Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 28

The young girl was quickly picked up by Qin Yingguang upon hearing the news and was taken to the library.

However, she was still an outsider, coming from the mixed, chaotic Red Dust House. For now, the only materials she could access were the old Qin family musical scores, and her movement within the library was limited to the first floor.

While helping the girl carry a basket of books, Qin Yingguang said, “You should have a name.” She then handed her own collection of poetry, notes on flowers, and other writings, asking the girl to pick a title that felt comfortable to her as a substitute name.

“…Let’s use this one.”

After flipping through for a long time, the girl pointed to two characters.

“‘Solitary Cloud’?” Qin Yingguang rested her chin on her hand. “It sounds a bit lonely… but if you like it, I will call you that from now on.”

The little girl then brought out her qin, placing it within Solitary Cloud’s reach. “If you ever feel like listening, you can play it. If you’re interested in learning, I can teach you!”

Yue Tingxi and Qin Suliu watched from a short distance, neither too near nor too far.

Before leaving, Qin Suliu left behind a gray moth as a surveillance tool.

“The others who were once living puppets may not stay in the Qin residence like her,” she said upon returning to her quarters. “We kept Solitary Cloud, partly because I could not bear it, and partly… do you remember how I said she got in touch with the Spirit-Seer?”

In reality, it wasn’t “unable to bear it”; this person was still useful.

“…Her pipa-playing companion,” Yue Tingxi frowned, recalling, “the ‘broker’ in this transaction.”

The pipa courtesan had once been helped by the Spirit-Seer He Shen, which was why she continuously provided him with corpses and even introduced living companions she grew up with.

“The corpses were transported from Xuanying City, but I don’t quite believe the courtesan’s former lover was unaware of this. Mother has already sent people to investigate discreetly,” Qin Suliu said. “If someone really instructed this behind the scenes, both the Red Dust House acting as a corpse transfer point and the mortal funeral houses in Xuanying City would need to be checked.”

Yue Tingxi understood the potential risks.

Whether mortal or immortal, corpses should be handled promptly after death—both as a basic respect for the deceased and to prevent the Spirit-Seer from appearing again.

Unlike demons, who brazenly wreak havoc in the world, Spirit-Seers are like underground rats, hiding corpses with caution.

Even if humans and demons cooperated, Spirit-Seers who were discovered were likely only those whose concealment techniques were imperfect.

Thus, demons are easy to find and expel, but a careful Spirit-Seer could hide for decades or centuries as long as corpses and ghostly energy exist.

“Moreover, if what’s inside He Shen truly relates to demons, we need to trace its origin quickly as well.”

While thinking, Qin Suliu mentioned another matter.

“Could it have been obtained in a secret realm?” Yue Tingxi speculated. “If the secret realm is an ancient ruin that opens randomly, maybe a demon escaped there… No, that won’t work. Living creatures cannot stay in secret realms for long…”

“What if it’s a ghost realm secret?” Qin Suliu asked.

Yue Tingxi’s expression immediately changed.

“…Ten years ago, He Shen was severely injured and trapped in a ghost realm secret.” She recalled the information Qin Suliu had mentioned before. “Before being discovered by Lan Chaoyao, he was absorbing ghost energy to heal his wounds.”

“Yes. And for those who become demon-kind, their mindset and motives are mostly unpredictable. Dying once and then practicing ghost arts, or absorbing ghost energy while in a state between life and death to replace one’s original spiritual power, all are possibilities,” Qin Suliu added.

Yue Tingxi thought for a long while, then continued: “If a demon that He Shen cannot speak the truth about is hiding in a ghost realm secret, then by putting something into He Shen’s body, it hopes he will help communicate with the demon world?”

“The clues are too few; there’s no way to start,” Qin Suliu shook her head. “However, the ghost realm secret is among the most stable of all the secret realms, opening roughly every ten years. The next opening is likely in two or three years…”

Her words abruptly stopped.

In her past life, two years after Lan Chaoyao’s wedding, the Qin family was wiped out. The participant in this incident—He Shen!

She had practiced Qin family sword techniques from childhood and had a fire spirit root. She disliked damp environments, let alone ghost realm secrets. Even if the ghost realm secret opened near the Qin residence, she would immediately move far away, hardly bothering to investigate.

The “two to three years” period was, for Yue Tingxi, somewhat familiar.

She realized it could be tied to the future destruction of the Qin family.

The Qin family fell to vengeful spirits manipulated by the Spirit-Seer. If this Spirit-Seer was He Shen, in her previous life, he likely entered the ghost realm secret two years later, made some arrangement with the demons inside, or else how could Qin Suliu, who miraculously survived the corpse army, have fallen into the demon world?

Connecting past and present information, Yue Tingxi clenched her fists, her expression cold.

Even if He Shen was now under their control, there were still demons hidden in places they could not currently reach.

