Jian Jing turned to Jian Dan and said, "Thanks for the reminder, Junior Sister. I'll study it carefully when we're back. If I discover anything, I'll come to you at once."
"Good."
Jian Dan smiled and agreed. The three continued strolling through the open market, treating Kong Xingkun as if he were air.
"Young Master, those three female cultivators really don't know what's good for them, daring to treat you like that." The maid in green prodded spitefully. In her eyes, if the Young Master truly took those three in, she would lose her place.
Although Kong Xingkun had been ignored, it made him alert. For three Jīndān Zhēnrén to ignore a Divine Soul Zūnzhě like him, they were either ignorant or fearless. He preferred to believe it was the latter.
"Lan Yi, go press them for results. Have their identities been traced?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"If you must, check at the city gate for their entry records."
Lan Yi accepted the order and headed toward the gate at once.
"Young Master, are we still going to follow them?"
Lu Qiao was reluctant but asked in a low voice.
"We're shopping in the South Market. Who said anything about following them?"
Kong Xingkun shot Green Qiao a glare and continued to wander the stalls.
Jian Jing had found a forging material and her spirits remained high. Only after they had combed the entire market did she go with Jian Dan and Jian Po to the Xianlai Inn.
The Xianlai Inn had become a fixture in every city. The business had a solid reputation and guaranteed safety. Any cultivator with some spirit stones usually chose to stay there.
By the time the three sauntered into the Xianlai Inn, the sun had set behind the hills. Night pearls lit the main hall as bright as day. Their entrance drew the attention of the shopkeeper, a Golden Core male cultivator, who came forward at once.
"Three Daoyou, will you be lodging, or would you like some spiritual dishes?"
Jian Po answered, "My sisters have arranged to meet friends and plan to stay a few days. Prepare a courtyard first."
"The courtyard must be quiet and rich in spiritual energy," Jian Po added.
"Certainly. I'll assign Feixian Pavilion to you at once. Would you also like to try our house specialties?"
Hearing the recommendation, Jian Po did not decide on her own. She looked to Jian Dan and Jian Jing.
Jian Dan understood and consulted with Jian Jing, "Senior Sister, I'll send a message to Liuli and have her meet us here. How about we order some tea and snacks in the meantime?"
"Fine. You decide."
Jian Jing waved it off. Jian Dan nodded to Jian Po.
"In that case, find a quiet private room and bring us your signature spiritual dishes."
"As you wish. This way, Daoyou."
Shopkeeper Wan personally led them to a second-floor private room.
Shopkeeper Wan was an old hand at the Xianlai Inn and had seen countless people. From the moment the three stepped into the hall, he knew they were anything but ordinary.
Though they displayed only Golden Core cultivation, their bearing marked them as scions of a great sect or clan. Even their robes were not something ordinary Golden Core cultivators could afford. They asked for the best courtyard at once, clearly untroubled by spirit stones.
All told, Shopkeeper Wan decided to handle them personally. These were prime patrons, and he dared not make a single mistake.
In short order, a table of specialty dishes was set before them. After receiving a storage pouch full of spirit stones, Shopkeeper Wan returned to the front hall in high spirits.
Meanwhile, after parting from the three, Jin Liuli went straight to her family estate on the north side of Tianquan City. She passed through the gates unimpeded, only to be stopped by guards outside her aunt's courtyard.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Jin Liuli's face darkened. She was increasingly certain her aunt was under house arrest.
"Miss Liuli, Jin Ai Jūnshàng is in seclusion. The Patriarch ordered that she is not to be disturbed. The courtyard's restrictions are not for the likes of us to open. Please do not make things difficult for us."
"Hmph. I don't believe it."
Jin Liuli had no patience for the guards. She flicked a ray of spiritual power at the restriction. Since her aunt had set it herself, she would knock to be let in.
The array reacted. Moments later, Jin Ai Jūnshàng's voice sounded from within, "Who is it? Did I not say I am not to be disturbed?"
"Aunt, it's Liuli."
Hearing her aunt's voice, Jin Liuli at least knew she was unharmed for the moment and answered at once.
After a brief silence, the restriction opened. Jin Liuli slipped into the courtyard.
Jin Ai Jūnshàng sat in the octagonal pavilion and beckoned to her. "Aren't you on duty at the Heavenly Sword Sect's Law Enforcement Hall? How do you have time to return?"
Jin Ai Jūnshàng's features resembled Jin Liuli's by five parts. She wore a dark blue robe, her hair in a flying-cloud bun with a single blood-jade hairpin. Her skin was pale, lips vermilion, and her voice a touch husky.
"Aunt, I'm back because the sect has a matter and needs your help," Jin Liuli said directly. Without waiting for questions, she pressed on,
Aunt, the Jin Clan is marrying into the Yao Clan. Why was I not informed? You are my aunt. I must return to attend the Dao-coupling ceremony."
She fixed her gaze on Jin Ai Jūnshàng, enunciating each word, "If others keep it from me, fine. Why did you hide it as well?"
Pressed, Jin Ai Jūnshàng's eyes went distant for a heartbeat. She pushed a teacup toward Jin Liuli."Drink some spirit tea first and soothe your throat. You're asking so much at once. How am I to answer you?"
Jin Liuli lowered her eyes to the cup nudged over by that jade-white hand. She glanced at her aunt's pink-tinted fingertips and sighed inwardly. Others might not know, but she did. The discoloration was from accumulated poison, making it look as if her nails had been painted.
"Then I'll listen to you, Aunt. One thing at a time."
Jin Liuli sat steady. She was determined to get clear answers. She had even invoked Zūnshàng already. She could not afford a mistake.
Seeing Jin Liuli's firm stance, Jin Ai Jūnshàng did not grow angry. Warmth flickered through her heart. She sighed softly and spoke, "This Dao-coupling with the Yao family's younger son was asked of me by the Patriarch, in exchange for the Yao Clan's future supply of spirit plants."
"Aunt, are you willing?"
"Yes. The clan has supported me. It is time I repaid the clan."
"Have you met this Yao young master? Does he favor you as well?"
"I have not."
"Then—"
Jin Liuli grew anxious. This was a transaction, without any foundation of feeling. Her aunt was doomed to be unhappy.
"Liuli, do not worry. The Patriarch promised me this will be the last thing I do for the clan. Afterward, whatever I wish to do, the clan will not interfere."
Jin Liuli steadied herself at those words. Her mind raced and she seized the key point at once, "Aunt, I fear this is not only Dao-coupling with the Yao young master. There is something more you are to do. You entered the Dao through poison. By convention, you are not the ideal partner for a Dao-coupling."
She knew her words stung, but they were the truth. The Yao Clan would not pay such a price merely to keep her aunt like a shrine ornament.
"Heh. I knew I could not hide it from you. That is why I did not let the clan inform you," Jin Ai Jūnshàng said.
"Aunt."
"The Yao family's young master has been afflicted with a rare poison. No medicine can cure it, no healer can treat it. Their Ancestor can only seal the poison in one place for the time being, but cannot expel it. So…"
"So they intend for you to guide the poison into your body through dual cultivation with him."