Jiang Zhaoxue charged forward aggressively in pursuit, and Pei Zichen, left with no choice, could only follow her down the mountain.

After chasing for just a few steps, Jiang Zhaoxue discovered that those people had completely vanished. She couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “They ran that fast?”

“They were probably already on alert, afraid we’d rob them of their treasure, so they activated a teleportation array and left.”

Pei Zichen examined the traces on the path around them and confirmed that these people had suddenly disappeared from one location.

Thinking it over, Jiang Zhaoxue understood. That young man earlier had exchanged moves with Pei Zichen and likely realized they weren’t ordinary people. Since he was carrying a Jade Lingzhi, he must have forced himself to stay calm, then activated the teleportation array and fled once out of their sight.

Able to bend and stretch—he had more brains than his outwardly arrogant appearance suggested.

“Then let’s chase them down.”

After considering for a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue decided, “That group clearly comes from a wealthy household. If we go down the mountain and ask around, we’ll definitely be able to find them!”

Pei Zichen agreed this made sense and followed Jiang Zhaoxue down the mountain. When they reached the foot of the mountain and encountered people, they immediately realized they looked somewhat out of place here.

The sleeves on the locals’ clothing were noticeably narrower, and they wore no cloaks. Their attire was relatively more flexible and flowing, while Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue’s clothing appeared rather solemn and formal in comparison.

As soon as the two of them appeared on the official road, their exceptionally outstanding appearances and incongruous attire immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen exchanged glances. Understanding Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning, Pei Zichen stepped forward and bowed respectfully to an elderly woman who had been staring at them in a daze. He asked courteously, “May I ask, madam, what year is this? What place is this?”

“Ah.”

Startled by Pei Zichen’s question, the elderly woman came to her senses and immediately became somewhat nervous. “Uh… this year is the seventh year of the Yuanshun era. This place… this is Taizhou. Young Immortal, you don’t know?”

The seventh year of Yuanshun, Taizhou.

Pei Zichen looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue, understanding that not only had they experienced a change in time, but spatially they had somehow arrived in the Mortal Realm.

Pei Zichen bowed respectfully. “Thank you, madam.”

“No need to thank me, no need.” The elderly woman hurriedly waved her hands, somewhat excitedly asking, “Young Immortal, where have you come from? Where do you intend to go?”

“We came from the mountains and wish to enter the county town to find an old friend.”

Although Pei Zichen’s clothing had faded from too many washings and showed damage in several places, his entire being carried an innate immortal air. When he spoke, others didn’t doubt him in the slightest. They heard him continue, “My old friend’s surname is Ye. I wonder if madam knows how to reach the cultivation family, the Ye Family?”

Upon hearing this, the elderly woman’s expression changed. She hurriedly lowered her voice and said, “Young Immortal, this isn’t something you should be casually inquiring about.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen felt more certain in his heart. He smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we have history with them.”

At these words, the elderly woman hesitated. She glanced at the city walls and finally said vaguely, “Immortal, just head into the city and ask for the Ye Residence.”

Having received his answer, Pei Zichen raised his hand in salute. When he returned to Jiang Zhaoxue’s side and was about to speak, Jiang Zhaoxue said, “I know.”

With that, she looked him up and down. Pei Zichen felt her gaze seemed to carry some implication and couldn’t help but ask, “Master’s wife?”

“Tsk,” Jiang Zhaoxue crossed her arms and turned around. “Quite the universal charmer, aren’t you?”

Pei Zichen hurried to catch up, wanting to explain something but not knowing how to begin.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced back at him and reassured him, “Don’t take it so seriously. I’m complimenting your good looks.”

“Master’s wife…”

Pei Zichen laughed helplessly, then inquired about the actual matter at hand. “Do you know when the seventh year of Yuanshun in the Mortal Realm was?”

“Year 30,000 of the Celestial Calendar,” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately answered. Worried Pei Zichen wouldn’t understand, she elaborated carefully, “In other words, one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven years ago.”

