What to do if you receive the wrong package?

Even without Xuan Yi, Shen Mujin's life continued as usual, but she was indeed a little unaccustomed to the sudden absence of someone by her side.

Shen Mujin counted the days on her fingers; today was the fifth day since Xuan Yi left. Looking at the drizzling rain outside the window, she suddenly remembered that the weather was just like this the day she "found" Xuan Yi. If Da Huang hadn't run off, she wouldn't have happened to meet Xuan Yi.

To prevent Da Huang from running away again, she picked him up and Da Huang nestled in her arms without moving. She stroked Da Huang's soft, furry body and felt its warm temperature. Indeed, petting a dog is a therapeutic thing.

"Big Yellow, you're still the best."

"Woof woof woof!" Of course, how can a dog of a man compare to us dogs?

Shen Mujin counted the tally marks carved on the wall. "Dahuang, I've been at the foot of the mountain for over a month now. I plan to leave here the day after tomorrow to go find my friends."

Upon hearing this, Da Huang immediately raised its head and barked "woof woof woof," as if asking to be taken away with it.

Shen Mujin rubbed the dog's head and said with a laugh, "You're too smart, you little dog. Don't worry, we'll go together."

"Wang Wang Wang"

"Okay, okay, you're the smartest."

The next day, Shen Mujin woke up naturally in her spacious and comfortable bed, only realizing it was almost noon after washing up. Not hungry yet, she decided to pack her belongings first.

"Just bring a few light, comfortable, and inconspicuous clothes."

"Make some dry rations and carry them with you, just in case."

"When you're poor, be prepared to travel well; carry all your money on your back. Oh, and it's best to put it in different places, just in case it gets stolen... Pshaw, no 'if's.

Shen Mujin paced back and forth in the room, muttering to herself. At first, Da Huang would follow her around, helping to carry things, but later it simply lay down and rested. After Shen Mujin finished packing her belongings, she turned her attention back to Da Huang. After watching Da Huang ponder for a moment, she immediately found an old white garment, made some simple alterations, and turned it into a small vest-like bundle for Da Huang, forcing Da Huang to carry some small items for her, even including a small amount of money that had been separated.

After packing her things, it was already evening, and her stomach, which hadn't eaten all day, began to rumble in protest. After a quick meal, Shen Mujin seized the opportunity to roll up her sleeves and make a pot of cornbread, planning to take it all with her after it cooled down.

The next day was bright and clear. Shen Mujin shaded her eyes with her hand and looked up at the sky. The azure sky was cloudless, and the shimmering sunlight felt warm on her skin. Shen Mujin took a deep breath and shouted to the sky, "Falling Cloud Cliff, I'm leaving, goodbye!"

After shouting, he locked the door behind him, closed the courtyard gate, slung his pack over his shoulder, put on the small bamboo basket and food box containing food, and led Big Yellow towards the back mountain.

Before leaving, Shen Mujin decided to visit the original owner's parents. She took a white cloth from the bamboo basket, which had been wet by the stream, and used it to wipe the tombstone clean. She then took out several plates of prepared fruits and vegetables from the food box, arranged them, and finally opened a jar of wine and placed it in front of the original owner's father's grave.

Shen Mujin remained silent throughout, unsure of what to say. She simply waved goodbye as she left and whispered, "See you next time."

The path up the mountain was far more difficult than Shen Mujin had imagined. The rain of the past few days had made the dark and damp mountain forest muddy and slippery. Shen Mujin looked at the mud stains around the hem of her skirt and sighed helplessly.

She had been walking all morning, but it didn't feel like she had gone very far. Leaning on a thick branch she had picked up, she looked up to figure out the direction she needed to go next. Suddenly, Big Yellow, who had run ahead to scout the way, came galloping over, grabbed her clothes, and ran backward, almost pulling Shen Mujin down.

Shen Mujin steadied herself and tried to pull her clothes back, but Da Huang had bitten too hard, and with a "rip," the hem broke. Looking at the tattered clothes, Shen Mujin was slightly annoyed. "What happened to you?"

Seeing that Shen Mujin wouldn't follow, Dahuang hurriedly retreated behind her legs and used its head to push her forward. Shen Mujin realized that something was wrong with Dahuang and quickly took a few steps forward, anxiously asking, "What's wrong, Dahuang? What happened up ahead?"

Big Yellow looked around warily, pressed its body tightly against Shen Mujin's legs, and let out a low growl.

Seeing this, Shen Mujin also became alert, pulling out a sharp dagger from her waist and nervously looking around. Escape was probably impossible now, so she might as well fight back.

Immediately afterward, a series of footsteps sounded around her, and seven or eight men in black surrounded Shen Mujin. She swallowed nervously and asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

Although Shen Mujin kept telling herself not to be afraid, her voice still trembled uncontrollably.

The man in black sized up Shen Mujin, who was trembling but pretending to be calm, and said, "My master would like to invite you to be a guest. I hope you will do me the honor of coming."

"I don't know your master. Have you come to the wrong person?" Shen Mujin was afraid that a direct refusal would displease the man in black and shut him down, so she quickly asked indirectly.

