Chapter 13

    Liu Yi You frowned, her mouth open to call out for her grandfather, but she hesitated. A question popped into her mind: if she called him, would she get beaten by a stick?

    With no answer, Liu Yi You chose to keep quiet and obediently walked towards Liu Tan.

    The little girl softly said, "Big brother," and blinked innocently.

    Hearing this, Liu Tan smiled with satisfaction, gently patted her head, and said, "This is my little sister, Yi You."

    The young woman nodded, acknowledging her. "Miss Liu."

    The little girl politely curtsied to the other woman but didn't know what to say.

    She didn't know the other woman's name, after all. She pouted internally again.

    "Miss, my little sister is back. Come on now, let me take you home," Liu Tan said gently then he turned to Liu Yi You. "Little one, wait here."

    To Liu Yi You, Liu Tan's gentle smile seemed like that of an old child. She pouted internally but said nothing.

    "Master Liu, what about your sister?"

    "Don't worry, it's best if she waits here."

    He should have escorted the lady home a long time ago, but he didn't dare leave because Mao Tong and Liu Yi You hadn't returned yet. Now that Liu Yi You was back, he decided to escort this lady home.

    A woman alone in the forest is not safe. Liu Tan did this out of kindness, without any improper intentions. Earlier, he saw this young lady stumble alone and helped her, offering to escort her home, but he had to wait for his sister.

    How could he tell others that he was already a grandfather? His appearance certainly didn't reflect his age. It wouldn't make sense. So he made Liu Yi You call him "big brother."

    However, in the little girl's eyes, her third grandfather now seemed like an old child trying to flirt with a young lady.

    The stranger frowned at the little girl, who sat down and took out some snacks, while occasionally glancing at the silent woman standing nearby. She guessed that the little girl must be from a wealthy family and that the other woman was extraordinarily beautiful, catching her eye for a while.

    "Young lady?" Liu Tan's voice startled the young woman.

    "Yes?" She blinked at him.

    A young man offering to take a woman like her home, even leaving his sister in the forest, made her unsure what to think. Did it mean she was more important than everything, or was he just a flirt? But which man didn't have three wives and four concubines? Thinking this, the young woman's face reddened slightly. Observing Liu Tan's clothing, it was clear he was well-off...

    "But leaving the young miss here like this might not be appropriate. If a wild animal comes and attacks her, it would be terrible," the young woman spoke generously, but her shyness was clearly visible.

    Liu Tan frowned upon hearing this, looked at his niece, and scratched his ear. If she encountered a wild animal, he thought the animal would likely end up as scraps in her stomach.

    "Young lady, let's go. I'll take you home," Liu Tan said plainly.

    Seeing Liu Tan insist, the young woman nodded and looked at the little girl once more before walking away. She was slightly surprised that Liu Tan had no intention of conversing with that beautiful woman at all.

    What she didn't know was that it wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he couldn't...

    At that moment, as Liu Tan and the young woman were about to leave, they heard a ruckus that sounded like a young boy's voice.

    "This stinky-faced kid, this place is so barren. Let's go into town. It'll be easier to buy herbs there."

    The young man and woman turned to look towards the sound. The woman frowned, trying to locate the source, but saw nothing. Liu Tan's brow twitched. If he didn't leave immediately, things wouldn't go as planned.

    "Young lady, let's hurry," Liu Tan urged.

    "But…where is the boy's voice coming from?" the young woman pointed in the direction of the sound.

    "It's nothing, you misheard," Liu Tan said.

    "Stinky old man, where are you going? Go pack up; we're heading into town," Mao Tong called out without delay, addressing Liu Tan as if it were second nature.

    Liu Tan's brow twitched for the hundredth time. He didn't try to respond and quickly led the young woman away.

    "Master Liu, is there an old person around here?" the young woman asked as she hurried after him.

    "It's probably just a local. Miss, you should hurry home before your family starts to worry," Liu Tan replied, fearing that the pesky worm would reveal his secrets.

    However, people often face what they fear the most.

    "Old man Three, where are you going? I said we're heading into town," Mao Tong shouted again, while Liu Yi You sat watching with wide eyes, unsure of what to do.

    Finally, Liu Tan couldn't stand it anymore.

    "I know, I'll be right there. Stop shouting," he yelled back at the worm.

    The young woman was utterly confused. Why was Master Liu being called an old man by an invisible boy? Or was she just hearing things? She wanted to ask but saw Liu Tan's darkened face and didn't dare to say anything more.

    After escorting the young woman to her village, Liu Tan was about to leave, but she spoke up to stop him.

    "Master Liu, my name is Li Chu," she said shyly.

    Liu Tan, his mind elsewhere, replied perfunctorily, "See you again, young lady Li Chu." His smile remained gentle, but his mind was far from calm.

    The young woman watched the back of the young man walking away and smiled broadly, hoping she would get to see him again.

    However, that was just a fleeting dream of hers, as the young man never appeared before her again.

    Liu Tan had returned, and everyone continued their journey into the town.

    The two turtles and one worm were now banned from the real Underwater Palace because it was filled with medicinal herbs. Liu Yi You didn't want them to know until they had gathered a significant amount of herbs themselves.

    She had almost filled her cosmic ring with blue persimmons and lotus seeds, while other items were moved to her cosmic bracelet.

    Before entering the town, Liu Yi You covered Tong Tian's face with a black cloth, resembling a hijab. Although she felt a bit sorry for Tong Tian, she had to do this to prevent any trouble that might arise due to Tong Tian's beauty.

    After buying some herbs, there was nothing else of interest. Just as Liu Yi You and her group were about to leave the town, the entire place began to shake violently.

    Rumble!

    The three people and their three mischievous companions looked at each other.

    "What’s happening?" Liu Tan couldn't help but ask.

    Ta Gui looked extremely worried. "This is a sign of collapse. We can't stay calm any longer."

    "What should we do then?" Liu Yi You asked, tilting her head cutely.

    "Let's go check the Guardian's Tomb first."