The Wanted Poster

Seeking the Dao in the Mortal World

Qin Yi knew that although the Nanli Kingdom was located in a remote area and was self-sufficient, it was not without enemies on its flanks.

The Western Wilderness Kingdom was Nanli's perennial enemy. Unlike Nanli, which had been established for a thousand years and whose culture was very close to the template of the Central Plains, the Western Wilderness Kingdom was a nation formed by barbarian tribes that had risen in the past century. They were savage and fierce, and had repeatedly invaded. Of course, the Nanli people were not to be trifled with either; many great generals had resisted the Western Wilderness and even counterattacked. The two countries had been at war for a hundred years.

Just over a month ago, Nanli had repelled a Western Wilderness attack, and the one who had been stationed in the capital city, directing troops and deploying generals, was none other than the Qing Lin Prince before him. How could Qin Yi have imagined that this fellow, who had just been resisting the enemy country, would turn around and accompany his sister to seek immortals?

Moreover, Li Qinglin himself had been on the battlefield many times before, and countless enemies had fallen under his spear.

Qin Yi himself didn't have high ambitions, but he still admired such a person. It was no wonder that Li Qingjun believed the struggle between her brother and the National Teacher was a struggle between good and evil; it truly resembled the conflict between a good general of the state and a disaster-bringing demon.

"So, is Brother Li the Crown Prince?" Qin Yi wasn't very familiar with this.

"No. I have an older brother, who is the legitimate eldest son and the Crown Prince." Li Qinglin smiled indifferently. "My older brother has been learning the art of governing since he was a child, unlike Qing Jun and I, who only have brute force and can only fight battles."

Qin Yi carefully observed his expression, but couldn't discern anything.

Li Qingjun said, "What brute force? Leading troops in battle, protecting the borders and bringing peace to the people, or venturing into the jianghu, eliminating evil and punishing the wicked, that is what we desire. Must we learn from them, embroidering in their boudoirs, feigning weakness and affectation?"

Li Qinglin smiled and explained to Qin Yi, "Our Nanli's founding ancestor came from the jianghu. He established a rule that royal family members must conceal their identities and venture out alone to experience the mortal world. Although this has led to some regrettable incidents throughout the generations, it has been greatly beneficial to the royal family's character as a whole, and thus it has continued to this day. However, precisely because of this, the atmosphere in the homes of princesses who have married out has been a bit... awkward."

Qin Yi couldn't help but laugh either. No wonder this prince and princess were traveling alone; it turned out there was such a rule. Speaking of which, the founding ancestor's rule was quite interesting... But a princess raised in this way would probably be difficult for an ordinary consort to handle.

Li Qingjun scoffed, "Why bother marrying? When I find an immortal, I will roam the sun and moon, slay demons and eliminate evil. Wouldn't that be exhilarating?"

Li Qinglin smiled and didn't respond.

Qin Yi also smiled. He always felt that this girl shouldn't have been born a princess; how much better it would be if she were a knight-errant?

Speaking of which, since this girl yearned for immortal destiny, he wondered what would happen if she met Liu Su... Given the difference in their worldviews, he imagined their arguments would be even fiercer than his own.

At this point, the three of them had been traveling for a long time, and the outline of the county city was faintly visible ahead.

"This is Hengshan County. After passing this county, it's less than two days' rapid travel to Lihuo City. We can rest here first." Li Qinglin dismounted and led his horse into the city like an ordinary jianghu figure. Qin Yi also dismounted and followed behind, observing this large county.

It had only been a little over two months since he transmigrated, and the furthest he had been from the village was only to the county town. He hadn't really had a good look at the style of an ancient large city.

Nanli didn't have a large population, and the county didn't feel particularly bustling. Many pedestrians carried knives and swords, highlighting the fierce folk customs, which was naturally different from the secluded atmosphere of Immortal Trace Village. Various notices were posted at the city gate entrance, as well as civilian bounties, but they seemed to have been posted for a long time, and pedestrians were already passing by indifferently.

Qin Yi stopped and looked around. There were notices for conscription, as well as notices for collecting certain items, including "Blazing Flint." The seal used was different from the conscription notice; it looked more like a Taoist talisman, indicating that this was a bounty posted by the National Teacher, not in the name of the court. Therefore, its purpose might not be for refining elixirs for the king, but perhaps for the National Teacher's own affairs.

But precisely because something had gone wrong, others would only blame the king. Of course, there were also local officials who curried favor with the National Teacher, or took the opportunity to enrich themselves, leading to public resentment.

In short, this Nanli Kingdom was truly a bit unhealthy.

Li Qingjun, who was beside him, glanced at him with an unreadable expression.

