One tael of silver, will you sell it?
Mu Lingyan calmly stated, “It’s easier to track at night. I will sprinkle the scale powder around the scene of the crime before dusk, and by nightfall, we can trace the movement of the demonic aura based on the powder.”
He Xuan heard the sound of dried leaves being crushed outside the house.
The corners of his lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
Chief Hu slapped his trembling belly heavily: “Excellent, truly excellent! As expected of immortals, your methods are reliable!”
“I have prepared a banquet in the main hall. Since you immortals have traveled far, why not have a small drink?”
When this Chief Hu smiled, the flesh on his cheeks squeezed to the sides, his skin oily, and his beady eyes filled with worldly shrewdness.
Mu Lingyan felt a psychological discomfort and wanted to refuse but still waited for her Master to speak.
He Xuan’s tone was indifferent: “No need. Please trouble Chief Hu to prepare guest rooms for us.”
“Of course, of course, whatever you immortals say!”
He waved his sleeve and strode out of the woodshed first. Mu Lingyan heard him instruct Bái Hé to lead the way and settle the immortals.
“There are still important matters in the town, so I must take my leave. If you immortals need anything, just ask the maids.”
As he spoke, not only did spittle fly, but white foam also spilled from the corners of his mouth.
He Xuan frowned and grunted in acknowledgment, taking a few steps back.
Mu Lingyan noticed this and knew full well that her cleanliness-obsessed Master was thoroughly disgusted.
After the potbellied Chief Hu finished speaking, he left with his courtesan wife.
As they walked away, he showed no restraint. Mu Lingyan could still see him reaching out to repeatedly stroke Liǔ Niáng’s perky buttocks.
The level of greasiness was no less than what she had seen on a certain short-video platform under the label “high-quality men.”
“Immortals, please follow me.” Bái Hé bowed slightly and led everyone toward the guest rooms.
Mu Lingyan glanced around and said, “Madam Bái, judging by your demeanor and figure, why did you marry Chief Hu as a concubine?” You could have been the main wife.
“Oh, my brother and I are orphans. A month ago, we wandered to White Egret Town, and it was the master who gave us food and shelter. So, I offered myself in marriage to repay his life-saving kindness.”
“I see. Madam Bái is truly someone who repays kindness.”
Mu Lingyan fell silent, and the atmosphere grew quiet.
Surprisingly, even Ruan Jiujiu, who had a talent for socializing, was unusually quiet.
Mu Lingyan glanced sideways and saw her junior sister looking around, seemingly quite pleased.
“These are the guest rooms. Please rest well, immortals. We rely on you to investigate the murderer.” Bái Hé said politely.
He Xuan was cold and rarely spoke, so Mu Lingyan now served as Worry-Free Peak’s diplomat.
“Very well, Madam Bái, please return. Thank you for your hospitality.”
After the pleasantries, Bái Hé turned and left.
He Xuan looked up and instructed Mu Lingyan: “Disciple, proceed as you said.”
“Your Master will return to the room to cultivate. If anything happens, crush the Message Talisman.”
“Understood, Master.”
Mu Lingyan exited the room, with Ruan Jiujiu trailing behind, her head drooping.
Looking listless, she said, “Senior Sister, this mansion feels so stifling. I want to go out and play for a while.”
“Junior Sister, this Skin-peeling demon is extremely vicious. It’s dangerous for you to go out alone.”
“Then what are you going to do, Senior Sister? I’ll accompany you.”
Mu Lingyan glanced at her sideways: “I’m going to take a walk around the place where the body was found. Do you dare to come?”
Ruan Jiujiu took half a step back: “Never mind, I’ll go back and cultivate instead.”
Once the door to the neighboring room closed, Mu Lingyan took out the engraved talisman and pasted it on Ruan Jiujiu’s door.
Then, as Chief Hu had mentioned, she headed toward the location where the first body was discovered.