“Don’t worry, Miss Tingxi,” Qin Suliu said. “Whether Spirit-Seers or demons, once they appear in the world, the two races’ powerful beings will not sit idly by.”

“The gray moth is still breaking the seal on that thing. Soon, if it truly is a demon’s token, we will go to the ghost realm secret in two years to investigate.”

Yue Tingxi instinctively replied, “Alright,” then realized she had unconsciously held Qin Suliu’s hand, as if to reassure her.

“…Sorry, that was rude!” She immediately let go.

Whether the grown-up lady had recognized her as the snake demon from twenty years ago or not, she had never openly acknowledged it, for some reason. She shouldn’t overstep the bounds of their ally relationship.

Afterwards, all investigations proceeded in an orderly manner.

However, entering the Red Dust House was inconvenient: firstly, the family rules forbade it, and those who stayed in the Qin residence didn’t want to go to such a place; secondly, registering entry to the Red Dust House made it hard to enter under false identities.

Qin Suliu volunteered.

She had been to even the chaotic demon world, so the Red Dust House was no challenge.

Before going, she wanted Solitary Cloud to gather as much information about the Red Dust House as possible. Yue Tingxi, estimating the time, also planned to bring Han Tao and Pi Pa to visit Luo Yansha—she had extensive contact with women of the Red Dust House, so more information was always better.

Even if Lan Chaoyao was still in Yuqiong Sect, Qin Suliu didn’t trust her to go alone. After morning exercises finished three days later, she summoned the flying carriage, blocking the quarters.

Yue Tingxi, just finished washing and tying her hair, came across this scene.

She could only laugh wryly and didn’t refuse the lady’s good intentions, so she sat in.

“Practicing with weapons” was somewhat useful; over these three days, Yue Tingxi had spent over an hour each day sparring or meditating with Qin Suliu in water pools.

That day’s defeat was likely due to the lady not adapting to the heavy rain. Later, Yue Tingxi found she could keep up easily.

So, greeting each other, they gave their all in every match, nerves taut—just as instructed by the Qingyu Mountain master: treat every battle as life-or-death. This way, when facing a real enemy, one could remain calm.

In just three days, their distance quietly closed.

Now, once again in the luxurious flying carriage, Yue Tingxi even had time to observe the patterns inside.

Since meeting Yue Tingxi again this life, Qin Suliu had been paying close attention to her.

She could clearly sense Yue Tingxi’s relaxed state, her gaze drifting over the carriage designs and the outside scenery, fingers lightly tapping the table, watching white birds sweep across the sky.

She wanted to see more of this relaxed Tingxi sister while mentally reviewing the names of the two secret realms that would open in the future.

If nothing unexpected occurred, this life she would stay in the mortal realm. To quickly increase cultivation and defeat enemies, exploring secret realms for treasures or magical tools was the only path.

The flying carriage soon landed at the Falling Sword Platform. They went straight to the teleportation array, and shortly arrived at the “Water Moon Sha” clothing shop on the Xuan Layer.

Unexpectedly, they found it empty; Luo Yansha was not there.

Yue Tingxi immediately asked the neighboring shopkeeper, who spoke fluent local Xuanying dialect, impressing Qin Suliu.

“She just went to the Red Dust House a quarter of an hour ago to deliver custom clothes,” the shopkeeper said. Yue Tingxi returned the information to Qin Suliu. “So, wait here, or go to the Red Dust House?”

“Wait a bit,” Qin Suliu said, taking two rattan chairs from her storage bag and placing them nearby.

“Half a quarter-hour then,” Yue Tingxi said, following suit.

She roughly knew how fast Luo Yansha delivered clothes. If a quarter-hour passed without her return, they would go check the Red Dust House.

Qin Suliu didn’t ask why half a quarter-hour; once seated, she sent out the gray moth to track Luo Yansha.

She was used to expecting the worst; if Luo Yansha was safe, rushing over might cause unnecessary trouble. Better to have the moth scout first.

In less than a tea session, Qin Suliu frowned.

“…To the Red Dust House.” She immediately stood, collecting the chairs.

Yue Tingxi, noticing the gray moth earlier, sensed something wrong and asked quietly, “Something happened?”

“She scolded a fat pig on behalf of a courtesan. Now there’s trouble,” Qin Suliu said solemnly.

The world of pleasures has always been filled with human vices.

No one dares to challenge it—it’s a gathering place for influential sect figures. Any attempt to shut down the Red Dust House would target the challenger.

Since opening, the Red Dust House has served the wealthy, ranking up to the “Earth Layer” in the “Tian Di Xuan Huang” of the Linglang Pavilion.

Upon arriving, seeing the familiar doors, Qin Suliu recalled the fire.

In her past life, leading a demon army into the mortal realm, she had personally destroyed the Red Dust House.

