Chapter 19

The Demon's Selection (19)

A little while later.

The two people left the hall.

Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiewei had already completed the demon prison and were catching their breath.

"Then I'll prepare breakfast."

As Dan Aixian moved away, Han Xuehua looked intently at Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiewei.

Fan Jiewei shot her a look full of complaints.

"Why? What now?"

"Go take a bath."

At her words, the two men's faces contorted.

"You stink."

"This is—"

Fan Jiewei jumped up. At that moment, Han Xuehua spoke.

"Yesterday..."

Fan Jiewei immediately turned and headed for the pond.

Chao Ailiang reluctantly followed Fan Jiewei. Suddenly, Fan Jiewei turned his head to look at Han Xuehua.

"Huh? What did you just say?"

"Come to think of it...?"

Chao Ailiang also looked at Han Xuehua with a surprised expression.

A cold voice transmission flew towards them.

—Take a bath. Now.

A short while later.

Dan Aixian, who had returned with a basket full of herbs, placed them on the table and smiled brightly.

"Today's menu is customized. Just eat what's in front of you."

Fan Jiewei and Chao Ailiang, who had finished bathing and arrived just in time, barely managed to suppress a sigh.

Today, it was all grass.

Bitter, astringent, and pungent grass.

Han Xuehua picked up the herbs first and started eating silently.

Since she couldn't taste anything, it didn't matter much to her.

In contrast, Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiewei tried to act calm, but they were suffering greatly.

As they continued eating, Dan Aixian spoke.

"I think I need to visit the village again today."

Fan Jiewei gave her a puzzled look.

"Again? You went yesterday."

"Because there are more people now. There are things to find out."

She tried not to show it, but she was worried about Feng Jin's well-being.

Fan Jiewei smiled.

"Then I'll take you."

At that moment, Han Xuehua, who had been eating silently, spoke.

"No. I'll go."

"Why not? That's my job..."

Han Xuehua cut off Fan Jiewei with a cold expression.

"You have something else to do."

"Me?"

"You need to make a bed. You're not going to make me sleep on the ground, are you?"

"Why should I make it?"

"Because I know what happened last night."

Fan Jiewei was speechless at Han Xuehua's blatant threat.

But he had no other choice.

When you're caught in a weak spot, you're as good as a criminal.

Dan Aixian nodded with a smile.

"Right. Then today, Aunt Han will go with me."

After finishing their meal,

Dan Aixian and Han Xuehua headed to the village, leaving behind a grumbling Fan Jiewei.

* * *

After entering the village, Dan Aixian felt the gazes pouring in from all directions. This was something that had never happened before.

But she soon understood the reason.

It was because of Han Xuehua's beauty.

Her appearance had a charm that captivated people's attention.

In contrast, Han Xuehua remained unperturbed.

She was used to such situations.

Dan Aixian didn't find the current situation entirely unpleasant.

Usually, it was quite difficult for her small frame to navigate through the bustling market. But with Han Xuehua, it felt like walking down a clear road.

People, regardless of gender, parted like the sea when she approached.

Of course, chaos ensued behind them.

Men who glanced at Han Xuehua and were caught by their lovers or wives suffered for it.

As they continued walking,

a neatly dressed man approached Han Xuehua. People's attention focused on him.

His hesitant demeanor made his purpose clear.

Most people thought he would make a move on Han Xuehua.

But unexpectedly, the man stopped in front of Dan Aixian.

Dan Aixian looked at him with a puzzled expression.

She had never seen him before.

"Why are you doing this?"

The man smiled humbly and offered her a skewer of steaming meat.

"I'm starting my business in front of here from today."

"But why are you giving this to me...?"

The man smiled awkwardly.

"I hope you'll come often."

He thrust the skewer into Dan Aixian's hand, which was flustered.

"Ten of them?"

Dan Aixian was surprised.

The man had given her ten skewers. He smiled awkwardly.

"Eat them all."

Then he quickly turned and ran away.

After running for a while and turning into a narrow alley, a person was waiting for him.

"Did you deliver it properly?"

