With Nai Zhong still in the underground palace, they needed to quickly begin setting up formations in the peach grove. After these brief pleasantries, Abbot Yuan Jue had two disciples escort Teng Yuyi away from the grove.

Not far from the grove, they happened to meet Prince Chun’an arriving with his guards. Teng Yuyi stopped and performed a curtsy to the prince. He paused briefly, and she could feel his gaze upon her.

After a moment, Prince Chun’an asked, “You are General Teng’s daughter?”

His voice had the cool clarity of melting snow – initially giving an impression of aloofness, though his tone was unexpectedly gentle.

Teng Yuyi replied, “I am.”

Prince Chun’an said nothing more, seemingly quietly observing her. Teng Yuyi couldn’t leave without permission, so she stood in place. From the corner of her eye, she could see the hem of his purple-gold brocade robe swaying in the wind, its cloud patterns seeming to flow in the sunlight. Finally, he gave a slight nod and entered the peach grove.

As they passed the scripture hall, over ten Daoist priests swept across the eaves. Looking up at the sound, Teng Yuyi recognized the first two figures as Jian Tian and Jian Xi, while the smaller figure behind them was Abbess Jing Chen of the Yuzhen Daoist Nunnery. Behind them followed a large group of elderly Daoist priests.

The group of high priests swung their whisks, keeping their eyes straight ahead as they moved swiftly across eaves and walls, hurrying toward the peach grove.

The front courtyard was also in chaos. With great evil appearing at the Yuzhen Daoist Nunnery, it was no longer safe to keep people there. Now that Abbot Yuan Jue had arrived, the noble ladies who had come to view flowers, along with the Daoist nuns, were to be relocated to Prince Chun’an’s manor next door.

To prevent anyone from accidentally entering the peach grove, numerous guards from the prince’s manor were stationed to guard the front courtyard.

When Teng Yuyi reached the front courtyard, she first spotted Duan Fu among the crowd.

His face was sallow and haggard as he stood like a wooden post before the steps with a group of Teng manor guards. While everyone around was talking, he remained as still as dead water. When he suddenly caught sight of Teng Yuyi, his eyes trembled violently. His mouth opened and he ran wildly toward her.

“Young Miss,” he called hoarsely.

Teng Yuyi felt a twinge in her heart. This expression was familiar to her. Since she was small, whenever she went out, Duan Fu would stay by her side, never leaving. Whether she fell from a tree while playing or nearly tripped while running too fast, this look of anxiety would flash across his face.

Thanks to Duan Fu’s protection over the years, although she had been more mischievous than other children, she rarely got hurt.

She knew that something must have drawn Duan Fu away today – otherwise, he would never have disappeared without reason.

Duan Fu quickly rushed before Teng Yuyi, his lips trembling as he looked her up and down. Knowing he must be feeling intense guilt, she quickly comforted him: “I’m fine—”

Duan Fu’s cry of “Young Miss” had also alerted others. Du Tinglan’s eyes widened as she hurriedly pushed through the crowd and rushed anxiously toward Teng Yuyi.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi craned their necks to look, then joyfully lifted their robes to jump down the steps.

“Sister!” Teng Yuyi quickly went to meet them.

Du Tinglan’s makeup had long been washed away by tears, her eyes as swollen as peaches. Having witnessed that fake monk’s abilities in the grove, she had thought her sister couldn’t survive. After such torment, her heart and courage were both shattered. Now seeing her sister safe and sound seemed like a dream. She stared at her sister in a daze, checking again and again to confirm she was truly unharmed, then pulled Teng Yuyi tightly into her arms and burst into loud sobs.

Hearing her sister’s cries, Teng Yuyi’s throat also tightened. She patted her sister’s shoulder, constantly comforting her: “Sister, don’t be sad. Look at me, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Miss Teng!” Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi eagerly pushed their round heads forward.

Teng Yuyi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes: “When did you two arrive?”

“We came early, but Daoist Masters Jian Tian and Jian Xi said this demon was no ordinary evil. With our level of cultivation, entering the underground palace would only mean death, so they firmly prevented us from going in.” As they spoke, they examined Teng Yuyi. Seeing she was unharmed, their worried hearts finally settled, but then they suddenly became concerned again, “Where’s Senior Brother?!”

