Chapter 16

“It’s really good that you understand.” Captain Xu Ziche breathed a sigh of relief.

Now everything was settled—each willing to give and take, and he felt no burden at all.

Yet Ye Xiyin had already gone back to look at He Xiting.

He was looking at him too, their eyes meeting. Because of He Xiting’s previous avoidance, Ye Xiyin summoned all his courage and, disregarding his own shyness, refused to look away first.

Suddenly dodging him without explanation made He Xiting feel a little wronged.

Unconsciously, Ye Xiyin’s gaze carried a hint of entitlement, as if spoiled by affection.

If this had happened when he first came to this world, before he and He Xiting were familiar, Ye Xiyin wouldn’t have felt the slightest annoyance.

But there was someone who indulged him, who always put his feelings first. So immediately, Ye Xiyin’s mood became clingy and complicated.

It was as if he knew that being more expressive with this person wouldn’t cause anger.

He Xiting indeed noticed the small NPC staring at him with an unusually serious gaze. Without hesitation, as if touched deeply, he didn’t look away.

It was probably related to Ye Xiyin’s earlier response.

But the gaze lasted so long that even he found it a bit overwhelming.

Then Ye Xiyin noticed He Xiting’s ears turning slightly red—subtle, but visible to him.

Ye Xiyin felt a spark of curiosity.

So even a big shot could feel shy?

This special discovery made Ye Xiyin quietly happy.

He didn’t know why he was amused—just found it quite interesting.

With a self-deprecating thought of being a fool, Ye Xiyin finally magnanimously looked away.

Their silent exchange held much unspoken thought, though to others it seemed brief.

No one else noticed their little feelings; meanwhile, the Qingyun Qiu Yue group was already discussing serious matters.

Much had happened in just one day.

The Yanming Beach bandit-clearing mission was completed, and from then on, it became a regular event for players. They could earn rewards weekly by participating.

Given enough time, players could claim all items inside. It was a richly rewarding, high-quality event widely praised by players.

Of course, for Ye Xiyin, this was irrelevant—he was not a player.

What mattered most were the black-clad assailants and the few at the inn from that day.

“That group was ruthless toward themselves, letting three escape, and when the remaining two saw no way out, they committed suicide using Bone-Dissolving Water.”

Such self-destruction wiped out any chance of gathering intelligence.

Even Qingyun Qiu Yue’s resources couldn’t uncover much.

Without the system’s mosaic effect, she doubted she could calmly recount the scene she witnessed.

---

“Anyone capable of using such methods to take Xiao Ye must be no ordinary opponent,” Xu Ziche tapped his arm thoughtfully, his expression unusually serious. “They had the cold poison pre-administered early on and destroyed evidence at the critical moment—this shows they had long planned around Xiao Ye.”

“A ruthless group like that—no telling what Ye senior did to provoke them.”

Because Ye Xiyin was present, Xu Ziche swallowed the rest of his complaints.

This top dog was really unreliable.

Knowing he had many enemies, yet playing at disappearing, didn’t he consider how fragile his child’s body was? How could he solve so many troubles?

Fortunately, the cultivation method was given to He Xiting, who took the mission. Had it been someone else, they wouldn’t have had such strong protection for Ye Xiyin.

But his face betrayed his worries; what he wanted to say was clear.

“My dad really is unreliable,” Ye Xiyin voiced their thoughts plainly. “But if he hadn’t run into trouble, he probably wouldn’t have disappeared.”

Ye Junyan’s early years were eventful; he was a well-known swordsman in the martial world, with deeds far from secret.

He acted freely like the wind through the grass or snow on the ridge. Broad in friendships, never lingering long in one place, but never indifferent when others were in dire straits.

Loved by many, hated by many.

Yet because he was reliable in serious matters, even those angry at him found more resentment than hatred.

A man who never left a mess for outsiders also took his family matters seriously.

This made the group even more troubled.

If Ye Junyan couldn’t solve this problem, it must be enormous.

“Don’t worry, no matter what, we definitely won’t let those people harm you,” Qingyun Qiu Yue comforted.

Ye Xiyin nodded.

He wasn’t that scared, only that He Xiting might face more trouble because of this.

When would he grow strong enough?

After discussing the black-clad men, Qingyun Qiu Yue brought up the matter of handling the few people at the inn.

