Of course Wei Jiu knew who Su Yi Shui wanted to exchange for, but he smiled meaningfully and said, "Talking business in the Crimson Gate's sanctum? It also depends on whether I want to talk to you or not?"
As a person in the demonic path, when you can rob for things like bandits, why bother to conduct business like a decent person?
Su Yi Shui remained calm and composed, just like back when he exchanged the key with Wei Jiu on Jueshan Mountain. He said, "Be
cause I hold the lifeline of your Red Flame Mountain! Right now, the Tempering Flame has just entered a period of temporary weakness. If I fully ignite it, your Red Flame Mountain will instantly become a sea of fire. By then, your hundred-year-old sanctum will be destroyed in an instant, and I'm afraid you won't have the capital to negotiate with me any more."
As he spoke, he gently rotated the ice sphere in his hand, and the flames inside suddenly rose in temperature, warming the surrounding air…
Wei Jiu had suffered too many losses at the hands of Su Yi Shui and truly feared him. If he could avoid a fight and obtain the Tempering Flame from him, that would be ideal.
Moreover, even if this true fire was not real, the old drunkard was already of no further use to him.
Thinking of this, Wei Jiu sounded him out, "Are you sure you want to make this deal? In my opinion, this is a bad bargain!"
Su Yi Shui said coldly, "You also need to think clearly. Once this opportunity is missed, there won't be another chance. If I change my mind, do you think you can stop me?"
After revealing Ranran's identity earlier, Su Yi Shui's reaction was really too calm, showing no signs of the effect of the Soul-Cleansing Charm. However, later when he took Xue Ranran away, he must have questioned her privately.
Thinking of the truth the old drunkard had said to him when he was drunk, Wei Jiu's smile deepened involuntarily. "Alright, since you are so sincere, if I don't agree, wouldn't I be not showing respect for you? The person you want to exchange for is…"
Su Yi Shui said, "Hand over the Elder Jiu to me unharmed, and I'll give you this Tempering Flame"
As soon as he said this, everyone around was shocked and angry.
The elder of the Feiyun Sect, who was considered friendly with the Xishan faction, said solemnly, "Su Yi Shui, you must be careful! Handing over the true fire of tempering to a villain like Wei Jiu is equivalent to handing over the safety of everyone in the world to him, isn't it?"
Su Yi Shui said coldly, "Isn't the safety of the world upheld by you righteous people? I'm just leaving the Tempering Flame at Red Flame Mountain. I believe Lord Wei will also have a good discussion with you all about how to save the world."
After saying this, curses and accusations erupted from the elders.
Wei Jiu didn't want these old elders to interfere in his deal. With a wave of his hand, he cast a silencing spell.
This place was his sanctum and also belonged to the fire element, so Wei Jiu's spiritual force was more powerful here. Although it was just an ordinary silencing spell, it successfully sealed the mouths of all the elders present.
Then Wei Jiu said to Su Yi Shui, "Since it's our business, we don't need others to interfere."
After speaking, Wei Jiu waved his hand to have his disciples separate the elders, and then had someone bring a wine barrel.
Inside the wine barrel was a bearded and unkempt old man, who was none other than the kidnapped Elder Jiu.
Wei Jiu had always suffered losses when dealing with Su Yi Shui before, so he couldn't let his guard down this time either.
However, Su Yi Shui seemed really eager to leave right away, so there was no need for any further conversation when the exchange was made.
Su Yi Shui confirmed the true identity of the old drunk immortal, patted his face, let him say a few drunken words, and then had Yu Chen and the others take Elder Jiu away.
Wei Jiu was afraid that Su Yi Shui might change his mind. Moreover, Su Yi Shui and Ranran were able to enter the hot crevice completely unscathed, so their strength also made him wary. So he didn't even let his disciples stop them, allowing the Xishan group to leave Red Flame Mountain undeterred.
But when they reached the foot of the mountain, Gao Cang became anxious.
He was a straightforward young man and couldn't hold back his words, so he asked directly, "Master, by handing over the true fire of tempering to Wei Jiu, aren't you going to bear a bad reputation?"
