Fairy, please have some self-respect. I am not the reincarnation of your deceased husband.

Chen Lianshu did not go directly to the rendezvous point, but instead walked slowly along the outskirts of Qinghe Town.

After each step, he would place talismans and carefully activate them with spiritual power, setting them as nodes in the array.

The town is small, so setting up a protective array wouldn't take much effort at all.

He deliberately slowed down his movements, seemingly taking a detour to check blind spots, but in reality, he was quietly stalling for time.

Moreover, he was extremely focused and composed, repeatedly checking each step, and even if there were occasional mistakes, he would correct them in time.

There was absolutely no sign of anything amiss; it was as if they were truly focused on carrying out their mission.

Before the magic array was even fully set up, the sky had already turned dusky.

Along the way, Chen Lianshu attracted a lot of attention.

It wasn't just because the town mayor had previously informed them that a celestial being would come to exorcise the demon.

It was also because of his refined and elegant temperament, which was so different from that of ordinary people.

Along the way, many young women secretly cast their glances at him, lingering on his handsome face.

Mu Qianxue saw this scene and, though she felt a pang of jealousy, she did not show it.

Unlike Chen Lianshu's upright and honorable conduct.

She hid among the crowd, using a spell to conceal her presence.

In addition, they deliberately avoid people.

Not to mention ordinary people, even Chen Lianshu, who was also a cultivator, did not notice its existence.

However… there was one thing that bothered her quite a bit.

During this time, Chen Lianshu walked into a pastry shop.

A short while later, the other person came out carrying a bag of pastries, muttering to himself:

"Judging from Senior Sister Mu's appearance, she probably doesn't like sweets..."

"However, the journey has been tiring, so having something to eat is a comfort."

The voice was very soft, but Mu Qianxue heard it clearly.

A sweet feeling welled up inside her, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

She thought that after yesterday's clumsy attempt, her image in her husband's heart was already utterly ruined.

But now it seems that the other party is still concerned about whether she is tired or whether the food suits her taste.

As future partners, even if getting closer isn't going smoothly, it's not as bad as I imagined.

Although I "don't really like" sweets, since my husband bought them...

I'll just have to "reluctantly" try some when the time comes.

"Tch~"

Thinking of this, Mu Qianxue chuckled, and her gaze towards her junior brother gradually softened.

Even the anxiety I felt yesterday because of his cold attitude seemed to be soothed a bit by this bag of pastries.

"?"

However… Chen Lianshu’s next move seemed a bit strange.

He went into different shops one after another, buying some trivial items.

These are things that are rarely seen in places of cultivation, but are extremely common among ordinary people.

This seems ordinary, since many cultivators do indeed prefer worldly things.

Ke Muxianxue knew perfectly well that, given her husband's nature, he was probably just trying to deceive others.

Until they walked into a herbal medicine shop.

Chen Lianshu began to look around.

The shopkeeper was an elderly man in his fifties.

The other person was busy fiddling with an abacus and only glanced up when they saw a visitor, without paying much attention.

"What would you like, sir?"

"Shopkeeper, how much is this ginseng?"

"Three taels of silver per bundle."

The shopkeeper didn't even look up, his abacus clicking away.

"Um…"

Chen Lianshu picked up one and looked at it, then shook his head and said:

"The condition is so-so, do you have anything better?"

"I do have a few century-old ginseng roots from the southern regions that I've treasured, but they're quite expensive. Would you like some, sir?"

Price is not an issue.

"Come with me."

The other party then entered the inner room.

The room was cramped and cluttered with miscellaneous items.

The moment the door closed, the shopkeeper's demeanor changed instantly.

His originally hunched posture was now straightened, his drooping eyebrows were raised, and his gaze was clear and sharp, showing no trace of an ordinary old man.

"signal."

"May the Holy Religion prosper forever, may the Religious Leader live a long life, and may the Holy Maiden shine eternally."

Chen Lianshu adopted a respectful posture and added a reverent sentence:

"loyalty!"

"Um."

Seeing this, the other party's gaze softened noticeably, and they seemed quite satisfied.

"Identity Stone"

Upon hearing this, he handed over a seemingly ordinary stone.

Looking at the patterns on it, the shopkeeper read aloud the information recorded on it.

"Outer disciple of the Jade Jade Sect..."

Upon seeing the name and code, his calm expression faltered, and he quickly began to scrutinize the young man before him.

"Are you Chen Lianshu?"

"Exactly."

A hint of surprise flashed in the shopkeeper's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Once the identity verification was complete, Chen Lianshu, as usual, handed over the simple information that was half true and half false.

Being on the outer gate, one's access to things is extremely limited.

To the Demonic Sect, these low-level spies are nothing more than "consumables" that incur some time costs.

The reports every three months were merely a means to test the spies' intentions, solidify the Demonic Sect's deterrent power, and verify whether any disciples had advanced in rank or gained access to deeper intelligence.

"Wait a minute."

