Chapter 44

“Giddyup!”

Zhai Yi raised her horsewhip, and the horse galloped ahead swiftly.

The Young Master’s icy voice came from inside the carriage. “Faster.”

Zhai Yi sighed helplessly and raised the whip again, but didn’t bring it down.

“Young Master, No. 2 truly knows his mistake.”

There was silence in the carriage for a moment before a faint voice drifted out. “Stop the carriage.”

Zhai Yi pulled hard on the reins, and the carriage came to an abrupt halt.

She looked back and saw No. 2 running over, panting heavily. He collapsed to his knees on the ground, gasping for breath.

No lightness skills, no inner force—just pure physical endurance for a long-distance run.

Zhai Yi glanced at the Jiangzhou City gates ahead. No. 2 must have run about ten miles.

She took out a waterskin and handed it to him. “Here, have some.”

No. 2 wiped the sweat from his face and grabbed the waterskin, gulping down water frantically.

“Drink slower.” Zhai Yi handed him a handkerchief. “Wipe yourself off. Get on. We’re heading into the city.”

“Okay.”

No. 2 hopped onto the carriage and peered cautiously inside. “Young Master, you’re not mad at me anymore?”

Zhai Yi raised her horsewhip. “Next time, think before you speak.”

No. 2 didn’t get it. “Why?”

Zhai Yi sighed. “Sorry, I forgot you don’t like using your brain.”

“Then don’t speak next time.”

No. 2: “…”

Hearing Zhai Yi’s words, the Young Master let out a light chuckle.

She lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the Jiangzhou plaque coming into view. At the gates, city guards were checking the travel permits of everyone entering one by one.

Zhai Yi jumped down from the carriage and showed their three travel permits to the guards.

After inspecting them, the guard waved them through. “Go on in.”

“Tomorrow is the Bath-Pouring Festival. Be careful while you’re out enjoying yourselves. No troublemaking in the city, got it?”

Zhai Yi replied, “Understood. Thanks for the reminder, officer.”

The carriage entered Jiangzhou City.

Following the information from No. 4 and No. 6 earlier, No. 2 found the Brocade River Inn.

The Brocade River Inn was a new establishment in Jiangzhou, open for just over three months. With the Bath-Pouring Festival underway, it was already fully booked.

Seeing the token in No. 2’s hand, the innkeeper nodded slightly. “Young Master, I’ll take your carriage to the back yard and look after it well.”

“Here are the room plaques for Emperor No.1 Room and No.2 Room that Lady Lin Four and Young Master Lin Six left for you. Meals are already prepared inside.”

No. 2 took the plaques. “Where are they?”

The innkeeper replied, “The Pure Abode opens to welcome the fragrance tomorrow. Today, they’re selling prayer bead bracelets, so those two went to join the fun.”

Zhai Yi secured the carriage stool, and the Young Master stepped down leisurely.

The innkeeper immediately bowed. “Young Master.”

“These two really can’t stay idle. Whatever, ignore them. Let’s head upstairs first.”

The innkeeper nodded. “Very well.”

No. 2 took the carriage to the back yard while the Young Master and Zhai Yi went to their rooms to rest.

After finishing the meal, night had fallen.

The Young Master pushed open the window in her room, looking at the lanterns hanging along the streets—multicolored lights hazy and brilliant.

“Do you know what activities there are at Jiangzhou’s Bath-Pouring Festival?”

Zhai Yi said, “I know a bit.”

The Young Master rested both hands on the windowsill, watching children playing happily on the street—one holding a candy figure, the other a pinwheel. Their laughter rang out like silver bells, carried into homes by the evening breeze.

“Look how happy they are.”

Zhai Yi looked over. “Yeah.”

“You know, when I was little, I loved sweet things too—candied hawthorns, candy figures, sugar-fried chestnuts. Eat enough sugar, and you forget all about bitterness and pain.”

The Young Master lowered her lashes, a swirl of emotions in her eyes. “Do you like sweets?”

Zhai Yi said, “They’re okay.”

She had no strong feelings about sweet foods—

neither loving nor hating them.

“From the sound of your childhood, you never lacked candies or pastries. I’m guessing you don’t have much attachment to them.”

