The inn was packed with people, all trapped there simply because of Jia Yi's claim that there might be a spy among them. Many were grumbling about it.
Murong Meixin tugged at Murong Meifei's sleeve and whispered, "Junior Sister, do you think Jia Yi is keeping us here to stop us from going to Canghaizhou for the treasure?"
Murong Meifei replied half-heartedly, "Possibly."
Ever since rumors spread about the treasure in Canghaizhou, elites from various sects had flocked from all directions, a clear sign of the widespread greed for the riches.
Legend had it that successive rulers of Canghaizhou had hidden away martial arts manuals, gold and jewels, and divine weapons inside a mountain. Obtaining even one of these treasures would surely cause an earth-shattering uproar in the world.
Inside the inn, everyone had gathered in the main hall, yet the divisions between them remained as stark as before.
The three Knife brothers could communicate telepathically, their eyes flickering back and forth—no one could guess what they were discussing.
Murong Meixin and Murong Meifei sat together—the former exuded a foolish air, hardly worth attention, while the latter held her sword calmly, an unshakable presence that marked her as a true master.
Su Lingxi, having slept poorly the night before, slumped over the table, drowsy and listless.
His attendant fanned him gently—clearly, he was the most comfortable person in the room.
Zhou Xian stood guard beside Luo Qiaoqiao and Wenren Yan, glaring disapprovingly at Jia Yi. "Surely you don’t suspect Madam and the young master as well?"
Jia Yi smiled faintly. "The people of Yunhuang Immortal City are masters of disguise. Everyone here is a suspect—including them."
Zhou Xian seethed but couldn’t outright accuse Jia Yi of bias, especially since even the elderly grandmother and her grandson had been summoned.
The grandson supported his frail grandmother, each step taken with extreme caution. The old woman coughed three times with every step, making others wonder if she might collapse at any moment.
In a corner, Jin Yuyuan carried a bookcase on his back, his child sleeping soundly inside. But unlike his carefree child, he couldn’t afford to rest.
A timid, down-on-his-luck scholar, he had somehow gotten entangled in this chaos of evil spirits—truly an ordeal for him.
The innkeeper, Yu Sanniang, sat with her staff on the other side, her face full of impatience.
Jia Yi swept his gaze over the crowd and announced, "After investigation, we confirmed that an evil spirit from Yunhuang Immortal City appeared last night. One has been slain, but another escaped."
All eyes turned to the young couple seated near the entrance.
Black Goose, suddenly the center of attention, shifted uncomfortably. "Let me correct that—he didn’t exactly escape."
White Dove added, "We didn’t actually fight him. He just blocked our way."
Black Goose continued, "Then he left on his own."
Jia Yi’s expression darkened. "Regardless of his intentions, he hasn’t left this mountain. My men have had it surrounded for two days."
Zhou Xian was slightly surprised. Though he disliked Jia Yi’s methods, he had to admit the man was thorough.
"Even as my forces tightened the perimeter, we found no trace of the man in black. That’s why I have reason to believe he’s still inside this inn."
Jia Yi’s reasoning was sound, and the crowd exchanged wary glances, suspicion creeping into their expressions.
Su Lingxi stretched lazily, leaning back in his chair with a raised brow. "That man in black was an adult, right? That rules me out. Alright, you all keep arguing—I’m going back to sleep."
Two black-armored guards blocked his path.
Jia Yi said coolly, "The Red Pavilion’s disciples are known for their vast knowledge, though they rarely step into the world. It wouldn’t be strange if one of them knew bone-shrinking techniques."
Su Lingxi, still young and hot-tempered, slammed the table, his delicate face flushing with anger. "You’re just nitpicking! I’ve got nothing to hide—I’ve never consorted with evil spirits! If you’re going to accuse me, I might as well say you’re the spy!"
Jia Yi remained calm. "Then why not use your gift, Young Master Su? Peer into the future and see if I truly am the evil spirit."
Su Lingxi gritted his teeth. "Do you think fate is something I can just glance at whenever I please? If you can’t catch the man, don’t pin it on me!"
"Now, now, let’s all calm down," Yu Sanniang interjected, playing peacemaker as she handed Su Lingxi a cup of tea.
Too furious to care, Su Lingxi downed it in one gulp—his attendant, Wuya, didn’t even have time to stop him.
Yu Sanniang blinked. "That was freshly boiled water… Young Master, doesn’t it burn?"
Su Lingxi stared at the empty cup, panic flickering in his eyes. He set it down and crossed his arms, feigning nonchalance. "Of course it’s hot! I’m just too angry to notice!"
The onlookers, all shrewd in their own ways, noted his reaction. Clearly, his ability to glimpse the future wasn’t entirely a blessing.
Left-hand Knife snorted in amusement.
Su Lingxi immediately smacked the table again. "Wuya! Teach him a lesson!"
Wuya, his attendant, stepped forward.
Left-hand Knife and Right-hand Knife drew their blades in unison. "Bring it on!"
Heart Knife hurriedly intervened. "I just got my hair done—I don’t want it ruined in a fight!"
"You dare cause trouble in Canghaizhou, right under my nose?" Jia Yi’s men brandished their weapons.
The Demon-Slaying Guards drew their arms, and almost instinctively, the Spirit-Patrol Guards followed suit. After numerous clashes, the two factions had developed a strange, hostile synergy.
A waiter carrying tea was jostled, sending a cup splashing onto Murong Meixin.
"Ah—my new robes are ruined!" Murong Meixin unsheathed her sword. "I’ll kill you all!"
The terrified waiter dropped his tray—a cup shattered against someone’s head.
White Dove clutched her skull. "My head!"
Black Goose whipped out his bone-chain whip. "Who dares attack my wife?!"
Jin Yuyuan, cowardly as a mouse, ducked behind a pillar with his bookcase, only to find it already occupied—the elderly grandmother and her grandson had hidden there first.
In mere moments, the hall descended into chaos.
Even Yu Sanniang and her staff huddled in a corner, not daring to speak.
Tensions ran high—the slightest spark could ignite a full-blown battle.
And then, the crisp sound of someone cracking melon seeds cut through the noise.
Every head turned.
Perched on the stairs was a strikingly beautiful Miaojiang youth—his hair snow-white, his robes fiery red, his features ethereal as a mountain spirit. Cradling his long locks in one arm, he held a pile of shelled nuts in his other hand.
Noticing the stares, he smiled sweetly, his eyes curving like crescents. "Don’t stop on my account. If anyone dies, could I have the body? My insect larvae need fresh nourishment."
A collective shudder ran through the crowd, goosebumps rising on their skin.
