Where does that wicked woman get her conscience?

Chapter 108 News

After finishing his business at home, Tiehe was really worried, so he hurriedly rushed to the bamboo forest. He didn't want to rush in rashly, so he could only shout while keeping an eye on the green snake.

"What is it?" Guan Xun parted the bamboo leaves, and the cool dew on them wet the back of her hands.

“It’s too late, and I was a little worried you might get bitten by a snake, so I came to check on you.” Seeing that the other person was alright, Tiehe breathed a sigh of relief. “The room for you to rest is ready. I’ll take you there now.”

"By the way, I have to go out first thing tomorrow morning." He said as he walked, the heat from the torch he held high chased away much of the surrounding chill. "Aunt Li lives at the end of the alley. She comes over every morning to take care of Xuanxuan. If you want anything to eat, just ask her to make it or buy it for you. I've already paid you for this month's wages."

Upon hearing this, Guan Xun raised an eyebrow: "Still in that mercenary group? Going on a mission so soon?"

"Ah..." Tiehe shook his head awkwardly, "How could they possibly keep me after something like that happened? But whatever, I don't want to go on missions with people like that anyway."

"I'm going out tomorrow because of Xuanxuan's illness. Our ancestors have lived in this house for generations and we've never felt anything was wrong. But after hearing what you said earlier, I specifically asked Xuanxuan. She said that there is indeed a strange smell from time to time, and it makes her cough badly when she smells it. She didn't say anything so as not to make me worry."

"So I plan to look around for a place with better air quality nearby, suitable for recuperation. I also appreciate your reminder, young lady. Please stay here for the next few days. I will find a place as soon as possible." Tie He said, feeling guilty. His sister's illness, which should have been cured long ago, had been recurring because of this, and he hadn't even noticed it. "I hope we can get things settled within a few days, otherwise we might miss the mission from Burning Phoenix Manor."

Eh?

Guan Xun did grasp the key point.

"Burning Phoenix Manor?" A hint of interest flashed in her eyes.

Tie He rarely noticed the girl's curiosity; he had thought she wasn't interested in anything. He nodded happily and said, "Miss, you don't know, do you? It's a region located in the northern part of Moxi City. It opens once every five years. It's said that there's a magical Heavenly Pool inside that can accelerate a Spirit Master's cultivation and has the effect of cleansing the marrow and bones. Every time it opens, it attracts countless powerful people to go there."

"Oh? That's really amazing. What's the reason? Is it because the earth's spiritual energy is so abundant?" Guan Xun has always been interested in good things that can be used for cultivation, so he couldn't help but become curious.

"Abundant spiritual energy is natural; otherwise, how could there be talk of accelerating cultivation? In fact, no one knows the specific reason, but there are many rumors. The most credible one is that a divine beast, the phoenix, is sealed at the bottom of the Heavenly Pool. It constantly emits energy, which accumulates for five years and then explodes once, which is why it has such a unique effect."

Tiehe was also convinced, and added, "The name of the villa corresponds to this explanation, so this is most likely the reason."

Guan Xun lowered his eyes meaningfully, his gaze falling on the sleeves of his robe.

A divine beast like Chi Rong, and a phoenix...

Could it be the ancient Fierce Phoenix from the old mythical beast paintings, said to be engulfed in immortal flames, igniting everything it passed through, and possessing an extremely volatile temperament?

Rumors don't come from nowhere. Judging from the fact that it's constantly emitting energy, it's very likely to be the ancient Fierce Phoenix. She really wants to go and meet it.

"I wonder when the Burning Phoenix Manor will open?" she asked.

"In about two weeks, the city streets should start recruiting guards in the next few days. I plan to go and take a look." Tiehe propped a torch against the wall and washed his hands in the bucket of water by the door. "Are you interested in going, young lady?"

"Go and take a look," Guan Xun said calmly.

“Although you are skilled in medicine, if you really want to go, you can hire a guard team if conditions permit, because to reach Burning Phoenix Manor you have to cross the dangerous Scorching Sun Mountain Range, which is a lava zone shrouded in black mist all year round, and is only inhabited by one kind of fire-attribute demon beast, making it extremely dangerous,” Tie He sighed.

These words delighted Chi Rong. Its mind was filled with thoughts of the "beast core," which it fiddled with in its sleeves, constantly clamoring, "Master, go! We must go!"

The commotion caused his sleeves to flutter, which surprised Tie He, as his room was very draft-proof and there shouldn't be any wind blowing in...

"Young lady, is there perhaps a green snake wrapped around your sleeve?" he asked with a serious expression.

Guan Xun shook his head: "Can you enter the city tomorrow?"

"No, we have to wait until Xuanxuan is settled before we talk about it."

Upon hearing this, Guan Xun didn't say anything more, his gaze passing over him and landing on the houses behind: "I want to rest first."

"Oh, alright, come with me."

Reminded, Tie He quickly led Guan Xun into the house.

......

The crescent moon has passed the treetops, and in a few more hours the sky will begin to lighten with the first light of dawn.

Guan Xun stood on the rooftop, a cool breeze gently lifting her skirt. Bathed in moonlight, she exuded a chilling aura.

She carefully examined the map of Zhongzhou with both hands, and after a while, she finally found the marker for the Scorching Sun Mountains, which were located north of Moxi City. However, her current location was on the westernmost edge of Moxi City.

This city is not small; it would take more than half a month to reach it by carriage.

It's a pity that Chi Rong can't appear in such a bustling area; otherwise, with its guidance, we could arrive in less than a day.

She put the map away.

In short, let's wait until we get into the city first.

Thinking this, she was about to ask the little fish to change its appearance when a frivolous voice suddenly came from her right.

"Oh, is the beauty admiring the moon?"

Guan Xun tilted his head slightly, his gaze indifferently fixed on the source of the sound.

A man dressed in fiery red stood on a rooftop not far away. His dark hair cascaded down to his waist and fluttered in the wind. A red ribbon adorned with silver beads was tied between his stray hairs at his temples. Although he held a folding fan to cover his face, his appearance was quite remarkable, judging from his long, slender, and captivating phoenix eyes.

A hint of wickedness emanated from his brows, and his dark eyes shimmered with a mysterious light, exuding a touch of languor.

Guan Xun withdrew her scrutinizing gaze; this person was weaker than her and posed little threat.

Her gaze shifted and landed on the hem of her robe, which resembled a bewitching flower. There, a small fox with a black muzzle and yellow fur sat upright, its fox eyes curving as if it were smiling, looking somewhat eerie.

"It looks awful." Guan Xun scoffed, then glanced at the man again. "What is it?"

The man in red paused for a moment, then a smile flickered in his eyes. He pretended to sigh and said, "It's nothing, I'm just feeling a little down. I thought the beauty was referring to me when she said I was ugly."

"I do have a way to get rid of this depression," Guan Xun said, his dark eyes filled with deep meaning as he parted his thin lips.

"Oh?" The man raised an eyebrow with interest, his wickedness intensifying. He produced a delicate white jade wine pot from somewhere. "Would you like to have a small drink with me?"

Guan Xun chuckled, his ankle suddenly twisting, and blazing flames instantly spread out from the soles of his feet, rising up and transforming into a small fire snake that darted away in that direction!

They moved so fast that they reached the man in less than half a breath.

The man was clearly caught off guard by the sudden attack. In just a moment of stunned silence, flames began to rage and engulf him.

"Hey, still feeling down?"

The girl's provocation was obvious; she was responding to his flippant words earlier.

"Ha." He flicked his wrist, snapping his folding fan back shut, a meaningful smile playing on his slightly upturned lips.

"No, I feel unusually hot right now."