Li Yanchu's mind trembled violently. “I clearly spent many days inside the Blissful Land in Mount Jinting, yet no time passed outside?” An absurd thought rose in his heart. And soon, he confirmed it. So many days had passed within Mount Jinting’s blessed realm, yet outside, it had been but a fleeting moment. The streets were bustling with life, and people came and went in endless streams. It was lively beyond compare, filled with human vitality. Across the street, a teahouse was booming with business. Its signboard bore two powerful calligraphic words, “Taiping Inn.” Li Yanchu took a deep breath. “I’ve really returned...!?” His gaze turned toward the interior of Taiping Inn. Inside, a strikingly attractive woman with delicate features and a curvaceous, mature figure just happened to meet his eyes. Her gaze was playful and charming, full of allure. She was none other than the voluptuous, alluring innkeeper of Taiping Inn. Li Yanchu gave a faint smile. It truly felt like he had returned from another world. Coming out of the dim, deathly still Blissful Land in Mount Jinting, and re-entering the vibrant, bustling Wei City... At first, Li Yanchu found it hard to adjust. But after soaking in a hot bath, and being tenderly cared for by the innkeeper, his once-tense spirit finally began to unwind. Taiping Inn was a gathering place for all kinds of people: scholars and poets, wandering swordsmen, monks and Daoists, rich merchants, common traders, and itinerant laborers. All would stay at the inn. It was the type of place where stories from the jianghu most often unfolded, a place where fate converged and the energy of life was strongest. Li Yanchu ordered a pot of fine tea and quietly listened to a well-traveled storyteller, who recited tales of the jianghu with vivid emotion and dramatic flair. The crowd of common folk around him cheered enthusiastically, fully immersed. His state of mind gradually began to calm. Suddenly, a thought struck him, Why had Master chosen to build a Daoist temple not in some secluded mountain valley,but right here, in the middle of a bustling city? Could it be that he deliberately sought out the dust and noise of the mortal world, to temper his mind and spirit amid the chaos? At that realization, his fingers, which were just about to lift the teacup, suddenly froze. The rıghtful source is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩 He had always assumed his master was just a regular Daoist priest, who knew a few ghost-expelling techniques, practiced some modest, threadbare cultivation method, and believed in never holding onto wealth overnight. But in truth... Daoist Xuancheng, his master, was a figure of great significance. Not only did he know Daoist Yuanyi of Yongxing Temple, but even the chief of the Four Great Celestial Masters of Mount Longhu regarded him as a sworn brother, with deep and long-standing friendship. Such associations naturally hinted at deeper intentions. Li Yanchu leaned against the window, his gaze drifting toward the dilapidated Daoist temple. It was lonely and incense-thin, and utterly different from the city’s surrounding hustle and bustle. A thoughtful expression emerged in his eyes. “Say what you will, but The Yellow Court Classic Master passed down to me clearly has a profound origin. Its cultivation difficulty far exceeds ordinary techniques, probably by several magnitudes. And the divine arts recorded within are far superior to the commonly seen spells in the Daoist schools of the Kingdom of Qian... It’s truly mysterious.” As he pondered these things... a graceful, cold-tempered figure appeared before him. She had a tall figure, a cool and aloof demeanor, and carried an iron sword in hand. It was none other than the wandering heroine, long unseen: Fang Qinglan. The innkeeper had already won Li Yanchu’s heart, becoming the first woman in his life, which was a fact that made Fang Qinglan furious. “I was clearly the one who arrived first...” And yet, she couldn't bring herself to say anything. So she spent her days cooped up in the magistrate’s office, immersed in solving cases. Now, even when meeting Li Yanchu again, she kept her tone cold and indifferent, showing no warmth or softness. But today, Fang Qinglan unexpectedly stopped in her tracks, her cool and aloof gaze turning toward him. Li Yanchu looked up, and their eyes met at just the right moment. Fang Qinglan’s expression was complicated, carrying a trace of emotion he couldn’t quite decipher. Li Yanchu, however, didn’t think much of it. He smiled gently and greeted her, “Miss Qinglan.” His tone was warm, his smile kind and pleasant. Fang Qinglan paused briefly, lifted her chin slightly, let out a soft "hmph," and walked away, leaving a very confused Li Yanchu behind. Just then, the innkeeper sneakily appeared behind him. “That girl’s thin-skinned. She’s been stewing in anger these past few days.” A look of triumphant satisfaction flashed across her face, making her look even more charming. “Angry about what?” Li Yanchu played dumb. The innkeeper rolled her eyes at him and said with a little huff, “Qinglan likes you. You think I can’t see that? Her little secret is only a secret to herself.” Li Yanchu gave a small smile, saying nothing. “What’s wrong, Daoist Master Li? Cat got your tongue? Weren’t you the one who liked her quite a bit in the beginning?” The innkeeper suddenly put on a stern face, her voice turning cold. Li Yanchu chuckled lightly. “Weren’t you just acting sweet a moment ago? Who lit your fuse?” Her face flushed red. “Lit your head, you silly!” She gave his chest a playful punch with her fair, delicate hand. Then, suddenly, she bit her lip gently and said, “I don’t mind what’s going on between you and her. You don’t need to worry about that.” Li Yanchu fell silent at her words. What kind of situation is this even supposed to be? “You truly are a woman of rare generosity. The world could use more like you!” Li Yanchu couldn’t help but laugh. The innkeeper rolled her eyes at him, then turned and walked away with a mature and alluring grace. Every movement of hers tugged at the hearts of the men in Taiping Inn. Whether scholars, wandering swordsmen, wealthy merchants, or aristocrats, they were all stunned by the charm of such a beautiful and mature woman. Yet, despite her warm demeanor, she always kept a respectful distance, making her feel unreachable. Who would've thought she'd fall for a young Daoist? And their open, easy conversation had been overheard by the others, leaving many men green with envy. “Where in the world can you find such an understanding and gentle woman?” A middle-aged merchant with a fierce wife at home suddenly felt a storm of emotion, and envy was written all over his face. “Waiter! Bring wine!” he shouted, a bit dramatically. Look at this Daoist, how did he get so lucky?! Just then, a young girl dressed in pale yellow stepped into the Taiping Inn. She looked about thirteen or fourteen years old with delicate and pretty features. In an instant, she drew the attention of everyone in the inn. Her aura was as serene as a lotus in bloom, though between her brows was a faint trace of worry she couldn’t hide. She scanned the room quietly, then her eyes lit up as soon as she saw Li Yanchu. She hurried over. “Daoist Master Yanchu!” Everyone in the inn exchanged curious looks. Why does this Daoist attract so many women?! But in Li Yanchu’s heart, there wasn’t even the slightest ripple. Because this girl wasn’t just any girl, she was his good friend’s fiancée... or rather, his betrothed fiancée. Xu Lingsu rushed over anxiously. “Daoist Master Yanchu, something’s wrong, Hongtu is in trouble!” The smile on Li Yanchu’s face vanished instantly, his expression turning cold. Xu Lingsu replied, “Hongtu was captured by someone, and his fate is unknown!” For no apparent reason, everyone in the inn suddenly felt the air freeze, as if the temperature had dropped several degrees. Three or four jianghu wanderers turned pale, exchanging looks of alarm. They had all lived with sabers at their necks, and were extremely sensitive to the aura of killing intent. Just then, a powerful and icy killing aura flickered for a brief moment, and it was so cold and intense that it made their backs break into a sweat. Li Yanchu said nothing. He stood up abruptly and strode out of the inn, heading straight for Qingyun Temple. Xu Lingsu hurried after him.