To be honest, this time she really wronged Yun Zhonghe. He truly didn't expect to be grouped with Huang Aotian and the female lead again.
Mu Jixue wanted to pull Lin Zhongyu to sit on the other side, a suggestion that made Lin Zhongyu feel a headache.
Couldn't Xue'er see that Yun Zhonghe was helping them just now? If they continued to exclude him now, wouldn't it make Yun's efforts in vain?
Lin Zhongyu couldn't help but mutter in a low voice, "Xue'er, you weren't so petty before. How did you become like this now?"
"I, I didn't..."
Lin Zhongyu's Soul-searching question made Mu Jixue anxious.
She explained feeling both wronged and sad, "I'm not petty, I just..."
Seeing Mu Jixue's wronged expression, Lin Zhongyu's heart immediately softened.
"Forget it, it's my fault, I'm sorry Xue'er. I just think we could be more polite and accommodating to Yun."
"It's okay, Xiao Yu."
Lin Zhongyu's words re-energized Mu Jixue, and she showed a cute smile: "I know, Xiao Yu, you are a particularly gentle person, so it's me who is too calculative. Let's not quarrel over Yun Zhonghe. I will listen to Xiao Yu."
"Mm, you're right, Xue'er~"
Lin Zhongyu smiled slightly, and the gloom in her heart also dissipated, leaving only a slight strangeness.
In the end, the two still sat next to Yun Zhonghe, but Mu Jixue intentionally sat on the outside, with Lin Zhongyu sandwiched in the middle.
The three of them formed a pattern like an Oreo sandwich cookie.
...
After half a day of flying, the spiritual boat finally arrived at Qingzhu Town.
Qingzhu Town is a small town, quite far from Cangzhou City, located on the edge of Cangzhou City's territory. Even a spiritual boat takes half a day to reach it, and if traveling by horse, it's unknown how long it would take.
Therefore, Cangzhou City's official management is difficult, and areas like this are most likely to harbor Demonic Cultivators or evil Cultivators.
The previous team sent to investigate the town's missing persons case is still unaccounted for, which is why the second team, including Yun Zhonghe, arrived.
The spiritual boat landed, and the group walked out. Song Ziwei, a Disciple of the Heaven Sword Sect, raised her hand and retracted the spiritual boat. It turned back into a palm-sized boat model and was stored in her Qiankun bag.
Flying magical tools are indeed convenient and save time. If they had traveled by horse, bumping along the way, it's unknown how much physical strength and spiritual power they would have consumed.
This mission is already full of danger; every bit of spiritual power and physical strength is extremely important, and it might even change a person's fate.
Although Yun Zhonghe wasn't particularly familiar with the other team members, after brief contact on the boat, he felt they were all very nice people and sincerely hoped they could return safely.
Upon arriving before Qingzhu Town, there were soldiers guarding the town gate. After Yun Zhonghe and the others showed the mission tokens issued by the Immortal Alliance, the guards dared not be negligent and immediately went inside to find the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head).
Everyone waited at the entrance.
Although the town is small, it has everything. People were walking on the streets, some carrying shoulder poles, some shopping, and some selling snacks.
The inns and shops along the road were also operating normally. It seemed like Qingzhu Town was bustling and completely unaffected by the missing persons incident.
"How strange, it looks very normal here, and I don't sense any aura of evil Cultivators or Demonic Cultivators."
The siblings Xiao Yang and Xiao Yue couldn't help but say.
The others remained silent, but they had the same feeling. This seemingly peaceful town didn't look like it had any crisis.
"No, look closely." However, at this moment, Yun Zhonghe sharply noticed an unusual detail, "There are very few young and middle-aged people on the streets, mostly elderly people, and some women and children."
In general missing persons cases, women and children are usually the ones who go missing more often. Here, it's the opposite; young and middle-aged people are almost nowhere to be seen.
After Yun Zhonghe's reminder, the others also realized that something was wrong.
Xiao Yang and Xiao Yue: "It really does seem that way."
