13: Chapter 13: Encountering Enemies Again in Qingshan Town?

After escaping the territory of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, Lin Yan traveled through the outer jungle for two more days before finally seeing clear signs of human activity—trampled paths, discarded broken tools, and the gradually increasing scent of smoke and fire in the air.

The outline of a small town, built against the mountain and constructed from rough logs and stones, appeared at the exit of the valley. The town was not large, but it seemed quite lively. Most of those entering and exiting carried swords and blades, exuding a fierce aura. This was the final supply point before entering the Magical Beast Mountain Range—Qingshan Town.

Lin Yan tidied himself up outside the town, changed into more inconspicuous gray cloth clothes, and maintained the effect of the breath-concealing talisman at the level of a 4-Duan Dou Zhi Qi, before stepping into the town with the flow of people.

Shops lined both sides of the street, mostly focused on acquiring medicinal herbs and Magical Beast cores, or selling weapons, healing medicine, and basic supplies. Shouts of hawking, bargaining, and the noise of mercenaries in taverns mingled together, full of rough vitality. The air was filled with a mixed smell of medicinal herbs, leather, sweat, and cheap alcohol.

Lin Yan's primary purpose for this trip was to replenish supplies, especially certain specific auxiliary materials needed for refining medicinal pills, as well as a more detailed map of the outer Magical Beast Mountain Range. He strolled around seemingly casually while pricking up his ears to collect information.

Soon, the names "Wan Yao Pharmacy" and "Xiao Yi Xian" frequently reached his ears.

"The medicinal herbs at Wan Yao Pharmacy are of impeccable quality, and the prices are fair."

"I heard that Miss Xiao Yi Xian went into the mountains again yesterday and brought back a rare 'Three-Leaf Green Ganoderma'. Manager Yao of Wan Yao Pharmacy is overjoyed."

"Xiao Yi Xian is beautiful and kind, and her medical skills are excellent. Thanks to the healing medicine she gave me last time, I was able to save my life."

"It's a pity, though, that she's been targeted by those bastards from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. That kid Mu Li circles around her like a fly all day long. It's damn bad luck."

Xiao Yi Xian, Wan Yao Pharmacy, Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Mu Li... These familiar names made Lin Yan's gaze narrow. The plot line had indeed converged here.

He bought a relatively detailed map at a general store and replenished necessities like salt, fire starters, and rope, then walked toward the largest medicinal herb shop in the center of town, which hung a plaque reading "Wan Yao Pharmacy".

Before he even got close, he saw quite a few people gathered at the entrance of Wan Yao Pharmacy, and faint sounds of arguing could be heard.

"Xian'er, I'm doing this for your own good. The Magical Beast Mountain Range is full of dangers. How can I rest easy when you, a weak woman, always go into the mountains to pick herbs alone? My Wolf Head Mercenary Group has plenty of manpower; guarding you into the mountains is just a small favor." A male voice with a deliberately gentle tone came, but the tone carried an air of refusal to be denied.

Lin Yan approached and looked through the gaps in the crowd. He saw a young man wearing brocade robes, with a somewhat handsome but effeminate face, blocking the entrance of Wan Yao Pharmacy. Behind him followed four or five mercenaries with not-weak auras, blocking most of the entrance. Surrounded by them was a young girl dressed in light white clothes.

The girl's appearance was pure and refined, and her temperament was elegant like a lotus; it was none other than Xiao Yi Xian. Her delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed at the moment, and while her face bore her customary gentle smile, her eyes held a hint of detachment: "I appreciate the kind intentions of Young Master Mu Li. Picking herbs is my duty, and I am used to being alone, so it is inconvenient to trouble your group. Please make way; I need to go in and organize the medicinal herbs."