One thousand two hundred and sixty-seven years—back then, the Jiuyou Realm hadn’t even appeared yet, and Jiang Zhaoxue hadn’t been born.

They had returned to this time period?

Was this coincidental, or was there something special about it?

Deep in thought, Pei Zichen followed Jiang Zhaoxue toward the city gate.

As they neared the entrance, the crowd grew denser. Everyone was queuing to enter the city. Jiang Zhaoxue swept her gaze across and spotted a man and woman at the front of the line crowding close to a plainly dressed old woman.

Though the space wasn’t particularly cramped, the pair kept trying to press against the old woman’s back. Jiang Zhaoxue understood their intentions at a glance. She told Pei Zichen to queue up to enter the city while she walked forward, circled around the two people, and smoothly extracted their travel documents from their sleeves before returning to Pei Zichen’s side.

Seeing her actions, Pei Zichen frowned. When Jiang Zhaoxue returned, he couldn’t help but lower his voice and say, “Master’s wife, what are you doing? Taking without permission…”

“Is called stealing.”

Jiang Zhaoxue tucked the documents into her sleeve, completely unabashed. “I’m stealing, obviously.”

Pei Zichen was stunned by her brazen righteousness and stared at her blankly.

Jiang Zhaoxue laughed and moved close to Pei Zichen’s side, leaning near him. “If I don’t steal, what are you standing in line for? Do you have travel documents?”

Currently, Pei Zichen was only about half a head taller than her. Jiang Zhaoxue’s breath brushed against his face, making him feel somewhat itchy. He became momentarily distracted, then forced himself to concentrate, listening as Jiang Zhaoxue said, “Besides, don’t worry—I wouldn’t wrong innocent people. They’re definitely thieves.”

Before she finished speaking, a commotion broke out ahead. A married couple was being seized by soldiers, loudly protesting, “No, officer, we really have travel documents! Someone stole them…”

Their first reaction was to look around, angrily shouting, “Who?! Who stole our documents!”

“If you don’t have them, get lost. There are still people waiting in line behind you.” The soldier cursed angrily. “Take them aside for a body search.”

“No, we can’t! We won’t enter the city!”

The two became anxious upon hearing this. Meanwhile, an old woman who had already entered the city came running back, frantically saying, “My money pouch—has anyone seen my money pouch? That’s my life-saving money to buy medicine for my daughter in the city. Please, good people, have mercy…”

The voices of both sides tangled together. A moment later, there came a “plop” sound. During the struggle, something fell from the man’s sleeve—several money pouches.

Everyone froze, then the old woman reacted and lunged forward, crying out loudly, “My money!”

In an instant, everyone became vigilant, checking their own money pouches.

Pei Zichen frowned at this scene, at a loss. Jiang Zhaoxue, with her hands tucked in her sleeves, jutted her chin forward. “See? I was right, wasn’t I? I’ve done a good deed today.”

Then Jiang Zhaoxue praised herself, “I’m truly a warm-hearted female immortal.”

Pei Zichen remained silent, quietly following the queue. Amidst the commotion, the two arrived at the city gate. With chaos all around, the soldiers had no mind for careful inspection. After a simple glance at the official seals on the documents, they let them pass.

As the two swaggered into the city with their documents, they could still hear the female thief shouting from behind, “Let me go! I’m the sister of a male servant in the courtyard of the Ye Residence’s Second Young Master. Can you afford to offend me?!”

Hearing “Ye Residence,” both Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen looked back. Pei Zichen frowned, while Jiang Zhaoxue smiled. “This Ye Residence is quite impressive—even their servants can intimidate people.”

“Those above set a bad example for those below; it harbors filth and evil. They’re not good people.”

Pei Zichen gave his simple assessment. Jiang Zhaoxue fanned herself with the travel document, saying leisurely, “Then let’s go take a look.”

The two entered the city. Upon entering, people continued to stare at them as before.