Song Ziwei: "What Yun said is absolutely right."
Luo Qing: "..."
Miss Luo Qing, who had a very low sense of presence along the way, trembled slightly, feeling the hairs on her entire body stand on end.
"I suddenly feel this place is ominous."
Perhaps years of experience as a rogue Cultivator made her instinctively sense the danger. She somewhat didn't want to enter this den of dragons and tigers.
However, rogue Cultivators are extremely short on cultivation resources, so she had no choice but to take the risk. This mission offered a hundred Spirit Stones per person, which was very important to her.
Yun Zhonghe saw her pale Face and, knowing the plot, also didn't want everyone to take risks. But how should he explain it? How could he make everyone believe him without suspecting him?
Yun Zhonghe had no other way and could only wait and see, trying to find a way to expose the town's secrets.
So he said to Luo Qing, "I also feel there is something wrong with this place. If Miss Luo Qing is afraid, you can withdraw now. No one will blame you."
He spoke earnestly, thinking that saving one more life was better than not.
Yun Zhonghe's words immediately warmed Luo Qing's heart. She looked up at his handsome Face and suddenly felt a surge of strength.
"I... I'm fine, I'll act with everyone!"
"Like this..."
Yun Zhonghe didn't say much, just nodded silently.
However, his every word and action earned the admiration of others, especially Lin Zhongyu, who felt that Yun was truly too gentle and reliable.
She was very happy. The facts proved that she had not misjudged Yun Zhonghe. At least in her fourteen years of life, she had never met anyone with better character than him.
Yun Zhonghe is definitely a very good friend and takes everyone to heart!
Only like this would he not fall out with Mu Jixue over a small friction and would still be willing to get along with them.
Perhaps in this world, there is only one man like Yun Zhonghe who is broad-minded, reliable, upright, and also doesn't have any special thoughts about them.
If even such a person is not worth getting close to, then who is?
Thinking of this, Lin Zhongyu's thoughts instantly became clear.
She must make sure Mu Jixue seizes the opportunity and becomes a close friend with Yun Zhonghe.
This way, if they encounter any problems in the future, they will have one more person to discuss with.
But before that, she must make Mu Jixue apologize as soon as possible. Yun Zhonghe must have noticed those small emotions just now.
Although Yun Zhonghe didn't seem to care about Mu Jixue's murmuring, Lin Zhongyu felt that some things needed to be explicitly stated.
After all, relationships often break down due to the accumulation of trivial matters.
Chapter 60 Entering Qingzhu Town
Lin Zhongyu had made up her mind to find an opportunity to talk to Mu Jixue.
The three of them would eventually establish a stable and harmonious friendship!
While Lin Zhongyu's thoughts were rapidly flowing, a slightly plump and amiable old man approached.
"Oh dear, the Immortal Masters have arrived! I apologize for not coming out to welcome you!"
The old man rubbed his hands together as he walked closer to the group.
Yun Zhonghe narrowed his eyes and sized up the old man. Although he knew the general plot direction of the Qingzhu Town missing persons case, he didn't know many details, as this place had no significant connection to the main storyline of the original work.
Even many clues about the town's secrets had not been uncovered.
But after Yun Zhonghe's observation, he didn't find anything unusual about this old man.
Presumably, this was the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) NPC who issued the mission.
"Immortal Masters, you must be tired from your long journey. Rooms have been prepared for you at my residence. Please rest for a day before attending to official business."
"Please follow me, everyone."
"Oh, by the way, my surname is Wu, and I am the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) of Qingzhu Town. You can just call me Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head), Immortal Masters."
Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) introduced himself and enthusiastically invited everyone to rest at the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head)'s residence.
But Yun Zhonghe was very cautious. Although he didn't find anything suspicious about Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head), he felt he had the responsibility to protect all the team members, so he didn't plan to follow the usual procedure.
"Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head), we are here on behalf of the Immortal Alliance. According to the Immortal Alliance's regulations, we are not allowed to privately accept any benefits. We won't trouble the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head). Let's find an inn in the town to stay at."
