Wan Yao Pavilion, Main Hall.
The usually spacious hall felt a little crowded today.
Several mercenaries stood on both sides of the hall. At the head of the room, Mister Yao sat across from Mu She, the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
"Commander Mu, what's the situation on your end? Still no news of that boy?"
"Not yet."
Mu She shook his head. "Aside from the territories ruled by powerful Magic Beasts, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group has scoured almost the entire Magic Beast Mountain Range. We haven't found any trace of the boy."
"Plus, there was that beast riot not long ago. The kid was probably torn apart by a Magic Beast already."
"Likely so."
Mister Yao clicked his tongue with some regret. "The Magic Beast Mountain Range is full of danger. Countless powerful Magic Beasts roam within—there are even fifth- and sixth-rank beasts. With only the strength of a Dou Practitioner, dying there would be completely expected."
"Such a shame though… the treasure he found in that cave."
At the mention of the treasure, Mu She's heart stirred slightly.
There had been three treasure chests in that cave. He had only managed to obtain one. The remaining two had clearly been taken by that brat.
Inside the one chest Mu She had retrieved, he obtained a high-tier Profound Rank Dou Technique—its power was immense and had doubled his combat ability.
That was why he had gone to such lengths, sending his subordinates to hunt down Xiao Yan in the mountains—he wanted those other two treasure chests. Unfortunately, they had yet to find anything.
"Speaking of the treasure…" Mu She glanced at Mu Li beside him. Mu Li caught on immediately and stepped forward.
"Mister Yao, about the things that Xiao Yixian got from the cave… perhaps you could—"
"You jest, young commander."
Mister Yao smiled and shook his head in denial.
"Xiao Yixian only fell into the cave accidentally while gathering herbs. As for that boy, she barely knows him. How could she have obtained anything from the cave?"
"Is that so?"
Mu Li snorted. "Mister Yao, all the treasure in that cave was taken by that boy. And at the time, he was with Xiao Yixian. Whether or not she got something from the cave, no one knows."
"If you ask me, it'd be best for Mister Yao to hand her over to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Let us question her a bit. If we manage to dig something out, our group can split the gain fifty-fifty with Wan Yao Pavilion—"
"Enough!"
Mu She shouted coldly. "Li'er, show some respect!"
Only then did Mu Li bow apologetically and retreat behind Mu She.
Mister Yao didn't react much to the father and son's performance. He was far too clever not to see through their little game.
Whether or not Xiao Yixian had taken anything from the cave, she certainly couldn't be handed over to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Still, it was obvious she had some connection to that boy. Recently, her attitude had been increasingly firm… perhaps giving her a little pressure from these two would serve his interests.
A glint of cunning flashed in Mister Yao's eyes as he gave the Mu father and son a gentle smile.
"Commander Mu, there's no need to be so serious. While what your son said was a bit forward, it wasn't entirely unreasonable."
"It's a fact that Xiao Yixian knew the boy. I'm not an unreasonable man. Since you're both here today, why not join me and go talk with her directly?"
The two looked at each other, their eyes lighting up with barely hidden excitement.
They had already planned to use public pressure to drive a wedge between Wan Yao Pavilion and Xiao Yixian. They hadn't been confident it would work—but now?
Heh… money truly moves the heart!
"Since Mister Yao himself is making the suggestion, we wouldn't dare refuse. We do have other business later this afternoon, so why not settle it now?"
"Agreed."
The group set off grandly toward Xiao Yixian's residence. Before long, they arrived outside her little house.
"Please wait here, Commander."
Mister Yao smiled and cupped his hands politely before stepping forward.
But before he could knock, the tightly closed door suddenly swung open. Xiao Yixian, dressed in a flowing white gown, appeared before them.
The moment she appeared, the breathing of several mercenaries quickened noticeably. Even Mu She and Mu Li couldn't help but reveal a flicker of desire in their eyes.
Xiao Yixian's gaze swept calmly over the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, then settled on Mister Yao.
"Mister Yao, you were just here three hours ago. What is it this time?"
"Xiao Yixian, the time for our appointment hasn't arrived yet. The one looking for you isn't me—it's them."
He smiled and stepped aside, revealing Mu She, Mu Li, and the rest of the mercenaries. "These gentlemen from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group have something urgent to discuss with you. I couldn't very well refuse them, so I brought them along."
Xiao Yixian remained calm, her gaze landing on the mercenaries.
"Xiao Yixian," Mu She said coldly, "that Xiao Yan has opposed us at every turn. In the Magic Beast Mountain Range, he killed our Third Commander He Meng. There is now blood debt between us and him!"
"I hope you'll truthfully tell me what you know about Xiao Yan. I expect an explanation."
"That's right! We deserve an explanation!"
"Xiao Yixian, I know you have a healer's heart, and you've even saved my life before. But He Meng was my commander—I treated him like a brother! Xiao Yan murdered him, and I will not let that go unpunished!"
"Yes, Xiao Yixian, quickly tell us everything you know about Xiao Yan's whereabouts!"
With Mu She's lead, the mercenaries all began to press her. But Xiao Yixian remained calm, her expression unchanged.
Seeing her so unfazed, Mu Li, who had remained silent all this while, showed no anger. Instead, his eyes revealed greed and lust.
He licked his lips, gave Mu She a look, then raised his hand slightly. The noisy crowd instantly fell silent. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yixian, you must know where Xiao Yan went. You're the one who sent him into the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Just tell us what you know, and I promise—we won't make things difficult for you."
"You've done much for us, and for all of Qing Mountain Town. We don't want to—"
"Aren't you done yet, Xiao Yixian?"
A calm voice came from within the house, cutting Mu Li off mid-sentence.
The atmosphere outside froze instantly.
Everyone stared at Xiao Yixian in stunned disbelief. Even Mister Yao was so shocked that his voice trembled.
"Xiao Yixian, y-you… when did someone—who's inside—?"
But under all those bewildered stares, Xiao Yixian simply turned around and bowed respectfully toward the voice inside the house.
"Apologies, Young Master. Please give me just a little more time."
'Young Master?!'
'What the hell is going on here?!'
(End of Chapter)