Qin Yi knew what she meant. When she had "recruited" him before, she had said she could help him obtain some rare medicinal materials. Given her status, this statement was truly not false. Just as the National Teacher could use the power of the entire country to search for resources, it was certainly better than him searching blindly on his own without any direction.

Li Qingjun said indifferently, "If you can truly be of help, it's not impossible for you to replace him at that time."

Qin Yi shook his head and didn't respond. Seeing that although Li Qingjun was talking to him, her gaze was on other notices, he also followed her gaze.

Li Qingjun was looking at a bounty from the county government, which stated that Zhang Family Village outside the city seemed to be haunted. Villagers were constantly disappearing without reason, and even the village master had died recently without illness or cause. The bounty was for capable individuals to investigate, and there would be a reward.

This was also something he had heard jianghu people talk about at that time, that some Pine Hermit Priest had gone to see it and said there were no ghosts.

In fact, Qin Yi also felt that this kind of troublesome matter was mostly man-made.

Seeing Li Qingjun's eager look, it was clear her curiosity and sense of chivalry were stirred again. But with Lihuo City so close, Li Qinglin was probably preoccupied with his struggle against the National Teacher and wouldn't be in the mood to get sidetracked investigating a case, right?

"Shall we go take a look?" Li Qingjun finally asked her brother.

To Qin Yi's surprise, Li Qinglin only pondered for a moment before turning to ask Qin Yi, "Brother Qin, would you mind delaying for a day?"

It seemed he thought Qin Yi wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs.

Qin Yi asked, "Doesn't the National Teacher handle these strange occurrences?"

"I haven't seen him do anything proper," Li Qinglin scoffed with a laugh. "Besides, this kind of thing might not be a haunting. It's more likely man-made."

"Alright, then let's go take a look," Qin Yi didn't refuse. "Going to the capital won't be delayed by this short while."

A smile appeared on Li Qingjun's usually stern face.

Liu Su was extremely surprised. It knew better than anyone that Qin Yi wasn't someone who liked to meddle, especially in cases that were clearly likely to be man-made. It couldn't help but ask in the sea of consciousness, Hey, you're not actually interested in this princess, are you? What happened to the saying that a simp doesn't get a house?

Qin Yi ignored it. The three of them turned around and left the city again, heading straight for the farm outside the city.

Approaching the farm, it was already dusk. Looking around, white banners were faintly visible within the farm, a scene of desolation.

Farmers finishing their work in the fields saw the long spears of the Li siblings and cautiously bowed and stood aside to make way, not daring to breathe heavily.

Li Qinglin pointedly said, "These are normal villagers."

He was naturally referring to the unusual nature of the villagers of Immortal Trace Village. Qin Yi didn't respond to this and entered the farm directly. Immortal Trace Mountain, the peculiar space, Liu Su's location, the origin of his transmigration. He didn't know if the villagers were special, but he was clearly the most special one, so it was better not to get too involved...

The farm gate wasn't closed, and there was a farmhand guarding it. Qin Yi asked, "The city gate is closed, we missed our lodging. May we trouble your farm for a night's stay?"

The farmhand was stunned. "You're not here to catch ghosts? Then hurry and leave! This place is haunted, what lodging are you talking about?"

Li Qingjun said, "You live here and aren't afraid, what kind of ghost is haunting this place?"

The farmhand stamped his foot. "If it weren't for the fields, I would have left long ago! Even the master of the farm has passed away, this farm really is haunted!"

"Lai Fu!" A soft voice came from within the farm. "What kind of behavior is it to block guests? Let them in."

Lai Fu reluctantly bowed. "Yes, Madam."

Qin Yi had not expected the so-called "Zhang Madam" to be so stunningly beautiful.

The woman before him was no more than twenty years old, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, without makeup, yet her face was as rosy as if she had applied rouge. Her face held a hint of sorrow, but a glance from her peach blossom eyes was captivating, inadvertently enchanting. Coupled with her mourning attire, it added a certain charm.

Moreover, she was very fragrant, overpowering even Li Qingjun's faint scent beside her. This fragrance could undoubtedly arouse men's desires. It was evident that the servants standing behind her had unconcealed admiration and passion in their eyes, including Lai Fu.

Even Qin Yi's usually calm heart couldn't help but skip a beat, and he thought to himself that the farm master might have died from...

Zhang Madam's gaze swept over Qin Yi without lingering. It was clear that Qin Yi's thin, youthful body and rough clothes and shoes held no interest for her. Her gaze swept over Li Qingjun, and she smiled slightly, but didn't say anything.

When her gaze fell on Li Qinglin, Qin Yi could clearly see her eyes suddenly light up, and her voice became so soft it seemed to drip with water. "When traveling, who doesn't have inconvenient times? If the three of you don't mind this farm being unclean, what harm is there in staying for a night?"