Zhai Yi had lived without want in the Nether Seclusion Clan, always attended by servants—a carefree and contented life.

The Young Master turned around, arms crossed, a half-smile on her face. “You had it so good before, with people waiting on you hand and foot. Now you’re reduced to a bodyguard, coming and going at someone else’s beck and call. Doesn’t that bother you?”

Zhai Yi shook her head. “No.”

“I don’t believe you.” The Young Master stepped forward and poked her shoulder. “You must have some grievances. Why not say them outright? I might even grant your wish.”

Zhai Yi said, “Young Master, you saved me from dire straits—that’s already a great kindness. I have no other wishes.”

Something unreadable flashed in the Young Master’s eyes, and she rolled them. “I can’t tell if you’re genuine or just foolish.”

“How could anyone have no wishes? I have wishes.”

“Want to know what mine are?”

Zhai Yi asked, “What?”

The Young Master smiled. “I want good health, a long life, to find a true love, and retire to the mountains.”

“What do you think?”

Zhai Yi nodded. “Sounds good.”

“I think so too.” The Young Master clasped her hands behind her back, gazing at the setting sun in the distance. “And I’m working toward it.”

Nightfall.

No. 4 and No. 6 finally returned to the Brocade River Inn.

The Young Master looked at them and took a sip of hot tea. “How’d it go?”

No. 4 placed the prayer beads from her hand on the table. “Starting at midnight tonight, the Pure Abode will open to welcome guests. Many devotees are already waiting nearby, some even bringing bedding to sleep outside just to burn the first stick of incense after it opens.”

“The first stick of incense?” No. 2 was puzzled. “It’s just incense. Is all this fuss really necessary? Sleeping outside the temple to queue up?”

No. 6 explained, “It’s called the head incense or the first furnace incense—a way to worship Buddha and show respect to the divine. Devotees rush early to burn the very first batch, demonstrating their piety. The symbolism is profound.”

No. 2 nodded, saying he got it.

The Young Master set down her teacup. “Get to the point.”

No. 4 said gravely, “The people queuing aren’t just local Jiangzhou folk. There are sect disciples mixed in—I spotted moves from Ksitigarbha Palace, Phantom Shadow Pavilion, Supreme Void Temple, Heavenly Sound Temple, and Cloud Luo Hall. Even people from Yuman Kingdom and Taze Kingdom showed up.”

No. 6 looked worried. “The Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower blooms once every four years, only on the Pure Abode’s rear mountain in Great Sheng’s Jiangzhou. It always matures during the Bath-Pouring Festival, when the Pure Abode opens unguarded to visitors. Anyone scheming to steal it gathers at this time.”

“Young Master, snatching the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower this time won’t be easy.”

“Easy or not, we take it.” The Young Master narrowed her eyes. “If we can’t have it this time, I’ll destroy it before letting anyone else get it.”

No. 4 nodded. “It’s strange, though. The Pure Abode knows it has this treasure but still flings its doors wide during the festival, letting ill-intentioned people into the rear mountain to snatch the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower. Why do they do that?”

The Young Master said, “Has anyone ever truly obtained the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower since it appeared?”

Everyone paused, recalling the past. The Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower was discovered by chance eighteen years ago, hidden on the Pure Abode’s rear mountain. Back then, the Pure Abode wasn’t Jiangzhou’s famous temple—it was an old haunted mansion whispered about by the world. Later, Jiangzhou suffered war, with most buildings collapsed. The haunted mansion was leveled in the chaos. When the new emperor ascended and renamed the nation ‘Great Sheng,’ Jiangzhou was rebuilt, and the Pure Abode was constructed then—along with the emergence of the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower on its rear mountain.

Every Bath-Pouring Festival since, the Pure Abode has thrown open its doors to worshippers. The rest of the year, it receives no guests. The monks inside cultivate in seclusion, practicing Buddhism like reclusive immortals.

No. 4 propped her chin on one hand, her lark-like eyes curving up slightly, full of doubt. “Young Master, no one’s ever been known to take it. But every year, someone dies on the Pure Abode’s rear mountain, and the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower vanishes without a trace.”

