"Kill someone? Who?" The Yellow Sand Dragon Lord looked at the enchanting woman before him with confusion. "With such a large organization like the Black Lotus Sect, you still need my help to kill someone?"
"Ah, well, this is part of the sect's test for me," Mo Zhuer said with a casual shrug. "I can't handle it alone, so I have no choice but to ask for help."
"Besides," Mo Zhuer smiled, "this person is no ordinary target. He is the son-in-law of the Wu Kingdom, Xu Ming, who is now a renowned figure in the kingdom!"
The Yellow Sand Dragon Lord, who operated within the Wu Kingdom's borders, naturally knew about the famous royal son-in-law.
"If I kill him, won't the Wu Kingdom's court come after me? What kind of reward are you offering that could make it worth the risk? Yourself?"
Dragons are naturally lustful creatures, and the Yellow Sand Dragon Lord stared directly at Mo Zhuer without a hint of shame.
"If Xu Ming dies and I offer myself to you, what harm is there in that?" Mo Zhuer's tone was seductive. "But our Black Lotus Sect can provide you with something far more enticing."
"Oh? Let's hear it." The Yellow Sand Dragon Lord folded his arms behind his back.
"This Yellow Sand River of yours, though not small, is far from enough if you wish to achieve enlightenment. In the western regions, there is a vast sea called the Cang Sea, which connects to the Eastern Sea.
"While the Eastern Sea has its ruler, the Cang Sea does not. When the time comes, you can cultivate in the Cang Sea as its master. Wouldn't that be ideal? As for the Wu Kingdom's fury, what can they do? Would they dare extend their reach to our western territories?
"Moreover, I can promise you a vial of true dragon heart blood once the deed is done."
Hearing the mention of true dragon heart blood, the Yellow Sand Dragon Lord's pupils shrank.
To any flood dragon, true dragon heart blood was the most irresistible treasure imaginable.
"Empty words hold no weight. Why should I believe you?" The Yellow Sand Dragon Lord fixed his gaze on Mo Zhuer.
With a sly smile, Mo Zhuer retrieved a jade bottle from the storage bracelet on her delicate wrist.
Inside, a crimson liquid shimmered with a powerful aura.
Seeing this, the Yellow Sand Dragon Lord swallowed hard. There was no doubt about it—this was true dragon heart blood.
Watching the dragon's greedy expression, with drool almost dripping from his mouth, Mo Zhuer chuckled inwardly before quickly putting the vial away.
"Well? I wonder if the Yellow Sand Dragon Lord is willing or not?" Mo Zhuer's voice was sweet and seductive. "If you agree, then once it's done, I might just deliver this heart blood to you while lying on your bed."
The Yellow Sand Dragon Lord stared at Mo Zhuer for a long moment before finally speaking slowly. "Where is this Xu Ming now?"
"If nothing unexpected happens," Mo Zhuer said, "he should currently be in Shijia Village. I'll be waiting for your good news, Dragon Lord."
As rain began to fall, Mo Zhuer's figure gradually faded from the Yellow Sand Dragon Lord's sight.
When she reappeared, she was already standing on the surface of the Yellow Sand River. Humming a light tune, she stepped ashore and spat into the river.
"Bah! That slimy eel dares think I would actually serve him? True dragon heart blood? Once I've used him, I'll be taking his dragon tendons instead!"
Swaying her hips, Mo Zhuer left, humming as she went.
---
"Madam, my surname is Xu, given name Ming. I hail from Wudu, traveling the world with my younger sister. Here is my travel permit for your inspection."
Entering the courtyard, Xu Ming handed over his travel document.
He needed to prove that he wasn't some shady wanderer.
The young woman examined it briefly before returning it to him.
Xu Ming put the document away. "May I ask how I should address you, Madam?"
"The villagers call me Luo Sanniang," she replied with a smile.
"Madam, do you need to inform your husband about this?" Xu Ming reminded her.
Though she seemed kind, her husband might not approve.
Luo Sanniang shook her head. "My husband passed away many years ago. It's just me and my daughter at home."
"My apologies," Xu Ming said sincerely.
Luo Sanniang: "It's fine. I've long grown used to being a widow."
"Madam, perhaps I should look for another place to stay?" Xu Ming hesitated. While he didn't mind, staying at the home of a widowed woman could lead to gossip. If word got out, it might damage her reputation.
"No need. You don't have to worry about that." Luo Sanniang walked ahead. "My reputation has already been dragged through the mud. I don't care anymore."
Xu Ming: "..."
Luo Sanniang prepared a guest room for Xu Ming and Shen Shengsheng. Xu Ming gave her a silver tael, which she accepted without objection.
That evening, Xu Ming let her know he would be using the courtyard and, after receiving her permission, fetched some water to take a cold bath outside. Shen Shengsheng also wanted to strip down and bathe but was stopped by Xu Ming.
Instead, Xu Ming borrowed a wooden tub from Luo Sanniang, filled it with water, and closed the door so Shen Shengsheng could bathe in private. He instructed her to wash herself properly, put her clothes back on, and come out only when she was decent.
Afterward, both Xu Ming and Shen Shengsheng felt refreshed. In the guest room, Xu Ming slept on the floor while Shen Shengsheng took the bed. They lay sprawled in a "大" shape, their exhaustion from the day washed away.
---
At dawn, the rooster crowed, waking Xu Ming and Shen Shengsheng. As they stepped out of the room, the aroma of buns and porridge wafted through the air. In the courtyard, a little girl was crouched down, watching ants with great curiosity.
After freshening up, the two sat down for breakfast prepared by Luo Sanniang. Shen Shengsheng loved eating buns because they didn't require chopsticks. As for the porridge, she simply tilted the bowl and drank it.
Xu Ming would eat one bun, and Shen Shengsheng would follow by eating one bun. Xu Ming drank a bowl of porridge, and so did Shen Shengsheng. When Xu Ming put down his bowl and chopsticks, Shen Shengsheng did the same.
However, her eyes remained glued to the remaining food on the table—she clearly wasn't full. But she had promised Xu Ming that she would only eat as much as he did.
"Little girl, are you still hungry? Let me make some more," Luo Sanniang said, feeling sorry for the adorable child who was staring longingly at the food.
"No need to trouble yourself, Madam. My sister has already had enough," Xu Ming replied with a smile. He wasn't about to let Shen Shengsheng eat her fill—if she did, she could easily consume ten pounds of meat in one sitting and wipe out the household's food supplies.
Shen Shengsheng nodded in agreement. She wasn't full, but it didn't matter—Xu Ming had promised to cook her a special meal later.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Madam. Since it's getting late, we should be on our way." Xu Ming preferred to leave early to avoid being seen and causing any unnecessary trouble for their host.
"Safe travels, Sir," Luo Sanniang said without trying to keep them.
"There's no need to see us off."
With that, Xu Ming and Shen Shengsheng left the courtyard and continued on their journey. However, Xu Ming couldn't shake a strange feeling. Normally, villagers would rise at dawn to work in the fields, so why hadn't they seen a single person?