The next morning.
Qin Gengyun stepped out of his house, ready to check in at the Spirit Pill Workshop.
Yet he saw quite a few neighbors standing outside, all discussing with serious expressions.
His neighbors, the couple Chen Fang and Zhang Chengdao, were there too. Qin Gengyun approached and asked them:
"Taoist Friend Zhang, Taoist Friend Chen, what's going on?"
"Taoist Friend Qin, something happened again in Cyan Luo Lane last night."
Chen Fang said to Qin Gengyun, a face full of worry.
Qin Gengyun's expression changed slightly, and he quickly asked, "Was it a Ghost Cultivator robbery again?"
A neighbor nearby said, "Yes, last night outside Cyan Luo Lane, a Talisman Master was killed, and their talismans and Spirit Stones were completely looted."
Ghost Cultivators are those Evil Cultivators who rob or even kill other cultivators.
Falling into the ghostly path makes one a Ghost Cultivator.
Recently, Ghost Cultivator robberies have been happening frequently in Yunling Town.
The ones attacked and robbed by Ghost Cultivators are mostly Alchemists and Talisman Masters, as they usually carry valuable herbs and talismans.
There have been three or four such incidents already, and in one, an Alchemist was killed on the spot due to fierce resistance.
It's said the Zhenyang Sect will soon send people from the Outer Sect to investigate.
No one expected the Ghost Cultivators to be so rampant, killing another person again.
"Everyone, don't panic, we all know there's no one wealthy living in Narrow Rain Lane, those Ghost Cultivators probably aren't interested here."
"Best to be cautious, I'll be heading home early every night these days."
After hearing people discuss for a while, Qin Gengyun bid farewell to Chen Fang and Zhang Chengdao and left Narrow Rain Lane.
Today, the Pavilion Master of the Spirit Pill Workshop hasn't returned, so there was nothing to do all day.
Yang Fengshan left before 7 a.m., and once he left, Qin Gengyun also left early, arriving at the night market before dark.
Mo Xiaolan was setting up her stall, still wearing her Post House Cultivator uniform, a blue tight-fitting outfit that made her long legs look even more slender and shapely.
Her forehead was covered in sweat, likely having just delivered today's letters and items, and rushed to the night market.
Qin Gengyun went over to help, and Mo Xiaolan looked up, surprised:
"Taoist Friend Qin, why are you here? Didn't we agree to check the Pill Furnace tomorrow night?"
Qin Gengyun said, "Taoist Friend Mo, I heard there was another Ghost Cultivator robbery in Cyan Luo Lane last night, I'm here to remind you to return home early these days."
Mo Xiaolan's Danfeng eyes curved, a bright smile:
"Taoist Friend Qin, you're so considerate, don't worry, I'll close up early tonight."
"Alright, I'll be off then."
Qin Gengyun bid farewell to Mo Xiaolan, and with the sky already darkening, he stayed vigilant on his way, constantly observing his surroundings, holding a "Divine Movement Talisman," ready to flee at any sign of trouble.
Thankfully, the journey was uneventful, and he soon stepped into Narrow Rain Lane, letting out a sigh of relief.
Before reaching his doorstep, Qin Gengyun suddenly stopped, glancing from a distance at his window.
Sure enough, he saw a petite figure standing at the window, and sensing something, in the next moment, the figure disappeared.
Qin Gengyun smiled and walked to his rented home, opening the door and entering.
Inside, the room was filled with the aroma of a pot of fragrant and tasty scallion minced meat porridge on the table.
Beside it was a porcelain bowl, and Qiu Zhihe sat at the table, displaying an indifferent expression seeing him return:
"Time to eat."
Today, Qiu Zhihe wore a Jade Cloud Gauze Robe, covered with a black thin veil outside, the collar resting above her chest, revealing a small section of snow-white through the semi-transparent black veil.
Though petite, Qiu Zhihe possessed a cold temperament with distinct features, wearing anything with style.
Yet, most of her clothes were black, which seemed a bit odd.
Qin Gengyun sat down and smiled, "Taoist Friend Qiu didn't finish the porridge today?"
Qiu Zhihe looked at him blandly, Qin Gengyun said no more, quietly drinking the porridge.
"Taoist Friend Qiu."
Having finished a bowl of porridge, Qin Gengyun suddenly spoke:
"I'm thinking of buying a second-hand copper furnace. Taoist Friend Mo across the street knows a peddler who sells old goods, I've been going to the night market these nights to ask her for help, hence we returned together to Narrow Rain Lane yesterday."
Qiu Zhihe sat coldly, saying nothing.
