Chapter 150: 150

Chapter 150: 150

Due to the relentless pursuit of the Profound Azure Sect, both of them had sustained varying degrees of external and internal injuries.

Particularly Zhao Xiuyan, his internal injuries had visibly worsened, leaving his entire face deathly pale. The wound on his chest, which had initially healed, had accidentally reopened, and fresh blood began to seep out.

Now, with their supply of medicinal salves nearly exhausted, the two found themselves compelled to head towards the nearest sizable town, where they could purchase more to have on hand for future injuries.

However, as soon as they entered the city, they caught sight of members of the Profound Heaven Sect. The group was moving slowly inward from the city gates, searching through inns, taverns, and various miscellaneous shops along the way. It was clear that they were on their trail.

Someone swiftly took cover in an empty alleyway, and Zhao Xiuyan exchanged a glance with Murong Tu. Both of them felt a simultaneous surge of puzzlement and strangeness. The members of the Mystic Azure Sect were proving to be relentlessly troublesome, chasing after them without respite from the beginning to the end. Just as they managed to shake off the group at the inn, another group appeared within the city.

Yuliu Yun was truly determined to kill them!

He was indeed an unscrupulous devil.

Nan Yan observed the outsiders who were clearly familiar subordinates of Yuliu Yun. A guess formed in her heart – this group was distinct from the ones that had chased them at the inn. Their attire and clothing were different.

The previous group had indeed been hunting them down, but these ones were not. If she was correct, these people were likely dispatched by Yuliu Yun to find her.

It seemed the man was having second thoughts.

Nan Yan couldn't help but smile inwardly. It was too late for regrets; she had already left. How could he have everything his way? Regret was useless now. They needed to hide better and not let themselves be captured so easily.

The other two also knitted their brows, sharing similar thoughts. They couldn't continue tangling with this group from the Profound Heaven Sect; they were out of energy.

Both were still recovering from severe injuries, and their internal wounds had worsened. Their chests throbbed with blood and Qi. In the morning, when they evaded the pursuit, they sustained more external injuries. Their wounds continued to bleed profusely. Besides, they had lain on the table all night without proper rest. It was a miracle they'd managed to hold on this long. Thus, they all reached the same conclusion simultaneously. Nan Yan didn't want to be found by Yu Lianyun's people anytime soon, while the other two were unwilling to engage in further combat. They decided to hide first and evade this chase, though they were unsure how to do so or where they would be safe.

This group had scoured the area meticulously, not sparing even the nearby pharmacies. It was clear they were thorough in their search; rushing out recklessly was out of the question.

Just as everyone was at a loss, a faint sound of gongs and drums began to echo in their ears. The noise grew louder and closer, reaching a crescendo as they approached the entrance of the alley. Firecrackers crackled wildly, causing people's brows to furrow involuntarily.

Along with the festivities came a crowd of onlookers. They stood by the roadside, pointing and chattering excitedly, clearing a path for the wedding procession while clustering together to discuss the matter,

"Is that Wang Yuanwu getting married again?"

"Yes, this time he's taking the daughter of Scholar Li as his concubine. I've heard she's as beautiful as a flower and can even read and recite poetry. For a man in his forties or fifties to take her as a concubine, Scholar Li must have a heart of stone. To sell his own flesh and blood for just a few dozen taels of silver as dowry."

"Well, indeed. I've also heard that Scholar Li's daughter was actually promised to the carpenter from the neighboring village. But Scholar Li found the carpenter's family too poor and the betrothal gifts insufficient, so he broke off the engagement for her to marry someone else. It's tragic how her life has been ruined by her own father."

"I'm familiar with that story. The carpenter is from my village, and though his family is poor, his craftsmanship is truly remarkable. The items he makes are even more useful than those I buy in town. He and Scholar Li's daughter are about the same age, unlike that wealthy Lord Wang who is two years older than her father."

"Exactly, that Lord Wang already has five or six wives, and this would be his seventh or eighth. Rumor has it that his first wife is fiercely jealous. A well-off family's daughter who married into their household before was tormented until she was unrecognizable."

"Sigh, what a pity..."

"Yes, yes..."

Amidst the crowd, whispers abounded, all lamenting that the scholar Li's daughter was a beautiful flower in the arms of an unworthy man, while the wealthy Master Wang, despite his advanced age, still harbored desires for a young maiden. It was shameful that his son was marriageable age, yet he himself persisted in such inappropriate yearnings.

