Translator: CinderTL
Xu Sanyan sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating like an old monk in deep contemplation, silently tending to his injuries. He remained completely oblivious to everything happening next door.
He knew Chang Yinu was trying to seduce him, which only made him more wary.
He trusted his instincts; any woman who offered herself so readily must have ulterior motives.
The women he had encountered before—whether Madam Wu, Xiang Tan, Qin Manyang, or even Mo Xianxian later—had all submitted to him under duress, either coerced by his power or seeking to gain his favor.
But Chang Yinu's offer was different. She sought neither his wealth nor his status, which meant her motives must lie elsewhere.
What those motives were remained unclear, but Xu Sanyan was certain the Chang Family was hiding something.
Outside the courtyard, Old Master Chang stood in the shadows, observing the scene. Every moan and seductive whisper from Chang Yinu reached his ears.
He had long grown accustomed to such displays, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Fan's room.
By the time the Soul-Summoning Incense had completely burned out, Lin Fan still hadn't emerged. Old Master Chang frowned silently.
Had it failed?
That shouldn't be possible. Chang Yinu had followed every step perfectly. By all logic, it should have worked.
Old Master Chang closed his eyes in contemplation. After a long moment, he slowly opened them, as if he had finally pieced something together. Without a word, he turned and left, heading toward the residence of his second son, Chang Fangmu.
The sky had brightened considerably.
Xu Sanyan pushed open the door and saw Chang Yinu hanging clothes on the eaves to dry. The white dress she had worn the previous night was there, alongside a pure white undergarment.
Chang Yinu turned and smiled, her expression completely natural, as if the events of the previous night had never occurred.
"Did Brother Lin sleep well last night?" she asked, smoothing the wrinkles from the dress and gently tugging at the undergarment on the bamboo pole.
"I slept very well," Xu Sanyan replied with a smile, nodding slightly. His gaze swept casually over the two garments before settling on her bare calves and jade-like feet.
She wore nothing on her lower body, only a short skirt that barely covered the tops of her thighs, leaving her fair, slender legs completely exposed.
"That's good. If you need anything, you can come find me..." Chang Yinu said with a radiant smile, then added, "Any time at all..."
This was no longer a subtle hint; it was a blatant invitation.
"Alright, thank you, Yin'er," Xu Sanyan replied with a nod.
"Brother Lin, if you're free today, why don't you join me for a stroll? There are so many beautiful sights in these mountains—it would be a shame to miss them."
Chang Yinu wasn't ready to give up just yet. She wanted to try one more time, just in case she could "straighten him out."
"Alright, I'll trouble you then, Yin'er," Xu Sanyan agreed, seeing no harm in it. It was also a good opportunity to gather information about the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.
"Wait here a moment, Brother Lin. I'll go change." As Chang Yinu turned, she casually lifted her short skirt.
Xu Sanyan's eyebrows shot up. Beneath the skirt, there was nothing at all.
Yes, she was truly wearing only that one short skirt...
In that fleeting moment, her snow-white skin seemed to glow under the morning sun, almost blindingly bright.
Xu Sanyan stubbornly endured the glare, feasting his eyes on the sight.
Just looking shouldn't hurt, right?
A moment later, Chang Yinu returned in a deep purple short skirt edged with delicate lace. The skirt barely covered her thighs, and with each step, glimpses of her snow-white skin flashed through the lace, making her even more alluring.
Xu Sanyan stared intently, unconsciously licking his lips.
Chang Yinu seemed a little embarrassed by his gaze. She clasped her hands behind her back, her posture slightly stiff, and playfully rose onto her tiptoes. "Brother Lin, let's go."
"Y-yes, let's go."
Xu Sanyan scratched his head awkwardly, his eyes darting around, avoiding her gaze like a young man experiencing his first crush.
Realizing his reaction was too exaggerated, he quickly composed himself, nodding and praising, "Yin'er, you truly are beautiful. A sight one could never forget."
He had previously claimed to be over forty, which, logically, should have made him appear more composed and less prone to blushing around young women. Recognizing this, he immediately corrected his behavior.
"Hehe, I'm glad Brother Lin likes it. I specially..." Chang Yinu trailed off, seemingly embarrassed, and skipped ahead.
"Specially what?" Xu Sanyan asked, playing along.
Chang Yinu turned back with a shy smile, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Specially wore it for Brother Lin..."
Her cheeks flushed crimson, making her look like an innocent young girl.
Xu Sanyan inwardly scoffed. If he hadn't witnessed her true nature the night before, he might have actually believed her act.
The pair walked single file through the village's narrow paths, lined with unfamiliar trees. Chang Yinu chattered beside him, explaining everything.
"That's the village's martial arts training ground," she pointed to a distant clearing. "The clan's children practice their martial arts there daily."
She then pointed to the nearby houses. "Those are where the Chang Family members live. They don't have any talent for cultivation, so they usually grow Spirit Herbs, which the village buys at market price."
Xu Sanyan nodded silently. From what he could see, Chang Family Village seemed no different from any other village, with clear divisions of labor and everyone having a role to play.
As they talked, Chang Family members occasionally passed by, bowing respectfully to the pair. Chang Yinu returned each greeting with equal courtesy.
Xu Sanyan glanced at Chang Yinu beside him and asked, "I've just arrived in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains and don't know much about this place. Yin'er, could you tell me more?"
"Of course!"
Chang Yinu naturally moved closer to Xu Sanyan, her fragrance filling his nostrils. Xu Sanyan unconsciously inhaled deeply, recognizing the scent as strikingly similar to the one from the previous night.
Unaware of his subtle reaction, Chang Yinu began, "The Chaotic Cloud Mountains weren't always like this. Originally, there weren't many people here, and there were no sects or families."
"This place is teeming with demon beasts and abundant in heavenly materials and earthly treasures, drawing countless cultivators into the mountains in search of fortune. As their numbers grew, powerful cultivators began establishing cities here," Chang Yinu explained.
"There are cities here?" Xu Sanyan asked, surprised.
"Yes, but they're quite far away. The Chaotic Cloud Mountains have two major cities, each controlled by the Wang Family and the Liu Family, and they're home to many cultivators," Chang Yinu clarified.
Xu Sanyan nodded silently. He recalled the short, gaunt youth mentioning the "three sects and two families" of the Chaotic Cloud Mountains, with the two families being the Wang and Liu Families. He hadn't realized they were capable of building cities here, a testament to their formidable power.
Chang Yinu looked up at Xu Sanyan. "Our Chang Family arrived around that time. We settled here, branched out, and eventually formed Chang Family Village."
"I see..." Xu Sanyan murmured.
(End of the Chapter)
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