Chapter 60

"An Unexpected Encounter in the Woods, A Woman's Intuition"

Shi Mei and Bai She ventured into Ghost Fox Forest together, navigating through the woods using a map they had prepared earlier.

"Walking hand in hand with Bai She, Shi Mei initially rode a horse, but the low-hanging branches made it difficult to avoid getting scratched."

"Bai She stretched out his hand to shield Shi Mei, unconcerned for himself. He brushed against a pine needle, prompting a startled cry from Shi Mei, who impulsively pulled him off the horse."

"Bai She looked at Shi Mei, who was now atop him, somewhat bemused, 'Such enthusiasm?'"

"Shi Mei leaned in, inspecting his cheek closely, relieved to see it was just a minor scratch, hardly bleeding. 'Let's walk instead; it’s a shame to get hurt...' she said, tenderly pinching his chin and gazing at him, 'My handsome one!'"

"Bai She, caught off guard, held Shi Mei’s waist and teased, 'Is this flirting? It would be impolite not to respond in kind.'"

"Tickled by his touch, Shi Mei laughed and pushed him away before standing up and pulling him to his feet."

"Bai She’s smile quickly turned to vigilance as he stood up."

"Recognizing his alert expression, Shi Mei knew danger was near."

"Protectively positioning Shi Mei behind him, Bai She called into the forest, 'Who’s there?'"

"A strange, high-pitched, and somewhat sinister laugh echoed back, 'Hehehe... How wonderful, young people so passionate and uninhibited, embracing nature in their fervor.'"

"Shi Mei blushed furiously, 'That's not it!'"

"The voice continued, 'Ah, such days are truly nostalgic.'"

"Despite its aged tone, it was unmistakably a woman's voice... An old woman!"

"Shi Mei broke out in a cold sweat, fearing another encounter like the old tree witch."

"Bai She stood guard, sensing the deep inner strength of the unseen speaker."

"Shi Mei whispered, 'Where is she?' Just as she finished speaking, a whoosh came from behind. Bai She raised his hand, deflecting small stones with the back of his knife."

"Shi Mei screamed when something entwined around her feet, mistaking it for a snake, and jumped."

"Catching her, Bai She moved aside to reveal it was only a vine."

"Shi Mei sighed in relief, but suddenly felt a tight grip on her arm. A vine had wrapped around her wrist, pulling her into the depths of the forest with great force."

"Luckily, Bai She held her firmly, quickly grabbing the vine and pulling back against it."

"Ouch..." It seemed someone in the forest had stumbled, causing the vine to loosen its grip.

As Shi Mei was pondering how to pull the person out, a series of peculiar panting noises emerged from the woods.

Bai She clicked his tongue softly, lifting Shi Mei up onto a nearby tree. Suddenly, a chorus of barking echoed through the area.

"Ahahaha!" The person in the forest cackled wildly, "Feeding you, the lovey-dovey couple, to the dogs."

Shi Mei retorted angrily, "Who are you calling lovey-dovey? We are upfront and honest, not sneaking around."

"Oh? You think your mutual love is something grand? I'm so jealous, sick them on them!" the voice jeered.

Following the harsh, weathered voice of the old woman, three large dogs burst through the bushes, charging towards them.

Startled, Shi Mei yelled out, "Bai She, watch out!"

Bai She was about to draw his sword to deal with the dogs, perhaps even preparing a fragrant meat stew for Shi Mei, but at her warning, he instinctively stepped back.

Shi Mei then threw three red pills into the air.

With a few loud bangs, thick, pungent red smoke spread, and Bai She had already retreated next to Shi Mei. Fortunately, the wind was blowing towards the forest.

The dogs yelped miserably and ran away, likely choked by the smoke.

The person in the forest was also caught in a fit of coughing.

Bai She found the situation strange. Who was this person in the wilderness? He picked up the vine from the ground and gave it a shake, feeling it catch on something before pulling it out.

"Ow..."

A short, plump old woman emerged, her white hair and wrinkled face making Shi Mei lose any intention of confronting her.

"Granny, causing such a fuss at your age?" Seeing her kind and gentle appearance, a stark contrast to the old tree witch, Shi Mei couldn't help but comment.

"You little brat!" the old woman struggled to her feet, glaring fiercely at Shi Mei, "Dare to mock me, I'll teach you a lesson today!" She reached into her bosom.

Bai She, thinking she might use a hidden weapon, quickly moved to shield Shi Mei, but she suddenly shouted, "Look out!"

As she spoke, Shi Mei lunged towards Bai She.

Bai She, caught off guard, was tackled to the ground, just as black smoke began to billow around them.

"Bai She frowned, holding his breath and covering Shi Mei's mouth and nose, swiftly leaping with her to the treetop. He looked down at the old woman below, 'Yao Hai, the Poisonous Crone?!'"

"Haha," the old woman laughed, not seeming upset but rather amused. "You've got a good eye, lad; it's me!" As the thick smoke cleared, she picked up some red powder from the ground, sniffed it, and sneezed twice. "Using chili powder for your poison pill, what a useless trick, girl!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Shi Mei said earnestly, "This is a spicy pill made from chili powder, musk, and mint. It's remarkably effective at driving away wild beasts!"

"Oh?" The old woman seemed intrigued, examining Shi Mei from head to toe. "You know how to make perfume powder?"

