Chapter 34: Suspicion

At dusk, Chen Huan and the others dragged their exhausted bodies back to the City Lord Residence.

Xiao Tasha, in particular, was so pale that she could barely stand up. Half of her body was leaning against Chen Huan, and she was almost dragged back to the courtyard.

“Immortals, what ha…?” The servant in charge of the guest courtyard was surprised to see this. “Shall I report this to the steward?”

“No need.” Chen Huan did not look too good either. He took a quick breath and said, “We just took a long walk today, so it’s not a big deal. And please prepare some water for us to wash up. Oh yes, where’s Junior Brother Pei?”

The commotion caused by their return was not small. If a mortal like a servant in charge of the guest courtyard was alerted, it was impossible for a cultivator like Pei Ling to be unaware of it.

Yet, he had not shown up until now. There was no way he was still sleeping?

Seeing the servant’s blank expression, Chen Huan immediately said to Chen Mei, “Go and take a look. Junior Brother Pei shouldn’t be feeling unwell!”

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Chen Mei did not dare to act slowly. She forgot about her fatigue and rushed over. However, when she went to ask at the small building, her expression changed instantly. “What?! Pei Ling is not here? Where did he go? When did he go out?”

The maid responsible for serving Pei Ling knelt on the ground, trembling, “I don’t know, Fairy.”

“You don’t know? You’re responsible for serving him here, so how could you not know!” Chen Mei’s heart sank, and her anxious voice broke as she snapped, “Then what are you good for?”

She was struck with terror. Chen Huan’s Soul Summoning Banner was on the brink of success. If it failed at the last moment, this…

“What are you panicking about?” Chen Huan, who had rushed over after receiving the news, seemed calm.

He was not worried if Pei Ling attempted to escape.

Over the years, he had refined plenty of fellow disciples into the Soul Summoning Banner. The reason why the Disciplinary Hall never approached him was that he left no evidence behind!

This time, he had chosen the missions in Spiraling Mountain City personally for good reasons.

After all, Spiraling Mountain City was located in the mountains. Besides the city, there was no lack of beasts and poisonous insects in the area. Even a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator born in Spiraling Mountain City would find it difficult to survive alone!

Furthermore, it was Pei Ling’s first time here.

Even if they let him escape for a few days and nights, they would still be able to catch up to him with ease!

Moreover, it would probably be better if the Pei Ling did not escape. This Spiraling Mountain City was, after all, the territory of City Lord Duanmu under the rule of the Holy Sect. Indeed, the city lord was smooth and slick and would not protect Pei Ling specifically. However, if they dared to lay their hands on Pei Ling inside the city, the city lord might not be willing to help cover it up when the Disciplinary Hall investigated them in the future.

It would be a huge loss for them!

However, if Pei Ling took the initiative to leave the city…

At the thought of this, Chen Huan reminded, “Didn’t you put the Thousand Li Incense on him? Now, use the Tracking Bee to locate him.”

Chen Mei finally returned to her senses. She hurriedly took out the Tracking Bee and closed her eyes to communicate with it for a moment. She could not help but be delighted. “Brother, he’s still in the city.”

“Still in the city?” Chen Huan sneered. “Where is he now?”

“It seems…” Chen Mei hesitated for a moment before asking in confusion,” It seems to be… the market in the north of the city? ”

“Market?” Chen Huan suddenly turned to the maidservant from before and berated, “How dare you lie in front of us! Junior Brother Pei is new here. Since he wants to go to the market, how could he not ask you about the directions?! How dare you say that you don’t know anything!”

The maid felt bitter. She was only a mortal maidservant. How could she afford to offend any cultivator?

Initially, she thought that she could fool them, but now she could only confess honestly. “Immortal Master, it was Immortal Master Pei who specifically instructed me not to divulge his whereabouts…”

Chen Mei’s expression changed when she heard this. Could it be that Pei Ling had discovered their intentions?

Chen Huan, on the other hand, remained calm throughout. Pei Ling was only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Even if he realized anything, it was already too late!

Therefore, Chen Huan immediately looked at Zhang Zhongqin and said, “He might have discovered something, or maybe not. We’ll go to the north of the city to find him immediately and bring him back!”

“Okay!”

At the moment, in a tea house in the city.

Pei Ling calmly drank a pot of tea.

The locals and the customs here were different from Deer Spring City. There were more cultivators here. As he strolled along, he had already encountered several itinerant cultivators.