“His Highness is in the peach grove discussing how to deal with Nai Zhong with Abbot Yuan Jue.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi sighed in relief, then pointed to an elegant young nobleman in fine clothes not far away: “When the Crown Prince and Prince Chun’an heard about the great demon in the nunnery, they feared Senior Brother couldn’t handle it alone. One personally rode to Da Yin Temple to invite Abbot Yuan Jue, while the other sought help from nearby Daoist temples along the way. Both Their Highnesses have just returned to the nunnery.”

That person was tall and graceful, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, speaking with a very gentle manner – it was indeed the Crown Prince.

Teng Yuyi now noticed that besides the guards who had rushed here from various manors upon hearing the news, at least thirty or forty Daoist priests had also arrived. The Crown Prince stood before the group of priests, patiently listening to something. After a while, he turned to give instructions to his guards, then personally led several priests toward the back courtyard.

By this time, Zheng Shuangyin, Wu Qi, and others had also run over, surrounding Teng Yuyi and looking her over from all sides, each still shaken: “Thank goodness you’re alright, we were all worried sick.”

Li Huaigu grabbed Teng Yuyi’s hand to look her over, saying emotionally: “Sister Lan and I nearly cried ourselves to death. It’s such a relief you’re safe.”

Li Huaigu’s hair was somewhat disheveled, but her cherry-red lip rouge remained. With clear tears in her eyes, she spoke touchingly.

“Thank you for your concern,” Teng Yuyi smiled and patted Li Huaigu’s hand, discretely withdrawing her own.

Looking through the crowd again, she immediately spotted the Peng sisters, Hua Yue and Jin Xiu. Both had red noses and swollen eyes, looking no better than herself.

Teng Yuyi found this very strange. These sisters had disappeared before the incident; logically, they shouldn’t have been frightened, yet now they looked as if they too had just escaped death.

Just then, Abbess Jing Chen hurried over from the back courtyard: “We’re about to activate the formations here. Please follow this humble priest to Prince Chun’an’s manor for now. Since your benefactors encountered Nai Zhong in the grove earlier, his yin energy is too strong. To prevent any aftereffects, please drink the talisman soup and confirm you’re unharmed before leaving.”

After saying this, Abbess Jing Chen personally escorted the noble ladies to the prince’s manor.

The manor’s guests had already been dismissed, leaving only the stewards and servants.

The Daoist priests and nuns from various temples were settled in the main hall, while the young ladies were placed in the wing rooms behind it.

The guards from various manors were not allowed inside and could only keep watch outside the walls.

Abbess Jing Chen remained in the main hall to oversee everything, while Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi took talismans to the kitchen to brew the soup.

Prince Chun’an had not only never married but also had no consorts. In his vast manor, there was no female master to manage affairs. For the women’s quarters, only a few elderly matrons were leading the maids in busy preparation.

The girls freshened up in the wing rooms, and to maintain propriety, all had their servants bring veiled caps for them to wear.

After putting on her veiled cap, Teng Yuyi quietly asked Du Tinglan: “Sister, how long was I taken?”

Du Tinglan was still somewhat unsettled, continuously gripping her sister’s hand: “About half a shift.”

Teng Yuyi was startled. Time had seemed endless in the underground palace, yet less than an hour had passed. As she pondered this, she suddenly heard Peng Hua Yue begin to sob from across the room.

“When my sister and I left the washroom, we planned to return directly to the peach grove. But on the way, we met four young novice monks who politely asked us where the abbess was. We weren’t suspicious and casually mentioned the ‘scripture hall,’ but then those four novices suddenly began laughing strangely. I sensed something was wrong and pulled my sister to flee, but somehow we ended up back in the peach grove. We wandered around unable to find the exit, nearly frightened out of our wits. Later, when we heard the abbess had brought people to search for us, we realized we had accidentally stumbled into the nunnery’s mechanisms.”

Teng Yuyi had been skeptical of Peng Hua Yue’s words, but at the mention of four novice monks, her hair stood on end. This didn’t seem made up – could they have encountered danger earlier?

Wu Qi and the others were stunned: “Your experience was almost the same as ours, except we met one tall fake monk instead of four novice monks.”

Abbess Jing Chen happened to come by to check on them, and hearing this, said: “They were more fortunate than you. Those four novice monks were just minor spirits under Nai Zhong’s command, with weak magic that was easy to break through. Unlike Nai Zhong himself, where solving his riddle was the only chance for survival.”

Zheng Shuangyin said: “Speaking of that, if not for Miss Teng’s secret hint earlier, we would likely have met a terrible fate. Miss Teng, words cannot express our gratitude. Please accept Shuangyin’s bow.”

