“Why is he running so fast?”

Cuilu gripped the safety belt on her shoulder, looking at Qin Wanwan across from her. Qin Wanwan sighed: “Who knows? Let him be.”

“Master, why do you look so exhausted?” Nanfeng turned to examine Qin Wanwan.

Qin Wanwan closed her eyes: “I’m tired. I just want to sleep.”

One day of fighting, accepting congratulations, talking with Young Master Wuyou, and finally having to expend energy to punch Jian Xingzhi – her day had been too chaotic.

Seeing Qin Wanwan’s weary expression, everyone said no more. Taking advantage of Jian Xingzhi driving the carriage, they all began closing their eyes to rest.

As Jian Xingzhi led everyone fleeing non-stop, Young Master Wuyou waited calmly for him at Moon Ascent Tower.

After waiting a long time, with dawn nearly breaking and no news from Jian Xingzhi, he only received the lark flying back to Moon Ascent Tower, speaking coldly: “Young Master, Jian Xingzhi ran away.”

“Ran away?” Young Master Wuyou frowned. “You’re certain?”

“I just went to deliver the letter,” the lark described in detail. “First I pushed the door – couldn’t open it. So I flew up to look and discovered the entire courtyard was full of flatbreads. On top of the flatbreads was a letter. I opened it and read that they were donating these flatbreads free to Desolate City’s poor people, and they had matters to attend to so left first.”

Hearing this, Young Master Wuyou fell silent. He frowned deeply. The lark pressed: “Young Master, what do we do now?”

“Chase.”

Young Master Wuyou raised his head, speaking coldly: “Toward Flower City. Confirm their whereabouts. Switch to the next plan.”

The lark nodded, transformed into bird form and flew out. In less than half an hour, the lark transmitted back: “Master, found them.”

Young Master Wuyou stood up, transforming into a magnificent light, instantly appearing at the position the lark transmitted from.

The lark stood on a hilltop, pointing toward a carriage in the distance raising rolling dust from running too fast: “Master, that’s the one.”

Young Master Wuyou thought for a moment, raised his hand and changed, transforming himself into a wounded and battered appearance.

“Master?” The lark didn’t understand.

Young Master Wuyou explained calmly: “Someone useful we just met – surely they wouldn’t just abandon him?”

Saying this, Young Master Wuyou’s toes touched ground. He descended to the official road below and directly lay on the ground.

Jian Xingzhi drove the carriage running at full speed. From far away he saw someone lying on the ground, that person covered in blood. Jian Xingzhi was about to slow down when he suddenly heard a “ding” sound. The mechanical voice rang out: “Plot auto-correction, please promptly rescue the male lead! Plot auto-correction, please promptly rescue the male lead!”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi immediately understood. This task hadn’t declared completion yet. Sure enough, they were still trying to force Young Master Wuyou over! The person lying ahead was definitely Young Master Wuyou!

Thinking of this, Jian Xingzhi immediately accelerated.

666 got agitated: “Can’t run him over! Master, the male lead can’t be killed!”

Young Master Wuyou lying on the ground also felt something was wrong. Jian Xingzhi should have seen him – why did he speed up?

He frowned, but fortunately he’d seen great storms before. He lay on the ground without moving.

Watching the carriage get faster and faster, 666 screamed: “Don’t!!!”

The scream rose together with the carriage. Jian Xingzhi violently yanked the reins. The carriage leaped high before Young Master Wuyou, soared through the air overhead, landed back on the ground, and departed cleanly without looking back.

Dust sprayed all over Young Master Wuyou. The lark rushed down to help Young Master Wuyou up: “Young Master? Are you alright? How are you?”

Supported by the lark, Young Master Wuyou looked at the carriage that charged into the night without looking back. He thought for a moment, then saved face by telling the lark: “It’s too dark. He definitely didn’t see me.” Saying this, he calmed down again, speaking coldly: “Continue pursuing. Next plan.”

Though Jian Xingzhi’s driving was fierce, he’d set up a barrier. Inside the carriage was safe and sound. Everyone slept extremely well.

