While Ye Lan, alone in the bamboo dwelling, was idly boiling and brewing tea, she found herself quite content.
She checked the time; it was already approaching one in the afternoon. By all accounts, if everything had gone smoothly, they should be on their way back by now.
She stepped out of the bamboo house. A gentle breeze blew, and the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the parasol leaves danced like playful sprites, a truly captivating sight. The earth exuded a subtle, pleasant fragrance. As she entered the courtyard, the short grass tickled her ankles. With light steps, a graceful figure, standing apart from the world, she peeked out. However, no one appeared on the mountain path.
Ye Lan frowned. Dewdrops from the previous night's downpour still clung to the tips of the grass, crystal clear and reflecting the distant green mountains, the vast sky, and the dense forest – a world in itself.
She stood there in silent contemplation, utterly engrossed, not even noticing the rustling footsteps approaching.
"Yo, where did such a spirited young lady come from? Are you perhaps Yun Qinghe's concubine?"
The newcomer was extremely unsightly, appearing to be in his late fifties, with a lecherous smile. His hair was so greasy it looked as if it hadn't been washed in ages. The left side of his ear seemed to have been severed by something sharp and pointed, making him look even more terrifying.
Behind him stood about a dozen men in green, their faces masked, carrying weapons. A black cloth bag hung from the right side of their belts, its purpose unknown.
Ye Lan's brows furrowed. A glance was enough to tell her that these visitors were clearly not here with good intentions; those who come with good intentions rarely appear like this.
"Looking at your appearance, sir, you must also be a martial artist. Why are your words so uncouth?"
Ye Lan stood with her hands behind her back, exuding an elegant demeanor.
The man spat to the right of the stone tablet inscribed with 'Feng Zhu She' and said with a deep chuckle, "Little girl, you simply answer yes or no. Didn't that Yun Qinghe teach you to respect your elders?"
Ye Lan snorted coldly, "Master Yun did not teach me to hold respect for someone who speaks so disrespectfully."
"How interesting. Little girl, I, Qing Xuanzi, have come to pay my respects. I will give you thirty seconds to inform that old fellow. If it takes longer, don't blame me for storming the mountain gate!"
Qing Xuanzi touched his nose, a hint of陰翳 (yīn yì - gloom/shadow) flashing in his eyes.
Ye Lan saw the aggressive demeanor of this group, likely intending to cause trouble for Master Yun. They had no idea that Yun Qinghe had already passed away. She quickly deduced that if they discovered this, they might even burn down the bamboo dwelling out of frustration.
She considered the implications and understood the risks. Moreover, since Ren Yuanhao had learned the 'Qing He Liu Jue' (Six Absolute Skills of Qinghe), he was considered half a disciple of Master Yun. She also felt a deep affection for this place, believing it was her duty to protect this tranquil abode.
The most crucial thing now was to find a way to stall them until Shen Lanni returned; only then would there be a glimmer of hope.
With this thought, Ye Lan's expression turned haughty, attempting to intimidate them with her aura. "Master Yun is in seclusion. How can people like you simply demand to see him? Furthermore, he has lived a reclusive life for many years. Don't you find your presumptuous visit laughable?"
"The little girl is sharp-tongued, but I wonder how skilled her hands are!"
Qing Xuanzi's movements were exceptionally elusive, the tattered cloth strips on his body fluttering with his actions. In a flash, he appeared before Ye Lan.
An offensive stench, like that of dead fish and rotten shrimp, assaulted Ye Lan's nostrils. However, she knew that any sign of weakness would reveal her lack of confidence. She straightened her back, stood tall and resolute, her eyes directly meeting his milky-white pupils.
"Old uncle, I'm showing you respect as a senior by not bickering with you. However, if you provoke Master Yun, you mere dead fish and rotten shrimp are no match for him!"
Qing Xuanzi leaned forward, his body bent, his face only about a centimeter from Ye Lan's. In her entire life, Ye Lan had only ever had such close eye contact with Ren Yuanhao. Coupled with the other man's face, which resembled bark gnawed by insects, full of wrinkles and pits, she faltered slightly, her eyelashes fluttering.
This subtle movement was clearly noticed by Qing Xuanzi. He sneered and pushed Ye Lan's shoulder with only three parts of his strength. Ye Lan's pupils shifted slightly, and she stumbled back five or six steps before managing to regain her footing!
"Oh, it seems you little girl only have a sharp tongue. Go on, I won't make it difficult for you. Call Yun Qinghe out to spar with me."
Ye Lan was naturally slender and had no martial arts foundation. The push caused her blood to stagnate, and her face turned pale. However, she was an experienced person and knew that in such a situation, the more accommodating and timid she appeared, the more brazen the other party would become.
"I'll say it again, Master Yun is in closed-door cultivation. If you insist on forcing your way in, I can only fight to the death. However, if Master Yun emerges and sees me dead here, he will certainly seek revenge. At that time, with Master Yun's status and standing, can you dead fish and rotten shrimp withstand his elderly wrath?"
Ye Lan gasped for breath, her mind clear.
"I don't believe it's such a coincidence that Yun Qinghe is in seclusion! Let me have a look. If that old fellow is truly in seclusion, I won't trouble you. If not, then, little girl, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Qing Xuanzi made a move as if to enter the bamboo dwelling, but Ye Lan stepped forward to block him, her face displaying a resolute expression, as if daring him to walk over her corpse to get inside.
"Little girl, I've already made myself clear. If you continue to obstruct me like this, I will have to resort to force!"
"You dare!"
Ye Lan raised her hand, her cold eyes fixed on Qing Xuanzi. Despite having no martial arts training, her action momentarily stunned Qing Xuanzi.
"The little girl possesses great spirit. Very well, I, Qing Xuanzi, am not unreasonable. I won't trouble you today. I will pay my respects another day!"
Qing Xuanzi abruptly turned and, beckoning his disciples, began to descend the mountain.
Ye Lan maintained her posture until she saw them disappear into the dense forest of the mountain path. Only then did she take a few deep breaths. Checking the time again, another half hour had passed without her realizing it, yet Ren Yuanhao and the others were still nowhere to be seen.
With the previous incident as a lesson, Ye Lan closed the door. Her heart was filled with anxiety, fearing that they might return.
"Why aren't they back yet?" Ye Lan took out her phone. She knew there might not be a signal here, but she wanted to try anyway. She dialed Ren Yuanhao's number.
The call rang for a full fifty seconds before the other end picked up. However, the first words Ren Yuanhao spoke sent a chill down Ye Lan's spine!