58: Chapter 58 Desperate Situation

A cold wind blew by.

Lu Man stood at the entrance of the small courtyard, a few strands of her hair disheveled by the wind.

She stared at the courtyard gate, her expression calm, but the anxiety in her eyes could not be hidden.

Her water-blue embroidered magic robe fit her well, making her look a bit more ethereal.

She stood there as if blocking the light.

Ye Linchuan pushed the door open and stepped out, spotting her at a glance.

He walked at a leisurely pace with a gentle smile on his face, only speaking when he reached Lu Man, "Fellow Daoist Lu is here, please come in!"

Lu Man whispered a thank you and followed behind him with her head lowered.

The two sat down in the main room.

The aroma of spiritual tea wafted out. Lu Man couldn't help but speak first, "Guest Elder Ye, Qiwu Pavilion is leaving at the end of the year. What are your plans?"

Ye Linchuan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Naturally, I will leave."

"But you still have family... what will you do about them?"

An anxious look appeared on Lu Man's face; the sweet smile she usually wore was gone.

The treatment for external hires had originally been quite good.

But the situation was special now.

Even Shopkeeper Su was not on the evacuation list.

She still had to rely on major favors.

Lu Man had visited several Guest Elders these past few days.

In the end, she could only place her hope on Ye Linchuan.

She knew he had family.

From their usual interactions, she could tell he wasn't a heartless person.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, please speak your mind."

Ye Linchuan didn't want to beat around the bush.

Lu Man bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I want to trade something for your spot."

Ye Linchuan smiled, his tone carrying a chill, "If you stay in Yunxi City, even a Golden Core Cultivator might not survive. What do you intend to use to trade, Fellow Daoist Lu?"

Lu Man's face paled, and her fingers tightly gripped the hem of her robe, "I... I am still a virgin."

Ye Linchuan didn't speak; he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Lu Man didn't move.

She stared straight at Ye Linchuan, "Whatever Guest Elder Ye wants, I will give."

"Fellow Daoist Lu, you should look for someone else."

Ye Linchuan stood up to leave.

Just as he reached the threshold.

Lu Man's pleading reached his ears.

"Guest Elder Ye, you must have a way!"

"I beg you to take me with you!"

Ye Linchuan ignored her.

Despair appeared on Lu Man's face, and she smiled self-deprecatingly, "Sorry to have bothered you."

She stood up with effort.

Walked out the door.

A fragrance lingered on her.

But that pretty face was devoid of color.

Walking in the courtyard.

Her figure was still as good as ever.

But it was as if she had lost her soul.

When the Qiwu Pavilion Elder announced the evacuation list, the fate of external hires like them was sealed.

Either stay in Yunxi City and wait for death.

Or be like those Cultivators who entered the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Lu Man still held a sliver of hope.

Now it was completely gone.

...

In the side room.

Luo Yu looked out the window without speaking, while Pang Shiliu sat cross-legged on the bed with her eyes closed.

Ye Linchuan walked to the door of the quiet room, his peripheral vision sweeping over Lu Man's retreating figure.

He thought of Shopkeeper Chen.

He thought of the stifling frustration that had been stuck in his heart that day.

"This world..."

He sighed, his lips moving slightly, "Prepare thirty Spirit Protection Talismans and come back in half a month."

At this moment.

Lu Man, who had just stepped out of the courtyard gate, stopped, her nose souring, and tears fell.

"Thank you!"

When she left, the smile on her face was very sincere.

...

Days passed, the market became increasingly deserted, and most shops on the street closed.

There were no more bandit Cultivators in the alley, only patrols passing by occasionally.

The eve of the Lantern Festival.

Ye Linchuan received messages from Shopkeeper Su and Matchmaker Wang; he called Luo Yu and Pang Shiliu to the main room.

"Tomorrow, one of you will leave first, taking the flying boat with Qiwu Pavilion."

Luo Yu and Pang Shiliu were both stunned. They looked at each other and said simultaneously, "Husband, you go!"

Ye Linchuan said gently, "Don't worry, I will follow soon. Luo Yu..."