Qin Wanwan slept for three days straight. When she woke, it was already noon of the fourth day. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw everyone looking over. Jian Xingzhi was still driving outside. The others in the carriage were eating, holding flatbreads with dipping sauce from who knows where on the small table beside them, looking quite content. Seeing Qin Wanwan wake, after a moment’s reaction, Cuilu offered her the flatbread in her hand: “Want a flatbread?”

“No thanks.”

Looking at the bitten flatbread, Qin Wanwan sat up straight. She rubbed her temples, rolled up the carriage curtain to look outside. Seeing the gentle breeze and sunny weather, clear skies, her mood improved considerably.

She walked to the carriage edge, rolled up the curtain, and asked Jian Xingzhi sitting outside driving: “Where are we?”

“Three more days to Flower City,” hearing Qin Wanwan’s voice, Jian Xingzhi turned to glance at her. “You’re awake? Hungry? There are flatbreads in the carriage.”

“Not hungry.”

Qin Wanwan came out and sat on the carriage edge. After basking in the sun for a while, she finally remembered: “Did something happen? Why were you in such a hurry to leave Desolate City?”

“Oh,” Jian Xingzhi steeled himself to lie. “I received a task.”

“Task?”

Qin Wanwan turned to look at him. Jian Xingzhi nodded: “Mm, I need to reach Flower City within ten days.”

“Ten days…”

Qin Wanwan murmured. She thought seriously: “The system wouldn’t assign a task without reason. Ten days must have deep meaning.”

666: “…”

It didn’t, it hadn’t.

“We need to observe carefully,” Qin Wanwan decided. “Something will definitely happen in these ten days.”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t dare respond, pretending to be calm while looking ahead.

Qin Wanwan thought about it, felt a headache coming, and didn’t want to consider such serious problems. Looking to the side, she called to Jian Xingzhi: “There’s a river ahead. Let’s rest there for a bit.”

“Alright.”

Jian Xingzhi drove the horses near the small river and stopped the carriage. He took out a blanket and spread it under the tree shade, calling to Qin Wanwan and Cuilu: “Come sit here. I’ll go fetch you water and catch fish.”

Saying this, he took a basin from his storage pouch and went to catch fish. Xie Gutang and Nanfeng started a fire to roast fish. Everyone busied themselves happily like on a picnic.

Young Master Wuyou and the lark stood in the dense forest not far away, watching the group laughing and playing in the woods. The lark reminded Young Master Wuyou: “Young Master, good opportunity.”

Young Master Wuyou was still in that wounded and battered appearance. He nodded slightly and smiled: “Floating down with the current would indeed be natural.”

Saying this, he gracefully fell into the water. Blood spread through the water. He floated downstream with the current.

Jian Xingzhi was half-heartedly catching fish, placing his sword in the water, waiting for fish to swim over so he could spear them.

Most fish obviously weren’t that stupid, so he had nothing to do and began aimlessly observing the surroundings.

Before long, he suddenly heard strange sounds in the water. He looked down to see a face emerge from the water, reaching out to grab him, face full of pleading: “Save…”

Seeing that face, Jian Xingzhi without hesitation pressed his head back underwater. He raised his hand with a speed spell, directly sending Young Master Wuyou like he’d activated a turbo boost speeding downstream, instantly disappearing from sight.

This broken system – would it ever end?

Disturbed by Young Master Wuyou, Jian Xingzhi was too lazy to catch fish. He withdrew his sword and sat back, seeing Qin Wanwan sitting in the tree shade taking small bites of fish. Seeing him return, she chewed slowly and swallowed the fish in her mouth before speaking: “Did something just happen?”

Qin Wanwan watched Jian Xingzhi pull a freshly roasted fish from the fire and start eating. She examined him, explaining why she asked: “I felt you just used spiritual power.”

“Nothing much. Ran into a water ghost,” Jian Xingzhi quickly finished the fish, glanced at everyone. “Everyone rested up? If so, let’s continue on the road.”

Everyone exchanged glances but said nothing more. They packed up and set out.

