When the Hong Guang Tower's master stormed into the modest Baibao Pavilion with a group of cultivators in tow, countless onlookers came swarming after them.
"Who are you, daring to block the business of my Hong Guang Tower?" Qin Lǚsha narrowed her eyes. Every movement carried an alluring, dangerous charm that seemed woven into her very bones.
Yao Ranran turned toward the voice.
"It's you!?"
Her face paled in shock. She never expected to meet disciples of Wuxiang Sect here—and not just anyone, but the very two who had dragged her to Gu Ling Mountain with their own hands: Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng.
Wu Changde straightened under her gaze, a surge of heroic passion rising in his chest. "That's right, Junior Sister Yao. I've come to save you!"
Hu Zhongcheng rolled his eyes so hard it nearly hurt. "Save her, my ass. Our mission is to haul her back to Wuxiang Sect for punishment. Who knows how Elder Shen plans to deal with her?"
Qin Lǚsha glanced at their sect robes, her eyes tilting upward as her demonic allure began to spread. "Oh? People of the Central Continent?"
At once, Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng lost themselves in her gaze, nodding foolishly. "Yes, we are disciples of Wuxiang Sect in Central Continent."
"Then why are you here? Why try to save her?" Qin Lǚsha pressed on.
The two blurted it all out in one breath. "The Sect Master ordered us to bring back the criminal Yao Ranran. If anything goes wrong on the way, we'll be expelled from the sect!"
"So that's it."
They weren't saving her at all. They only wanted to keep their identities as Wuxiang Sect disciples intact… by dragging her back.
Yao Ranran felt utterly numb.
"I haven't done anything. I didn't even follow the plot and ask Father to take me back. So why are Wuxiang Sect's people still here?"
Qin Lǚsha frowned. "So she is a criminal who fled from Wuxiang Sect? Then why should I have any scruples?"
In a blur of movement, Qin Lǚsha swept forward. Her hands clawed across Yao Ranran, peeling away layer after layer of defensive shields.
A hiss of surprise escaped her lips as she recoiled half a step. She lifted her crimson tongue to lick her pale hand. "What strange clothing is this?"
The garment had sprouted sudden spikes, catching her off guard. The wound was trivial, already closing, but the moment of delay cost her a follow-up strike.
Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng quickly leapt in front of Yao Ranran.
"Tower Master Qin, she is not a criminal who fled from Central Continent. You cannot harm her!"
"If she's not, then why is she lying here, idly napping?" Qin Lǚsha's slender eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng froze. "That's true… Fairy Ranran, why are you here?"
Yao Ranran put on her most obedient look. "If I told you I don't know either, would you believe me?"
The two exchanged a glance. "…Probably not."
"Then… then he dragged me here!" Her jade-like finger swept across the room, finally landing on the panicked shopkeeper Sun.
"Yes, it was him! He kidnapped me from Gu Ling Mountain!" Yao Ranran spoke with absolute conviction.
Every gaze fell on Shopkeeper Sun. His soul nearly fled his body in terror.
Wu Changde demanded, "Was it you who took Fairy Ranran from Gu Ling Mountain?"
Shopkeeper Sun's legs shook like leaves. Catching Yao Ranran's discreet, encouraging hand gesture, he clenched his teeth and stomped his foot. "Yes! Yes, it was me who took her! What… what do you plan to do about it?"
Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng exchanged a glance, then promptly raised their fists and beat him black and blue.
Yao Ranran thought silently: "Apologies, Daoyou. Better you than me."
Qin Lǚsha's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough. I care nothing for Wuxiang Sect's business. This person must stay today!"
A hazy gray veil of mist descended. Before Yao Ranran could react, it wrapped her tightly, binding her as straight as a wooden post.
"Hand over the item, or die! Take her away!" Qin Lǚsha ordered coldly.
Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng darted forward to block the path. "Tower Master Qin, do you intend to set yourself against Wuxiang Sect?"
"She stole from me. Once I retrieve what is mine, I'll personally send her back to your sect." Qin Lǚsha's tone left no room for negotiation.
But the two men were no match for her. Just as Yao Ranran was about to be dragged off, a Locking Rainbow Tower disciple rushed in.
"Tower Master! In the back room of the Baibao Pavilion we found a rat hole. Outside, there are tracks showing that the item escaped that way. They've already gone in pursuit!"
Qin Lǚsha halted.
Wu Changde shouted, "Tower Master Qin, we will report this to our Sect Master. You think you can bully us because of our weaker cultivation? If our Sect Master learns you snatched someone before our eyes, she will never let you off!"
Qin Lǚsha released Yao Ranran, recalling the gray veil. Her breath was soft as orchids, her smile intoxicating. "What are you two Daoyou saying? How could I steal anyone? All a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."
The two disciples nodded blankly, already bewitched. "Yes, yes, a misunderstanding!"
Freed, Yao Ranran stretched her stiff limbs. Watching their utterly useless state, she could only shake her head.
Before leaving, Qin Lǚsha cast her a meaningful glance. It was the first time she had ever met a low-ranked female cultivator unaffected by her demonic allure.
"We're leaving!"
Hong GuangTower's people vanished as quickly as they had come.
Moments later, Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng shook off the lingering haze. Remembering how they had been toyed with, both flushed crimson.
Yao Ranran spoke as if nothing had happened. "Senior Brother Wu, Senior Brother Hu, what are you doing here?"
Weren't they supposed to be taking her back east? How had they ended up in Shiyan City?
The two coughed awkwardly. "On the way, we heard a grand auction was about to be held here. It was on the way, so we stopped by."
Yao Ranran blinked innocently. "Oh? I see!"
"Do you take me for a fool? From Wuxiang Sect to Gu Ling Mountain, there's no need to pass through Shiyan City at all."
"Ha… haha, yes, exactly. Who would've thought Fairy Ranran would be kidnapped by a villain here? Thankfully, we rushed over at once. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened to you?"
As he spoke, Wu Changde gave Shopkeeper Sun a furious kick.
"Stop! Stop… I was wrong!" Shopkeeper Sun groaned in agony, his face swollen like a pig's head, but he swallowed the accusation without protest.
Yao Ranran's eyelid twitched. "Shopkeeper Sun, I'll never forget your great kindness to me."
Hu Zhongcheng glanced at the sky. "Junior Brother Wu, it's getting late. We should be on our way."
Wu Changde looked at Sun. "What about him?"
Before Hu Zhongcheng could speak, Yao Ranran cut in quickly. "Just leave him here. I believe he truly knows he was wrong."
"Spare me… I'll never dare again…" Sun trembled, his battered face pitiful.
Yao Ranran turned her eyes away, unable to bear the sight.
Hu Zhongcheng nodded. "Fairy Ranran is merciful. Let's grant him his life."
"Very well. As the Fairy says!"
Wu Changde and Hu Zhongcheng led Yao Ranran away.
A quarter-hour later, Shopkeeper Sun struggled to his feet with the help of his assistant.
"Hurry, call the young miss back! Fairy Ranran is in trouble!"