Song Ziwei had originally intended to follow Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) to his residence.
But upon hearing Yun Zhonghe's words, she paused.
Yun Zhonghe was already the backbone of the team, and he was steady and had his own opinions, a rare and reliable good man.
Moreover, Yun Zhonghe's awareness was extremely high, which also slightly impressed her. In reality, although the Immortal Alliance had such regulations, very few people actually followed them.
Not taking a single needle or thread from the common people, only serving them well.
If it were someone else, Song Ziwei might have thought the person was just putting on a show, but when Yun Zhonghe did it, it made people feel that "he is indeed this kind of person."
Adhering to rules, having principles, but not being rigid, he is truly a model for our generation.
Song Ziwei also felt she should emulate Yun.
"I agree with Yun's opinion. Let's stay at an inn for now and not trouble Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head)."
Lin Zhongyu immediately declared, "I agree too!"
She followed Yun Zhonghe's steps without hesitation.
This Qingzhu Town missing persons incident was indeed a bit strange. The previous team was still completely out of contact. If it weren't for the life tokens issued by the Immortal Alliance not being broken, everyone would have thought they had met a tragic end.
But the fact that not a single message could get out already indicated that there was something wrong with Qingzhu Town.
It was indeed not advisable to stay at the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head)'s house. Who knew if the Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) was hiding something?
The three Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators had already stated their opinions, so the other three Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators naturally had nothing to say. Only Mu Jixue had not yet expressed her opinion.
Lin Zhongyu gave her a look, and Mu Jixue could only stammer, "I... I also agree..."
Yun Zhonghe said to Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head), "Thank you for your kindness, Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head). It is truly because of the Immortal Alliance's regulations that we cannot accept."
Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head)'s Face stiffened, as if he hadn't expected to be refused.
"Ah, it's alright. I didn't expect the Immortal Masters to have such high awareness and Dao Heart, it's admirable! We have many inns in Qingzhu Town that are good and inexpensive. I can introduce them to you."
After recovering, Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) chuckled apologetically and began to introduce the inns in the town.
Yun Zhonghe exchanged glances with Song Ziwei beforehand, letting her handle the direct interaction with Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head), while Yun Zhonghe stayed behind, responsible for observing the surroundings.
Putting Song Ziwei forward was partly for division of labor and partly to let her represent them, giving her Face.
Song Ziwei truly felt that Yun Zhonghe knew how to conduct himself properly.
So Song Ziwei quickly inquired about the missing persons case. Yun Zhonghe walked behind, close to Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu, observing the town.
For him, keeping a close eye on Huang Aotian was the top priority. He couldn't let this White-haired Loli get into trouble.
"I heard that people go missing in your town every few days. Is that true?"
"It is true. The families of the missing people have reported it to the yamen, but we can't find these missing people. However, Qingzhu Town is still some distance from the wilderness, and there are no wild beasts that usually come here. We don't know where these people have gone."
Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) spoke of this matter with a look of deep sorrow.
To outsiders, he truly seemed like a responsible good Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head).
Afterwards, Song Ziwei asked for some information about the missing people.
Wu Zhenzhang (Town Head) answered everything he knew, without holding anything back.
He was very cooperative.
Yun Zhonghe had been observing with his arms crossed, his observant eyes searching for clues as if he could see through everything.
The group walked towards the inn.
Suddenly, a ball bounced over and happened to hit Mu Jixue.
Mu Jixue didn't get angry. She picked up the ball and threw it back to the child. After doing so, she even smiled and waved at the child.
The child who got the ball back started playing with it again, not acknowledging Mu Jixue at all throughout the process.
He neither apologized for the ball hitting someone nor thanked the other person for returning the ball.
It was as if he didn't see Mu Jixue, completely immersed in his own world.
However, Mu Jixue didn't feel the slightest bit of displeasure. She was broad-minded and magnanimous.
Yun Zhonghe saw everything.
Why didn't any of Huang Aotian's gentleness and friendliness extend to him?