Chapter 19-Part 3

After the meal, E Ji said, “I’ve already made the arrangements. We’ll enter through the back door—it’s less conspicuous that way. The two Daozhang should change into these clothes and follow me quickly.”

Having just experienced a scare, Teng Yuyi didn’t want to join in on the excitement and said to Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi, “I’ll leave Juan Erli to you. With your skills, saving someone shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t understand rituals, so I won’t go in with you.”

After saying this, she started to leave, but Qi Zhi grabbed her sleeves.

Surprised, Teng Yuyi asked, “What’s this about?”

Qi Zhi whispered, “Young Master saved my life, and I promised to help you break the Sha Ling Huan. If you leave now, I won’t be able to figure out a way. Trust me, I will keep my word.”

Teng Yuyi, remembering how they had almost been eaten by the demon earlier, pulled her sleeve back.

“Trust you? Do I want to be chased by a demon again?”

Qi Zhi looked ashamed but refused to let go.

After much persuasion, he managed to drag Teng Yuyi into the building.

When they reached the back garden of Caifeng Tower, E Ji greeted a few burly guards and led Teng Yuyi and the others inside.

“The place is in the back row of the sleeping quarters. Since we found out it was being used for offerings, we rarely go there.”

As Teng Yuyi walked, she observed the surroundings.

It was no wonder Caifeng Tower had gained fame so quickly; the front was grand with carved walls, and even the back garden had jade railings and red fences.

The night wind blew, rustling the peony bushes in front of the steps. The further they walked, the colder the wind seemed to get.

E Ji shivered as she rubbed her arms. “Young Master, Daozhangs, don’t you find this place a bit eerie?”

Jue Sheng nervously looked around, suddenly spotting a figure ahead.

E Ji saw it too and was about to scream, but fortunately, Qi Zhi covered her mouth in time and whispered, “Huh, it looks like a Taoist priest.”

Jue Sheng, with sharper eyesight than most, ran a few steps forward and called out softly, “Old Taoist, is that you?”

The figure leaped down from the treetops, holding a horsetail whisk.

It was none other than Lin Chengyou, disguised as an old Taoist.

Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and gathered around.

“Old Taoist.”

Lin Chengyou flicked his whisk and said, “Goodness, this demon is formidable. I barely escaped.”

E Ji looked at the old Taoist in surprise.

Weren’t they expecting the Shizi of Prince Cheng?

Why was there a disheveled, unorthodox Taoist here?

Lin Chengyou asked Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng, “How did you find this place?”

Qi Zhi and Jue Sheng pointed back.

“Lady Teng coaxed and scared this woman named E Ji until she revealed some things, so we came here. Senior Brother, what are you doing here?”

Lin Chengyou glanced at Teng Yuyi, who looked back at him indifferently.

Lin Chengyou quietly observed Teng Yuyi.

The large bundle of itching bugs would take up a lot of space, and hiding it on her person would definitely leave some traces.

She was dressed in Hu attire, but her sleeves and boots didn’t seem to be hiding anything.

The guard beside her was not only in light clothing but also wasn’t carrying any packages.

It was clear that even though she had come to ask him to break the spell, she hadn’t brought the itching bugs with her. Did she really expect him to break the Sha Ling Huan without returning the items she had taken from Qingyun Temple?

Originally intending to help her break the spell, he suddenly changed his mind, smiled, and said, “This place is the lair of that thing is here. I just searched the courtyard and found that a large formation had been set up here many years ago. For some reason, the formation has developed a flaw and can no longer suppress the thing beneath it. However, after searching for a while, I haven’t found the formation’s core.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi hurriedly recounted what had just happened.

Lin Chengyou clicked his tongue in annoyance, “When will you learn to get to the point? Why didn’t you mention something so important earlier?”

Qi Zhi then spoke about Juan Erli’s disappearance: “Senior Brother, did you see a young woman with Hu features inside the barrier?”

“I didn’t see her.”

Lin Chengyou waved E Ji over.

“Where is the broken stone? Quickly show us the way.”

E Ji stepped closer to observe the old Taoist and noticed that his aura was serene and his hands were long and clean.

He spoke with a warm smile, nothing like a shabby person.

She had a sharp eye and vaguely guessed that he might be the Shizi of Prince Cheng, which made her legs go weak.

No longer daring to glance around, she lowered her head and led them forward, softly saying, “Please follow me.”

Qi Zhi hurried after them. “Senior Brother, the sword of Young Master—”

Lin Chengyou interrupted him, “Saving people is the priority right now. Unrelated matters can wait.”

E Ji nodded anxiously.

“I’m afraid Juan Erli might be in grave danger. Please, Daozhang, help find her quickly.”

Qi Zhi bit his lip and looked helplessly at Teng Yuyi.

Teng Yuyi glanced at Lin Chengyou’s back and knew he would deliberately make things difficult for her. Staying here was dangerous; since there was no opportunity now, it would be better to leave the building first.

She turned away gracefully and said to Huo Qiu, “This is no longer our concern. Let’s go.”

But after taking only a few steps, Qi Zhi rushed over and grabbed her again. “Young master, you can’t leave.”

Before Teng Yuyi could even scold him, Lin Chengyou stopped in his tracks, looking at Qi Zhi in surprise.

“What are you doing?”

Qi Zhi stubbornly refused to let Teng Yuyi go.

“If we want to save Juan Erli, we absolutely cannot do it without the Young Master.”

Teng Yuyi tugged her sleeve back forcefully.

“I don’t know any Taoist techniques. Why are you dragging me along? I’ve had enough tonight. If you don’t let go, I won’t be polite!”

At first, Huo Qiu thought Teng Yuyi was joking, so he didn’t take any action.

But now, seeing his young miss genuinely angry, he immediately struck out at Qi Zhi without saying a word.