37: Chapter 37 Something Feels Wrong

At this moment, the witch flashed to Qing Luo's side: "Friend, before asking about other people's business, shouldn't you state your name first?"

The woman in the red dress scrutinized the witch, revealing a trace of surprise: "So it is the blue flame witch. I have long heard of your name."

The witch sneered: "It seems you know me, then you should understand the consequences of following us."

Nangong Han was unhurried: "I have no intention of offending. I am Nangong Han, and I only wish to search for an old acquaintance."

"An old acquaintance?" The witch frowned, "Chu Yang?"

Nangong Han nodded: "That's right. He and I have some past ties. I heard he might appear recently, so I have been making inquiries everywhere."

The witch remained calm: "He has been missing for many years, where did the information about his sudden appearance come from?"

"Merely rumors in the Jianghu," Nangong Han smiled, "However, looking at this Little Girl's reaction, it seems the rumors are not false."

The witch shielded Qing Luo: "I don't know what relationship you have with Chu Yang, but I advise you not to meddle in other people's business. These days, knowing too much is no good for anyone."

Nangong Han narrowed his eyes: "It seems I guessed right. Since that's the case, why don't we find a place to talk in detail?"

Just as the witch was about to refuse, Qing Luo suddenly spoke: "There is a strange energy inside him, it's like... a barrier?"

Nangong Han looked at Qing Luo in surprise: "You can tell?"

The witch grabbed Qing Luo: "Since we both have reservations, let's part ways here."

"Wait," Nangong Han said hurriedly, "I can prove my relationship with Chu Yang."

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant with the character "Yang" carved on it.

"This is..."

"A token Chu Yang gave me," Nangong Han explained, "If you really know him, you should be able to feel the aura on it."

Qing Luo cautiously took the jade pendant, and a familiar warmth immediately spread from her fingertips, resonating with the soul bead inside her body.

"It is indeed his item," Qing Luo said in a low voice, "It has the same aura."

The witch remained vigilant: "Even so, we cannot be certain of your intentions."

Nangong Han sighed: "I understand your caution. How about this, I am staying at the Qingfeng Inn in the south of the city. If you change your mind, you can come find me. I will wait there for three days."

After speaking, he bowed and turned to leave, his red skirt swaying like a flame in the crowd.

The witch watched his retreating figure, deep in thought: "This individual's identity is a mystery."

Qing Luo nodded: "Should we tell Daoist Wangchuan and the others?"

"Of course, but don't alert the enemy yet." The witch withdrew her gaze, "Let's go, we are going to meet up with them."

Returning to the agreed-upon teahouse, they found Daoist Wangchuan and Bi Luo already waiting. The witch told the two of them everything about meeting Nangong Han.

After listening, Daoist Wangchuan frowned: "Nangong Han... I seem to have heard this name somewhere."

Bi Luo was thoughtful: "Master, was it mentioned in those letters from Chu Yang?"

Daoist Wangchuan suddenly realized: "Right! I remember now. Chu Yang once mentioned a woman in red in his letters, saying that she was an unexpected gain on his path of cultivation."

The witch raised an eyebrow: "Unexpected gain? What does that mean?"

"He didn't say explicitly," Daoist Wangchuan recalled, "He only said it was a special kind of fate."

Qing Luo asked: "Then are we going to meet him?"

Daoist Wangchuan pondered for a moment: "Since he has Chu Yang's token and voluntarily revealed his identity, he shouldn't be from the Dark Prison. But we must still be cautious. The witch and I will go meet him; you two stay here."

Bi Luo was dissatisfied: "Master, I am already much better."

"You need to continue recuperating," Daoist Wangchuan's tone was unquestionable, "And Qing Luo has a soul bead inside her, it's too dangerous."

Qing Luo also wanted to go, but seeing the witch's approving gaze, she had to nod in agreement.

After the agreement was made, the witch and Daoist Wangchuan headed to the Qingfeng Inn in the south of the city, leaving Bi Luo and Qing Luo waiting in the teahouse.

Before leaving, the witch instructed the two: "Remember, do not talk to strangers casually. If there is any abnormality, evacuate immediately."

Bi Luo patted her chest: "Don't worry, I will protect Qing Luo well."

After the witch and Daoist Wangchuan left, Bi Luo and Qing Luo continued to drink tea and chat. The teahouse was bustling with people coming and going.

Bi Luo asked curiously: "Is that Nangong Han good-looking?"

Qing Luo nodded: "Very beautiful, like a fairy who walked out of a painting."

Bi Luo smiled: "No wonder Chu Yang would give him a token."

Qing Luo was confused: "Do you know Chu Yang very well?"

"Master is his close friend," Bi Luo explained, "I also saw him a few times when I was young; he is a gentle yet awe-inspiring person."

Qing Luo was thoughtful: "No wonder the soul bead resonated with me; perhaps I have some kind of connection with him..."

Just as the two were talking, someone suddenly approached their table.

"Two young ladies, may I disturb you for a moment?"

Chapter 12

Bi Luo and Qing Luo looked alertly toward the source of the voice. It was a kind-looking middle-aged man, wearing a grey robe, with an elegant demeanor.

"Is something the matter?" Bi Luo asked coldly.

The middle-aged man smiled: "It's like this, I am the manager of this teahouse. I just saw two young ladies waiting for someone here, and I have some information to convey."

Qing Luo frowned: "What information?"

"Just a moment ago, two guests asked me to tell you that they had urgent business and left first, and they want you to quickly go to the Qingfeng Inn in the south of the city to meet up with them."

Bi Luo and Qing Luo looked at each other, both seeing the suspicion in each other's eyes. The witch had explicitly instructed them before leaving not to leave easily.

"Who asked you to pass on the message?" Bi Luo asked tentatively.

"A man and a woman, the woman was wearing a blue dress, and the man was dressed as a Daoist." The manager described it quite accurately.

Bi Luo was still not reassured: "Did they leave any token as proof?"

The manager rubbed his hands in embarrassment: "There isn't any, they seemed to be in a great hurry."

Qing Luo leaned closer to Bi Luo and whispered: "It feels wrong. Big Sister Witch would not do this."

Bi Luo nodded, and then said to the manager: "Thank you for letting us know, we will go there later ourselves."

Seeing that the two were unmoved, a trace of impatience flashed in the manager's eyes: "Two young ladies, they are really in a hurry, saying it concerns a certain Young Master Chu."

Once these words were spoken, Bi Luo and Qing Luo were alert at the same time. The witch and Daoist Wangchuan would never mention Chu Yang's name in front of outsiders.

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager," Bi Luo pretended to be nonchalant, "We will wait a little longer."

A cold light flashed in the manager's eyes, but he quickly returned to a smile: "In that case, I won't disturb you two."

After the manager walked away, Bi Luo immediately whispered: "Something is wrong, we must leave."

"How do we leave?" Qing Luo nervously looked around and found that several guests seemed to be watching them.

Bi Luo thought for a moment: "Through the back door. You go to the restroom first, I will follow, and we will act according to the situation."