She was known for her scholarship and had always been somewhat proud, but she bowed without hesitation. Wu Qi also rose without a word and formally bowed to Teng Yuyi.

Teng Yuyi stepped forward to help them up: “You’re too kind. In such a dangerous situation, anyone would fight to survive. That we managed to escape means we’ve survived an ordeal together. Miss Zheng, Miss Wu, Fourth Lady Liu… please, no need for this, quickly rise.”

Despite Zheng Shuangyin and Wu Qi’s insistence on formal bows, Du Tinglan could only smile wryly as she came to help, gently assisting each girl to her feet.

After everyone returned to their seats, Fourth Lady Liu asked curiously: “By the way, Yu’er, can your bell detect evil spirits? Otherwise, why did it start ringing as soon as that strange monk appeared?”

Abbess Jing Chen started: “Bell?”

Teng Yuyi’s eyes flickered slightly. The Xuanyin Bell was a Daoist artifact – simply making up excuses wouldn’t fool Abbess Jing Chen’s eyes, but telling the truth would require explaining how Qing Yun Temple’s treasure ended up on her wrist. As she pondered her response, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi fortunately arrived with the talisman soup.

“Drink it while it’s hot. Evil energy shouldn’t be allowed to stagnate in the body,” Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi announced.

At the words “evil energy,” the girls forgot about Teng Yuyi’s bell. After drinking the soup, the steward led servants in to serve the meal.

They should have dined at Cloud Assembly Hall at noon, but the incident had delayed them. Only upon smelling the food did the girls realize how hungry they were.

The prince’s manor servants were different from those of ordinary noble households – they moved with perfect dignity and etiquette, setting down dishes gently before withdrawing in unison.

Though hastily prepared, the food showed no signs of carelessness.

After her frightening experience in the underground palace, Teng Yuyi was both hungry and thirsty. Though worried about how the demon-capturing was progressing, she busied herself calming her nerves with wine. Raising the cup for a sip, she couldn’t help but admire it: excellent wine.

The wine’s fragrance was as pure as snow, with subtle hints of lotus.

Across the table, Peng Jin Xiu’s eyes sparkled as she looked alternately at the delicacies and well-trained servants, her face glowing with what seemed like vicarious pride. When her sister Peng Hua Yue quietly nudged her, she lowered her eyes and ate properly.

After the meal, there was still no news from outside.

Everyone was anxious. Though Da Yin Temple and Qing Yun Temple each had their powers, and many skilled masters had come from various Daoist temples, that strange monk’s abilities were extraordinary. After fighting for so long, there was still no word.

Abbess Jing Chen grew visibly agitated, pacing several rounds under the corridor eaves with her short steps before finally swishing her whisk and sitting cross-legged to meditate.

Seeing this, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi hurriedly sat down to meditate on either side of her.

Having used almost all her strength to escape, Teng Yuyi was now exhausted. After sitting idly for a while, she couldn’t help but rest her head on Du Tinglan’s shoulder to doze. Suddenly hearing voices outside the courtyard, she quickly opened her eyes to look.

Abbess Jing Chen went to the courtyard to exchange a few words, then came back saying: “Abbot Yuan Jue has arrived. The abbot has the Buddha’s eye – after he examines everyone thoroughly, if there are no problems, you benefactors can return home.”

Teng Yuyi went outside with Du Tinglan to see Abbot Yuan Jue standing in the courtyard with two senior disciples, one holding a golden bowl containing what looked like medicinal pills.

Beside them were Lin Chengyou, the Crown Prince, and Prince Chun’an.

Behind them were Jian Tian, Jian Xi, and other Daoist priests from various Chang’an temples.

Jian Tian and Jian Xi wore bitter expressions, and the other priests looked dejected as well.

Lin Chengyou, however, appeared spirited, though his brows were furrowed in thought. He still wore that dark gray linked pearl brocade robe, now wrinkled and dirty, looking somewhat disheveled.

Teng Yuyi looked from Lin Chengyou to Yuan Jue and the others, thinking silently: It seems Nai Zhong has already escaped.

Wu Qi was the first to step forward and bow: “Greetings, Abbot.”

The other girls followed suit.

Abbot Yuan Jue’s gaze swept over everyone. Though Teng Yuyi had her veiled cap as a shield, she still felt those eyes were as penetrating as torch flames.

As the abbot’s gaze moved to this side, the hem of a skirt beside her trembled slightly. Teng Yuyi looked to see it was Duan Qingying.

