First Meeting with Xiao Yi Xian

The night was as dark as ink, with stars scattered across the sky.

Xiao Ce strode into Qingshan Town.

Qingshan Town was exceptionally lively at night, brightly lit, with hawking and sales cries ringing out without end.

Mercenaries could be seen everywhere along the streets, walking arm in arm amid the flowing crowds.

The moment Xiao Ce stepped into Qingshan Town, though he had made no show of himself, he still became a rare sight on the street.

He wore a well-fitted blue robe that perfectly accentuated his tall, upright figure. Having traveled for two days, he carried a slight air of road-weariness.

Yet his face was handsome, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. A blue hair ribbon bound his hair high into a neat, sharp ponytail, while a few loose strands hung by his temples and swayed in the wind, adding a touch of carefree charm to his bearing. He stood utterly apart from the blood-soaked mercenaries scraping out a living around him.

Along the way, countless young and beautiful women had glanced at him repeatedly. Especially when he passed the brothel, the eyes of the women leaning against the railings and calling for customers practically went straight, each one looking as though she wanted to devour him whole.

"Yo, young master, why not come up and have a seat?"

A woman in red waved her handkerchief and called out sweetly, her eyes practically glowing green.

"Hero, you really are handsome. Come up, big sister will treat you to tea—free of charge!"

"Don't listen to them, young master. Big sister can even pay you to come. Come on, come on—"

The second and third women were even bolder, blowing kisses at Xiao Ce from afar, their flirtatious eyes soft as silk.

Xiao Ce did not slow his steps or shift his gaze. He secretly thought to himself.

And this is supposed to test an official? What official could fail a test like this?

Of course, these women did have good taste.

Why had Xiao Ce won Xun'er's heart?

Growing up by her side had certainly been important, but his own looks were hardly lacking. Otherwise, he might truly have been nothing more than an older brother in Xun'er's eyes.

It was already late at night. Xiao Ce did not rush off to find Xiao Yi Xian. Instead, he first found a reasonably clean inn to stay in, intending to gather information about Xiao Yi Xian the next day.

"Honored guest, the last room on the left side of the second floor has the best location, and no one will disturb your rest there." The innkeeper accepted two gold coins from Xiao Ce and immediately beamed, his attitude growing exceedingly attentive.

Xiao Ce nodded slightly, then went upstairs and entered the room.

The room was fairly spacious, clean, and tidy.

The night then passed without incident.

The next day.

After a simple breakfast, Xiao Ce left the inn.

Qingshan Town's streets were less lively during the day than at night, but the herb shops and weapon shops lining both sides of the road were booming with business, with mercenaries constantly coming and going.

Besides that, Xiao Ce could see mercenary groups in some open areas shouting as they recruited members.

That was only natural. Magic Beasts ran rampant throughout the Magic Beast Mountain Range, and danger lurked everywhere. Aside from the few who were exceptionally skilled and bold, most chose to enter in groups.

Xiao Ce wandered about casually. When he passed a stall selling Magic Beast materials, he picked out and bought two small items before asking the stall owner about Xiao Yi Xian.

"Xiao Yi Xian?"

"You came at an unfortunate time. Xiao Yi Xian followed Wanyao Pavilion's herb-gathering team into the mountains two days ago, and she hasn't returned yet."

"If you want to see her, you can either wait at Wanyao Pavilion or simply guard the town gate. You'll definitely spot her."

"But if you want to win Xiao Yi Xian's favor, that won't be so easy."

The stall owner was a middle-aged man in his forties, his face weathered by the elements. Several scratch marks covered his two exposed bronze arms. One look was enough to tell that he was an old mercenary who had spent years struggling through the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

He sized Xiao Ce up and down, then revealed a knowing smile between men.

Xiao Yi Xian's reputation was indeed enormous. Coupled with her lovely appearance, outsiders often came from afar just to catch a glimpse of the kind and beautiful Xiao Yi Xian. If they could win the beauty's hand, that would naturally be even better.

The stall owner had clearly lumped Xiao Ce in with those people.

And he was right. Xiao Ce was exactly that sort of person.

"Thank you for telling me, brother."

Xiao Ce cupped his hands toward the stall owner, then paid and turned to leave.

Though he now knew that Xiao Yi Xian was not currently in Qingshan Town, Xiao Ce was not in any hurry.

At most, he would have to wait another day or two. It was not as though he lacked that little bit of time.

Just as Xiao Ce was wondering whether he should take a stroll outside town to familiarize himself with the surrounding terrain, suddenly—

"It's Wanyao Pavilion's herb-gathering team! Wanyao Pavilion's herb-gathering team is back!"

"Look, it's Xiao Yi Xian!"

A burst of commotion came from afar, mixed with several loud cries of admiration and delight. The sounds drew closer and entered Xiao Ce's ears.

Xiao Ce paused slightly, then turned toward the source of the noise.

"What a coincidence."

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Ce's face.

It seemed he would not need to wait any longer.

As he muttered to himself, a group of burly mercenaries with sabers and swords hanging from their waists gathered in twos and threes. Fierce auras radiated from their bodies as they chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere.

Among them were also a few physicians with somewhat frail builds, medicinal pouches slung over their backs.

At the very center stood a young girl dressed in a plain white gown.

The girl was very young. Her appearance was not breathtakingly beautiful, yet she possessed a unique temperament—pure and ethereal, like a secluded orchid blooming alone in a mountain stream. One could not help but be drawn to her aura.

And the most eye-catching thing about the girl was undoubtedly her waist.

Her plain white dress was tied with a pale purple sash, emphasizing her soft, slender waist, delicate enough to be held in one hand.

"So this is Xiao Yi Xian?"

A flash of amazement passed through Xiao Ce's eyes.

Though Xun'er was exquisitely beautiful, she had not fully grown into her looks yet, and there was still a trace of childishness on her face. Xiao Yi Xian, however, was at precisely the age when a flower came into full bloom.

Beyond that, Xiao Ce instinctively felt some fondness toward Xiao Yi Xian as well.

After all, the Xiao Yi Xian from the original story was difficult not to like. If not for Xuankongzi causing trouble, Endless Fire Territory might not have lacked a third mistress later on.

Xiao Yi Xian's appearance instantly sent the surrounding streets into a frenzy. Countless people shouted her name, making her popularity plain to see.

Standing amid the crowd, Xiao Ce kept his gaze on Xiao Yi Xian. Watching her and the herb-gathering team disappear from view, he moved at once and followed them all the way to an elegant little manor.

This place was Wanyao Pavilion's base.

With Xiao Ce's strength, he followed them here without attracting anyone's attention along the way.

After seeing Xiao Yi Xian and several other physicians enter the small manor, he did not hesitate. With a flash, he arrived at one corner of the estate, lightly vaulted over the wall, and quickly pinpointed Xiao Yi Xian's room.

Creak~

Inside the room, Xiao Yi Xian had just sat down, intending to rest and relax for a while.

Suddenly, she saw the door open and an unfamiliar youth walk in.

"Who are you?!"

Seeing that the newcomer was a stranger, Xiao Yi Xian was about to shout loudly. But before she could speak, the unfamiliar youth suddenly appeared before her. A long, well-defined hand covered her mouth, leaving her able to make only muffled "Mmph, mmph~" sounds.

In Xiao Yi Xian's view, the youth held the index finger of his right hand to his lips in a gesture for silence.

"Shh~"

"Don't make a sound. I mean you no harm!"