Actually, there was no such thing as scale powder—it was all made up. Given that the culprit had committed three consecutive cases around the Hu residence, they were bound to still be lurking nearby.
If they knew she possessed such an Immortal Sect treasure, they would surely come to investigate.
In other words, whoever sneaked around these three places would be the culprit.
Mu Lingyan took out bottles and jars filled with ordinary medicinal powder.
Pretending it was scale powder, she sprinkled it around, then continued out the back door of the Hu residence and along the street outside.
She glanced back, thought for a moment, and pretended to leave.
Then, midway, she turned back and kept watch at the crime scenes.
Mu Lingyan, you’re really clever.
System: …
White Egret Town was famous for its bayberries, so she headed straight for the market.
She bought a large quantity of freshly picked bayberries from an elderly woman.
After taking a bite, her face scrunched up.
Seizing the opportunity while He Xuan was away, the System quickly chimed in: “Host, your expression is hilarious, hahaha!”
Mu Lingyan: “Shut up! You’d find it sour too if you could eat.”
“Oh right, I forgot. You’re just an app and can’t eat anything. What a pity, tsk tsk tsk…”
As she spoke, she smacked her lips, looking both delighted and annoyingly smug.
System: “Wah wah wah, you’re bullying me, I won’t love you anymore.”
Mu Lingyan: Bullying the System is so much fun…
“Don’t miss out if you’re passing by! Take a look, have a look! Special accessories from Penglai Island, buying them is a steal!”
A vendor’s shout from the street caught Mu Lingyan’s interest.
She walked over to the stall, where the vendor was a pleasant-looking young man.
She stopped to browse and immediately spotted a sword tassel.
The tassel was crafted in the shape of a white crane soaring into the sky, primarily in black, white, and red—simple yet distinctive.
She suddenly remembered He Xuan’s surname and the fact that the hems of his robes were often embroidered with white cranes or auspicious clouds.
“Boss, how much is this?” She picked up the sword tassel with her delicate hand, her eyes brimming with delight.
She could already imagine her Master accepting the sword tassel she gifted him, looking pleased, his icy demeanor melting away.
“Hehe, you have a good eye, miss! This sword tassel is one of a kind. My friend brought it back from Penglai Island in the East Sea. You won’t find such a fine piece anywhere else on the entire Boundless Continent, and I’m not exaggerating…”
The vendor rambled on, but Mu Lingyan only caught the last sentence.
“Are you buying this for your sweetheart?”
Her face instantly flushed bright red. “No, it’s for an elder in my sect. How much is it?”
“Oh, oh, not for a sweetheart? It’s also suitable for an elder, to express respect and affection! I understand, I understand!”
Understand what? You understand nothing!
Mu Lingyan: “Boss, you talk too much. How much is this sword tassel?”
“Hahaha, sorry about that. This is my first sale today, so I’m a bit excited. How about five taels of silver?” The vendor tentatively held up five fingers.
Mu Lingyan said coldly, “Two taels…”
Vendor: “I can’t go any lower. This is a fine piece from Penglai Island in the East Sea. How about three taels?”
Mu Lingyan remained firm: “One tael…”
The vendor looked aggrieved: “Why are you lowering the price even more?”
“Will you sell it for one tael? If not, I’m leaving.” She employed her haggling skills from her past life, pretending to turn and walk away.
She counted silently in her mind…
Three… two… one…
Sure enough, the vendor hurried after her: “You’re really good at bargaining, miss. Fine, two taels it is! I can’t go any lower!”
He scratched his head, looking troubled.
Mu Lingyan smiled with unshakable confidence. “Deal, two taels it is!”
But after rummaging through her Storage Ring for a long time, she discovered she only had one tael of silver.
Uh…
She looked sheepishly at the shopkeeper, so embarrassed she could dig a hole in the ground with her toes…
“Boss… boss, is one tael okay?”
“I only have one tael of silver…”