Luo Yu crossed her arms over her chest and interrupted with a smile, "Husband, does the Eighth Level of Qi Refining give you such great confidence?"

Speaking of which, her smile cooled, "The Immortal Dao is ruthless; why care if others live or die!"

Swish.

A flash of spiritual light.

The jade bracelet on Luo Yu's wrist shattered, transforming into a cyan light blade that slashed toward Pang Shiliu.

Pang Shiliu smiled and didn't move.

Clang!

The Spirit Protection Talisman activated.

The light blade was completely blocked outside the light shield.

Ye Linchuan frowned, "Luo Yu, stop."

"I have decided, Pang Shiliu, you leave tomorrow."

"When you reach Biyang Prefecture, tell Qingyan and Wanqing that we are fine."

Pang Shiliu couldn't help but say, "Husband, my body was originally..."

Ye Linchuan stood up, grabbed Luo Yu's shoulders, and brought her into the side room.

Entering the room.

Luo Yu's eyes were wet.

Her arms skillfully wrapped around Ye Linchuan's neck, her demeanor alluring, but the corners of her mouth were no longer cold, "Husband, why are you so good to me?"

"Without me, you wouldn't have to make this choice."

"You are clearly afraid of death, yet you always take risks for me."

"I am not worthy..."

Ye Linchuan lowered his head and blocked her mouth, simultaneously pulling apart her magic robe and thin gauze.

Luo Yu's eyes gradually became hazy.

Ye Linchuan stopped and said with a smile, "Tomorrow evening, you will leave with me."

Luo Yu was stunned, "Didn't you say there was only one spot?"

"Rest assured, I have plenty of means."

Ye Linchuan smiled, pretending to be mysterious.

The heavy stone in Luo Yu's heart fell, and she instantly recovered her usual enchanting demeanor.

"I would like to see how powerful Husband's new means are."

Her eyes carried a flirtatious charm, and her tongue lightly hooked.

Ye Linchuan said seriously, "Come! I will let you experience it right now!"

The lamplight flickered.

The Dao technique clash began quickly, ending only when both were panting heavily.

Because there were things to do tomorrow, the two didn't continue and each returned to their quiet room to meditate.

The next morning.

Ye Linchuan brought Pang Shiliu to Qiwu Pavilion.

Shopkeeper Su saw them and shook his head lightly, but still said, "Guest Elder Ye is a man who values loyalty."

Guest Elder Zhao and the others didn't speak.

After all, everyone has their own choices.

"Shopkeeper Su, please take care of her when you reach Biyang Prefecture."

Ye Linchuan stuffed a Spirit Protection Talisman into Shopkeeper Su's hand.

"Easy, easy!"

Shopkeeper Su smiled, "Guest Elder Ye, come early; Biyang Prefecture is even more prosperous than here!"

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands, "Certainly!"

He turned and instructed Pang Shiliu, "Shiliu, no matter what happens on the road, follow Shopkeeper Su. Don't worry about me and Luo Yu."

Pang Shiliu's eyes were complex; her lips moved, but in the end, she didn't speak.

"Depart!"

The Qiwu Pavilion Nascent Soul Elder swept his magic power, and everyone in the courtyard disappeared.

A Magic Treasure flashed in mid-air, flying toward the Xuanming Sect.

Qiwu Pavilion was suddenly empty.

Ye Linchuan looked at the sky and turned to leave.

Returned to the Yunxi Alley small courtyard.

Lu Man was already waiting at the door.

Today she had changed into a jade-green robe.

Her hair, wrists, and the ribbon at her waist were all adorned with Magical Artifacts.

"Guest Elder Ye."

"These are thirty Spirit Protection Talismans, and two bottles of High Grade Medicinal Pills."

"If we can leave safely, I will definitely repay you! I will make sure you are fully satisfied!"

Lu Man's eyes were very sincere.

She had stayed at Qiwu Pavilion for quite some time and still had some savings.

"We leave in the evening; I don't have absolute certainty either."

Ye Linchuan accepted the items and spoke the truth.

Lu Man smiled sweetly, "The fact that Guest Elder Ye is willing to take me is already a great favor."

Ye Linchuan nodded, "Come inside first!"