"Since you're here, then come in. What's so urgent?"
Zhou Lili responded in a soft, delicate voice as she opened the courtyard gate.
Han Huijun entered with a dark expression, sweeping his gaze across the courtyard. "Where is Yao Ranran?"
"Fairy Ranran went out and has not yet returned," Zhou Lili answered.
"You don't even look nervous when you see me? Had you already noticed your sect master waiting outside?"
Han Huijun flicked his sleeve and strode into the courtyard, his gaze sharp and invasive as he scanned the surroundings.
Zhou Lili's heart skipped, but she replied evenly, "Sect master has a straightforward nature. There's nothing to fear, so of course I'm not nervous…"
"And that little girl? Did she hide away in fear?" Han Huijun's eyes swept toward Zhou Lili's quarters.
Tang Xiangyin abruptly stumbled back a step, nearly falling to the ground.
"What a terrifying man!" Her chest heaved as she hid inside Zhou Lili's room, too frightened to come out.
"She's inside…"
"Fairy Ranran is clearly not in there!"
Han Huijun released a surge of force, blasting apart the doors of all three women's quarters in an instant.
Tang Xiangyin shrank back, staring at him nervously.
"Why was he so fierce today?"
Zhou Lili spoke again, "Fairy Ranran truly isn't here. I told you, she hasn't returned…"
"Her bedding is neat, without the slightest trace of being slept in. She didn't come back at all last night?" Han Huijun's sharp eyes fixed on her.
Tang Xiangyin held her breath.
Don't expose anything!
Zhou Lili drew a deep breath and forced herself to answer, "That's right. Fairy Ranran spent the night outside."
"Did she flee, or is there truly an urgent matter? I advise you to speak honestly. The theft of Wuxiang Sect's treasury is no small affair!"
Han Huijun loomed over Zhou Lili, his voice severe and pressing.
Zhou Lili frowned. "Fairy Ranran obviously went out for important matters. How could sect master think she would run away?"
Han Huijun studied her eyes but found no trace of deceit.
"I hope you truly don't know anything. But this matter is too serious. To ensure you speak the truth, I will use a minor Soul Search technique."
Zhou Lili froze. "Sect master Han, what do you mean by this?"
"Exactly what I said." Han Huijun stretched out his hand.
Tang Xiangyin's pupils widened in shock. She could not allow Han Huijun to search her soul!"Nie Rong, hurry back and save us!"
"Xiang Yin, Physician Zhou, leaving the door open while you rest… don't you think the courtyard feels awfully cold?"
A clear, pleasant voice rang out. Yao Ranran, dressed in violet robes, stepped through the courtyard gate.
"Sect master Han? Why are you here… and why are you grabbing Physician Zhou by the throat?!"
Yao Ranran's face turned pale with shock. Had she stumbled upon a murder in progress?
"Fairy Ranran, save us!" Tang Xiangyin blinked in disbelief before realizing this wasn't an illusion.
She rushed to Yao Ranran's side, weeping bitterly.
"Fairy… you're finally back!"
Her choked voice only made Yao Ranran more certain: Han Huijun must be trying to kill them and steal their treasures!
"You—you already know?"
Han Huijun faltered for a moment. Know what?
The informant said Yao Ranran had fled, so why was she back now?
"Of course. This sect master knows everything!"
It didn't matter what she meant—better to agree!
So he really does know!
Yao Ranran's heart pounded with dread.
Tang Xiangyin's true identity as a Che Lingzhi must have been exposed! If only she had returned sooner…
But what now?
She couldn't abandon Tang Xiangyin. Even as a Che Lingzhi, she had a spirit. She was still a person, not an object.
"Put down Physician Zhou first. Whatever needs to be said, we can talk properly!"
Right now, protecting Zhou Lili's life was the top priority.
Han Huijun released Zhou Lili.
"Yao Ranran, how do you intend to talk with this sect master?"
Yao Ranran did not answer immediately. She waited until Zhou Lili had retreated to her side and the three of them stood in a protective triangle before speaking.
"Wuxiang Sect is such a great sect. Killing is absolutely not the solution. Sect master Han, if you want to resolve this matter, we can negotiate as equals. As long as the price is right, both of us can be satisfied."
Han Huijun gave her a puzzled look. Was she talking about the ten portions of ten-thousand-year spirit materials?
So those two little ones must have told her about burning them, and now she wanted to bargain for replacements.
"Very well. Tell me, what price do you want this sect master to pay for your satisfaction?"
Yao Ranran exhaled in relief. As long as he was willing to negotiate, there was room to maneuver. Her plan was simple: sell Tang Xiangyin first, then steal her back at night, and flee toward the Eastern Wilderness.
"This much." She raised one finger with practiced ease.
Han Huijun thought for a moment. She must mean a hundred thousand spirit stones. At least she had some sense of proportion.
"Agreed. This sect master accepts."
Yao Ranran froze.
He agreed? Just like that? To one hundred million spirit stones?!
Even though a single slice of Che Lingzhi flesh cost ten million stones on the market, she had lowered her demand to avoid provoking him into killing.
"Good. Since sect master agrees, let us draft a written agreement."
"No need." Han Huijun lifted his hand to stop her.
"This sect master's word is iron. The spirit stones you want, I'll have disciples deliver to you at dawn. At that time, I hope Fairy Ranran will not go back on her word and refuse to leave."
His gaze lingered on her, heavy with meaning.
Yao Ranran noticed how he now addressed her more respectfully. She couldn't help sighing inwardly—Wuxiang Sect was truly wealthy. To throw out a hundred million spirit stones without hesitation!
Since he was showing such sincerity, she had to respond in kind.
"Rest assured, sect master. The moment I receive the spirit stones tomorrow, I will leave Wuxiang Sect immediately. In this life, I will never step foot here again."
"You had better remember the words you spoke today."
The voice was cool and low, echoing behind her.
The three of them stiffened, goosebumps rising across their skin.
"E-Elder Shen!" Tang Xiangyin stammered.
The instant he appeared, it felt as if a sheet of ice sealed over the courtyard. Even Han Huijun shivered.
"You… why are you here? I thought you were in Yiyu Hall!"
If he'd known Shen Yuefu would appear here, he would have sent Yue Qingsu to handle this!
But… had he lost his temper earlier?
Otherwise why did it suddenly feel so cold?
Han Huijun looked at him in astonishment, then shifted his gaze toward Yao Ranran.
"I went out today," Shen Yuefu replied coldly, offering no further explanation.
Yao Ranran frowned slightly. Was he warning her just now?
Then she would answer politely.
"Very well. I will remember every word I have spoken today."
She smiled at Shen Yuefu as she said it.
Shen Yuefu's hand moved slightly within his sleeve. His pale lips pressed into a line, while the icy-blue mist in his eyes thickened.
Good. For a mere pile of spirit stones, she would leave Wuxiang Sect. Once she was gone, he would finally have peace.