Chapter 1908: Visiting the Door

## The Human World

Qin Sang and Xiao Wu entered the shop. Zhuque flew to Qin Sang's shoulder and followed them in. Seeing Zhuque, the attendant hesitated but didn't stop them. He signaled a maid to keep a close eye on them. Unlike the eye-catching spirit horse, Zhuque was tolerated as long as it didn't disturb other guests.

Qin Sang and Xiao Wu settled at a window-side table in the main hall.

“Snow Jade Nectar is our signature drink, a refined ambrosia brewed from the Nine-Colored Lotus growing in the Cold Fire Pool. Everyone in Four Flames Town knows about it. The Cold Fire Pool is a rare frigid pool in the Fire Domain, perpetually covered in ice and snow, surrounded by a sea of lava, yet the ice and snow never melt. Not only is the scenery unique, but the extreme cold and heat have also created unique creatures within the pool, forming distinctive flavors. You absolutely must try it…”

“This Fish-Dragon Spitting Pearls dish uses Silver Dragonfish raised in the Cold Fire Pool, and the pearls are sculpted from the rare spirit beast Youli Bird’s top pearls…”

The maid introduced each dish one by one. Qin Sang listened with great interest, while Zhuque was already smacking its lips. Xiao Wu also cocked her ear, looking serious, though some parts she didn't quite understand. Qin Sang then asked the maid to explain in more detail.

Only when the maid was parched from speaking did Qin Sang wave his hand to interrupt her. “Three-hundred-year-old Silver Dragonfish and such, let’s skip those, they’re too expensive. Young lady, your descriptions are truly eloquent; it sounds like even the next-tier dishes are rare delicacies that make one’s mouth water. Let’s have one of each, and three pots of Snow Jade Nectar as well.”

“Please wait, honored guest.”

The maid’s smile didn’t falter as she bowed and withdrew. Soon, a waiter brought the Snow Jade Nectar, and the dishes were served one after another.

The pure jade pot contained ambrosia, faintly green, like a clear sky. Even through the jade pot, one could feel the abundant spiritual energy; it seemed the maid hadn't exaggerated. Qin Sang poured a cup.

The Snow Jade Nectar was sweet and smooth upon tasting, followed by a refreshing coolness that traveled down the throat and into the stomach, finally bursting like a ball of fierce fire in the belly. Yet, its power was extremely gentle, tolerable even for Qi Refinement stage cultivators, providing excellent nourishment.

“Excellent!” Qin Sang nodded approvingly and poured a small cup for Xiao Wu, saying, “Xiao Wu, you try it too.”

As for Zhuque, Qin Sang didn't need to bother; it simply pulled out the jade pot's stopper and gulped down an entire pot from the spout.

Xiao Wu sipped the Snow Jade Nectar in small mouthfuls, her expression unchanged, as if it were no different from ordinary water. Qin Sang then picked some dishes for Xiao Wu, specially chosen for their varied flavors.

“Food has five flavors – pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty – and so does life. It might be difficult for you to experience the hardships of the human world right now, so you can start by carefully tasting these flavors…”

Xiao Wu imitated Qin Sang, picked up her chopsticks, and grasped a snow-white petal. She chewed it gently, her brow furrowing slightly. This was Moon Bloom Flower, bitter in taste, medicinal, and had a unique flavor when prepared as a dish. After tasting the Snow Jade Nectar and then the Moon Bloom Flower, Xiao Wu clearly noticed the difference. Zhuque gloated, laughing so hard on Qin Sang’s shoulder it nearly tumbled off. Qin Sang also smiled.

Xiao Wu tasted one item after another, her expressions gradually becoming more varied, though still subtle.

“Which one do you like best?” Qin Sang asked.

Xiao Wu thought for a moment, then pointed her small finger at the Snow Jade Nectar and two plates of pastries.

“All sweets, as expected of a child’s nature,” Qin Sang said, shaking his head with a smile, then urged Xiao Wu to feast. Any later, and Zhuque would have eaten everything.

In a private room on the third floor. All the dancers had been dismissed. On one side, amidst clinking cups and boisterous shouts, the men were carousing. On the other side, the cunning man and the brawny man called Second Brother quietly sipped clear tea.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open from outside, and a person slipped in, approaching the two men. He whispered a few words, finally saying disdainfully, “I’ve found out everything. They can’t even afford Silver Dragonfish; they’re not tough opponents.”

“To afford two spirit beasts, they must have some wealth,” the cunning man mused.

“That green horse is really something,” the person chuckled.

“Let’s do it!” Second Brother slapped the table. “Old Seven, this mission is important; we’ll act outside the city. I’ll give you five brothers. Be quick and don’t cause any trouble, so Mr. Yin isn’t inconvenienced.”

“Understood!”

After enjoying the food and browsing the market, Qin Sang played his part fully. He went to some shops to buy necessities for entering the Fire Domain, then slowly walked towards the north city gate, leading his horse.

