Summer gave way to autumn, and relentless autumn rains blanketed the land of Xilan Province. Endless expanses of withered branches and fallen leaves, combined with the bleak, desolate sky, painted a picture of desolation and desolation.
The long stretches of withered trees and tall grass swayed in the chilling autumn breeze. Summer insects, no longer able to adapt to the changing seasons, trembled and climbed the dry branches.
It had been nearly two months since the Biyou Sect issued its demon-slaying order, and information regarding Ming Qi and Meng Ling had spread throughout Xilan Province. Following the battle in Bikong City, the Biyou Sect wisely reported the demon-slaying operation to its direct subordinate, the Jinchuan Baifu. They also announced that the Biyou Sect had suffered heavy losses in the demon-slaying war and was temporarily closing its gates to outsiders, allowing them to recuperate and accumulate strength.
The Biyou Sect's mountain gates were completely closed, and all disciples traveling abroad were recalled, refusing visitors. Ostensibly, this was a period of recuperation, but all Biyou Sect leaders knew that the sect's fundamental vitality remained intact in the battle, a complete deception.
While ostensibly closed to visitors, they were secretly actively plotting against the Wonderful Sword Arsenal.
Of course, few knew of the Biyou Sect's covert actions.
However, Ming Qi currently had no time to covet the Wonderful Sword Arsenal, the Biyou Sect's secret plans. Confined to the Ninth Level of the Acquired Realm, he was constantly constrained and perilous.
Since that day, he had escaped from Bikong City, and had been on a relentless march for days before finally escaping the Bikong Mountains. However, even after leaving the Bikong Mountains, the entire area within a thousand miles remained under the control of the Jinchuan Bai Mansion, which had already issued a bounty, the sheer amount of which even shocked Ming Qi.
Top-grade spiritual artifacts, Yuanjing (Elemental Crystals), elixirs, secret techniques, and more—as long as they could successfully slay the demon, anything was possible!
The Jinchuan Bai Mansion possessed immense wealth and power, far surpassing even third-rate sects like the Biyou Sect. Now that the Jinchuan Bai Mansion had declared its stance on this matter, Ming Qi had no escape route. If he were trapped, he would surely face certain death.
So, after careful consideration, Ming Qi resolutely decided to find a quiet place to hide until he reached the Xiantian realm.
Once he reached the Xiantian realm, he would be able to truly comprehend the Suzaku Burning Heaven Scripture, a realm of hidden power. He had witnessed the horror of the Suzaku Burning Heaven Scripture before, fully controlling the Crimson Refining Heavenly Fire. The mere thought of such combat power filled Ming Qi's blood with excitement.
After nearly a month of traveling back and forth, Ming Qi finally escaped the near-constant hunting and found a secluded and quiet place.
Tianshui Village
This was a remote village on the western border of Xilan Province. After several days of observation, Ming Qi discovered that the villagers were all ordinary folk. Not a single one of them practiced cultivation; they were pure, ordinary people.
Furthermore, within a thousand miles of Tianshui Village, there were no immortal cultivation sects or other forces, making it a tiny, abandoned place by all major powers.
Tianshui Village was small, with a population of no more than a thousand people. The villagers lived a simple life, a half-hunting, half-farming existence, much like Ming Qi's hometown of Yanzhuang. To exchange daily necessities, they had to travel at least four hundred miles to the nearest city.
Following frequent exploitation by unscrupulous merchants, the villagers of Tianshui Village only ventured into the city to exchange for necessities, such as clothing and other items, when absolutely necessary. They crafted everything themselves, leading a nearly isolated existence.
After their observations, Ming Qi and Meng Ling entered Tianshui Village as lost people.
However, considering that Meng Ling's blood-red color might frighten the villagers, she wasn't allowed to appear in human form, retaining her guqin form.
But despite this, when Ming Qi arrived at the entrance of Tianshui Village, he was met with many hostile and wary looks.
"I'm lost and would like to stay in the village for a few days."
"We don't want to."
A middle-aged man with a weathered face replied coldly.
"I won't stay here for free. I'll pay."
Ming Qi hurriedly explained that he wouldn't do something like taking advantage of someone by staying here for free, especially something so small.
"Pay? You're all liars!"
The middle-aged man stood at the entrance, wary, and said coldly.
Liars?
Ming Qi finally understood. How could he be called a liar right from the start? Did he have the face of a liar?
"No, that..."
For a moment, Ming Qi didn't know how to explain himself.
Seeing Ming Qi's hesitation, the villagers of Tianshui Village became even more convinced that he was a fraud and began to drive him away.
Well, Ming Qi was completely speechless.
Let's go. We finally found a secluded and quiet place, but finding another one is even harder. If we don't leave, it will be difficult to communicate with them.
Ming Qi, who had seen all sorts of storms and never blinked an eye at killing people, was actually feeling a little worried.
