CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255 THOSE WHO ADAPT TO THE TIMES LIVE LONGER

Sun Xiao warmly invited Xia Mian and the others to eat, his attitude exceedingly enthusiastic.

The woman noticed Sun Xiao’s unusual behavior, her brows furrowed tightly into a knot.

Sun Xiao’s identity was mysterious; every time he returned, it was in a hurry. Yet, Sun Xiao held high esteem in the village; the villagers all knew Sun Xiao possessed great skills, and whenever they faced unsolvable problems, they would turn to him for help.

She hadn’t been with Sun Xiao for long, but she inexplicably worshiped and adored this man.

Now seeing him hold others in such esteem and admiration, the woman couldn’t help but glance at Xia Mian more than once.

She was young, very beautiful, and definitely not from the same age group as Sun Xiao.

But Sun Xiao told her that this was his friend...

"You all are Ah Xiao’s friends? How come we’ve never seen you before!" The woman’s voice was soft, her words gentle, though carrying a hint of skepticism.

Sun Xiao tilted his head to look at her, his gaze carrying a trace of warning.

The woman instinctively bit the corner of her lip and gently lowered her head. "I was just asking casually; if it’s inconvenient for you to answer, you don’t have to..."

Her posture was very humble, making it clear that she regarded Sun Xiao as the dominant one in their relationship.

Seeing the woman’s demeanor, Xia Mian couldn’t help but glance at Sun Xiao a couple more times.

Perhaps due to his past practices, Sun Xiao’s face bore no traces of age, resembling a mature and charming middle-aged man.

Previously involved with Qin Cui, it hadn’t been long since her death, yet he was already lost in the tenderness of another woman.

To describe this man as a ’scoundrel’ no longer sufficed, she thought.

"There’s nothing to hide, we are indeed friends." Xia Mian said with a smile, "Mr. Sun is truly capable, he has helped us quite a bit!"

Xia Mian’s words were tactful, flattering Sun Xiao in front of the woman while skillfully covering for his lie.

Upon hearing this, the woman immediately smiled, "Yes, Ah Xiao is very skilled, helping the villagers with feng shui, exorcism, fortune-telling, he’s proficient in everything!"

"Help yourselves to the dishes!" the woman urged, the smile on her face carrying genuine warmth.

Sun Xiao cast a complicated glance at Xia Mian but said nothing more.

After dinner, Sun Xiao personally arranged accommodations for Xia Mian and the others, promising to fully assist in their search so they could settle down and rest well.

Xia Mian nodded slightly without overly formal exchanges with Sun Xiao.

Since Sun Xiao had mentioned once seeing Qin Shuang in the vicinity, it was highly likely she was still nearby.

Now, Xia Mian’s only concern was Qin Shuang’s unwillingness to impart the ’Defying Fate Technique’ to her.

After all, such a technique was considered advanced even among the Heavenly Maiden Clan.

That night, after Xia Mian settled in, Sun Xiao drew a few portraits and left after dinner, going door to door to inquire about Qin Shuang’s whereabouts.

Unfortunately, though Qin Shuang’s appearance was striking, she possessed the ability to make people forget her as soon as they saw her. Sun Xiao was able to remember her because of his practice in Taoist Techniques, setting him apart from ordinary people.

So, even after questioning much of the village, no useful information emerged.

Sun Xiao returned home, disappointed and dejected.

The woman lay in bed, waiting for Sun Xiao to come back, feeling only then a bit reassured.

"It’s so late; what were you doing out?" she asked softly.

Sun Xiao took off his shoes, lay down on the bed next to her, crossing his hands behind his head before replying, "My friends are looking for someone. I went out to see if I could find some information."

The woman was taken aback, "Looking for someone? Who?"

"It’s not for you to worry about, someone beyond your world." Sun Xiao did not answer directly, only sighing lightly.

So she stopped asking, nestling gently against him, "I won’t ask anymore, as long as you don’t leave, I won’t ask anything."

Sun Xiao lay with eyes open, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

He was the only one to have seen her; the villagers couldn’t recall the woman’s appearance, making things difficult. He had confidently promised Xia Mian that he would find her.

Bearing heavy worries, Sun Xiao lost interest in marital pleasures, letting his wife’s waiting go in vain, only falling into a deep sleep without further indications.

In the still of the night, in a small courtyard at the southeastern corner of the village, a graceful figure stood, head slightly raised, gazing at the dim yellow full moon in the sky.

"Mom, aren’t you going to sleep yet?" Gu Zhi stepped out from the house, casting a glance at Qin Shuang, asking softly.

Qin Shuang turned back to look at Gu Zhi, her expression turning inexplicably complex, "I can sense that something happened to the Heavenly Maiden Clan."

Gu Zhi furrowed his brow, "You want to go back?"

Qin Shuang did not answer.

Previously, she had foolishly fallen for Gu Heng, going against the Clan Leader’s opposition and was ultimately banished from the Heavenly Maiden Clan.

Later, Gu Heng feared her, scheming against her, causing her regret, yet she no longer had the face to return to the Heavenly Maiden Clan.

"I’m not going back." Qin Shuang lowered her gaze, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy, "If something truly happened to the Heavenly Maiden Clan, it most likely concerns her as well..."

And she couldn’t afford to provoke "her."

Xia Mian was led to the Divine Clan by Qin Shuang. She knew the actual situation within the Divine Clan.

In such circumstances, internal strife in the Divine Clan was inevitable, and given Xia Mian’s uncompromising nature, her dear sister would most likely end up dead...

The Heavenly Maiden Clan was never one to suffer a loss; a conflict between the two clans was entirely possible.

"That woman is really like an octopus!" A hint of disdain flashed in Gu Zhi’s eyes.

"Ah Zhi!" Qin Shuang sharply reprimanded, "How have I taught you before?"

People must have self-awareness; when you realize you’re no match for the other party, enduring, conceding, or even taking the initiative to show goodwill is never shameful!

Knowing yourself to be inferior yet stubbornly confronting them at the cost of your life, now that is truly shameful!

"Mom, must it be this way?" Gu Zhi’s brows furrowed into a knot.

Because of previous encounters with Xia Mian, Gu Zhi held a poor opinion of her.

"It’s for your own good." Qin Shuang gazed up towards the dim yellow moon in the sky, "Ah Zhi, I don’t want you to end up like me, living out a lonely life in this declining world."

She hoped Gu Zhi could return to the Mystic Sect and blossom in the Mystical World.

"I understand." Gu Zhi slowly lowered his head.

Qin Shuang was domineering, often deciding things for her.

From a young age, Gu Zhi could only walk the path mapped out by Qin Shuang. Any deviation from the path set by Qin Shuang would be met with her interference, intervention, forcing her to do things she disliked.