Ranran didn't speak, but she had already guessed the reason why Su Yi Shui had done this. The true fire had been tempering the undying body of the demon king all this time. If it had been fully refined, it wouldn't matter.
However, the golden skull had disappeared, and the demon king who had been burned for tens of thousands of years, harboring deep resentment. The true fire of tempering would definitely be tainted with this resentment. So, whoever possessed it was actually holding a talisman. If the demon king really managed to return, he would definitely come for the true fire of tempering and vent his hatred wildly.
With this in mind, there was no one more suitable than Wei Jiu to keep it safe. Letting him guard the true fire of tempering and bear the residual resentment of the demon king was like using poison to counter poison. Ranran believed that Lord Wei would be capable of handling this task well.
Thinking of this, Ranran even sighed for Wei Jiu, who thought he had made a steal. If he had known that the corpse of the demon king was not completely destroyed, he probably wouldn't have wanted the Tempering Flame even if they forced it on him.
But such a huge secret couldn't be revealed to the fellow disciples for now.
Now that they had finally rescued Elder Jiu, it depended on how the old immortal would help Su Yi Shui undo the Soul-Cleansing Talisman and restore all his memories.
Meeting up with Shen Kuo at the foot of the mountain, he was still taking care of his injured junior brother, Yue Sheng. Yue Sheng's injuries were severe, and at this moment, he was already unconscious, looking barely alive.
Ranran looked down at Yue Sheng's injured arm, furrowing her brows. She said, 'Shen Junior Brother, did you forget to change his medicine? It's been four hours since the medicine for this severed arm was applied, and its effectiveness will weaken. It must be reapplied with new medicine.'
Shen Kuo lowered his head in embarrassment and said, 'Master and you guys have not come down the mountain all this time, and I was worried, so I forgot to change it. Please punish me, Senior Sister.'
Ranran shook her head. After all, they were all young boys, and it was indeed difficult for them to take care of the patients meticulously. She squatted down and changed the medicine for Yue Sheng.
However, Yue Sheng needed to return to West Mountain as soon as possible and recuperate in a suitable sanctum. It's just that his severed arm can never be reattached, and it's uncertain whether his path of cultivation can continue in the future.
When they reached the inn, Ranran couldn't wait to find the old man who had given her the shoes.
But after searching the inn up and down and asking the waiter, the waiter said they had never had such an old man as Ranran described.
This person seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
As for the priceless treasure Elder Jiu, whom they had exchanged for a high price, they had no idea how much wine he had been plied with on Red Flame Mountain. He kept sleeping soundly without waking up.
Later, Ranran stuffed a Clear Mind Pill into his mouth, finally waking the old immortal up from his drunken state.
Looking at Ranran clearly, the old drunk immortal still drowsily said, "This alcohol is so strong, I actually dreamed so vividly. Little girl, are you here to brew the Detain-Heaven's Immortal wine for me again?"
Ranran reached out and pulled his beard, asking, "Does it hurt?"
Seeing Elder Jiu nod obediently, she continued, "So, this is not a dream. We have already rescued you. Do you remember giving Wei Jiu a Soul-Cleansing Charm? Do you know how to undo it?"
When Elder Jiu realized that he was finally rescued, he sat up suddenly, and said guiltily, "I don't remember anything. Don't place any blame on me. How could I collude with people like Wei Jiu? But if he got me drunk, then I won't know anything. In any case, I won't admit to anything that I don't remember!"
Back then, Mu Qingge had been framed as a scourge of evil and was eventually besieged before her vitality recovered.
Elder Jiu was too attached to the secular world, so he adamantly denied that he had "helped" people in the demonic path.
Ranran didn't know to laugh or cry, and said, "I'm not like those people from Jiuhua. I won't blame you for anything! If you don't remember, that's fine. I just want to know how to undo the Soul-Cleansing Talisman?"
Elder Jiu gathered his thoughts and asked urgently, "Girl, are you under the Soul-Cleansing talisman? Did you forget the brewing method of the Detain-Heaven's Immortal wine, or did you forget other important things?"
When Elder Jiu learnt that it was Su Yi Shui who was under the effects of it, he breathed a sigh of relief. "So it was him. Then there's no problem. Someone heartless like him, forgetting love is not a big deal."
