Late in the day, Third Aunt Mu had to leave to prepare dinner. Despite her repeated invitations to Sister Wei and her siblings to visit her home, she was refused. Reluctantly, she bid them farewell, full of anticipation, and took her daughter home.
Sitting on the warm kang in her own home, Cai Wei wasted some more time. It was already mealtime, but she truly did not want to go to the main room to meet with those people. Just thinking about their greedy and hypocritical faces made her feel like throwing up, so where could she possibly have an appetite for food?
She procrastinated until Shenshi. By this time, the majority of people had already started their second meal of the New Year. It was getting hard for Cai Wei to hide any longer, so she had to bite the bullet and, with Wu’er and Cai Fei, left home and headed towards the old mansion.
As they left the courtyard, she suddenly noticed smoke coming from Jiujin’s chimney, indicating that someone was lighting a fire. This surprised her greatly.
The Zhou family wasn’t originally from our village. They were from the neighboring Zhou Family Village and moved here because it was closer to the mountains and convenient for the father and son to go hunting. They never miss going back to their old house in the Zhou Family Village to celebrate New Year with the elders. Furthermore, given the relationship between the two families, they should have informed her family if they had returned to the Mu Family Village.
So, who could be lighting a fire at the Zhou’s house at this time?
Cai Fei noticed it too, pointing at the rising smoke in surprise and says, "Older sister, look.."
Cai Wei calmly replied, "I see it. You and Wu’er go back inside, I’ll take a look and be right back."
Cai Fei looking anxious, responded, "I’ll go with you."
Cai Wei retorted, "You and Wu’er stay here, don’t go anywhere. If bad guys are in the Zhou’s house, you’ll only cause trouble for me."
Cai Fei, hearing this, bit her lip and nodded. She knew her older sister’s abilities and that her presence would be a hindrance rather than a help. So, obediently pulling Wu’er along, she went back inside.
Once they were safely inside, Cai Wei walked towards Zhou’s family house. Their houses were not far apart, only a few steps away. As she arrived at the door of the Zhou’s house, she noticed faint footprints in the snow outside the door. From seeing them, it was clear that martial arts experts made these footprints. The thick layer of snow was only slightly compressed, indicating an impressive level of light skill.
Seeing that a group of martial arts experts had arrived, Cai Wei couldn’t help but think of a group of people that she knew of. As she entered the house, she found that her judgment was correct.
Inside the room, a certain evildoer and Manager Li were sitting in chairs, quietly tasting tea. A few guards stood in silence on both sides, still as lifeless statues.
As Cai Wei entered, Nangong Yi’s eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face. Just as he was about to speak, Manager Li beat him to it, "Young lady Mu, you’re here! Come, come, I’ve been wanting to see you... it’s a good thing you’re here now..."
Hearing this, Cai Wei couldn’t help but feel a sense of impending doom. She asked, "What does Old Li need from me? Don’t tell me Tianjizi is here?"
Nangong Yi, upon hearing Cai Wei’s nickname for Tianjizi, burst into laughter. He nodded and said, "Wei’er, you really are clever. You hit the nail on the head. According to my subordinates, Tianjizi has reached Bianzhou Prefecture. At most in two days, or even one, he should be here. That’s why we’re here waiting for him."
Cai Wei’s heart sank. She was frustrated. Tianjizi is known for his deep-rooted spirituality and even worse, for his mastery in dark arts. If he is prepared, would she stand a chance against him?
Whether she wanted to or not, she needed to face him. The only way to return Brother Parrot back to his usual self was to kill him!