Chapter Seventy-Two: Seeking Immortal Fate (Part Two)

Master Qin mentioned that Daoist Lingyun would be treating Miss Qin tonight, so he arranged for us to stay in the manor and see her the next morning.

As we were leaving, Mo Zhuo suddenly pulled me aside. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Before I came here, I visited a theater in Yeliang. They say the Qin residence is haunted at night."

His warm breath tickled my ear, and I turned my head slightly, whispering back, "Haven't you been with me the whole time? When did you hear this?"

"Three months ago," he whispered even more softly.

Seeing his exaggeratedly mysterious demeanor, I found him completely unreliable. How old was he to still be telling ghost stories like a child?

At that moment, I noticed the maid standing behind Mo Zhuo. I quickly glanced sideways to alert him.

He chuckled, "So scared you can't speak? Frozen, huh?"

"Alright, stop discussing secrets so loudly in front of others." I sighed and deliberately pulled him back, thinking the maid might eavesdrop for a while otherwise.

Mo Zhuo awkwardly stopped talking.

The maid remained expressionless, merely murmuring that she would lead us to our quarters.

I found this maid increasingly strange. She had openly followed us and listened to our conversation without any embarrassment when caught. Did the Qin household suspect us of something?

She led us to guest rooms in the rear courtyard. Before entering, I signaled to Mo Zhuo.

We had traveled a long way and needed to rest for a few hours to have the energy to gather information at night.

I wondered if that fool Mo Zhuo understood my signal.

At night, I stealthily exited my room and saw a maid walking with a lantern. I quickly hid in the shadows. After she passed, I approached Mo Zhuo's door and knocked lightly.

No response for a long time.

So I softly called his name a few times, altering my voice.

The only reply was a gentle, lukewarm breeze.

Where had Mo Zhuo gone in the middle of the night? Was he sleeping too soundly or had he acted alone? Never mind, I'd go on my own.

I decided to find Miss Qin's room but realized a critical issue.

I didn't know the way.

Tonight was a crescent moon night, making it darker than usual. Under the faint light, shadows of flowers and bamboo crisscrossed, forming strange patterns everywhere. The wind made it seem eerie.

I couldn't help but think of Mo Zhuo's daytime warning. A chill ran down my spine, as if something light and cold had brushed my shoulder.

I turned abruptly but saw nothing.

Just then, I noticed a maid with a lantern approaching. Feeling relieved, I ran towards her.

The maid looked up at me in confusion and asked, "Immortal, what's wrong?"

Before I could respond, her pupils suddenly dilated, and she collapsed unconscious.

I felt something cold and wet drop on my neck.

Feeling a surge of fear, I conjured an ice blade in my hand and slashed behind me. The sensation on my neck vanished instantly. I then turned and punched, hearing a grunt. Turning around, I saw Mo Zhuo clutching his stomach with a pained expression.

He was holding a red ghost mask.

I should have known it was him.

"You're so boring! Why are you playing pranks at a time like this?" I scolded.

"Why are you so easily scared and quick to hit?" he complained, sounding righteously indignant.

His hobbies were truly childish.

"Enough. Your image in my mind has been steadily declining. Just go wash up and sleep," I sighed.

"If I go to sleep, do you think you, a fool who can't tell north from south, can find Miss Qin's place?" he retorted.

"Do you think you know?" I doubted he had a detailed map of the Qin residence.

He pulled out the Yeliang map from his robe, fully unfolded it, and then found an opening on one side. From it, he extracted a neatly folded piece of paper.

Really? He actually had one?

What kind of strange habits did this Quan You have? How could he know the exact layout of every place so precisely? Did he verify it in advance?

Why didn't he handle this personally?

Weird. Everyone in the Moon Shadow Sect is weird.

"So, can you read the map?" Mo Zhuo asked proudly.

"Of course I can. I'm not as clueless as you. The room we need is the second from the left on the far east side," he added with a tone that begged to be hit.

"Alright, alright, let's go," I urged him. We hadn't walked far when we ran into a woman adorned with elaborate jewelry.

She was dressed in fine clothes, her face delicate and pretty, standing at a small door lit by hanging lanterns. She greeted us with a respectful bow, "Baoxiang greets the two immortals."

If I wasn't mistaken, this must be Miss Qin.

Mo Zhuo politely returned the greeting, "There's no need for such formalities."

I was slightly surprised, "You must be Miss Qin? I heard Daoist Lingyun was supposed to exorcise you tonight. Why are you alone...?"

This Miss Qin was supposed to be insane, yet she appeared so graceful and composed without any sign of illness.

"So, you're Miss Qin. Please forgive my earlier lack of recognition," Mo Zhuo said, a bit taken aback.

Qin Baoxiang laughed softly, "Daoist Lingyun's methods are effective. I'm already cured."

It seemed Daoist Lingyun did have some skills after all. Had I underestimated him?

"Well, congratulations, Miss Qin," I said, thinking we might not be needed anymore.

"Immortals, please feel free to stay in the manor for a few more days. You are guests here, and the manor has no strict rules. You can also explore Yeliang," she offered.

I initially thought with Miss Qin cured, we had no reason to stay. Her words, though polite, gave us a reason to remain and seek clues.

Just as I was about to agree, Mo Zhuo interrupted, "Since you are cured, we shouldn't overstay. We'll leave tomorrow morning." He then pulled me along.

"Please wait, immortals! I have another request!" Qin Baoxiang called out.

Mo Zhuo stopped and turned, "What is it, Miss Qin?"

"I wish to ask you to save my parents. They are possessed by evil spirits and are on the brink of death," she pleaded.

I was puzzled, "Why do you say that?"

"It has always been my parents who were afflicted by evil. Because of their illness, they thought I was insane and invited Daoists and exorcists who cursed me. That's why I was confused during the day and never stepped outside. They want to harm my parents and me. Please, I beg you to help us!" Her voice grew increasingly emotional and fearful.