Ranran was upset and said sharply, "How is it not a big deal? He's forgotten every single thing about me and even thought I had ulterior motives!"
Elder Jiu looked at Su Yi Shui, who happened to be standing outside the half-open door. He seemed to have heard Ranran's low shout just now, and his body stiffened slightly.
At that moment, Ranran suddenly remembered the temperament of Elder Jiu and immediately said softly, "If you undo the charm for him, I'll brew you some good wine and prepare some snacks to go with it. How about that?"
Elder Jiu had a longing look but then shook his head regretfully, "It's a pity. There is no spiritual talisman to undo the Soul-Cleansing talisman. Otherwise, I could have had a few more good drinks…"
Ranran was shocked to hear this. "What? You say there's no way to undo it… How is that possible?"
Su Yi Shui also frowned slightly at the door, finally understanding the meaning of Wei Jiu's words when he said, "Don't regret it."
Wei Jiu had probably asked Elder Jiu about the possibility of undoing the charm long ago and only made the exchange after knowing it couldn't be undone.
Well, these two archenemies can be considered as having schemed against each other, barely ending up in a tie!
Ranran suddenly felt empty inside. She silently turned around, and prepared to leave the room.
She did not expect to see Su Yi Shui standing at the door, and did not know how long he had been there.
As their eyes met, the thought that Su Yi Shui could no longer remember the past, made her feel as if half of her heart had been cut off. She lowered her head and ran past him towards the backyard.
Su Yi Shui tried hard to control himself, but he still moved to chase after her.
Elder Jiu watched their backs and muttered to himself, "I just said there's no spiritual talisman to undo it, not that there's no way to undo it. Why did those two leave without hearing everything?"
But that method was difficult in the first place, not something that could be easily changed by human efforts. Elder Jiu thought it was better not to say anything. Considering the suffering he had endured these past days, he had no mood to meddle in the love affairs of those young boys and girls. He stretched comfortably and then fell asleep soundly on the soft bed…
Meanwhile, after Su Yi Shui had followed her, he saw Ranran sitting under the locust tree in a daze.
Since the Tempering Flame had been sealed, the temperature around Red Flame Mountain had dropped significantly.
In fact, near dusk, thunder roared, and heavy rain that had not been seen for the longest time, began to pour. Standing under the tree, the girl who was looking up had raindrops on her face, and one couldn't tell if she had cried sadly just now.
Su Yi Shui silently used his power to create a spiritual shield, isolating the heavy rain and enveloping the despondent girl within. He asked in a low voice, "What are you thinking?"
Ranran snapped out of her thoughts, looked regretfully at the bald branches, and murmured, "It's raining… how nice. When spring comes next year and the tree blooms, locust tree flower dumplings with lamb filling will be so delicious. But its too bad… you probably don't remember that taste…"
In the spring of this year, she had made dumplings with locust tree flowers filling for her master.
At that time, he had accompanied her on the mountain, under the pretext of practicing light body techniques, watching her jump around picking flowers all over the mountains.
The sunlight was gentle, the man in white was elegant, stretching his arms gracefully with wide sleeves, playing a melodious ancient qin in the gentle breeze and rain of flowers. She had leaped about with the rhythm, and picked a basket full of flowers.
So much so that for a long time afterward, every time she heard Shifu play the same tune, her nose would seem to be filled with the fragrance of locust flowers…
Su Yi Shui knew, that the news that his Soul-Cleansing Charm could not be undone seemed to have hit Ranran very hard.
In fact, he was also very curious about what kind of feelings he had developed for this reincarnated Mu Qingge. The Soul-Cleansing Charm washes away the deep love that's engraved in the bone marrow. How could he have fallen for Mu Qingge – that demoness who had treated him as a plaything!
Su Yi Shui actually had loads of malicious words to say, but when he saw Ranran's despondent look, those words dissipated on the tip of his tongue.
He frowned and said, "We've only met for two years in this life. Even if I don't remember the past, you can tell me everything one by one… But remember one thing, don't embellish or make up inexplicable things!"