“My master wishes to meet Palace Master Xuan, but has been unable to do so. He has heard that you have a close relationship with Palace Master Xuanyi of Weiyang Palace, so he would like to ask you to introduce us.”

Shen Mujin felt like cursing after hearing this.

Damn it, Xuan Yi, you can just leave, but you left her with this mess.

If Xuan Yi were still among these scumbags, he would probably be dead by now. It's a pity that this bastard disappeared without a word and left Zhuiyun Cliff a long time ago.

Shen Mujin grew angrier the more she thought about it and finally cursed out, "Who said I know that bastard? If your master wants to know him, let him know him himself. I don't want to see that annoying guy."

The man in black hadn't expected that his words would instantly enrage Shen Mujin, who had just been trembling with fear. Looking at the furious Shen Mujin in front of him, he couldn't help but doubt the information his master had provided. Was this girl really a friend of the Xuan Palace Master and not an enemy?

But he was only following orders, so he could only "invite the girl back" for now. He raised his hand and waved behind him, and the men in black behind him rushed forward instantly.

Shen Mujin screamed in fright at the sudden movement of the man in black. Without thinking, she lifted her skirt, turned around, and ran after Da Huang, shouting repeatedly, "Don't chase me!"

Or, "Xuanyi, I hate you."

Or, "Help! Murder!"

Or, "Run, Big Yellow, don't worry about me!"

In the end, she no longer cared what she was saying; she could only sprint forward with all her might. However, how could a girl with no strength to even kill a chicken compare to the assassins with their superb agility? She was surrounded again in no time.

Shen Mujin, panting heavily, gripped the dagger in her hand. The absence of Da Huang both reassured and troubled her. Looking at the men in black surrounding her, she decided to fight to the death.

Hmph, even if I die, I'll take someone down with me!

However, "Xuan Yi, I will haunt you even as a ghost."

After shouting those words, Shen Mujin suddenly ran towards a man in black on her right. The man in black on the right was startled for a moment, but quickly reacted, swinging his longsword to interrupt Shen Mujin's attack.

Undeterred, Shen Mujin haphazardly lunged at the man in black beside him, but this time she not only missed but also had her dagger knocked away.

The man in black looked at Shen Mujin, who was still putting up a stubborn resistance, and warned her, "Miss, if you come with us obediently, I will guarantee your life. If you continue, I'm afraid swords and spears have no eyes."

"I'd rather die than go with you! You can take my head or my life, go ahead and kill me if you dare!" Shen Mujin decided to throw caution to the wind and sat down on the ground. Without even caring whether her hands were clean, she took a piece of cake from the bamboo basket and stuffed it into her mouth.

Even if I'm going to be a ghost, I'll be a ghost who dies with a full stomach.

Seeing this, the man in black could only beckon others to move closer. But before he could take two steps, his body suddenly went limp and he collapsed to the ground.

This unexpected turn of events took the other men in black by surprise, and they all turned to look at Shen Mujin.

"What happened? Is it her...?"

"Impossible, there are other people in the woods. Be careful."

The other men in black looked serious. One of them wanted to finish the job quickly and take Shen Mujin away, but just like the previous man, he was killed after taking only two steps.

Not only were the men in black filled with apprehension, but Shen Mujin was also stunned.

What's going on? Has she awakened some kind of magical power?

Shen Mujin raised her hands with some curiosity, her eyes darting around as she pointed at the man in black in front of her: "Who will be next? It's a game of chance, whoever's pointed at is...you!"

Now everyone's attention fell on the man in black who had been pointed at by Shen Mujin. The man in black stood still, afraid to move, lest he be attacked by Shen Mujin's strange attack at any moment.

After waiting for quite a while, nothing happened to the man in black who was pointed at.

"Hmph, playing tricks!" The man in black, who was being pointed at, was somewhat embarrassed and angry. He drew his long sword and walked towards Shen Mujin. Shen Mujin was shocked. It seemed that she had gone too far.

Fortunately, Lady Luck smiled upon them again, and the man in black, after taking two or three more steps, also lost his life and collapsed to the ground.

"This..." A hint of panic flashed in the eyes of the remaining men in black. They exchanged glances. If they failed the mission and went back to die anyway, they might as well fight to the death.

The remaining men drew their longswords and charged at Shen Mujin with all their might. As expected, the men in black fell dead one by one, the last one collapsing five steps away from Shen Mujin.

The last remaining man in black, clinging to his last breath, his eyes blazing with fury, asked, "Who...who are you?"

Shen Mujin shook her head, letting him die knowing the truth. "It wasn't me."

"If it wasn't you, it would be..." The man in black stopped breathing before he could finish speaking.

Shen Mujin remained seated. Although she really wanted to leave, the situation she had just experienced had left her legs too weak to stand up, so she could only sit for the time being.

Looking around at the empty surroundings, she said gratefully, "Thank you so much for saving my life, brave warrior. I wonder if I could thank you in person?"

No one responded.

Undeterred, Shen Mujin continued, "Since we're going to save him, could you please help me find my dog? Its name is..."

