Xie Hongchen turned his body away, pretending not to hear Di Yiqiu’s words.

What could He Xijin and the others do—these two seemed naturally incompatible.

Wu Zichou said, “We should focus on catching the swindlers first.”

Zhang Shujiu also said, “Precisely, precisely.”

Xie Hongchen finally spoke, “No need to alert them prematurely. Let’s follow them—we might be able to discover the whereabouts of other children.”

“Sect Master Xie is indeed thorough in his considerations. Today we must strip away these swindlers’ human skin and see exactly who these sacred beings are.” Zhang Shujiu quickly said.

His words brought a moment of silence. Xie Hongchen didn’t respond because the “sacred being” behind this might be his master. Di Yiqiu also remained silent, for similar reasons—if they uncovered Shi Wenyu, it would be difficult to explain.

So the Jianzheng said, “Such trivial matters don’t require troubling everyone. If Sect Master Xie finds his vision impaired and inconvenient, why not return and rest first? When there’s news, Si Tianjian will naturally inform the Sect Master.”

Xie Hongchen naturally couldn’t leave. If the matter was left to Si Tianjian, then even if the mastermind behind this wasn’t Xie Lingbi, it would become Xie Lingbi.

He spoke coldly, “Thank you for Jianzheng’s concern. Xie is merely intolerant of strong light, not yet blind.”

“That’s truly such a pity,” Di Yiqiu’s voice was cool.

The two were at daggers drawn, and He Xijin and the others simply had no way to interject.

This group of swindlers never imagined they had actually alarmed several divine beings who personally came to stake them out.

Early the next morning, they left Luotuo Fort with the abducted children. Xie Hongchen and the others slowly followed. When they were tracking a group of people, the other party naturally had difficulty detecting them.

Several people tailed them through the snow. Di Yiqiu, having nothing better to do, pulled out a half-finished pearl chain from his storage magical treasure and continued threading pearls while weaving patterns. The cord was ice-silk rope, and the beads were coral pearls.

He was dexterous with his hands, so the pearl rope was woven with extreme refinement. Xie Hongchen couldn’t help but glance at it—such a fancy thing, surely it wasn’t for him to wear himself?!

But given his relationship with Di Yiqiu, he naturally wouldn’t ask more questions.

Everyone followed the group of swindlers all the way to a wharf. Watching several children being taken aboard a ship, Di Yiqiu had no choice but to summon Si Tianjian’s Bixiao Treasure Ship and give chase by riding the wind.

Everyone stood at the bow, watching the ship traverse rivers and streams, finally flowing eastward into the sea. This…

In their field of vision remained only a vast expanse of azure blue, with ships in the sea moving like ants. Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen both wore grave expressions—taking children overseas really didn’t seem like something Xie Lingbi or Shi Wenyu would do.

However, this group of swindlers did exactly that.

They sold the children to a foreign maritime market, then lived freely and leisurely in the local area. Seeing there were truly no other leads, Di Yiqiu could only give the order to close the net.

Because they had followed so closely, not a single child was left behind—they found them all. However, these several swindlers truly left people baffled. The people of Si Tianjian and Yuhu Xuanzong quickly bound them and brought them onto the Bixiao Treasure Ship.

There were four male swindlers and one female, led by an old man past sixty. The remaining three robust men were all his sons. As for some servants and followers, they were all laborers hired with money. Among their traveling belongings, there were only a few sets of Yuhu Xuanzong clothing. Though they were immortal sect members, their cultivation wasn’t high.

Xie Hongchen unexpectedly mocked, “It seems the case is indeed intricate and complex, no wonder the imperial court and government offices have searched fruitlessly for a hundred years.”

Di Yiqiu forcefully swallowed this mockery. Baowu brought over a chair, and he sat down on it, his ten fingers skillfully weaving patterns, asking, “Who’s the leader?”

The main culprit clenched his teeth tightly, not making a sound.

Di Yiqiu wasn’t surprised either. He pointed at the youngest man kneeling to the side. Baowu immediately understood and dragged the robust man out.

“You, what do you want to do?” The old man immediately spoke up.

Di Yiqiu handed the partially woven pearl rope to Baowu, took out a charcoal pen, and drew a circle around the robust man.

Baowu also lowered his head to glance at the pearl rope. This rope was woven extremely exquisitely, the coral beads on it each crystal clear and brilliantly colored, quite beautiful. But such refinement… surely only women could wear it?

