Jun Jiuli, after reclaiming her Yuan Dan, descended the mountain, preparing to seize the Moonlight Inn that Shui Sanniang had previously commandeered.
She arrived at an inopportune moment, just as Xiong Pangzi was abducting a civilian girl. This fellow, having been tricked by Hua Gu Zi the previous night, slept in a pigsty with his subordinates.
Unable to find Hua Gu Zi, he resorted to bullying other young ladies. Jun Jiuli immediately confronted him and gave him a thorough beating.
"Do you know who I am? My father is the county magistrate."
Jun Jiuli decided to frighten him and revealed her true form as a snake demon. This sent Xiong Da into a state of near-death terror.
"Ahhh, a monster! Father, save me! There's a monster!"
Seeing him about to faint from fear, Jun Jiuli grabbed him by his collar and slapped him several times.
"I'm telling you, from today onwards, I've got my eye on you. If you dare to abduct civilian girls again, I will kill you."
"Heroine, heroine! Please spare me. I'll never dare to do it again."
"Good. Then from now on, you are my subordinate. You will do whatever I tell you to do, understand?"
"Yes, heroine. As long as you don't eat me, I'll do anything you say."
"Good. Then from this moment on, I am the proprietress of the Moonlight Inn."
"Did you all hear that? From now on, you listen to her."
The crowd: "Yes, yes, yes."
The next morning, Jun Jiuli continuously observed the people on the street. Soon, she spotted a woman holding a portrait of herself, searching for someone. This was the elegant and refined young lady she was looking for, Zhong Suqiu.
She was so delicate and beautiful, far more so than Hua Gu Zi. When Zhong Suqiu turned her head, even Jun Jiuli, a woman, felt smitten. Could Tao Zui be made of wood? Who wouldn't want to be close to such a lovely young lady?
Jun Jiuli walked up to Zhong Suqiu and pretended to accidentally bump into her, twisting her ankle.
"I'm so sorry, miss. Is your foot alright?"
"It's alright, miss. I was the one who bumped into you. I should be the one apologizing."
"Would you like me to call for a doctor?"
"No need, I'll just rub it with some safflower oil when I get back. However, could I trouble you, miss, to help me to the Moonlight Inn?"
"Of course." Saying this, she helped Jun Jiuli towards the Moonlight Inn.
007: "This Zhong Suqiu is truly kind, learned, and so beautiful. I feel sorry for Brother Tao."
"Couldn't agree more. I'm rooting for this couple too."
Upon arriving at the Moonlight Inn.
"Miss, do you live here?"
"This Moonlight Inn is mine. Feel free to visit me here often when you have time. I'm Shui Sanniang."
"I'm Zhong Suqiu."
"Then I'll call you Suqiu from now on. I saw you searching for someone on the street just now. Could you show me the portrait? Perhaps I've seen him."
Zhong Suqiu took out her portrait and said, "I am looking for the person who painted this." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Oh, not long ago, your family held a poetry and painting contest to select a groom. The person who painted this portrait must have been interested in you, which is why he painted your likeness. Why can't you find him now?"
"A Taoist priest intruded that day and insisted that Young Master Tao had demonic energy. They began fighting, and afterwards, I couldn't find him." Zhong Suqiu said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Draw a portrait of that person. I travel extensively and have met countless people. I will definitely help you find him."
"Really? Won't that trouble you too much, Sanniang?"
"Not at all. We are friends. Friends should help each other."
"Thank you."
That evening, Jun Jiuli took the portrait and went to find Tao Zui.
"Tao Zui, stop."
"I've returned your Yuan Dan. Why are you still pestering me?"
"I'm not here about the Yuan Dan. I'm here for a friend."
"What friend?"
"Her name is Zhong Suqiu. That day, at her family's poetry and painting contest, you submitted your painting, and she chose yours. Shouldn't you take responsibility for her?"
"Furthermore, you brought that mad Taoist priest, essentially causing a scene at the Zhong family's event, and then you fled. How could you leave a young lady in such a predicament?"
"That was not my intention."
"Do you acknowledge this matter? They explicitly stated it was a groom selection. By participating, you indicated your desire to become the Zhong family's son-in-law."
"But I don't like her."
"Feelings can be cultivated over time, can't they? Moreover, my friend has fallen deeply in love with you. The one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. You must take responsibility for her."
"I am a demon, and she is human. How can I take responsibility?"
"You can spend some time interacting with her first. If you two can ultimately be together, I will help you find a solution."
"And if, after spending time together, I still have no feelings for her."
"Then I will give up and stop trying to matchmake you."
"Alright."
Hua Gu Zi was still troubled by her inability to transform into human form that day. Jun Jiuli sought her out at this time.
Hua Gu Zi put on a hostile front, "Snake demon, why are you here? You've already returned your Yuan Dan. What else do you want?"
"I'm here to help you."
"I don't believe you."
"Don't you want to transform into human form? There's more than just me who possesses a Yuan Dan in this county of Laoshan."
Hua Gu Zi's face immediately lit up with joy. "Quickly tell me, who else?"
"Of course, it's... your parents."
"No, how can I take my parents' Yuan Dan?"
"Why can't you? You take Yuan Dans from strangers whenever you please. They are your kin! Shouldn't your kin be more supportive of your love with An Youyu?"
"But without Yuan Dan, how will they cultivate?"
"As you said before, not having a Yuan Dan doesn't mean death. I believe your parents will support you."
With that, Jun Jiuli left. Given Hua Gu Zi's selfish nature, she was certain she would do it.
Indeed, a moment later, Hua Gu Zi made up her mind. She was determined to be with Young Master An.
She knelt before her parents and tearfully pleaded with them to fulfill her wish.
Her father, unable to bear seeing his daughter suffer, gave her his Yuan Dan. However, his cultivation was low, and it didn't help much. Hua Gu Zi's mother then gave her her own Yuan Dan.
The two aged significantly in an instant, but their daughter remained carefree. Because she could see Young Master An during the day, she leaped and jumped with joy, happily thanking her parents for their sacrifice, as if she hadn't noticed the white hair on their heads.