Seeing Ji Chun's livid face, Su Ran couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He didn't know why, but it gave him immense satisfaction to see the monk so visibly irritated by him. Ji Chun, however, ignored Su Ran and walked away with a flick of his sleeves.
After asking around, they discovered they were in a small village not far from Jeju City. It would take just over half an hour to walk into the city. The two maintained a noticeable distance between them, not appearing as though they were traveling together but rather as strangers who happened to be on the same path. As they approached the city, the road grew busier, with vendors selling goods and more people passing by. Finally, they arrived in Jeju City.
Standing on the bustling streets, they wandered aimlessly. The reality of their situation hit them: they were penniless, had no idea where Xue Yao and the others were hiding, and had no clue how to locate them in such a large city. Even finding a place to stay for the night had become a problem.
"Hey, do you know where they are?" Su Ran asked, scratching his head in frustration. His patience was wearing thin after all the running around.
"I don't know," Ji Chun replied, equally annoyed. The situation had been urgent at the time, and he hadn't anticipated ending up in such an awkward predicament.
Su Ran frowned, stroking his beard as he thought. Where would that kid go? Although Xu Zhen, the old fox, hadn't openly pursued them, he must have sent people to keep an eye on them. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
"Come with me," Su Ran said, turning to Ji Chun. "I might know where he is."
Back when he was trying to gain the trust of the divine doctor, Su Ran had come across a case of a woman selling herself to bury her father. He had offered her a small favor, and in return, she had asked for his protection, fearing that bullies would return to harass her. Reluctantly, he had bought a small villa to settle her in, but over time, he had forgotten about it. Now, he suspected Xue Yao might have taken refuge there with the others.
The villa was well-hidden, and Su Ran doubted the Tiangang Sect would have found it. Relying on his memory, the two finally reached their destination—a poor area of Jeju City inhabited by ordinary, hardworking people who lived off their farmland and rarely ventured into the city. Among them stood a modest villa, built by a man who had grown rich but whose descendants had abandoned it, leaving it deserted. Su Ran had stumbled upon it just as the owner was struggling to sell it.
Su Ran stepped forward and knocked on the door. A gentle female voice called out from inside, "Who is it?" There was a hint of hesitation in her tone.
"It's me," Su Ran replied, withdrawing his hand.
The door soon opened, revealing a quiet, unassuming girl. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Su Ran, and she quickly lowered her head, her demeanor softening into that of a shy young woman. It was clear she held some affection for him.
"Shangguan Dage, why are you here?" she asked, welcoming him in and locking the door behind them. She glanced around cautiously, ensuring no one had followed. When her eyes fell on Ji Chun, she was momentarily startled but quickly composed herself.
"Is Xue Yao here?" Su Ran asked coldly, showing no interest in the woman.
"Yes, yes. Xue Shenyi and the young master are staying in the west wing. This must be... Ji Chun Dashi, correct?" the girl asked quickly, though her gaze lingered on Su Ran.
"It is I," Ji Chun confirmed, relieved to hear that Xue Yao and Ouyang Yixun were safe. He was surprised, however, that Su Ran had been able to locate them so accurately. He recalled Xue Yao mentioning that he had met Su Ran while helping a girl who had sold herself to bury her father. This must be her.
Su Ran had no patience for pleasantries. "Wan Yao, go downstairs and prepare some food," he ordered.
"Yes, of course," Wan Yao replied, stepping back obediently.
The villa wasn't large, but its layout was elegant. Su Ran headed straight for the west wing, with Ji Chun following closely behind. When they arrived, Xue Yao emerged from a room holding an empty bowl, his face lighting up with relief and joy at the sight of them.
"Ji Chun Dashi! How did you find this place? I was so worried. Come in quickly—Young Master Ouyang is awake," Xue Yao exclaimed, completely ignoring Su Ran as if he were invisible. He showed no acknowledgment that they were standing in Su Ran's property.
Su Ran snorted coldly but walked in calmly. He bypassed the main hall and went straight to the bedroom, where he found Ouyang Yixun, thin and pale, half-leaning on the bed. The young man stared blankly into the air, seemingly lost in thought.
Hearing someone enter, Ouyang Yixun snapped out of his daze and turned his head. When he saw Su Ran, he was momentarily stunned.
"Ouyang Gongzi, I am Shangguan Li. I'm relieved to see you safe and sound," Su Ran said with a kind, humble smile. "Don't worry, no one will harm you while I'm here."
"Thank you, Shangguan Gongzi," Ouyang Yixun replied politely, though his expression was puzzled. "Um... who are you?"
Damn Xue Yao! Su Ran thought, gritting his teeth. He must have only mentioned Ji Chun and himself to Ouyang, leaving me out entirely!
