The two exited the narrow alley and stepped onto the main North-South Street. Despite the biting cold of the night, it was teeming with activity and vibrant life.

Lanterns hung everywhere, illuminating the street as brightly as day.

Stalls offering various snacks lined both sides, releasing waves of intoxicating aromas that sharpened the appetite. Li Muzhan couldn't help but swallow.

Su Yunyun wore a snowy white cloak, exuding elegance and majesty. Li Muzhan was clad in a pale jade monastic robe; though his appearance was unremarkable, his bearing was ethereal, and the pair looked well-matched walking side-by-side.

Onlookers occasionally glanced their way, but the city was full of beauties, and frequently, lightly adorned young women would giggle past them. The customs of Eastern Chu were liberal; its women bold and passionate. Several girls even winked suggestively at Li Muzhan as they passed, their looks fiery and captivating.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile; such openness was rare in Great Yan. ……………………… Several children, holding lanterns, darted through the crowd, their crisp laughter echoing incessantly. They rushed too fast and were about to collide directly with Su Yunyun.

Su Yunyun took two graceful steps, narrowly evading them with perfect timing.

Li Muzhan’s eyes narrowed. Those two steps displayed considerable skill; to execute them so flawlessly without deploying internal force proved her extraordinary caliber. He was deeply impressed.

Li Muzhan smiled, “Lady Su has remarkable footwork.”

Su Yunyun glanced at him coolly, ignoring his comment, but the white vapor escaping her mouth and nose shifted, no longer the wispy trails from before. Li Muzhan’s earlier probing palm had alerted him that things were not as they seemed.

Not wishing to invite further trouble, Su Yunyun suppressed her rising emotion.

Suddenly, a foul odor drifted over, and Su Yunyun frowned, quickening her pace.

Li Muzhan felt a mischievous urge surge up and laughed, “Lady Su, the stinky tofu smells quite good, shall we try some…”

Before Su Yunyun could reply, he swiftly took hold of her small hand and steered her toward a nearby stall, the very source of the unbearable stench.

Su Yunyun quickly pulled her hand away, glaring at Li Muzhan with an expression of outright disgust.

Li Muzhan found this entertaining. She had always been detached and icy—even her smiles were cold, and her gaze laced with mockery. Such a vivid expression was a rare sight indeed. He ordered two plates from the honest-looking middle-aged vendor, taking one in each hand, and presented a plate to Su Yunyun.

“You intend to eat this?” Su Yunyun sneered, gazing at the stinky tofu before her with revulsion.

Li Muzhan firmly pushed the plate toward her, chuckling, “It smells foul, but it tastes wonderful. Try it. Never let mere sensation deceive you.” The vendor watched Su Yunyun happily; such a noble, extraordinary beauty agreeing to eat his stinky tofu filled him with delight.

“I won’t eat it…” Su Yunyun turned her head away.

Li Muzhan pressed, “It’s hardly poison. After this, we’ll head straight out of the city.” ……………………… He picked up a piece with his chopsticks and forced it between Su Yunyun’s lips, compelling her to consume it.

Su Yunyun glared at him hatefully. Li Muzhan smiled broadly, “You can’t even stomach a single piece of stinky tofu? This is unlike a disciple of Jade Cold Palace.”

Su Yunyun averted her gaze, slowly chewing. Her face was deathly pale as she violently masticated the tofu, suppressing the urge to gag, treating the savory cube as if it were Li Muzhan himself.

Li Muzhan quickly finished the rest in a few bites, then grinned, “Well, wasn’t that delicious?” Su Yunyun furiously wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, making her red lips even more vibrant. With a frozen expression, she remained silent, turned, and walked away. Li Muzhan followed quickly behind.

Along the way, Su Yunyun did not utter a word, while Li Muzhan kept up a cheerful banter, trying to provoke a response. To an outsider, they looked like lovers who had just had a quarrel.

Su Yunyun increased her pace, weaving expertly through the bustling crowd like a fish swimming through reeds, and in a short time, they reached the city gate.

At this hour, the city gate was shut. The tall, imposing walls loomed, blocking the sky, and the area around them was silent, utterly deserted. Such walls could deter most martial arts masters, but for a supreme expert like Li Muzhan, they were no obstacle. The two stopped.

Li Muzhan swept his gaze across the surroundings and laughed, “Lady Su, your subordinates are quite loyal; they’ve all followed us.” Su Yunyun let out a soft snort. “If we meet again, I will take your life!” Li Muzhan chuckled, “One of us belongs to Great Yan, the other to Eastern Chu—we are worlds apart. I fear we may never meet again. What a pity…” Su Yunyun gave a cold laugh. Li Muzhan sensed something strange in that reaction, but her inner world felt shrouded in a thick, hazy fog, rendering her motives invisible.

“Everyone stand down, let him go!” Su Yunyun suddenly called out loudly.

A woman emerged from the shadows, slender and graceful, moving with the quiet tread of a cat. She floated forward, revealing a beautiful face—it was the round-faced middle-aged woman.

Su Yunyun asked, “Aunt Li, what are you doing? Tell them to retreat!”

The round-faced woman glared at Li Muzhan. “Miss, to let him go so easily—isn’t that too lenient?”