After entering the carriage, Cuilu sat beside Qin Wanwan. Glancing at Jian Xingzhi driving outside, she lowered her voice: “Don’t you think Jian Xingzhi is acting strange?”

Qin Wanwan leaned close to Cuilu, answering quietly: “He’s always been strange.”

“True.”

Cuilu nodded without saying more. Qin Wanwan glanced once more at Jian Xingzhi, then withdrew her gaze, pretending to know nothing, and chatted with Cuilu.

The carriage ran toward Flower City. Not far away in the river, Young Master Wuyou undid Jian Xingzhi’s spell and suddenly stood up from the water.

The lark flew beside Young Master Wuyou, anxiously inquiring: “Young Master, are you alright?”

“He did it deliberately.” Young Master Wuyou wiped the water from his face, trudging up from the river channel, so angry his hands shook. “He definitely did it deliberately.”

“Young Master, don’t be angry,” the lark comforted Young Master Wuyou. “His brain isn’t normal. Don’t get angry with such a person. The important matter comes first.”

Young Master Wuyou didn’t speak. He walked to shore, staring in the direction Jian Xingzhi left, full of killing intent.

“When they enter the city, have people ambush them at the inn.”

“Young Master,” the lark was troubled, “well, though Jian Xingzhi’s brain doesn’t work well, we really don’t have anyone who can ambush him.”

“In the city with many people, he won’t dare use spiritual power freely.” Young Master Wuyou explained. “Besides, we’re not counting on you all to kill him.”

“Young Master, what if it still doesn’t succeed?” The lark pressed.

“You’re a lark, not a crow!” Young Master Wuyou glared at him.

But thinking of previous failures, his tone turned cold: “This time, I do not permit failure.”

Hearing this, the lark immediately knelt: “Subordinate understands.”

After Qin Wanwan accompanied everyone eating flatbreads for two days, they finally reached a small city outside Flower City.

The group stood travel-worn at the city gate looking up at the small city entrance, nearly moved to tears.

“Finally don’t have to eat flatbreads anymore.”

Cuilu sighed with emotion.

“Finally can take a bath.” Qin Wanwan was touched.

“Let’s go.” Qin Wanwan raised her hand, leading everyone to stride through the city gate. “We’re staying at the most luxurious inn and eating the best food!”

“Yes!”

Jian Xingzhi and Nanfeng enthusiastically echoed Qin Wanwan’s rallying cry. Cuilu and Xie Gutang looked at them, casting “I don’t know you” cold glances.

Qin Wanwan felt somewhat embarrassed and coughed lightly: “Let’s go.”

The five entered the small city together, found the best inn, bathed and freshened up separately, then found a small tavern together, deciding to have some wine and relax.

The small town tavern was lively with people coming and going. There was even a storyteller downstairs on stage telling strange tales and unusual events.

Qin Wanwan taught Cuilu, Xie Gutang, and Nanfeng finger-guessing games. Jian Xingzhi sat by the long railing, drinking while listening to the chatter around him.

“Did you hear? The Ning family sent word to the Immortal Alliance that demon seeds appeared in the Ning family. Wenxin Sect’s Sect Leader Shen Zhiming fell into demonic cultivation and slaughtered Jun Wuyuan’s entire family from Music City on Ning family territory.”

“Why would Shen Zhiming kill Jun Wuyuan? What about Music City and Wenxin Sect now?” Someone was shocked. “Besides, didn’t demon seeds disappear back then? How did they appear again?”

“Who knows?”

People discussed spiritedly, only saying: “Anyway, Music City and Wenxin Sect are finished. Music City now seems to have a branch line inheriting the City Lord position. Like the Ning family back then, they’ve set up a barrier and closed the city. Wenxin Sect is now managed by Song Xinian – probably won’t last long either. The only one still doing well is the Ning family. Though Ning Wenxu’s entire branch died, Ning Changhe inherited the family head position.”

“Ning Changhe and his son Ning Buyan are both at Tribulation Transcendence stage,” a passerby exclaimed. “The Ning family’s foundation remains. But this is thanks to this year’s Gentleman Sword from Desolate City.”

