The madam in the brothel was quite perceptive. Seeing Fang Kuo and Bi Shi dressed in fine clothing, she greeted them with a warm smile.

“Oh my! Where did these two distinguished gentlemen come from? New faces, is this your first time here?”

Bi Shi and Fang Kuo exchanged glances, and Fang Kuo straightforwardly asked, “Where is Yi Ren?”

The madam’s face crinkled into a smile filled with cunning. “Everyone who comes here wants to find Miss Yi Ren, but if you want to see her, you’ll have to pay.”

Fang Kuo cursed under his breath, once again blaming Elder Zheng for not giving him any money before he left.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Fang Kuo signaled Bi Shi to take action. The two men wreaked havoc in the brothel, smashing everything in sight.

The commotion scared off all the customers, and the madam quickly hid, screaming, “Murderers!”

Once everyone had scattered, Fang Kuo jumped onto a table and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Where is Heijiao Yi Ren! Where is Heijiao Yi Ren…”

In a spacious and luxurious room on the second floor, a young woman sat in front of a bronze mirror, her bare shoulders glistening under the soft yellow light. She was delicate and beautiful, with a fair and radiant face, red lips, and white teeth. She was Yi Ren.

She sighed wistfully, thinking about the miserable days ahead where she would have to deal with greasy and repulsive men constantly.

Yi Ren had been here for a hundred years. Ever since the Sun and Moon Chess had parted ways, she had done everything one could imagine in this world. Eventually, she ended up here in Xi Qiao, becoming Miss Yi Ren.

Hearing the chaos outside, curiosity got the best of Yi Ren. She stepped out of her room and looked down from the second floor. Her eyes widened in shock. The one standing on the high table, repeatedly calling her once-glorious name, was Yun Zi! Yun Zi from Sun and Moon Chess!

She stood there frozen, watching him adorned in the brilliance of their past, still as majestic and arrogant as ever.

And the old man next to him, with gray hair and a wine gourd, wasn’t that Lao Ren? They were here! They had finally come!

Recalling her past opposition to them, Heijiao now felt overwhelming anticipation and excitement.

“Yun Zi!”

She called softly.

Fang Kuo seemed to hear her, his voice stopped abruptly, and he looked up, finding her exact location.

The two of them gazed at each other from afar for a long moment and then smiled, relieved by the destiny they had finally come to accept.

Fang Kuo suddenly adopted a serious demeanor and loudly proclaimed, “Heijiao -Yi Ren, receive the Rebirth Command!”

Heijiao’s expression turned solemn, and with a graceful leap like that of a butterfly, she landed before Fang Kuo and bowed respectfully. “Heijiao-Yi Ren of Sun and Moon Chess, receiving the command!”

In an instant, a black bird descended to her waist, transforming into a red silk ribbon that wrapped around her. The ribbon was embroidered with the words “Heijiao,” and it seemed as if a brilliant blue sky was draped over her, making her appear both magnificent and flamboyant. A faint crimson Demonic Aura shimmered at the corners of her eyes.

Seeing Heijiao looking just as she did in the past, Lao Ren approached with a teasing grin. “They always said you, Heijiao, had the strongest Demonic Aura among us, and it seems they were right!”

Heijiao covered her fiery lips with a laugh. “My Demonic Aura isn’t that strong. Jiu Kan’s aura is heavier; his is filled with killing intent!”

“Let’s go, let’s find him!”

Just as the three were about to leave, the madam who had been hiding rushed out to block their path. “Wait! You think you can just leave after wrecking my establishment? Pay up! And Yi Ren, your ownership contract is still with me!”

Fang Kuo was about to apologize when Heijiao pulled him aside. “Oh, madam, are you trying to threaten us?”

The madam, sensing Heijiao’s unwillingness to settle the matter, grew even bolder. “Yi Ren, what do you mean by that? Not planning to pay, huh? Don’t forget, you’re still my property!”

Heijiao’s eyebrows arched, her tone both mesmerizing and intimidating. “I belong to you, do you dare claim me? Allow me to reintroduce myself-Princess of the Kui-Dragon Clan in the Devil Realm!”

At that, a thunderous roar echoed through the sky, accompanied by intermittent lightning. Above the brothel, a massive golden dragon coiled, letting out a roar so powerful it felt like the mountains would crumble and the sky would fall.

In the Mortal Realm, Market Street.

Fang Kuo, Heijiao, and Lao Ren were chasing a man dressed in rough, tattered clothing.

The man’s movements were agile, but his disheveled appearance made him look like a beggar.

“Jiu Kan!” Fang Kuo shouted loudly behind him, but the man acted as if he didn’t hear.

Ten meters ahead of the man, a person dressed as a Taoist Priest was running at lightning speed, pursued by Jiu Kan.

Fang Kuo and his companions were chasing Jiu Kan, while Jiu Kan pursued the Taoist Priest, their chase taking them from the mountains into the bustling Market Street.

Jiu Kan was about to catch the Taoist Priest when Lao Ren and Heijiao flanked him from both sides, cutting off his path.

“Jiu Kan! Stop!”

Lao Ren and Heijiao grabbed the disheveled Jiu Kan tightly, allowing the Taoist Priest to slip away.

Jiu Kan, furious and frustrated, snarled, “What exactly do you want?”

Fang Kuo caught up, panting heavily, while Heijiao and Lao Ren were shaken off by the enraged Jiu Kan.

“Seriously, Jiu Kan, how can you run so fast with a mortal body?” Fang Kuo gasped for breath.

Jiu Kan glared at them with a darkened face and turned to leave.

Lao Ren tossed his wine gourd to Jiu Kan. “Hey! Is this the attitude you greet old friends with after so many years?”

Instinctively, Jiu Kan caught the wine gourd and stood still, his old and indifferent eyes fixed on the familiar item in his hands.

Moments earlier, Jiu Kan had been waiting for the Taoist Priest to take the bait in the forest. Who knew Fang Kuo and the others would show up out of nowhere? Seeing Jiu Kan and the Taoist Priest embroiled in a fierce fight, they initially wanted to help. However, the Taoist Priest fled, prompting Jiu Kan to give chase, and the three followed. Jiu Kan heard their voices and saw them but never intended to stop.

The chase led to the Market Street. Knowing the Taoist Priest was a mortal, they couldn’t use their immortal power against him. Not understanding the full situation, they had to stop Jiu Kan first.

The four arrived at a dilapidated house in Market Street.

The house was in ruins, with broken walls and wind leaking through every side. The wooden door was teetering on the brink of collapse after years of erosion.

Creak—

The old wooden door made a grating sound.

As they entered, a familiar and weak voice emerged. “Jiu Kan, you’re back.”

At the sound, Jiu Kan immediately ran inside.

Fang Kuo and the others froze at the doorway.

Time might have changed their appearances, but voices remained unchanged. No matter how long it had been, upon hearing that voice, they would instantly recognize it.

The three looked inside the house simultaneously.

Jiu Kan hurried to the only straw bed in the room and helped up a frail figure.

The person appeared to have been ill for a long time, emaciated, and had not stopped coughing since they arrived.

Jiu Kan carefully supported him, and the three finally recognized him.

“Hong Xin!”

Hong Xin of the Sun and Moon Chess—Yi Lian. Among the six, Yi Lian was the youngest, with a youthful spirit and pure innocence that always brought joy to the group.

But now, this skeletal and waxy-complexioned man, sickly and withered, bore no resemblance to the once vibrant and spirited boy they knew.