No. 6 looked at the Young Master. “Young Master, do you know the deeper connection between the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower and the Pure Abode?”

The Young Master tapped the table slowly with her fingertips. “The Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower is named for its nine petals resembling dragon patterns. Legend says it can bring the dead back to life, heal flesh and bone, even boost inner force. Once revealed, the world went mad for it. But they don’t know it’s both medicine and poison.”

“Boil the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower to make it medicinal—raw, it’s an intestines-piercing poison.”

“Not only is its surface toxic; the fragrance it emits is too. It induces hallucinations, trapping people in illusions until they’re tormented to death by the poison, dying of exhaustion. That’s why, in recent years, some have taken it but died before leaving Jiangzhou.”

“The Pure Abode seems generous but is insidious. The flower lasts only four hours in bloom, producing deadly poison then. But it must be picked during that time, roots left in the soil for the next four-year cycle. If unpicked by then, it withers rapidly, its own poison corrupting even the roots until the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower vanishes from the world entirely.”

No. 6 realized, “So the Pure Abode lets people pick it, then reclaims it after the picker dies from the poison.”

The Young Master nodded. “Exactly.”

No. 4 furrowed her brows and tsked. “Those bald donkeys at the Pure Abode are vicious and underhanded.”

“They say Buddha is merciful, but is the Pure Abode worshiping the King of Hell?” No. 2 exclaimed in admiration. “Young Master, you know so much!”

The Young Master said, “Read more books.”

No. 2: “…”

No. 6 smiled. “Young Master, I’ve heard another rumor about the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower—not sure if it’s true.”

The Young Master raised a brow. “Go on.”

No. 6 grew serious. “Rumor has it this flower was the national flower of the Former Dynasty’s Morning Cloud Kingdom. Its growing conditions are so picky that only one in a hundred survives.”

“Morning Cloud Kingdom?” No. 2 gasped. “Wasn’t that wiped out by Great Sheng? The Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower was their national flower?”

“Morning Cloud deserved extinction—inept ruler, corrupt court, demoralized army. Even without Great Sheng, Yuman Kingdom or Taze Kingdom would have crushed them,” No. 4 sneered. “It was only a matter of time.”

The Young Master half-closed her eyes. “Enough of that. Tomorrow, watch for the moment. The instant the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower blooms, move in.”

“Everyone has your Thread-Drawing Wires. Use them to pluck the flower and store it in the Exquisite Sleeves I gave you—they block the poison. It’ll be safe after the bloom ends.”

“These are Formless Pills to block the Nine Dragons Auspicious Flower’s fragrance, but they only last an hour at most.”

Everyone: “Understood.”

No. 4 distributed the prayer beads she’d bought. “Young Master, I picked a nice one for you. What do you think?”

The Young Master took it—a string of red bodhi beads that looked like a red thread around her wrist.

“Not bad.”

No. 4 handed No. 2 a green one. “This is for you.”

No. 2 grinned. “Thanks.”

No. 4 approached Zhai Yi, giving her a meaningful look. “I picked a black bodhi bead for you. Suits you perfectly.”

Zhai Yi took it. “Thank you.”

No. 4 rubbed her chin. “I feel like you’ve changed somehow.”

Zhai Yi said calmly, “People grow up.”

“…” No. 4 turned to No. 6 in surprise. “I knew something was off with No. 1. I’ve felt it since we arrived.”

No. 6 was astonished too that Zhai Yi had actually responded to No. 4. Before, whenever No. 4 teased her, Zhai Yi would keep her head down, avoiding her approach like she feared being devoured.

“You’re right. You do read people well.”

No. 4 flicked her hair smugly. “Women’s intuition is always spot on.”

No. 2 frowned. “What even is women’s intuition? Why do you women have so much of it?”

And why is it always so accurate?

No. 4 winked at him. “Come to my room tonight. I’ll tell you personally.”

No. 2 shuddered. “I’m not going.”

No. 4 said aggrievedly, “Why not?”

“I’m afraid you’ll eat me alive.”

No. 4, this woman, was a living seductive vixen—charming and alluring on the outside, insidious and vicious within.