Pei Zichen felt somewhat uncomfortable. Just as he was about to suggest to Jiang Zhaoxue that they find somewhere to hide, Jiang Zhaoxue led him boldly into a clothing shop. She skillfully inquired about prices, bargained, confirmed that gold was accepted here and within their affordable range, then bought two sets of clothes. After changing, to avoid trouble, she took out a face veil from her qiankun pouch for disguise and wore it before stepping out of the shop.

Afterward, she took Pei Zichen to buy swords and went to a pawn shop to exchange some of her jewelry for silver coins. Finally, they found an inn. After this round of wandering, Jiang Zhaoxue had pretty much figured out the situation here.

The Ye Family was the largest clan in the area. Their eldest daughter currently held the position of Imperial Noble Consort and was deeply favored. They also had two sons.

The eldest son, Ye Wenzhi, had a gentle temperament and was a famous scholar in Taizhou. He should have achieved the top position in the imperial examinations and followed in his family elders’ footsteps to bring glory to his ancestors. Unexpectedly, starting three years ago, he was suddenly afflicted with a strange illness. The Ye Family had sought medical treatment everywhere but his condition never improved.

The younger son, Ye Tianjiao, was domineering and arrogant but had an extremely close brotherly relationship with Ye Wenzhi. He had practiced martial arts since childhood and possessed exceptional talent. The National Teacher had once wanted to take him as a disciple, but he refused. He had always remained in Taizhou, trying every means possible to cure his brother’s illness.

This Jade Lingzhi today was probably meant to treat Ye Wenzhi’s condition.

“They might as well just kill him.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue became furious. Sitting with Pei Zichen in their room, fanning herself, she cursed, “This item is a great tonic for cultivators. If Ye Wenzhi, a mere mortal, eats it, he’s courting death!”

“Should we go take a look?”

Pei Zichen inquired. Jiang Zhaoxue agreed and led Pei Zichen out of the inn. Just as they were leaving, the innkeeper spotted them heading out and hurriedly called out to stop Jiang Zhaoxue, “Miss, wait a moment!”

Jiang Zhaoxue turned back in confusion to see the innkeeper rush up anxiously. He glanced at the darkening sky and said, “Miss, our Taizhou City isn’t safe. Women cannot go out at night. You’d better not go out. Over these years, too many young ladies have died at night. Please don’t take the risk.”

“Oh…”

Jiang Zhaoxue listened, nodded, and said, “Thank you for the reminder. I’ll protect myself. Farewell.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue turned and headed out. The innkeeper froze, about to say something more, but Jiang Zhaoxue had already walked out.

The innkeeper pursed his lips and went back to wiping tables. “Outsiders who won’t listen to advice—courting death.”

His words reached Pei Zichen’s ears. Pei Zichen frowned and turned back, about to argue, when Jiang Zhaoxue pulled him along. She persuaded him, “Never mind, never mind. Let’s hurry and attend to business.”

Pei Zichen stiffened at her touch. Though they’d had plenty of contact these past days, he still wasn’t accustomed to Jiang Zhaoxue’s touch. He pretended to remain calm as he brushed off Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand and stepped aside.

Seeing him follow, Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing more.

The two followed the directions to the Ye Residence.

The Ye Residence was located in the most prosperous area of Taizhou City, yet occupied an enormous area—evidence of the Ye Family’s tyrannical hold over Taizhou City.

Guards stood strict watch at the entrance to the Ye Residence. Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen circled around it once before returning to a dark corner.

While circling, Jiang Zhaoxue observed very carefully. With a glance at Jiang Zhaoxue, Pei Zichen knew this residence was unusual.

He quietly waited for Jiang Zhaoxue to finish her inspection. Only after she was done did Pei Zichen ask, “Master’s wife, what do you think?”

“The Ye Family… has an expert.”

Jiang Zhaoxue murmured, glancing at the ground before saying slowly, “The Nine Stars Vast Righteousness Array. Unless permitted by the master of the house, no cultivator may enter this residence.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen frowned. “Then…” Pei Zichen’s heart grew bitter, but he still raised his eyes to look at Jiang Zhaoxue. “Does this disciple still count as a cultivator?”

