Chapter 27: The Demonic Presence at the Waystation

Lin Nian’er entered the room, let out a huff, and sat on the stool, sulking in silence. Liu Lingshuang slowly approached, embraced Nian’er, and said, “Dear Nian’er, why are you still angry? You know how Sansi is—he doesn’t understand the ways of the world. Isn’t it normal for him to speak rashly?”

Lin Nian’er asked, “Lingshuang, do you think what Master Ye said made any sense?”

Liu Lingshuang laughed, “If I’m honest, promise you won’t get upset. I do think Sansi was right with every word. That’s just how the world is. You and I live in this mundane place—many things seem normal to us, but Sansi grew up on the mountain, never saw the ways of the world. That’s why he can distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, with a heart as clear as a mirror.”

Lin Nian’er stood up and took Lingshuang’s hand. “Then, do you think Master Ye will be upset with me for what I said earlier? Now that I think about it, I was too harsh.”

“Hahaha, Nian’er, you’re so cute. Don’t worry, just set a table for breakfast tomorrow morning, and Sansi will be delighted. He would never blame you—he likes you, he can’t help it.”

“Oh, Lingshuang, you’re always talking nonsense. What do you mean, ‘likes me’? Hmph.” Lin Nian’er lowered her head and ran to the bedside.

Liu Lingshuang covered her mouth, laughing, “Nian’er really is adorable.”

Ye Sansi, after washing up in his room and removing his shoes, heard a knock at the door. He put his shoes back on and went to open it. Before he could speak, someone outside called, “Brother Sansi, are you asleep? Hope I didn’t disturb you.”

Ye Sansi opened the door, “Taiyi, what brings you here?”

Li Taiyi entered, closed the door, took Sansi’s hand, and motioned him to sit. Once seated, Sansi asked, “Taiyi, why are you so anxious?”

Taiyi spoke softly, “Brother Sansi, do you sense a demonic aura near this courier station?”

“Demonic aura? I can’t sense it, but if you do, it must be there. What should we do?”

“Though there’s a demonic aura, I don’t sense any malice. We just need to stay alert. Aren’t Lingshuang and Nian’er in the next room? I’ll keep watch here, so we can respond to trouble.”

Ye Sansi stood, stretched, and said, “But the bed’s mine, I’ll rest first. If there’s a demon, remember to wake me.”

“Alright, brother Sansi, don’t sleep too soundly—stay alert.”

“Got it.”

Taiyi sat cross-legged at the table, attentively watching the surroundings. Ye Sansi, despite his promise to stay alert, was snoring soundly within the time it took a stick of incense to burn.

Chirp-chirp—

Morning came. Nothing had happened overnight. Taiyi was about to nap when someone knocked. It was Lin Nian’er: “Master Ye, Master Ye, are you awake?”

Li Taiyi yawned and opened the door. Seeing Taiyi, Nian’er quickly said, “Master Li, so you’re here. I was looking for Master Ye. Sorry to bother you.”

“Hey, Nian’er, you’re not mistaken. Brother Sansi’s sleeping inside. What’s the matter?”

Lin Nian’er stood on tiptoe and peeked inside, smiling at Taiyi. “Master Li, you go to the hall and eat breakfast. I’ll wake Master Ye.”

Li Taiyi laughed, “Alright, as you please, haha.”

After Taiyi left, Nian’er stifled a giggle and quietly approached Ye Sansi, who was still sleeping and snoring. She took her braid and brushed it across his face.

“Ah—ah-choo—”

“Hahaha!” Nian’er laughed mischievously.

Ye Sansi came to his senses, saw Lin Nian’er, and said, “Nian’er, you startled me. I thought it was a demon! Honestly, your hair smells wonderful, so fragrant.”

“Haha, Master Ye, do I really look that much like a demon to you? Haha.”

Ye Sansi dressed and put on his shoes, washing up as he said, “Not at all. Nian’er, you look like a celestial maiden. Haha, though I’ve never seen one, I imagine she’d look just like you.”

Lin Nian’er blushed at Sansi’s words, smiling, “I don’t believe you. You just mistook me for a demon.”

Ye Sansi dried his face and continued, “It’s not that. Last night, Taiyi came to my room and said there’s demonic aura near the station. I dreamed of demons last night.”

“Oh, I see. If there’s a demon, we should leave quickly—it’s dangerous. Right, Master Ye, I’ve prepared breakfast for you in the hall.”

Ye Sansi smiled, “Nian’er, you’re too good to me. I was hungry early this morning. You know me so well.”

Together, they entered the hall, where a lavish table was set, more sumptuous than anything in Fox Immortal Village. Nian’er served Sansi a bowl of rice, and he devoured it, commenting on each dish’s merits as he ate. Nian’er sat beside him, nodding in agreement.

“Hey, this is truly favoring romance over friendship.” Liu Lingshuang strolled in, nibbling on a steamed bun. Li Taiyi followed, holding two buns, taking a bite and pouting, “I came early and saw this feast—thought it was prepared for Young Master Wei. Didn’t expect it was for Brother Sansi. I even spit some saliva into the dishes.”

Sansi froze, mouth full, staring at Li Taiyi. Taiyi hurried to explain, “Don’t be angry, Brother Sansi. I only spat in one dish—look, that one you haven’t touched yet.” Relieved, Sansi resumed devouring his food.

