Di Kangnian was visibly delighted, a pleased grin stretching across his face. He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise from a backwater place like Jinshan County. He licked his lips, eyes narrowing lecherously as he asked,
"You were sent by Magistrate Zhou?"
Yu Qingcheng covered her mouth with a gentle laugh, her phoenix eyes sweeping across Di Kangnian with a glance that carried just a hint of disdain.
"My lord, of course we were sent by the magistrate to serve you. You wouldn't want to disappoint such thoughtful hospitality, would you?"
That made Di Kangnian even happier. He waved his hand excitedly.
"Hahaha! Good! All of you, come in. Show me what you can do. If you please me well, I'll bring you with me to the capital."
"Yes, my lord."
The four replied perfunctorily and followed behind Di Kangnian into the room.
Liu Haotian was the last to enter. He turned and closed the door behind him, cutting off all outside view.
Only after the door shut did the blank-eyed servants outside finally come back to their senses. They leaned in closer, murmuring to each other.
"My lord really struck gold this time. Four stunning beauties in one night."
"Of course. Wherever Lord Di goes, he's always surrounded by beauties. It's only a pity for the madam, who now has to deal with yet another group of new concubines."
"What can you do? Magistrate Zhou's gift clearly hit the mark."
"Tch. Honestly though, even all the women in Lord Di's rear courtyard combined can't compare to these four. Where on earth did the magistrate find them?"
"Why overthink it? So long as it keeps his official post safe, people like them always have ways."
"Come on, let's go. With four beauties keeping him company, our lord's not coming out of that room tonight. We should enjoy ourselves too."
"Exactly. We're not on personal duty tonight anyway. Time for a drink."
With that, the off-duty servants filed out of the courtyard in groups, chatting and laughing.
Only the guards standing outside the door were left to suffer. The laughter and teasing drifting out from inside made their hearts itch, but none dared to sneak a glance. They knew all too well what their master was like. If he caught them lusting after his beauties, they'd be lucky to escape with their lives.
But inside the room, the reality was far from what the outside world imagined.
Yun Xi and the others sat calmly in the seats of honor, while Di Kangnian stood in front of them, dazed and motionless.
Dian Dian circled Di Kangnian, nose twitching as if sniffing for something.
Liu Haotian observed Di Kangnian's face thoughtfully.
Yu Qingcheng wrinkled her nose with visible distaste.
"Just look at him. A showy pillow stuffed with straw. Weak and empty. That face screams indulgence. Makes me sick."
Xia You wasn't impressed either. She frowned and asked curiously,
"Has the mortal realm run out of people? Even someone like this can be made a censor? I feel bad for whoever's in charge."
Yun Xi no longer wore her usual nonchalant smile. She called Dian Dian back with a wave and turned to the others.
"Dian Dian says this Di Kangnian had contact with an evil cultivator a long time ago. But it's been too long, so it can't track anything down."
Yu Qingcheng and Xia You both grew serious, frowning.
"So there really are evil cultivators scheming in the mortal realm. They must think no high-level cultivators would linger here long, so they're acting without fear."
Liu Haotian was quietly calculating something with his fingers. The others fell silent and turned their eyes to him.
After a while, Liu Haotian stopped and looked up.
"There's something wrong with Di Kangnian's fate. It shows signs of artificial interference. He was never destined for wealth or rank, yet somehow he climbed to this position. Something's not right."
Yun Xi responded immediately.
"Dian Dian said he contacted an evil cultivator before. Could it be that the cultivator offered him a deal to change his fate, in exchange for something they needed?"
Xia You suggested bluntly,
"Let's just ask him."
"If only we could search his soul."
"He's just a mortal. A soul search would kill him. If he dies in Jinshan County, it'll bring trouble to Magistrate Zhou."
Yun Xi chuckled and began rummaging through her storage pouch. She recalled having drawn some Mind-Bewitching Talismans in the past—enough to confuse low-level cultivators and make them obey her commands. She had never used them, having drawn a few to practice. But now seemed the perfect time.
After searching for a while, Yun Xi pulled out a first-rank talisman.
Yu Qingcheng, sharp-eyed as ever, recognized it immediately.
"Yun Xi, that's a Mind-Bewitching Talisman. I can't believe you have one."
"I drew it for practice. It's been sitting in my pouch gathering dust ever since. Didn't expect it would come in handy today."
After explaining, Yun Xi pressed the talisman to Di Kangnian's chest. A moment later, his eyes regained clarity, but he looked at the four of them with respectful reverence.
Liu Haotian went straight to the point.
"What happened to your Di family ten years ago?"
Di Kangnian thought for a moment, then replied,
"We relocated our ancestral tombs."
"Why?"
"My father received guidance from a great master. He said he had found a blessed site. If our ancestors were buried there, it would bring luck to our descendants. Every child would rise in rank and prosperity."
"And after you relocated the tomb?"
"Our Di family slowly started to prosper. Especially over the past decade, many in the clan have earned official posts."
He puffed up his chest.
"Our main branch, in particular, has flourished. Even I became a censor."
"And that so-called great master, did you ever see him again?"
"No."
"He gave your family such a good burial site. Did he ask for anything in return?"
"He didn't ask for compensation. Just made us promise to do him a favor someday. We weren't told when or what."
Yun Xi shook her head repeatedly. That was basically an open contract waiting to be exploited. They weren't even cautious about being used and discarded.
"Why did you come to Jinshan County this time?"
"To honor my ancestors and collect some wealth along the way."
Di Kangnian answered without hesitation.
"So your family tomb was moved here?"
"Yes, it's near Jinshan County."
Yun Xi was puzzled.
"If you're here to honor your ancestors, why sneak around?"
"Some people know how the Di family rose. They're eyeing the blessed land where our tomb lies. So the clan usually conducts ceremonies at our ancestral hall instead. Actual grave visits are rare. This time, my father asked me to come personally."
Liu Haotian had heard enough. He nodded.
"Tomorrow we'll visit the Di family ancestral tomb. There's definitely something wrong there."
"Agreed."
Yu Qingcheng flicked her sleeve, and Di Kangnian collapsed to the floor, fast asleep. The four of them took over the room and sat cross-legged to cultivate. They had no need for food or rest.
Meanwhile, the guards outside were convinced Di Kangnian had spent the night indulging in pleasure, completely exhausted and unwilling to even open the door.
When news reached Magistrate Zhou, he sighed in relief. His position was secure.
But beside him, Madam Yu frowned anxiously.
"Those four immortals are like beings from the heavens. If Di Kangnian actually took advantage of them, wouldn't that be disgusting?"
Magistrate Zhou waved her concern away.
"You worry too much. That idiot Di Kangnian probably didn't even get close enough to touch their sleeves."
"Then let's hope he leaves Jinshan County soon. That pest is bad luck."
"Relax. I've already spread the word in secret. Any family with good-looking children won't be letting them out these next few days."