As the chatter continued and the approaching sedan chair drew nearer, more people gathered around, even the small alleyway beggars joined in the commotion, clustering to witness the lively drumming and gongs.

Nan Yan also leaned in, her hearing and vision not inferior to these martial artists. It was only when they had discussed enough that she caught the essence of their conversation.

Raising her head, she noticed the two fellow disciples exchange glances before turning slowly to face her, their eyes meeting hers simultaneously.

Confused, Nan Yan asked instinctively, "What's going on? Why are you both looking at me like that?"

Both pointed at the Black Cang Sect pursuers who were conducting a search not far from the city gate. Turning to Nanyan, they said, "We have a plan. If you don't want to be caught, we can blend into the wedding procession. Just put on a sedan chair bearer's attire and hide inside the palanquin. We should be able to avoid this pursuit."

Indeed, it was a clever plan.

Wedding processions were large and boisterous, and it would be unfeasible for the Black Cang Sect members to barge into such a celebration to search for someone. Besides, they likely wouldn't expect the Sect Leader's wife to be concealed within a wedding palanquin.

Very well, let's do it.

Upon hearing this, Nanyan blinked, her eyes curving into crescents as she offered a slight smile to the duo. She nodded, and the stray hairs framing her ears swayed gently, resembling a docile and soft creature holding out its paws for food. The sight was endearing.

Both apprentices felt somewhat awkward, clearing their throats dryly before turning their faces away, involuntarily.

Especially Murong Tuó, after that fleeting kiss with the girl, it was as if two vital energy meridians within him had suddenly been unblocked. His gaze would frequently drift towards her, finding her increasingly pleasing to the eye. Had he been blind before, or was his mind clouded by some impurity? How could he have found such a girl troublesome and annoying?

Murong Tuó pressed his lips together, the corners of his eyes slightly reddened. He couldn't resist stealing glimpses of her out of the corner of his eye, secretly rejoicing in an unspoken happiness. He felt that his connection with her was undoubtedly closer than her bond with his senior apprentice brother.

At the mere thought of this, a sense of joy stirred within him.

But what exactly was he happy about? He himself wasn't quite sure. It seemed that just being near her, doing anything, even hiding and evading, was a source of happiness.

Yet, Young Master Murong felt somewhat frustrated and entangled by the cold glances she occasionally threw his way. It seemed he had upset her; from the beginning, he had been bullying her, and now he was reaping what he had sown. She appeared to be increasingly repelled by him.

However, Murong Tao didn't dwell on it for long. Seeing that the pursuers from the Profound Heaven Sect were drawing near, they once again created a commotion with gongs, drums, and firecrackers. Swiftly, the two brothers knocked out the attendants on either side and donned their clothing.

Surprisingly, the red attire effectively concealed the bloodstains on their bodies, giving off a festive vibe.

With their assistance, Nanyan also managed to sneak into the palanquin. Initially, the pair had intended to use a sleeping point technique on the bride to render her unconscious. However, upon entering the palanquin, they discovered it was empty, filled only with a bag of stones for weight. Next to the stones was a letter. The contents roughly read:

"Dearest Mother, I am an ungrateful daughter who will no longer be at your side to care for you. I pray that you take good care of yourself. I have run away with Little Wooden, the carpenter from the neighboring village."

Few could have foreseen such an encounter while evading pursuers. Yet, it mattered little. They had learned that the wealthy man was in his forties, and indeed, it was inappropriate for him to marry a girl of fifteen or sixteen. The parents' intervention to separate the young lovers led to this desperate act of elopement.

This incident, however, was none of their concern. Their sole objective was to utilize this opportunity to escape the search conducted by the Mystic Cang Sect.

As the group drew closer, the person finished reading the letter and carefully refolded it, hiding it away once more. Seizing the moment when no one was looking, they discarded the stone inside the palanquin.

Noticing the discarded brand new wedding attire nearby, Nan Yan didn't hesitate. She quickly changed out of her clothes and into the bridal gown, then pulled the veil over her head. Sitting quietly within the palanquin, she portrayed the image of a maiden awaiting her wedding.

The palanquin bearers were relieved by attendants on either side as they grew weary. Swinging gently, the palanquin eventually reached the side gate of the wealthy man's estate, successfully evading the Mystic Cang Sect's pursuit.

