androgynously handsome woman with short hair she had met briefly during registration at the Qisu Kingdom’s border.
Zongzheng Huangyue looked up and met Gu Linshu’s eyes.
Clearly, he had recognized the person as well.
With silent understanding, they put down their teacups, left five Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and immediately rose to follow.
Meng Qiaojiao’s group consisted of seven people—two women and five men. They walked down the street without looking aside, continuing on foot until they left the bustling area before mounting their swords to fly away.
Zongzheng Huangyue and Gu Linshu slowly emerged from behind an alley.
Gu Linshu asked, “Wh-what do you suspect?”
“They are all human cultivators. When Meng Qiaojiao registered to enter the city, I noticed heavy calluses in the space between her thumb and forefinger. Even if she wasn't a sword cultivator, she should use some kind of hand-held magical artifact. But just now, she had a pipa on her back, yet her fingertips lacked the thick calluses. It’s a disguise.”
Zongzheng Huangyue narrowed her eyes, her gaze deep and inscrutable.
“It’s normal to use disguises in a demon beast kingdom, but most people disguise their appearance, cultivation, or origin. Yet even the six people behind her were the same; they either had xiaos, flutes, or guqins hanging from their waists. Such a deliberate adoption of the most prominent features of a music cultivator is both an attempt to draw attention and a way to hide their true identities.”
Once Meng Qiaojiao’s group had distanced themselves in the sky, Zongzheng Huangyue applied a Spirit-Erasing Talisman and followed on her sword. “When Meng Qiaojiao registered to enter the Qisu Kingdom, she wasn't carrying a pipa.”
Gu Linshu understood and followed as well, sending a message via Divine Sense. “Are you saying they did something here and now need to leave in a hurry under disguise?”
Thinking of the missing Young Master mentioned by everyone in the Phoenix clan, his voice turned solemn. “Do you suspect Meng Qiaojiao and the others kidnapped the Phoenix Young Master?”
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