Chapter 1761: The Cost

“Oh?” This time, it was Yun Jianyue and Xie Daoyun’s turn to be surprised. “You’re Manor Master Wang’s son?”

“That’s right, I’m the second son,” Wang Neishi replied, fanning himself lightly with an open fan, exuding an air of elegance.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you both,” the two women said, marveling at the coincidence.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wang Neishi returned to their earlier conversation. “What exactly brings you two ladies to seek my father?” he asked. “Perhaps you could tell me? Though I’m not as capable as him, I have picked up a few of his skills and might be able to assist you.”

Xie Daoyun replied, “We’re trying to find our lost companions.”

“Oh, and what are your companions’ names? What do they look like?” Wang Neishi asked with a smile.

Xie Daoyun then gave a general description of Zuan and their other companions.

Wang Neishi’s pupils subtly constricted. He feigned casualness as he remarked, “You and that Zuan must be very close for you to go to such lengths to find him.”

Before Xie Daoyun could answer, Yun Jianyue quickly interjected, “Zuan is her sworn elder brother, and Qiu Honglei is her sister-in-law. They’ve been separated, so naturally, she wants to find them as quickly as possible.”

Xie Daoyun paused, her initial thought being that Yun Jianyue was intentionally clarifying her relationship with Zuan in front of her, perhaps to help her disciple.

However, she quickly reconsidered. Through their recent interactions, she knew Yun Jianyue wasn’t petty, so there had to be a reason for her words.

Noticing Wang Neishi’s expression, she quickly understood. Surrounded by so many beautiful wives and concubines, he was clearly a womanizer. His eagerness to help seemed to stem from their beauty. If he knew they were searching for their own men, why would he bother?

He might even intentionally withhold any information about Zuan if he found it.

“Yes, my sworn brother and sister-in-law have always treated me wonderfully,” Xie Daoyun said, unable to hold back a few tears. “Now that their fate is unknown, I can barely eat or sleep.”

Yun Jianyue couldn’t help but cast another glance at Xie Daoyun, marveling at how this usually quiet and demure woman could act so convincingly.

Sure enough, upon hearing her words, Wang Neishi’s furrowed brow smoothed out, and he reassured her, “Miss Xie, there’s no need to worry. Good fortune always follows good people.”

Xie Daoyun immediately looked up, her large, glistening eyes fixed on him. “Can you help me find them, Young Master?”

“Well…” Wang Neishi chuckled awkwardly. Finding a few individuals in such a vast world was no easy feat. It would be different if they were famous, but he had never even heard of the people she described.

“Don’t worry, young lady, I’ll send people to make inquiries for you.”

“Oh, well, thank you, Young Master…” Xie Daoyun sounded a little dispirited.

Seeing the beautiful woman’s dejected expression, Wang Neishi knew his previous answer was inadequate. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Tell you what, why don’t you come back to Wang Family Manor with me? My father possesses a special talisman capable of locating people and objects. I’ll plead with him to help then.”

“Really? Oh, thank you, Young Master!” Xie Daoyun instantly became excited, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

A slight smile played on Yun Jianyue’s lips. *This young woman is really putting on an act.*

The atmosphere lightened considerably, and the group soon fell into conversation. Yun Jianyue and Xie Daoyun subtly sought information about Wang Family Manor, while Wang Neishi likewise probed into the two women’s backgrounds.

Time passed unnoticed, and soon a servant approached to report, “Second Young Master, we’ve arrived home.”

Wang Neishi nodded, then addressed the two women: “Please rest here for the night at my humble home. Tomorrow, as soon as it’s light, I’ll introduce you to my father.”

He prided himself on his suave demeanor and wouldn’t be so crude as to offend the beautiful women immediately.

“Thank you, Young Master,” Xie and Yun replied, nodding slightly.

Soon, maids arrived to escort the two women to their guest rooms. Along the way, they subtly observed their surroundings. Wang Family Manor was built nestled by mountains and alongside water, with several rivers flowing through it. Boats of varying sizes were moored everywhere, clearly indicating that water transport was the primary mode of travel here, which explained why it was named a ‘Manor’ or ‘Dock’.

In contrast, flying boats like Wang Neishi’s were a rare sight, suggesting that such vessels were quite precious and uncommon even within the Wang Family Manor.

Despite the night, the magnificent scale of Wang Family Manor’s architecture was evident. It resembled a grand city more than a mere family compound.

Noticing the two women’s astonished gazes, the maid swelled with pride. “Ladies,” she declared, “even if you search the whole world, I doubt you’d find many places that can compare to our Wang family’s abode.”

Yun Jianyue felt a hint of disdain in the maid’s eyes and was slightly displeased.

Xie Daoyun gently tugged her hand, then looked at the maid with a warm smile. “Sister,” she began, “from what we’ve seen on our journey, there are ruins and deserted villages everywhere. Even the occasional towns are quite dilapidated, because evil spirits are rampant. Your home here feels so different; surely no evil spirits dare to cause trouble here?”

“Those evil spirits wouldn’t dare!” the maid’s voice suddenly rose a few pitches. “Our master is the most senior elder of the Divine Firmament Sect – you know, the sect most skilled in exorcising spirits. How senseless would those spirits have to be to come here and court death?”