Di Yiqiu finished drawing the circle with the charcoal pen, then pulled out a silk handkerchief and began wiping his hands. After wiping his hands, he took the pearl rope again and continued weaving patterns.

At this moment, they heard a miserable scream. Everyone looked up, only to see snow beginning to fall on the Bixiao Treasure Ship. The snowflakes that fell elsewhere were crystalline and beautiful. Only those that fell into the circle Di Yiqiu had drawn suddenly turned red like molten iron!

The molten iron dripped onto the body of the criminal in the circle, sizzling continuously, white smoke rising, the scent of meat gradually overflowing.

The criminal was still stunned at first, then came to his senses. He looked up, and the bright red snowflakes fell on his face. Immediately, deep pits were burned into his face.

“Ahhh—” He screamed hoarsely, desperately rolling about trying to escape from that black circle drawn by the charcoal pen.

But it was useless. He seemed to hit a transparent wall and could only scream and struggle desperately. The air filled with a nauseating scent of cooked meat.

“Stop! Stop!” The remaining four main culprits immediately trembled all over, and the old man couldn’t hold back any longer, beginning to cry out. Di Yiqiu naturally wouldn’t stop, and everyone could only watch as the bright red snowflakes fell piece by piece.

The robust man in the circle had been rolling and howling frantically before, but gradually stopped moving. His eyes were burned into two large holes, with not a single piece of good flesh on his entire body. Only when snowflakes fell, his body still trembled slightly.

Baowu glanced at Di Yiqiu. Only then did Di Yiqiu ask, “How many cases have you committed?”

The white-haired old man, having witnessed the previous scene, was already scared out of his wits. He said trembling, “More than twenty. A total of about three hundred children taken.”

Di Yiqiu carefully threaded the beads, asking, “Who hired you to do this?”

The old man trembled and said, “No, no one. It was this old one who was blinded by greed, that’s why…”

“Heh.” Di Yiqiu chuckled lightly and said, “You brought nine children across rivers into the sea, and sold them for how much money? Your greed is quite peculiar, all doing this money-losing business.”

The old man was stunned and couldn’t speak for a long time. Di Yiqiu raised his hand again, and Baowu dragged another man into the black circle drawn with charcoal pen.

“Don’t, my lord, don’t! I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” The scent of meat on the ship grew stronger and stronger, and the old man was already so frightened his speech was incoherent. He said, “It’s… it’s…” The old man looked like he wasn’t going to resist anymore, but his throat caught, and he continued, “It’s…”

Xie Hongchen and Di Yiqiu sensed something was wrong and suddenly rushed over, grabbing his mouth with one hand. But too late! A tongue of fire burst forth from his mouth. The two could only release him and retreat to avoid it. In less than a moment, his entire body burned into black ash.

His three sons and one daughter simultaneously burned together. Even the severely injured one in the circle wasn’t spared.

He Xijin and the other two were shocked, “It’s the Forbidden Speech Technique!”

Di Yiqiu waved his sleeve to push back the tongue of fire, his expression even more gloomy. The Forbidden Speech Technique wasn’t any sect’s exclusive spell. Currently, many cultivated it. Usually, the caster sets forbidden words, and once the technique’s subject tries to say these forbidden terms, they immediately trigger the technique and die.

The death states varied, but the situations were the same.

With things reaching this point, both Xie Hongchen and Di Yiqiu felt as if huge stones pressed on their hearts.

Di Yiqiu wove the pearl rope for a while longer, then said, “Search the maritime market, bring back the abducted children, hand them over to the government to handle the aftermath. In addition, have all counties post announcements and recite them day and night to warn the common people and prevent them from being deceived.”

Baowu responded, and everyone looked again at the several piles of black ash on the ground, their expressions all very heavy.

These swindlers abducted children but regardless of the thousands of miles of distance, hastily sold them. Not for money, then for what? The person behind them had already set the Forbidden Speech Technique long ago, obviously very familiar with immortal sect methods. Who was this person?

Neither of them dared to guess, just as Xie Hongchen suspected Xie Lingbi, while Di Yiqiu was more suspicious of Shi Wenyu.

But the leads were completely severed here.

The Bixiao Treasure Ship, carrying the rescued children, prepared to return. Xie Hongchen suddenly said, “Di Yiqiu.”

Di Yiqiu stood on the deck, his hands still weaving the pearl rope, “What instruction does Sect Master Xie have?”