Duan Qingying shifted her feet uneasily, but upon noticing Teng Yuyi’s glance, instantly resumed her usual proud and dignified manner.

Teng Yuyi was puzzled – surely Duan Qingying hadn’t been possessed? However, when Abbot Yuan Jue’s gaze passed over Duan Qingying, he didn’t linger. Yet when he saw Li Huaigu, he suddenly paused.

Finally, he beckoned to Teng Yuyi and the Peng sisters: “Would the three benefactors please come forward.”

Du Tinglan anxiously gripped Teng Yuyi’s hand, but Teng Yuyi wasn’t surprised at all. If not for Xuanyin Bell’s warning, she wouldn’t have known in time that Nai Zhong was an evil being. Nai Zhong had probably realized the bell had foiled its plans, which was why it had asked whose item it was. Plus, having escaped from under Nai Zhong’s nose twice, it wasn’t strange that the great being had marked her.

“None of you bear evil energy. After taking the medicine, the clergy will escort you home.”

Abbot Yuan Jue’s voice was steady and gentle, somehow putting minds at ease.

All the ladies sighed in relief.

Yuan Jue then looked at Teng Yuyi and the Peng sisters: “You three benefactors have calamity in your destinies. This old monk cannot say whether it will manifest in this incident with Nai Zhong. To be cautious, you three may need alternative lodging arrangements for the next few days.”

Lin Chengyou’s brows furrowed – destined calamity? Was this why Teng Yuyi had such bad luck recently?

Peng Hua Yue and Peng Jin Xiu exclaimed in shock: “Abbot, what do you mean?”

But Yuan Jue turned to speak to his disciple instead.

The young monk responded: “Amitabha. Heaven’s workings cannot be revealed. These are our temple’s Heart-Pacifying Lotus pills, which can clear the mind and ward off evil. Nai Zhong’s malevolent energy is extraordinary – anyone who encounters it will be affected by its evil energy to some degree. Without taking medicine soon, you may be plagued by nightmares. Benefactors, please come receive your medicine. However, as this was sudden, we only brought twenty Heart-Pacifying Lotus pills – likely not enough. Those who don’t receive any can wait two days until the temple makes more, and we humble monks will deliver them to your homes.”

The girls understood perfectly – only twenty pills and those who didn’t get any would suffer nightmares for the next few days. Frightened but maintaining their noble dignity, they lined up to receive the medicine.

Teng Yuyi was lost in thought. Abbot Yuan Jue had indeed noticed something wrong with her – was this so-called “calamity” the disaster caused by borrowing life? Her heart raced chaotically, too preoccupied to think about getting medicine.

Du Tinglan was also distracted, worried about her sister’s safety and habitually yielding to others. Thus, by the time it was her turn, the golden bowl was empty.

Liu Fourth Lady held the last Heart-Pacifying Lotus pill somewhat awkwardly. Du Tinglan quickly said: “It’s fine, the abbot will distribute more medicine in a couple of days anyway.”

After saying this, Du Tinglan turned to find Teng Yuyi, but as she stepped forward, a pill suddenly rolled toward her, stopping at the hem of her skirt. She looked down and bent to pick it up.

The courtyard was chaotic, with everyone crowded together to receive medicine, so no one noticed when Duan Qingying trembled and said: “Oh no, my medicine is gone.”

Du Tinglan quickly said: “Miss Duan, your medicine is here.”

Lin Chengyou and the Crown Prince were not far away.

The Crown Prince witnessed this scene and thought silently that this young lady had an honest nature.

Soon after, another young lady hurriedly came to retrieve her medicine: “Thank you, Miss Du.”

So she was Miss Du. The Crown Prince started – the “Fragrant Elephant” characters his mother so adored had been chosen by this Miss Du.

Du Tinglan hadn’t noticed the Crown Prince’s gaze. She had only taken two steps when Li Huaigu tugged at her scarf.

“Sister Lan, didn’t you get any medicine? Here, take mine,” Li Huaigu said gently, offering her medicine to Du Tinglan.

Du Tinglan quickly refused: “I absolutely cannot. You’re delicate – keep the medicine for yourself.”

But Li Huaigu insisted on pressing the medicine into Du Tinglan’s hand: “Yu’er didn’t get any medicine either. I heard she’s been somewhat weak since nearly drowning last time – it would be good for her to take this. I’m not in a hurry.”

Du Tinglan indeed showed hesitation but ultimately pushed it back: “No, this medicine was given to you. Yu’er and I can wait for the next distribution.”

