The scorching sun seemed to be evaporating the entire world. The shade provided by the trees appeared particularly precious, and many cicadas were vying to rest there.

Judging by the noise, none of them were willing to give way.

Gong Xue and Mu Xian were on a mission to resolve a demonic disturbance, with An Cheyan and An Wanggui insistently tagging along.

After resolving the issue, the four of them set off back to the mountain, stopping at a town at the foot of Loong Head Mountain.

At the inn, the four, thirsty after a day’s journey, grabbed at the water pitcher eagerly as soon as they sat down.

As the heat gradually dissipated, it finally felt cooler.

“This weather will be the death of me!” Gong Xue complained, sprawled across the table like a wilting eggplant, “I shouldn’t have come down the mountain in this kind of hellish weather!”

After quenching his thirst, Mu Xian picked up his wine gourd and took a deep swig. “You’re one to talk,” he retorted, “If you hadn’t dawdled along the way, we wouldn’t have taken this long to get back!”

Gong Xue angrily snatched the wine gourd from him. “Oh, blame me then! As if you weren’t hot and tired too? How shameless!”

Mu Xian reached to grab it back, but Gong Xue slipped behind An Wanggui, sticking her tongue out at Mu Xian.

Not wanting to argue further, Mu Xian let it go. Just then, their food was served, and the four sat down to eat a peaceful meal.

Gong Xue did not notice that the jade pendant at her waist was emitting a faint glow, though it was incredibly subtle.

A few miles away, Meng Yi was pulling Liao Sixin around the streets.

“Sixin, does this look good?” Meng Yi picked up a hairpin, placing it in her hair bun and asking for Liao Sixin’s opinion. Liao Sixin gave it a cursory glance and replied impatiently, “It’s alright, it’s alright.”

Seeing Liao Sixin’s lack of enthusiasm, Meng Yi threw the hairpin back onto the stall with a displeased expression and started to walk ahead.

Liao Sixin, noticing that Meng Yi was upset, reluctantly ran after her, his tone full of reluctance. “Yi’er, Yi’er, don’t be mad. I was wrong, I was wrong. If you want it, I’ll buy it for you.”

Meng Yi stopped, ready to argue, when she felt a familiar surge of spiritual power. Her eyes lit up momentarily and she immediately interrupted Liao Sixin.

“Wait! I sense the Zixuan Jade!”

Liao Sixin was shocked and excited. “Really? Where?”

With her eyes closed, Meng Yi used a spell, her consciousness navigating through the crowd to the inn where Gong Xue and the others were.

“There, that way. Let’s go!”

In the blink of an eye, the two vanished, reappearing outside the inn’s entrance in the next moment.

Gong Xue and her companions were unaware of what was about to unfold.

After a satisfying meal, Gong Xue stretched and said, “I’m so full! That was delicious!”

Seeing Gong Xue so pleased, An Wanggui and An Cheyan chuckled, while Mu Xian took the opportunity to retrieve his wine gourd. “Yes, indeed, very satisfying. A good meal with some fine wine is the perfect life!”

Gong Xue pouted and glared at him but didn’t try to take the wine gourd back. An Wanggui went to pay the bill while the other three tidied up, preparing to return to the mountain.

Meng Yi and Liao Sixin discreetly observed the scene from the shadows.

Seeing Mu Xian again made Meng Yi’s heart skip a beat. Feeling guilty, she pulled Liao Sixin and hid.

Liao Sixin also noticed Gong Xue. This Gong Xue seemed quite different from the one he remembered. The last time he saw her, she had led an assault on the Qingjue Sect, and her eyes were filled with cruelty, sorrow, and resolve, like those of a cold-blooded assassin. But the woman now laughing and chatting with those men was graceful and stunning, her smile gentle and charming. She reminded Liao Sixin of the girl from long ago who used to cling to his arm and pout at him.

Though that girl was a bit immature back then, her eyes were innocent and sincere, her smile bright as a rainbow after a spring rain, radiant and cheerful.

Meng Yi didn’t know how to face Mu Xian. She timidly looked away from him and saw that Liao Sixin was staring blankly at Gong Xue. Following his gaze, she too saw Gong Xue.

“She’s… she’s not dead!” Meng Yi exclaimed in surprise. But seeing Liao Sixin so entranced by Gong Xue, jealousy surged within her. She was about to lash out but then caught a glimpse of the Zixuan Jade on Gong Xue’s waist.

After paying the bill, An Wanggui and the others walked out. Meng Yi quickly pulled Liao Sixin to hide.

The four left the inn, laughing and chatting, completely unaware.

As Liao Sixin and Meng Yi stepped out from hiding, Meng Yi said, “The Zixuan Jade is on Gong Xue.”

“What!” Liao Sixin, who had been too distracted to notice, suddenly remembered why they were there.

Meng Yi, slightly annoyed, remarked, “Your eyes were glued to her, but you missed the small jade pendant, didn’t you?”

Feeling embarrassed, Liao Sixin tried to change the subject. “So, what do we do? Snatch it?”

Meng Yi, despite her anger, knew the importance of the Zixuan Jade and couldn’t be careless. “Let’s follow them and see. We’re no match for those people with her.”

Liao Sixin, having been focused on Gong Xue, hadn’t paid attention to the others. “Even you’re not a match for them?”

Meng Yi gave a wry smile. “With Mu Xian there, what do you think?”

“Mu Xian!” Liao Sixin finally remembered the Deity Lord they had framed. “He’s not dead?”

Meng Yi laughed in exasperation. “And your precious Gong Xue isn’t dead either!”

No longer wanting to argue, Meng Yi started to follow them. Realizing his mistake, Liao Sixin quickly caught up, trying to placate her.

Gong Xue and her companions arrived at the entrance of Loong Head Mountain and cast a spell to enter.

Meng Yi and Liao Sixin watched as the four disappeared before their eyes.

Meng Yi conducted a thorough investigation and discovered a barrier in place.

Liao Sixin was tempted to give it a try, but Meng Yi stopped him. “Don’t be reckless. We should report this to Lord Zhuo Mu first.”

With that, the two left to inform their superior.