Zui took another bite, his face glowing with delight, entirely absorbed in the moment.
Then, without warning, Wang Zhu's voice cut through his blissful indulgence.
"Where is the brothel located?" she asked, her mind refocused on their purpose.
Zui, still chewing, looked straight at her.
"I don't know. I haven't sensed its presence yet. It's still early in the morning. That old fart's brothel usually opens between noon and midnight, which means we still have time to rest, and—" He suddenly stopped talking, sniffing the air as if he had caught a new scent.
"What is that?" he asked, continuing to sniff as he followed the aroma's trail.
Wang Zhu, recognizing the scent instantly, walked beside him, her gaze fixed ahead.
"Pork skewers," she answered, halting Zui, who looked at her in surprise.
"Pork what? Are they delicious? Do they have sugar, like this fruit?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Wang Zhu simply took out some coins from her hanfu and handed them to him.
"I don't know. Go find out for yourself," she replied.
Zui, not the least bit shy, quickly accepted the coins and dashed off. By the time he returned, he was already halfway through a skewer, chewing happily.
"You must have plenty of money. Your sect must be wealthy! By the way, what's the name of your sect?" he asked, not looking at her as he continued eating.
Wang Zhu didn't reply, merely waiting in silence as he finished his food, unfazed by his constant chatter.
Then, she noticed several passersby staring at her intently, some whispering to their companions while shaking their heads.
She frowned.
If there was one thing she despised, it was being the center of attention.
Zui, glancing at her, caught her expression.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
Without taking her eyes off the gawking onlookers, she muttered,
"Why are they staring at me?"
Zui followed her gaze and immediately understood.
Smiling at the bystanders, he turned back to her and said,
"Simple. You're dressed like a noble, while I-a barefooted child-am covered in dried blood, wearing rags full of holes, with messy hair and the stench of rotten food."
Wang Zhu snapped her gaze to him, only to see him grinning.
She sighed.
She had completely overlooked something so obvious.
Zui, unbothered, simply shrugged.
"Doesn't bother me, but to others? It does. People care too much about appearances. Look at them-clean on the outside, but just as filthy as dirty water-"
Wang Zhu suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward, cutting his words short.
"Where are we going?" He asked.
"Stop asking and just walk," Wang Zhu said, her voice laced with displeasure.
Zui merely nodded, allowing her to drag him along as he continued eating.
"You humans worry too much about everything," he mumbled between bites.
"Not even giving the gods above a moment to rest. So burdensome."
Wang Zhu halted, glancing at him as if she were about to say something.
"What?" Zui asked.
She opened her mouth but quickly reconsidered. With a shake of her head, she simply resumed walking.
Wang Zhu's grip tightened slightly as the weight of their onlookers' gazes grew heavier.
They had been walking in relative silence, but now, it felt like every step they took was under scrutiny.
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Zui clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Why are these people so nosy? Can't they just mind their own business?" he muttered under his breath.
"Aiya, stop, stop," Zui huffed, pulling his hand free from Wang Zhu's grasp in a playful yet dismissive gesture.
"You just stand there and watch."
Before Wang Zhu could respond, a sudden gust of wind whipped around Zui, swirling up from the earth below.
The air grew charged as the wind coiled around him like a living entity, rising higher and higher.
A soft hum resonated in the air as the wind picked up speed, enveloping him entirely.
Then, in a brilliant burst, fine white dust; like stardust, scattered into the air, shimmering under the fading sunlight.
For a long moment, the swirling vortex roared like a gentle storm. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the whirlwind dissolved, the gusts softening into a quiet breeze.
As the dust settled, Zui stood before Wang Zhu, transformed. His clothes were now an extravagant red hanfu, its fabric flowing gracefully with every movement.
The sleeves shimmered faintly, catching the light in an almost ethereal way. His hair was now neatly tied into a high ponytail, secured with an ornate gold and silver crown.
A subtle braid ran along one side, adding an elegant touch. But the most striking feature was the red crescent moon symbol on his forehead; unmistakable and mysterious.
Zui smiled confidently, a playful gleam in his eyes as he looked at Wang Zhu, who was clearly caught off guard by the sudden display.
"There," he said with a grin, his voice light and teasing.
"All good."
For a moment, Wang Zhu and a few others stood frozen, still processing the speed and elegance of his transformation. Then, as if snapping back to reality, Wang Zhu's expression shifted; her brows knitting together in displeasure.
"Why didn't you do this before people started staring—" She stopped abruptly, her eyes catching sight of five familiar figures lurking within the crowd.
Their hanfu, embroidered with distinct markings, left no doubt about their identity.
The Mowei sect.
A sharp inhale barely made it past Wang Zhu's lips before she felt Zui shift beside her.
"Why are they here?" His voice, though still touched with curiosity, carried a flicker of unease.
"They're on a hunt," Wang Zhu replied, her expression unreadable.
"A hunt? Hunting what? Could it be... me?" Zui asked, his voice now quieter, more cautious.
"Probably," Wang Zhu answered curtly.
"Let's go."
Without waiting for another word, she grasped Zui's left arm and pulled him through the crowded street. They wove through the throng of people, moving swiftly, deliberately avoiding unnecessary attention or confrontation.
Zui huffed as he tried to keep up with her pace.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.
Wang Zhu didn't answer. She simply kept walking, her grip firm, her expression unreadable.
"Aiya, wait, wait!" Zui shoved his hand away with an exasperated sigh, his breath coming out in short pants.
He wiped a sheen of sweat from his forehead, his brows furrowing in frustration.
"Let's stop for a moment. Aren't you tired? We've been walking under the sun for—I don't even know how long! My feet feel like they're about to fall off," he complained, shooting her a look of pure misery.
Wang Zhu slowed her steps, her gaze sweeping over him with a skeptical glint.
Zui noticed. His shoulders tensed as indignation flared in his chest.
"What? Doubting me again?" he snapped, his voice carrying a mix of irritation and exhaustion.
Wang Zhu remained silent, something Zui had already predicted. He let out a sharp breath, rubbing his temples.
"You're unbelievable..." he muttered, frustration seeping into his tone.