“Desolate City’s Gentleman Sword appeared?”

The cultivators all got excited. The speaker nodded: “That’s right. This year it’s a female immortal named Qin Wanwan. She and her friends helped the Ning family. Otherwise when the demon seeds suddenly erupted, wouldn’t the Ning clan have been exterminated?”

Everyone discussed the events at Desolate City. Jian Xingzhi couldn’t help smiling.

Hearing others praise her felt even better than hearing them praise himself back then.

Having taught the others finger-guessing, Qin Wanwan saw Jian Xingzhi sitting motionless. She carried her wine over, switched places with Xie Gutang sitting beside Jian Xingzhi, and leaned over: “Jian Xingzhi, you’re not playing finger-guessing?”

“Listening to stories.”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t tell her what he was listening to. He raised his hand pointing at the storyteller below. Qin Wanwan turned her head, only then noticing what the storyteller was saying.

“Today’s strange tale concerns Flower City’s ghost marriage custom. Flower City’s ghost marriages differ from other places. Elsewhere ghost marriages are for the dead, but Flower City’s ghost marriages are for the living.”

The storyteller vividly described Flower City’s story.

“This matter traces back a hundred years ago. Back then Flower City still had living people marry and dead people have funerals. But one day, as a Flower City family’s daughter was marrying out, suddenly violent winds arose in the sky, rolling up sand and dust, blocking out the sun. When the wind stopped, the bride’s sedan was covered in climbing rose vines. The entire sedan bloomed with extremely beautiful roses. Everyone cut open the vines – guess what happened?”

The storyteller spread his hands, emphasizing his tone: “The bride was gone!”

The crowd exclaimed. Outsiders clamored: “Did she die?”

“Dead,” the storyteller sighed. “That day not only was the bride gone, the groom also disappeared. After ten years, people finally dug up their skeletal remains in different places.”

“What happened next?”

Qin Wanwan couldn’t help calling out. The storyteller looked up and smiled: “Young lady, be patient. Let this old one slowly relate. Later, several more similar cases occurred. Different names, different families, but on the day the young lady married out, the bride suddenly vanished, the groom also disappeared without a trace, leaving only roses blooming where the bride disappeared. Years later, people would find the two bodies. The Flower City Liu clan tried countless methods to no avail. Finally they could only decree that in Flower City, marriage was not allowed. If marrying, use a coffin with funeral music playing and drumming, send it to the groom’s home – that counted as marriage. From then on, no more women in the city died from marriage, and this ghost marriage custom has been passed down to today.”

“That’s not right.” Someone in the crowd was puzzled: “But now the Flower City Liu clan is arranging a marriage alliance with Heavenly Sword Sect, saying they’ll make it grand. Aren’t they afraid of these roses?”

“This…”

The storyteller hesitated. A clear female voice rang out from below: “These storytellers just spread rumors they hear. You ask him this – what would he know?”

Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes toward the speaker. They saw a young lady dressed in a goose-yellow long dress, a soft whip at her waist, her features delicate and charming, looking cute but with an extremely arrogant temperament.

“What are you looking at?” The young lady swept her eyes over everyone. “Keep looking and this young miss will gouge out your eyes!”

“Young lady has quite a temper,” the storyteller sneered. “Don’t understand manners – then don’t blame this old one for teaching you a lesson on behalf of your family. Come out!”

As he spoke, a “whoosh” of wind sounded. An arrow shot rapidly past. Jian Xingzhi lightly leaned aside to see a feathered arrow fly down toward the young lady. The young lady rolled and tumbled. The arrow embedded trembling in the wooden table.

Sounds of closing windows and doors rang out continuously. Nearly a hundred black-robed cultivators suddenly appeared in the tavern.

“Kill.”

At one command, the black-robed cultivators charged the young lady in one wave, while another wave charged at Jian Xingzhi.

Cuilu was stunned. She raised her hand with a palm strike to shake off the charging cultivator, turning to ask Qin Wanwan: “Weren’t they teaching that girl a lesson? Why are they coming for us?!”

