Lao Fu tugged at the bundle tied to his back, inside which were his most important treasures: a pair of silver scissors, a leather pouch marked with numbers containing needles for patching clothes, and several spools of thread in different colors. Apart from these, there was only the bck ledger. No clothes, no silver, not even an extra item, because those things were not important to Lao Fu.

  Xu Mama took a white handkerchief from her sleeve and gently dabbed at her mouth. Then, she extended her orchid-shaped fingers and, in a coquettish tone, said, "It's been so long since I've walked such a distance, and now my legs are sore to death!" As she spoke, she leaned against a nearby tree, bending her thick waist as she gently massaged her knees. The bundle she was carrying fell heavily to the ground with a crisp, pleasant sound, sending up a thin cloud of dust. Xu Mama coughed twice and quickly reached down to pick up the bundle.

  "It seems you've earned quite a bit over the year," Mo Bai's voice came out muffled, as though coming from his nose. It sounded somewhat dull and mocking. He dusted off his clothes and said with a hint of displeasure, pulling his bundle back onto his shoulder.

  "Hmph, your tea stall business seems to be doing well, and now you've got yourself a beautiful young dy. I′d say you're a wealthy man now," Xu Mama replied, taking out a small copper mirror from her bosom. She adjusted her appearance and spoke back.

  Mo Bai didn′t respond to Xu Mama. Instead, he turned around and found a smooth stone, brushing it off with his hand. He then shyly said to Xiao Xiang, "You must be tired too. Why don't you sit here and rest for a while?"

  Xiao Xiang smiled faintly and slowly sat down on the stone.

  "Sigh, once you have a wife, you forget about your old friends," Xu Mama couldn't help but throw in a sarcastic remark as she put away the copper mirror.

  Er Duo stood quietly, his eyes fixed ahead without blinking. His hands gripped the wooden spoon, rubbing it up and down as he stared bnkly ahead, his mouth tightly shut, his expression emotionless.

  Lao Fu gnced at Er Duo but said nothing. He had been observing Er Duo throughout the journey, always suspicious of his identity. He had been trying to figure out what Er Duo was about, but he had never found an opportunity. However, he knew that something was off with Er Duo! But what exactly was the problem? Lao Fu looked at the wooden spoon hanging from Er Duo's chest. It was indeed quite unique, and Lao Fu had to admit that.

  The morning air was thick with an indescribable, damp scent. The leaves of the trees, visible all around, effectively obscured everyone's view. Walking along the stone path, everyone felt a strange, unspoken sensation. Just then, a crow swooped low, dropping small, foul-smelling bird droppings, which nded right on Xu Mama's head. A woman′s shrill scream echoed through the valley, and a flock of unidentified rge birds took flight from all sides of the forest, causing the woods to instantly come alive with noise and commotion.

  The bell suddenly rang, its sound echoing through the valley...

  Lao Fu stopped in his tracks, abruptly raising his head. He had finally heard that familiar sound again.

  Xu Mama halted as well, the handkerchief she had been waving in the air falling alongside the ringing bell, drifting gently down to rest on the muddy ground.

  Mo Bai stopped too. His rge, fan-like ear swayed back and forth with the bell's sound, much like a monkey hearing an arm.

  Xiao Xiang lightly brushed the silk hair in front of her, raising her head to look ahead. Though she didn′t know where they were headed, from the looks on their faces, she could tell that the pce they were going was just ahead. But there was only a temple there—why would they be going to a temple?

  Er Duo remained silent, his head lowered as he continued to fiddle with the wooden spoon hanging from his chest.

  "We've arrived," Mo Bai said lightly, his voice betraying no emotion.

  They had arrived. Yes, they really had arrived.

  Yi Jing shook the freshly washed clothes and neatly hung them on the bamboo pole. This was the st piece; once he finished washing it, he could finally take a good rest. He sighed, found a step to lean against, and sat down, closing his eyes to enjoy the warm and gentle morning sunlight.

  Yi Jing seemed to hear a few soft footsteps and opened his eyes.

  "Oh, it's you. Why are you being so sneaky? Trying to scare me?" When Yi Jing saw the person clearly, he couldn't help but ugh and say.

  The other person remained silent.

  "Eh, Yi Kong, what′s wrong with you today? Why aren′t you speaking? Your face looks so bad—did Master scold you?" Yi Jing asked, feeling puzzled. He couldn′t understand why Yi Kong had such a lifeless expression.

  Yi Kong suddenly smiled, a smile that was strangely seductive. He swayed his slender waist and took a few steps forward, slowly raising his hand.

  Only then did Yi Jing finally see what he was holding.

  The sewing needle, with its red silk thread, floated gently through the damp air, silently stopping at Yi Jing's throat. A deep red mark was branded there. Yi Kong smiled with satisfaction.

  "My skills are getting better and better!" In the instant that Yi Jing colpsed, he clearly heard Yi Kong's st words. His eyes widened in shock, wondering if he had misheard. Yi Kong′s voice had sounded like a woman′s! But it no longer mattered, for death was quickly approaching.