“They were taken away by Deputy Gu; it seems there are other plans,” she frowned. “Apparently, their identities are problematic.”

No one really knew the details and looked at her with curiosity.

Qingyun Qiu Yue explained, “After the Wokou camp was dealt with, Deputy Gu interrogated them, asking if they knew what the cloud-patterned mark was. But Long Xing and the others all denied knowing the pattern.”

“By the time they arrived at the inn, three people had already handled it, making it difficult to find any clues.”

“As for the relationship between the Wokou and the three at the inn, they apparently didn’t know each other before. Later, Long Xing saw them opening a shop here and tried to profit, but the shop owner voluntarily wanted to cooperate with them.”

“There were often collaborators in their killing and looting operations, so Long Xing assumed these three were the same. But judging by the current situation, their intentions aren’t necessarily aligned.”

“No cloud pattern found? I shouldn’t have been mistaken,” Ye Xiyin was puzzled. Maybe they fled too hurriedly that day.

“Not necessarily. They were all planning to escape early and even tricked Long Xing before leaving. Such an important clue would definitely be destroyed. Deputy Gu seems to take this matter seriously.”

“He came here on orders to investigate the Wokou, but unexpectedly gained extra information. He’s said to be returning to the capital early to report.”

As for what the cloud pattern involved, Qingyun Qiu Yue couldn’t find out.

“Probably another mission, but maybe it hasn’t started yet. We can keep an eye out through the guild later,” Xu Ziche said.

With this, the Lingxu County mission was essentially resolved.

Considering the cold poison in Ye Xiyin’s body, they didn’t plan to stay long. After a short rest, they headed toward Shizong.

---

Shizong lay at Fanglan Mountain, right on their way back to the capital city.

“Once we reach Fanglan Mountain, Zi Buyu will come to pick us up and take us to Shizong. Then we’ll ask about the conditions needed to use the Diamond Sutra for treatment.”

On the carriage, Xu Ziche explained their upcoming plans to Ye Xiyin.

The carriage was the one prepared earlier—tall with big horses and ornate. Inside, it had separate spaces for rest and work, like a small traveling house. At least, it was comfortable to stay inside.

Before Ye Xiyin lay several small boxes, all dropped after defeating Long Xing.

Qingyun Qiu Yue, currently free of missions, had come along. She could have teleported directly but chose not to, as if riding the carriage with Ye Xiyin was something enjoyable.

Bored, they began opening the boxes.

This important task naturally fell to Ye Xiyin.

He liked to open from the worst to the best, to build suspense and surprise.

But since the Scarlet Glow Immortal Rock Qingyun Qiu Yue wanted only appeared in the golden box, Ye Xiyin changed the order.

Upon opening it, dazzling light shimmered forth, brilliant and auspicious.

[System] Congratulations to the heroes He Xiting, Qingyun Qiu Yue, and Xu Ziche... for obtaining the Scarlet Glow Immortal Rock, a component of the Divine Gear Golden Pool Jade Set...

A series of announcements appeared as question marks filled the world channel.

Ye Xiyin held the radiant Scarlet Glow Immortal Rock and presented it to Qingyun Qiu Yue.

“Qiu Yue, is this it?” The boy’s sparkling eyes shone even brighter than the rock.

A smile curved his lips as He Xiting caught the rock and tossed it into Qingyun Qiu Yue’s arms, reminding, “Remember to pay up.”

“Pay, pay, of course,” Qingyun Qiu Yue said, clutching the Scarlet Glow Immortal Rock like a treasure, practically bursting with excitement.

“What do you want? Money or something else?” Knowing Ye Xiyin currently had no use for money, Qingyun Qiu Yue kindly offered alternatives.

Ye Xiyin’s eyes lit up. “Could you buy me a medicine furnace?”

He had wanted one for a long time to refine medicine but had never had the opportunity. He knew players had channels to get quality furnaces, whether from system drops or shops.

If Qingyun Qiu Yue could buy one for him, it would be perfect.

“Can’t I buy it for you?” He Xiting suddenly said.

Caught off guard, Ye Xiyin was puzzled by this sudden possessiveness.

Qingyun Qiu Yue chuckled mischievously, pinching her nose, “Oh dear, is that a hint of jealousy? Big Xu, did you smell that?”