"A bit," Shi Mei admitted modestly.

The old woman paced back and forth, then asked, "Tell me, girl, if there were three jars on the ground and I hid a coin in one, could you determine which jar contains the coin without breaking any?"

Shi Mei rolled her eyes skyward, "Why would I need to break a jar? Just pick them up and shake them, and you'll know which one has the coin!"

"Ah..." The old woman paused, then smacked her forehead, "That's how it is!"

Shi Mei made a face at Bai She, mocking the old woman's simplicity.

"Another question, it's been bothering me for half my life!" The old woman pondered a moment. "If two women, close as sisters, both fall for the same man, and you're one of them, what would you do? Fight for him or not?"

Shi Mei blinked, "Why fight? Let the man choose himself."

"But what if you don't fight and the other woman takes him away? Wouldn't you be at a loss?" the old woman countered.

Shi Mei sighed softly, "If he can be easily stolen, it means he didn't value me, so why pine over him? If he changes his heart because of someone else's effort, better to part ways sooner than later."

"And if that woman uses despicable methods?"

Shi Mei paused, "Like what?"

"For instance, framing you, trapping you in prison, tormenting you..."

"Stop!" Shi Mei interrupted, "If you truly love that man, you have to act first against such a dangerous woman!"

Bai She looked at Shi Mei in surprise, and she glared at him as if warning him – she's not one to be trifled with!

Bai She just smiled and shook his head.

"Good!" The old woman clapped her hands in approval of Shi Mei's answer, "How old are you this year, girl?"

Shi Mei glanced at Bai She and remained silent, pondering whether to consider her actual age or the age of Chen Shiming. If she remembered correctly, she should be eighteen by her actual age.

"What's the matter?" the old woman asked in confusion, "Won't tell? Even I, a woman over a hundred years old, can speak openly. You look to be in your teens, what's there to be ashamed of in your youthful years?"

Shi Mei pursed her lips, "Eighteen."

"Oh... Eighteen, huh." The old woman nodded, "Still a young maiden, aren't you?"

Shi Mei's face turned bright red.

Bai She looked at her again, to which Shi Mei glared back, "What are you looking at?"

Bai She just shrugged.

"Oh... It seems you really are a young maiden," the old woman noted, nodding her head before continuing to read Shi Mei's face. "Not bad at all! You could be my apprentice!"

"Huh?" Shi Mei tilted her head in confusion, and Bai She was equally surprised.

"Take you as my disciple?" Shi Mei moved closer to Bai She for protection. The old lady seemed a bit odd, and she wasn't sure if it was a good idea.

"The little tricks you know with perfume powder are hardly impressive. I'll teach you properly, enhance your skills! If this handsome man ever betrays you with his fickle heart, you can use poison to torture him slowly."

Shi Mei wrinkled her nose and muttered softly, "Well, not to be stubborn, but I'm not really fond of using poison. I prefer perfume powders."

"Hmph," the old lady shook her head. "Naive girl, what's nectar to one, is poison to another. Medicine is static, but people are dynamic; it's all about how you use it. Like that spicy pill you just mentioned, it's technically a poison, a lowly tactic, but if it saves your man's life at a crucial moment, isn't it as good as a lifesaving remedy?"

At the words "your man," Shi Mei's heart fluttered, a bit crude but oddly pleasant to hear.

"I..." She hesitated, but Bai She gently patted her shoulder, nodding at her, signaling - it's a good opportunity!

Shi Mei understood, but now wasn't the time. She replied, "I appreciate your kind offer, ma'am, but I have urgent matters to attend to. I must deliver a message in the Ghost Fox Forest and then hurry back to the capital. If you truly wish to take me as your disciple, I'll come to visit you after my tasks are completed!"

Priorities must be clear. Shi Mei felt that lingering would only increase their risk, putting Bai She in more danger.

The old woman frowned, "This is the Ghost Fox Forest. Where else do you plan to go? I'm the only one here. Are you planning to deliver a message to ghosts or foxes?"

Shi Mei opened her mouth in surprise, turning to Bai She, who also found it strange.

"Old lady, are you..."

"What am I?" the old woman's expression suddenly changed as she asked, "Whose message are you carrying, and what is it?"

"Oh, someone asked us to inquire if you remember the enemy from Dayu Mountain. She's not dead yet..."

"Oh my!"

Before Shi Mei could finish, the old lady exclaimed loudly and disappeared in an instant.

"Huh?" Shi Mei was puzzled.

"I guess she must be that old tree woman's enemy," Bai She said with a smile. "Didn't you hear her talking about two women fighting over a man and the need to strike first?"

"Oh..."

Shi Mei nodded, then energetically slapped Bai She's shoulder, "Then our task here is done. Let's head back to the capital immediately!"

Bai She nodded, took Shi Mei's hand, and led the white horse out of the forest.

"By the way," Bai She suddenly asked halfway through their journey, "were you serious just now?"

"Huh?" Shi Mei didn't understand what he was referring to.

"About waiting for a man to choose if two people fall for him at the same time?"

"How could that be?" Shi Mei raised an eyebrow. "If you truly love someone, who would willingly step aside?" After saying this, she grabbed Bai She's collar and pulled him closer, "So you'd better treat me right, or remember, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!"

Bai She smiled and leaned down to kiss her.