No. 4 was speechless. “All that muscle you have, and your courage is smaller than my fingernail.”

She turned to look at Zhai Yi, lifting her hand to lightly tilt Zhai Yi’s chin. “I heard from No. 2 that after you recovered your memories, your personality changed a lot. You’re no longer that aloof, reclusive type from before.”

“Just what does your true face look like?”

Zhai Yi looked at her. “Want to see?”

No. 4 curved her lips, her fingers gently caressing Zhai Yi’s cheek. “Naturally.”

The Young Master watched No. 4’s actions, her brows furrowing slightly as a flash of displeasure crossed her face. “Lin Si.”

No. 4 heard the Young Master’s dissatisfaction and was just about to withdraw her hand when suddenly her vision blurred, and the person in front of her vanished in an instant.

Before she could react to why Zhai Yi had suddenly disappeared, her breathing abruptly stopped—her slender neck gripped tightly by someone’s hand.

No. 4 was forced to tilt her head back, mouth gaping open like a fish on the verge of suffocation.

No. 2 hurriedly said, “Number One, don’t do it. We’re all on the same side. No. 4 might be a bit much, but she’s not a bad person. She didn’t mean any harm.”

No. 6 hadn’t even seen Zhai Yi’s movements clearly. He only felt a blur before his eyes, and suddenly Zhai Yi was inexplicably behind No. 4, viciously seizing her neck and leaving her utterly powerless to resist.

Too fast.

Zhai Yi leaned close to No. 4’s ear and whispered lowly, “See clearly now?”

No. 4’s eyes widened. She wanted to nod, but the force on her neck wouldn’t let her lower her head. She could only look toward the Young Master, pleading for rescue.

The Young Master tapped the table. “Zhai Yi.”

Zhai Yi released her hand and calmly returned to her original position.

“Cough cough cough…” No. 4 clutched her neck and retreated, the fear of Zhai Yi still lingering in her eyes.

No. 6 supported No. 4. “You okay?”

No. 4 took a deep breath and rasped, “That was close… This old lady was almost off to see the King of Hell.”

She looked at Zhai Yi, cowardly yet boldly aggrieved as she complained, “I was just… cough cough… joking with you… Why’d you go for the kill?”

Zhai Yi tilted her head, her gaze innocent and pure. “Didn’t you want to see my true face?”

No. 4: “…”

It was like a mute eating bitter herbs—nothing but bitterness to swallow in silence.

The current Number One really was as difficult as No. 2 had said!

No. 6 lightly patted No. 4’s back. “Told you to probe. Got bitten back, huh?”

No. 4 turned and punched No. 6. “Mind your own business.”

No. 6 held his stomach and laughed. “….”

The Young Master rubbed her brow. “Alright, everyone out.”

No. 2 replied, “Got it.”

Zhai Yi was just about to leave with them when she heard the Young Master quietly say, “Zhai Yi, stay.”

“….”

No. 2 was the first to step out of the room, followed by No. 6 with a faint smile. No. 4 shrugged smugly, but accidentally tugged her neck and left grimacing in pain.

Zhai Yi turned to the Young Master. “What does the Young Master command?”

The Young Master stood and walked over to Zhai Yi. “You disobeyed my order last time, and I haven’t punished you yet. Think you can just run?”

Zhai Yi recalled that night in the dense forest when she fed blood. So this was why the Young Master had kept her behind.

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Please punish me as you see fit, Young Master.”

The Young Master’s eyes shifted, and she sat on the edge of the bed, patting it. Pursing her lips, she said matter-of-factly—though her tone began to waver—”This is your punishment.”

Zhai Yi’s mind blanked for a brief moment. “……Huh?”

The Young Master inwardly psyched herself up, her words sounding righteous but her voice growing unsteady. “You are my Number One guardian, responsible for my daily needs and safety. Guards in other households treat their masters like this too, but they have another role. Do you know what?”

Zhai Yi raised a brow. “Please enlighten me, Young Master.”

The Young Master’s cheeks flushed faintly, but her gaze was bright and brazen, her voice tight. “Guards in other households warm their master’s bed. I think you can too.”

Zhai Yi: “….”