Doubting Li Yingling Again

Yuzhou City.

Chu Xingchen gazed at the long street where red lanterns were being hung. At this moment, the idle citizens of Yuzhou City were busy with preparations.

Out of respect for the Demon Suppression Bureau and Zen Forest Temple, most of the townsfolk, though puzzled by the upcoming event, raised no major objections. After all, holding some whimsical celebration wasn’t exactly a big deal.

On top of that, Chu Xingchen was offering exceptionally fair wages to hire the idle townsfolk to hang lanterns, prepare flower displays, and assist with event planning.

This time, Zen Forest Temple had even announced that stalls in front of the temple would no longer require rental fees—instead, they’d be allocated by lottery.

In the past, lanterns and flower displays had always been put up by the townsfolk voluntarily—the Demon Suppression Bureau and Zen Forest Temple had never had the spare funds to provide them.

But now, not only would the lanterns be gifted to the people after the event, but they were even being paid to hang them.

The townsfolk’s doubts were quickly swept away by these dazzling perks.

With the autumn harvest just concluded, most people had free time on their hands.

Thanks to Chu Xingchen’s no-expense-spared approach, progress was remarkably swift. It was estimated that everything would be completed ahead of schedule, even before the actual day arrived.

"Master, the preparations by Yuzhou River are done, and the three batches of custom fireworks you ordered have arrived," Chen Baiqing reported as she approached Chu Xingchen’s side.

Chu Xingchen reached out and ruffled Baiqing’s head. "Test one batch first to check the quality. If there are no issues, set off one batch and keep the last as backup."

"Make sure they’re waterproofed—absolutely no mistakes allowed."

Chen Baiqing nodded her little head. "Understood, Master. I’ll find a remote spot to test a batch later."

Not far away, Lin Luoyu hurried over and reported to Chu Xingchen:

"Master, Zen Forest Temple has handled everything as you instructed. Also, the performance troupe you hired should arrive today."

Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod. "Later, you and Cui Hao should go assess their skills. Wouldn’t want them to talk big but perform worse than Cui Hao’s usual nonsense."

Lin Luoyu nodded in understanding. "Got it."

"How are things on your mentor’s end?" Chu Xingchen inquired.

Lin Luoyu replied, "Everything’s going smoothly."

"Wow, this is amazing…"

Ah Nian, her ponytail swaying, walked over alongside Zhao Wanqing, her eyes darting around in excitement. After a thorough inspection, she nodded approvingly before turning to Chu Xingchen with a grin.

"I’ve never seen Yuzhou City this lively before! Thanks to you, the Demon Suppression Bureau finally gave me time off. I’m definitely going to enjoy myself!"

"Then make sure you have a great time," Chu Xingchen replied with a smile.

He still remembered this bold little physician who had once tested her own medicinal concoctions—even when they were still in the experimental stage.

Though their cultivation levels were now worlds apart from back then, that familiar camaraderie remained.

Zhao Wanqing turned to Chu Xingchen, first offering a respectful bow before reporting:

"Senior, your security arrangements have been fully implemented and rehearsed. Any issues will be dealt with swiftly."

Chu Xingchen nodded. "Thank you for your efforts."

"Just doing my duty," Zhao Wanqing quickly replied, shaking her head.

Chen Baiqing glanced at the rows of bright red lanterns lining the street. Her master had planned everything perfectly, and all preparations were proceeding smoothly.

Most importantly, the plan to keep it a secret from their eldest senior sister was working flawlessly.

On their eldest senior sister’s birthday, she would surely be overjoyed.

And if their eldest senior sister was happy, then Chen Baiqing would be happy too.

Just as Chu Xingchen was about to speak, his expression suddenly turned grave.

He swiftly retrieved a talisman from his spatial ring, only for it to crumble into dust moments later.

Everyone’s eyes turned to him, and silence fell over the group.

Chu Xingchen looked at them solemnly. "Cui Hao sent word—Li Yingling is on her way to Yuzhou City."

"Baiqing, it’s best you don’t show yourself here. Go to Zen Forest Temple and inform Yuan Kong about this. Tell them to proceed according to the contingency plan."

Chen Baiqing nodded quickly before hurrying off toward Zen Forest Temple.

Chu Xingchen then turned to Lin Luoyu. "Put aside your tasks for now. Go with your mentor and take a stroll around Yuzhou City—just in case your eldest senior sister is here looking for you."

Lin Luoyu immediately responded, "Understood, Master."

"As for you two…" Chu Xingchen glanced at Ah Nian and Zhao Wanqing. "Your job is to stall. Engage Li Yingling in casual conversation. If she asks why Yuzhou City is hanging lanterns outside of a festival, tell her it’s for a celebration."

"If she starts asking unrelated questions with a calm expression, take your leave immediately—that means she’s fishing for information. Don’t worry about it further; just find an excuse to exit. Leave the rest to me."

Chu Xingchen swiftly delegated the tasks.

The group dispersed to carry out their orders.

At the city gates of Yuzhou City…

Li Yingling watched as Cui Hao chatted cheerfully with the guards.

The conversation had shifted from the recent rise in pork prices to the wages of gatekeepers, and after a while, it had now descended into discussing which little yellow dog at the city gate had hooked up with another.

Cui Hao had volunteered to accompany her, but the moment they reached the city gate, he spotted a soldier and immediately adopted a "bro, today’s your lucky day" demeanor.

"I’ll just say hi to my good buddy—wait for me, Senior Sister," he said to himself.

Li Yingling naturally didn’t question Cui Hao’s habit of calling soldiers his sworn brothers. In fact, she wouldn’t bat an eye no matter who he befriended.

In some ways, Cui Hao was a bit like their master.

As long as the other person was willing, neither he nor their master could ever be disliked.

The difference was that Cui Hao had a knack for striking up conversations with anyone he took a liking to—and if they hit it off, he’d consider them a friend.

Because of this, he had gained quite a reputation in Yuzhou City.

A cultivator who was also easy to talk to.

After waiting for a while, Li Yingling couldn’t bear listening to two men discuss a dog’s romantic escapades any longer.

In public, she always made sure to save face for her junior brother and wouldn’t openly scold him.

Without a word, she decisively turned and strode into Yuzhou City.

Let Cui Hao keep chatting about canine affairs—it wasn’t like he’d get lost in Yuzhou City anyway.

But the moment Li Yingling stepped foot inside the city, Cui Hao bid the soldier farewell and hurried after her.

Catching up with an ingratiating smile, he said, "Senior Sister, why didn’t you wait for me…?"

Li Yingling shot him a sidelong glance. "If I had to listen to you two any longer, my ears would’ve fallen off."

"Come on, it wasn’t that bad," Cui Hao protested, sticking close to her side while silently hoping their master had everything prepared.

He had done his best to stall.

As Li Yingling walked further into the city, she was met with the sight of Yuzhou’s residents hanging up large red lanterns, as if preparing for a grand celebration.

"There’s no special occasion—why are they hanging lanterns?" Li Yingling asked Cui Hao suspiciously. "You’re always in Yuzhou City. You must know what’s going on, right?"

"Uh… well… it’s…"

Cui Hao pointed at one of the lanterns, looking as though he was racking his brain for an explanation.

Li Yingling’s skeptical gaze sharpened.