't even dare to ask us questions because they knew we would answer perfectly. Seeing that we still had to wake up early every day to go to school, my father felt sorry for us. He used his connections...Cheng Banxian, as a person, looked like a young dandy in the world.

He spent all day hiding in Widow's Alley, hanging around with a bunch of women from the lower classes.

Of course, his "mixing" was for other purposes—he needed this place with heavy yin energy and foul Qi to hide his presence. It also helped him secretly dissipate the yin energy without attracting the attention of the underworld.

But that Widow's Alley, both my brother and I were very reluctant to go back there. The women who hung around there were ruthless and like wolves, their eyes looked like they could eat you alive.

Only someone like Cheng Banxian could get along with them.

When I called Cheng Banxian, he sounded like he was busy and wanted to brush me off.

"Little Empress~~ I'm so busy~~~~ I'm on this side—"

The sound of mahjong tiles clattering came.

"Even if you're busy, come over immediately, or Jiang Qiyun will take care of you."

"Huh" Cheng Banxian was taken aback, realizing belatedly, "What use am I Didn't we already look at it before This is beyond my capabilities..."

"Didn't you say you wanted the Six Extremes Ghostly Artifacts I got two, come and perform the ritual quickly." I urged.

This guy actually stared blankly for a while, muttering softly: “Huh You actually got two Sixiang Ghost Devices This thing has been lost to the world for who knows how many years, and you found two Don't mess with me…”

"I'm not kidding you," I said seriously. "But if you're pulling my leg, your carefree days on earth are over."

"Oh no, no, no... I just didn't expect you to actually find the Sixiang Ghost Device. I thought it would take much longer..."

This guy, could he possibly want to play mahjong again after this

"Little Empress, don't glare at me like that. I can feel your daggers through the phone, sigh... Can't I just come over now... It's just my little beat-up car is slow, please wait a bit." Cheng Banxian replied with a sigh of exasperation.

Since he always hurts himself a little with each attempt, I understand why he feels this way and wants to avoid it.

But Jiang Qiyun didn't care about that. After all, if he kept Jiang Qiyun waiting for so long, his carefree days were probably coming to an end.

“......”I'll be right there. Please tell the Celestial Emperor on my behalf, thank you, little Lady!” Cheng Banxian said hurriedly.

Though he wasn't always reliable, he knew the difference between right and wrong. When I heard him slam a table and chase away the woman who was playing mahjong with him on the other end of the phone, I hung up feeling relieved.

"What do you mean" my brother asked anxiously.

"Not bad, this guy knows what's up. He said he'd be here soon, just that little beat-up car takes its time."

My brother impatiently said, “Then I’ll go pick him up.”

"Don't go—" I looked at my brother with concern. He hadn't slept in two days. What was he going to do He should just go back to his room and take a nap.

Lin Yanqin glanced at me and hurriedly said to my brother, “What’s the matter When you saw me, you ran away. You were so busy that you didn’t even have time to say a word”

My older brother frowned and said, "I didn't run away just because I saw you."

"I even told you to video chat with Da Mao and Er Mao, they said they missed Dad yesterday." Lin Yanqin winked at me, meaning she coaxed my brother back to rest.

Now that I'm at the Shen family, there are many people around me who can help. My brother doesn't need to keep pushing himself. It's better for him to go rest for a while first.

I pouted and stuck out my tongue, signaling her to hurry up and drag my brother away.

My brother raised an eyebrow and glared at me: "What are you two flirting for Just say what you have to say."

"Cough... I just thought you should get some rest and have a video call with Da Mao and Er Mao. It's been ages since you've seen them, brother." I said softly.

My brother raised his hand and rubbed his shoulders and neck: "When this is over, you won't even be able to see me if you wanted to. I'm going home to take care of the kids."

Yes, it's been ages since I've truly spent quality time with my children. Yu Gui and Nan are a bit older now, but Lan Xi is still just a toddler who follows me everywhere. She's so clingy. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had the chance to give them the attention they deserve.

At least Yu and Younan can be given to others to take care of, and I can still occasionally hug and kiss them. Lan Xi can only stay at home and be taken care of by grandma.

As long as I'm away from home, Lan Xi can't see me. Thinking of this worrisome and pitiable child makes my heart ache with guilt. I can't help but glance at Jiang Qiyun.

He stood by the window, looking through the half-open window at the sparse osmanthus trees in the courtyard beginning to fade.

It is autumn once again.

We sat and spoke outside the screen, he standing by the carved windows of the inner room, still and cool as if two worlds apart.

No matter how much he roamed the world, his clothes were always elegant and he never lost his purity.

》》》

My brother was pulled back to the guest room by Lin Yanqin for a rest. Xia Yinluo stayed with me in the room, chatting with me while she soothed Yu Gui and You Nan, whispering sweet nothings to them.

My father was shocked to hear about Senior Sister's situation. We all thought she had simply gone astray, become obsessed with wealth, or been influenced by someone. We never expected that Senior Sister was a descendant of a demon cultivator... My father has already expelled her from the disciples and Senior Brother is now investigating her family background... He didn't investigate at first, but once he did, it turned out that three generations of Senior Sister's relatives had all left the country one after another.

"What do you mean Doesn't she have any relatives in the country" I asked.

Little Yin Luo shook her head: "This is probably a low-key and secretive family, who has already prepared for the worst... Perhaps they were worried about becoming cannon fodder for the Demon Lords, so they gradually left the country, even changing their beliefs."

I shook my head, change my faith

Faith, in essence, is what we believe most deeply in the depths of our hearts.

It's not just about religious denominations, but also about one's own consciousness. Changing beliefs out of fear feels somewhat self-deceptive.

Belief and disbelief, you yourself know best.

"My old mother, who is usually pretty clueless, was even surprised. I thought my eldest sister was just a white-eyed wolf biting back, but I didn't expect her to be so deep in thought. We all misread her." Xiao Yinluo pouted, somewhat indignant and muttering: "I called that elder sister for so many years... Turns out she's a bad person."

As I was talking, a young nun ran out from the courtyard and said to me, "Master, a strange man has come from the front mountain. He calls himself Cheng Banxian and says he's looking for you."

"Well, you came looking for me... what's the matter What's strange" I asked curiously.

The little nun didn't know how to describe it, urging me to go and see for myself.

"This half-immortal, wouldn't he be dragging some big rooster along again"

I hurriedly told Xiao Yinluo to watch the children and ran to the front yard. Outside the mountain gate, several disciples blocked the steps leading to the mountain gate, preventing Cheng Banxian from entering.

I rushed down the stairs and took a look, this guy!

What's with this outfit!

He was wearing a vintage-style buttoned long-sleeve shirt, loose Song trousers underneath, and a pair of handmade black cloth shoes.

It's nothing unusual, the strange thing is he had five pennants stuck on his back, colorful ribbons wrapped around his waist, and in his hand, a large bundle of various bizarre magical implements tied together with ropes.

I was speechless for a long time, then I asked, "You... what is this..."

Singing operaow what I'm thinking. He looks like a young boy, but he has surely witnessed the rise and fall of a hundred lifetimesOne hundred years of decay...Mu Wanchen had the same mindset. Perhaps he didn't hav...