Feng Ninghe’s gaze deepened, a flicker of thought tracing across her pupils.
She thought once more of the man who had appeared earlier.
That man was the young master’s attendant.
She felt an intense sense of familiarity, perhaps she knew that young master as well…
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze, her attention returning to the High Priest. "Does that young master have any distinguishing features? What does he want with the souls he collects?"
The High Priest shook his head obediently, his bruised and swollen face, resembling a pig’s head, looking particularly comical. "I only saw him once from afar within the sedan chair and have no distinct impressions. The young master detests being questioned, how would I dare to say more?"
"Useless."
Bai Niannian cursed softly and kicked the High Priest again. "You only know this much. What use are you? You might as well be dead."
The High Priest’s face instantly crumpled in despair. Ignoring the pain, he begged, "My dear ladies, I truly know my mistakes. Please spare my life."
"Spare your life? Then who will spare my sister's life! My sister has already been reduced to mere bones, and you are the culprit!"
"You insult and bully me. To survive, I catered to your every whim. Yet, you never spared me!"
"The High Priest has committed countless sins and must not be pardoned lightly! Kill him!"
The young women were enraged. They were unwilling to let the High Priest go.
To them, stepping into this palace meant no hope of survival, and they had endured constant humiliation.
The murmurs intensified, rising in volume.
The High Priest’s voice was drowned out by the clamor of the young women.
"Such a wicked person must naturally not be pardoned lightly."
A cool, indifferent female voice fell.
The young women’s discussions ceased abruptly. Their gazes shifted to Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe glanced at the High Priest, who lay bound on the ground. "He has caused so many of your families to be broken, separating you from your parents. He must be severely punished!
In three days, we will send him to Chen Family Village to expose the so-called 'Heavenly God's Marriage' deception, and let the villagers decide his fate!"
This outcome was precisely what the young women had wished for.
They nodded repeatedly, chiming in, "Exactly! Everyone must see what kind of person this so-called High Priest truly is!"
"Then I will personally stab him through the heart and kill him!"
The young women’s angry voices reached his ears. The High Priest trembled in fear, his expression desperate. He quickly blurted out, "I am innocent! The true culprit is the Eldest Young Master!"
Feng Ninghe raised a delicate eyebrow and rubbed her ears with slight annoyance.
The next moment, she suddenly grabbed a wooden club and smashed it hard onto the High Priest’s head!
*Clang!*
A dull thud echoed.
The High Priest fell unconscious at that instant.
Feng Ninghe withdrew her gaze with satisfaction. "Finally, some peace. A Xing, you will have to keep an eye on him these few days."
Upon receiving the order, Feng Xing nodded without hesitation, indicating his understanding. "Master, rest assured, I will keep a close watch on him and give him no chance to escape!"
The palace gates.
A large group of guards was rushing towards the palace entrance.
The High Priest was dead, and they had to escape, otherwise, their own fate would likely not be much better.
A figure stood quietly at the palace entrance.
Watching the surging guards, A Xi lightly raised his eyelids, his pupils chilling. "You are quick to react. I’ve just arrived, and you’re already here."
The guards stopped instantly, looking at him warily. "Who are you?"
A Xi moved his lips, uttering a few chilling words. "I am here to stop you. With me here, you will likely not be able to take a single step through this door."
The guards exchanged glances, their eyes filled with apprehension, as if hesitating on how to proceed.
A shout came from the crowd. "Brothers, we have the numbers! With so many of us, why should we fear one man? I say we charge straight through!"
The guards instantly gained confidence and charged towards A Xi’s position.
Watching the figures rushing towards him, A Xi lightly raised his eyelids, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes…
Moments later, the once formidable guards lay on the ground, groaning in pain.
Looking at the guards on the ground, A Xi closed the palace door and took out ropes to bind them securely. "I told you, with me here, you wouldn't get through this door. But you wouldn't believe me."
* * *
Inside the palace.
The kitchen was filled with delicacies.
Even with many young women present, there was enough food for them to eat for several days.
The young women were cooking for themselves.
In a room.
Feng Ninghe and the others were sitting quietly.
"Xiao Zhao, you will be needed in three days. We need to capture him alive."
Feng Ninghe spoke, her clear female voice falling.
In three days, someone would come to collect souls.
They might as well capture the person alive and follow the trail to find the so-called 'young master.'
Xiao Zhao unhesitatingly patted his chest, eagerly saying, "Master, don't worry, this kind of thing is no problem for me."
*Thump thump—*
The room door was gently knocked.
Bai Niannian quickly got up and walked to the door, opening it with ease.
Several young women stood there.
As the door opened, smiles appeared on the young women's faces.
"Our benefactors, thank you for saving us. If not for you, we might not have escaped your clutches so quickly."
"I thought I was going to die here, I never expected to have a chance to leave this palace!"
The young women's eyes instantly welled up. They handed over the food boxes they had prepared. "We specially cooked some food, and we hope you noble lords will not disdain it."
"Of course, we won't."
"After all, this is your kind gesture, we must accept it."
Xiao Zhao and Si Xin Xin quickly stood up, bright smiles appearing on their small faces.
They accepted the food boxes immediately.
The scale of the young women's cooking was immense, and the entire palace was filled with the rich aroma of dishes.
Xiao Zhao and Si Xin Xin had been craving food for a long time.
After delivering the food boxes, the young women voluntarily withdrew, not forgetting to close the door before leaving.
Xiao Zhao nimbly opened the food boxes and laid out the dishes one by one.
The young women had prepared a lot of food, and the bowls and chopsticks were provided according to the number of people.
Cultivators could abstain from eating, so it was fine even without food.
Feng Ninghe did not mind eating a little more.
As a human, one should taste all the delicacies in the world and not mistreat their stomach.
Si Xin Xin picked up a delicate pastry, her clear eyes immediately lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically. "This tastes amazing! Everyone, eat more!"