Qin Wanwan couldn’t answer either. Glancing at the other customers who had sensibly crouched in corners holding their heads downstairs, she dodged a sword from the side, frowning: “Is it because we didn’t crouch fast enough?”

Saying this, over a dozen cultivators suddenly surged forward, separating her and Jian Xingzhi. Qin Wanwan did a backflip in the air, lightly landing beside the young lady.

The two were surrounded by cultivators in a circle. Though they hadn’t spoken, the young lady inexplicably stood back-to-back with Qin Wanwan like comrades, fighting with the black-robed men beside them.

“Young lady,” the storyteller old man stood at a high position, one hand behind his back, one hand holding a ruler. “No need to struggle more. Go back.”

“Go to hell!”

The young lady’s long whip struck open the cultivators: “This old lady won’t go back to die!”

“Wait,” Qin Wanwan slashed aside the surging cultivators with her sword. “Young lady, what’s your situation?”

“Running away from home!”

The young lady answered crisply. Qin Wanwan dodged a broadsword and rolled on the ground: “Your family wants to kill you for running away? Your house rules are too strict!”

“Kill what kill – they’re trying to bring me back. This has nothing to do with you, no need to save me!”

“Young lady!”

As they spoke, the storyteller old man also joined the battle. Before Qin Wanwan could deny it, he shouted loudly: “Not all of these are our people. Run quickly!”

Hearing this, the young lady froze. Qin Wanwan pulled her and blocked the descending sword. The young lady instantly reacted: “Stay away from me, I don’t want to save you!”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

But it was already too late. Qin Wanwan pulled the young lady. The storyteller old man leaped up, blew a whistle, and instantly many black-robed cultivators surrounded her and the young lady. They raised hands to form seals on their chests. Countless butterflies flew up from the ground, forming a butterfly barrier.

“Protect the young lady!”

The storyteller old man shouted and charged at the black-robed cultivators nearby, pulling off their face coverings, confirming identities before slapping them down!

Two waves of black-robed cultivators suddenly began fighting and battling each other. Qin Wanwan and the young lady sat in the butterfly barrier, instantly peaceful.

The young lady thought for a moment, suddenly realizing something. She raised her hand to grasp Qin Wanwan’s hand, eyes sincere: “Good sister, swap outer robes with me. You sit here, I’ll leave first.”

“No way.”

Qin Wanwan grabbed her: “I don’t want to get involved…”

Before she finished speaking, a talisman was stuck on Qin Wanwan’s head. Qin Wanwan’s movements froze. The young lady said: “Pardon me.”

Saying this, she stripped off Qin Wanwan’s outer robe, swapped robes with her, then sneakily crawled out from the back of the butterfly barrier, struggling through the crowd toward the door.

The entire tavern fought hotly, both sides evenly matched.

Jian Xingzhi was entangled by dozens of cultivators. Afraid of injuring mortals, he didn’t dare use spiritual power. But fighting one-on-one, he couldn’t move an inch.

Watching the tavern in complete chaos, the lark standing at a high position turned to look at Young Master Wuyou.

“Young Master, if we don’t act, Jian Xingzhi will probably lose patience.”

“It’s about time.”

Young Master Wuyou smiled. He closed the small fan in his hand and instructed: “Let them act.”

The lark nodded, blew a whistle, signaling: “Act.”

After a moment, a whistle came from the tavern, using whistles to express: “Act toward which one.”

The lark continued whistling: “Toward the one in red clothes!”

The assassins in the tavern immediately reacted. After searching around, they turned without hesitation, collectively swinging blades toward the red-robed young lady about to crawl out.

“Young lady!”

The storyteller saw blade light charging toward the young lady. The young lady looked back in terror.

At that very instant, golden light suddenly illuminated the tavern. Talismans like petals in the wind elegantly scattered toward the black-robed men.

Jian Xingzhi looked back to see Young Master Wuyou descending from the sky, like an immortal.

He widened his eyes and shouted: “Nanfeng, block him!”

Saying this, Jian Xingzhi raised his hand to blast away the black-robed cultivators frozen by talismans, shot up to the long railing, toes touching, and dropped down below.

