Due to the urgency of the Flower Pinning Conference, Chu Lei decided to bind the demon and send it back to the Shaoyang Sect using Sword Control without any further delays. Chu Yinghong and Dongfang Qingqi, both injured, were unfit to move much and thus stayed in Lutai Town, planning to return to the Shaoyang Sect to watch the Flower Pinning Conference after half a month.
Once Chu Lei left, the children immediately felt much more relaxed. This Sect Leader of the Shaoyang Sect was always serious and impassive, like a terrifying stone. With him around, the kids didn't dare to let loose and laugh. The remaining Chu Yinghong and Dongfang Qingqi, one witty and the other humorous, had no airs about them, so the children's courage grew considerably.
With the demon hunting matter resolved, it was time for the children's secret mission—the rescue of the wrongfully accused merfolk.
After the hunters who had followed them up the mountain returned, they spread the news that the demon had been dealt with. The townspeople were naturally divided, some believing, some not. How could such a troublesome demon that had resisted so much manpower and resources before be so easily handled by two or three people? Moreover, the glass tank imprisoning the merfolk was still on display in front of the government office, and it was said that one of the demons specialized in hiding in water, which must refer to it.
With no evidence to back up their claims, the hunters argued for days to no avail and eventually gave up the debate.
As for Xuanji, she slept for two whole days straight. Towards the end, Chu Yinghong was getting anxious, fearing that something else had happened to her. However, Xuanji's complexion was a healthy red and white, and upon checking her pulse, there were no signs of illness—so why wasn't she waking up?
Just when everyone was at a loss, Xuanji finally woke up at noon on the third day. Chu Yinghong, who had been taking care of her, was overjoyed and repeatedly asked how she was feeling.
The little girl blinked bewilderedly, frowned suddenly, and sighed, "Aunt Hong, I'm so hungry."
Chu Yinghong chuckled, "Of course you're hungry! You've been asleep for three days!" She helped Xuanji sit up and asked, "What do you want to eat? Tell Aunt Hong, and I'll ask someone to make it for you."
"Anything is fine, as long as it can fill my stomach."
As Xuanji got out of bed and put on her shoes, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "Where are Si Feng and Sixth Brother? Oh right, Aunt Hong, did you end up catching those two demons?"
While tying her hair, Chu Yinghong replied, "We caught them a long time ago! They're both downstairs eating right now. You're washed up now, so you can go down and join them."
At that moment, Zhong Minyan and Yu Sifeng were indeed downstairs, but they were not eating; they were secretly discussing the plan to rescue the merfolk that afternoon. Initially, Zhong Minyan did not want to get involved, but was persuaded by a long, oddly intoned lecture from Yu Sifeng.
Although their lifelong goal was cultivation, they never forgot to uphold justice and heroism. Now the merfolk were the down-trodden weak, and only a few people in the whole town knew the true story of the demon. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to play the hero?
After all, they were still kids, restless and always itching to do something grand when the chance presented itself.
"So it's settled then!" Yu Sifeng whispered, even ducking his head down in a 'we are discussing matters of state' secretive manner. "Later, I will first distract their attention. Then you go and smash the tank!"
Zhong Minyan nodded repeatedly, conspiring with heads bowed, "If a government officer comes to stop us, you'll throw a Smoke Bomb. I'll leave with the merfolk. ... Oh right, don't forget to cover your face. It'd be troublesome if we get recognized!"
"You're right about that! We can't be recognized," Yu Sifeng dug through the small pouch on his waist and pulled out two pieces of black cloth, giving one to him, "One for you and one for me. After we eat, we move out!"
"Move out? What for?" The crisp questioning voice from behind made the two boys stiffen.
Yu Sifeng turned around and forced a smile. "No, nothing..." He suddenly saw the petite and delicate figure behind him, with skin fair and luminous—who else could it be but Xuanji? He couldn't help but exclaim in delight, "You're awake!"
Xuanji nodded and sat opposite the two boys, "Just woke up. What were you talking about?"
Yu Sifeng had never really intended to bring her along on the mission, given that the words he spoke earlier were just to placate her. After all, rescuing the merfolk required quick reflexes, and this girl was good for nothing, always dragging her feet.
So he thought for a bit before hesitantly saying, "...Uh... Well, it's..."
Xuanji clapped her hands and laughed, "You're talking about going to rescue the merfolk, right? When are we doing it? Can I join too?"
She thought the idea sounded fun and surprisingly didn't feel like slacking off.
