Perfect Plan

In a nearly deserted small town, Donggua rejected the suggestion of taking the young boy to a clean inn for treatment. Instead, she found a long-abandoned house covered in dust and cobwebs, its roof overgrown with withered yellow weeds.

With just a slight wave of her hand, Lin Luoyu cleared a small space inside the house.

"With injuries like these, if he doesn’t receive urgent treatment, he might not make it," Cui Hao remarked, looking at the barely breathing boy lying on the ground. His tone carried a hint of lament as he continued, "You survived, but you can’t seriously be planning to bury him here, can you? He’s just a kid. To experience losing half of himself at such a young age—his life’s already bleak enough."

Donggua glanced up at Cui Hao. This man’s thought process was simple, and his words were so blunt they were almost unbearable.

Ah, well. She was asking for a favor, after all.

She shook her head lightly and said, "We don’t know if those demonic cultivators are still searching for us outside. Drawing attention by making a scene would be unwise. Xigua’s cultivation isn’t weak—just some basic treatment and time, and he’ll recover."

Cui Hao looked surprised. "So his life’s as tough as a cockroach’s, huh? Impressive. By that logic, your life must be just as tough as this… uh… Xigua, right?"

Donggua confirmed one thing: whether this man was kind-hearted or not, his mouth had no filter. Did his words even pass through his brain before he spoke?

Did he even realize he was practically insulting her?!

"Those of us who walk the path of cultivation are naturally not the same as mortals," Donggua forced herself to endure it. "Thank you both for your help—"

"No need. Helping others is just what we cultivators do when we’re out in the world," Cui Hao waved his hand, cutting her off before she could continue. "Now that both of you are safe, my senior sister and I won’t impose any longer. Rest well and recover."

Donggua quickly spoke up, "Wait—my cultivation is barely a tenth of what it was. May I ask where you two are headed? If it’s along the way, perhaps we could travel together?"

These two might still be useful. If she were targeted, she could use them to send word to her superiors.

Besides, given the current situation, having someone scout the path ahead wouldn’t hurt.

Cui Hao might be irritating with his words, but if he could be used, she’d make the most of it.

Cui Hao didn’t answer immediately, instead glancing subtly at Lin Luoyu beside him.

Lin Luoyu met his gaze, pausing briefly before speaking.

"We’re under orders from our sect to investigate a covert matter. Our destination and mission details cannot be disclosed. However, I can leave you some medicinal pills. This place isn’t far from Fuyao Immortal City."

Without hesitation, Donggua dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with sorrow.

"Your kindness is beyond repayment. Those demonic cultivators are near Qulin City, right beside Fuyao Immortal City. Going there would be a death sentence. Please, let us accompany you. We won’t ask questions or look where we shouldn’t."

"If you have any tasks, we’ll handle the minor ones for you—just to repay even a fraction of your kindness."

Lin Luoyu remained expressionless, silently observing Donggua’s tearful plea.

Sensing her hesitation, Donggua turned her pitiful gaze toward Cui Hao.

"We’ll serve you with utter devotion!"

Those words seemed to strike a chord in Cui Hao. He looked at Lin Luoyu.

"Senior Sister… look how pitiful they are. One’s barely alive, and if we don’t take pity now, there won’t be anyone left to pity later."

Lin Luoyu shot him a glare. Cui Hao’s expression and words didn’t seem the least bit acted—it was like having a genuine fool for a teammate.

"Fine. Since we’ve saved them, we might as well see it through. How do you plan to treat the boy?"

"I’m something of a healer. I can ensure his safety, but we may need to travel slowly."

Cui Hao reacted swiftly, extending his hand. "I’ll go rent a carriage. We can’t drag this kid all the way, can we?"

Lin Luoyu gave a slight nod in agreement.

With a cheerful grin, Cui Hao strode out the door to find a carriage.

Now, only three remained in the room—Lin Luoyu, calmly watching Donggua, and the boy, pretending to be unconscious and silent.

Outside, Cui Hao’s smile faded as his gaze quickly shifted toward a Taidao Sect cultivator hidden in the mountains. He gave a subtle nod, signaling that the mission was proceeding smoothly and the next phase could begin.

---

Fuyao Immortal Pavilion.

"Chu Xingchen, didn’t you boast that your pills were peerless? This guy’s swallowed nearly an entire bottle, and he’s still stubbornly holding out."

Daoist Yuyang glanced at the trembling Yumi, then turned his gaze toward Chu Xingchen, who was quietly reviewing documents at the table.

Without looking up, Chu Xingchen replied, "If you think the pills are ineffective, why don’t you try one yourself?"

"You think you can fool me? Only an idiot would take one of those—they’re clearly laced with shady ingredients." Daoist Yuyang flicked his sleeve in disdain.

Chu Xingchen shifted his attention to Xie Lingyu beside him.

"How’s Ying Ling?"

"Contact has been made. There’s also word that Lin Luoyu and Cui Hao have successfully engaged the target."

"See? Whether they’re demonic or righteous cultivators, everyone trusts those who radiate righteousness. Demonic cultivators only stick around in hardship, not prosperity. Only the truly good-natured are the easiest to exploit. Lin Luoyu might as well have ‘I’m a good person’ written on her forehead."

Xie Lingyu fell silent. Somehow, the word "good" had become synonymous with "fool."

Chu Xingchen tossed the documents back onto the table and studied Yumi, who was still trembling from the effects of the pill. After a moment of thought, he spoke.

"Xigua has already revealed all of Donggua’s plans. Why are you still holding out?"

Yumi’s dark face turned toward him, his voice quivering.

"Whatever he said has nothing to do with me. I won’t talk. Just kill me."

Chu Xingchen sighed. "Only the stubborn remain truly loyal. I don’t entirely dislike those who cling to their principles… but unfortunately, you’re not even human."

"And the reason I’ve kept you alive isn’t to pry information from you. You have… other uses."

He paused, then looked at Daoist Yuyang.

"Yuyang, I’m handing this ‘demon’ over to the Taidao Sect, as per our initial agreement. What you do with it is your business."

Daoist Yuyang studied Yumi briefly before nodding.

"Very well. I’ll take him back to the Taidao Sect immediately. If we uncover anything during interrogation, I’ll inform you."

Chu Xingchen straightened, his eyes flicking toward the documents on the table. His tone was calm as he said,

"I’ll be returning for a while. Lingyu will handle decisions in my absence. I’ll be back before long."

Daoist Yuyang looked puzzled but didn’t press further, merely nodding in acknowledgment.