Liu Family Village Calamity

Xia Qi'an was led into the Si Nan Manor by a maid.

The maid, Qiu Dong, was like a vigilant cat, her eyes constantly appraising Xia Qi'an as they walked, as if scrutinizing him.

As for Si Nanyue, the acting commander of the Wei Dao Si Hound Guard, she was like a radiant pearl, emitting a dazzling light.

Her status was revered, her power immense, like an insurmountable mountain peak.

Her peerless beauty was like a magnificent scroll painting, captivating the hearts of countless young masters from Jinling's noble families, leaving them yearning and dreaming.

The number of people who wished to call upon her was beyond count.

And Si Nanyue, aside from official matters, never accepted any visits.

Yet, Xia Qi'an, on his first visit, was actually granted an audience with Si Nanyue.

What is so special about this person? the maid Qiu Dong wondered to herself.

She followed Xia Qi'an through the front courtyard, and saw Si Nanyue standing alone amidst the flower bushes in the inner courtyard.

Without her official uniform, Si Nanyue was as beautiful as a painting, truly captivating.

Her beauty was like a flower blooming in spring, delicate and alluring.

Seeing Xia Qi'an stride over, carrying two wooden boxes, Si Nanyue curiously asked, "What matter do you wish to report?"

"Reporting, my lady! A few days ago, I saw a type of soap from the Qiluo Kingdom on the market. I heard it had excellent cleaning properties, so I thought I'd buy a few bars to try. But alas, it was expensive and crudely made. So, I made a scented soap myself and wanted to gift it to you for trial!"

"I hope that after you use it, my lady, you can give me some suggestions for improvement!"

Upon hearing this, Si Nanyue frowned and said, "Just for such a trivial matter?"

He thought Xia Qi'an was trying to curry favor and was immediately displeased.

Xia Qi'an quickly explained, "My Lady Si Nan! This is not a trivial matter. It's just that I happen to know how to make soap and wish to sell the scented soap I made on the Jinling market. That's why I've come to you for a trial."

"And I come from humble beginnings, and practicing martial arts requires a lot of money. That's when I thought of this soap-making business, purely to earn some money!"

After Xia Qi'an's impassioned speech, Si Nanyue's expression softened slightly.

"How do you know how to make soap?" Si Nanyue turned her head slightly, looking at Xia Qi'an.

Xia Qi'an casually lied, "It's a family heirloom skill!"

"In that case! Let me see the scented soap you made!" Si Nanyue finally showed some interest in the soap.

Then, Xia Qi'an opened the sandalwood box.

Immediately, a fragrance of flowers and herbs filled the air.

The maid Qiu Dong couldn't help but exclaim, "How fragrant! It smells even better than the sachet I carry!"

Seeing Qiu Dong's lapse in composure, Si Nanyue feigned anger, "Dong'er! Go prepare some tea quickly?"

"Yes, Miss!"

Qiu Dong playfully stuck out her tongue and quickly left.

After Qiu Dong left, Si Nanyue took the soap from the wooden box and examined it carefully.

The item, named scented soap, was exquisitely shaped and translucent, looking like a fine piece of pastry.

Si Nanyue picked up the soap, brought it closer to her nose, and her eyes lit up. She praised, "You named it scented soap, and it truly lives up to its name!"

"Judging by its appearance, color, and scent, it is indeed much better than the soap from the Qiluo Kingdom!"

Xia Qi'an immediately agreed, "My lady has a discerning eye!"

Si Nanyue's manor also kept Qiluo Kingdom soap on hand, so she naturally knew the difference between the two.

With a little thought, one could understand the immense commercial value it held.

Si Nanyue put down the soap and said seriously, "Are you just here to have me try it?"

Xia Qi'an explained, "Of course not! I hope to leverage my Lady Si Nan's reputation to promote the scented soap throughout Jinling City."

"Furthermore, I know very well that I cannot succeed in this business alone. Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to protect it. Therefore, I hope to cooperate with my Lady Si Nan and expand this business together!"

After Si Nanyue pondered for a moment, she said, "If that's the case. How do you plan to sell it? After all, you are also a member of the Wei Dao Si, you can't just abandon your official duties to sell soap, can you?"

Xia Qi'an smiled, "Of course not! My Lady Si Nan, you should know that I have a good relationship with Yang Wei of the Yang Clan's trading firm. I plan to bring him into the partnership, and he will be fully responsible for sales."

"From now on, I will be solely responsible for the supply of goods, Yang Wei will be responsible for sales, and you only need to lend your name!"

"As for profit sharing, the three of us will need to meet and discuss it, and it would be best to draw up a contract!"

"My Lady Si Nan! What do you think of my arrangement?"

Si Nanyue naturally knew the Yang family of Jinling. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, "Your plan sounds good! But let's wait until I've tried the soap. I will then send someone to notify you and Yang Wei to come to my manor to discuss the matter!"

Xia Qi'an knew this was a matter of great importance and didn't expect Si Nanyue to agree on the spot.

Afterward, he handed the two types of scented soap to Si Nanyue and prepared to take his leave.

"Wait!"

Just as he was about to leave, Si Nanyue suddenly called out to him.

"Does my Lady Si Nan have any instructions?" Xia Qi'an quickly asked.

Si Nanyue hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Something unfortunate happened in Jishan County yesterday! The specifics are still unknown! I've already dispatched two Hound Guards to investigate, but no news has returned yet. I'm ordering you to go there immediately to check, and be sure to bring back information as soon as possible!"

"Your current cultivation is low. If you encounter danger, you only need to gather information discreetly. Absolutely do not try to be brave and get involved!"

It was clear that Xia Qi'an wasn't supposed to be involved in this mission originally.

But Si Nanyue seemed to be in a difficult spot and probably couldn't find anyone else available at the moment.

Since Xia Qi'an happened to show up, she had no choice but to send him on this errand.

"Understood!"

After accepting the order, Xia Qi'an immediately left the Si Nan Residence.

Although doing business was more important to Xia Qi'an right now, the primary duties of the Wei Dao Si could not be neglected even slightly.

Following that, Xia Qi'an made some simple preparations.

Then, he rode his black horse out of Jinling City and galloped towards Jishan County.

Jishan County, Liu Family Village.

"Caw..."

"Caw..."

On the old tree at the village entrance, which looked like charcoal, a flock of crows let out noisy caws, as if they were lamenting something ominous.

A faint black smoke permeated the village, resembling the aftermath of a terrible fire.

The houses were scorched black, and the charred corpses of villagers were scattered everywhere.

These people seemed to have been attacked by fire in their sleep, then struggled to escape their homes, ultimately dying tragically by the roadside.

As Xia Qi'an entered Liu Family Village, he observed his surroundings, trying to find any traces of the two Wei Dao Si Hound Guards.

However, the moment he stepped into the village, he sensed that turbid qi was permeating everywhere, as if an evil force was spreading.

Based on this, he concluded that some unknown demons and monsters had been here, and those two Wei Dao Si members had likely followed them.

Xia Qi'an activated his Crimson Pupils, carefully tracking the traces of turbid qi left in the air.

Instantly, a line formed by coalesced turbid qi appeared in his eyes, winding like a venomous snake towards the southwest of Liu Family Village.

Around the residual turbid qi, there were also two traces of Blood Essence, pointing in the same direction as the turbid qi.

All of this proved Xia Qi'an's previous deduction to be correct.

The two Hound Guards Si Nanyue had sent earlier had indeed left Liu Family Village, following the trail of the demons and monsters.

Finding no further clues in the village, Xia Qi'an unhesitatingly followed the direction indicated by the residual turbid qi.