After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

Before we knew it, autumn in Suzhou was drawing to a close.

The chill of the early morning crept up the windowpane, condensing into a thin layer of mist that obscured the view outside.

In the living room, Shen Shuchou sat at the dining table with a simple breakfast in front of him: a few slices of bread and a cup of hot milk.

Beside him, Tantai Chi sat quietly, her plain clothes making her temperament even more aloof.

Fifth Shushuang's injuries have not yet healed, and she is currently resting in her room, while Luo Shisan and Pei Rou are each staying in their own rooms.

Tantai Chigu's gaze remained fixed on Shen Shuchou, never wavering for a moment.

Those eyes seemed calm, but deep within them lay a multitude of complex emotions.

Shen Shuchou felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, so he picked up a piece of bread with cream inside, offered it to her, and said with a smile, "Want to try this?"

With Tantai Chigu's cultivation level, he no longer needs to rely on food to make a living.

But like the others, she was filled with curiosity about everything around her when she first arrived in this world.

She gently took the bread, carefully put it in her mouth, and gently bit off a corner.

The soft bread mixed with sweet cream melted on her tongue, with a delicate and soft texture, a taste she had never experienced before.

Even the pastries Shen Shuchou bought for her back then didn't seem this soft. Her eyes lit up slightly, clearly showing some surprise.

"Is it tasty?"

Seeing that she liked it, Shen Shuchou smiled even more gently.

"tasty."

Tantai Chigu quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and nodded vigorously.

"After a while, when things are less hectic, I'll take you to eat something even better."

Shen Shuchou laughed.

Tantai Chigu lowered his eyes to look at the half-eaten bread in his hand and said softly, "Dao Master, you know that this is not what I want."

Her voice was soft, but earnest.

When he looked up, the emotions in his eyes were clearly visible.

What she wanted was never the most delicious food in the world, but to stay by his side forever, watching him peacefully, accompanying him, and never being separated again.

Shen Shuchou's smile faded slightly. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his gesture natural and tender: "I know."

"Then how about this, Dao Lord, come with me?"

Tantai Chigu's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of cautious anticipation.

"Just like in the beginning, it's just the Dao Master and me, finding a secluded place, quietly..."

She added, her eyes reflecting a longing for the past.

Shen Shuchou's smile faltered slightly.

Looking into Tantai Chigu's expectant eyes, he knew that what he was about to say would surely fill those eyes with disappointment.

"This is my home," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Is it because of them?"

Tantai Chigu's tone suddenly became urgent, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"As long as the Dao Lord is willing, I will lead the Dao Lord out of here! Now I have the ability to protect the Dao Lord, and no one can stop me!"

Her aura began to fluctuate, faintly revealing a sharp and imposing aura.

That's the confidence of the strong, and also the stubbornness of being eager to prove themselves.

Shen Shuchou shook his head slightly, his tone gentle but unyielding: "It's not what you think. Of course I know, my little Chi Gu is very powerful now and has the ability to protect me."

He paused, his gaze falling on her tense face. "But I really can't leave."

"Why is that!"

Tantai Chigu's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, and his eyes were filled with turbulent emotions.

"I've searched for the Dao Master for so long, turning over so many places, just wanting to be with him alone. Can't even this small wish be granted?"

As she spoke, her aura became increasingly unstable, and the air seemed to be covered with a layer of cold frost.

Seeing this, Shen Shuchou remained calm, and said in a deep voice, "Since you still acknowledge me as your Dao Master, are you not going to listen to me?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water being poured over someone's head.

The surging aura around Tantai Chigu instantly dissipated, and his sharp eyes dimmed. Like a child who had done something wrong, he whispered, "It's not like that... I just..."

She just missed him too much and was too afraid of losing him again.

During those long years of searching, what sustained her was the thought of the Dao Master.

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Shen Shuchou's heart softened slightly. He reached out and took her slightly cool hand in his: "I know you've been wronged, and I know you've had a hard time finding me. But right now, I really can't go with you."

He paused, his tone softening slightly: "After we've finished dealing with things here, I'll go with you to wherever you want to go, okay? Just the two of us, for a while."

Tantai Chigu stared at him blankly, remaining silent for a long time before gently nodding: "Alright... I will listen to the Dao Master."

Seeing that she relented, Shen Shuchou's lips curled into a smile again, and he ruffled her hair: "I knew it, my little Chi Gu is the most obedient. The Dao Master has to go away for a few days, you stay here and help me guard the house, okay?"

"don't want!"

Without a second thought, Tantai Chigu refused, looking up into Shen Shuchou's eyes, "I'll go with the Dao Master, I can protect you."

Shen Shuchou had anticipated her reaction and had already prepared his explanation. He said gently, "This is my home, and naturally it is also Xiaochigu's home. During the few days I was away, I entrusted the home to you. It is precisely because you are my Xiaochigu that I feel at ease entrusting it to you."