Despite the grand celebration, it was, after all, a ceremony to welcome a concubine, not a wife, hence no formal wedding ceremony was required. Nan Yan entered the mansion through a side gate in her palanquin and was promptly escorted to the courtyard designated for concubines. With the help of her maid and the matchmaker, she successfully made her way into the bridal chamber.

Outside, the few attendants were also dragged along to join the wedding feast. Initially, Zhao Xiuyan and Murong Tao intended to decline the invitation, but the servants were overly enthusiastic, physically pulling them towards the wealthy family's residence for the banquet. The two found themselves unable to resist or retaliate, eventually succumbing to the situation and reluctantly attending.

Throughout the journey, their minds were elsewhere, finding the surrounding noise annoying and disruptive. They were preoccupied with thoughts of Nan Yan, hoping that nothing else would go wrong. They planned to slip away at the first opportunity and reunite with her.

As for Nan Yan, once the maids had helped her inside, there was little else to do. Once they left, she quickly lifted her veil to examine her surroundings. The room was tastefully decorated and kept clean.

The maidservants and matrons had all gone downstairs to enjoy the banquet, leaving only a round-faced maid guarding the entrance. However, she was not entirely focused on her duty, having tucked a flask of wedding wine and some snacks into her embrace. She was seated nearby, secretly sipping the celebratory wine. Judging from her flushed cheeks and slightly dazed state, she had already consumed quite a bit. Nan Yan glanced at her a few times before looking away, carefully closing the window.

She had made an agreement with the other two to stay put once they entered the wealthy man's residence, as they would come back for her after they had escaped. Nan Yan obediently followed the plan.

It wasn't like she needed to exert mental effort; there was food and drink in the room, so taking a break was quite pleasant.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Nan Yan began to search for longans, melon seeds, and peanuts to munch on. Between snacking and sipping tea, halfway through, she suddenly heard some rustling near the window. Assuming that the other two had successfully escaped and were coming for her, she hastily grabbed a handful of peanuts and stashed them in her sleeve to eat later. As she approached to open the window, she caught sight of a thin, elongated black shadow dashing in from outside.

Startled by the sudden movement, Nan Yan froze, lifting her head to stare at the unfamiliar figure.

The black-clad figure seemed to pause upon sighting Nan Yan, his gaze turning peculiar and erratic, as if surprised. However, he quickly recovered, a malevolent glint flickering in his slightly narrowed eyes before he rushed forward, attempting to seize her.

Something felt amiss, and without hesitation, Nanyan turned to rush out. But just as she reached the door, she was suddenly hit over the head with a sack, completely enveloping her.

This inexplicable sense of familiarity, Nan Yan pondered, seemed to resemble what happened in the original storyline – it was identical to the situation when she was abducted by that damned flower thief.

Now Nan Yan understood; she had once again attracted the attention of the original plot's flower-picking thief. She strained to recall the details of the original story, where this thief was indeed deserving of punishment, having ruined the innocence of countless young women and driven many more to drown themselves in rivers out of unbearable shame. Such a villain should have been captured long ago.

Yet, this floral thief was blessed with exceptional agility, making him as elusive as a shadow, rendering the traps set by the authorities and their pursuit futile. Though the wandering heroes of the martial world utterly despised such shameless perpetrators who preyed on women, not everyone had the time or inclination to keep a constant watch on his every move.

Thus, he has been wreaking havoc until this day.

She speculated that perhaps the daughter of Scholar Li was indeed beautiful, and the noise surrounding Eunuch Wang's acquisition of a new concubine had attracted unwanted attention from someone with malicious intentions.

The thief had taken advantage of the chaos to slip in, initially planning to abduct the new concubine for his vile purposes. However, fate had other plans as they crossed paths with her group. How could one describe it? It was a predestined encounter, albeit an unfortunate one.

It seemed she was destined to be the instrument of this despicable scoundrel's demise. Well, better to end it sooner rather than later.

Struggling within the burlap sack, Nanyan found herself immobilized by a precise strike to her pressure points. She pondered that since she was already captured, it would be a waste not to take advantage of the situation and make some trouble – especially since she still had plenty of peanuts and melon seeds in her pocket.

It seemed that this flower thief had an unusual obsession with collecting, leaving a letter scented with peach blossoms in each victim's home, boldly signing his name as the notorious thief.

This time was no different. He shot a dart from his sleeve, firmly pinning the letter to the desk, then lifted the immobile Nanyan and leaped out the window.