He had no spiritual roots, no golden core—could he still be considered a cultivator?

Jiang Zhaoxue seemed somewhat surprised by this and turned to look at him. “How could you not count?”

Pei Zichen froze. Jiang Zhaoxue patted his shoulder and turned away. “You have a record now, young man. Once a cultivator, always a cultivator. The past is still your past. Let’s go.”

Hearing these words, Pei Zichen came to his senses and hurried to catch up with Jiang Zhaoxue.

That hint of bitterness suddenly dispersed. Jiang Zhaoxue led Pei Zichen back to the inn.

The innkeeper was preparing to close for the night. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue return, his eyes widened, seeming extremely shocked.

Jiang Zhaoxue was in a foul mood. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but glare at the innkeeper. “What are you staring at? Keep staring and I’ll gouge out your eyes.”

“My apologies,” Pei Zichen, following behind, immediately apologized. “Master’s wife is in a bad mood. Please forgive her.”

With that, the two went upstairs one after the other. It took the innkeeper a long while to react. He patted his own face and muttered, “Not a ghost, right?”

The two returned upstairs. Jiang Zhaoxue pushed open the door and, standing at the entrance, said, “With an expert who set up the Nine Stars Vast Righteousness Array guarding them, they probably won’t feed the Jade Lingzhi to Ye Wenzhi. We need to plan this carefully.”

As she spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue realized Pei Zichen was still standing at the doorway. She looked up from her tea in confusion. “Why aren’t you coming in?”

“Master’s wife, it’s very late.” Pei Zichen stood at the doorway and said softly, “It’s inappropriate for this disciple to enter. Perhaps we should discuss this tomorrow?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze. She looked him up and down. “You slept with me in that cave on the mountain for so long without being so particular about propriety.”

These words made Pei Zichen stiffen. His face showed some embarrassment. He turned his face away and said softly, “When there is a choice, this disciple should naturally observe propriety.”

These words left Jiang Zhaoxue speechless. Pei Zichen continued, bowing respectfully, “Master’s wife, good night.”

With that, Pei Zichen closed the door for Jiang Zhaoxue and withdrew.

Jiang Zhaoxue watched his silhouette depart through the window and couldn’t help but curse, “That’s really something.”

But since there wasn’t anything urgent at the moment, if Pei Zichen wanted to rest, he could rest.

She simply relaxed as well. It had been so long since she’d had a proper bath. She went to the bathroom and enjoyed a comfortable soak.

This was the first time the two had been apart in over half a month. Though separated by only a wall, Jiang Zhaoxue still felt somewhat strange. When she lay down on the bed, knowing Pei Zichen was right next door and that with his hearing, he could certainly hear her voice, she couldn’t help but knock on the wall and call softly, “Pei Zichen.”

There was a pause from the other side. After a moment, he finally responded reluctantly, “Master’s wife.”

Hearing this response, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but smile.

So they were separated by just a wooden board. She rolled over and lay flat on the bed, her hands pillowed under her head, saying vaguely, “We need to find identities and figure out a way to infiltrate the Ye Residence. Once we gain the master’s recognition, we can be acknowledged by that formation. I don’t have many talismans left, and we don’t know what situations we’ll face in the future. We should rely on ourselves as much as possible.”

“All right.”

Pei Zichen listened. He stared at the ceiling. That feeling of emptiness and loneliness surged up again. He felt as if the bed surface were a huge black hole about to swallow him.

Yet every time he was about to fall, Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice would sound again. “I made some inquiries today. Registering for residency all requires proof. The only thing that doesn’t require proof is being a cultivator. I plan to take you to the government office tomorrow to register. We’ll register as wandering cultivators and get our identities. Let’s say… we do fortune-telling. Then we’ll go look at houses. The inn is too expensive and not practical. Did you inquire about housing prices today?”

“I did. For that street you looked at today, a small courtyard rents for one tael of silver per month.”

