Near

The flash of displeasure in Lu Wu Jiu’s eyes did not escape Lian Qiao’s notice.

‘He must have seen that I was just putting on a brave front,’ she thought, ‘and is laughing at me in secret.’

At first, she had just spoken carelessly, but now she was determined.

She would uncover the truth within five days and thoroughly humiliate Lu Wu Jiu.

However, before that humiliation could be delivered, she had a few small matters to attend to.

For instance, now that the two groups of people had dispersed, the old woman was left with no one to care for her.

Judging by her appearance, her white hair was so dirty its color was indiscernible, and the cuffs of her trousers were covered in greasy black ash.

She had likely been wandering the town for many days.

Her daughter-in-law refused to let her come home, and her son was only willing to toss her half a bag of steamed buns.

The buns were already dry and cracked, crumbling as she picked them up.

Lian Qiao truly couldn’t bear to watch.

She helped the woman to her feet.

Since they were the ones who had sealed the town, it was natural that they should also be responsible for the safety of those left with nowhere to go.

‘Hah, look how kind and thoughtful I am. And then look at that cold, heartless bastard Lu Wu Jiu. He just walked away?’

Thus, while helping the old woman pick up her buns, Lian Qiao deliberately spoke loudly for the distant Lu Wu Jiu to hear, “Don’t you worry, Madam. We will take care of you for these seven days and ensure you have food and drink, and that you get through this safely.”

The old woman’s eyes filled with tears as she murmured, “Immortals are truly good people. You are all so good.”

The words had been spoken, so naturally, money had to be given.

But at this critical moment, the three of them suddenly fell into a collective silence.

After a moment of awkward silence, Lian Qiao silently turned to Zhou Jiannan beside her.

Zhou Jiannan stared straight ahead.

Lian Qiao nudged him with her elbow again.

Only then did he react, pointing to his own nose. “Me?”

Lian Qiao lowered her voice. “Of course. Zhou Jiannan, if I recall correctly, although your family is a branch family, you’re still the richest in Qiao Ming. I’m a little short on funds recently. This bit of money should be nothing to you, right?”

Zhou Jiannan’s voice dropped even lower. “That was true three days ago. But on that very day, I refused a blind date arranged by my esteemed mother and was kicked out in a fit of anger. I’m now penniless. To be honest, another reason I agreed to come along was to solve my food and lodging situation. Speaking of which, a mission this arduous doesn’t even cover room and board?”

Lian Qiao’s expression became one of immense sorrow. “…Theoretically, it does, but there was a small accident.”

The accident was that blasted Love Gu, which had forced her to pay the one million Ling Shi she had left to the Pharmacist.

Her father assumed she had money, so he naturally didn’t bring it up.

Her family was struggling to make ends meet, so she couldn’t even think of asking them.

The reason Lian Qiao had sought out Zhou Jiannan was also for the money beneath his talent—no, the substance.

Who would have thought men could be so unreliable?

Lian Qiao slowly turned her gaze to Yan Wushuang.

Yan Wushuang spread her hands, her voice dropping even lower. “You know, I’m poorer than all of you. I still have over a hundred mouths to feed back in my mountain stronghold…”

It turned out that after Yan Wushuang began cultivating, her family’s ancestral bandit business was said to tarnish the image of an immortal and she was ordered to stop.

But in that godforsaken place, it was truly difficult to survive without robbing corrupt merchants.

Thus, Yan Wushuang had to exchange the Ling Shi she earned for money every month to support her family.

Lian Qiao let out a heavy sigh.

She thought she had found two wealthy moneybags, but it turned out they were two paupers even poorer than her!

But Lu Wu Jiu was still watching from ahead.

She couldn’t lose face, even if she lost everything else.

With a heavy heart, Lian Qiao fumbled in her light purse and took out the few coins she had exchanged from her Ling Shi.

It was a full five liang of silver fragments, which she presented to the old woman with a great show of generosity.

However, the old woman did not accept it.

Lian Qiao thought the woman had overheard their conversation and was instantly embarrassed. “Please don’t worry, Madam. We’ve just arrived and have run into some temporary trouble, but rest assured, we won’t abandon you. Even if Zhou Jiannan has to sell his skills on the street or work like an ox, he will be able to support you.”

At first, Zhou Jiannan nodded along in agreement, but the more he listened, the more something felt wrong.

The logic was sound, but why was he the one who had to perform on the street?

Why was he the one who had to work like an ox?

The old woman also looked baffled. “Didn’t you already give me money?”

Lian Qiao said, “Huh?”

The old woman pulled a silver ingot from her pocket. “This. The handsome immortal master gave it to me just now. Isn’t he with you? I’m just an old woman, how much can I eat? This is enough, more than enough. You don’t need to give me more.”

It finally dawned on Lian Qiao.

Though she hated to admit it, the handsome immortal master the old woman spoke of was, seemingly, probably… Lu Wu Jiu.

But when did he give it to her?