Before Shen Mujin could finish speaking, Da Huang ran over barking and nuzzled affectionately against her hand. She looked at Da Huang, who was covered in dirt, then down at the stains on her own clothes. No longer trying to deceive her, she called out directly, "Feng Ting, come help me up, I can't stand up."

Feng Ting, who was hiding in the tree, was taken aback when he heard this. Although he was a little confused about why he had been exposed, he obediently flew down from the tree and helped Shen Mujin, who was sitting on the ground, to her feet.

"Could you please help me to the stream ahead? Thank you," Shen Mujin said softly, leaning against Feng Ting.

Sitting down by the stream, Shen Mujin quickly tidied herself up. Watching Da Huang happily playing in the water, she couldn't help but laugh. She then looked at Feng Ting, who was standing not far away, and waved.

"Feng Ting, thank you so much. Luckily you intervened, otherwise I might not have survived."

"Miss Shen, you're too kind." Feng Ting was too embarrassed to say some things aloud. If it weren't for his master, Miss Shen wouldn't have encountered these dangers.

"Your appearance here can't be a coincidence, right? Xuan Yi... is gone. You... came to find me?" Shen Mujin glanced casually behind Feng Ting and asked directly.

Feng Ting nodded, took out a two-strand-long mahogany box, and handed it to Shen Mujin. "Miss Shen, this is what the master asked me to give you. He thanks you for taking care of him during this time."

Shen Mujin took the box, opened it, and saw a set of crystal-clear jade jewelry. "Then I'll accept it." She closed the lid without any ceremony and placed it in the bamboo basket beside her.

"Also, the last sentence was said by you on behalf of your lord, wasn't it? I'll be thankful if he can prevent me from encountering situations like the one just now."

Feng Ting, whose lie had been exposed, looked somewhat awkward, but tried his best to reassure her. "Miss Shen, don't worry, this kind of thing won't happen again."

"Let's talk about the future later. Feng Ting, can you do me another favor?"

A gentle breeze blew, and the branches and leaves swayed lightly. Feng Ting nodded quickly, "Please speak, Miss Shen."

"This path up the mountain is too difficult for me. You are highly skilled in martial arts, could you please help me and Da Huang out of this Falling Cloud Cliff?"

“This…” Feng Ting hesitated for a moment, glancing left and right, then nodded. “Okay.”

Upon seeing Feng Ting's agreement, Shen Mujin immediately beamed with joy, "That's wonderful!" She quickly called Da Huang back, preparing to leave the mountain.

With Feng Ting's help, the two people and the dog finally left Falling Cloud Cliff before sunset and arrived at the town closest to Falling Cloud Cliff.

Standing by the roadside, listening to the conversations of people coming and going on the street, and looking at the village with wisps of smoke rising from its chimneys in the distance, Shen Mujin truly realized that "she had traveled through time."

After saying goodbye to Feng Ting, Shen Mujin walked along the road without looking back.

At that moment, Shen Mujin suddenly had a feeling that as long as she continued down this path, she would definitely find her sisters.

So no matter what happens on her journey ahead, she will be able to ride the waves and forge ahead.

Feng Ting watched Shen Mujin's departing figure, but instead of leaving, he walked back to the woods he had come from, and stopped under a poplar tree after a few steps.

"My lord, Miss Shen has safely entered the town."

Xuan Yi floated down from the tree and looked into the distance. He thought about the sudden emergency that had occurred today. If he and Feng Ting hadn't happened to appear, Shen Mujin would probably have been implicated again, and might even have been in mortal danger.

"Dare to touch Shen Mujin? Very well, Huo Wenyuan has only one path: death." Xuan Yi's pupils inadvertently contracted slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He ordered, "Send two guards to follow him, and report back immediately if anything happens."

"Yes, I obey."

"You personally select two skilled individuals. They must not be exposed unless absolutely necessary; they can be secretly protected." Xuan Yi's eyes flashed with a fierce light, sending chills down one's spine. "Also, keep an eye on Huo Wenyuan. Since he's courting death, we'll go and meet him in the next couple of days."

"Yes, the Night Group is already prepared and is just waiting for your command, Master."

Xuan Yi looked at Feng Ting, who had not yet left after receiving the order, and asked, "Is there anything else?"

Feng Ting hesitated for a moment, then extended his right hand and handed the item in his hand to Xuan Yi.

"What is this?" Xuan Yi suddenly felt that the white jade hairpin in Feng Ting's hand looked familiar.

"My lord, this is what Miss Shen just asked me to give you. She said it was her reward for protecting her along the way."

Xuan Yi picked up the white jade hairpin, surprised by his exposure, and amused by Shen Mujin's actions. He nodded and put the hairpin away.

He couldn't help but wonder what Shen Mujin meant by leaving him a hairpin: a jade hairpin, a jade hairpin, could it be for our next meeting?

Shen Mujin: You're overthinking it. She just wants to give the dignified Palace Master of Weiyang Palace a jade hairpin as payment for her escorting you along the way, and take the opportunity to humiliate you.

And the very last little bit of her secrets—just seeing the jade hairpin reminds me of her little thoughts, really just a tiny little bit.