CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: A LETTER FROM AN OLD LOVER

Lily stared at the man for a while, then shook her head.

"I’m not going."

The middle-aged cultivator saw this and didn’t say much, just saluted and then turned away.

As he walked farther, the voice that came from the man’s mouth was Lady Han Yao’s.

"It was that Black Wolf from last night."

"Does she know that kid named Zhang Ze?"

"Interesting."

...

Lily previously had two shortcomings, one was being poor, and the other was cowardice.

Now Zhang Ze had cured the poverty part, leaving only the cowardice.

But sometimes, cowardice is a strength.

Unaware she just dodged a bullet, Lily started rubbing the dog’s head angrily again, becoming more and more delighted as she did.

Finally, she buried her face in the fur at the back of Hei Qu’s neck.

As a spirit beast, Hei Qu did not carry any strange odor; instead, it emitted a pleasant spiritual essence qi.

Faced with such an audacious act, Hei Qu dared to be angry but dared not speak.

Being very close, it could clearly feel the aura of a great demon on Lily, an aura mixed with some primordial yin qi.

A bit frightening.

So, the dignity of the Wolf Race had to be put aside for now.

Rubbing was quite comfortable, actually.

After playing with the dog, Lily turned her head and asked the landlady, who was now dazing at the counter.

"Landlady, who was that man?"

The Fox Demon’s big tail swung back and forth, "Judging by the clothes, he seems to be a steward of the City Lord’s Mansion."

"But probably new, haven’t seen him much before."

"Last night, there was trouble at Jade Heart Sect, quite a few people died."

"They’re probably recruiting people."

"Oh right, you’re quite familiar with that young lad named Zhang Ze, aren’t you?"

"What’s he like?"

The nosy landlady intended to pry some information from Lily’s loose lips.

Lily’s eyes darted, and she smiled slightly.

"Boss, that person is extremely terrifying."

"Let me tell you, back in the day..."

Lily had already heard from Qiao Lezhi about Zhang Ze badmouthing her in front of Qiu Jidan a few days ago.

As a talent hand-picked by Zhang Ze himself, Lily never had trouble accepting new things.

Lily soon learned the fundamental principle of badmouthing whoever isn’t around.

So, Lily also started to weave tales about Zhang Ze.

By the time Lily finished narrating, Hei Qu and the landlady were listening in astonishment.

Even a few nearby tables of drinkers were so absorbed they forgot to drink.

Hei Qu started grinding its teeth, agreeing that the person was indeed fearsome.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Lily grinned foolishly.

But she didn’t laugh for long.

"Lily, have you eaten?"

Upon hearing this very familiar voice, Lily’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhang Ze stepped into the tavern with several bite marks on his head, followed by Li Yueqi and Chen Qin, who had returned mid-way.

Mr. Wei didn’t return to the small town but also came to Cold City, where he casually spent the gold Zhang Ze gave him.

As he left, he muttered about taking an immortal pill and having a decisive night battle...

Seeing the grinning Zhang Ze, Lily, who had just done something bad, shrank her neck.

"I ate, boss, did you?"

The Fox Demon now looked at Zhang Ze with even more fiery eyes; she found this dangerous little brother especially enticing.

Those few tables of drinkers, seeing the protagonist of the story had arrived, quickly paid their tabs and fled the tavern as if escaping.

Hei Qu, loyal as ever, ran to Li Yueqi’s side to whisper the news.

Li Yueqi listened for a while, feeling astounded, and after a moment of silence, began to inquire of Chen Qin through sound transmission.

Chen Qin looked at Lily and sighed.

She tugged on Zhang Ze’s sleeve, "Brother, Lily has picked up some bad habits from you."

"Boss, let me explain."

"Hmm, I’ll listen as you keep making stories up."

Zhang Ze didn’t punish Lily since he had done the same, considering it even.

Moreover, with serious matters to discuss later, he didn’t have time for her antics.

"Is that room on the second floor still empty?" Zhang Ze asked.

"Always kept reserved for you." The landlady replied with a smile.

After leading the group to the vacant room on the second floor, the landlady was about to turn and leave but was stopped by Zhang Ze.

