The journey to Clearwater Village was uneventful, but as soon as Kai and the twins arrived, they were greeted by a vibrant marketplace bustling with life.
The air was filled with the scent of exotic spices and sizzling meat, mingling with the chatter of merchants calling out their wares. Silk traders displayed shimmering fabrics, while artisans carved intricate jade talismans. Street performers captivated small crowds with dazzling acrobatics, and a group of elderly cultivators sat under a shaded pavilion, sipping tea and discussing the latest sect rivalries.
Kai absorbed the scene with wide-eyed fascination.
"This place feels… alive," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings.
Liu Yu smirked. "Yeah, a nice change from the doom and gloom of our sect stronghold."
Kai turned to the twins. "So, how do we find the healer?"
Both of them answered in unison. "The tavern, of course."
They entered the largest tavern in the village, the Autumn Breeze Inn. It was an ordinary-looking establishment, filled with traveling merchants and low-ranking cultivators sharing drinks and stories. The trio settled at a table, ordering food while keeping an eye on the crowd.
Liu Yue discreetly handed the waiter a gold ingot, her voice smooth and measured. "We're looking for the Divine Healer."
The waiter's eyes lit up as he pocketed the ingot. He leaned closer. "The healer is well-known here. She resides at the northernmost end of the village, near the stables."
Kai sighed in relief. "That was easy."
But of course, things did not proceed as smoothly as he wished.
When they arrived at the healer's residence, they were greeted by a snaking queue of patients waiting to be treated.
Kai watched the crowd in awe. "Divine Healer indeed, just look at how many patients waiting to see her."
Liu Yu, ever impatient, marched straight to the caretaker and demanded an audience. "Do you know who our master is? He is the Sect Leader of Obsidian Peak Cult! If you know what's good for you, bring us to your master immediately!"
The caretaker paled but nodded subserviently before disappearing into the consultation room. When he returned, his expression was composed yet firm.
"I'm sorry. My master says she does not deal with the evil sect and will not see any of you. Please leave."
Murmurs spread among the waiting patients. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to unease. Whispers filled the air.
"The Obsidian Peak Sect…? Here?"
"They shouldn't be in this village."
"I heard they massacred the Azure Cloud Sect years ago…."
Liu Yu's face twisted in anger. "Yes, we are the evil sect! But you'd better treat us nicely, or we'll deal with all of you!"
The crowd flinched.
Liu Yue grabbed her sister's arm and pulled her away. "Sister, don't make it worse! We still need her help!"
Kai exhaled. So much for a peaceful visit.
The next morning, while resting at the Wandering Horse Inn, an unexpected visitor arrived.
It was the Divine Healer's caretaker.
"If the three esteemed cultivators don't mind," he said, bowing, "my master would like to see you now."
The trio exchanged wary glances before following him. They were kicked out from the healer's residence just the day before, what made her change her mind?
Kai expected a serene, wise old woman, but instead, he was met with a disheveled, middle-aged woman with sharp eyes filled with exhaustion.
Bai Lianhua did not look friendly.
"You," she said coldly, crossing her arms. "I do not usually deal with the evil sect."
Liu Yue asked respectfully, "Why do you feel that way? Has the Obsidian Peak Sect wronged you?"
Bai Lianhua's nostrils flared. "The Azure Cloud Sect Massacre is well-known. Your sect cold-bloodily wiped them out. I have treated far too many wounded cultivators who suffered at the hands of your people."
Kai frowned. Elder Kong had said the sect wasn't truly evil, yet everywhere they went, their reputation painted a different story.
Bai Lianhua sighed. "Yet… I have no choice but to make a deal with you."
She took a deep breath, her voice tight with grief. "Last night, my daughter was kidnapped."
Kai's eyes widened. "What?"
Bai Lianhua nodded. "At first, I thought you were responsible, since I rejected you yesterday. But… this is not the first time. A ghostly black figure has been abducting young women for weeks. And last night, I saw it for myself, a ghostly dark figure like a black whirlwind that took my daughter." Her voice trembled.
Kai studied her. Despite her anger, her pain was real.
"I have assessed your cultivation levels, all three of you do not have the cultivation levels to do what the ghost was capable of," Bai continued, her eyes narrowing at Kai. "Especially you. You are completely powerless."
Kai smirked. At least she was perceptive.
Bai Lianhua took a deep breath. "Let's make a deal. Promise that you will help me rescue to my daughter, and I shall treat your internal damage."
Kai didn't even hesitate. "That's a deal."
Bai Lianhua blinked in surprise. She had expected bargaining, reluctance, not immediate acceptance.
She reached forward, placing three fingers on Kai's wrist checking Kai's pulse intently. She remained silent for a moment before shaking her head grimly.
"I was hoping to repair your meridians so you could assist in the rescue. But… your condition is beyond my skills."
Liu Yu scowled. "Aren't you the Divine Healer? Why can't you fix it?"
Bai sighed. "Your master's meridians are completely blocked, and his Qi circulation has reversed in a way that is unnatural. The only way to fix this is…"
"Unless what?" Liu Yue pressed.
