In the alley behind Yixing Tower, Wutong pulled the man along toward the woods by the lake while glancing back at the second floor windows of the restaurant, hoping the people inside would not come out in pursuit too quickly. The moment Feng Yuanchi mentioned he was looking for him on behalf of his second brother, Wutong lost all interest in the Guanyang Sect members. Seeing them engaged in a dispute, Wutong quietly shifted his feet, intending to slip away unnoticed. Yet, the moment he stepped aside, he saw the man in black staring right at him. Wutong was utterly perplexed. He had clearly managed to secretly crush a small blue pill between his fingers just moments before; why on earth had this man still noticed him? The small blue pill was actually known as the Concealment Pill, created by Wutong’s mother, Zhao Xuerong. Having studied under the legendary medicinal master Hongfu of the Orchid Immortal Valley since childhood, Zhao Xuerong was renowned throughout the cultivation world for her mastery of elixirs and miraculous medicines before marrying into the Ji family. Because the pills were tiny and blue, Wutong affectionately called them little blue pills. Once crushed, the pill was entirely colorless and odorless, rendering the user invisible to anyone within a radius of ten yards. It did not strictly make his physical form vanish; rather, it compelled everyone nearby to subconsciously ignore his presence. Although it did not last long, only about half the time it took to burn an incense stick, it was usually more than enough for Wutong to make a clean getaway. Reluctant to give up, Wutong wondered if the man was simply gazing in that general direction without actually paying attention to him. He pressed a finger to his lips in a silent gesture, then pointed behind him, meaning, ‘I am slipping away, do not move.’ He originally expected the man to remain clueless, but instead, the man’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he stood up with a radiant, happy expression! Wutong was startled, thinking to himself that he was doomed. To his surprise, however, the group, including Feng Yuanchi, appeared completely oblivious to the man’s movements. Gritting his teeth with no time to hesitate, Wutong grabbed the man by the wrist and pointed at himself to signal the man to follow. Catching the hint this time, the man nodded. Wutong pulled him silently out of the crowd, dashed toward the window, and leaped right out. The man followed closely behind, and the two of them landed quietly in the back alley. Upon landing, Wutong felt a slight trace of surprise. His body felt as light as a feather, entirely free from the heavy impact one would normally expect from hitting the ground. He had no time to dwell on it, however, and quickly resumed pulling the man forward. When he finally felt they were safe, Wutong stopped, leaning against a thick tree trunk to catch his breath. Once he regained his composure, he noticed the man standing blankly before him, still staring intently at him. He chuckled and said, ‘I may look good, but you do not have to stare quite like that.’ Seeing the man avert his gaze, Wutong smiled again. ‘Who are you? Which sect are you from? Are you here for the Immortal Alliance Grand Ceremony, too?’ The man looked back at Wutong and curved his lips into a smile. ‘Old Brother Black.’ ‘Hey!’ Wutong exclaimed. ‘The Guanyang Sect fellows called you a fool, but are you actually simple-minded? I only stepped in to defuse the situation because I detest their arrogant behavior; you do not actually have to fancy yourself Old Brother Black!’ The man smiled gently. ‘Tell me, who on earth are you? Do not just stand there smiling,’ Wutong commanded. ‘Huaixiu.’ ‘Huaixiu? Holding jade in your embrace and cultivating a pure character, it is a rather refined name, but it hardly matches someone like you. You just happen to be a bit tall,’ Wutong teased with a smile. The man quietly repeated the phrase ‘holding jade in your embrace and cultivating a pure character’ to himself before raising his eyebrows with a sincere expression. ‘It is Huai, as in the Huai River.’ Realizing he had misinterpreted the character, Wutong curled his lip. ‘Oh.’ Pausing for a moment, he added, ‘You still have not answered my question. Which sect do you belong to?’ A piece of fire-lipid jade suddenly appeared in his hand, which he tossed up and down absentmindedly. ‘I belong to no sect.’ ‘No sect? You are traveling alone?’ Wutong asked. Huaixiu nodded. ‘Traveling alone is freeing.’ ‘Ji Wutong,’ the man said. ‘Ha, you heard them earlier,’ Wutong said, waving it off with a laugh. ‘That immortal cultivator wished to look after you.’ ‘Ugh!’ Wutong made a sweeping gesture with his hand, as if swatting away a pesky bug fluttering before his eyes. ‘You mean Feng Yuanchi? I have no desire for him to look after me. Besides, I do not even know the man.’ Huaixiu fell silent for a moment. ‘True, and you do not know me either.’ ‘Well, you know me now!’ Wutong said cheerfully. ‘You do not look very old, and your cultivation level is probably not very high either. Can you even get into the Tianchen Sect?’ Huaixiu shook his head. ‘I do not have an invitation.’ ‘What is so difficult about that? I will bring you along,’ Wutong declared immediately. ‘You have an invitation?’ Wutong proudly twirled the fire-lipid jade in his hand. ‘This is the pass token.’ Half an hour later, Wutong and Huaixiu were inside a garment shop situated far away from Boyue Lake. Even if Feng Yuanchi wanted to search for him, patrol duties would likely keep him occupied elsewhere for the time being. On a wooden rolling rack hung seven or eight garments of various colors. The proprietor stood respectfully nearby with three or four more draped over his arm. Wutong frowned at him and said, ‘Go tend to your other business. We will try things on ourselves and call you when we are ready.’ The shopkeeper acknowledged the order and retreated toward the far counter. Wutong casually pulled down an indigo robe and handed it to Huaixiu. ‘Remember, if you are going to play the part of my servant, you must look the part. You cannot keep wearing that shabby black cloth tunic. Try this on!’ Seeing Huaixiu hesitate, Wutong quickly added, ‘Do not worry! I am paying for it. Besides, your hat was left behind at Yixing Tower, so consider this compensation.’ Huaixiu looked at Wutong, took the robe, and silently stepped into the changing alcove. With a soft rustle, the person inside pushed the door open and stepped out. The fitted long robe was a precise fit, accentuating his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and tall frame. His hair had been re-tied with a matching ribbon, giving him an upright and slender appearance. His overall aura instantly elevated by several notches, even making his plain features appear three parts handsome. Wutong nodded in approval. ‘Clothes really do make the man, after all! Excellent, we will take this one!’ He turned and called out, ‘Shopkeeper, settle the bill!’ The shopkeeper and an attendant hurried over, lavishing them with compliments. The clever attendant held a wooden tray bearing matching accessories such as pendants and tasseled sachets. Wutong picked up a pendant, examined it, and tossed it back. ‘No, this is far too cheap-looking.’ Rolling his eyes, he unclipped a crystal-clear white jade pendant from his own belt, stepped forward, and fastened it onto Huaixiu. ‘This is a proper match.’ ‘This…’ Huaixiu made a motion to take it off. ‘Do not move. You think I am giving it to you? I am merely lending it to you to wear for a couple of days,’ Wutong said dismissively. Huaixiu glanced at Wutong, curved his lips into another smile, and withdrew his hand. Upon leaving the clothing shop, Wutong walked leisurely down the street, looking left and right with a thoroughly contented expression. Huaixiu followed closely behind him by a half-step, maintaining an unhurried pace. ‘Where should we go now, do you think?’ ‘The patrol guards are heading this way,’ Huaixiu said calmly. Startled, Wutong immediately looked around ahead and behind. ‘Where?’ ‘Up the street around the corner. They will be here as soon as they turn the bend.’ ‘Ah?’ Wutong immediately bolted in the opposite direction. After running a few paces, he noticed Huaixiu still standing in place and shouted, ‘What are you standing there for? Keep up!’ Huaixiu let out a brief acknowledgment and hurried after him. The two barely managed to reach the end of the street and dart into another alley. Wutong peeked back out and indeed spotted Feng Yuanchi’s group entering the main avenue. ‘We cannot stay here. We are heading straight into the mountains right now to avoid running into them everywhere in the city,’ Wutong decided. ‘Very well.’ After shaking off the Tianchen Sect patrol unit and looping back toward Boyue Lake, Wutong suddenly remembered something and asked, ‘How did you know they were coming when they were still an entire street away?’ ‘Where I lived when I was young, there were many wild beasts. I always had to stay alert to their movements, so my hearing is quite sharp.’ ‘Oh,’ Wutong nodded, thinking to himself that growing up in the wild certainly explained why he had seemed like a simple country lad earlier. Just as they were about to step onto the mountain trail, Wutong stopped in his tracks and turned to Huaixiu. ‘Wait. We will definitely have to spend the night in the mountain forest tonight, and we will not survive without food.’ He looked back at the dense rows of buildings in the distant city, drooping his brows as he muttered, ‘If I go back, I am bound to get recognized and draw the Tianchen Sect right back to us.’ Huaixiu smiled faintly. ‘I will go buy some.’ ‘Really?’ Wutong beamed, though realizing he looked a bit too excited, he quickly reined in his smile and put on a solemn expression. ‘Well, since you are my servant now, running errands is part of the job. That is the only way to keep our cover.’ He pulled a handful of high-grade spirit stones from his pouch and shoved them into Huaixiu’s hand. ‘Just buy whatever.’ Then he chuckled again. ‘It is not just for me; you need to eat too, do you not? By the way, you only had two cups of tea today; are you not hungry?’ He muttered to himself, ‘Come to think of it, I barely touched the feast I ordered this morning, and now I am starving.’ ‘Wait here. Do not wander off,’ Huaixiu said before turning and walking directly back toward the city. Watching the retreating figure, Wutong found himself smiling unthinkingly. Having a companion like this was not half bad; unlike household servants who were constantly timid yet full of restrictions, this one could actually run errands when needed. Quite nice indeed! Perhaps this was what friendship felt like? After waiting for a while and growing rather bored, Wutong strolled a little ways up the mountain path. Noticing a large tree with interlaced branches, a thought struck him, and with a couple of nimble leaps, he landed comfortably among the branches and stretched out. The vantage point was superb, offering both concealment and a clear view of any movement along the path below. Tucking his arms behind his head, he gazed upward for a little while before drowsiness gradually overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep. When he awoke, Wutong momentarily lost track of where he was. Seeing the sun hanging lazily near the treetops, he realized it must already be afternoon. Gathering his wits, he recalled the events of the day and sat up with a start, quickly looking down the mountain trail. As far as his eyes could reach, only falling leaves drifted through the air; there was no sign of anyone at all! Could this Huaixiu fellow have taken off with his money? The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. That Huaixiu had looked utterly broke from the start, unable to even afford a proper meal. Now, not only was he wearing brand-new clothes and holding spirit stones, but he also had his jade pendant. Country folk were short-sighted, weren’t they? Had he run off with all those valuables out of fear that Wutong would demand them back? ‘You scoundrel!’ Wutong cursed aloud. His mother had always warned him that people outside were deceitful and greedy, and today he had finally learned his lesson. ‘In Qinglv City under the jurisdiction of the Tianchen Sect, where do you think you can run? I will go find Feng Yuanchi, have him drag you out, and teach you a proper lesson!’ He fumed with indignation, but the thought of seeking out Feng Yuanchi, who would inevitably lock him down until his second brother arrived, made him sigh. By comparison, he would rather just forfeit the valuables. Right at that moment, his stomach let out a loud rumble. Grumpily leaping down from the tree, Wutong nearly stumbled from sudden weakness caused by hunger. He gave the tree trunk a vicious kick, muttering that he would just have to buy food himself. As he turned around, however, a familiar, bright blue figure caught his eye coming up the path. Wutong froze for a moment, his anger instantly vanishing as he broke into a near-run to greet him.
Chapter 4 - Clothes Make the Man, Indeed
After The Demon Lord Became A Beautiful, Useless Accessory