Seeing that he had been found out, the boss stuck his neck out.

"You say it's fake, so it's fake? What proof do you have?"

The woman who was about to pay looked displeased when she saw someone ruining her business: "This immortal, don't make false accusations. Tao Weng's talismans are of good quality, inexpensive, and effective. How can you slander Tao Weng as selling fake goods?"

Seeing that a buyer was backing him up, the boss named Tao Weng straightened his neck even more, as if to say, "You're the liar. Look, even the buyers say my stuff is useful."

Even though cultivators are generally respected in this world, there are still evil people who use their skills to do bad things. At this moment, Yan Chenghuan has become such a person in everyone's eyes.

Seeing that their good intentions in exposing the man for selling counterfeit goods were not appreciated, Zhang Xu's temper flared up. Pointing at the woman, she said, "You shallow-minded fool, I kindly told you the goods were fake and you're biting the hand that feeds you. You deserve to be fooled, you're such a sucker!"

Faced with Zhang Xu's barrage of words, the woman was speechless, pointing at her.

People around her also felt that this girl looked quiet and gentle, but spoke so rudely, and they all started pointing at her and whispering among themselves.

"Mind your own business!"

"Of course, a young girl like her, smashing up other people's stalls and causing trouble."

"He doesn't look like a good person at all."

······

This was probably the worst emotional outburst Zhang Xu had experienced since arriving here, yet the person who started it all showed no intention of helping her out. Instead, he stood with his arms crossed, watching her with interest. In an instant, her heart sank, and any lingering romantic thoughts she might have had vanished completely.

She thought that after spending so much time together, there must be some friendship between them. Even if they weren't life-or-death friends, she thought they could at least speak up for her. But she didn't expect to push her into the midst of controversy.

As expected, the villains are unreasonable, proving the saying that every pitiful person has something hateful about them.

Zhang Xu's face immediately turned red to the roots of her neck; she realized she had probably gone a bit too far.

At this moment, Yan Chenghuan stepped forward and said to Tao Weng, "It's all because my wife is ignorant. I hope this immortal won't be angry."

Tao Weng, with his neck straight, showed no appreciation.

Zhang Xu was pinned to the spot, unable to move, and subjected to the criticism from all around her. Her mind was filled with various thoughts, but her face remained deathly still.

"These goods of mine are worth a fortune, and now they're ruined. What do you suggest we do?" Seeing Yan Chenghuan's sincerity, Tao Weng's expression softened.

"The inn where I am staying is just ahead. Immortal, come with me to settle the value of the destroyed goods and provide double compensation."

Tao Weng's expression returned to normal. He glared at Zhang Xu, packed his things, and followed Yan Chenghuan to the inn where they were staying.

As the crowd dispersed, Zhang Xu remained standing in place. Yan Chenghuan had placed a talisman on him, rendering him immobile. He could only watch helplessly as the endless stream of people flowed past, showing her astonished expressions.

"Is this the person you've been longing to follow?"

A girl's voice came from behind. Zhang Xu turned around and found that she could move again.

Behind her, Rong Yue, dressed in Yu Qing San's uniform, stood before the brightly lit crowd, like a fairy who had mistakenly entered the mortal world.

Beside her, Lu Qinglan stood tall, holding his sword. The two were a perfect match, like twin lotus flowers blooming on a snow-capped mountain, pure and refined.

“I don’t know.” For once, Zhang Xu shook her head.

Chen Ran and Yan Chenghuan did nothing out of line along the way. From Chen State to Miluo City, and then to Lin'an County, they seemed like a young man eager to return home. After witnessing the death of his biological father, he was filled with anger and thus raised the sword of revenge, sharpening his blade against his enemy.

However, at this moment, she also began to doubt what she had been calculating all along.

Are you trapped by the mission? Or by people?

Seeing her like this, Rong Yue said, "Why don't you come back with us first? This isn't a safe place either."

Where she couldn't see, Yan Chenghuan watched Zhang Xu and Rong Yue's group disappear into the mortal world, never to be seen again.

In front of them was a dark and damp alley.

Tao Weng found the road he was walking on becoming increasingly treacherous, and he couldn't help but have second thoughts. He asked timidly, "Didn't you say that your place of residence was nearby?"

“That’s right!” Yan Chenghuan said leisurely, the boy’s voice like a vengeful ghost, startling Tao Weng so much that his legs went weak and he fell to the ground.

"You, you, you! Don't do anything rash! My master is waiting for me to come back. If he finds I'm missing, he'll definitely look for me..."

Tao Weng's remaining words were swallowed by darkness, and the dim alleyway flickered with points of light, like stars falling and fireflies fluttering.

Before long, a frail old man emerged from the alley; it was none other than Tao Weng's wrinkled face.

Zhang Xu was surprised to see Rong Yue and Lu Qinglan here during the Elite Gathering. Wasn't Yu Qingshan supposed to be extremely busy? Why were these two here instead of helping out at the sect?

As if sensing her question, Lu Qinglan asked, "Has Yue'er's mission always been Yan Chenghuan?"

Judging from their tone, it seems like the two of them have gotten together?

Zhang Xu's gossipy nature was unusually aroused, and she even temporarily suppressed her doubts.

Rong Yue glared at him playfully, as if scolding him: "Why are you saying this at a time like this?"

“Xuxu, we grew up together since we were little, and we are like brothers. I really don’t want to see you think about things in a deeper and deeper way.”

Rong Yue raised her beautiful eyes, revealing deep worry: "The Demon King harms the world once every five hundred years, and now is the time for its rebirth. Yan Chenghuan is far too dangerous. Following him will do you no good."

Seeing that Zhang Xu's expression softened and that she didn't seem to have ignored what she was saying, Rong Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

"Although we don't know how Yan Chenghuan has managed to control his mind and not lose his senses, the demonic seed is in his body. It seems that it's only a matter of time before he turns evil."

"Have you been following him the whole time?" Zhang Xu asked.

The two nodded: "Years ago, when Yan Chenghuan was still in the womb, someone suggested killing him. However, the people of the Dao tried many methods but failed to bring him down. In the end, it was Yan Xingyun who went crazy and killed countless cultivators before a contract was finally established."

"We can let Yan Chenghuan grow up, but we have to keep an eye on him?"

Lu Qinglan nodded: "This is common knowledge in the cultivation world. We wanted to take a gamble, but unfortunately, the demon seed found him at some point. It seems we have lost."

Zhang Xu seized upon the word "gamble" in his words.

"The Demon King appears once every five hundred years, in an endless cycle. Once he is defeated, he will return. Everyone is looking for someone who can suppress the Demon King's power and kill him in one fell swoop."

Despite it being something that seemed like a secret, Lu Qinglan told Zhang Xu about it without hesitation, even though it was an unimportant reason.

This is also why Yan Chenghuan was able to survive many years ago.

The reason for not taking precautions now is probably because they feel it's unnecessary. The executioner's blade has already been raised, and all secrets will become nothing more than a sigh.

Zhang Xu's heart skipped a beat, as if she had remembered something. Looking at the two people's burning gazes, she was speechless for a moment.