She walked to Teng Yuyi’s side and quietly took her hand: “You seem distracted – what are you thinking about?”

Seeing this, Prince Chun’an took out a bottle from his robes and handed it to his steward: “I still have some Heart-Pacifying Lotus pills that I received from the abbot last year but never had to use. Distribute these to them.”

The steward hesitated briefly but accepted the bottle, first giving pills to Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan, then distributing the remaining two to other young ladies.

Lin Chengyou had been pondering the day’s events when he raised his head at these words. He recalled how his royal uncle had mentioned that years ago when accompanying his uncle to Lishan Mountain, he had encountered danger and was saved by Teng Shao. To avoid impropriety, his royal uncle and Teng Shao had little contact over the years, but this life-saving grace seemed to remain forever in his uncle’s heart.

He then looked at Teng Yuyi, who seemed lost in thought, neither going to receive medicine nor responding to her sister’s words. Only when she saw the medicine bottle did she seem to come to her senses, hurriedly joining the other young ladies in expressing thanks.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” When Teng Yuyi lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings. Even through the gauze veil, one could faintly see her bright eyes and brows.

Prince Chun’an nodded: “No need for formalities.”

Lin Chengyou watched from the side, saying nothing.

After finishing their conversation, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi came to find their senior brother. Seeing his strange expression, they asked puzzled: “Senior Brother?”

Lin Chengyou turned to Abbot Yuan Jue: “Abbot, it’s getting late. Perhaps we should have the Daoist masters escort them home soon.”

“Very well,” Yuan Jue said.

Looking at Teng Yuyi and the Peng sisters, he continued: “As for these three benefactors, follow this old monk’s arrangement and stay temporarily at Da Yin Temple—”

Hearing this, the ladies hurried to comfort Teng Yuyi and the others: “The Empress leads the wives and daughters of court officials to worship at Da Yin Temple every year. The temple quarters are spacious and clean… It’s good for you to stay there during this time, at least you won’t need to worry about evil spirits disturbing you.”

Teng Yuyi nodded, then Du Tinglan suddenly said: “Yu’er, didn’t you lose a buyao hairpin?”

Teng Yuyi started – she had forgotten about it while fleeing earlier. She quickly went before Abbess Jing Chen, bowing slightly: “May I ask, Venerable Master, did you see a buyao hairpin in the underground palace?”

“A buyao?” Jing Chen was startled. “Was it a precious ornament? This is troublesome – the underground palace is full of mechanisms. Whenever someone enters or leaves, the angles of the underground levels shift. Things that fall in might not be found again.”

Teng Yuyi recalled the scene in the underground hall, knowing these words were true, but she still couldn’t give up: “…Might I come back to search another day? It was something my mother left me—I trouble the Venerable Master.”

Abbess Jing Chen said helplessly: “It’s not that this humble priest is unwilling to help, but the buyao has been lost for so long – logically it would have fallen to the next level by now. Even if it could be found, it would likely have been ground to powder by the mechanisms.”

Meanwhile, Yuan Jue asked Lin Chengyou: “Where are you going?”

Lin Chengyou shifted his gaze back, answering properly: “First to the Ministry of Justice.”

Zhuang Mu would likely talk now – he needed to find out if someone had offered the Moon Phase Child Lord to Nai Zhong.

Before he finished speaking, beast cries came from outside the courtyard – it was Kuan Nu and several regular attendants arriving, with the majestic small leopard Jun Nu behind them.

Kuan Nu wiped his sweat and handed a package to Lin Chengyou: “Your Highness.”

Lin Chengyou took it out to look – it was a white lotus cloud brocade robe.

Kuan Nu said: “Fearing we’d be late, I returned to the manor and asked Commander Chang to find any suitable garment. Your Highness can change out of these dirty clothes first.”

Seeing that garment, Teng Yuyi’s scalp tingled.

The fabric of Lin Chengyou’s robe was identical to hers. That day, to avoid suspicion, she had only worn it briefly before taking it off, only putting it on again temporarily when Li Huaigu and others came to the manor that night. Lin Chengyou hadn’t worn his long either, as she had soon “accidentally” spilled grape wine on it.

This color and fabric combination was truly rare – anyone who saw it would think they came from the same cloth.

Lin Chengyou also paused. If he hadn’t happened to witness it that night, he wouldn’t have known Teng Yuyi had the same fabric as him. Should he pretend nothing was amiss and change into it? After all, it had been so long – others might not notice.

