Everyone's gaze turned to Xing Yuan, who had suddenly burst in, her face etched with delicate weakness, a bundle in her hand. In their eyes, she now resembled a lamb strayed into a wolf pack.
Xing Yuan carried no weapons. Having resolved not to return to the martial world, she had gifted her sword to her disciple. Thus, she was unarmed, appearing like a damsel in distress.
The inn's atmosphere was eerily charged with unspoken currents. Undeterred, Xing Yuan calmly ordered the waiter to bring several of their signature dishes.
Though she lacked funds, the other patrons did not.
The waiter eyed Xing Yuan with suspicion, seemingly appraising her ability to afford the meal. Finally, captivated by her face, he beamed and hurried to the kitchen. Even if she couldn't pay, her beauty might inspire someone to foot the bill. Besides, their inn had connections; freeloading was out of the question.
Xing Yuan sat at ease, paying no mind to the surrounding individuals. After all, they couldn't defeat her. If they dared to provoke her, she could easily earn herself some travel money.
Yet, even after she had eaten her fill, the others remained almost motionless. Had it not been for the constant circulation of internal energy around them, Xing Yuan might have believed her judgment was flawed.
Unnoticed, she channeled an internal force into an empty table beside her. The table shattered instantly.
The entire inn erupted into chaos. Unidentified individuals clashed, and the inn was soon in ruins.
Those upstairs seemed to have heard the commotion and slowly emerged. Some descended to join the fray, while others remained to watch the spectacle.
Xing Yuan, however, stared at the people upstairs, lost in thought. After a moment, she casually tugged at her clothes, making herself appear more like a distressed young woman, then rushed upstairs in feigned panic.
A man in black attempted to block her. Xing Yuan subtly shifted, slipping through the gap, and then latched onto someone's leg, initiating her "con."
Xing Yuan managed to conjure two tears, which streamed down her face, creating a tragically beautiful image. She looked at a woman in purple with a wronged expression and said plaintively:
"Miss! It's too terrifying outside! Could you possibly take me in? I will repay your kindness tenfold, serving you as a maid!"
Though the woman wore a veil, Xing Yuan never recognized people by their faces. She identified them by their soul's aura. A person's appearance could change, but the soul remained constant.
Mo Li Yue froze. She tried to pull her leg free from the woman whose face she couldn't discern, but the grip was too tight, leaving her internal energy with no leverage.
Xing Yuan looked up at Mo Li Yue intently, deliberately revealing her most beautiful and attractive side.
As expected, Mo Li Yue was momentarily stunned. As the saintess of a demonic sect, she had always acted on impulse. Since this person was beautiful, taking her in as a maid seemed like a good idea.
Thus, when her guard, Bi Cheng, attempted to pry the woman clinging to the saintess from her, Mo Li Yue waved him off, stopping him.
Mo Li Yue wasn't entirely blinded by Xing Yuan's beauty this time. She hadn't reacted immediately, but now, considering how she had bypassed Bi Cheng's blockade to reach her, she seemed far from ordinary.
So, she crouched down and asked seriously, "If I save you, what can you do for me?"
"I can warm your bed!" Xing Yuan blurted out instinctively, her desire clouding her judgment.
Amidst the astonished gazes of everyone present, Xing Yuan lowered her head as if embarrassed, but quickly regained her composure. "I misspoke. I am skilled in divination. It was through divination that I found my way to you. If you are willing to take me in, beautiful sister, I can perform some divinations for you."
Mo Li Yue was somewhat surprised; few were truly skilled in divination.
"Who is your master, and why did you seek me out?" Mo Li Yue asked, her gaze scrutinizing.
"Have you heard of Daoist Xuan Xu? If you're asking about my master, I studied with him for a few years. As for why I came to find you, it was pure destiny. The specifics are secrets of heaven, not to be revealed."
Xing Yuan shook her head and swayed, exuding a rather mystical aura. (If she hadn't been clinging to Mo Li Yue's leg.)
"Oh? Is it truly not because... you're out of money?" Mo Li Yue suddenly chuckled, holding up Xing Yuan's bundle.
"You... How did you know?" Xing Yuan leaped up in alarm, snatching her bundle back. Though it didn't contain much, some items might reveal her identity.
Mo Li Yue burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "Hahaha! I was just bluffing! I never expected you to be so gullible! *Hic*!"
Xing Yuan: ...So angry! (◦`~´◦)
No, no, she's my wife, my beloved. If I kill her, I'll have no wife. What's wrong with a wife being a little willful?
Taking a deep breath, she forced a stiff smile and gritted out, "You're quite clever."
"Naturally!" Mo Li Yue accepted Xing Yuan's compliment without reservation.
She tossed Xing Yuan a small bottle and said calmly, "I don't care why you're following me. If you want to follow me, it's simple. Eat this medicine."
Seeing Xing Yuan swallow the pill without hesitation, Mo Li Yue looked utterly surprised and stammered, "You, you really ate it? Aren't you afraid I gave you poison that would shred your insides?"
"Not afraid!" Xing Yuan shook her head.
Of course, she wasn't that foolish. Before her sister regained her past memories and fell in love with her, she would maintain some caution. She recognized the medicine by its scent; it wasn't poisonous at all. It was likely just a test from her sister. If she faltered, her sister would find an excuse to dismiss her. Hmph! Her sister was dreaming.
"Alright! Since you've taken the medicine, you can follow me for now. After all, if I don't give you the antidote periodically, you'll die when the poison takes effect," Mo Li Yue threatened Xing Yuan after some thought.
Mo Li Yue felt rather vexed. The moment she saw Xing Yuan, she experienced inexplicable emotions. However, she didn't want Xing Yuan to accompany her to deal with the demonic sect's mess. Furthermore, she was here to find someone, but a traitor within the sect had leaked her whereabouts, resulting in her being pursued relentlessly, which was incredibly annoying.
Mo Li Yue closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, she had regained her composure. She ordered, "Bi Cheng, go down and help. Don't waste time on them."