The entire hall’s scene entered his view. Jian Xingzhi recognized at a glance that the one in the butterfly barrier was Qin Wanwan. He dove toward Qin Wanwan without hesitation.

Meanwhile, at Jian Xingzhi’s words, Nanfeng transformed into an ant, running madly toward Young Master Wuyou’s direction, transformed into human form stepping on the corridor, suddenly lunging at Young Master Wuyou, grabbing Young Master Wuyou’s pants in one motion, then plunging straight down!

Then with a “thud,” Nanfeng face-planted into the ground.

The surroundings instantly quieted.

Jian Xingzhi protected Qin Wanwan. Together with Qin Wanwan, they stared in shock at Young Master Wuyou maintaining his pose of reaching toward the red-robed young lady, with a smile, frozen in place like a sculpture.

His upper body was normal, elegant and gentle.

The only problem was his lower body’s pants, pulled directly down to his knees by Nanfeng.

What could still be fortunate was that his outer robe was long enough – nothing was actually visible.

Nanfeng had originally raised his head the first instant he fell. But after seeing the bare legs before him, he buried his face down again.

Silence became the only main theme of this moment. After a long time, Young Master Wuyou pretended to be calm as he bent down, pulling up his pants, expressionlessly wanting to leave.

No one dared stop him. But just as he stepped forward, the beam earlier broken by Jian Xingzhi’s spiritual power finally gave a crisp “creak” and rapidly fell, with a tremendous “clang,” smashing onto Young Master Wuyou who was too embarrassed to be confused.

Young Master Wuyou was struck down to the ground by the beam on the spot. Qin Wanwan watched this tragedy and finally reacted.

She hurriedly stood up, rushed out from the barrier, pulled the beam off Young Master Wuyou, turned him over, and patted his face: “Young Master Wuyou, are you alright?”

Young Master Wuyou didn’t speak. He pulled away Qin Wanwan’s hand and strongly sat up.

Blood flowed down from his head. Qin Wanwan panicked.

This beam was broken by Jian Xingzhi. Young Master Wuyou had so much information. If he became enemies with Jian Xingzhi, their days wouldn’t be good.

Moreover, he came to save someone, yet ended up like this – this was too dishonorable.

“You’re bleeding. Let me bandage you.”

Qin Wanwan anxiously pulled at Young Master Wuyou, wanting to make some amends.

“No need,” Young Master Wuyou pulled away Qin Wanwan’s hand, pretending to be calm. “I want to leave alone.”

“Young Master Wuyou, don’t be like this. We’ll compensate medical expenses. I’ll take you to see a doctor. I’ll take responsibility for you. Don’t ruin yourself.”

“That’s right, that’s right,” Nanfeng came up to grab Young Master Wuyou. “I’m sorry, I apologize…”

“Thank you,” Young Master Wuyou restrained his emotions, pushing through the crowd, wanting to leave through the crowd. “Let me go.”

“No, we must apologize.”

“No need…”

“Let us take responsibility. We wronged you. Tell us what we can do so you’ll forgive us…”

“I said I don’t need your apology, don’t you understand?!”

Young Master Wuyou finally collapsed. He violently shook off everyone, shouting: “I want to be alone and quiet. I don’t want to see you! I don’t want to stay here one more moment. Must you make me this embarrassed?! You people, not one normal person! Sick! Sick! Sick!!”

Everyone stopped at Young Master Wuyou’s scolding. Young Master Wuyou panted heavily and left in a huff.

But just reaching the door, with a “clang” the signboard smashed down, directly striking him to the ground.

Everyone instinctively looked at Jian Xingzhi. Jian Xingzhi froze, then cursed loudly: “Why are you looking at me? It wasn’t me who smashed it.”

“What are we still waiting here for?” Qin Wanwan reacted and rushed forward. “Save him!”

—

**Author’s Notes:**

**[Mini Theater]**

Jian Xingzhi: “There’s no proper person we can’t drive crazy.”

Qin Wanwan: “That’s you. Don’t add ‘we.'”