Chapter 471: Stone Buddha

Tang Huanhuan was on duty today, patrolling the western district of the city. As she walked with her colleague, she noticed a window opening on the central flower boat, revealing a figure that felt strangely familiar yet she couldn’t quite place. She paused, her brow furrowed in thought.

Xu Sanyan recognized Tang Huanhuan instantly, a smile spreading across his face. What a coincidence to keep running into Third Sister everywhere! he thought. She seems to be doing well, even wearing official robes now. She’s finally gone straight, completely shedding her bandit past.

Despite recognizing her, Xu Sanyan had no intention of acknowledging her. A good horse doesn’t graze on old pastures, he thought, especially not with her notoriously smelly feet.

Bang!

The wooden window slammed shut, severing their line of sight.

The next day at noon,

Xu Sanyan stepped off the flower boat, Xia Zhi trailing behind him, still savoring the previous night’s pleasures. Miss Yue’er leaned against the wooden frame, waving goodbye through her thin veil. She hadn’t managed to escape Xu Sanyan’s clutches after all.

In a place like this, no one refuses to sell themselves—it’s just a matter of price. Xu Sanyan had clearly been willing to spend generously, knowing Second Young Master Yuan would foot the bill.

Xia Zhi’s wild revelry the previous night had left him feeling unsteady on his feet. Glancing at Xu Sanyan, who remained as energetic as ever, Xia Zhi couldn’t help but feel envious. No wonder he’s a disciple of the Five Great Immortal Sects—his physical constitution is truly remarkable. He can party like that and still be fine.

“Brother Xu, if you have no place to stay, why not stay at my family’s manor for a few days? It would be my honor to extend some hospitality as your host,” Xia Zhi offered, unaware that Second Young Master Yuan had settled the bill. They had essentially gotten a free ride.

Xu Sanyan considered it briefly before shaking his head. “No, thank you. Let’s meet again when fate allows.”

Xia Zhi felt a pang of regret but didn’t press further. “If you ever need anything, Brother Xu, send someone to Xia Manor to find me.”

“Very well.”

Just as the words left his lips, a commotion erupted in the distance. Xu Sanyan turned to look and was immediately blinded by a dazzling glare. Squinting, he made out a group of bald monks whose polished scalps reflected the sunlight with blinding intensity.

“Tsk… How do they maintain that shine?” Xu Sanyan wondered aloud.

The monks were carrying an open-topped sedan chair. Atop it sat a Buddha statue draped in red cloth, the fabric covering only the upper half, leaving the lower half of the statue’s cross-legged posture exposed.

The group headed straight toward the Capital City’s west gate, drawing curious glances from the surrounding crowd. Such a sight was truly rare; no one could fathom why they were carrying a Buddha statue.

Xu Sanyan’s heart skipped a beat, and a prickling sensation spread across his skin. An inexplicable sense of danger enveloped him; he could feel the threat emanating from the Buddha statue.

Suddenly, the statue’s head beneath the red cloth slowly turned, its face shifting to directly face Xu Sanyan. Though the cloth obscured his view, Xu Sanyan knew that it was looking at him!

A living thing?!

Xu Sanyan’s pupils constricted sharply, his expression hardening. Yet he sensed no life force emanating from the statue.

The monks continued their procession into the Capital City without pausing. Only after they had disappeared into the distance did Xu Sanyan finally exhale in relief, the immense pressure from the statue lifting.

“Could those be… high-ranking monks from the Heaven’s Will Demon Subduing Temple? Why are they carrying a stone statue?” Xia Zhi watched them depart, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Xu Sanyan narrowed his gaze, studying Xia Zhi’s expression. “Did you notice anything unusual about the Buddha statue just now?”

Xia Zhi looked puzzled. “No, it was just a Buddha statue.”

Xu Sanyan nodded slowly, convinced that Xia Zhi hadn’t seen the Buddha statue turn its head.

In fact, it was likely that none of the common folk had witnessed it either.

