After putting away the Mysterious Light Divine Crystal, Han Zhangxiang continued strolling around, looking here and there.
He made several rounds around the plaza but found nothing worthwhile, so he left.
Night had fallen, but the market was still brightly lit.
Han Zhangxiang arrived at a secluded street with few pedestrians. This was a residential district, where numerous manors and pavilions could be seen.
He stopped before the entrance of a sprawling manor. Its gates were tightly shut, and the vermilion plaque above bore two large golden characters: "Liu Residence."
He sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman. Before long, the gates opened, and a Five-Colored Parrot flew out, speaking in human language. "Senior Han, please come in. My mistress is entertaining several other seniors. Please follow me."
"Lead the way!"
Han Zhangxiang instructed. The Five-Colored Parrot was a special spirit bird. At the fourth rank, it could speak human language, and its demon eyes could see distant sights. The higher its rank, the farther it could see; it was useful for both treasure hunting and scouting the way.
The Five-Colored Parrot flapped its wings and flew into the manor, with Han Zhangxiang following behind.
After passing through a grove of azure bamboo and a long corridor, Han Zhangxiang arrived at a small courtyard planted with exotic flowers and rare herbs. At its center stood a hexagonal blue stone pavilion, where three men and one woman sat drinking tea and chatting.
"Fellow Daoist Han, you're here. Please, sit. We were just talking about you!"
A slender young woman rose to her feet and invited Han Zhangxiang to sit.
She wore a green chest-high ruqun dress. Her features were as exquisite as a painting, with bright eyes and pearly teeth, while her cascading black hair was tied with a white ribbon.
Liu