"Lord Guan!!"Both women turned around and spoke at the same time.
A man approached with a calm expression. Ye Kaishan also turned, frowning.Now who's come? he wondered, looking at the newcomer.
The man wore a black silk robe, its texture shimmering faintly under the sun. Matching accessories adorned his belt, and a crimson sword hung on his back. A faint incense-like scent of soul energy lingered around him. He appeared to be in his early thirties.
"What are you two doing here?" the man asked as he approached the women, his voice composed.
The two women cupped their hands respectfully."Lord Guan, we caught this man near the mansion. We suspect him of theft—or possibly spying on the family," they reported quickly.
"A man?" Guan Mu glanced at Ye Kaishan with interest. "Hmm… no trace of soul energy. Just an ordinary person," he mused inwardly, eyeing him curiously.
But then, his gaze landed on the pouch tied to Ye Kaishan's waist. His eyes narrowed.
A moment later, he spoke. "You both can leave."
"But Lord, he—""Don't make me repeat myself." Guan Mu waved them off without looking back.
"Yes, Lord!" The women bowed and quickly departed, leaving Ye Kaishan alone with him.
Guan Mu stepped closer. "My name is Guan Mu. What's yours, brother?" he asked, wearing a harmless smile.
Ye Kaishan frowned slightly at the sudden shift in tone, but didn't question it. "My name is Ye Kaishan," he replied respectfully.
Ye Kaishan?His name is Ye Kaishan? That can't be… Is he faking his identity? Guan Mu wondered silently, concealing his doubt behind an amiable expression.
"So, Brother Ye," he continued, "I heard you're new in town and curious about the Guan Mansion?"
"I was just wandering around Mistveil Town," Ye Kaishan replied calmly. "I'd heard of the noble families and was curious to take a look."
"Hmm…" Guan Mu nodded thoughtfully. "How about we sit down inside with some tea and talk, Brother Ye?"
"No need, Brother Guan. You've already shown great kindness to someone like me—an ordinary man. And it's getting late. Perhaps I'll visit next time," Ye Kaishan said with a polite smile.
"Well, it can't be helped. But don't hesitate to visit," Guan Mu replied warmly.
"I will." Ye Kaishan cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.
He walked slowly down the road, the setting sun casting long shadows behind him. After covering some distance, he glanced back from the corner of his eye.
Guan Mu was still there, standing in the same place.
Seeing Ye Kaishan's gaze, Guan Mu offered a faint smile and waved.
A chill ran down Ye Kaishan's spine.
That smile…He quickened his steps and slipped into an alley.
"Haa… haa…" He leaned against the wall, catching his breath."Who was that man…?" he muttered, wiping his forehead. He was now far from the Guan Mansion."Thank the heavens I didn't go inside. He was acting way too friendly," Ye Kaishan said with a dark frown.
"Even though he appeared ordinary, something inside me was screaming to leave that place at once," Ye Kaishan muttered with a solemn expression. "I can clearly sense… he's far stronger than me—stronger even than those ghost cultivators we faced."
....
Guan Mansion — Guan Mu
"That man…"
Guan Mu sat silently on a chair in one of the Guan Mansion's courtyards, his eyes closed in thought.
Suddenly, they snapped open."No doubt about it," he muttered, looking toward the sky. "That pouch… it carried lingering soul energy of a Soul Tribulation Realm cultivator. And the word 'Song' was engraved on it."
His gaze sharpened."That man is no ordinary person. If I'm not mistaken, he must be from the Song Clan. That soul energy… it's clearly from Matriarch Song Qing."
He leaned back. "He introduced himself as Ye Kaishan. Is he hiding his name too? His identity… his cultivation?"
Guan Mu let out a slow sigh. "If I hadn't stepped in, those two guards might have caused trouble for the Guan Family."
He glanced toward the moonlit sky. "Tomorrow is the recruitment competition… So they've come early this time?"
He closed his eyes again, murmuring, "Guan Lan also went to Song Manor today to meet the Matriarch's daughter."