“Bargain it down to half price and rent the house. Then we’ll do fortune-telling. Once I become a fortune-teller famous throughout the city, the Ye Family will definitely seek me out as a last resort…”

The two discussed their plans through the wall, as if they were still in the cave.

As Jiang Zhaoxue talked and talked, she gradually drifted off to sleep in a daze.

The next day, Jiang Zhaoxue took Pei Zichen to the government office to obtain their identities, then went to rent the small courtyard she had passed by the previous day.

When the landlord saw the two young people enter together, he instinctively asked, “Married couple?”

Upon hearing this, Pei Zichen hurriedly corrected him, “She’s my master’s wife.”

Pei Zichen spoke so quickly that Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t very well contradict him. She just smiled and nodded. “That’s right, master’s wife.”

The landlord, hearing this relationship, was stunned. He looked the two up and down and couldn’t help asking, “Then… where’s his master?”

“Ah, that dead ghost,” Jiang Zhaoxue sighed upon hearing this question. “He died early and left us both behind. When he died, this child was only this tall.”

Jiang Zhaoxue gestured, her face full of sorrow. “I raised him all by myself through hardship. You don’t know how much grievance I suffered. How could his master’s life be so short? Wuu wuu wuu wuu…”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she began sobbing emotionally. Pei Zichen couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Zhaoxue, wanting to say something but not daring to speak.

Hearing this, the landlord was incredulous. His gaze swept back and forth between the two. “But… but you look so young…”

“I know a bit of immortal arts.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, explaining, “Though I don’t have much ability, I still look younger than ordinary people.”

“So you’re an Immortal Master!” Upon hearing this, the landlord raised his hands in salute, yet showed not the slightest bit of genuine belief, only asking politely, “May I ask the Immortal Master’s age?”

Cultivators didn’t need verification when registering residency, so many fugitives would pose as such, especially those claiming to do fortune-telling—most were frauds.

The landlord was giving her face, but Jiang Zhaoxue seemed completely oblivious. She simply smiled and said, “Not that old, just over two hundred years.”

This would be considered young in the True Immortal Realm, but in the landlord’s eyes, it was truly an excessive boast.

His smile froze. If not for thinking this house was difficult to rent, he would have wanted to sweep this fraud out the door.

He didn’t want to continue the conversation and could only grit his teeth and continue deceiving this outsider. After introducing the house from top to bottom, he quickly signed the lease with Jiang Zhaoxue, rolled up his money, and left.

Seeing him leave so swiftly, Pei Zichen couldn’t help but ask, “Since he thinks we’re frauds, why would he still rent to us?”

“Because it’s a haunted house.”

Jiang Zhaoxue pulled out a bagua mirror from her qiankun pouch, raised her hand, and slapped it onto the door. Then she said, “All right, let’s go. We need to fire our opening shot!”

With that, she headed out, bringing Pei Zichen along to the place where fortune-telling was most prevalent—in front of Yuelao Temple.

The fortune-telling stalls in front of Yuelao Temple were as numerous as a market. Nearby, there was even a shop specifically for renting and selling fortune-telling stalls.

Seeing such considerate service, Jiang Zhaoxue decisively walked into the shop and rented the cheapest stall. She had Pei Zichen carry the stall to the most remote and worst corner. After instructing Pei Zichen to set up the stall properly, she pulled out a banner from her qiankun pouch that she hadn’t used in many years.

“Fate is Mine to Decide, Number One Under Heaven”

Eight characters hung beside the stall. Jiang Zhaoxue took out a folding fan, opened it, and leisurely fanned herself.

On the fan surface were clearly written four characters: “No Refund if Inaccurate”

As soon as these four characters appeared, everyone looked over.

Even Pei Zichen became somewhat flustered and couldn’t help but say, “Master’s wife…”

Fortune-telling greatly damaged the fortune-teller’s own luck. He had thought Jiang Zhaoxue was just planning to deceive people, but no refund if inaccurate?

Pei Zichen looked at the crowd rapidly surging toward them and couldn’t help but raise his hand to grip his sword hilt, his mind somewhat dazed.

How dare she?!