Xu Yuehuai's voice was filled with anger. She amplified her voice with spiritual power so that everyone around could hear what she was saying. The others looked at each other, glancing around, not quite understanding what Xu Yuehuai meant. The tree spirit on the ground got up, dusted itself off, and glared at Xu Yuehuai fiercely. "Now you humans don't even need to find a reason to slander others. You just spout nonsense. We have no idea what you mean by what you're saying, or what you really mean."
"This is indeed the south of Cangwu City that you mentioned, but when we arrived here, there was no trace of human presence. It's you people who came later who don't understand the rules at all. You know this is our territory, yet people still come in from time to time. Recently, even more people have been coming, and now you've even spoken rudely to me!" The tree spirit's anger was so great that it could burn them all to ashes. If a fire could represent the tree spirit's rage, Xu Yuehuai felt that they would definitely be buried in a sea of flames by now.
Ying Ziping frowned, glanced at Xu Yuehuai, returned to Xu Yuehuai's side, and whispered, "He doesn't seem to be lying. We still need to find out where the people here went. Why don't we leave here first, find a place to stay, and find out what happens later? It's not a good idea to stay here with them like this. What do you think?"
Seeing Ying Ziping lean so close to Xu Yuehuai, almost kissing him, Nangong Yu's expression darkened. He muttered to himself, "Why do you have to get so close when you're just talking? What do you need to say to be that close?"
His words, tinged with sarcasm, reached Shangguan Xi's ears. She glanced at him, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. Seeing the resentment on his face, she couldn't sit still any longer. She moved closer to him, crossed her arms, and said with a similar expression, "Still being sarcastic? What makes him so special? Of course, it's because he won't cower in another man's arms and cling to him tightly when a ghost appears."
Shangguan Xi's words revealed the truth, causing Nangong Yu's heart to clench. She also mentioned Xuan Chi, who was standing nearby innocently injured. Xuan Chi took two steps away; he showed no curiosity about the conversation, wanted neither to know nor to get involved. Shangguan Xi's eyes held a mocking glint. After speaking, she glanced at Nangong Yu again. Nangong Yu sadly whispered, "Fear is something you can't control, just like liking someone."
Shangguan Xi: "..." Fine, he's got guts. He resorts to this when he can't win an argument, huh? If she talks to this idiot again, she, Shangguan Xi, will change her surname to Shangguan!
Shangguan Qi moved two steps to the side, widening the distance between herself and Nangong Yu, and continued watching the scene ahead. During the short time they had been talking, it was unclear what Ying Ziping and Xu Yuehuai had discussed, but her expression was not pleasant, her anger simmering. In the end, she simply told everyone to leave first, and that they could discuss the rest tomorrow.
None of them were from Cangwu City, and no one knew where to go. Moreover, the surrounding area had completely changed, making it impossible to follow their previous directions. Just as everyone was at a loss, Ying Ziping stepped forward, looking at them gently, "Follow me, I know the way."
Everyone looked at Ying Ziping with shining eyes, as if he were a god descended from heaven, illuminating their lives.
As darkness fell, the group continued their journey through the night, heading towards the light and warmth ahead. In the south of the city stood the Youfu Inn, its owner having lived there for many years without ever moving. Anyone with even a slight interest in the place knew of its existence. Ying Ziping led them to the inn, and Nangong Yu, standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "How do you know all this? Are you from Cangwu City?"
Inquiring about Ying Ziping had become subconscious, even though his inner voice screamed and warned him that it was wrong and wrong, his brain was sending signals that he should speak. Once the questions were asked, there was no going back.
This wasn't a presumptuous question, nor was it anything particularly special, but in terms of his status, Nangong Yu didn't want to be a jealous person. He wasn't the type to meddle or be particularly curious; it was just that when he encountered Xu Yuehuai's situation, he subconsciously wanted to pay more attention. He didn't want things to continue like this and wanted to escape from this environment.
Ying Ziping spoke gently, yet with a unique strength in his voice, "I am indeed not from Cangwu City, but I come here often and have some unique memories. The more times I come, the more I understand these things."
This was no lie. Ying Ziping, from the ancient Ying family, had a background that was never simple.
Xu Yuehuai said silently to herself.
When Ying Ziping looked over, she responded with a polite smile, but it was clear that the smile carried a hint of aloofness, as if she was unwilling to communicate much with the person in front of her.
The people who orchestrated this incident were the ancient Ying family. Ying Ziping also had the surname Ying. Ying is not a very common surname. She didn't believe that such a coincidence could happen. She would rather believe that all of this was for a purpose than believe that Ying Ziping was without desires or wants. In this world, there are very few people who do something without desires or wants, so few that she felt that such a person simply did not exist.
Ying Ziping came with a purpose. She dared not say that Ying Ziping had ulterior motives from the beginning when he approached her, but at least at this moment, Ying Ziping's thoughts were obviously not as simple as they appeared.
Nangong Yu pursed his lips and nodded, having nothing to say. The group entered the seemingly intact inn. The owner of Youfu Inn was still the same middle-aged man. He had reached the age of weight gain and had not escaped it, but his physique combined with his face made him look exceptionally honest and simple. He was not foolish, but only sincere. "Welcome, welcome. I haven't welcomed guests for a long time. It's quite a surprise to have someone come to my door. I was a little excited, so please don't take offense."
As the shopkeeper spoke, he made a gesture of clasping his hands together. Ying Ziping waved his hand, a faint smile on his face, and said, "It's alright, please give us eight superior rooms."
"Alright! This way, gentlemen!" The owner gestured for them to come in, welcoming them all through the door.
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