“It’s already so late. Chen Huan and the others should be out here looking for me soon…” Pei Ling thought to himself. If he wanted to test whether Chen Huan and the others had any ulterior motives for him, he only needed to hide from Chen Huan.

Of course, if there was really a problem with Chen Huan and the others, Pei Ling chose to visit the market specifically to prevent them from attacking him in advance.

There were many people here, and as long as Chen Huan and his team dared to lay a hand on him, they would not be able to escape the pursuit of the Deep Sea Sect later on!

A team that had to hustle for dozens of spirit stones constantly definitely could not afford to pay the fine of 10,000 spirit stones!

It was unless Chen Huan and company killed all the mortals in the city. However, would City Lord Duanmu agree to that?

As Pei Ling thought about it, he suddenly heard a shout from behind him, “Pei Ling!”

Pei Ling recognized Chen Mei’s voice. His gaze shifted around slightly before he turned around calmly.

Chen Mei took the lead and ran over with Zhang Zhongqin following closely behind. The two of them walked quickly to Pei Ling and immediately sandwiched him. Chen Mei said sternly, “Didn’t you say that you were going to rest in the guest courtyard today? Why did you come out?!”

Pei Ling did not bat an eye. Something is really a little off with these two!

“Senior Sister Chen, I did try to rest, but after lying on the bed for a while, I couldn’t fall asleep. So I came out to take a walk.” Pei Ling explained casually, “I was afraid that you all might need more rest, so I didn’t disturb you.”

Zhang Zhongqin said with a dark expression, “Since we’re a team, you should let us know when you come and go. Otherwise, how can we not be worried if you disappeared out of the blue?”

“Senior Brother Zhang is right. This time, I was being inconsiderate.” Pei Ling said with a sincere expression.

Seeing how Pei Ling did not panic at all, as if he was really only going out for a walk, the two secretly sighed in relief. After exchanging a look, Chen Mei toned down and snorted, “I’ll forget about it this time. If there’s a next time, see if I still care about you.”

“Don’t worry, Senior Sister. Junior Brother will inform you what I’m doing from now onwards.” Pei Ling immediately replied, “It’s getting late, so let’s return to the city lord’s residence!”

These words were in line with Chen Mei and Zhang Zhongqin’s intentions. The two of them nodded without hesitation and said, “Alright! Let’s return to the City Lord Residence first!”

Hence, the three of them walked back together.

Along the way, Pei Ling deliberately walked closer to Chen Mei, almost to the point that his body glued onto her.

Chen Mei frowned. She was unhappy inside, but she was afraid that Pei Ling would escape halfway, so she did not dare to scold him or even avoid him.

After walking for a while longer, Pei Ling went overboard and placed an arm on Chen Mei’s shoulder!

Chen Mei’s body froze. When she reacted, she angrily said, “Junior Brother Pei, you…”

“Senior Sister Chen, since you’re so concerned about me. Do you like me?” Pei Ling deliberately asked with a puzzled look.

Chen Mei choked on her word. She subconsciously looked at Zhang Zhongqin, only to see that he was also startled. However, after realizing what was going on, not only did he not intervene, he even used his gaze to signal her to cooperate!

Chen Mei’s expression turned ugly. However, seeing that Pei Ling was still looking at her with an earnest look, she could only reply reluctantly, “Yes, a little…”

“Isn’t that enough? Us cultivators should be open and above board. Why must we be like ordinary people, stuck to the so-called etiquette and social norms!” Pei Ling replied decisively. Then, he put his arm around Chen Mei’s waist and swaggered towards the City Lord Residence.

As they passed by a street and a crowd, Pei Ling suddenly pinched Chen Mei’s waist hard.

“Ah!” Chen Mei cried out in shock and almost broke free from Pei Ling’s arm.

It caught Zhang Zhongqin’s attention momentarily as well.

While the two were distracted, Pei Ling secretly took action and stole a sachet from the crowd.

Seeing that Pei Ling was only taking advantage of her, Chen Mei was flustered and furious. However, Zhang Zhongqin became relieved. The boy seemed lustful, but it meant that he would not need to worry about Pei Ling’s cooperation with their subsequent plans!

After a while, the three of them returned to the City Lord Residence. As they passed by a bamboo forest inside, Pei Ling used the same trick again and touched Chen Mei’s body.. With Chen Mei shrieking and Zhang Zhongpang distracted, he secretly threw the sachet that he had stolen behind a cluster of bamboo…