"Please wait, I need to ask you something."

The Fox Demon landlady, well-informed, might provide clues to break this waking dream.

Under the resentful gaze of Qinghe’s three spiritual snake eyes, Zhang Ze repeatedly took out and put back the Jade Pendant while posing his questions.

Breaking the dream, except for Zhang Ze and Li Yueqi, everyone was gasping and drenched in sweat.

Lily ran to the window and opened it, feeling better only when the autumn wind blew in.

"Too terrifying. What if that Bird Demon in a dream turns people into dogs and dogs into people."

"That would be a complete disaster."

Ignoring Lily’s limitless imagination, Zhang Ze poured a cup of tea for the landlady, still calming down while pinching her ears.

"Wow, no wonder I’ve been feeling so bored lately." The landlady was still a bit frightened.

"Turns out those Qis are all gone."

"Qi?" Chen Qin asked.

"The names of those seven sisters," the landlady replied, counting her fingers.

"Ling Qi Yi, Ling Qi Er, Ling Qi San, ... Ling Qi Qi."

Zhang Ze wanted to retort but held it in, continuing to remind himself repeatedly in his heart.

"They are of the Demon Race; any name is normal."

Lily’s manners were slightly worse; she was already laughing beneath the table.

"Do you know where they are now?" Zhang Ze asked after calming down.

The Fox Demon thought for a while, "Don’t know, but if there’s no one at Five Rams Slope, you could try looking somewhere."

The Fox Demon’s big tail swayed back and forth.

"They have a mansion in the north of the city."

"Ling Liu once told me when drunk."

"Said that place held special meaning for her."

The well-informed Fox Demon landlady tilted her head, "Maybe you’ll find something."

...

North of the city, Tail Market.

This place was much quieter than the other markets, with nothing but empty mansions on both sides and few pedestrians on the road.

Zhang Ze and his party walked to the end of the market, stopping in front of an old mansion.

There was no plaque on the door, the gate was tightly shut, and leaves covered the front steps; clearly, it had been untended for a long time.

He knocked on the door, waited a while, but got no response.

"No one’s home?"

"I’ll go take a look," Qinghe the Spiritual Snake climbed onto the wall, relying on its lightweight body.

In no time, Qinghe returned.

"No one in the courtyard."

"Let’s go in and take a look," Zhang Ze said.

Zhang Ze brandished his sword, performed a half-meter Divine Movement Sword Control, and entered the courtyard.

As a cultivator, one must act like one; sneaking in or picking locks was beneath them.

Li Yueqi patted Hei Qu, who understood right away, transforming into a cloud of ink, wrapping Lily and Chen Qin to bring them into the yard.

The courtyard was also layered with fallen leaves; it indeed seemed to be an empty house.

Chen Qin and the others searched the front hall, while Zhang Ze went alone to the backyard, pushed open the main house door, and was momentarily stunned by the furnishings inside.

Everything inside was red: red candles, red veils, yet it didn’t feel eerie.

Instead, it felt somewhat festive.

As if it were a wedding room.

Zhang Ze stepped in, seeing a small box on the table, with a letter pressed underneath.

Next to the box was a broken paper crane.

It seemed to be an Object Transformation Technique; a paper crane had brought these items here, Zhang Ze thought as he looked at a broken window nearby.

He picked up the letter.

"Unknown hero, please listen to my words."

"Since you’ve reached here, the illusion array has been broken."

"But my mother and I, I’m afraid the worst has happened."

"I request the hero to know."

"Near Cold City, the Hundred Demons Sect is lurking in a secret realm."

"There are also insiders in Cold City’s City Lord’s Mansion."

"Cold City is in peril."

"Please immediately proceed to the Sword Pavilion and hand the Jade Box to Elder Wang Buyu."

"And inform the Sword Pavilion about this matter."

"Elder Wang will surely reward you handsomely."

[Side-quest completed: Cold City Mystery]

[Rewards have been distributed]

[Hidden task triggered: Serpent with Three Heads]

[Slay the Demon Head of the Hundred Demons Sect lurking in Cold City’s secret realm]

Zhang Ze looked at the letter, speechless for a long while.