‘No, with Lu Wu Jiu’s temperament, he would actually give money to a homeless old woman? Shouldn’t he have thrown her a disdainful glance and walked away coldly?’

Lian Qiao was puzzled.

Zhou Jiannan, on the other hand, was so excited he practically jumped. “See! I told you! You all misunderstood him! He truly is the crown prince I have secretly followed for so long!”

Lian Qiao was speechless.

‘Are we thinking of the same Lu Wu Jiu?’

To her, Lu Wu Jiu was clearly the kind of person who, if she drank a cup of his water, would pettily make her go and collect more for him.

He must have a screw loose today.

Just as Lian Qiao was trying to figure out Lu Wu Jiu’s motive, another portly, middle-aged man wearing a scholar’s cap approached, also praising Lu Wu Jiu’s good deed.

Lian Qiao understood. ‘So he was just putting on a show for others to see!’

Lu Wu Jiu must have known all along that someone was watching them.

Lian Qiao cursed him for being black-hearted.

At that moment, after the wealthy merchant had finished his praise, he pointed to a rosewood carriage beside him with a respectful attitude, as if pleading for a favor.

Lu Wu Jiu, however, frowned slightly and glanced back.

The merchant seemed to have only just noticed Lian Qiao’s group and followed his gaze, having a sudden realization. “Is the immortal concerned about his companions? Rest assured, all the immortals may, of course, stay with us.”

Then the merchant, with his large belly, walked over to Lian Qiao’s group, clasped his hands, and bowed.

Only then did Lian Qiao understand.

This was a wealthy councilor of the town, surnamed He.

She also learned from him that this demon not only loved to rip out hearts, but especially loved to rip out the hearts of brides.

As it happened, he had a beloved daughter who was about to be married.

The invitations had already been sent out, which meant she was next in line to have her heart ripped out.

They had wanted to leave, but the town was sealed.

Seeing that the group’s spiritual techniques were profound and that they were pure of heart, he wished to invite them to stay at his residence to protect his beloved daughter and ensure she could marry smoothly.

Lian Qiao automatically filtered out his praise for Lu Wu Jiu. Her eyes lit up. Half of his family fortune? That was outrageously generous.

And so, she agreed with exceptional speed and gentleness, afraid the councilor might change his mind.

Thus, the group followed the wealthy Councilor He and moved into the He residence.

The He family was truly rich.

It was a large estate with three main courtyards, each with several wing-rooms.

The rooms they were assigned were in the main courtyard, very close to the Councilor and his daughter.

Presumably, this was also for the purpose of close protection.

On the way, Lian Qiao chatted with the old butler and gradually pieced together the He family’s situation.

It turned out the family had a pair of twin sisters.

Not long ago, the sisters went up the mountain to perform a memorial service for their mother when their carriage fell off a cliff.

The eldest daughter died, but the second daughter survived.

The one getting married now was the second daughter.

However, since they already knew there was a heart-ripping demon in town, and that this demon liked to target brides, why was the councilor in such a hurry to marry off his daughter?

She tried asking the butler, but the old man was tight-lipped. “This… the immortal masters will find out in due time. By the way, the master has arranged a welcome banquet for everyone tonight. Perhaps the immortal masters will find out tonight.”

Lian Qiao was left completely bewildered.

However, after a brief rest, she finally understood why at the banquet when she saw the much-awaited bride-to-be, Miss He, who arrived late.

It was because when Miss He walked, she lightly supported the small of her back…

Although she tried her best to be elegant and demure, and the ruqun skirt she wore was very loose, when she placed her hand on her waist, Lian Qiao couldn’t help but see a slightly protruding arc from the side.

The case was solved.

So Councilor He was in such a rush because his daughter was pregnant out of wedlock!

And if even such a loose skirt couldn’t hide it, she must be quite far along.

There was simply no more time to delay.

Lian Qiao and Yan Wushuang exchanged a glance, silently raising their cups for a sip.

Lu Wu Jiu remained composed, holding his cup without moving, having likely already guessed some of it.

Councilor He’s face instantly flushed with shame.

He scolded his daughter, “You disgraceful thing, hurry up and greet the immortal masters!”

This Miss He seemed to have quite a temper as well, talking back right in front of Lian Qiao and the others. “Yes, that’s right, I’m a disgrace! I know you despise me! If that’s the case, why even hold a wedding banquet? I think I might as well just die!”

With that, she covered her face and began to cry pitifully, making a show of running toward the lake by the entrance to drown herself.

Councilor He rushed forward to stop her. “I only said a few words to you! You did such a shameful thing, and I’m not even allowed to speak of it? The immortal masters are still here, have you lost all sense of decorum!”

Miss He shook off her father’s hand, still throwing a tantrum.

Suddenly, she clutched her stomach with a cry of “Ouch!” and started shouting in pain.

Councilor He was terrified, his face pale as he pleaded for help. “Immortal masters, my unfilial daughter seems to be having a scare with the baby. Could the immortal masters lend a hand?”