The flower thief was likely still basking in the thrill of his good fortune in abducting such a beauty, entirely unaware of the movements of the person slung over his shoulder.

Seizing the opportunity, Nanyan subtly shifted her fingers, shaking a handful of dried fruits from her sleeve. She scattered them one by one - longans, peanuts, and melon seeds - as they traveled, creating a trail for them to follow.

She trusted that with Zhao Xiuyan and Murong Tao's capabilities, they would soon track her down. She hoped they wouldn't disappoint. The question was, who would find her first?

...

On the other side, when Zhao Xiuyan and Murong Tao finally managed to escape from the servants' quarters, the sky outside had already turned dim. The pair slipped unnoticed into the backyard of the wealthy man's residence and quietly made their way to the bedroom.

Upon opening the door, they found the woman who was supposed to be sitting on the bed waiting for them had vanished. The room was empty, devoid of any human presence.

Both men were momentarily stunned, and they quickly inspected the area. They found no signs of struggle; the bedding was neatly arranged, and a cup on the table had been used. Zhao Xiuyan surveyed the surroundings once more and eventually spotted a note nailed to the wooden beam by the bed:

"Stealing beauty is a thief's duty, none returns empty-handed."

Upon seeing the note, both men's faces instantly paled, their expressions turning grim in an instant.

Muruo Tu, in particular, was so anxious that he snatched the paper from the other's hand, scrutinizing it repeatedly. The more he read, the more his palms sweated, a sudden inferno igniting within his heart.

He turned to his senior with restless and anxious eyes, gritting his teeth as he asked, "Senior, what should we do? Could this Qieyu Touxiang be the infamous flower thief who's long been rumored in the martial world? Wasn't he arrested by the imperial authorities a long time ago? How did he end up here, and how did he abduct Yan Yan?"

Clutching the note tightly, Muruo Tu couldn't bear to contemplate the horrors she might be facing in such a situation.

The more he thought, the stronger his urge to kill became.

She... She must be incredibly frightened. With her gentle nature, she'd only cry when bullied. She couldn't even break free from his grasp, let alone escape the clutches of a flower-thieving villain.

Murong Tu clenched his fists, feeling a fiery rage surge within him, causing veins to bulge visibly on the back of his hand. "Senior Brother, did you hear me? Yan Yan is in danger. We must hurry to save her; if we delay, she will surely be..."

The rest of his words were gritted through clenched teeth, his cheeks flushed with anger, though he didn't have the courage to voice them. But as a man, how could he be unaware of what a flower thief would do with a captured woman? Was he expecting they'd stargaze and admire the moon together?

Especially for someone like Yan Yan, who possesses no martial arts skills whatsoever, it is particularly vexing that a woman from the demonic sect would have no means of self-preservation. Encountering such a situation, she would find escape impossible.

These thoughts stirred an unprecedented sense of anxiety and regret within Murong Tu. If only he had stayed by her side every step of the way. He knew she was incapable of martial arts; why hadn't he been more vigilant? Wasn't he just giving others an opportunity to take advantage of her?

The senior brother beside him was still lost in thought, his furrowed brows revealing deep contemplation. Murong Tu grew increasingly restless. "Senior Brother, what on earth are you thinking? Did you even hear what I said? I told you Yan Yan is in danger, and we need to save her immediately. Did you hear me?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xiyan seemed to finally sense something off, and that was the attitude of his junior brother. When did his attitude change like this?

When did he start caring so much about Yan Yan?

Moreover, he called her Yan Yan? Didn't he always refer to her as "demoness" before? When did he become so worried about her safety?

Zhao Xiyan's brows knitted slightly, his dark eyes revealing a hint of unusual emotion. He turned to look at his junior brother, casually asking as if it was of no consequence. His tone was so calm that one wouldn't detect any anomaly. "Junior Brother, why have you suddenly become so concerned about Miss Yan Yan's safety? You even call her by her name. Weren't you always repulsed and annoyed by her?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Tu was seized by anxiety and instinctively retorted, "Senior Brother, what are you talking about? When did I ever say that I despise or hate her?"

Realizing that his tone had been too sharp and the underlying meaning in his words too obvious, his face flushed slightly.

Murong Tu blushed and then, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, clarified, "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just worried that if something really happens to her, that fiend from the Mystic Azure Sect might take his anger out on us."

Exhaling softly, he made an effort to suppress the chaotic jumble of emotions within him.

