Zanxing (Retranslated)

“Couldn’t find him?” Wang Shao’s good mood immediately turned to frustration. He was on the verge of hurling his cup in anger but abruptly remembered the value of the tea, and the fact that breaking the cup would require compensation. He placed it down with a scowl and exclaimed, “Are you lot a bunch of incompetents? Can’t even locate one person!”

The servant dared not utter a word.

On that day by the riverside, their group had encountered the demonic creature, Yu. Miss Yang had been harmed by the demonic beast, and her remains were nowhere to be found. Though Wang Shao was indignant, his thoughts quickly turned towards Liu Yunxin. To him, women were nothing but commodities; if one was lost, another could always be acquired.

Moreover, he had coveted Liu Yunxin for a long time.

So, he tied up Liu Yunxin and Mu Cengxiao, planning to take them both with him. He had intended to wait until they reached Pingyang Town and then make Liu Yunxin his own. However, that night, Mu Cengxiao had fled with Liu Yunxin.

That guy had vanished without a trace, and the people Wang Shao sent to inquire about his whereabouts had not been able to find him, which was particularly infuriating.

“Young Master Shao, should we continue the search?” the servant asked cautiously.

“Forget it, Mu Cengxiao is a just a fool who overestimates his abilities, thinking he can join the Taiyan Sect. Since that’s the case, he will definitely go to Pingyang Town. When the selection competition arrives, he will appear without me having to find him. When that time comes, I’ll deal with him slowly!”

The servant nodded and retreated.

Wang Shao’s frustration lingered. During his journey to Pingyang Town, Yang Zanxing had fallen victim to a demonic beast, Liu Yunxin had slipped away, and now, even Mu Cengxiao remained elusive. It felt like an unlucky trip, leaving him feeling disheartened. He quickly finished the tea in his cup and got up, heading out of the room.

In the inn’s downstairs hall, numerous young cultivators sat scattered about, energetically discussing the forthcoming Taiyan Sect recruitment.

In the cultivation world of the Capital Province, the Taiyan Sect was a well-known sect that hadn’t recruited new disciples for nearly a decade. This year, they had opened their doors for new recruits, attracting talented youth from all corners of the land. Each brought their distinct accents and attire, creating a lively atmosphere when they gathered.

The Good Fortune Inn was known for its high prices, and those who could afford to stay here were often regarded as promising talents from major clans. Wang Shao, as the young lord of a small border town like Yue, felt somewhat out of place. Nevertheless, Wang Shao was shrewd. If he could establish connections with prominent disciples here, it would provide valuable support once he entered the Taiyan Sect. After all, he believed he was the only one from Yue City who would be able to enter the Taiyan Sect. Starting out on his own would not be easy.

“Oh, Young Master Wang is also here,” a female voice came from behind.

Wang Shao turned to find a young woman standing there. While not strikingly beautiful, she possessed a unique charm. She had slender eyes, a petite nose, and small lips. Her fair skin and charming smile made her particularly alluring. Her thin gauzy skirt revealed a layer of crimson undergarments, giving her an ethereal quality, like a fox spirit from a legendary tale. With her captivating eyes, she seemed to enchant anyone who looked at her.

“Miss Xiangrao, did you sleep well last night?” Wang Shao asked smoothly.

Duan Xiangrao gave a slight smile, her gaze lingering on Wang Shao like water. “Very well, thank you, Young Master Wang.”

Wang Shao had met Duan Xiangrao in front of the “Good Fortune Inn”. At that time, she had been standing there, seemingly chased out by the innkeeper for lacking money. Wang Shao had come to her rescue at the crucial moment.

He had a fondness for this woman, not just because of her bold sensuality in private moments and her gentle and alluring nature, but also because she was at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage in her cultivation. If all went well, Xiangrao should be able to enter the Taiyan Sect too. If they both practiced in the Taiyan Sect, having such a beautiful and talented dao partner for dual cultivation

¹ would undoubtedly be a wonderful thing.

Hence, in these days, Wang Shao and Duan Xiangrao had grown closer, their relationship progressing rapidly. For those unaware, it might seem that Xiangrao was his betrothed.

As for the original “Miss Yang”, Wang Shao had long left her behind.

“In two days, it will be the recruitment competition for Taiyan Sect disciples. I’ve heard there are many spiritual herbs and elixirs in the Hua Jin Pavilion. Young Master Wang, would you like to go take a look together?” Xiangrao smiled.

Wang Shao maintained his usual smile on his face but felt somewhat annoyed inside. Over the past few days, not only had Xiangrao been sharing meals and accommodations with him, but she also made him foot the bill for her clothing and jewelry using spiritual stones. Unlike Yue City, where he came from, prices in Pingyang Town had skyrocketed. His stay at the “Good Fortune Inn” had already stretched his budget, and it was evident that Xiangrao was treating him like a cash cow.

However, Wang Shao hesitated to decline because some male cultivators nearby had overheard their conversation and were now casting curious glances their way. Rejecting Xiangrao at this moment might make him appear miserly and petty. He reluctantly considered the number of spiritual stones he had left and replied, “I was thinking the same. Let’s go.”

Duan Xiangrao smiled and followed him.

As they reached the inn’s entrance, a voice filled with excitement rang out, “Young Master Shao!”

A young maid with double buns, adorned with a few clusters of red beans in her hair, rushed over, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Young Master Shao, I’ve finally found you!” She then turned to the green-clad young woman behind her and said, “Young Miss, your guess was right. Young Master Shao is indeed here!”

Zanxing glanced around the inn’s surroundings. Many cultivators had gathered at the entrance, and Hong Su’s loud voice had drawn the attention of quite a few.

Locating where Wang Shao was staying wasn’t too difficult. Despite being a bustling town, Pingyang Town was still relatively small. Considering Wang Shao’s penchant for luxury and assessing his spending habits, it wasn’t hard to figure out that he had chosen this “Good Fortune Inn” as his lodging.

Wang Shao furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on Hongsu as he remained silent. Hongsu felt a wave of panic and hurriedly pulled Zanxing closer to Wang Shao. She said, “Young Master Shao, look, our Young Miss is alive and has come here to find you!”

“Zanxing?” Wang Shao blinked.

The young woman before him wore a soft, fragrant green gauze skirt, her face veiled in white, revealing only her bright eyes. She gazed at him in silence, saying nothing.

“How is that possible?” Wang Shao paused for a moment, then finally regained his composure. “Weren’t you captured by a demonic beast and dragged into the water? How could you have survived?”

“I escaped,” the girl’s voice was calm, a stark contrast to her previous coquettish tone.

Wang Shao had yet to notice this change. On the other hand, Xiangrao’s gaze focused on the white veil covering Zanxing’s face, catching a glimpse of faint black marks underneath. Her heart stirred, and she stepped forward with a smile, saying, “This must be Young Master Wang’s fiancée, Miss Yang, right?”

As soon as she finished speaking, her fingers hidden in the sleeves moved, and a strong gust of wind flew to Zanxing’s side, lifting the white veil.

“Ah!” A startled cry echoed, but it didn’t come from Zanxing’s lips.

Wang Shao pointed at her, his face a mix of astonishment and disgust. “What are you?!”

Footnotes

1. 
   
   

   Dual Cultivation is a type of cultivation system, wherein male and female cultivators pair up and cultivate by having sex.