They had searched for eight long years without finding a host with the Zhiyin Zhihan constitution, yet yesterday, by sheer coincidence, they had encountered Nalan Yunci.
Fu Xi was equally astonished, but the reality before him left no room for doubt.
From this day forward, Nalan Yunci would be his last lifeline. If she died or failed to conceive the Longzi, he would follow her to the grave.
With this thought, Fu Xi rubbed his temples, a hint of resignation in his gesture.
As if accepting his fate, he asked, "Which direction did she go?"
The shadowy figure immediately pointed northwest.
"Find out why she was in the water yesterday."
"Yes!"
Meanwhile, Yunci had left the shore, drenched and exhausted, her body aching. She forced herself to lean against a large tree, hoping to catch her breath.
Behind the tree, Fu Xi reclined against the trunk, knees bent, casually chewing on a few large dates with a crisp crunch.
Yunci turned abruptly, her eyes sharp with suspicion. In an instant, she seized Fu Xi by the throat, her expression murderous. "Why are you following me? Who are you?"
Fu Xi sneered. "How can there be someone as unreasonable as you in this world? You were the one who wronged me first!"
"You!" Yunci was left speechless. Upon reflection, she had indeed provoked him first. She reached out to check his pulse and found him severely poisoned, his Neili completely depleted, still in the recovery phase.
In other words, he was as weak as a newborn.
Bullying someone in such a state was hardly honorable. She released her grip, too exhausted to argue, and simply sat down. "Speak. What do you want from me after following me all this way?"
Since she had used him first, if he demanded monetary compensation, she would pay.
That would settle the debt between them.
"You know medicine!" Fu Xi stated firmly.
She had just examined his pulse.
"You want me to save you?" Yunci scoffed. "Do you even know what poison you’ve been afflicted with? Not even the greatest immortal could cure you."
Suddenly, Fu Xi produced a token, flashing it briefly before her. "I’ll lend you the strongest Anwei in the capital for your unrestricted use. In return, you cure my poison. How about it?"
Yunci was indeed tempted. The original host was merely a sheltered young lady, with no martial artists to protect her. Some tasks would be difficult to accomplish alone.
She truly needed such assistance.
A faint smile crossed her lips. "Stay by my side as a guard for three months, and I’ll find a way to cure your poison."
Fu Xi’s expression darkened. This woman had the audacity to demand he serve as her guard? She had no idea what she was risking!
"If you refuse, I cannot save you. Some medicines must be tested firsthand to know their efficacy." Yunci stood up, dusted off her clothes, and turned to leave.
Fu Xi gritted his teeth. "Fine!"
Yunci glanced back at Fu Xi, ignoring the reluctance in his eyes, and gestured with her chin. "Come with me to Yuntai Ge!"
In the original host’s memories, an extremely important jade pendant had been left at Yuntai Ge. She needed to retrieve it as soon as possible, while also settling the score for the slaps she had endured the previous night.
Yuntai Ge
"Erlang, Yunci was truly foolish to drown her sorrows alone in such a filthy place. If word gets out, where will the Lu family’s reputation be?"
Ye Jiayi stood anxiously beside Lu Yanci, her face etched with worry, though her eyes betrayed a hint of smug satisfaction.
Soon, Nalan Yunci would be carried out, disheveled and exposed. Lu Yanci would surely be furious and divorce her on the spot.
What future could a ruined, discarded woman possibly have?
The Nalan family, struggling to protect itself, would not tolerate her, and the Lu family would not accept her either. For Nalan Yunci, only death awaited.
Thinking of the grand bridal procession at Nalan Yunci's wedding, Ye Jiayi grew excited—all of it would soon become her private property.
Lu Yanci stood at the entrance of Yuntai Ge, his face ashen.
"Second Master, yesterday, upon hearing that the master had his leg broken in court, the madam insisted on coming here for entertainment. I tried to stop her, but she is stubborn. She said that since marrying over a month ago, she has never tasted the company of a man and wanted you to know that someone still cares for her," Bi Ye said fearfully.
"Enough! Take me to see this wretch!"
Guided by the madam, Lu Yanci arrived at the door and kicked it open. The room was in disarray, with no one in sight.
"That's the madam's jade pendant!" Bi Ye pointed at the pendant left on the bed and exclaimed.
Lu Yanci looked up and saw that it was indeed Nalan Yunci's jade pendant.
This meant that Nalan Yunci had spent the night here in debauchery!
"Find that wretch and seal off the news from this place!" Lu Yanci ordered coldly.
At that moment, Yunci was perched on the eaves, watching the scene with great interest. All of this had been arranged in advance by Ye Jiayi.
From the madam to the onlookers.
Seeing Lu Yanci holding the jade pendant, Yunci was in no hurry. She would retrieve it herself sooner or later. Searching through the original owner's memories, she suddenly recalled a scandal she had accidentally discovered while fetching a peace talisman for Ye Jiayi. She had been terrified at the time.
Now, it seemed just the thing to make use of.
"I have something for you to do," Yunci said seriously to Fu Xi.
Fu Xi took a deep breath, still somewhat unaccustomed to his new identity. After a moment, he replied tersely, "Speak!"
As soon as Yunci finished her instructions, Fu Xi turned and, light as a swallow, flew away from the eaves, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Yunci, meanwhile, continued lying back to watch the show.
"Second Master, we couldn't find her."
"Second Master, we searched everywhere, but there's no one."
The guards reported back.
Ye Jiayi frowned. Impossible. That little wretch had taken Hehuan Powder and should have been unable to escape Yuntai Ge.
Just then, the madam whispered something in Ye Jiayi's ear. Ye Jiayi was stunned—had the little wretch managed to escape last night?
But what did it matter? Now everyone knew about Nalan Yunci's lack of virtue and shameless behavior. Finding her was no longer important.
Perhaps she had jumped into the river and drowned.
"Second Brother, it's not wise to stay here. Let's go back. Perhaps Yunci has already returned. After all, this place is full of twists and turns, and there's more than one way out. If Yunci returns ahead of us and disturbs Grandmother, it would be unfortunate."
Lu Yanci nodded, angrily flicking his sleeve as he left.
Ye Jiayi hurried to follow.
Once they were gone, the madam breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to leave, a pair of scissors pressed against her chin, startling her so much she nearly cried out.
"Who's there?"
Yunci sneered.
The madam, shrewd as she was, immediately recognized Yunci's voice. The fear in her eyes faded, replaced by a hint of disdain. "Second Madam, is this really necessary?"
Yunci pushed the scissors forward an inch, cutting the madam's neck.
A sharp pain spread from her neck, and the madam finally grew alarmed. "Second Madam, I was forced into this…"
As she spoke, perhaps because her voice was too loud, two burly men entered. Rolling up their sleeves, they lunged at Yunci.
Yun Ci released the scissors, pushing the madam aside, and agilely engaged with the two burly men in an instant.
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
The scissors split into two, plunging directly into the chests of the two men, killing them on the spot.
The madam screamed in terror, drawing over a dozen more people. "Quick, catch her!" she shouted.
The dozen or so men rushed forward.
Yun Ci drew out a silver thread, wrapping it around both hands. Moving like a phantom, she weaved among the dozen men. Wherever she passed, before they could even react, only a trail of blood seeping from their necks could be seen.
In the blink of an eye, she had taken down everyone. With blood still staining her face, Yun Ci glared fiercely at the madam.