Xu Nian and his companions were dressed in rags, clearly refugees from famine. The guards deliberately made things difficult for them, leering at Xu Nian.

"Why do you say that, sir?" Xu Nian softened her voice and said with a smile, "We're on our way to the capital, and we wanted to rest here. Although we're not very educated, we understand things. If you don't let us in, I promise I won't say anything, but with so many people, who knows who might gossip and say that the city lord here is petty and unwilling to take in the people of Da Xuan... If that gets back to some important person..."

[Hilarious! The streamer's use of coercion and enticement is brilliant.]

This isn't enticement at all, it's pure coercion!

This arrogant guard is just like my boss! Ugh!

[The preceding paragraphs were a bit too immersive.]

As expected, a look of hesitation appeared on the guards' faces. They couldn't afford to be blamed for this crime.

"How dare you speak to a fortune teller like that!"

"You're all just bullies relying on your master's power, what's so great about you?"

Seeing that the villagers were all telling the same story, the guard didn't want to cause any more trouble and reluctantly said, "Alright, alright, the only thing you country folk are good at is talking. Go in."

The guards made way, and the villagers marched into the city in a grand procession. However, they still looked surprised as they faced the bustling streets.

Although it was noon, the streets were still crowded with people, and the vendors along the street were selling steamed buns that everyone had been looking forward to for a long time.

They swarmed around the vendor's money, and a few young children, clutching coins they had been handling for who knows how long, said, "I...I want a steamed bun."

The vendor happily accepted the coins, put the steamed buns in an oil paper bag, and handed them to the children.

Xu Nian looked at the lively children and didn't say anything to blame them.

The village chief walked over to Xu Nian and said with some concern, "Although we have entered the city, we have not yet found a place to stay. If we want to find a house, we should do so before dawn."

Xu Nian nodded. "Everyone, please feel free to wander around the city for a while. We'll meet back here in an hour and a half."

The villagers all agreed, but only a few respected elders from the village remained.

Xu Nian wandered around the area with them and soon found a target she liked.

This courtyard is located near a bustling area, and perhaps because it was too noisy, the original owner was eager to sell it.

Xu Nian was lucky and quickly found the original owner to discuss the matter. Although the owner preferred to sell the house, the price Xu Nian offered was quite good, so they agreed.

They tidied up the courtyard a bit before bringing all the villagers over.

The house wasn't very big; after barely settling everyone in, even the woodshed was crammed full.

"Thank you so much, fortune teller, for allowing us to rest here."

"It's alright." Xu Nian sighed and said, "You all rest here. We'll set off again in a few days and we'll be in the capital soon."

The villagers praised it repeatedly, and only then did Xu Nian feel relieved enough to leave the courtyard and go to the shop in the city that usually raises homing pigeons.

"Girl, girl!"

The shopkeeper called Xu Nian's name twice before Xu Nian came to her senses and wrote on the paper, "My younger brother unfortunately went missing some time ago. If it is convenient for you, General, could you please help me inquire about him?"

As she put pen to paper, Xu Nian felt something was amiss. Remembering what he had said to her when he left, she crossed out the entire sentence. Perhaps the shopkeeper was annoyed by Xu Nian's dawdling, because he scolded her, "Aren't you finished writing yet? Miss, look how long you've been wasting here. There are still people who need to deliver letters later."

Xu Nian just woke up from her dream and quickly wrote down what she had just said on a piece of paper and handed it to the shopkeeper. She left the shop with a blush on her face.

The streamer's face looks like it's been thoroughly cooked; it's kind of cute.

Stop being a dream girl, don't interfere with my shipping of the general and the streamer, hehehe...

Do those people even understand what it means to "enjoy something within one's own circle"?

[Exactly, the streamer belongs to everyone; don't let it spoil the enjoyment of watching the streamer.]

Xu Nian didn't have time to pay attention to the comments. After wandering around the city, she returned to her house and rested.

Night falls.

"Help!"

"Open the door, open the door quickly, save me, please, someone's going to die!"

A piercing scream tore through the night sky, and Xu Nian's live stream became lively.

What's that noise? The atmosphere suddenly feels like a horror movie?

If the sound effects in horror movies were this realistic, I wouldn't be watching this live stream.

[It woke me up from my dream by howling! What's going on? Why isn't the streamer going to check on it?]

Xu Nian didn't want to get involved in such trivial matters, but she couldn't just ignore the people in the live stream who provided her with food and clothing. Besides, even if she didn't care, so many villagers in the courtyard wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.

"Master, what's going on outside? Should we go check it out?"

Xu Nian sighed and said, "I'll go take a look. You all stay here and don't move."

As she walked towards the door, she made a hand seal. Even if a bully appeared at the door, she wasn't worried that he would suddenly rush in and hurt others.

Xu Nian tiptoed open the heavy door, but the scene outside surprised her greatly.

A half-dead man was lying at the door, holding a stick in his hand, which he had obviously used to knock on Xu Nian's door.

A cultivator cannot simply watch someone die before their eyes. Xu Nian sighed, reached out and pulled the man inside, then closed the door.

But as soon as the door was closed, the noise outside started again.

A booming voice shouted, "Where's that guy? I clearly saw him run this way, how come he's vanished without a trace?"

"Boss, we just saw it too. Did it hide in some house?"

The strong voice wondered, "That's strange. Someone is calling for help in the middle of the night, and someone dares to meddle? If this person gets away, the young master will definitely not let us off the hook. Search the place."

Xu Nian's expression changed drastically. She didn't know much about the situation in the city, but she knew that if they really got into trouble, none of them would be able to escape.

Seeing that the people outside had started knocking on doors and asking questions, Xu Nian quickly lowered her voice and gave the order.

"Turn off all the lights immediately. Nobody make a sound. Even if someone bangs on the door, pretend you didn't see anything, understand?"

The villagers nodded in fear and quietly hid as Xu Nian had instructed. Soon, the people banging on the door were already in front of them. They pounded on the door with such force that it seemed they wanted to knock Xu Nian out.

[Fun fact: You don't need to hold your breath anymore, you can breathe.]

Thanks for reminding me, I almost suffocated.