He remembered Mu Qingge's naughty and mischievous nature, always seizing every opportunity to tease people. If he let her speak unchecked, she might add in some absurd scenes.
Ranran wiped the raindrops off her face and suddenly chuckled bitterly, "What are 'made-up things'? Like… you always sneakily kissed me when no one else is around, is that absurd enough?"
Su Yi Shui was annoyed by her brazen words and frowned, "Do you even need to ask? Such absurd talk, you first need someone to believe it! Alright, you're lacking true qi right now. If you stay drenched in the rain like this, you'll likely catch a chill. Hurry back to the room and warm yourself by the fire…"
With that, he took Ranran's hand and walked towards the house.
If Xue Ranran said she hadn't regained her memories from her past life, he would believe her for now.
From what he could see, the seemingly innocent young girl had not inherited Mu Qingge's playful and careless behavior from her past life.
Since Xue Ranran was his disciple, he naturally had to teach her well. If she really became like her past self again, he would naturally deal with it sternly and wouldn't tolerate it!
But for now, he just wanted her to dry off quickly and cheer up, and stop looking so depressed.
Right, he had asked Yu Chen to heat up some bath water earlier, so now would be a good time for Ranran to take a bath first…
Just as they reached the entrance of the inn, they happened to see Elder Jiu standing there. He burped and said, "Why did you leave so quickly earlier? I hadn't finished talking yet!"
Ranran replied listlessly, "Elder Jiu, you shouldn't drink for now. The alcohol that the Crimson Gate people gave you was extremely strong liquor, very harmful to your body. Even if you really become an immortal, drinking like this will ruin your digestive system!"
Elder Jiu pointed to the door to the bath and said, "What I meant was, although the Soul-Cleansing Charm can't be undone with a spiritual charm, it actually blocks the emotional connection. If combined with a secret medicine made from gold, it can alleviate it slightly. I've already prepared the water. Let your master soak in it later and see if it works…"
With that, he burped again and turned to walk back to his room.
Ranran lifted the door curtain and indeed saw water in the bathtub inside, floating with golden powder and emitting a pleasant fragrance.
A glimmer of hope appeared on Ranran's face as she looked towards Su Yi Shui.
Su Yi Shui thought for a moment and said, "You should go back to your room first."
Since the water had been infused with a secret medicine made from gold and stones, Ranran couldn't soak in it anymore. So he asked her to return to her room first.
If Su Yi Shui wanted to take a bath, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to be around either.
Ranran went back to her room and changed her clothes. She couldn't help herself and went to look for Elder Jiu again. This person was always muddled and unreliable when he drank. How could he come up with the medicine immediately after waking up? She had to clarify with him before she could be at ease. However, when she reached Elder Jiu's room, he was already in a deep sleep.
Ranran took out her personal wine gourd, which had the last bit of the twenty-year-old Detain-Heaven's immortal wine.
As soon as the wine cork was opened, the aroma of the wine was more effective than any hangover remedy. Elder Jiu hadn't even finished his snore before he immediately opened his eyes and woke up.
"Little girl, you actually have such a private stash. Hurry up and satisfy my craving."
Thinking that her master might be able to undo the Soul-Cleansing Charm, Ranran's heart also relaxed a little. She said with a wry smile, "I met your brother who had already ascended, the Medicine Immortal, on Tianmai Mountain. Although you two look exactly alike, your temperaments and personalities are like night and day… I wonder how your ability to prepare medicine compares to your brother's, and if there are any other side effects to this medicine?"
Elder Jiu put down the wine jug, burped, and in a drunken haze said, "My brother and I are as different as night and day, one is ugly and one is handsome. I look like our father, he looks like our mother. How can you say we look exactly alike? Did he become ugly after ascending to immortality, so he also became a square-shaped wine barrel?"
Hearing this, Ranran's smile froze, and she grabbed the wine pouch from Elder Jiu, and exclaimed, "What did you say? You and your brother don't look alike at all?"
Elder Jiu seemed startled by her reaction, nodded honestly, and then chuckled, "Many people hear our names and think that because we're twins, we would look exactly alike… Hahaha, my brother is quite handsome, not inferior to that pasty-faced Su Yi Shui!"