The man nodded at Xiao Jishan's question.

He was one of the subordinates of Yi's Party, led by Xiao Jishan.

"Yes. I grilled the best one and delivered it before it cooled."

"Keep an eye on the kids. If anything happens to that person, we're dead."

Xiao Jishan shuddered.

He was recalling the terrifying face of Fan Jiewei and the chilling threat he had left that day.

* * *

Half an hour after entering the village.

Dan Aixian's appearance had changed significantly from when she first left the Demon Valley.

She now wore a thick fur vest over her light clothes, and her hands were full of various snacks and toys.

There seemed to be an unusually high number of new businesses opening today.

It was clearly a promotional effort, but it felt like the promotion was focused solely on her.

Even now,

a stranger approached and offered her a skewer of red hawthorn berries coated with honey and sugar.

"Try it, young master."

"Thank you. I'll pay for it next time."

What was strange was that when she asked about the shop's location, they all awkwardly evaded the question and hurriedly left.

"You must have won a lot of people's hearts. The way they welcome you is something even a famous hero might not experience."

"That's not it..."

Because of the situation, Dan Aixian was the one who ended up feeling awkward. Her purpose for coming to the village kept getting delayed.

"Aunt, I have a favor to ask."

Han Xuehua nodded, and Dan Aixian handed her the items she was carrying.

"Can you hold these for a moment? I need to go somewhere."

Han Xuehua took them, and Dan Aixian started running.

She ran as fast as she could to avoid being stopped by anyone else.

She arrived at her regular herbalist shop.

As she entered, the shop owner greeted her with a smile.

"I was just waiting for you."

"Me?"

The shop owner nodded.

"The head of the Jin Cheng family left a message for you."

Dan Aixian's face brightened. She had been worried about Feng Jin and wanted to contact him, which was why she came to the village.

"He said not to come to the village for a while until this incident is resolved."

"What incident?"

The shop owner sighed at Dan Aixian's question.

"There was a fire at the Qinghua Inn where the Wu Lin Alliance's warriors were staying last night."

Dan Aixian's eyes widened as the shop owner continued.

"It was a real disaster. Who would have thought that the mighty Pasha Corps of the Wu Lin Alliance would be engulfed by the flames?"

"They died?"

"Yes. It seems several wine jars were found at the fire scene. They must have been too drunk to escape."

"......!"

"It's a good thing they had rented the entire inn. If not, it could have been a major disaster. The head of the Jin Cheng family would have been in danger if he hadn't arrived late."

While Dan Aixian was still in shock, the shop owner mentioned the rest of the message.

"Head Feng said he would come to see you after resolving the situation. So it's best not to come to the village for a while. The atmosphere is tense after yesterday's incident."

"I see."

Dan Aixian sighed, thinking of Feng Jin.

It was fortunate that he was safe, but he would undoubtedly suffer more because of this incident.

"Thank you for letting me know."

After buying the necessary herbs, Dan Aixian left the shop.

Han Xuehua, who had been waiting outside, watched Dan Aixian's dejected face carefully.

But she didn't press for an explanation.

She just silently followed Dan Aixian, who was walking slowly.

After a while,

Dan Aixian stopped in the middle of the alley.

It was because of the conversation between the herbalists.

"Didn't Wang get a good catch this time?"

"Yes, that ginseng. It's said to be over two hundred years old."

"What a windfall. At that price, it's worth its weight in gold, isn't it?"

"Why not? If the high officials hear about it, they'll come running with fire in their eyes. They wouldn't hesitate to pay a fortune."

"Indeed. That's why he suddenly wanted to climb the mountain yesterday."

"You, a drunkard? That kind of ginseng is a spiritual treasure. You'd be lucky to see it once or twice in a lifetime without divine guidance."

Han Xuehua looked at Dan Aixian curiously.

Dan Aixian's face was flushed with excitement.

"Uncles, wait a moment!"

Dan Aixian, with an excited face, interrupted the two men's conversation.

"Who has the ginseng you just mentioned?"

One of the merchants asked in response to Dan Aixian's