Qin Gengyun smiled again, "By the way, there have been incidents of Ghost Cultivators murdering and robbing lately, Taoist Friend Qiu, you mustn't go out at night."
"Ghost Cultivator robbery?"
Qiu Zhihe's eyes flashed, immediately showing a reaction, asking:
"Where did it happen?"
Qin Gengyun replied, "I heard it was last night in Cyan Luo Lane, and they even killed a Talisman Master. If this Ghost Cultivator continues acting, the Outer Sect of Zhenyang might send people over."
"Zhenyang Sect might send people?" Qiu Zhihe slightly frowned, her delicate round face shrouded in coldness, asking again:
"What if the Ghost Cultivator doesn't appear again?"
Qin Gengyun said, "The Zhenyang Sect shouldn't send anyone here. As long as nothing major happens, such a major sect won't pay attention to a small place like Yunling Town."
Qiu Zhihe nodded slightly, a glint of coldness flashing through her eyes.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, what's wrong?"
Qin Gengyun asked.
"Nothing."
Qiu Zhihe stopped speaking.
Qin Gengyun glanced at her, stood up, and went to the kitchen, returning with a bowl and chopstick set. He filled a bowl of porridge and placed it in front of her.
"You should have a bowl too."
Qiu Zhihe looked down at the steaming meat porridge in the bowl, then looked at Qin Gengyun:
"Do you really want me to drink it?"
Qin Gengyun was a bit puzzled: "Of course, as husband and wife, we naturally eat together. You haven't already eaten, have you?"
After all, he came back quite early today. Could it be that Qiu Zhihe was unwilling to wait for him to eat together?
"Alright."
Yet, Qiu Zhihe had already agreed and began to silently drink the porridge.
Qin Gengyun was taken aback; he didn't expect her to be so docile today, and a sense of inexplicable accomplishment surged in his heart.
It turns out that conquering an icy wife can be quite interesting.
After finishing the porridge, Qiu Zhihe tidied up the pots and bowls and put them in the kitchen. Qin Gengyun followed her in, cheerfully saying, "Taoist Friend Qiu, you've worked hard making the porridge. Let me wash the dishes."
Qiu Zhihe walked straight out of the kitchen. Qin Gengyun scratched his cheek; it seemed she never intended to wash the dishes...
Qin Gengyun quickly finished washing the dishes and came out, suddenly feeling a surge of heat in his lower abdomen. He stood frozen, looking at Qiu Zhihe.
But she had already taken off her outer clothes and sat on the bed wrapped in a quilt.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, did you add herbs to the porridge again?"
Reddish hues appeared on Qiu Zhihe's round, pretty face, but her voice remained indifferent: "It's time to rest."
Qin Gengyun recalled the day when Qiu Zhihe said that if she consumed the Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Porridge, the Ice and Fire Two Layers of Heaven within her would intensify, and he might not last even thirty breaths. A sense of foreboding filled him,
"Taoist Friend Qiu, what are you doing... ah?!"
The next moment, the candlelight in the room went out.
Not even thirty breaths later.
[Relationship with spouse: 8/100. Affection too low, no bonus]
[Gained cultivation points: 2]
Qin Gengyun looked at the illusory text floating in the air, feeling a mix of joy and sorrow in his heart.
Joy, because the marital relationship with Qiu Zhihe improved by 3 points, obviously due to last night's heart-to-heart conversation.
Sorrow, because, as Qiu Zhihe said, after she drank the great replenishing porridge, the ice and fire intensified, and he indeed couldn't last even thirty breaths!
This is too much bullying!
Qin Gengyun clenched his fists, thinking next time he must rally and give a good lesson!
Amidst his grief and indignation, in the darkness, Qiu Zhihe suddenly turned over, her cold eyes staring straight at him.
...
Not even thirty breaths later.
[Relationship with spouse: 8/100. Affection too low, no bonus]
[Gained cultivation points: 2]
"Taoist Friend Qiu, may I ask, could you not add ingredients to the porridge tomorrow?"
"... Okay."
"Ah!"
...
At midnight.
The weary Qin Gengyun had already fallen into a deep sleep.
In the darkness, a small figure got out of bed and went to the window.
She quietly watched the house across on the left side.
Outside, it was a moonless, windy night, the figure inside unmoving.
An hour later, at 1 a.m., the night had deepened.
The door of the house across on the left side gently opened, and three figures in black robes stealthily exited the house and headed towards Narrow Rain Lane.
Inside the house.
Amidst flickering red light, the small shadow on the wall slowly grew taller.
A moment later, a tall, voluptuous figure flashed out from Qin Gengyun's room.