Su Yunyun waved her hand. “Forget it. He is Monk Mingkong, the public enemy of Eastern Chu. It is no shame to fall by his hand; no need to waste energy!” “You are Mingkong?” the round-faced woman asked in surprise, looking over.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, nodded with a smile, “Forgive my intrusion.” Then, he turned back toward Su Yunyun with a bow: “…Lady Su, take care!”

His figure flickered, a streak of jade color vanished instantly, and he was gone. ……………………… “Miss?” the round-faced woman called hastily.

Su Yunyun shook her head. “Let’s go back…”

“Miss, just let him leave like that?” the round-faced woman asked, unwilling to accept it.

Su Yunyun smiled faintly. “We can discuss it when we return.” She moved forward gracefully, the round-faced woman following with resignation, making a signal that caused the hidden experts to withdraw.

The round-faced woman followed close behind Su Yunyun back to the Su Manor. The young girl was pacing outside the gate, clad in a thin green tunic.

Seeing Su Yunyun, she hurried to meet her. “Miss, did you kill that thieving monk?” Su Yunyun glanced at her and entered the main door. The girl looked confusedly at the round-faced woman. The latter lowered her voice. “I don’t know what the Miss is thinking, not letting us deal with that monk.” “Just let him walk away?” The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She knew her mistress’s nature; when slighted, she never swallowed the offense but retaliated a hundredfold. That rogue monk had been too detestable, and the Miss had never suffered such a humiliation; how could she let it go?

The round-faced woman shot her a look. “Lower your voice!” She likely has some plan in mind. You know the Miss’s temperament; how could she possibly let him off?” “Oh, that’s true…” the girl nodded quickly.

The two hurried to follow, entering the pavilion. Su Yunyun removed her cloak, and the girl immediately stepped forward to take it, placing it aside, and quietly asked, “Miss…?”

Su Yunyun said, “Aunt Li, send someone to spread the news that Monk Mingkong from Great Yan is currently roaming freely within the borders of Eastern Chu.” She turned to the girl. “Jie’er, bring ink and brush…”

“Yes, Miss!” The girl, Jie’er, immediately became excited, hurrying to a low table, pouring a little tea, and beginning to grind the ink.

“Miss, shall I go now?” the round-faced woman asked.

Su Yunyun took a sip from her cup. “Wait a moment. I will sketch his likeness; you find people to make copies and post them on the city walls nearby…”

Jie’er worked swiftly and soon had the ink perfectly prepared.

Su Yunyun sat before the low table and began to draw. With just a few strokes, Li Muzhan’s face leaped onto the paper, vividly lifelike.

The round-faced woman and Jie’er stared, expressions of admiration on their faces. Su Yunyun’s natural talent was supreme; she was accomplished in all arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Every time they saw her artwork, they could not help but be astonished.

Su Yunyun put down her brush, blew gently on the paper, slid the weight stone aside, pulled out the painting, blew on it twice more, and handed it to the round-faced woman. “Make many copies, send them via carrier pigeon, and have them posted at every city gate.” “Yes, Miss!” the round-faced woman nodded excitedly.

“Miss, can we catch him this way?” Jie’er tilted her head and asked.

Su Yunyun replied, “First, we build momentum, setting the entire martial world in motion, then we proceed slowly. No need to rush.”

“And then?” Jie’er inquired.

Su Yunyun said, “Once everyone knows the news, we secretly help in finding him…”

“Secretly help find him…” Jie’er looked at her curiously. “Miss, that fellow is very cunning; how can we find him?” Su Yunyun smiled faintly. “I have my ways.” Jie’er tilted her head in thought, then suddenly clapped her hands excitedly. “I know! It’s the Soul-Chasing Incense of a Thousand Miles!”

“You’re not completely dense,” Su Yunyun nodded.

“Hehe, this time, let’s see where he runs!” Jie’er clenched her small fists with excitement. …………………… Li Muzhan left Gujiang City. The open plains offered no mountains, only scattered woods. He chose a copse, then impatiently sat down cross-legged on a pine tree.

He took out the blue porcelain vial and gazed at it for a long time. Sensing with his intuition, he detected no danger, so he uncorked the vial. It contained a liquid that he poured directly into his mouth.

The taste was exceptional, like sweet fruit juice, sinking straight into his stomach.

The moment it landed in his gut, it ignited into a fierce flame, surging through his meridians. The frigid cold within his internal energy vanished as if snow meeting fire.

Wisps of white vapor rose from his body. Moments later, his body felt light; all the icy energy had dissipated. Warmth circulated throughout him, and his internal energy seemed to have increased slightly.

Li Muzhan let out a long breath, wishing he could howl to the heavens. The persistent, terrible poison that had tormented him was finally gone, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.

The Snow Fragrance Powder was indeed too insidious. Even with his divine protection, he could not neutralize it. Jade Cold Palace, relying on this poison, could truly dominate the world.

He had provoked Jade Cold Palace this time; it was more trouble than fortune. Given Su Yunyun’s temperament, she would not let the matter rest easily. It was best to depart as soon as possible.

Thinking this, he rested no longer. He let out a long cry toward the sky. In the distance, a horse whinnied, piercing the night air like a dragon’s roar—potent and strong.

Crimson Shadow shot forth like an arrow, slicing through the air, and suddenly appeared before him.

Li Muzhan floated down onto the horse’s back, patted Crimson Shadow, and the steed immediately turned and galloped away with wild abandon. Man and horse quickly left Gujiang City behind.