“What’s more, the Wang family is overflowing with talent. Almost every influential power in the world has a member of our family serving in an official capacity, and those who remain in the Manor are masters beyond compare. Whether human or spirit, none dare to cross us.”

Xie Daoyun and Yun Jianyue exchanged glances, realizing the Wang family was even more formidable than rumored.

But the more powerful they were, the greater the chance of finding Zuan and their companions.

At this point, perhaps flattered by being called “sister,” the maid added, “Oh, and a word of warning: our Manor Master isn’t as accommodating as the Second Young Master. He definitely won’t agree to help you.”

“Why not?” Yun Jianyue asked, surprised by the maid’s overly definitive tone.

“Because our Manor Master has to pay a significant price to activate that talisman. He certainly wouldn’t use it lightly. It’s just that the Second Young Master was… *ahem*, it’s just that the Second Young Master admires you ladies and momentarily forgot about that detail,” the maid said, suppressing a smile.

Noticing the two women’s dismayed expressions, the maid added, “But don’t worry too much. After all, the Manor Master is an elder of the Divine Firmament Sect, whose disciples are spread across the land. Our Wang family members are also everywhere, from north to south. With the help of these intelligence networks, you should still be able to find assistance.”

Yun Jianyue and Xie Daoyun exchanged worried glances. This world was simply too treacherous; every passing day brought increased danger. Furthermore, the Wang family had no personal connection to them, so even if they sent people to search, they might not do so with full dedication.

At that moment, Yun Jianyue suddenly recalled the maid’s earlier words and asked, “Under what circumstances would your Manor Master use that talisman?”

“Aside from when the Manor Master himself uses it,” the maid replied, “it seems he’s only activated it for others about three times in the last century, and each time, the person had to pay a tremendous price to succeed.”

Yun Jianyue’s eyes lit up. “So, it’s something that can be negotiated for!”

“Yes, it can, but as the head of the family, our master has seen countless rare and exotic treasures. He wouldn’t be interested in anything ordinary.” The maid eyed the two women skeptically. They were indeed beautiful, but what could they possibly possess that would sway the master?

Yun Jianyue simply smiled, offering no explanation. As the leader of a demonic sect, she naturally had ample resources.

The two women kept the maid longer, probing for more information about the Wang family. At first, the maid remained cautious, but after Yun Jianyue produced a beautiful gemstone, her face brightened with smiles. She not only recounted details about the Wang family but also generally described the gifts the three successful petitioners before them had offered.

Early the next morning, Wang Neishi eagerly came to invite the two women to breakfast. During the meal, he announced that his father had agreed to send people to search for Zuan and their companions, and that the two women could stay there comfortably while awaiting news.

Thanks to the information gleaned from the maid last night, the two women knew perfectly well that his father had refused to activate the talisman. Sending people to search was merely a pleasant pretense; ultimately, his goal was to keep them there.

Xie Daoyun, who had already discussed this with Yun Jianyue the previous night, smiled and said, “Thank you, Young Master Wang! We’ve come a long way and have a gift for your esteemed father. We were hoping you could arrange an introduction.”

“A gift?” Wang Neishi’s brow furrowed slightly. Then, recalling how they had mentioned yesterday that they were specifically looking for his father, he figured they must have heard rumors about the talisman. He then said, somewhat awkwardly, “My father has been in secluded cultivation for many years. A long time ago, countless people came seeking his help, and he grew utterly vexed by it. So, he decreed that anyone who disturbed him without providing satisfaction would have their soul taken as compensation. That’s why the endless stream of visitors only slightly improved.”

“I should warn you,” he added, “only three people have ever succeeded in all these years.”

Yesterday, captivated by the women’s beauty, he had rashly made a grand promise. He had assumed that as his father’s favored son, getting this favor would be easy. Who knew his father would show no leniency and strictly adhere to the old rules?

Xie Daoyun’s heart clenched. She had never imagined that meeting the Wang Manor Master would be so perilous.

Yun Jianyue remained composed. “Second Young Master, please don’t worry,” she said. “Our gift will certainly satisfy your esteemed father.”

Wang Neishi recalled the scene of them battling ghosts that covered the mountains yesterday. They were indeed no ordinary women, and perhaps they truly possessed a gift that would impress his father.

Still, the matter was truly too dangerous. What if they actually angered his father…?

At that moment, Xie Daoyun said piteously, “Besides, won’t you be there, Second Young Master? If anything truly goes awry, you’ll surely protect us, won’t you?”

Seeing her delicate, pitiable expression, and sensing an implicit admiration in her eyes, a surge of heroic pride swelled within Wang Neishi. “Of course!” he declared.

It was true that the cost for his father to use that talisman was substantial, and it would be perfectly normal for him to refuse to help the two women, even if he pleaded on their behalf.

But given his father’s affection for him, protecting these two women should still be manageable. At worst, he could just declare his affection for them; surely the old man wouldn’t harm his future daughters-in-law.

He even found himself somewhat hoping that the two women’s gifts wouldn’t satisfy his father, giving him a chance to be their heroic savior.