A hero saves the beauty

Night fell, and the city lights began to glow.

Gu Yi wore a pale purple dress, looking like an immortal descended to earth. A gentle smile graced his features as he said softly, "I didn't expect this market to be so lively. It has a charm of its own."

Xie Wenyun nodded slightly. "Mm."

Just then, Jiang Lingzhou, his mouth stuffed with snacks, pointed at a talisman stall and said, "Senior Sister Ye, the talismans at that stall look really powerful. Let's go take a look."

Xie Wenyun said evenly, "The art of talismans has its uses, but one shouldn't rely on it too much."

Jiang Lingzhou disagreed. "There's no harm in looking."

Seeing the anticipation in Jiang Lingzhou's eyes, Gu Yi said to Xie Wenyun, "Senior Brother, why don't we take a look? We might find some interesting talismans."

Xie Wenyun gave a slight nod.

The three arrived at the talisman stall, and Jiang Lingzhou's eyes instantly lit up. He eagerly began choosing talismans, picking one up and studying its runes while muttering, "This talisman looks really powerful. I wonder what it does?"

Then he picked up another and held it up to the moonlight. "This one's color is so pretty. It must be something special."

The stallholder enthusiastically explained, "Young master, I made all these talismans with great care. Some ward off evil and calamity, some enhance your power, and others bring good luck. Which kind do you need?"

Jiang "Money to Burn" Lingzhou declared, "I'll take them all!"

Gu Yi: "..."

Just then, the crowd suddenly began surging like a tide. People pushed and jostled, and the scene descended into utter chaos.

Xie Wenyun frowned slightly. Before he could react, the crowd sent him stumbling.

He tried to steady himself and look for Gu Yi and Jiang Lingzhou, but all he could see were countless unfamiliar faces swaying before him.

Jiang Lingzhou was still holding his newly bought talismans, his excitement yet to fade.

The chaotic crowd instantly buffeted him from side to side, nearly knocking the talismans from his hands.

He looked around in panic, but could find no sign of Gu Yi or Xie Wenyun.

The sudden surge of people also left Gu Yi flustered. He hurriedly reached for Xie Wenyun beside him, only to grab empty air.

Where did he go????

Gu Yi: "..."

He was beginning to wonder whether he simply shouldn't leave the house...

Before this, they had stayed cooped up at the restaurant without going out.

Gu Yi hadn't seen Lin Yuan for several days, and he felt that Lin Yuan really hadn't discovered his identity.

They would set out for the Illusory Demon Sect the day after tomorrow.

Xie Wenyun and Jiang Lingzhou had also remained seated by the window, regulating their breathing.

"Junior Brother Jiang." Xie Wenyun suddenly sent Jiang Lingzhou a voice transmission, startling him so badly that he tilted sideways and leaned against Xie Wenyun.

Jiang Lingzhou straightened and glared at Xie Wenyun. Why send a voice transmission out of nowhere? Aren't I sitting right beside you?

"Junior Sister has still been unhappy these past few days. That surprise you mentioned before-could it cheer him up?" Xie Wenyun continued through voice transmission.

"You mean you want me to take Senior Sister Ye to the market tonight?" Jiang Lingzhou raised an eyebrow as he transmitted his reply.

"Mm. I promise I'll let you take her alone," Xie Wenyun transmitted. As long as Junior Sister could feel better, he could simply protect him from the shadows.

"Forget it. Come along if you want! But don't forget we're rivals in love. Don't use my surprise to win Senior Sister Ye's favor." After sending his reply, Jiang Lingzhou stood up.

Gu Yi had been hanging around their room for the past few days and felt rather bad about it.

But what else could he do? He didn't dare go outside.

"Senior Sister Ye, we're leaving for the Illusory Demon Sect the day after tomorrow. Want to visit the market tonight?" Jiang Lingzhou winked at Gu Yi. "There are lots of delicious things to eat there!"

Having stayed inside for days, Gu Yi was actually feeling a little cooped up too. They were leaving for the Illusory Demon Sect the day after tomorrow; if he didn't look around now, he wouldn't get another chance.

Gu Yi said, "All right."

Seeing Gu Yi agree, Xie Wenyun inwardly sighed in relief. He had been worried that Gu Yi would remain unhappy over what had happened with Lin Yuan.

Pushed along by the crowd, Gu Yi was carried all the way across the bridge before he found a chance to break away, but by then, Jiang Lingzhou and Xie Wenyun were nowhere to be seen.

I've seen pretty much everything anyway. Since I can't find them, I'll just go back and wait.

Cool moonlight spilled over the stone-paved road, casting a long shadow.

Just as he rounded a street corner, a dark figure suddenly appeared and blocked his path.

Gu Yi's heart tightened. Looking closely, he saw an unfamiliar man whose eyes gleamed as he stared at him with ill intent.

Gu Yi frowned. "Move!"

The man was actually a cultivator, and his cultivation was higher than Gu Yi's. His powerful aura pressed down on Gu Yi until he could barely breathe.

"Such a lovely little lady. How about having some fun with me?" The man leered as he advanced step by step.

Gu Yi's expression turned ugly. He kept retreating, searching for a chance to escape, but an invisible force seemed to seal off his surroundings, leaving him unable to flee.

What the actual fuck... Gu Yi cursed inwardly. He didn't know whether the magical artifacts he carried would work.

Just as the man's hand was about to touch Gu Yi-

A black-clad figure shot toward them like lightning. His eyes were icy, his killing intent fierce.

"You're courting death!" Lin Yuan's voice was cold as his powerful spiritual energy erupted.

Gu Yi was startled too. Lin Yuan???

The man froze at first. Then, seeing that the newcomer was a young boy whose cultivation was only at Golden Core, he gave a vicious grin. "Hmph. You reckless fool. Since you want to play the hero and save the beauty, I'll send you to hell first."

With that, he swept both hands outward. Black spiritual energy snaked forth like venomous serpents, rushing straight at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan showed no fear. With a flicker of movement, he easily dodged the attack. He raised his right hand, and a streak of white light shot toward the man like a sharp sword.

The man screamed, spat blood, and went flying backward.

Without so much as glancing at him, Lin Yuan sent spiritual energy cleanly through the man's neck.

His figure flickered, and he appeared beside Gu Yi, asking with concern, "Are you all right?"

Gu Yi stared blankly at Lin Yuan, who had killed a man before his eyes in one fluid sequence.

He had once been the Demon Venerable and had killed people himself, but he hadn't killed anyone in four years. Suddenly witnessing this scene left him somewhat unaccustomed to it.

The man's blood still stained Lin Yuan's face. Standing beside Gu Yi, he held out a hand. "Come with me."

The way Lin Yuan looked now involuntarily reminded him of how Lin Yuan looked after turning to darkness.

Gu Yi felt his mind go blank, and he reached out as if compelled by some unseen force.

By the time he came to his senses, Lin Yuan had already taken hold of him and soared into the air. In a few bounds, they arrived atop Nansi City's gate tower.

"You really look like someone I've been searching for..." Lin Yuan stood beside Gu Yi, his tone somewhat forlorn. "I've been looking for him for three years..."