“Brother, why do you think that Lord Lu refuses to marry any of the Seven Fairies? I heard that he turned them all down.”
“Stop with that nonsense. That isn’t something for people like us to discuss. Look at Fugui; he hasn’t said a word.”
“True. He’s so calm and steady.”
Lu Yin literally had nothing to say in response.
A short time later, someone else arrived and called for Lu Yin and the Ling siblings to report to the city lord’s manor.
The three were surprised, but they did not hesitate to follow the messenger to the city lord’s manor.
Upon arrival, the first thing that they saw was Yu Xiang'er’s carriage and Yu Sheng standing beside it.
“Greetings, City Lord Yu.” The three bowed.
Yu Sheng nodded as he observed the three. “You’re the mercenaries who helped to protect the south gate, right? I noticed you all. Your teamwork isn’t bad. I have a job for you—you can consider it a commission. Complete it, and you’ll be rewarded with a chance to join the city lord’s treasure-hunting team.”
Ling Guang exchanged glances with Lu Yin, after which they both looked at Yu Sheng. “May we ask, City Lord, what the task is?”
Yu Sheng replied, “Follow this carriage. Wherever it goes, you go. Protect the person in the carriage. I believe that you already know who is inside.”
Ling Guang respectfully answered, “We do know, but given our low cultivation, we may prove powerless.”
Yu Sheng smiled. “Most of the insects have already been cleared from the Blackmarsh. You’re just going for reassurance’s sake. Besides, you’re not going to be Xianger’s real protectors. At worst, you’ll be clearing away some minor nuisances. It’s very simple.”
Ling Guang let out a sigh of relief. “In that case, thank you for your favor, City Lord.”
Lu Yin also bowed. “Thank you, City Lord.”
Yu Sheng gave a slight grunt in reply.
When they left the manor, it was no longer just Lu Yin and the two siblings. They were now part of a group of more than ten that followed Yu Xiang'er’s carriage out of the city.
Ling Shu asked doubtfully, “Why is Yu Xiang'er going outside the city?”
Ling Guang chuckled in an idiotic manner. “I don’t know.”
Ling Shu rolled her eyes. “Brother, you’re just another guard. Don’t overthink things.”
Ling Guang pointed into the distance, and when Ling Shu looked at where he was indicating, she was left speechless. There was a group of cultivators crouching along the city wall, enviously eyeing the carriage and its escorts, and their chatter drifted over to the ears of the guards.
“Those Ling siblings are so lucky! They get to protect one of the Seven Fairies up close. If only I could join them!”
“I clearly fought with more courage than that Ling Guang, but they didn’t include me.”
“You’re ugly.”
“Get lost!”
“Even Fugui is over there.”
“It’s too bad that he’s just a blockhead. It’d be much better if I were in his place. What a waste...”
Ling Shu shook her head. After glancing at Lu Yin, she immediately felt better. Fugui really did have a wooden head. His expression had not changed at all.
Ling Guang was practically drooling. He was so close to the carriage that he could smell a hint of fragrance.
In addition to the Ling siblings and Lu Yin, there were several other Spirit Warriors and even some Spirit Ancestors among the escorts. There was no doubt that there were even more experts following them in secret, but Lu Yin did not search for them. After all, deep underground, there was something connected to either Silent Death or the Netherfiends. Even the slightest slip-up could lead to complete failure.
Still, his instincts told him that there were hidden experts following them. Their subtle gazes occasionally brushed over him.
The convoy soon left Blackmarsh City and entered the swamp.
It was then that Lu Yin and the others understood why Yu Xiang'er had left the city.
Her excuse for leaving Dayi City was that she wanted to dig for treasure in the Blackmarsh, and that meant that she actually did have to hunt for treasure. Even if it was just an excuse, she still needed to put on a show. During the following few days, there were plenty of insect attacks, but Yu Xiang'er’s escorts were able to handle all of them easily, and there was little danger.
The larger surprise was Yu Xiang'er’s personality.
She revealed herself as a lazy woman who did not care about anything. When asked which direction to go, she simply answered, “Whatever.”
When asked if she wanted to dig for treasure nearby: “Whatever.”
When asked how she wanted the insects dealt with: “Whatever.”
No matter what she was asked, her answer was always “whatever.” It was as if she had no interest in anything at all.
In private, Ling Shu claimed that Yu Xiang'er was not a suitable woman to take home as a sister-in-law. Lu Yin could not help but throw a few glances over, as that would only matter if Ling Guang was actually able to marry the woman.
Lu Yin understood that Yu Xiang'er’s flawed personality was from Qi Xu, as one of the Immortal’s seven emotions had attached itself to the woman. It was no wonder why, when Qiunan Hongye had asked Yu Xiang'er to assign Lu Yin the task of not making trouble for the Sixth Night Pillar, Yu Xiang'er had readily agreed. The woman truly did not care about anything at all, and she also did not bother with anything. She lived by simply drifting along with the current.
Some people lived by their strength, while others lived purely by luck. Yu Xiang'er was of the latter.
If Qi Xu’s emotion had not attached itself to her, it was possible that Yu Xiang'er would have turned out differently.
But surprisingly, she had managed to become one of the Seven Fairies. It was impossible for her to have succeeded by her own initiative. It must have been because Greater Sancte Green Lotus had arranged for Yu Xiang'er to become one. Without that, then given her personality, it would have been practically impossible for her to carry a karmic bud all the way to the Sea of Karma.
“This is from the young lady, to thank you all for your support during this journey.” Yu Xiang'er’s maid presented some cultivated spirit seeds to the escort members. They had the cultivation level of a Semi-Progenitor, which made them quite the impressive gift, especially since more than a dozen were being given out at once. It was quite generous.
For Ling Guang, the spirit seeds did not matter much, given that he already had that level of cultivation.
However, for someone like Ling Shu, who still only had the strength of an Envoy, it was an unexpected windfall. The spirit seed could allow her to immediately reach the Semi-Progenitor level if she so desired.
Even for peak powerhouses, cultivated spirit seeds were valuable treasures. Not every cultivator could obtain a cultivated spirit seed. Normally, even a peak powerhouse would struggle to find a spirit seed with cultivation equal to a Semi-Progenitor, let alone one equal to their own cultivation.
A single Semi-Progenitor-level spirit seed could be sold for an astronomical price.
“Many thanks, young lady.” Everyone was extremely grateful. Yu Xiang'er truly lived up to her position as the daughter of Dayi City’s lord and one of the Seven Fairies. She was unquestionably generous.