Xie Hongchen’s eyes were hidden behind plain gauze, his expression also cold and stern. He thought for a long time but ultimately asked nothing and left by sword.

The white-robed sword immortal, riding his sword through the vast sky, his clothing belt dancing in the wind, his elegance brilliant and radiant. On the deck, seeing this, Baowu couldn’t help but say, “This damn sword immortal is really like the Jade Emperor farting—so impressive!”

The Jianzheng’s gaze was cool, saying, “After Deputy Jian Baowu returns, pack your belongings.”

“Ah?” Baowu quickly asked, “Where is Jianzheng sending this humble one?”

Di Yiqiu turned and walked into the ship’s cabin, saying, “Since you so admire sword immortals, why not go to Yuhu Xuanzong tomorrow to become a disciple and learn the art.”

Uh. Baowu scratched his head, then cried out in injustice, “Jianzheng, heaven and earth as my witness, I, Old Bao, am completely loyal to you!”

Di Yiqiu paid no attention to Baowu who was chasing after him, thinking coldly—Xie Hongchen must have wanted to ask about Huang Rang’s matter, but never opened his mouth. This person truly could endure.

He turned around and ordered the Bixiao Treasure Ship to return to Luotuo Fort. As for the Jianzheng himself, he had another destination.

White Bone Cliff.

Miao Yunzhi had diagnosed Huang Rang’s condition but didn’t dare touch the Soul-Coiling and Bone-Setting needles. He only used acupuncture and medicinal bath methods to treat her.

Huang Rang had a medicinal bath and naturally felt refreshed and clear-headed. Several junior martial sisters competed to help her dress, then helped her beautifully comb her hair. She had many dresses and hair ornaments. The young girls had stayed at White Bone Cliff for years. Though their lives were worry-free, they had seen rather little of the colorful world.

So every time they looked through her jewelry, they could play with it for quite a while.

When Di Yiqiu entered, five or six girls were competing to look at Huang Rang’s box of pearl flowers.

Seeing him, everyone immediately blushed bright red with embarrassment and scrambled to run outside. Di Yiqiu glanced over and saw Huang Rang’s dress and skirt were neat, her hairstyle also elaborately combed, knowing everyone had taken good care of her. He naturally didn’t mind, but instead took out several pearl ropes, saying, “Miss Rang has difficulty moving, thanks to all you female physicians. I personally wove several hair ropes, I hope you’ll all accept them with a smile.”

His pearl ropes used ice-silk as thread, coral as flowers, woven skillfully and beautifully. More importantly, on the end clasp beads, there was even his seal signature. This was the handiwork of the Si Tianjian Jianzheng himself! How could the several girls resist? In the end, each person took one.

The girls took the pearl ropes and ran off giggling.

Only then did Di Yiqiu come before Huang Rang. He crouched down and lightly touched her face with the back of his hand. Huang Rang had just finished her medicinal bath, and her body still carried a fragrance like flowers and like medicine. Her small face, well-hydrated, seemed as delicate as if it could be broken by a breath.

Di Yiqiu said, “It seems the water and soil of White Bone Cliff are quite nourishing.”

Huang Rang didn’t respond, not even in her heart. Actually, to her, whether she was at White Bone Cliff or Si Tianjian, what difference was there? But… she actually missed him a little. Perhaps it was at night when she lay alone in bed, she would still feel empty and vast.

Di Yiqiu held her fingertips, asking, “Huang Rang, what exactly happened to you?”

Huang Rang could only remain silent. Before long, Miao Yunzhi entered. Di Yiqiu quickly withdrew his hand. Miao Yunzhi snorted coldly, tossed over several medicine packets, and pointed at the bathtub in the room, saying, “Little brat, you also soak for half a shichen, it’ll be good for the blood toxin in your body.”

Di Yiqiu caught the medicine packets in his hands, and already a puppet came in carrying hot water. White Bone Cliff was actually short-handed, and Miao Yunzhi didn’t easily accept medicine disciples. These dozen or so puppets could be considered sending charcoal in snowy weather. No wonder He Shouwu’s attitude had greatly changed.

After the hot water was prepared, Di Yiqiu pushed Huang Rang to face the window, letting her face outside, then undressed himself and stepped into the bathtub.

Outside the window was a cliff—no one would pass by. Huang Rang was indignant—just because you’re bathing doesn’t mean I can’t look, right? Also, why do all the others have pearl ropes, but I don’t?!

Hmph!

