481: Chapter 481 Who Has Been Here

Han Jingyang's first thought was that he had come to the wrong place.

It was simply too beautiful here!

Too exquisite!

Too full of life's delights!

Living in such a place, with no one to help manage things, everything had to be done personally, including fetching water from the mountain stream for irrigation.

The fact that so many vegetables and crops were grown here indicated that the owner was, at the very least, a diligent person who loved life.

Could such a person be a murderer who killed for treasure?

Highly unlikely!

But Xiaotian Quan would definitely not have led him to the wrong place.

So, either the murderer was the owner of this place—someone who loved life but was also ruthless.

Or, the murderer had only passed through or hidden here, and perhaps the owner was unaware.

Hmm, other possibilities existed as well.

But regardless, caution was necessary.

Alone and on his own, he absolutely could not afford to slip up.

To slip up in a place like this... you could cry out to the heavens and get no answer, cry out to the earth and get no relief. It was quite possible no one would even be around to collect your corpse.

Without an acquaintance to guide them, an ordinary person might never find this place in their entire lifetime.

Han Jingyang took a deep breath and led Xiaotian Quan forward slowly.

The further in he went, the more he felt the owner possessed refined taste.

Simple landscaping, yet it somehow created the feeling of a new scene with every step.

Looking inside from the courtyard gate revealed another entirely different vista.

The spacious courtyard resembled a small garden, filled with flowers everywhere—red, yellow, white, pink, large, small... you name it. They were arranged in a staggered, orderly fashion, abundant but not cluttered, varied but not chaotic. Clearly the result of careful cultivation and pruning, yet it felt completely natural, without a hint of awkwardness.

Butterflies and bees flitted among the blossoms.

Two tabby cats lay curled up in the flower shade, resting with their eyes closed, looking utterly content.

Hearing his movements, one of the tabbies lifted its head alertly and meowed twice, "Meow~ Meow~"

Then he heard a crisp, feminine voice call out, "Xiao Guai, what's wrong?"

Next, the door opened from the inside, and a young woman peeked out. Around twenty years old, she wore her hair in a long braid, yet was dressed in a light blue Taoist robe.

Huh?

Such a young female Taoist?

And her strength isn't weak either?

With looks like that... it's a bit of a waste hidden away in these deep mountains and old forests.

Her figure wasn't bad either—slender and well-proportioned.

But her temperament was the best—elegant, serene, and tranquil, like a secluded orchid quietly blooming in an empty valley. It almost made him, a man with several stunning beauties around him, unable to look away.

So, so beautiful.

Han Jingyang snapped back to reality and coughed lightly.

The braided young Taoist immediately straightened up and demanded warily, "Who are you?"

Han Jingyang flashed a brilliant smile, waved, and greeted her enthusiastically, "Hello there, young beauty. They say Zhongnan Mountain is full of spiritual elegance, and it's true. I never thought I'd actually meet a fairy."

The moment the braided girl saw Han Jingyang, her fair, makeup-free face instantly flushed crimson. She subconsciously ducked back behind the door, revealing only half her face as she stammered, "Y-you... just who are you?"

"My name is Han Jingyang. I'm a tourist from out of town, got lost, and somehow ended up here," Han Jingyang continued his act, pretending to be a sunny, cheerful ordinary young man. "I'm thirsty and tired now. Could I rest my feet and have some water?"

"You're a liar!"

"Huh?"

"You're a cultivator too. I can tell."

Han Jingyang was taken aback.

Exposed already?

Sigh, and here he thought a shy girl living deep in the mountains would be easier to fool.

Who would have thought? Who would have thought even a young woman who blushed, grew shy, and hid at the sight of him would be so hard to deceive.

And she'd already labeled him a liar.

But it didn't matter.

He'd take it slow.

As long as she wasn't the murderer who killed for treasure.

Right, the murderer!

Since this young girl was a cultivator of no small strength, then her elder... could they be the murderer?

Or have dealings with the murderer?

Considering the various possibilities, he dropped the bright, sunny smile from his face and clasped his hands in salute. "Miss, your discerning eye is truly admirable. I'm impressed you could see through my meager level of cultivation."

The braided girl snorted lightly. "Don't even think about tricking me. I'm very capable."

"Indeed you are," Han Jingyang said while pushing the gate open and stepping inside. "But I wasn't lying. I really am thirsty and tired, looking for a place to rest, have some water, and ask about something."

"Don't come in!"

"Why not?"

"M-my master doesn't allow it."

"Where is your master? I'll speak with him."

"My master..."

At that moment, an Old Taoist Kun who looked to be in her sixties came out. Her gentle gaze lingered on Han Jingyang for a moment before she bowed in greeting. "I have long heard of your great name, Mr. Han. Please, come inside."

The braided girl was stunned. "Master?"

The Old Taoist Kun affectionately patted the braided girl's head. "Go boil some water and brew some astragalus tea."

"Huh?"

"Go on."

"Oh," the braided girl mumbled, running toward the kitchen with a look of reluctance. Once inside, however, she stuck her tongue out at Han Jingyang before quickly shutting the kitchen door.

Han Jingyang couldn't help but chuckle softly. Such a simple, straightforward young girl was a rare sight in the city.

City girls knew everything by their teens. By around twenty, aside from perhaps immature thinking, they were no different from adults in other aspects. Their speech and demeanor could even be more mature than some adults.

This braided girl was the complete opposite. She had the age, but she was still like an innocent, guileless child, without a trace of impurity.

Truly lovable.

The kind of fondness devoid of impurity.

The kind of fondness one feels upon seeing a beautiful flower.

Pure, simple, and coming from the heart.

The Old Taoist Kun proactively introduced, "That is my adopted daughter, Hua Zhenzhen. She is not ordained and is not a Taoist, though she has learned a bit of health cultivation from me. She barely counts as a cultivator."

Han Jingyang clasped his hands. "Miss Hua... ah, Miss Zhenzhen is innocent and carefree (innocent and artless), utterly delightful. Truly a fitting daughter of heaven nurtured in a blessed land like Zhongnan Mountain."

The Old Taoist Kun smiled slightly. "Mr. Han, please come inside."

"I apologize for the intrusion."

"Not at all, please."

Han Jingyang naturally did not stand on ceremony.

Although he had ruled out the Old Taoist Kun as a suspect for the murder, he became even more certain that she must know the murderer, perhaps even had direct contact with them.

Firstly, the Old Taoist Kun was a cultivator of considerable strength. The qi within her was no less than Zhang Zhiyang's, perhaps even more refined. Furthermore, she possessed at least three dharma instruments, ensuring her combat power remained substantial and wouldn't diminish too much with age.

Secondly, the Old Taoist Kun knew him. Judging by her demeanor, it wasn't merely having heard his name; she likely knew of his deeds. Otherwise, her attitude and tone wouldn't be like this.

Lastly, there was Xiaotian Quan's reaction. Upon seeing the Old Taoist Kun, Xiaotian Quan's response grew much more intense, continuously growling and barking at her.

He entered the room.

Xiaotian Quan's reaction grew even fiercer, barking wildly at a meditation cushion in the corner.

What did that mean?

Was the murderer a meditation cushion?

No!

The murderer had been here and had used this cushion.

Had they used it previously?

Or had the murderer just left?

If used previously, that was one thing.

But if the murderer had come here after killing Zhang Fazhong, judging by the time and distance, their use of the cushion would have been no more than half an hour ago.

Thinking of this, he fixed his gaze on the Old Taoist Kun and asked, word by deliberate word, "Who was here just now?"