"Hey, Xian'er, that's too distant." Mu Li not only didn't give way but took a half step forward. His smile remained unchanged, but his eyes carried a hint of heat and possessiveness, "In this Qingshan Town, who doesn't know of my feelings for you? Why be so polite with me? Today I specifically hunted a 'Snow Jade Rabbit', the meat is delicious, and I have already had people prepare a feast at 'Zui Xiang Lou'. I invite you to grace us with your presence..."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the onlookers, carrying a faint warning. Many townspeople and low-level mercenaries subconsciously lowered their heads or looked away, clearly quite fearful of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

A trace of imperceptible annoyance flashed in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. Just as she was about to refuse again, an old farmer passing by carrying firewood, unaware of the situation, accidentally brushed against the blocking mercenary.

"Ouch!" The mercenary let out an exaggerated cry, pushed back with his hand, causing the old farmer to stagger, and the firewood on his shoulders scattered all over the ground. "Old thing, do you have no eyes? Do you know if you can afford to pay for bumping into someone from our Wolf Head Mercenary Group?"

The old farmer was terrified, his face turning pale, and he kept bowing and apologizing.

Xiao Yi Xian's face sank. She stepped forward to support the old farmer and said to the mercenary: "He didn't do it on purpose, why make things difficult for an old man? Young Master Mu Li, aren't your people going too far?"

Mu Li frowned slightly and glared at the mercenary: "You unruly thing, you scared Xian'er!" He then turned to Xiao Yi Xian and smiled: "My subordinates are rude, Xian'er, please don't mind. I will pay double for the old man's losses." As he spoke, he signaled his subordinates to take out money, putting on a grand display, but his gaze remained glued to Xiao Yi Xian, as if everything was under his control.

Lin Yan stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching coldly. This Mu Li seemed to be resolving the conflict, but in reality, he was pressing step by step. He wanted to show his strength and "generosity" while placing Xiao Yi Xian under his "protection" and "favor". The methods were not very sophisticated, but in this small place like Qingshan Town, it was quite effective against a girl who appeared to have no support.

He originally didn't want to meddle in other people's business; being a newcomer, exposing his strength would be unwise. But just as Mu Li's subordinate was taking out money, a trace of an extremely weak soul fluctuation, carrying a cold and hollow feeling, suddenly came from between Lin Yan's eyebrows—it was emanating from Mu Li!

This fluctuation... was of the same origin as the cold aura he had sensed while being followed in Wutan City and from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group! Although it was extremely faint and almost covered by Mu Li's own Dou Qi, Lin Yan's soul perception was exceptionally sharp, especially towards the "Soul" attribute power. The Seed Flame of Void Devouring Flame in his body even produced a trace of almost imperceptible "appetite".

"The aura of the Hall of Souls... so faint, as if it was temporarily attached or marked by some low-level means..." Lin Yan's eyes narrowed, "The Wolf Head Mercenary Group really is involved with the periphery of the Hall of Souls! Mu Li having this mark means he is either a collaborator of the Hall of Souls, or... one of the pawns being monitored or controlled."

At this time, Xiao Yi Xian had already politely declined Mu Li's "compensation", insisting on paying the old farmer herself, and expressed again that she wanted to return to Wan Yao Pharmacy. Although Mu Li was dissatisfied, he didn't seem to want to completely tear off the mask in front of everyone. He just said with a fake smile: "In that case, I will invite you another day, Xian'er. However, Xian'er, it hasn't been peaceful in the mountains lately. I heard there are high-level Magical Beasts stirring; you must be careful. If anything happens, come to the mercenary group to find me at any time."

The threat and "concern" hidden in his words were audible to anyone.

Xiao Yi Xian didn't say anything more, nodded slightly, and turned to walk quickly into Wan Yao Pharmacy. Mu Li stared at her back, a trace of gloom flashing in his eyes. He whispered a few words to his subordinates, then left with his men in low spirits. The onlookers also gradually dispersed.

Lin Yan watched this scene silently, having a plan in mind. He did not leave immediately but sat down at a tea stall diagonally across from Wan Yao Pharmacy. He ordered a bowl of the cheapest coarse tea, seemingly resting, but in reality, his soul perception quietly spread out, locking onto the departing Mu Li.