"Unless I perform surgery to manually flush his meridians. But if I do that…" She hesitated. "He will not survive."
The twins turned pale.
Kai pondered. When he was in the mortal realm, he had no cultivation to begin with. There was nothing wrong with being an ordinary person—in fact, he had been ordinary all his life, and he did not mind returning to his previous way of living. He could go back to his own world and become an ordinary librarian again. That was not too bad. At least he did not have to worry about being killed every now and then.
Kai, however, smiled faintly. "Thank you for trying."
As they left the clinic, Kai noticed a distraught couple nearby.
Out of curiosity, he asked them what was wrong.
"Our daughter was kidnapped by the ghost last week," the father said, his voice choked with sorrow. "No one has been able help us"
Kai turned to the twins, making a scary face. "Are you scared of ghosts?" he teased.
Liu Yu kicked him. "Master, we're not scaredy cats like you!"
Liu Yue frowned. "But you have no Qi. This is too dangerous for you."
Kai shrugged. "So you two will protect me."
Liu Yue let out a sigh, arms crossed as she shot Kai a disapproving look. "The healer already told us—we don't stand a chance against this ghost."
Kai, unfazed, simply smirked. "Then we won't fight it head-on." He glanced at the twins, mischief dancing in his eyes. "We'll outsmart it."
Liu Yu scoffed. "Master, you have can't use your Qi. This is too dangerous for you." She gestured toward the darkened path ahead. "Let the two of us handle it while you go back to the inn and rest."
Kai waved a hand dismissively. "No can do. I can't just let you two have all the fun." His grin widened. "Besides, for once, you girls can protect me, huh?"
Liu Yue narrowed her eyes at him, unconvinced. But Kai wasn't backing down. This was his last adventure—dangerous or not—before he returned to the quiet, uneventful Librarian life waiting for him. And he wasn't about to miss it.
They inquired in town for all the young girls who fit the description of the age group. It turned out that there was only one girl of this category left.
"This ghost wouldn't be so dumb and predictable as to kidnap the only girl left, right?" Liu Yue asked.
Kai replied, "He might. This town has no cultivators who could pit against him. He would be thinking, why not?"
That night, Liu Yu disguised herself as this young girl. She explained, "My sister specializes in Qi techniques while I specialize in Martial Art techniques. My attacks require closer proximity while hers are better at a distance. So I am more suitable to be the 'victim.'"
Kai nodded. "We shall nab him in one go and force him to reveal the location of his victims. Hopefully, we do not need to resort to actual combat. Both of you, await my command!"
"Yes, Master!" they replied.
Liu Yue mused to herself, Now that he's lost his cultivation, he's finally acting like a true sect leader. Talk about an ironic twist of fate!
Late at night, Liu Yu lay on the girl's bed and pretended to sleep.
She deliberately left the window unlocked to invite the ghost in. Her breathing slowed to feign deep sleep, but she remained fully alert, her hand close to her hidden weapon.
Would this ghost pay her a visit? She wondered. She was slightly afraid yet excited.
Meanwhile, Liu Yue and Kai hid in a massive wardrobe in the girl's room. Being the daughter of the village's tycoon, her cupboard was so big that the two of them could comfortably sit in it without feeling cramped. The tycoon was happy to have volunteers to protect his daughter. He had secretly moved his daughter to a hidden room somewhere else, protected by many of his bodyguards. The wardrobe was slightly cracked open to allow them to see the room without being detected.
Feeling bored while passing time, Kai whispered, "So tell me… how did the two of you end up in the Obsidian Peak Sect."
Liu Yue, usually the quieter of the two sisters, hesitated. She preferred to leave the chattering to her lively sister, but somehow, she felt comfortable with this unassuming young man who was now her sect leader.
She sighed. "Elder Kong found the two of us as babies, abandoned in a secluded hut during one of his missions. There was absolutely no indication of who we were."
Kai remained silent, listening intently.
"Elder Kong brought us up like a father, and we respect him greatly," she continued. "He taught us cultivation and martial arts techniques. He discovered our potential—my flair for Qi techniques, and Liu Yu's talent in Martial Arts. He trained us to be able to fight together as a powerful force."
She looked away, her voice quiet. "Since then, the sect is all we've ever known."
Kai grew thoughtful as he listened to their sorrowful past. He reminded himself to treat them with kindness, even when they were occasionally harsh toward him. But then again…
Now that he had lost his cultivation, he might have to return to the mortal realm soon and never see them again. What a shame…
An hour past midnight, Liu Yue was jolted from her drowsy haze, her senses snapping to alertness as a chilling wave of killing intent washed over her.
Liu Yu also sensed the presence of an intruder and subtly tapped Kai.
Kai hadn't developed such sensitivity yet, but seeing Liu Yu's expressions, he prepared for action.
A ghostly figure had indeed appeared—a shadowy silhouette, silent as the night, gliding toward the bed in a swift, swirling motion.