"Master Fang, what's going on? What does this guy do?"
Just then, a crisp voice rang out.
Ming Qi looked up and saw that the middle-aged man who had previously called him a fraud was accompanied by a young woman in a short animal-skin skirt.
The girl looked about fifteen or sixteen, her eyes sparkling with youth. However, due to living in this remote area, her skin didn't look as translucent and alluring as those of the ladies from wealthy families.
But precisely because she lived in this remote area, she lacked the delicate demeanor of a lady from a wealthy family. Her youthful and energetic figure, adorned with simple animal skins, revealed a certain wildness, a quality that would instantly brighten the eyes of those accustomed to the delicate and delicate beauty of a willow.
The girl wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, but she possessed a unique charm. With the right attire, Ming Qi was certain she would be worthy of the title of "beauty."
"Miss Qin, this man tried to sneak into the village, but we stopped him."
The prefect was extremely respectful to Miss Qin; it seemed she held some status within the village.
"Oh?"
Miss Qin's face flickered with confusion. She glanced at Ming Qi briefly before approaching.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm lost and would like to stay in the village for a few days."
Ming Qi repeated his previous words. While they weren't true, they weren't a lie either. He was certainly unfamiliar with the area, and his claim of being lost wasn't a lie.
Miss Qin looked Ming Qi over again, then suddenly smiled and said, "Since you're lost, then follow me."
"Absolutely not!"
As soon as Miss Qin had said this, several villagers rushed forward to stop her.
Miss Qin waved her hand, silencing them.
Then she turned and entered the village.
Recognizing the girl's status within the village, Ming Qi no longer cared about the villagers' wary and hostile looks and followed Miss Qin into the village.
Tianshui Village was not large. Entering the village, one was surrounded by a patchwork of simple houses, mostly made of wood and stone. The occasional sound of roosters crowing and dogs barking could be heard.
"My name is Qin Luo."
Qin Luo didn't turn around, simply stating his name naturally.
Ming Qi also stated his name.
After walking a short distance with Qin Luo, they arrived in front of a relatively grand stone courtyard.
The small courtyard consisted of four or five houses, surrounded by a fence. A black dog squatted at the door.
At the sight of a stranger, the black dog immediately barked furiously, baring its teeth and attempting to charge at Ming Qi.
"Little Black, be quiet."
Qin Luo scolded him, then led Ming Qi into the most spacious room in the center of the courtyard.
Entering the room, Ming Qi surveyed it. Though simple, it was perfectly tidy, complete with a table and chairs. On the table sat a small ceramic teapot and two cups.
"Please take a seat," Qin Luo said, picking up the teapot from the table and pouring a cup of tea.
"Thank you."
Seeing Qin Luo respectfully place the cup before him, Ming Qi felt a little uneasy. The stark contrast made him feel quite uncomfortable.
The tea was warm, and though light in flavor, it still had a subtle, rich aroma.
Hmm?
After downing half a cup of tea, Ming Qi's expression changed slightly. His right hand, which had been about to set the cup down, paused mid-air.
The tea was poisonous; Ming Qi sensed it immediately.
With a thought, a surge of spiritual energy surged through his bloodstream, neutralizing the poison in the tea. Having reached the peak of the ninth level of the Acquired Realm, ordinary poisons had no effect.
Slowly putting down the teacup, Ming Qi, though furious, maintained a warm smile.
The poison wasn't fatal; it seemed to have a soporific effect. Despite using spiritual energy to dispel it, Ming Qi still felt a little dizzy. It wasn't serious, but it was still a little uncomfortable.
"Excellent tea!"
Ming Qi praised quietly.
Qin Luo's face was clearly filled with surprise. Although she tried to hide it, Ming Qi couldn't help but notice.
She had deliberately poisoned him, Ming Qi immediately concluded.
However, seeing Qin Luo's surprise and a bit of a loss of composure, Ming Qi had an idea and immediately pretended to be drunk. His right hand, which had placed the teacup, involuntarily paused on the table, and then, intentionally or not, knocked the cup aside.
"This tea... why does it taste a bit like wine?"
Ming Qi was also deliberately trying to see what Qin Luo was up to. After a dazed performance, he noticed a flicker of joy on Qin Luo's face, so he simply closed his eyes, tilted his head, and pretended to be completely unconscious. For Ming Qi, who was already feeling a little dizzy, this move was truly perfect.
As Ming Qi closed his eyes, he heard Qin Luo stand up.
Footsteps sounded, and Qin Luo was already beside Ming Qi.
"This orchid is really useful."
Qin Luo's voice rang out, and Ming Qi felt a gentle push on his shoulder, followed by a faint sigh. "I'm sorry, Qin Luo, I have no choice. Please don't blame me."
Hmm?
Ming Qi was puzzled. Judging from her tone, she didn't sound like someone who was going to kill for money.