The people around looked at Zhou Yan with curiosity, their gazes lingering because his attire was so out of the ordinary.
His short hair, in particular, made him stand out. However, most people here were indifferent and merely glanced at him before looking away.
As Zhou Yan was carefully observing his surroundings, he saw a scholar carrying a bamboo basket walking towards him. This was Ning Caichen, a naive fool who was utterly lacking in strength.
But he was the protagonist, and to complete the plot, he was essential.
Zhou Yan followed Ning Caichen and watched as he entered an inn.
This fellow was there to collect debts, but unfortunately, his account book had gotten wet, leading to him being kicked out by the owner. With nowhere to go, he overheard someone mentioning that Lanruo Temple offered lodging, and thus decided to head there.
Halfway there, he encountered a pack of wolves and was chased, nearly losing his most vital parts to their jaws.
Zhou Yan's mind raced. He leaped from a tree, sword in hand. With a sweep of his blade, he charged through the wolf pack, dispatching them all. Da Feng Novel.
Ning Caichen, seeing himself rescued, wiped the sweat from his brow and clasped his hands in greeting. "Thank you, mighty hero, for saving me. Why are you out here so late?"
Zhou Yan sheathed his sword and replied, "I have no money, so I have to stay at Lanruo Temple for the night."
Ning Caichen's eyes lit up. "I never expected to meet a martial arts master like yourself. I'm heading to Lanruo Temple as well. Shall we go together?"
To encounter such a skilled martial artist in this place was fortunate. With him around, Ning Caichen would be safer and have a companion.
"Alright."
And so, the two set off towards Lanruo Temple.
Soon, they saw two people confronting each other ahead: Yan Chixia and Xiahou Jianke. However, this Xiahou Jianke was merely a supporting character, possessing martial skill but destined to meet an early end.
Seeing their ferocious demeanor, Ning Caichen grew fearful. "Mighty hero, perhaps we should avoid them?"
"No rush, no rush."
Zhou Yan smiled and stood aside to watch. Ning Caichen had no choice but to stay by his side.
Yan Chixia and Xiahou Jianke soon engaged in a fierce battle. In the end, Xiahou Jianke's shoulder was struck by Yan Chixia, and he left in a huff.
Zhou Yan followed Xiahou Jianke. Ning Caichen hurriedly called out, "Mighty hero, where are you going? Let's go into Lanruo Temple."
Zhou Yan chuckled. "You go in first. I'll be there shortly. But be careful, there are ghosts inside."
With that, Zhou Yan chased after Xiahou Jianke and vanished from sight.
"Ah, mighty hero, what did you say? Ghosts? How can there be ghosts in a temple?"
Ning Caichen looked bewildered, but Zhou Yan was already gone. He had no choice but to enter the temple alone.
He didn't believe in ghosts and paid no mind to Zhou Yan's words.
Following Xiahou Jianke to the lakeside, he indeed saw a figure in white, as pure as snow, floating in the air amidst the trees. Her complexion was fair, her features exquisite, and her ethereal appearance was like that of a fairy.
This was Nie Xiaoqian.
Nie Xiaoqian was indeed beautiful, possessing a celestial countenance and a naturally kind heart. Even her evil deeds were done under the coercion of Granny.
Nie Xiaoqian intended to make a move on Xiahou Jianke.
She floated into the lake, aiming to lure Xiahou Jianke, lower his guard, and then have Granny, lurking in the shadows, emerge to kill him.
Zhou Yan's sudden appearance startled Nie Xiaoqian. She hadn't expected another person to be there.
However, she quickly regained her composure, a bewitching smile gracing her lips, its allure irresistible to any normal man.
She put on a seductive expression and said, "Young master, why do you stare at me so?"
"Nothing, it's late. Why are you alone by the lake? You should go home and rest."
Zhou Yan's gaze was unwavering, his eyes clear and devoid of desire as he looked at Nie Xiaoqian.
This perplexed Nie Xiaoqian. Why was this man unaffected by her charm?
Was her allure insufficient?
Yet, he was looking at her. Wasn't he drawn in by her charm?......
"Oh, young master, it must be really cold. My leg has cramped. Could you please help me up?"
Saying this, Nie Xiaoqian feigned a pained, pitiable expression that seemed entirely genuine.
Zhou Yan smiled inwardly and replied, "Alright."
He stepped into the lake, his hands going under Nie Xiaoqian's arms and around her slender waist. With a lift, he scooped her up.
Nie Xiaoqian noticed that although Zhou Yan's attire was peculiar, he was handsome and dashing, with arms that were strong enough to lift her effortlessly.
She casually wrapped her arms around his neck and studied him closely. She found him increasingly extraordinary, exuding an air of mystery. Furthermore, Nie Xiaoqian noticed that his eyes were clear and bright, suggesting a righteous person. Combined with his refined and unconventional demeanor, she found herself momentarily entranced.
"Is there something on my face?"
Upon reaching the shore, Zhou Yan lowered his head to look at Nie Xiaoqian. Because she was a ghost, her body was cold, lending her a delicate, almost frail beauty.
While Nie Xiaoqian was beautiful, women like Diao Chan, Zhen Mi, Sun Shangxiang, Si Teng, and Hua Yuerong were no less so, and some were even more so. Each possessed her own unique charm, stemming from her disposition and personality.
"Young master, you are truly handsome."
With that, Nie Xiaoqian embraced Zhou Yan tighter, hesitating in her heart. She truly didn't want to harm such a man. However, Granny was watching from the shadows, and if she didn't comply, she would suffer torment worse than death.
Then, Nie Xiaoqian looked up at Zhou Yan, her eyes full of affection, and asked, "Young master, am I beautiful?"
"Passable," Zhou Yan replied.
Nie Xiaoqian: "(?_?)???"
"Where do you live? I'll escort you back," Zhou Yan replied.
"Uh, that... go that way," Nie Xiaoqian pointed towards a direction in the woods, unsure of what to do for a moment.
Just then, a scream echoed. Zhou Yan looked in the direction of the sound, surprised. "No way."
He walked towards the scream and indeed found a desiccated corpse lying on the ground.
He hadn't expected that even without Nie Xiaoqian's seduction, Xiahou Jianke still couldn't escape his fate.
He had even considered bringing this fellow back to his territory, but he had died so quickly.
What a short-lived fellow.
Nie Xiaoqian knew this was Granny's doing.
Upon seeing the dried corpse, she looked at Zhou Yan. She happened to see Zhou Yan looking at her as well.
And so, both of them realized they had been acting a little too normal.
Then...
"Ah, how terrifying! How can there be a dried corpse here?"
"So frightening! What happened?"
After saying this, Nie Xiaoqian and Zhou Yan looked at each other, both utterly bewildered...... (・_・)ヾ"(￣(エ)￣)ゞ