Chapter Seven: Snowy Skin, Bright Eyes, Fanged Mouth

As the sun was setting, I finally arrived at a small town in the east.

Although I can't conjure up a horse to ride, I could at least turn invisible, and riding along in that carriage saved me quite a bit of effort. However, I was caked with dust and dirt, which was quite unpleasant.

The town was lively enough, but I had no place to rest for the night, so I had to figure something out.

Feiyang said he didn't like me using illusions to trick innkeepers, so I couldn't pick up a stone, transform it, and then throw it at the shop. What should I do? I stood in front of the biggest tavern in the small town, resting my head on my hand while thinking for a long time, and suddenly remembered I had once seen Wujiao with a traveling act.

Alright then, I'll put on a little show to entertain some kids.

In the center of the market, vendors were shouting out their wares, when all of a sudden a group of street performers with all sorts of drums and gongs walked in from the outskirts, calling out, "A show, come see a show… flying snow in June… autumn fruits in summer… come let Chang'e try the elixir in the moonlight…"

It seemed that this was the first time the locals had seen such a lively group of performers, and in an instant, a crowd surged around, enclosing me in layers.

A clever little girl stepped out, bowed in a circle, and said loudly, "We've just arrived in this esteemed place, disturbing everyone. I, Little Bell, will perform a trick now, hoping not to make you all laugh."

As she spoke, she extended her right hand, revealing only a tiny seed in her fair, tender palm. Once everyone had a clear view, she giggled, closed her palm into a fist, covered it with a handkerchief, and blew a few times towards her fist.

Next, right before everyone's eyes, the handkerchief began to rise, as if something was sprouting underneath. The crowd gasped as they watched, and sure enough, beneath the handkerchief was something that resembled a small tree. They could see the trunk clearly, and then, a fragrance wafted through the air, causing everyone to inhale deeply and praise the performance, while Little Bell simply covered her mouth with one hand and giggled.

The fragrance didn't last long before the flower petals began to fall to the ground, and the handkerchief shrank considerably.

Little Bell blew a couple more times and suddenly frowned, saying, "Oh no, my celestial energy isn't enough…" Then, she raised her eyes and cast a glance that sparkled with mischief at the crowd. As if they understood her meaning, everyone hurriedly took out money and tossed jingling coins into the gong in the center of the stage. Little Bell continued to giggle. Once a half-gong of coins was collected, she took another deep breath and said, "With all the support from my big brothers, Little Bell will certainly do my utmost to complete this trick. Now, look at this—peach!"

As she spoke, the object under the handkerchief began to grow larger, round and pointed, resembling a peach. The crowd clapped enthusiastically, and as their applause grew louder, the peach grew larger, eventually becoming partially visible. Little Bell smiled, tucked the handkerchief back into her sleeve, and indeed, that small tree bore a large celestial peach, probably larger than a big bowl, gently glowing with colorful radiance.

"This is the soul of a peach that Little Bell borrowed from the Queen Mother's peach banquet. Of course, it's not like the Queen Mother's peaches, which can grant immortality simply by eating them, but using this to boost one's energy for another ten or eight years of life won't be a problem at all," Little Bell said with a laugh as she looked around. "Which grandpa is willing to bid higher? Little Bell will give this peach soul to the highest bidder."

After a corpulent merchant purchased the so-called peach with half a gold piece from Little Bell, I quietly activated a hidden compartment in my sleeve, stuffing all the gold, silver, and copper coins into a small pocket. Only then did I watch with a smile as Little Bell and her family carried their drums and props out of the town, with not just a single or two people chasing after them, frustrated they hadn't brought enough money and wishing to invite the old immortal to stay a few more days to perform a few more celestial peaches.

Once Little Bell's family disappeared beyond the edge of the town, I went into the tavern and cheerfully handed two pieces of silver to the waiter. "Young waiter, I want an upper room."

The waiter, probably not used to seeing a woman alone, looked at me curiously before responding. "Miss, we don't have an upper room available."

"Oh? What other rooms do you have?" 

He shook his head.

"Is there another inn in this town?"

Shaking his head again.

I felt a bit annoyed and slammed half a gold piece onto the table in front of him. "I don't care if you have one or not, go find me a room!"

The waiter's eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded profusely. "Yes, yes, miss! I'll go discuss it with the few other guests."

At that moment, a familiar oily voice chimed in, "No need to discuss, how about you share an upper room with me, Little Girl?"

I was furiously enraged; how dare that slippery eel from earlier try to take advantage of me again in the tavern on the highway? He must have thought that since Feiyang wasn't with me, he could take advantage of me again!

I surveyed the surroundings, and to my surprise, the people I had shared the road with during the day were all there, each alert, gripping the hilts of their swords or holding onto axes with a peculiar formation that had me encircled.

I gritted my teeth, thinking hard about how to deal with this situation without Feiyang by my side.

I remained silent, but suddenly a roar of a tiger echoed down from upstairs as a large golden-eyed white tiger jumped down, pouncing directly at the nearest man holding a short axe. I initially thought a short axe was not a weapon to tackle a tiger. The man should have stepped back! But to my surprise, he actually had the audacity to try and fight the tiger with his axe. He swung down, but the tiger simply turned into a puff of smoke.

That slippery eel, however, was still grinning, even reaching out a hand as if attempting to caress my cheek. "Little girl, you're using illusions that scare away men—I'm not afraid."

I shot him a glare, my fangs protruding as he reached out his filthy hand. Unfortunately, he was far too aggressive and drew out two short blades, attempting to press them against my neck.

I sneered coldly, deciding to reveal my true form from the West Miao tribe.

