The grave was on the mountain. The way home was downhill, circling half the village.

Strangely, Yan Sanhe encountered not a single person.

Where was everyone?

Nearing the house entrance, Yan Sanhe got her answer—everyone was crowded at her own front gate, each on tiptoes, bodies leaning, necks craning to look inside.

She walked forward. “What are you looking at?”

Old Uncle Wu’s youngest son stuck out his rear, not even glancing at her. “Watching a fight.”

Uncle Shi did turn to look at her, but quickly turned back. “You young girls don’t understand. It’s exciting!”

Old Granny Xiao’s second granddaughter’s pretty face flushed as she smiled coquettishly. “However exciting, it’s not as good-looking as that person.”

That person?

Who?

Yan Sanhe was about to part the crowd and squeeze in when she suddenly heard a hoarse voice.

“Fort Master Han, the common people don’t fight with officials. If you keep fighting like this, do you still want Han Family Escort Agency’s branch in the capital?”

Xie Zhifei?

Yan Sanhe’s brows furrowed as she called out sharply, “Move aside, everyone.”

The crowd quickly parted in a narrow path. Yan Sanhe turned sideways, stepped through the gate, swept her gaze around—and grew angry.

In the courtyard.

Ding Yi and Han Xu were tangled in combat, one wielding a sword, one a blade, their movements so fast they dazzled the eyes.

Under the eaves, Xie Zhifei sat in a grand chair, arms crossed over his chest, legs crossed, looking every bit the dissolute dandy young master.

Behind him stood Zhu Qing.

And beside Zhu Qing stood three strangers Yan Sanhe had never seen.

Except for Xie Zhifei, all these men had scraggly beards, tattered clothing, looking dusty and travel-worn.

“Miss Yan.” Zhu Qing was the first to spot Yan Sanhe.

Xie Zhifei leaped from his chair, his gaze urgently seeking her out.

The sunlight was blinding. She stood in the doorway wearing coarse cloth clothing, her face very pale, chin very pointed, eyes very dark.

Xie Zhifei’s heart suddenly ached.

How did she lose so much weight?

The fighting sounds stopped abruptly.

Ding Yi looked at Yan Sanhe, his face aggrieved. “Miss Yan, he absolutely refused to reveal your whereabouts. I had no choice but to…”

Only then did everyone realize these people knew Yan Sanhe.

Old Granny Xiao tottered over, slurped up the drool at the corner of her mouth, her gaze fixed on Xie Zhifei.

“Sanhe, who is he? So handsome! Much handsomer than Master Yan was when he was young.”

“Didn’t notice.”

Old Granny Xiao shot Sanhe a look that said: What’s wrong with your eyes?

Yan Sanhe stopped before Xie Zhifei.

Seeing his face up close, she realized this man’s dandy appearance was all an act.

His eye sockets were deeply sunken, dark circles beneath his eyes. His beard should have been freshly shaved—his chin still had a scraped spot, seeping a bit of blood.

“Is it for a heart demon?” she asked mildly.

Xie Zhifei hesitated. “How did you know?”

“I sensed it.”

Yan Sanhe glanced again at the three strangers behind him. “Go back. I won’t take this heart demon.”

Third Master Zhu felt darkness before his eyes.

Due to the journey, blisters had formed at the corners of his mouth, making even opening his mouth difficult.

“Miss Yan, why won’t you take it?”

“Because it’s dangerous.”

Yan Sanhe: “The coffin split three times, the body can’t even fit inside. I can’t resolve this heart demon.”

Third Master Zhu was shocked and dismayed.

He hadn’t even opened his mouth yet—how did this girl seem to have witnessed it with her own eyes? This person truly was a spirit medium!

Wait, what did she just say?

Can’t resolve it?

“Miss Yan, if you can’t resolve it, then no one in this world can.”

Third Master Zhu’s voice held nothing but pleading. “The Zhu family’s life and death rest in Miss’s hands. I beg Miss to help.”

Yan Sanhe shook her head.

Third Master Zhu quickly turned to look at Xie Zhifei: Third Master, think of something!

Xie Zhifei cleared his somewhat dry throat.

“Yan Sanhe, this is Third Master Zhu from the Zhu residence, my sister-in-law’s third elder brother. The person with the heart demon is Old Master Zhu. Yan Sanhe, I beg you for my sister-in-law’s sake…”

“No one’s sake will work.”

Yan Sanhe coldly interrupted, “This heart demon truly can’t be resolved. Don’t try to persuade me.”

Xie Zhifei was somewhat dazed. Even using his sister-in-law as a shield didn’t work. Could Old Master Zhu’s heart demon truly be…

Before the two words “dangerous” could emerge from his mind, he heard Third Master Zhu beside him already calling out impatiently:

“Is there really a heart demon in this world that a spirit medium can’t resolve? Then what kind of spirit medium are you? I traveled thousands of li to get here for nothing.”

Hearing this, Xie Zhifei knew trouble was brewing. Yan Sanhe ate soft but not hard!

Sure enough.

Yan Sanhe’s face darkened. “Han Xu, see the guests out.”

“You…”

Third Master Zhu had hoped and hoped, never imagining the result would be like this.

Over a month of arduous travel, the flesh on his rear had broken and healed, healed and broken. Relying on one breath of determination, gritting his teeth to hold on and reach here.

Yet she came out with “see the guests out” and dismissed him.

In that instant, anxiety, pain, anger, and worry from his heart all rushed to the top of his head.

He toppled over headfirst.

“Third Master.”

“Third Brother!”

Of the two guards Third Master Zhu had brought, one was still young and hot-blooded. Seeing his master faint from anger, he couldn’t help cursing:

“Surnamed Yan, who do you think you are? My master…”

“Pa—”

The courtyard fell deathly silent.

Old Granny Xiao licked her teeth, her eyes bright as anything. This young fellow didn’t hold back when hitting people—he was even more formidable than Master Yan!

Tsk, so very appealing!

Xie Zhifei pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his hand, sneering coldly. “That slap was on behalf of your master. When you return, feel free to report it.”

The guard covered his face, sputtering in rage. “Third Master, she…”

“How she is—that’s not for you to comment on.”

Xie Zhifei’s gaze turned fierce, his eyes filled with cold intent. “Not only can you not comment—if your master dares speak carelessly again, I’ll slap him too. Believe it or not?”

The guard’s face paled. He shut his mouth sheepishly.

“Zhu Qing, Ding Yi.”

“Master?”

Xie Zhifei glanced at the unconscious Third Master Zhu, sneering inwardly. “Carry Third Master inside. He’s just tired—let him sleep well.”

“Yes.”

“You, surnamed Han.”

Xie Zhifei nearly added the three words “pretty boy” at the end. Seeing that face so ordinary it could disappear in a crowd, he swallowed it back forcibly.

“This has nothing to do with you. Step aside. I have words for Yan Sanhe.”

The man surnamed Han looked at him expressionlessly, then walked to Yan Sanhe’s side, asking softly, “What do you say?”

“Just stay here. No need to go anywhere.”

Yan Sanhe pointed at Xie Zhifei. “You, come out with me.”

Old Granny Xiao watched the handsome fellow follow Yan Sanhe without a word, her gaze immediately shifting to Han Xu.

For some reason, looking at this Han fellow now, he really didn’t match up to her Sanhe.

Mm!

That handsome fellow was the right match.