"Thank you, big sister." Lin Xintang took the candy with great politeness.
I looked toward the spot where Lin Qianshan had fallen unconscious and motioned with my finger, "Let's go, Xiao Honghong."
"Woman, this time I really sacrificed a lot," Xiao Honghong crawls out of Lin Qianshan's nostril, shaking its wings vigorously.
It shook off the mucus sticking to it and flew towards me.
Hearing Xiao Honghong's aggrieved tone, I opened the Matchbox, "I know everything, and I remember your contributions. Xiao Honghong, come in and rest. You must be really tired by now."
"You do have a conscience." Xiao Honghong crawled into the Matchbox, and its vibrant, shiny body stopped moving.
I closed the Matchbox carefully, tucked it away, and went to meet with Yu Longting and Lin Xinmei outside the ancestral hall.
Under the moon, Yu Longting stood tall and still, waiting quietly.
"Cousin, how is Xintang? She's not hurt, is she?" Lin Xinmei came up immediately, asking with deep concern.
Although I hadn't expended any spiritual power, the emotional roller coaster left me somewhat exhausted, "She's okay now; Lin Hang is taking care of her."
After speaking, my gaze met Yu Longting's eyes, thankful for his method that allowed us to accomplish our goals tonight.
Right now, I wasn't sure what the situation was like in the Alchemy Chamber.
"I was so worried, Xintang must have been scared," Lin Xinmei patted her chest, asking about Lin Xintang's condition.
My gaze moved away from Yu Longting and I replied to Lin Xinmei, "Tangtang was a bit startled. If you're worried, you can go in and keep her company."
"I'd better show you the way. Without Brother Qianshan, you're not familiar with the Lin Family residence and could easily get lost."
Lin Xinmei offered understandingly.
I nodded in agreement.
Together, the three of us headed towards the Lin Family Alchemy Room.
On the way, Lin Xinmei spoke up carefully, "Now that my innocence has been proven, could you please remove the gu from me? Even if the Gu Insects aren't active, having them feed on nutrients in my blood is quite painful for me."
"How can you assure me that your sister won't come out and take over?" I looked down at Lin Xinmei, asking a very practical question.
Lin Xinmei held out her hands, palms up, "If cousin-in-law could grant me a talisman, I could suppress my sister's soul, so she can never come out."
"Yu Longting, give her a talisman," I said to Yu Longting.
Yu Longting raised an eyebrow, "You think I just give out my talismans for free? Just say the word and it's given?"
"Don't be so stingy, Yu Longting~" I said, tugging on the sleeve of his arm.
Yu Longting snorted lightly and slapped a talisman into my palm, "You win."
"Here, take this." I handed the talisman to Lin Xinmei.
My fingers brushed the Matchbox, and I whispered,
"Xiao Honghong, remove the gu from Lin Xinmei."
Lin Xinmei was nearly moved to tears, "Thank you, cousin. I won't let you down."
Yu Longting arched an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curving into a mocking smile.
The Lin Family's Alchemy area was especially large; from a distance, you could see the spacious square.
Several enormous outdoor Pill Furnaces were placed on the square, their bronze surfaces aged with the traces of time.
They looked quite old, maybe even antique.
"Ahead is the Alchemy Room," Lin Xinmei said, playing with a lock of her hair.
In her prime, every move she made already had a graceful charm.
Specially her act of twirling her hair exuded an undeniable allure.
"Let's not rush over there yet." I stopped Lin Xinmei.
Lin Xinmei obediently halted, "Okay, cousin."
Yu Longting too stopped in step, intuitively understanding my intent, his gaze landing on a piece of Taihu Rock, "That piece of Taihu Rock is big enough to hide a person."
No sooner had the three of us hidden, than we saw a woman in black, elegantly climbing the stone stairs leading to the Alchemy Room.
Embroidered with silver thread on her black garment was a lifelike grey rat with eyes as red as blood, brimming with murderous intent, as if ready to burst forth from the fabric at any moment.