"I heard she only just awakened her Dao Companion—not long ago. That's extremely late…"
He yawned. "Well, who am I to judge? Doesn't concern me."
Just as he relaxed in his chair, his eyes suddenly widened."Wait… don't tell me…"
.....
Song Manor — Mistveil Town
Night had fallen. The army of stars had overwhelmed the sun, and three moons shone brightly in the sky.
Song Yan sat in the main hall, reviewing official documents.
Sigh… I don't like paperwork. It's not difficult—just endlessly annoying, she muttered as she scribbled another line.
Knock knock!Someone knocked gently at the door.
"Who is it?" she asked without looking up.
"Milady, it's me. Song Tao."
"Come in," Song Yan said.
Song Tao entered slowly, supporting her old waist."What is it?" Song Yan asked while continuing to write.
"I wanted to ask… Should I prepare your bathwater, milady?"
Song Yan paused for a moment. "Yes. I'll bathe after finishing this work."
"Yes, milady." Song Tao turned to leave.
"Wait a minute," Song Yan said suddenly.
"Yes, milady?" Song Tao turned back.
Song Yan put down her brush and looked at her. "Has Ye Kaishan returned?"
"No, milady. I haven't seen him since morning," Song Tao replied calmly.
Strange…"He should have returned by now," Song Yan murmured, but if one looked closely, there was a flicker of worry in her eyes.
"You may go. But if you see him, tell him to meet me immediately."
"Yes, milady."
With that, Song Tao left the hall, leaving Song Yan to her thoughts under the cold glow of moonlight.
"Now where should I even look for him? And what's so important about him anyway? He's just an ordinary man," Song Tao muttered with an annoyed expression.
She stepped into the bathing chamber. A large wooden tub sat in the center, already filled with water. Opening her pouch, she took out a few small red stones and tossed them into the tub.
"This part's done," Song Tao said with a satisfied smile. "Now I can rest in my chair until late at night." Muttering to herself, she turned and left the chamber.
Outside, the courtyard was dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft glow of moonlight. Still, it was bright enough for Song Tao to see where she was going. She walked toward her favorite chair, looking forward to relaxing—but suddenly, her steps froze.
"Who's that?" she muttered, narrowing her eyes.
Someone was already sitting in her chair—her chair—and casually munching on the spirit fruits she had saved especially for the night.
Veins bulged on her neck as anger surged through her. Clenching her fists, she stormed forward and jumped in front of the chair.
"Hey, "You lowlife!" Take your hands off my spirit fruits!" she shouted.
Ye Kaishan slowly raised his head, narrowing his eyes at her.
"What did you just say?" he asked coldly.
As she looked at Ye Kaishan's face, Song Tao instantly changed her previously furious expression into one of flattery.
"Ah, L-Lord… you were eating the fruits? I thought some thief had snuck in," Song Tao laughed awkwardly.
This old woman changes her tone and words so fast. She could even embarrass the top actors from my home world, Ye Kaishan frowned.
"Here, take it." Ye Kaishan casually threw the half-eaten fruit toward Song Tao and stood up from the chair.
Song Tao instinctively caught the fruit mid-air.
"These fruits are sour," Ye Kaishan muttered, spitting to the side, clearly disgusted by the taste.
Song Tao clenched the fruit behind her back, forcing herself to stay calm. You ignorant monkey… how could someone like you savor the taste of spirit fruit without soul energy? she thought bitterly. Even so, I'm surprised you're fine. Normally, a spirit fruit would harm an ordinary man if he couldn't control the energy inside it.
These fruits can provide a small amount of energy to the Space-Time Tree… but I really can't stand the sourness, Ye Kaishan thought, his expression filled with distaste.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you—Milady said that if you came, she's waiting for you in the hall," Song Tao said calmly.
"I was just about to head there," Ye Kaishan replied, glancing briefly at her before turning to leave the courtyard.
He stopped suddenly and looked back.
"Hey, bring better fruits next time," Ye Kaishan said with a flat tone, then walked off.
"Haa… why not…" Song Tao muttered, grinding her teeth as she crushed the half-eaten fruit behind her back.