Lin Nian’er pointed at Taiyi, “Master Li, you’re outrageous. Even if Young Master Wei were eating, it’s still unacceptable.”

“I heard you mention me.” Wei Xikun, holding a bun, approached from behind Taiyi and Lingshuang. “What were you saying about me?”

Lin Nian’er waved her hand, “It’s nothing, Young Master Wei.”

Wei Xikun glanced at Nian’er and the full table. “I knew it. Early this morning, I looked for food, and the station attendant said all the supplies were gone—only buns left. Turns out all the dishes are here with Young Master Ye. Let me have some.”

Wei Xikun stepped forward, saw the table’s mess, and looked displeased. But spotting an untouched dish, he quickly grabbed it. “This one—looks like Young Master Ye doesn’t like it. I’ll take it, eat it with my bun.”

Ye Sansi, mouth full, said, “This—”

“No need for that. Not only is the station my father’s, but Qingyang, Jianzhou, and Xizhou are all my father’s domains. This dish is my father’s, too. Why shouldn’t I eat it? Don’t be stingy. These plain buns are hard to swallow, food for the commoners. If I’d calculated my route correctly, I’d have brought delicacies along. I despise this simple fare.”

With that, Wei Xikun ate the bun and dish.

Liu Lingshuang suppressed her laughter. Li Taiyi leaned in, whispered, “It may be his father’s, but my saliva can’t be his father’s, right?”

“Pfft, haha!” Lingshuang couldn’t hold it in, bursting into laughter. The others, seeing her, all laughed loudly. Wei Xikun, confused, kept asking, but no one told him.

After eating, the attendant cleaned up, and the group prepared to depart. Outside the station, Ye Sansi stretched. “That meal was wonderful. Thank you, Nian’er.”

Lin Nian’er lowered her head and softly said, “No need to thank me. We’re friends, it’s what I should do.”

“No need to thank me. We’re friends, it’s what I should do.” Liu Lingshuang and Li Taiyi mimicked Nian’er’s words in a strange tone.

Nian’er blushed, gently fanned Lingshuang’s shoulder, and laughed, “Lingshuang, you’re so annoying. It was your idea, and now you’re teasing me. Hmph, I won’t trust you anymore, won’t be friends with you.”

Liu Lingshuang hugged Nian’er, “Hahaha, my dear Nian’er isn’t so easily angered, right? Or is it only matters concerning Sansi that get you upset? Hahaha.”

“Hmph, Lingshuang, you’re the annoying one.” The smile never left Nian’er’s face—her anger was still adorable.

Wei Xikun stepped forward, “Friends, what’s making you so happy? Mind sharing with me?”

Liu Lingshuang replied with a smile, “Nothing, nothing—just family matters.”

Wei Xikun bowed, “I have a question—may I ask for your guidance?”

Lin Nian’er returned the courtesy, “Please, Young Master Wei. If we know, we’ll tell you.”

“I want to ask, what were you laughing about in the hall just now?”

“Pfft—” The four couldn’t hold back, clutching their stomachs in laughter. Wei Xikun scratched his head awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

“Something’s wrong, something’s wrong!” A station attendant rushed over in panic.

Wei Xikun said, “Don’t rush—tell us slowly.” The attendant knelt, “Your Highness, our master, he—he—”

“What’s wrong? Speak, don’t stammer.”

“He’s dead!”

“What!” The group exclaimed. Wei Xikun punched the doorpost in anger, “Outrageous! Someone dared commit murder in my Qingjianxi territory. This matter will be handled by me. Tell me—who did it?”

“It—it—it was a demon!”

“A demon?” Hearing this, Wei Xikun stepped back in fear, “If it’s a demon, the immortals should handle it. We mortals shouldn’t interfere.”

Liu Lingshuang sneered, “Oh, is the prince afraid?”

Wei Xikun took a few steps forward, puffed out his chest, “Afraid? I am Wei Xikun, prince of Qingjianxi. What’s there to fear? It’s just a demon. My guards can all subdue demons and banish evil. A mere minor demon—I’ll settle this in no time. Leave it to me.”

With that, Wei Xikun began dispatching guards to investigate the stationmaster’s corpse and search for the demon.

Li Taiyi signaled the others to gather, speaking quietly, “I was meditating all night, paying close attention, but never noticed the demon killing someone. This must be a powerful demon, not weaker than the one in Qingyang City. We alone won’t suffice—let’s see what Wei Xikun’s men can do.”

Ye Sansi said, “Haha, this is fun—another chance to fight a demon.”

Liu Lingshuang shook her head helplessly, “You—always talking about fighting demons. Since leaving the mountain, you’ve only slain one. Every time, you escape danger by luck. What good deeds did you do in your past life to be so fortunate? Maybe you really were a sword immortal before, haha.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head with a laugh, “Maybe so. I’m lucky to have met you, Lingshuang.”

“You—you wild man, what nonsense!” Liu Lingshuang blushed.

“There’s nothing wrong with what I said. Meeting you, Taiyi, and Nian’er is the greatest fortune of my life. Nothing matters more than friends, don’t you think, Lingshuang?”

“Oh, so that’s what you meant. I—I thought… hahaha, Sansi’s right. Nothing is more important than friends. Haha.”

Li Taiyi sighed, “I really hope Wei Xikun’s men can handle this demon, so we’ll be safe.”