Half a month passed, with the Little Snake Demon enjoying fine food and drink while diligently cultivating the 《Divine Dragon Qi Concealing Art》.
This technique was, at its core, a type of innate technique that emphasized communication between the dantian and qi. Unlike the spells of the Demon Subduing Division, it required no outburst of qi to form attacks or barriers. All it demanded was tightly controlling the qi within the dantian to prevent any leakage.
In terms of difficulty, it was considerably easier.
Spring was now halfway over, and the temperatures were steadily climbing. Even sleeping outside at night no longer left Little Snake frozen stiff.
“Mm~”
Yawning and stretching lazily, Yin Luan emerged to bask in the sun. She flicked out her tongue and eyed the young maidens passing through the outpost.
This outpost had been established by the former head of the Ren Merchant Group—Ren Tan’s father—and only trustworthy individuals were permitted inside.
“Sniff, sniff. No scent of spies.”
There weren’t many young women in the outpost to begin with, and true beauties were even rarer. The Great Zhou Kingdom was indeed a land of talented people and abundant resources, but it wasn’t as if every passerby on the street was drop-dead gorgeous.
“This one’s too skinny. That one has way too much fat…”
For some reason lately, Yin Luan had found herself growing more and more fascinated with scrutinizing the bodies of young women.
If she went even a single day without doing so, she felt restless all over.
She couldn’t exactly ask anyone else about it. Xiao Luo and Lily were sprites, a different species entirely from her. As for the rest, they knew even less about such matters—asking them would be a waste of breath.
Sigh. If only someone from the Demon Subduing Division were around, she might have been able to pick their brains…
“What are you staring at?”
A delightful fragrance of youthful allure instantly roused the Little Snake Demon’s spirits.
This one smells perfect!
She whipped her head around and beamed at the newcomer. “You look absolutely delicious!”
“?”
There were only a handful of truly pretty young ladies in the outpost, and the one approaching her now was none other than the Eldest Young Lady, Ren Tan.
By now, though, she was well accustomed to the Little Snake Demon’s bizarre remarks. Smiling it off, she produced an envelope. “The list is here. Locations in the Great Zhou Kingdom that produce top-grade raw jade stone ore.”
For jade merchants, sources of raw ore were the ultimate trade secret, their locations guarded by any means necessary.
It had taken Ren Tan some effort to obtain this intelligence.
After another close examination of the Little Snake Demon’s jade pendant, they had narrowed their targets to two sites: one in West Commandery of the Great Zhou Kingdom, and the other in North Commandery.
“The jade stone mine in North Commandery is under royal control. Outsiders rarely get near it,” Ren Tan explained. “The site in West Commandery isn’t as tightly guarded. On top of that, West Commandery has several trade routes linking to neighboring countries, where all sorts of exotic goods turn up. Those traveling merchants might even know something about the jade’s origins… Are you listening to me?”
“Fragrant… so soft…”
“…”
Truth be told, there was no need for the Little Snake Demon to handle the investigation personally. Ren Tan could easily have dispatched subordinates in her place.
But from the start, the Little Snake Demon had insisted on managing her own affairs.
“How do you plan to get there? If you need it, I can arrange for you to travel with a caravan heading to West Commandery. It’ll cut your journey time in half… Are you even listening?”
“Sweet… so tasty…”
Evidently, the warming weather was affecting Little Snake far more than expected…
After so much rest, it was time to get moving before she grew too complacent. Ren Tan prepared luggage for the Little Snake Demon—chiefly a generous supply of traveling funds, since money could resolve most ordinary troubles—and gave her instructions.
“If you don’t find what you’re after on this trip, make your way to Luo City around the Summer Solstice.”
“Summer Solstice? Why then?”
“That’s when the Royal Capital of Luo City holds its grand festival, the liveliest time of the year,” the Eldest Young Lady explained. “This year marks a milestone anniversary, so it’ll be even more spectacular than usual, drawing experts and eccentrics from far and wide.”
She paused, then added, “I’ve been discussing things with Ah Man these past few days and consulted Xiao Luo and Senior Lily for some insights. I’ve already formed some initial ideas. Barring any surprises, I’ll head to Luo City around that time as well. We can meet up there directly.”
With the Eldest Young Lady’s connections, they could chase down even more leads. Ren Tan had planned meticulously.
“Got it!” Yin Luan replied. The woman before her looked more delectable by the second. Unable to hold back, she flicked out her tongue. “A lick to show my thanks!”
“W-What do you think you’re doing? Behave yourself!”
“A proper, serious lick!”
Since they had agreed to reunite in the summer, the farewell held little sorrow.
After bidding goodbye to Xiao Luo and the others, Yin Luan joined the caravan bound for West Commandery and departed.
The Eldest Young Lady had provided ample funds, so the Little Snake Demon enjoyed her own private carriage in the caravan, free to do as she pleased without any disturbances.
Boredom on the long journey, however, was unavoidable.
Especially since beautiful girls were in short supply among the caravan members.
“Beautiful girls… I need beautiful girls…”
The Little Snake Demon tossed and turned inside the carriage, muttering aloud.
It was a good thing no one shared the vehicle with her. Otherwise, witnessing her in this lovesick state—like spring had suddenly arrived—they would have kept well away.
The incident near Nine Li City had no impact whatsoever on the trade route connecting the eastern and western commanderies. The travelers passing through here would likely never learn that an Immortal had descended upon this very place just recently.
The caravan pressed on with stops along the way, eventually crossing a stone bridge rumored to be fifty years old—a survivor of the Demon Evils Calamity—and officially entering West Commandery.
“We won’t reach the next waystation before nightfall,” the caravan leader called out. “Brothers, bear with it tonight. We’ll camp in the wilderness.”
Overland trading expeditions often involved overnighting in the wilds. The group efficiently formed their wagons into a defensive circle, settled on rotations for the night watch, and kindled a roaring bonfire in the open space at the center.
Yin Luan’s spot had been placed deep within the encampment, a clear sign of the high regard in which she was held.
She listlessly roasted some dried fish when, all at once, a sweet fragrance drifted in on the breeze.
A beautiful girl—the unmistakable scent of one!
Voices rose in conversation nearby. The man on watch jogged over and whispered something to the leader, who furrowed his brow in evident distress.
“What’s going on?” The Little Snake Demon sidled up and asked. “Bandits? Need a hand? Don’t let my appearance fool you—I’m actually quite the expert!”
“Haha,” the leader replied. He was a rugged man with a thick beard weathered by the elements. Managing a strained smile, he said, “Thanks for the kind offer, miss. It’s not bandits… it’s the Demon Subduing Division.”
“The Demon Subduing Division?!”
“Indeed. That person asked to borrow a spot by the fire for the night, just to keep the damp at bay. No issue for ordinary folk, but with the Demon Subduing Division… I’m concerned for the lads. Eh, miss—how are you moving so fast?”
The Demon Subduing Division… and a beautiful girl. Could it be Du Xuan? Hadn’t she returned to Luo City for special training? Out already?
Hooray! The trip wouldn’t be boring anymore!
The Little Snake Demon bounded over gleefully, beaming from ear to ear, eager to envelop the Demon Subduing Division Lord in a warm embrace.
Until she laid eyes on the woman herself.
“Hiss hiss!”
Yin Luan jolted in shock, shuddering from head to toe. Without another word, she whipped around and fled.
“You,” the other party said, “stand right there.”