But at that moment, Ranran felt that her blood was about to freeze.
If it wasn't the Medicine Immortal that she encountered on Tianmai Mountain, then… who was that person?
Thinking of the person who deliberately disguised himself as Medicine Immortal, leading her into the pool, Ranran felt a chill run down her spine. She stood up suddenly, picked up a tea cup, splashed water on Elder Jiu, and asked, "Did you give my Shifu the medicated water to undo the Soul-Cleansing Charm just now?"
Elder Jiu was startled by the splash and momentarily forgot to get angry. He was also somewhat sobered by Ranran's intense gaze and honestly replied, "What medicine? How can medicine undo the Soul-Cleansing Charm? I've been sleeping all this time, how could I have given bathwater to that Su?"
Ranran ran quickly towards the inn's bathhouse.
When she burst into the bathhouse, Su Yi Shui had already taken off his garment, revealing an enchanting waistline, with a towel around his narrow waist. He was standing, staring blankly at the tub full of golden water.
It's unclear what he was hesitating about, but fortunately, he hesitated long enough for Ranran to stop him.
Ranran leaped forward and hugged Su Yi Shui in an instant .
Su Yi Shui raised an eyebrow at the girl who was holding onto him fiercely, and when Gao Cang and Shen Kuo entered the bath, they were dumbfounded by this scene.
Ranran had exerted all her strength when she came rushing over. She was now near collapse, as she leaned weakly on Su Yi Shui's firm chest, and whispered, "The medicated water is a ruse, don't enter it…"
Su Yi Shui noticed her pale and frail face and immediately sensed her weakening vitality. He quickly carried her in his arms and returned to the bedroom to help regulate her qi.
After she had recovered somewhat, Ranran told Su Yi Shui what Elder Jiu had said. Su Yi Shui immediately understood that someone had impersonated the old man and used the time gap to give him the "prescription" before the real Elder Jiu woke up.
When Su Yishui took Elder Jiu to check the tub of golden water, the water had already been drained out through a pipe.
When they asked Gao Cang and Shen Kuo who were supposed to be watching the bath, they were also puzzled. They said they had both been guarding outside the master's bedroom and hadn't come back to the bath, so they didn't know who drained the water.
But Ranran still felt a shiver in her heart. She whispered, "The person who impersonated Elder Jiu has appeared before us more than once…"
Back on Tianmai Mountain, the Medicine Immortal had given off a unique herbal scent. Later, when they entered the Netherworld Realm, they had encountered a blind shepherd with a similar scent on him.
Since he was disabled, taking medicine regularly was not out of the ordinary. In addition, at that time, Ranran's attention was drawn to the strange flower sea, so she didn't think much about it.
But later, when they were preparing to go to Red Flame Mountain, the old innkeeper who gifted her the grass shoes had also smelled of the same herbal scent.
Now thinking back carefully, Ranran was confident in her keen sense of smell. These three people were clearly the same person!
Thinking that someone had been following their every move, even guiding their actions, Ranran couldn't help but shudder.
After her vitality qi had stabilized, she turned to Su Yi Shui and asked, "Shifu, you didn't enter the tub just now. What were you thinking about?"
Of course, Su Yi Shui wouldn't tell her that he was thinking about Ranran's absurd words.
He would look for places with no one around to kiss her? Was he an old village bachelor who couldn't find a wife? To think he would actually do such a preposterous thing?
But then he remembered how serious Ranran looked when she said those words. What if it was true… Su Yi Shui felt like he wanted to strangle that person who did such things.
But that girl's lips seemed like they have been tinted by cherry blossoms, looking so soft, what would it feel like to actually kiss them?
As he thought about it, Su Yi Shui suddenly felt his cheeks grow hot. He was momentarily lost in thought, and when he came back to his senses, he saw the girl fiercely pounce over, hugging him tightly…
Although the golden water had been drained, there were still some traces left.
Elder Jiu carefully inspected it, frowning as he said, "This… it's the gold pupa powder used by powerful experts to make evil talismans. If this powder has been boosted, it's an excellent catalyst for possession. Someone deliberately wanted Su Yi Shui to soak in this water, is… trying to possess him?"