Outside the city, Qin Sang conjured a spiritual wind, sweeping up himself and his horse, and soared into the sky. The landscape gradually became desolate, and a faint red glow appeared on the northern horizon. As he flew over an uninhabited barren hill, Qin Sang felt something. He abruptly dispelled the spiritual wind and landed on top of the hill. Luohou also played its part well, restlessly tapping its hooves on the ground. Only Zhuque could barely contain its excitement, but fortunately, no one would specifically notice the unremarkable fire raven.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Just as Qin Sang landed, the surrounding sand burst open, revealing six figures, all clad in black robes and masks, encircling them.

“Oh, this Daoist’s spiritual sense is remarkably keen,” one of them said in surprise. Even through his mask, Qin Sang recognized him as the cunning man who had discussed them on the third floor of the Immortal Gathering Tower.

“This humble Daoist is new here and heading to the Fire Domain to gather herbs. I haven’t made any enemies. Friends, what is your intention in blocking my path? If I’ve accidentally trespassed on sacred ground, I apologize to you all and will leave at once.” Qin Sang cupped his hands in greeting.

“Hahaha…” The men burst into laughter. They had already set up a formation around the area, emboldening them.

“Daoist, you look like an experienced traveler. Do you really not understand the rules? Hand over all your mustard bags. Be honest; we brothers only want wealth, not lives,” the cunning man said with a jovial tone. Qin Sang’s demeanor, however, inexplicably made the cunning man uneasy. Qin Sang replied calmly, “Only wealth, not lives? If you can always adhere to that principle, then it’s not entirely out of the question to negotiate.”

“Seventh Brother.” One person nearby, who had been staring at Xiao Wu since appearing, suddenly interjected, “Remember how Granny Hong wanted us to find spirit infants for her? Big Brother sent so many before, but few met the requirements, and we still need two more. I think this little girl is remarkably spirited, and even though she’s blind, Granny Hong might take a liking to her.” He then cackled twice, adding, “Daoist, if your daughter gets chosen by Granny Hong, you’ll be rich! Don’t forget us brothers then!”

“Is Granny Hong some powerful cultivator? And what are these spirit infants for?” Qin Sang turned to look at the man, seemingly genuinely interested, a flicker of light in his eyes.

“You haven’t even heard of Granny Hong? You truly must be from somewhere else. Granny Hong is a Nascent Soul Grandmaster, an elder of the Palace of Mourning Snow. She cultivates the renowned ‘Seven Blood Infant Transformation Art’…” The man grew excited and revealed all the details of the Palace of Mourning Snow and Granny Hong.

“Tenth Brother!” The cunning man roared, trying to interrupt him. But the man paid no heed, speaking volubly.

*Smack!* A whip-like shadow lashed hard at the man. The black robe, a magic garment, split open instantly. The man was whipped far away, tumbling like a gourd, and still didn’t shut up even while sprawled on the ground.

“If your daughter becomes Granny Hong’s spirit infant, she’ll be Granny Hong’s most intimate person. Even if Granny Hong later gives her to another powerful cultivator to be a concubine, you’ll at least become a father-in-law, hehe…” The man seemed bewitched, rambling on incessantly.

His companion’s familiar laughter, now reaching the cunning man and others, sounded like a life-claiming ghost, and everyone felt a chill seep into their bones. At this moment, if they still didn’t realize their prey was problematic, they would have wasted all their years of adventuring.

*Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!* Everyone retreated swiftly. The cunning man cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, “We were blind and failed to recognize a master. Let’s consider today’s incident a misunderstanding…”

Qin Sang ignored him, secretly noting down the Palace of Mourning Snow and Granny Hong. He murmured, “Seven Blood Infant Transformation Art… it sounds like a cultivation method for refining cauldrons or servants, not a righteous path…” He glanced at Xiao Wu, whose expression was completely placid. Xiao Wu didn’t understand what it would mean if she were just an ordinary girl, caught and turned into a spirit infant.

“It seems I’m still standing too ‘high,’ I need to continue heading south…” Qin Sang even considered sending Xiao Wu to a mortal school to live a lifetime as a commoner. Before leaving, he would first settle the karma here.

Seeing Qin Sang’s unconcerned demeanor, the unease in the men’s hearts grew stronger. Another person shouted loudly, “Daoist, release Tenth Brother at once! If you dare harm us, you won’t leave the vicinity of Four Flames Town! No matter how high your cultivation, how many people can you fight? Aren’t you afraid of accidentally harming your daughter during a fight?!”

“Oh?” Qin Sang turned his gaze. “You have backers in Four Flames Town?”

“The Yin and Gou families of Four Flames Town have an excellent relationship with our Big Brother. They have countless masters and can easily mobilize half the forces within Four Flames Town to surround and kill you. It would be effortless…”

The same scene replayed before the cunning man’s eyes: his previously belligerent brother seemed bewitched. And he still hadn’t detected any movement from Qin Sang and couldn’t figure out how he was doing it. Unease turned into terror. The cunning man secretly activated his movement technique, about to flee, but then he saw Qin Sang’s eyes and heard a question: “What is your identity? Where are your accomplices?”

