Chapter 143

Chapter 143: A Dragon Trapped in the Shallows (2)

Liu Hao Tian did not believe a single word Boss Shen uttered. [How could anyone in the mortal realm possibly repair a cultivator’s storage bag?] Yet Yu Qing Cheng wore a deeply grateful expression and said gently, “Thank you so much for your kindness toward us siblings, Boss Shen. The other pouch isn’t urgent—whenever it’s ready is fine. Actually, I know how to mend it myself, but my skill isn’t very good. I’m afraid elder brother wouldn’t approve of my handiwork.”

Boss Shen was delighted by Yu Qing Cheng’s gratefulness, his old face blooming like a chrysanthemum. Once he was certain the pair wouldn’t cause further trouble, he cheerfully said, “Then prepare yourselves; in three days, we’ll visit the county magistrate’s residence.”

“Yes,” Yu Qing Cheng answered promptly, eager for him to leave so she could finally take her pills.

Satisfied that his goals were achieved, Boss Shen didn’t linger, turning around to depart immediately. Now holding two trees of gold in his hands, he needed careful planning to squeeze every bit of profit from them.

After he left, Yu Qing Cheng didn’t immediately open the storage bag. It wasn’t until the moon rose high that she withdrew spirit stones, pills, and a concealment formation disk from her own bag.

By the time she’d finished, sweat dotted her forehead, and her face was pale. She’d depleted every trace of spiritual energy painstakingly gathered over the last few days, leaving her meridians utterly empty once again.

Liu Hao Tian swiftly reached out to support her, guiding her to sit cross-legged on a meditation cushion. Then he sat beside her, activated the concealment disk to hide their presence completely, took out healing pills, fed one to Yu Qing Cheng, swallowed one himself, and began channeling spiritual energy from a spirit stone to repair their damaged meridians.

Their recovery took five full days, angering Boss Shen nearly into a fit. The two had vanished without a trace, causing him to punish the guards at the door and tear apart the entire pavilion in search of them—yet nothing turned up. He soon realized he’d been tricked.

Boss Shen suspected the embroidered pouch was the key. Before he handed it over, the two had obediently stayed put, appearing fearful of their location being discovered. Yet immediately after receiving it, they vanished, deepening his suspicions.

The madam of Resting Glow Pavilion quickly whispered, “Boss, do you think those two might actually be mountain spirits or fox demons? Why else would their looks be so extraordinary? I’ve worked here for decades, yet I’ve never seen such celestial beauties in Jinshan County.”

Hearing this, Boss Shen also felt fear stirring in his heart, realizing perhaps he had been too presumptuous. He frowned, asking, “Should we find an expert to check?”

“The temple abbot at Hidden Mountain Temple is said to be quite capable,” the madam promptly suggested. “We could ask him to come take a look.”

“Good. I’ll arrange it right away,” Boss Shen replied decisively, sending his servants immediately with lavish gifts to Hidden Mountain Temple. But secretly, he didn’t relax either, discreetly sending men to search Jinshan County for Yu Qing Cheng and Liu Hao Tian.

Not long afterward, rumors began spreading from Resting Glow Pavilion. Some said Boss Shen had lost two beautiful newcomers and suspected they were stolen away by demons, prompting him to hire the Hidden Mountain abbot to deal with the evil.

Other rumors claimed the pavilion’s owner had done terrible things, forcing innocent women into prostitution and causing deaths, prompting vengeful ghosts to kill his two precious money-makers. Terrified, he’d invited someone to perform an exorcism. Several versions of these stories circulated through the streets, yet one point remained consistent: Resting Glow Pavilion had lost two unparalleled beauties.

Yun Xi and Xia You arrived in Jinshan County amidst such rumors.

Xia You turned thoughtfully and said, “Wei Dao… Yun Xi, do you think it could be those two from Hundred Flowers Pavilion?”

Yun Xi nodded solemnly. “Very likely. Tonight, we’ll visit Resting Glow Pavilion. Perhaps we’ll find some clues.”

“Agreed,” Xia You said immediately. She raised her voice, instructing, “Find us an inn close to Resting Glow Pavilion.”

“Yes,” answered the strategist crisply. Ever since witnessing their might, the bandits had become obedient as little chicks, now thoroughly convinced these two women were true immortal maidens. None had seen them eat or drink, reinforcing their belief—only immortals could sustain themselves on wind and dew.

In truth, both women relied on fasting pills. Mortal food contained too many impurities, complicating their future cultivation if ingested, though it wasn’t strictly harmful.

After settling into Jinshan Inn, the bandits didn’t dare wander, huddling obediently in lower rooms and nibbling dry, stale biscuits.

As Yun Xi and Xia You planned their night raid, the Hidden Mountain Temple abbot arrived. He declared he had come not for the generous payment, but solely to exterminate evil.

However, upon seeing the embroidered pouch with orchids, his expression drastically changed. This was unmistakably an artifact of the cultivation world. He attempted to open the storage bag but failed immediately. Standing up swiftly, he announced, “Boss Shen, I’m afraid I can’t help you with this. You’re on your own.”

Panic gripped Boss Shen’s heart, and he hurriedly blocked the abbot. “Temple Abbot, what do you mean? Why leave so suddenly?”

Determined to dissociate himself completely, the abbot said sternly, “Boss Shen, you’ve offended those who should never be offended. The gifts you sent to Hidden Mountain Temple will be returned. Don’t waste your effort searching for those two. As long as this pouch remains with you, they’ll inevitably find you.”

He swept aside those obstructing his path and swiftly left Resting Glow Pavilion.

Boss Shen now fully realized the seriousness of his situation.

At that very moment, Liu Hao Tian abruptly opened his eyes during meditation. Just now, he’d sensed someone attempting to erase his spirit sense brand on the storage bag. Killing intent flickered in his eyes. [It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered such an arrogant cultivator.]

As Boss Shen chased after the fleeing abbot, numerous spectators gathered, allowing Yun Xi, residing just a street away, to clearly witness the whole event.

Xia You frowned and murmured, “That must be Fellow Daoist Liu’s storage bag. Why would a mortal possess it?”

“They must’ve been gravely injured, allowing someone to snatch their belongings. Thankfully, the spirit sense brand remains intact. This Boss Shen likely knows their whereabouts.”

“Then let’s ask him directly,” Xia You replied decisively.

“Let’s go.”

In the blink of an eye, they vanished from their room.

When Boss Shen returned indoors, he was startled to find two unfamiliar women in the guest room—one holding the embroidered pouch. Immediately he shouted in fright, “Who are you? How dare you intrude upon my residence?”

Xia You replied languidly, “Isn’t this Resting Glow Pavilion? As a place of business open to customers, we’re hardly intruders.”

Yun Xi cut straight to the point. “Have you seen the owner of this pouch?”

Boss Shen slowly backed away, intending to call for help.

Xia You waved her sleeve, and the door slammed shut with a loud bang. Her expression grew impatient as she warned, “Just answer what you’re asked. Don’t test our patience.”

Boss Shen shuddered violently, knees buckling as he collapsed to the floor. “Immortal maidens, please calm your anger. I never harmed those two! On the contrary, I treated them kindly, providing food and shelter, even helping them hide. But after recovering from their injuries, they vanished.”

“Where did they disappear from?” Yun Xi pressed further.

“The Jade-Nurturing Pavilion.”

“Take us there.”

“Yes, right away!” Boss Shen climbed shakily to his feet, cautiously opened the door, and practically crawled toward Jade-Nurturing Pavilion.

Yun Xi and Xia You followed unimpeded to the very place where Liu Hao Tian and Yu Qing Cheng had been confined.