Only then did he notice that Senior Brother's behavior today had also been off; he had been looking at him with disapproval since this morning.

Yet, for the moment, he didn't let his mind wander too far. He merely sensed that his senior brother was unusually distant today, not showing the usual concern for Yan Yan. This made him increasingly impatient.

Muruo Tu's gaze held a hint of irritation as he looked at his senior brother. "Senior Brother, what time is it? You're still bothered by trivial matters? If you're unwilling to go find her, I'll save her on my own."

This display of deep concern clarified something for Zhao Xiuyan. He could now almost confirm that his junior brother had somewhat different feelings for Yan Yan.

Moreover, these feelings seemed profound.

Upon this thought, Zhao Xiuyan couldn't help but frown. He couldn't resist wondering when exactly this had started.

He had clearly dismissed her with contempt before. Why the sudden change of heart? Was it this morning? What exactly happened between them this morning?

Come to think of it, Yan Yan seemed a bit odd towards him today as well.

Could it be that she feels something for him too...

This realization made Zhao Xiuyan unconsciously clench his fingers. His facial expression remained unchanged, but his gaze gradually turned cold. He then turned to glance at his junior brother with an air of detachment and stiffness in his tone.

"When did I say I wasn't going?"

Muruo Tu was slightly taken aback by his senior brother's odd and stiff tone, sensing a distinct discomfort in his heart. He couldn't help but feel that there was something off about his senior brother today, even his gaze held an icy chill.

Had he offended him again? Muruo Tu couldn't figure it out and let out a cold huff, deciding to put the matter aside.

Zhao Xiuyan, on the other hand, suppressed all those chaotic emotions deep within himself. His junior brother was right; now wasn't the time for anger or dwelling on such matters. They needed to find Yan Yan as soon as possible. If they were too late, she might truly meet with harm.

With her gentle nature, if such an incident were to happen, she likely wouldn't have the courage to carry on living.

Therefore, they had to locate her without delay.

Zhao Xiuyan swiftly regained his composure from the chaotic thoughts. He turned his head to see his panic-stricken junior apprentice brother, who was frantically searching for clues like a headless fly, and his brows knitted slightly.

He was also concerned about Yan Yan's safety. However, he had always been more rational and composed than his junior apprentice brother. In situations like these, the more anxious one was, the more likely they were to overlook crucial details.

Zhao Xiuyan noticed that the window on that side wasn't securely closed, and there was a faint footprint of a man's shoe on the windowsill. It seemed that the flower-thief had entered through the southern window.

Glancing again at the discarded note, the ink on it carried a pungent aroma, likely absorbed over time from being carried close to the body. It was ordinary ink, but the paper was of a kind commonly used in all inns.

Zhao Xiuyan furrowed his brows, swiftly collecting his thoughts before instructing his junior brother, "Junior Brother, let's split up to search. Leave no manor or inn unchecked in the vicinity. Be thorough in your search. The fact that the flower-picking thief could infiltrate the Magistrate's residence so effortlessly suggests a deep familiarity with the area, indicating they've likely observed the entire estate up close. Even if they have taken Yan Yan, they probably haven't hidden her far away; she might be in one of the nearby inns. Take care of yourself."

Muruo Tao naturally agreed to the plan.

After their discussion, the two men took separate paths into different alleys, starting their search. The side gate of the Yuanwai residence did indeed face south, but there were two alley entrances leading forward. Zhao Xiuyan chose one of them.

He was always observant, and as soon as he turned the corner, he noticed some scattered peanut shells on the ground – food that had attracted mice from a corner, causing them to scurry about noisily.

A hint of hesitation flickered in Zhao Xiuyan's eyes, and he paused for a moment. Leaping down from the wall, he picked up the peanut shells and gently crushed them with his fingertips. They were still crisp, clearly having been discarded recently by someone.

Zhao Xiuyan's brows furrowed slightly. His eyes flashed, and he suddenly recalled glancing at the bed when he first entered the room. That brief look had made him notice that quite a bit of the dried fruit on the bed had been consumed, with some remaining shells left on the table. At the time, no one had paid it any attention, but now, reflecting on it, it must have been Yan Yan indulging her sweet tooth.

A faint smile involuntarily graced Zhao Xiuyan's eyes. He surmised that these clues were also secretly left by Yan Yan. Following the trail on the ground, he instinctively proceeded forward. Eventually, the tracks led him to the entrance of a secluded courtyard, hidden away at the very end of a narrow alley, with no neighboring households nearby.