Di Yiqiu obviously didn’t understand these little thoughts of hers. He soaked in the bathtub. The medicine packet contained who knew what herbs—the dark red hot water surrounded him.

In the white water vapor, Di Yiqiu closed his eyes. And just at this moment, Huang Rang’s brain began to hurt sharply again, countless voices ringing in her mind. It was that familiar feeling again.

The last time she entered a dream, it was like this!

Huang Rang no longer felt pain; she was even filled with anticipation.

Now, only in dreams could she completely break free from restraints and be truly free. She waited quietly as those miserable cries seemed to come from the distant Yuhu Xuanzong, from that place without daylight, the secret chamber!

Huang Rang seemed to see flickering talisman light. In the darkness, surging human faces displayed bizarre and ferocious expressions, full of twisted resentment and pain.

Sure enough, in the end, she was suddenly pulled by a strange force and broke free from her body entirely.

It was that tower again.

Eight-sided jade steps, nine-tiered golden tower.

Someone still stood at the top of the tower. All around, long winds howled, heavy snow flew. He looked down at Huang Rang from above, laughing, “How does freedom taste?”

Huang Rang wanted to see his face clearly, but the golden tower’s shattered light sparkled, its imposing force pressing down so she couldn’t straighten her back. She could only lower her head. That person raised his hand and threw down an object, saying, “Go, enjoy your feast.”

The object landed with a clink, striking at her feet. Huang Rang picked it up—it was another ice needle. It looked exactly the same as the previous one.

This was like the entire dreamscape—when it began to melt, it represented the collapse of the entire dream realm.

“You… who are you?” Huang Rang opened her mouth with difficulty.

But the person atop the tower didn’t answer. Of course he wouldn’t answer, and Huang Rang wasn’t even surprised. She gripped tightly that tea needle of ice-jade quality, and the world before her eyes suddenly changed!

In a trance, Huang Rang saw a small courtyard!

The small courtyard was filled with countless flower pots, each pot containing a hybrid variety being cultivated. Huang Rang’s consciousness was confused for a moment, the scene before her eyes going from virtual to real. She came back to her senses and saw herself sitting on a reclining chair under the eaves, her hand holding that ice-jade translucent tea needle.

This was… the Huang family of Immortal Tea Town, her own small courtyard.

Because her father Huang Shu had many children, in the entire Huang family, only she had her own independent small courtyard. She lived here all the way until she married.

Huang Rang inserted the tea needle in her hair and got up to check the seedlings in the flower pots. They were bean varieties she was cultivating—she had truly returned.

Returned to Immortal Tea Town from over a hundred years ago.

At this moment, the maid Daiyue entered and reported, “Tenth Miss, the master asks you to come out to receive guests, saying the Eighty-Sixth Imperial Prince has arrived.”

Eighty-Sixth… Imperial Prince?

Huang Rang’s expression immediately turned strange—what the hell! She was about to ask when she suddenly remembered Di Yiqiu.

Ah! She almost forgot, he was also an Imperial Prince. But this truly couldn’t be blamed on her—Eighty-Sixth Imperial Prince, who could remember that?!

What was he here for?

Huang Rang turned back and asked Daiyue, “What year is it now?”

“Ah?” Daiyue was stunned, “Tenth Miss, it’s the beginning of the Chengyuan era now.”

The beginning of the Chengyuan era—Huang Rang slowly recalled the time. After Shi Wenyu sought the Dao of Longevity, he changed the era name to Chengyuan. In the fifth year of Chengyuan, Di Yiqiu proposed marriage to her but was refused. The same year, she married Xie Hongchen. And now…

Ah, the beginning of the Chengyuan era—the imperial court calculated there would be a great drought next year and was searching everywhere for earth spirits to cultivate drought-resistant good varieties…

Huang Rang, accompanied by Daiyue, made her way to the main hall. She saw Huang Shu and a young man already seated as host and guest, with two attendants guarding left and right.

That young man wore purple official robes, a golden fish pouch at his waist, and black official boots on his feet—hearing the sound, he turned to look over. It was indeed the young Di Yiqiu. At this time, he wasn’t yet as beastly as the Di Yiqiu from a hundred years later.

The young man before her eyes was handsome and childlike, his gaze clear, full of vitality.

Huang Rang had already forgotten this meeting between the two of them. After all, to her past self, this was like Di Yiqiu’s ranking among the imperial princes.

—Who could possibly remember this?