But if people misunderstood…

He glanced at Teng Yuyi from the corner of his eye. Better to be cautious – he smoothly stuffed the garment back, then checked inside, only to find there wasn’t even a spare.

Commander Chang and Kuan Nu were both equally careless.

He smiled wryly: “This garment is dirty too – can’t you see?”

Kuan Nu froze: “It’s dirty too?”

Lin Chengyou tied up the package and tossed it back to Kuan Nu, smiling at Prince Chun’an: “Uncle, it seems I’ll have to borrow some clothes from you.”

Teng Yuyi sighed in relief – fortunately Lin Chengyou remembered this matter.

Lin Chengyou had stuffed the garment back so quickly that presumably, no one had noticed this scene.

Suddenly someone nearby said: “Third Lady, what’s wrong?”

Li Third Lady replied: “It’s nothing, just got sand in my eyes.”

Teng Yuyi looked over. A breeze happened to lift a corner of Li Huaigu’s veiled cap – her face was unusually pale as if she were ill.

Yuan Jue began arranging for monks and Daoists to escort everyone. Given the cultivation levels of those present, none could resist Nai Zhong – after arrangements, it would take at least three people to escort each carriage.

With this distribution, more than half of Da Yin Temple’s monks were assigned.

Lin Chengyou needed to go to the Ministry of Justice, and Abbot Yuan Jue needed to escort the Crown Prince to the palace. Finally, the two disciples with the strongest magical powers were assigned to escort Teng Yuyi and the Peng ladies, along with Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi – this should be sufficient.

The Crown Prince still worried about insufficient manpower and said gently: “Abbot need not escort this junior to the palace – bringing the two young Daoist masters Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi is enough.”

Abbot Yuan Jue shook his head: “This old monk has matters to report to His Majesty. However, this means no one can watch over the scriptures this old monk brought back from the Eastern Capital. Abbess Jing Chen, could you help escort the scriptures from the carriage to our humble temple?”

Abbess Jing Chen was about to nod when Prince Chun’an said: “This junior will make the trip.”

Peng Jin Xiu naturally couldn’t ask for more, blushing as she curtseyed to Prince Chun’an.

Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan had no choice but to bow as well: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Lin Chengyou, having changed clothes, came over and hearing this, suddenly said: “I just remembered – I need to check the temple’s scripture hall about Nai Zhong’s origins. No need to trouble Uncle – I’ll go instead.”

With arrangements complete, as everyone was about to leave the manor, suddenly someone said: “Abbot, please wait.”

Everyone turned to see Li Huaigu. She walked to Abbot Yuan Jue, raising her arm: “Please help me look – what’s wrong with this?”

Her tone was both shocked and frightened – terrified.

It was a very small wound, as if scratched by a tree branch or similar sharp object, breaking both clothing and skin, though not deep – just a superficial mark.

The strange thing was that the wound had turned somewhat black as if poisoned.

Yuan Jue showed slight surprise: “Amitabha. Where did the benefactor receive this scratch?”

“In the peach grove. I was only focused on escaping and didn’t notice being scratched. It suddenly started itching, and that’s when I discovered this tear.”

Yuan Jue nodded slowly: “This is demon poison. Take this benefactor to the temple first – we must find a way to extract the demon poison quickly.”

Thus, Li Huaigu was also forced to board the carriage heading to Da Yin Temple.

After leaving, Lin Chengyou looked at the carriage full of scriptures, thinking how he had many urgent matters to attend to, yet had inexplicably volunteered to go to Da Yin Temple. Reflecting on the day’s events, that strange feeling in his heart grew stronger. Just as he was about to mount his horse, a thought struck him. He called Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi to his side, crouching down to say: “I think I got scratched on the back of my neck – help your senior brother take a look.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were shocked and hurried behind Lin Chengyou, pulling back his inner robe’s collar to look carefully. With their senior brother’s fair skin, they could easily see the golden mark left by the gu poison.

Besides this, there wasn’t a single scratch.

“There’s nothing, Senior Brother,” they said. “We don’t see any wounds.”

Lin Chengyou pondered – if the gu mark on his neck had disappeared, these two fools would certainly have made a fuss.

So his gu must still be there, though he wasn’t certain – after all, Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi were quite careless and might not have noticed even if the mark had vanished.

If he asked too directly, he feared Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi would grow suspicious – why suddenly ask if his gu mark was still there?

But he couldn’t ignore that strange feeling in his heart. As he mounted his horse, he thought: No, when he got to Da Yin Temple, he needed to find a mirror and check for himself.