He stood frozen on the spot, all his thoughts vanishing, leaving only an irresistible urge to answer. “We brothers are the Thirteen Eagles of the Northern Desert. This time, we took two commissions. Passing through Four Flames Town, Big Brother is leading men west to kill Old Man Hongxi of Scarlet Wave Mountain. Second Brother is leading men east to deliver several boxes to the Zou family of Nest City. They are sealed with yellow talismans, and Big Brother forbade anyone to open them, so we don’t know what’s inside…”

“So, you are the famous Thirteen Eagles of the Northern Desert. I’ve long heard of your reputation.” Qin Sang nodded. The world was restless, and desert bandits were rampant. The Thirteen Eagles of the Northern Desert were considered one of the most infamous groups; even after taking commissions, they didn't forget their old ways midway.

“Watch them well. I’ll go capture the others.” Qin Sang said to Xiao Wu and Luohou. Zhuque, who had been perched on Qin Sang’s shoulder, felt there were too many rules around Qin Sang, so it seized the opportunity to sneak onto Luohou.

Qin Sang moved. Suddenly, he heard a *bang* behind him. He looked back to see that all the sand bandits had vanished into thin air. In the void, five-colored light flashed and disappeared, originating from Xiao Wu’s tender finger. Zhuque darted *whoosh*, using all its might to flee behind Qin Sang, its face filled with terror. “Scared the bird to death! Scared the bird to death!”

“Master…” Luohou wanted to speak but hesitated, its four hooves trembling, looking at Qin Sang with pleading eyes.

Xiao Wu, who had just casually annihilated several people, kept her eyes closed, her expression completely placid, still as innocent and pure as ever.

“Why did you kill them?” Qin Sang asked softly.

Xiao Wu replied seriously, “They wanted to run.”

Qin Sang had told her to watch the sand bandits, and they had tried to escape, so she killed them. Zhuque couldn’t help but shiver. It dared to be arrogant in front of Qin Sang because it was certain Qin Sang wouldn't do anything to it. But what if Xiao Wu misunderstood one day…? The consequences were unimaginable!

Qin Sang ruffled Xiao Wu’s hair. “From now on, unless I tell you to act, you are only allowed to use the Five Elements Divine Light, okay?”

“Mm!” Xiao Wu nodded obediently.

“A long and arduous journey lies ahead!” Qin Sang sighed inwardly, then thought of another problem: “Claiming to act heroically and righteously means one cannot abuse power for personal ends. If Xiao Wu kills someone whose crime doesn’t warrant death, should I then seek justice for them? There is no absolute fairness in the world; different perspectives can reverse good and evil. Even Emperor Ziwei couldn’t distinguish absolute good from evil. Moreover, with the world so chaotic, can one really kill everyone who deserves it? There must be some crucial point I haven’t grasped yet…”

East of Four Flames Town. A group of people were flying swiftly on giant grey-winged eagles when a gust of astral wind suddenly blew, easily shattering the eagles’ protective demonic aura. Everyone attacked in vain, feeling dizzy and disoriented, then crashed heavily to the ground, only to find the brothers taken by their Big Brother were right beside them.

“I once massacred a man’s entire clan, including hundreds of innocent people, because of a grudge against him…”

“I can’t recall how many people I’ve robbed and killed; men I beheaded, women I drained of their vital yin…”

“I don’t drain their vital yin; I keep them to enjoy slowly, then replace them when I get bored, hehe…”

Amidst the wind and sand. The sand bandits, caught in a trance, recounted their gruesome experiences. As they spoke, their heads separated from their bodies, staining the yellow sand with blood. In the end, two of them were actually not guilty of death, which surprised Qin Sang somewhat.

Inside the city. The Yin Family.

The reception hall was brightly lit. An old man with white hair sat in the main seat. Beside him sat a plump man with a gentle demeanor, holding a folding fan. The two were discussing something.

Suddenly, the hall door was pushed open from outside, and two figures, one tall and one short, appeared in the doorway. The old man’s expression changed slightly, his eyes suddenly turning sharp as a hawk’s. “Who dares to be so presumptuous! Guards, seize them!” He had thought it was some unruly family member, but upon closer inspection, they were strangers.

Outside the door, it was silent; there was no response. Only then did the old man remember that he had sealed the hall with a formation to discuss important matters with Master Gu, yet someone had silently breached it.

*Hiss…* A chill ran down the old man’s spine. He slammed the table, attempting to rise, but was firmly pressed down by a terrifying force.

“You must be the head of the Yin family, right?… And who are you?” Qin Sang led Xiao Wu into the hall.

The plump man tightened his grip on the folding fan, forcing himself to remain calm. “I am the head of the Gu family. May I ask your name, Daoist friend?”

“The Gu family, the nominal masters of Four Flames Town,” Qin Sang understood. “Is the Gu family also involved with the sand bandits?”

At this point, the old man regained his composure and said in a deep voice, “As the saying goes, grievances are easily resolved, but not easily formed. I don’t know where the Yin family has offended you, Daoist friend, but I, Yin, am willing to apologize. My revered teacher is Elder Yu Daozi of Tianliang Mountain, and perhaps he has some acquaintance with you, Daoist friend.”