Zhao Xiuyan's gaze darkened. Gathering his strength, he leaped onto a hay stack beside him, vaulted over the wall, and then gracefully descended on the other side. His white robe cut a sharp silhouette against the night sky before settling silently, without a hint of disturbance.

This courtyard wasn't too far from Eunuch Wang's residence, a journey of roughly fifteen minutes. Given the flower thief's agility, the round trip would likely be even quicker.

Zhao Xiuyan observed that only two rooms in the courtyard were illuminated. He directly approached the main chamber. Upon reaching the entrance, a familiar scent wafted out, identical to the one he had detected on the letter.

Zhao Xiuyan's eyes instantly turned cold.

Now, he was almost certain that Yan Yan had indeed been brought to this courtyard. Fortunately, she was clever enough to leave some clues for them to track her down and rescue her.

Zhao Xiuyan reached out to push the door open—

But a lean, dark figure suddenly darted out from the side, brandishing a short knife. Without hesitation, it lunged fiercely at Zhao Xiuyan's chest.

The man's eyes revealed a frustrated expression, probably not expecting to be discovered and pursued so swiftly.

He had occupied this small courtyard for a long time, and he had been longing for Wang Yuan's newly wed concubine just as long. He had planned to freshen up before consummating his desire with the woman; who would have thought that such a grand opportunity would be interrupted by this unforeseen intruder? No one could simply let such an annoyance slide.

The Flower Robber brandished his short blade with remarkable speed. His light-footed skills were indeed commendable, but his martial arts were lacking. Normally, he wouldn't engage in prolonged fights when fighting one-on-one, yet today he had met his match.

Zhao Xiuyan's reaction was equally swift. Twisting his body, he drew the long sword at his waist and charged at the intruder. The Flower Robber had to retreat several steps before barely regaining his balance.

Upon recognizing the man, Zhao Xiuyan's gaze turned cold. His thin lips parted as he spoke, "You've got guts. After all these years on the road, hasn't anyone taught you to keep your eyes open? To dare abduct a woman from her room, you truly have no regard for your life."

There was an inexplicable hint of ruthlessness in those thin lips as they spoke, a stark departure from his usual gentle and composed demeanor. Zhao Xiuyan was no stranger to taking lives; who in the jianghu hadn't killed before?

It's just that he never favored resolving issues through violence. But today, this person before him was an exception. He genuinely wished to end it all by eliminating him swiftly.

The flower thief sneered, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "So you're that woman's lover? You want to kill me? Well, let's see if you have what it takes."

With those words, he launched the first attack.

Zhao Xiuyan sneered in response and didn't bother with further talk. His assault intensified instantly. Under the intense killing intent of his sword moves, the flower thief was clearly outmatched.

In the chaos, the man swiftly pulled a vial of powder from his pocket and scattered it towards Zhao Xiuyan. However, Zhao Xiuyan pierced the thief's thigh with his sword. As he withdrew the blade, crimson blood spurted from the wound, splattering across the ground and staining the withered leaves red.

The flower thief let out a pained scream, his face turning ashen. Beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. Realizing he was no match for this opponent, the thief didn't linger. He scrambled over the wall, crawled swiftly, and disappeared into the night.

Gazing at the fleeting black silhouette disappearing into the night, Zhao Xiuyan could have easily caught up if he had chosen to pursue.

Yet, his thoughts were preoccupied with Nanyan, and an unusual sweet scent lingered in the air from the scattered powder, causing his head to spin. Swiftly, Zhao Xiuyan bit down on his tongue, the sharp pain keeping him lucid.

After ensuring that the surroundings posed no immediate threat, he turned and pushed open the wooden door he had just left. Through the entrance, he saw Nanyan, immobile on the bed.

Upon seeing him, her bright, dewy eyes blinked rapidly, followed by the fluttering of her thick eyelashes. A hint of delightful surprise graced her face as she smiled at him.

Zhao Xiuyan held his breath slightly.

Observing her dark pupils, resembling two lustrous black pearls, as clear and pristine as ever, Zhao Xuyan felt a wave of relief wash over him. He exhaled softly, and a hint of a smile involuntarily graced his face upon knowing she was unharmed.

"Yanyan..."

He called her name in a soothing tone.

The person lying on the bed blinked again in response to him.

