’Just who could it be?’

The Sect Master racked his brain but couldn’t come up with a name. In the end, he resorted to reviewing his list of enemies one by one.

Now, he had to find a way to handle this matter properly.

First, he could deny everything, no matter what. Second, he could find the person behind this and solve the problem at its source.

Only by doing so could he prevent his secret from being exposed.

But even in the worst-case scenario, the exposure of his secret would only amount to a tawdry affair. At most, he’d face some public criticism, but it wouldn’t lead to any serious consequences.

The Sect Master pondered for a moment, then a confident smile spread across his face.

...

"Senior, the sweet fermented rice here is absolutely divine. Would you like to try some?"

A small child craned his neck, looking up at Song Wanning with pleading eyes.

He was as exquisitely carved as a jade doll and utterly adorable, with a small jade gourd hanging from his waist.

Song Wanning looked down at the child and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Promoting it so enthusiastically... does your family own this restaurant?"

Hearing this, the child scratched his head in embarrassment. "No... I was just hoping that when you ordered some, you might spare a little bit for me..."

He made a gesture with his hand to show he really only wanted a tiny amount.

Song Wanning smiled. "I saw you going from table to table just now, pushing the sweet fermented rice. I really thought you were doing it for your family’s business."

She was on her way to the Artifact Talisman Sect and was passing through Jiyuan City. She had picked this restaurant at random to get a bite to eat, and this little tyke had approached her not long after she sat down.

"Alright, I’ll give it a try."

She readily agreed, ordering a portion of the sweet fermented rice and sharing some with the child.

The child sat down with her, chatting with Song Wanning as he drank. He looked utterly adorable.

"Senior, this sweet fermented rice is so delicious!"

"Oh, right. Senior, are you from out of town?"

He asked while drinking. A dark glint flashed in his eyes as he looked down, but when he raised his head again, his cute expression had returned.

"Yes, I’m heading to the Artifact Talisman Sect. I’m just passing through."

The corner of Song Wanning’s mouth curved up slightly as she took a small taste of the sweet fermented rice.

’It really was quite good.’

"Oh, I see. In that case, Senior, do you have a place to stay? Why don’t you come to my house!"

The child’s face lit up with a smile. "The rooms in the restaurants here are not only expensive, but they also love to rip people off."

He wrinkled his nose, putting on a naive and charming look.

He didn’t lower his voice when he said this, and the Shopkeeper heard him loud and clear.

"Hey, Blue Boy! You got a death wish? How dare you badmouth our restaurant! Believe it or not, I’ll beat you to a pulp!"

The Shopkeeper rolled up his sleeves and walked over, his face livid with rage.

The child immediately jumped off his chair in fear and ran behind Song Wanning. "Senior, see? I was right! This is a shady establishment! This Shopkeeper is a real crook! He’s always looking for a reason to hit people!"

He clutched tightly onto Song Wanning’s sleeve, his handsome face filled with indignation.

Song Wanning glanced back at him, the smile at the corners of her lips deepening.

"You little brat, get out here right now!"

The Shopkeeper didn’t dare to offend Song Wanning, so he could only stand a short distance away, glaring hatefully at the child.

The child stuck out his tongue. "No way! I’m not stupid!"

"You—"

The Shopkeeper was so angry he looked ready to strike.

Seeing that things were about to escalate, Song Wanning stepped in to mediate. "He’s just a child, Shopkeeper. Don’t mind him."

"Take these Spirit Stones as my apology on his behalf."

She tossed a bag of Spirit Stones, which landed precisely in the Shopkeeper’s arms.

The Shopkeeper glanced inside, and his attitude changed in an instant. He bowed low and said humbly, "Since the distinguished guest has spoken, I will take my leave. If you need anything, esteemed guest, please just say the word."

He left respectfully. The child’s eyes flickered for a moment before he reverted to his usual appearance.

He hopped and skipped in front of Song Wanning, planting his hands on his hips triumphantly. "Hmph! What a greedy slob. I told you he only cares about money, not people!"

Then he turned back around. "Senior, come on, let’s go stay at my place. My house is huge! We shouldn’t let this group of black-hearted crooks get our business!"

After speaking, he seemed to nonchalantly observe Song Wanning’s expression.

"No, thank you. I’ll stay here. I wouldn’t want to disturb you and your family."

Song Wanning sat leisurely, showing no intention of leaving.

She took another sip of the sweet fermented rice, her calm face betraying no emotion.

"It’s no bother at all!"

The child didn’t seem surprised by her refusal. He climbed back onto his stool and continued to chat idly with Song Wanning while he ate.

Soon, he began to paint the picture of a boy bullied by his father’s new wife. As he spoke, he looked like he was about to cry, but he bravely forced the tears back.

"Ever since my father remarried, he doesn’t care about me at all. Senior, you might think I’m dressed well, but the truth is... I clearly have the aptitude for cultivation, but they won’t let me train. They say the Cultivation World is too dangerous and that I should just enjoy the life of a young master in a mortal family!"

"So on the surface, my stepmother seems to treat me well, but in reality..."

"When my mother was still alive, she used to bring me here for sweet fermented rice. I haven’t had any since then... WAHHH..."

The child couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into tears, causing the people nearby to glance over frequently.

Anyone else would have surely felt extremely awkward.

But Song Wanning remained perfectly calm from beginning to end, her expression unchanging.

The child quickly started sobbing. "I’m sorry, I lost my composure! I just... I just miss my mother so much..."

"I know, you probably find me annoying too, Senior. It’s okay, I’m used to it... After all, my stepmother said that my mother was jinxed to death by a good-for-nothing like me..."

"Thank you, Senior. I should go now. It would be terrible if my bad luck affected you!"

With that, he hopped off the stool and headed for the restaurant’s exit.

The moment he turned around, his expression instantly turned cold and indifferent. Where was the slightest trace of sadness now?

He had just stepped out of the restaurant when a voice suddenly called from behind him, "Wait, kid!"

He immediately stopped, a flash of triumph crossing his face before he quickly rearranged his expression and turned back.

"Senior, is there something else?"

"Here, take these Spirit Stones." Song Wanning tossed over a Storage Bag, her eyes filled with a trace of pity. "Don’t listen to that woman. You’re a good kid. Take these Spirit Stones and live a good life."

The child was instantly dumbfounded.

’This isn’t how it was supposed to go!’

He stood there stunned for a moment, and by the time he came to his senses, Song Wanning was already back inside the inn.

Qi Xiezi’s expression turned incredibly ugly, his hand slowly tightening around the Storage Bag.

’That woman didn’t fall for it?’

Qi Xiezi frowned deeply and looked back at the inn. In the end, he could only swallow his frustration and turn to leave.

’If I keep pestering her, I’ll probably make her suspicious, and that would be troublesome.’

He returned to his private courtyard in a huff and immediately activated a Communication Talisman.