He needed to confirm just how deep the tentacles of the Hall of Souls had reached here.

Mu Li did not return to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's base. Instead, he took two confidants, twisted and turned, and walked into a relatively quiet, abandoned courtyard filled with debris in the northwest corner of the town.

With the lightness of "Explosive Step" and the cover of the terrain, Lin Yan followed like a ghost, silent and soundless, hiding behind a broken wall outside the courtyard, with the breath-concealing talisman fully activated.

Inside the courtyard, Mu Li seemed a bit impatient and whispered: "My Lord, I have followed your instructions and tried my best to keep an eye on that girl. But she is very vigilant, rarely leaves Wan Yao Pharmacy, and her routes into the mountains are erratic; it's really hard to make a move."

A hoarse, dry voice, like metal rubbing against metal, came from the shadows of the stacked wooden boxes: "Useless trash! You can't even watch a little girl who isn't even a Dou Practitioner! What the Lord needs is her 'Calamity Poison Body' intact, not a corpse! Has she paid special attention to any places while picking herbs recently?"

"'Calamity Poison Body'?!" Lin Yan outside the wall was shocked. So the Hall of Souls' interest in Xiao Yi Xian stemmed from her special constitution!

Mu Li recalled: "It seems... she is particularly interested in the poison miasma area near the 'First Line Sky' valley on the east side of the town. She has been there twice recently. Although she returned empty-handed both times, it seems... she is looking for something."

"Poison miasma area? Interesting..." The voice in the shadows was thoughtful, "Keep watching, don't alert the enemy. When necessary, you can use some 'small means' to make her have to rely on you, or... go to certain places we want her to go. This is 'Soul-Guiding Incense'. It is colorless and odorless after being lit, and can make people's spirits relax, making them easier to be suggested. Find the right opportunity to use it."

A pale, withered hand reached out from the shadows and handed over a small black jade bottle.

Mu Li hurriedly took it, a fawning yet fearful expression on his face: "Yes, My Lord! Your subordinate will definitely get it done!"

"Also, have any strangers worth noting appeared in the town recently? Especially... those with special fire-attribute auras." The voice in the shadows asked again.

Mu Li thought for a moment and shook his head: "Not for the time being. They are all ordinary mercenaries and herb pickers."

"Hmm. News came from Wutan City that there is a collateral branch kid from the Xiao Family whose fire attribute is a bit strange, possibly having come here. Keep an eye out; if you find him, report it immediately."

"Yes!"

The shadow stopped speaking, squirming slowly, as if merging into the ground, and disappeared. Only then did Mu Li heave a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, carefully put away the small jade bottle, and left in a hurry with his men.

Lin Yan stood silently behind the broken wall for a long time, until he confirmed that the aura in the shadow had completely disappeared, before slowly letting out a breath of stale air.

[Ding! Triggered side quest: Investigate the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.]

[Quest Content: Find out the purpose of the collusion between the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and the mysterious force, and their plot against Xiao Yi Xian (Calamity Poison Body).]

[Quest Reward: Depends on the depth of the investigation and the results of interference. Minimum reward: System points × 200, Miasma-Breaking Pill × 3.]

[Quest Hint: Xiao Yi Xian's herb-picking route might be a key clue.]

The quest had arrived.

Lin Yan looked toward the direction of Wan Yao Pharmacy, then at the direction where Mu Li had left, his eyes deep.

Calamity Poison Body, Hall of Souls, Soul-Guiding Incense, and... the collateral branch kid from the Xiao Family in Wutan City (obviously referring to himself). This pool of water was even murkier than he had anticipated. And that kind and resilient Xiao Yi Xian was right at the center of the vortex without knowing it.

"It seems that I cannot peacefully pick herbs and cultivate." Lin Yan whispered to himself, but a cold arc hooked at the corner of his mouth, "Very well, let's use the claws of this Wolf Head Mercenary Group and the Hall of Souls to test my newly practiced methods."