Chapter 39: Do You Think This Is Ridiculous?

As the three of them left with the two dogs, Aunt Li stubbornly waited for them right at the crossroads.

Carrying her bamboo basket, Aunt Li insisted on giving them all the osmanthus cakes.

Huo Yuanyao, a textbook example of an “Immortal Cultivator,” firmly declined, saying, “Changning Village has always been under the protection of Qingyun Sect. When you face difficulties, it is only natural for us to come to your aid. You can ask us for help whenever you need. Besides, we won’t take even a single thread or needle when we come to Changning Village, so rest assured.”

As for the little girl, she kept twitching her nose, almost drooling in temptation.

Lin Nan pinched her forehead and casually took the cakes from Aunt Li, then carelessly stuffed them into Shen Yuer’s arms. “You’re drooling so much. Wait until you start dieting—you’ll be the one crying.”

Shen Yuer giggled twice and stuck out her little tongue before quickly taking them.

She pulled out a piece of osmanthus cake, unwrapped it, and instead handed the first piece to Lin Nan’s lips.

Tilting her head, the little girl’s eyes were fixed on the cake at her fingertip as she subconsciously licked her lips.

So eager, and she’s already giving me the first piece…

Lin Nan didn’t make a fuss. She parted her red lips slightly and gently bit down with her pearly teeth.

Hehe, Shen Yuer’s heart leapt with joy. She knew as long as she acted harmless, even in the dark little forest, Lin Nan would fall for it.

So,

She suddenly stretched her finger forward.

Then, the little girl’s face instantly turned bright red.

She could feel two soft petals pressing against the knuckles of her index finger and thumb, teeth lightly touching the tips of her nails, while a warm little tongue rolled over the osmanthus cake, swiftly licking the center of her finger.

“Ah! Xiao Lin, you can eat it if you want, but why lick my hand?”

In an instant, Shen Yuer’s cheeks flushed deeply, even the roots of her ears turned pink. Yet she put on a serious expression, hands on her hips, playing the part of a self-righteous accuser confronting a lecherous thief.

Lin Nan was momentarily stunned, about to explain, but then caught the sly smile at the corner of the little girl’s eye.

She understood immediately.

This little brat was always like this, trying every trick to get something for herself. Really…

She rolled her eyes and said with mock irritation, “So many people are watching, stop messing around.”

But Shen Yuer continued to push her luck, leaning forward with a flushed face and teasing, “Xiao Lin means if no one’s watching, she can take things further~”

Lin Nan glanced sideways. Having lived several lifetimes, she had seen it all. With a faint hum, she said casually, “There will come a day when I deal with you. Don’t even think about begging for mercy.”

Shen Yuer suddenly felt a little guilty. By her prediction, Lin Nan should be scolding her and lightly tapping her head right now, after which Shen Yuer would gracefully step back, laughing and running off.

But somehow, Lin Nan seemed pretty serious this time.

She couldn’t really think that Lin Nan actually enjoyed having her lick her finger, could she?

No way.

Although… it did feel kind of nice.

The more Shen Yuer thought about it, the dizzier she felt, so she quietly said “Oh” and obediently closed her mouth.

Beside them, Huo Yuanyao watched in astonishment.

Everyone here was a cultivator and paid attention to details—how could she not notice that Shen Yuer was deliberately letting Lin Nan bite her finger, and Lin Nan, fully aware, was pretending not to know, while Shen Yuer, knowing Lin Nan knew, was pretending not to know that Lin Nan knew…

Layer after layer of pretense—does this still count as cultivation?

For the first time, Huo Yuanyao felt completely baffled by cultivation.

“No wonder… it’s not just Master, but Senior Sister Qiao also told me to learn more from Lin Nan. Turns out it’s not just the Qingyun Heart Sutra, but this kind of knowledge as well…”

Neither Shen Yuer nor Lin Nan realized their playful banter was quietly changing the worldview of a traditional cultivator.

Though, even if they knew, they probably wouldn’t care.

Meanwhile, Aunt Li tilted her head to one side, clasping her hands together in front of her chest, slightly raised so they rested between her shoulders and cheeks. Her face was lit with a fond auntie smile, her lips curving upward irresistibly, radiating a joy that said, “Oh my, this is just too beautiful.”

Huo Yuanyao looked at Aunt Li and unconsciously wondered if it really was that beautiful.

She briefly imagined if she were Shen Yuer—and Lin Nan… ugh, just thinking about it gave Huo Yuanyao goosebumps all over, making her want to draw her sword and recite the Qingyun Heart Sutra.

Lin Nan ignored Shen Yuer and turned to Aunt Li, speaking softly, “Aunt Li, thank you for the osmanthus cakes. But Huo Yuanyao is right; whenever you need help, Qingyun Sect disciples will come down the mountain. We’ve already eaten your cakes, which isn’t very proper. How about this: is there anything you need help with recently? I’ll assist you.”

“Oh, Immortal Lin, you’re too polite! Since Immortal Shen wants some, I’ll just make more for her. You’re all too formal with me!”

Lin Nan still wore a gentle smile, looking seriously into Aunt Li’s eyes.

Those emerald green eyes were like a pool of spring water, wrapped in endless warmth.

Aunt Li inhaled sharply, then suddenly brightened. “To be honest, Immortal Lin, I do have something I want you to help investigate.”

“Please say it, Aunt Li.”

“This time you came down the mountain to deal with the Beast problem,” Aunt Li glanced at the two dog-like wolves obediently following behind Lin Nan, “now that the fog has cleared and the cattle-stealing Beast has been dealt with, it’s as if a heavy worry has lifted from everyone in Changning Village.”

“But I myself…” Aunt Li pointed to her chest, “have a worry I just can’t shake…”

Lin Nan pursed her lips and nodded to Aunt Li, waiting for her to continue.

“Immortal Lin, don’t laugh, but I feel like our village has a ghost.”

Lin Nan’s eyes slightly dimmed as she repeated, “A ghost?”

“Yes, a ghost!”

“And I always feel like the one hurting people is the ghost, because these two wolves only stole cattle!”

Huo Yuanyao frowned and stepped forward seriously. “Aunt Li, do you have any proof for this suspicion?”

“Aiya—”

Aunt Li clapped her hands. “Huo Immortal, if you’re asking for proof, I really don’t have any.”

“If there’s no proof, then…”

Huo Yuanyao was about to say more, but the girl, still smiling gently, stretched out her arm to stop her. Tilting her head, she said, “Aunt Li, don’t be in such a hurry. Think carefully. Maybe it’s not proof, but have you noticed anything different during this time? Before the fog appeared?”

Lin Nan’s words seemed to open a door.

Aunt Li sat down hard, scratching her head. After a long while, she suddenly raised her head, eyes bright. “Immortal Lin, you’ve reminded me. I have indeed noticed something unusual these days!”

“What kind of unusual thing?” Shen Yuer quickly asked.

Aunt Li leaned close and whispered something into her ear.

The little girl’s face, which had finally calmed down, instantly flushed deeply again. She looked at Lin Nan helplessly, her eyes full of despair.