Half an hour later.
In a mansion in Geshanshi.
After instructing her subordinates to keep a close eye on the pheasant, the female cultivator smiled and took Xiangjunjun back to her room.
"Bang."
As the door closed, the room was immediately plunged into darkness.
Xiangjunjun looked around the room in a daze.
Various strange and peculiar items were placed on the walls and tables.
Leather whips.
Handcuffs and shackles made of refined steel.
Tools of unknown purpose, but clearly sinister in appearance.
And so on.
Under the dim red candlelight, it all appeared exceptionally eerie...
"Fairy, why have you brought me here?" Xiangjunjun asked in confusion. "Where have you taken the pheasant? Its meat isn't tasty, really."
It had to be said that Xiangjunjun was a loyal friend.
Even at a time like this, he was still concerned about his friend's safety.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to eat it for now," the female cultivator chuckled. "Never mind the chicken, let's play a little game."
In the adjacent room.
The male cultivators, who were at the Nascent Soul stage, stood in a circle, surrounding the pheasant.
The pheasant tucked its neck and wings, trembling.
"My esteemed sirs, I believe there must be some misunderstanding."
"Since I can't run anyway, how about letting me see my friend?"
"My meat is foul-tasting, truly not delicious at all."
...
However, no matter what it said, the male cultivators remained unmoved.
A few minutes later, a maidservant walked over. "Where is the Second Miss?"
"The Second Miss is currently unavailable," one of the male cultivators replied.
"We have distinguished guests at home, and the Eldest Miss wants the Second Miss to come over immediately," the maidservant urged.
"This..." The male cultivator hesitated. "You can go back first. I will relay the message to the Second Miss."
After the maidservant left, the male cultivator approached the door of the adjacent room.
After much deliberation, he tremblingly pressed a button on the door.
"What... is it?" the female cultivator's voice came from inside.
Annoyance was mixed with slight panting.
"Second Miss," the male cultivator replied, mustering his courage. "The Eldest Miss said we have distinguished guests at home and asked you to come over."
There was no response from inside.
A few minutes later, the female cultivator pushed the door open and walked out.
"Although there's a reason for this, you've ruined my mood, so you must bear the punishment." The female cultivator gently hooked the male cultivator's chin, her face full of allure. "You've had enough rest during this period. Come to my room tonight."
Upon hearing this, the male cultivator stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
"Yes..."
"It kept clamoring to see that chicken earlier. Take it with you." The female cultivator then handed Xiangjunjun to the male cultivator. "Keep a good eye on it. You'll be held responsible if it's lost."
"Eldest Sister really knows how to pick the time. So disappointing..." the female cultivator muttered, then walked away.
The male cultivator, devoid of spirit, went to the adjacent room.
"Pheasant—!"
As Xiangjunjun landed, it immediately leaped into the pheasant's embrace.
"Did you fall into water?" the pheasant asked in confusion.
"Don't talk about it, don't talk about it..."
Xiangjunjun's tone was filled with despair...
"Hmm, something's not right!" The pheasant sniffed, then looked at Xiangjunjun in shock. "You actually..."
Xiangjunjun clung tightly to the pheasant's neck, trembling even harder.
If it had tears, it would have cried by now...
The pheasant's comforting words instantly turned into envy, jealousy, and hatred.
"Damn it! Heaven is unfair!"
"Crack—!"
As soon as the pheasant roared, a bolt of lightning struck the courtyard.
Startled, the pheasant once again tucked its neck in...
A few minutes later.
"Pheasant, we have to find a way to escape," Xiangjunjun said in a small voice, its mood finally stabilizing. "I don't want to stay here for another moment..."
"But we can't beat these people..." the pheasant said helplessly. "There's no way to run..."
"How about you just eat me?" Xiangjunjun said in despair. "I'd rather die than stay here any longer..."
"Damn it, I don't care anymore!" The pheasant gritted its teeth. "Get on!"
As Xiangjunjun climbed onto the pheasant, the pheasant bolted.
The male cultivators leisurely dodged and easily apprehended them.
Afterward, they returned them to their original positions, resuming their previous state of indifference.
Repeated attempts to escape.
Repeated captures.
...
After a few more attempts, the pheasant suddenly discovered a key factor.
These people usually went directly for it, seemingly not daring to harm Xiangjunjun!
Didn't it notice that even though it had lost so many feathers, Xiangjunjun hadn't even been scratched?!
After a few more trials, the pheasant finally confirmed this was true!
An opportunity had arrived!
The pheasant's brain raced, and a new escape plan began to take shape!
In the front hall.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Sister Hongying," the little demoness said politely after eating her fill.
It turned out that the Eldest Miss of this household was the female cultivator the little demoness had met yesterday.
"If Sister Ling'er likes it, you can come play anytime," the Eldest Sister said warmly.
"It's fate that I met Sister Ling'er today," the Second Miss chimed in. "From now on, we're like sisters. Come visit us often."
"I'm so lucky to have met two sisters as soon as I arrived in Geshanshi, Ling'er is truly fortunate," the little demoness replied politely. "I've been out for a long time, and it's time for me to go back."
Just then, a commotion could be heard from outside the door.
"I warn you, if you come any closer, I'll really eat it!"
"I'm serious this time, don't push me!"
"My servants are ignorant of the rules. Please excuse the embarrassment, Sister," Hongying said awkwardly. "I'll go take a look."
"Sister, you are too kind," the little demoness replied politely. "Since I'm leaving anyway, I'll go with Sister."
However, as she spoke, the little demoness's expression was somewhat peculiar.
Equally peculiar was the Second Miss standing beside her.
And so, the three of them left together.
In the courtyard.
The pheasant pointed at the surrounding cultivators with one wing, while tightly holding Xiangjunjun in its mouth with the other.
Seeing this scene, the little demoness's face turned dark.
She knew it! That voice from earlier sounded so familiar...
"Big Sister—!"
Upon seeing the little demoness, the pheasant found its anchor!
It scurried over and clung tightly to the little demoness's ankle.
Xiangjunjun also let out a sigh of relief, climbed onto the pheasant, and hugged its neck...
"Little Chick, Big Banana?" Hongying was clearly startled. "When did you two get here?"
"So it's you," the pheasant finally noticed Hongying and then pointed at the Second Miss. "I was captured by this hateful woman!"
"Eldest Sister, do you know them?" the Second Miss asked, bewildered.
"A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding," Hongying said quickly, trying to smooth things over. "It's alright now, you can all disperse."
"Yes, Eldest Miss!"
The servants complied and dispersed.
"These two little rascals are too mischievous. They've caused trouble for you two sisters," the little demoness said politely. "Since the misunderstanding is cleared up, I'll take my leave now."
The sisters exchanged polite words, and then saw her off.
"Big Banana, remember to visit often!"
As they parted, the Second Miss called out to Xiangjunjun.
Xiangjunjun trembled and almost fell to the ground...
"Eldest Sister, is this the woman you mentioned yesterday?" the Second Miss asked seriously on their way back. "Are you sure the information is correct?"
"I investigated carefully before. It's her, no doubt," Hongying nodded.
"What does the organization want?" the Second Miss continued. "What should we do next?"
"The higher-ups want me to try to get in touch with her first and probe her further," Hongying replied. "So we don't need to do anything special."
"Is that so..." The Second Miss nodded as if she understood. "But Eldest Sister, can you not ruin people's fun like this next time..."
"You vixen," Hongying said with a smile. "It seems you tasted that Big Banana just now."
"Mmm-hmm," the Second Miss nodded without any hesitation.
"How was it?" Hongying asked curiously.
"So satisfying!"
...