Now that Zhao Xiuyan understood she had been struck by a pressure point, he intended to step forward and relieve her of it.

Just as he stepped into the room and took two strides forward, he suddenly sensed that something was amiss with his body; he felt strangely off. A heavy, simmering heat surged upwards from within, swiftly accompanied by an inexplicable sensation of heat that left him restless. Even his heartbeat seemed to falter, no longer under his command.

Zhao Xiuyan swayed, his footing unsteady. He vigorously shook his head, then leaned his entire body against the central table for support.

Upon the porcelain-like visage, two blushes of uncontrollable crimson soon blossomed, as if dyeing the lily-white earlobes with a touch of rouge, imbuing them with a captivating and alluring charm.

Xiaoyan Zhao's forehead creased slightly, and his usually tranquil and aloof eyes seemed to darken with complexity at this moment.

A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes.

He was still unaware of what was happening to him; he only sensed that his consciousness was growing even more muddled within the haze.

His thoughts seemed to spiral uncontrollably into lascivious and decadent scenarios, causing his once-clear mind to spin with dizziness once more.

He vigorously shook his head, noticing the bed curtains swaying gently inside the room. Through the veil, he seemed to glimpse an elusive, decadent illusion.

The lamplight on the surrounding copper stands cast a soft, amber glow.

Gentle light cascaded upon the woman lying on the bed, with the surrounding curtains gently swaying, partially obscuring her alluring figure. Her lithe body, jet-black hair, and snow-white skin seemed weightless, as she lay there serenely, creating an enchanting and sensuous visual feast that stirred unbidden thoughts.

To him at this moment, the person in the bed was like a delectable delicacy exuding irresistible fragrance, drawing him closer inch by inch, yearning to devour her entirely.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zhao Xiuyan knew something was amiss. Whatever was in the aphrodisiac powder thrown by the thief must have been potent, for it surely wasn't anything benign!

He forcefully bit down on his tongue, feeling a sharp sting in his mouth, which momentarily cleared his clouded consciousness. Veins popped on the back of his hand as he exerted strength to push himself up from the table.

After a long while, he managed to suppress the lascivious thoughts in his mind. Then, he raised his hand to wipe away the trail of blood from his bitten lip, the crimson hue contrasting starkly against his fair, jade-like hand.

Zhao Xiuyan turned to look at the woman in the bed.

His gaze fell upon her eyes, as gentle and rippling as spring water.

Noticing that she was also staring at him with confusion, her eyes blinked forcefully a few times, seemingly questioning why he hadn't come to help unblock her acupoints yet.

Fixing his eyes on her, Zhao Xiuyan felt that hidden desire within him stirring, ready to burst forth from his body. His breathing gradually became rapid, and he found it difficult to restrain himself. The powders seemed to have stirred up all the secretly harbored fantasies he had kept buried deep within, now laid bare without any concealment.

He couldn't allow this to continue. If he didn't regain control soon, he would undoubtedly lose himself.

As Zhao Xiuyan pondered this, he hurriedly went over to release Nanyan's acupuncture points. Then, he turned away, refusing to look at her again. Nanyan finally let out a long sigh of relief. She had been lying still and unable to move, her limbs growing numb.

Seeing that Zhao Xiuyan, after removing her paralysis, continued to ignore her with his back turned, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer, expressing her gratitude with joy, "Senior Brother Zhao, it's fortunate you arrived in time. Just now, a strangely dressed man abducted me and said he wanted to be my husband. I'm already married; how could I become his wife? Don't you think so...?"

Zhao Xiuyan felt those soft, rosy lips continually part and close, exhaling warm breath slowly against his cheek. His thin lips pursed slightly, and he seemed to detect an alluring scent. Unconsciously, he leaned forward slightly.

In the spot where her hand held his, an unusual coolness emerged. Suddenly, an endless desire surged within him, wishing for her to come closer, even closer... He didn't clearly hear what she was saying, but he wasn't completely oblivious.

At least, he vaguely heard her address him as Senior Brother...

But why did she address him as Senior Brother?

That title had always been reserved for his junior apprentice brother. Why would she mimic his younger sibling and call him Senior Brother? Could it be that she has developed feelings for his junior apprentice brother?

No, no, why would she like his junior apprentice brother?

Wasn't he an option?

Amidst his muddled thoughts, Zhao Xiuyan seemed to have forgotten that the woman before him was already married, with her own husband.