Keeping his smile intact, Su Ran explained, "Ouyang Gongzi, you were unconscious that day, so you might not remember me. That night, Ji Chun Dashi and I led the pursuers away while Xue Shenyi took you to safety."
"Ah, I am so sorry. I haven't thanked you yet," Ouyang Yixun said hurriedly, attempting to rise from the bed. Su Ran gently pressed him back down.
"It's all right. Focus on recovering, Ouyang Gongzi," Su Ran said softly.
As the two were speaking, Xue Yao and Ji Chun entered the room. They were startled to see Su Ran's hand resting on Ouyang Yixun's shoulder. Instinctively, they stepped forward, ready to intervene, but Su Ran withdrew his hand gracefully and stood beside the bed. He nodded politely, though his tone was laced with hypocrisy, "Xue Shenyi, Ji Chun Dashi."
Unsure of Su Ran's intentions, Ji Chun studied him carefully. Su Ran's demeanor was calm and composed, almost like a gentleman. Each of them exchanged a few polite but insincere greetings, their thoughts hidden behind courteous words.
Just then, Wan Yao knocked on the door and entered. She bowed to everyone in the room and said softly, "Shangguan Dage, the meal is ready." She added, "And there are vegetarian dishes prepared for Ji Chun Dashi." She assumed that Ji Chun was Su Ran's friend and wanted to ensure he felt welcome, hoping to please Su Ran.
To her surprise, Su Ran paused at the doorway, his back still turned, and replied coldly, "Nosy."
Wan Yao's face paled, unsure of what she had done wrong. Her eyes filled with worry and regret as she glanced at Xue Yao for help.
"Ahem, Wan Yao Jiejie , it's all right. We'll be there shortly," Xue Yao said gently. Having stayed at the villa for a few days, he had come to understand Wan Yao's feelings for Su Ran. He had tried to warn her subtly, but her affection for Su Ran ran deep. All he could do now was offer comfort.
He then tugged at Ji Chun's sleeve, signaling him to follow. Ji Chun, aware that the tension was partly his fault, nodded to Wan Yao and said, "Thank you for your concern," before leaving with Xue Yao.
After dinner, exhaustion finally caught up with Ji Chun and Su Ran. They found separate rooms and slept until sunset, when the sky was painted in hues of red. Ji Chun woke up feeling refreshed, a rare sense of contentment softening his usually stern expression. As he stepped out of his room, ready to discuss their next steps with Xue Yao, he encountered Su Ran.
The two men exchanged a brief glance but said nothing, each going their separate ways.
When Ji Chun arrived at Ouyang Yixun's room, Xue Yao was already inside, deep in conversation with the young man. Seeing Ji Chun and Su Ran enter, Xue Yao greeted them warmly.
"Young Master Ouyang, why were you captured by Xu Zhen and thrown into the dungeon?" Xue Yao asked, breaking the silence. He had avoided bringing up the topic earlier, fearing it might distress Ouyang Yixun or reveal truths he wasn't ready to face. He had his suspicions but needed confirmation.
"Yixun would like to thank you all for saving my life," Ouyang Yixun began, bowing his head slightly. He then continued, "This matter traces back to the tragedy that befell my family some time ago. Not long after my father received secret letters from the Wudang, Emei, and other sects, he learned that their leaders had been silenced. I'm sure you've all heard rumors about this, but the truth was concealed by their respective sects, turning it into mere whispers in the martial world. In reality, these rumors are facts."
Ouyang Yixun paused, his expression somber. "Although my father never explicitly said it, I believe those secret letters were pleas for help or warnings from the leaders. But... I remember that night, my father was speaking with a stranger in his study. I overheard them mention something about 'Di Mang.'"
At this, Ouyang Yixun stopped and looked around at everyone. Ji Chun frowned, trying to recall what his master had told him about the current state of the martial world and the status of various sects. According to rumors, the murdered leaders were all from once-prominent, now-declining righteous sects. Who could have the power to kill them?
The martial world whispered that it was the leader of the Demonic Cult, Su Ran. But Ji Chun found it hard to believe. Su Ran's influence had waned significantly, and it seemed impossible for him to have orchestrated such killings. So, who was behind it?
Di Mang... Su Ran clenched his fists, suppressing the excitement bubbling within him. He had finally heard the name he'd been waiting for. Di Mang—a mysterious force or artifact that, when it appeared, would change the world. Some said it was a martial arts manual, others a divine weapon. Whatever it was, Su Ran was determined to seize it Xue Yao, meanwhile, scratched his head in confusion. Born and raised in the Medical Saint Valley, this was his first time venturing into the outside world. He knew little about the martial world's intrigues, only that Di Mang was something many coveted.
The room fell silent as each person processed Ouyang Yixun's words, their thoughts swirling with questions and possibilities.