Snowy skin, bright eyes, fanged mouth, sleek leopard tail.

Wearing luxurious, flowing robes woven with gold and silver threads, my long black hair fell loosely down my back, save for a jade pin set at an angle above my temple.

I pondered absently; without Wujiao's guidance, it seemed that a few months of quiet cultivation had allowed me to manifest my true form. True form? Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation, though I couldn't grasp what it was—like a premonition, or a feeling of… as Wujiao said, being manipulated by destiny… frustration?

The slippery eel was indeed a desperate character. Seizing my moment of distraction, he viciously lunged with his blades again, seemingly intent on cutting my arm.

I simply laughed coldly and made no movement; the blades struck my arm, merely glancing off the ribbon I wore around it, sending sparks flying as they shattered into several pieces. The slippery eel was thrown back several feet, crashing into tables and chairs.

Everyone gasped in astonishment. I could only chuckle bitterly to myself; regrettably, my cultivation was insufficient, and this form would only last fleeting moments before I could no longer maintain it.

I returned to my original appearance as a mortal woman, casting a cold glare at the crowd before making my way towards the tavern door. As expected, no one dared to block my path and, in fear, they parted to let me through.

Unfortunately, I still faced one individual at the door—none other than the supposed "big brother" from earlier who had finally yielded during lunch. He stood firm at the entrance, wielding two slender water-splitting daggers.

I remained silent, staring coldly at him.

He smiled, a grim and eerie smile that sent chills down my spine. "Miss, what you performed earlier was indeed Kunlun's 'Great Expansion,' right? 'Great Expansion' is only passed on to the legitimate offspring of the Kunlun sect leaders. Few in the martial world have seen this technique. However, I'm unworthy, and yet I happen to be one of them. Since you're a legitimate child of Kunlun, you naturally cannot possibly be ignorant of the whereabouts of the Mingyue Jade Bi."

I lowered my head, glancing sideways at the spectators; those who had heard his words suddenly became alert and they began to encroach upon my space, closing in.

I gradually opened my mind, secretly wrapping the people around me in my illusion. Good, their expressions relaxed, and they stopped advancing. Yet this man before me remained impassive, still wearing that foreboding smile, revealing a yellow paper talisman in his palm. "The half ingot of gold you paid for was probably given to that small girl by the herb shop's owner to buy the celestial peach, right? Since you possess the ability to mesmerize others, I will certainly take precautions."

I observed the paper talisman, feeling a great sigh within me. Zhang Tianshi's talisman? Next time I see him, I'll have to yank out two of his beard hairs. Sigh, who knows if there will be a next time, perhaps today's situation won't end well for me? With my temper, it seems I'm bound for trouble today.

"You really do seem to lack patience, don't you?"

The sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase as Feiyang slowly descended, his voice cold.

I was both startled and pleasantly surprised and instantly ran toward him.

Though that man didn't block me, he thoroughly sized Feiyang up as he took his time examining him. It wasn't until I reached Feiyang and grasped his hand that he finally said with a cold smile, "Sir, I would like to have a one-on-one spar with you. In a one-on-one situation, you haven't harmed anyone nor spilled blood. I'd like to test my skills against you."

With that, he removed his long robe, revealing his coarse, muscular body as he approached the stairs.

Feiyang turned back to me with a gentle reminder, "Meng'er, you should head upstairs." I nodded, and he squeezed my hand before making his way down.

As that man approached, he suddenly burst into laughter, "Where do you think you're going?" He threw one of his daggers at Feiyang while the other aimed right at me. Unable to move, I paused as I watched him strike Feiyang's illusion, shattering it into smoke.

The man climbed up the stairs, pulled the dagger lodged in front of my feet, and mocked, "It seems I nearly fell for your trick! But it's a pity, you left a gap in your plan. Since your companion possesses such high cultivation, he certainly wouldn't need you to walk away first!"

With a heavy sigh, I released my spirit into the top of the tavern to conjure a giant literary raccoon, just as I had done during the ordeal, hoping against hope that there was still a chance. Feiyang would soon arrive, and although I was prepared for humiliation today, I really disliked the feeling of merely enduring. I could only pray that when Feiyang came, I'd still have a chance to see him one last time; as for Wujiao, I would probably never see him again.

The man pointed the dagger at me. "Miss, do not blame me for using force. I ask once more, is the Mingyue Jade Bi in your possession?"

I met his gaze with indifference, just giving him a cold smile, when suddenly my arm twinged with sharp pain, blood spilling forth. First, it soaked my long robes and then dripped down the staircase.

"Your resolve is commendable, yet I am no tender-hearted man. Now it's not just your arm I'll be going after; you really must be a beautiful lady, no? Do you not fear being disfigured?" He swung the water-splitting dagger in front of my eyes before pressing it against my cheek, saying, "Tell me, after that Feilian took possession of the Mingyue Jade Bi, has it already been delivered to Kunlun Mountain?"

I felt no fear, coldly laughing and remaining silent.

If I were to die, then let it be. At most, it would just mean that Wujiao wouldn't find me when he returned to the mortal realm. Moreover, disfigurement wasn't really a big deal for us; once I returned to Kunlun, I'd probably reclaim my true form, right? In the eyes of mortals, that form might as well be the ugliest, far worse than disfigurement.

He truly was ruthless; sure enough, I felt a stab of pain as the dagger plunged down.

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This portion of the story features rich imagery and vividly drawn characters, effectively combining elements from fantasy and martial arts genres within a narrative that suggests themes of identity and power struggles. If you need further information or additional sections translated, feel free to ask!