“I heard from my father recently that the calamity in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains is worsening. The Emperor has summoned the Five Great Sects to discuss strategies for quelling the chaos. Brother Xu, you’re here for this matter as well, aren’t you?”

“Yes… that’s correct,” Xu Sanyan replied, having only just learned of this news himself.

“Ah, these are troubled times indeed,” Xia Zhi sighed, his tone bitter. “First the calamity in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains, then the Demonic Path’s treachery, and now even the Mist Sea is stirring with unrest.”

Xia Zhi’s voice grew indignant. “But the most detestable of all are those Demonic Path scoundrels! The common folk already suffer enough hardship, yet they exploit the chaos for their own wicked ends. They may revel in their arrogance now, but they’ll meet a wretched end sooner or later!”

Xu Sanyan wholeheartedly agreed. “Indeed, good and evil will ultimately be rewarded or punished. If retribution hasn’t come yet, it’s merely a matter of time. Brother Xia, let us wait and see.”

“Brother Xu speaks truly.”

After a brief chat, the two parted ways. Xu Sanyan wandered aimlessly, his mind replaying the earlier scene.

Given his current realm of cultivation, what could possibly evoke such a profound sense of danger within him?

Apart from the five sages… there could be no other explanation.

After returning home from her shift, Tang Huanhuan couldn’t shake the image of the figure she’d seen yesterday. That face, with its smiling lips but utterly emotionless eyes, slowly merged with a shadow from her memories.

Glug~

Tang Huanhuan tilted her head back and gulped down a large mouthful of wine, shaking her head violently. She kicked off her boots and collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Creak—

The wooden door swung open, and Yang Qiyuan stepped inside. She froze just over the threshold, her nose twitching several times. She waved a hand to clear the air and opened the window.

A pungent odor filled the room. Yang Qiyuan couldn’t fathom how Tang Huanhuan could tolerate it, let alone why a dignified cultivator would have such stinky feet.

With a sigh of resignation, she carried Tang Huanhuan’s pitch-black boots outside and peeled off the socks, their original color now indiscernible.

Tang Huanhuan snapped out of her reverie and lifted her head to look at Yang Qiyuan, her lips moving silently. “I think I saw something yesterday…”

“Hmm?”

Yang Qiyuan rolled up her sleeves, pinched the foul-smelling socks between two fingers, and turned to leave. Hearing Tang Huanhuan’s words, she paused and glanced back.

“Never mind… I must have been mistaken.”

“Mm.”

The two women lived as if they were a couple. Yang Qiyuan handled the household chores while Tang Huanhuan went out to work. But this arrangement was destined to be short-lived, for they were not true dao companions. Yang Qiyuan muttered under her breath,

“I’m leaving now. Master and the Senior Martial Uncles have all come to the Capital City. Once things here are settled, I’ll come find you again.”

Tang Huanhuan turned over and sat up, nodding slowly. “Alright.”

Then she added gravely, “If you really do see that person… it’s best to keep your distance. Don’t acknowledge him.”

“Why?” Yang Qiyuan naturally understood who Tang Huanhuan meant by “that person.”

Tang Huanhuan didn’t know how to explain. She had known Xu Sanyan since their humble beginnings, and after years together, she understood his heart better than anyone. In his heart, there was room for no one but himself. He was an utterly selfish and cruel demon lord, skilled in disguise, and so treacherous that “insidious” and “cunning” barely scratched the surface of his true nature.

Though Tang Huanhuan didn’t consider herself a good person, she was worlds apart from him. At least she couldn’t bring herself to be completely heartless and devoid of morality.

“It’s all for your own good. Just trust me,” Tang Huanhuan said, unwilling to delve into the past. She could only offer vague assurances.

Yang Qiyuan lowered her gaze, and it was impossible to tell if she had truly taken in Tang Huanhuan’s words.

She still believed her husband couldn’t be that kind of person. He had always been gentle and kind, never judging others by their appearance. Even when her face was disfigured, he had treated her with the same warmth and affection after their marriage. How could such a drastic change have occurred in such a short time?

Yang Qiyuan suspected he must have some hidden reason for his actions.

(End of the Chapter)