But as soon as he reached out, he was stopped by a raised hand.

Chen Lianshu thought the old man was greedy and offered him some more silver, but the man remained unmoved.

Is it because you think it's not enough?

He added some more silver, but was still refused.

Unable to figure it out, I had no choice but to ask:

"What does Your Excellency mean...?"

"There's no need to address me as 'sir.' My surname is Wu; just call me Old Wu."

The shopkeeper returned the identity stone and explained:

"Kid, you're in luck."

"A very important person above has personally named you; from now on, you will be working directly under her."

"We will no longer be responsible for any communications related to you on this line."

"And your intelligence, your actions, your freedom are all determined by Him."

Old Wu spoke at a steady pace, as if he were not talking about life and death, but rather chatting casually:

"Your life and death—are the same."

Then, he took out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Chen Lianshu.

"This is the time and place for your meeting with your new superior."

"Remember, don't be late, and more importantly, don't displease that person."

Open the note and check.

The location isn't far, it's right in the middle of town, but...

"At three-quarters past Xu hour, in the dilapidated temple north of the town?"

He couldn't help but let out a soft doubt.

"This time...it just so happens to be tonight?"

"How did that sir know I had arrived today?"

But Old Wu simply shook his head:

"I don't know either."

"May I ask, Elder Wu, who is this new superior...?"

"Don't ask any more questions."

The other party interrupted him and gave him a warning:

"Just remember, that person is extraordinary and unpredictable."

"If she is satisfied, you will rise to great heights."

If she is displeased…

Old Wu didn't say anything more, but that was enough.

The young man in front of me was reminded that it was not because he was kind-hearted.

If he wasn't afraid that the boy would offend that person and implicate him, why would he go to all this trouble?

"This can be considered a piece of advice."

"Alright, now that you know, go ahead and don't delay my business."

Chen Lianshu put away the note, bowed, and left.

After leaving the pharmacy, he continued to stroll around and shop, but his thoughts became increasingly complicated.

New superior, important figure, personally appointed...

Everything about it seemed suspicious, every single thing hinted at risk, and every single thing reminded him that the other party must have ulterior motives.

It's a blessing in disguise, or a curse you can't escape.

In any case, we must meet him eventually.

With this in mind, Chen Lianshu continued to set up the formation.

They didn't return to the street where the inn was located until it was completely dark.

From a distance, Mu Qianxue seemed to have already formulated a plan through the window on the second floor of the inn.

She sat by the window, her hand supporting her chin, reading a book.

Based on Chen Lianshu's understanding, it was probably a sword manual.

Seeing this, he finally felt relieved and prepared to meet his new superior.

But for some reason, it seemed as if it had sensed something.

He paused, then suddenly turned around.

The streetlights were dim, and people were coming and going as usual, with nothing unusual about it.

With no other option, he suppressed his inexplicable unease and turned to head north of the town.

……

North of Qinghe Town.

The third quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM).

Chen Lianshu arrived on time.

The dilapidated temple courtyard was overgrown with weeds, clearly indicating that it had been abandoned for a long time.

Furthermore, it is very close to the polluted riverbank, so it is unlikely that anyone would come here.

Connecting here is indeed a good option.

He stepped into the courtyard, but instead of entering the temple, he stopped under a withered tree.

"call--"

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

Suddenly, a soft laugh came from very close behind him.

"Heh~"

Her voice was soft and melodious, with a hint of laughter, and very pleasant to the ear.

But her tone was sickeningly sweet, making people uncomfortable.

"!"

Chen Lianshu froze, realizing it was time to find out whether it was a blessing or a curse.

"Arriving so late..."

The voice drew even closer, almost whispering in his ear, its breath sweet and fragrant:

"But I've been waiting for so long~"

"have not seen you for a long time."

She pronounced the title slowly and deliberately:

"Little undercover agent"

Chen Lianshu slowly turned around.

What came into view was a petite figure dressed in a black robe.

The other person was wearing a hood, so their face was not visible.

The only way to tell that she is female is by her voice, and... she doesn't seem to be very old?

Before he could react, the other person greeted him first.

"From now on, I will be your superior."

Code name: Moon Lord.

The young girl gently raised her hand, her fingertips pinching the edge of the hood, and slowly lifted it open.

Her dark hair cascaded over her fragrant shoulders.

Beneath the hood was a delicate and youthful face.

She has a slender figure, snow-white skin, and a natural allure.

Especially those striking red eyes, gleaming faintly in the moonlight, appeared exceptionally eerie, like a venomous snake locking onto its prey, captivating the soul.

"how?"

She tilted her head slightly, looking at the stunned Chen Lianshu, her smile deepening.

Do you still recognize me?

Above their heads, a distinctive red heart slowly appeared.

Unlike Mu Qianxue's icy, serene beauty, this red heart, entwined with dark red thorns, is extremely dangerous.

Shen Yueli

[Affection Level: MAX (Bound by Life and Death)]