Yu Sifeng grimaced, looking towards Zhong Minyan, who, to his surprise, appeared uneasy and even fearful, staring intently at Xuanji. Curious, he asked, "What are you looking at?"
Zhong Minyan was slightly startled, wiped his face, and said softly, "Nothing... An extra person means extra strength, it won't hurt to bring her along."
Brother Zhong, this isn't like your usual style at all! Yu Sifeng looked at him in surprise, but he nodded firmly, "Take her with us, take her with us. Otherwise, leaving her alone and having the uncles find out would be even more troublesome."
Yu Sifeng had no choice but to agree.
Xuanji smiled as she reached to pat Zhong Minyan on the shoulder, saying, "It's rare for you to agree so readily..."
Before she could finish, he recoiled in terror, as if what she extended was not a hand but the claw of some strange creature.
Xuanji was stunned, and so was Yu Sifeng. However, the most flustered of all was Zhong Minyan. He coughed, embarrassed, "I... uh, I must still be tense from demon hunting that day... Let's eat! Once we're done, we move out."
Is there something on her hand? Xuanji couldn't help but look down at her own hand. It was small and soft as usual, no different. What's wrong with Zhong Minyan?
At this moment, Chu Yinghong had finished ordering food and came over with a smile, "You children are whispering like you're plotting some secret plan. With the Sect Leader gone, everyone's as happy as monkeys."
"Eh? Father has left already?" No wonder she hadn't seen him. Xuanji suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Chu Yinghong nodded, "The Flower Pinning Conference is more important; as the head of a sect, he's very busy. By the way, this afternoon I'm going with the Dongfang Island Master to the cave we found before. The mysterious disappearance of the Gu Diao has to be investigated. You just stay in the inn, don't wander off, don't cause trouble, you understand?"
Heaven is helping us! The three children, holding a secret, managed to contain their excitement, nodding obediently in agreement. Now, with no adults at home, wasn't Lutai Town theirs for the taking?
As expected, after the meal, Chu Yinghong and Dongfang Qingqi left early.
The three children re-discussed their rescue plan in the room and even named the mission: The Pearl Incident, because a merfolk's tears turn into pearls.
"Let's adjust the plan slightly. Xuanji and I will hide near the glass tank, and Si Feng, you'll disguise yourself as a common passerby. When no one is paying attention, use your Finger-Flashing Technique to shatter the glass tank. In the ensuing panic, you'll set off the smoke bomb at the right moment, and Xuanji and I will take the opportunity to rescue the merfolk. We'll meet later by the lake at the foot of Lutai Mountain."
Zhong Minyan was earnestly planning, sketching diagrams on a piece of paper. In the end, each of them memorized their parts inside-out, and Yu Sifeng handed a piece of black cloth to Xuanji to mask her face.
He tried it on himself first. Covering his face with the black cloth, he turned around to see Xuanji staring at him and his face flushed as he stuttered, "What, what are you looking at!"
Xuanji tilted her head, examining him for a while, "Ah, when did you take off your mask? Didn't you say it couldn't be removed?"
Yu Sifeng's expression darkened, "The mask, it's broken. It was broken by a demon." Seeing that Xuanji's bright eyes were still fixed on his face, he felt both awkward and shy, "Why, why are you staring at someone like that! Girls from the Central Plains, really!"
And he hadn't been wearing a mask for a while now! She should have seen it when they were downstairs, but she had no reaction, making him uneasy, thinking he looked ugly. Who knew she simply hadn't noticed! Heaven knows what this girl actually pays attention to in her daily life!
Xuanji stared at him a bit longer and just when he was about to burst with annoyance, she breathed out in relief and chuckled, "Si Feng, you're actually quite handsome. I like you better this way; don't wear the mask anymore! It's a shame to cover up."
Once she spoke, the room fell silent.
Yu Sifeng's face turned shades of green and red, truly at a loss for words now.
After a while, he spat out a string of strangely accented and peculiarly pronounced words, presumably the dialect of his hometown. After speaking, he stood and left. Reaching the door, he turned his back on them and waved, "Let's, let's go!"
Xuanji followed slowly, when suddenly she heard Zhong Minyan call out to her from behind.
"Xuanji, you..." he whispered with an indefinable emotion in his voice — ethereal, somber.
What? She looked at him curiously.
"No, nothing." Zhong Minyan patted her shoulder, "Let's go. Don't hold us back this time."