A subtle sweetness suddenly welled up in Tantai Chigu's heart, like the filling hidden in the bread, quietly melting away at this moment.

But the desire to stay by his side remained strong, and she pursed her lips, wanting to try again.

Seeing this, Shen Shuchou could only add, "Don't worry, no one in this world can hurt me."

He reached out and ruffled her hair, the gesture natural and affectionate. "Alright, there's still some bread on the table. Xiao Chi Gu, finish it all. Don't waste any."

After saying that, he didn't give her a chance to refute him. He stood up decisively, turned around and walked into the bedroom next door, where he gently closed the door.

The bedroom was dimly lit. Fifth Shu Shuang sat leaning against the headboard, her face still as pale as paper.

A faint smile played on her lips, her voice weak yet teasing: "My husband is coaxing a child again."

Having spent these days together, she had already seen through the personalities of Shen Shuchou and the others.

Shen Shuchou walked to the bedside, leaned down, and asked with concern, "Are you feeling any better today?"

Fifth Shu Shuang nodded gently, her voice still weak: "Much better."

"Then...did you sense Qinghan's location?"

Shen Shuchou changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious.

Fifth Book closed his eyes, concentrated for a moment, and then slowly said, "I can sense her presence, it's very faint, but I can determine the general direction."

"Where?"

Shen Shuchou pressed for more information.

The fifth book reported a series of vague directions, with some distinctive regional features.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuchou immediately took out his phone, opened the map, and compared and searched based on her description. He quickly found a city that matched her description perfectly on the screen.

"Yandu"

He gazed at the name of the city in the southwest on the map, muttered to himself, and frowned slightly.

That city was on par with Kyoto, with deeply entrenched power structures, making it far more complex than Sushi.

"Are you going to see her, my lord?"

Fifth Shu Shuang looked at his expression and asked softly.

Shen Shuchou put away his phone, his gaze calm: "No matter what state she is in now, no matter who is with her, I cannot ignore it."

After all, she is Wu Shushuang's younger sister, and someone he has a connection with.

Even though Fifth Qinghan was stubborn and his spirit was fragile at the moment, he couldn't just leave it unattended.

"It's my fault for not keeping a close eye on Qinghan; she always causes trouble for my husband."

Fifth Book lowered his eyes, his tone tinged with self-reproach.

Shen Shuchou quickly reassured him, "This has nothing to do with you. Just focus on recovering. I will definitely bring Qinghan back."

"Then, sir, you must be careful of that unfamiliar force surrounding Qinghan on your journey."

Fifth Shu Shuang looked up at him, her eyes filled with deep worry. "I always felt that that power was not simple."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Shen Shuchou patted her hand.

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the room.

At the dining table in the living room, Tantai Chigu was still looking down, taking small bites of the sandwich in his hand.

It had a sweet and soft taste, but it felt like chewing on something tasteless. My eyes kept glancing towards the door, showing obvious reluctance.

Shen Shuchou went over and gave her a few more instructions, telling her to take good care of the house and Fifth Shushuang.

Tantai Chigu simply nodded silently until Shen Shuchou's figure disappeared outside the door.

She looked up and stared at the empty doorway, unable to take another bite of the bread in her hand.

At that moment, by the window on the second floor, Luo Shisan stood, his gaze following Shen Shuchou's departing figure, a barely perceptible restlessness flashing in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, I heard light footsteps behind me.

Luo Shisan smiled knowingly, and without turning around, said calmly, "It seems you already have your answer."

Pei Rou appeared behind her, her small face still wary, but less impulsive than before. She stared at Luo Shisan coldly and said, "How do you want to cooperate?"

After leaving his residence, Shen Shuchou quickly tapped his phone screen and booked a flight to Yandu, with a departure time of two hours.

Meanwhile, in Kyoto, a thousand miles away, news arrived almost simultaneously from two completely different residences.

Shen Shuche stood in front of the French windows in the study, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

"Yandu?" he repeated the two words in a low voice, his brows furrowed.

He was truly puzzled as to why Shen Shuchou would choose to go to Yandu at this juncture. What concerned him even more was that Shen Luoning was still in Yandu and had not yet returned.

"Does he know something?"

There was a hint of uncertainty in Shen Shuche's voice.

He dialed the number again, his tone as cold as ever: "Whatever his purpose in going to Yandu, send people immediately to subdue him before he gains a foothold."

"rest assured."

The young man on the other end of the phone spoke with a hint of nonchalant confidence, "No matter who's behind him, leave this to us, the Underworld Ghosts, and we'll get it done."

"Don't take his life yet."

Shen Shuche was silent for a few seconds, then added another sentence.

Even though he had long since discarded this family bond, at this moment, a strange thought arose in his heart.

He wanted to see Shen Shuchou, who was related to him by blood, in person.

Meanwhile, Shen Wanfu was packing her luggage when she received the message.

She barely hesitated before dialing Shen Jiaxuan's number. After a brief conversation, she quickly booked a flight to Yandu.