Among the flames, she had dragged the laughing proprietor out and killed her with one stroke, killing a few partially clothed sect elders. She then reached trembling women, extending her hand.

Yet the women responded with everything they could—cups, plates, fruits, pastries, even instruments—throwing them at her.

“Get out! Demon!”

“Don’t think I don’t know your plan! Stop pretending! Disgusting!”

“I’d rather die than let a demon defile me!”

“…I suddenly remember something.”

Yue Tingxi’s voice transmitted: “The Red Dust House entrance has a special barrier. You understand, right?”

She had heard Luo Yansha mention it; the barrier ensured the safety of the women inside.

Qin Suliu snapped out of her memory, nodding: “Check dangerous magical tools and demon portals.”

Demons are fallen beings, so this includes demon-kind.

“No worries, the gray moth will block the detection,” she reassured. “Miss Tingxi, just follow me.”

Yue Tingxi walked beside her toward the Red Dust House doors.

Upon crossing the barrier, she felt a chill and a gaze piercing through the gray moth’s magic, staring straight at her.

Luckily, it lasted only a moment. Once they moved far enough from the barrier, it no longer reacted, and Yue Tingxi relaxed.

They moved quickly deeper, passing through a water curtain wall. Suddenly, a mixture of music, singing, laughter, and sweet scents filled the air, making Yue Tingxi feel sticky and uncomfortable.

“Ah! Isn’t this the young lady of the Qin family?” A seductive female voice approached. “Such a rare guest. Are you here for little Bunny, or…?”

Qin Suliu immediately recognized her—the Red Dust House’s most capable subordinate, Ze Mei.

She liked to coax courtesans with sweet words, encouraging them to use more than just their instruments or voices to keep guests. If unsuccessful, she would reveal her true face, put them in a sack, pour hot oil, whip them, then sink them in water repeatedly until the “hypocritically virtuous” courtesan begged for mercy.

In her past life, when destroying the Red Dust House, this woman alone had not been spared.

Glancing at Ze Mei approaching, ready to embrace and flatter her, Qin Suliu slapped her directly.

Ze Mei spun around, collapsed to her knees, and screamed in pain.

Yue Tingxi, entering the Red Dust House for the first time, was still observing and didn’t immediately realize what happened. She was then pulled along by Qin Suliu toward the inner guest chambers.

A few steps later, Qin Suliu stopped at an exquisitely decorated glazed door, infused her leg with spiritual power, added the gray moth’s magic, and kicked.

The door shattered. She tore away the remaining glaze and threw it at a corpulent male cultivator who was about to do something to Luo Yansha.

“Sha Sha!” Yue Tingxi rushed to support Luo Yansha, who was clutching her chest and breathing rapidly, and looked at a crouching courtesan holding a pipa.

“Third Elder of Yuqiong Sect?” Qin Suliu snorted. “I hear the Third Elder is busy. The sect leader of Qingxu Clan’s wedding was over long ago, yet you’re still ‘busy’ here?”

The Third Elder hadn’t expected anyone to barge in. Hearing the glass break, pain shot through his backside.

Seeing the former fiancée of Lan’s leader there, he dared not offend her, gritting his teeth, “Ah, young lady of Qin, what wind blew you here…”

Bang!

A peach-colored jade token was thrown at him by Qin Suliu.

“These two women come with me. According to Red Dust House rules, I challenge you.”

Occasionally, disputes arose in the Red Dust House over which guest could have a courtesan. The “Peach Duel Token” was established, with the proprietor observing. Once a victor was determined, even by death, no one could hold the Red Dust House or their forces accountable.

Seeing the token, Yue Tingxi remembered Qin Suliu had pulled something from an exquisite cabinet before they entered.

“This…!” The Third Elder broke into a cold sweat. “Young lady, I can just give them to you. No need for knives and—”

“Seize the opportunity and accept it.”

Before he could finish, a soft male voice came from the token, “I’ve long heard of Qin family sword techniques and Yuqiong Sect’s sword skills. I’d like to see for myself.”

“Third Elder, please,” Qin Suliu gestured politely, then told Yue Tingxi, “Wait in the shop for me.”

Without waiting for her reply, she left with the Third Elder.

“…Why did you come so suddenly?”

After taking her old friend and the pipa-holding courtesan from the Red Dust House, Luo Yansha whispered.

“Isn’t it Dragon Boat Festival? I came to deliver you fruits and mugwort!” Yue Tingxi replied. “You weren’t in the shop, so I came with the lady to check on you.”

That brought them to the current situation. Yue Tingxi guessed Qin Suliu had a reason: perhaps to eliminate the Third Elder supporting Lan Chaoyao or to investigate the courtesan friend holding the pipa.

“Good thing I brought meat dumplings and realgar wine; otherwise, I couldn’t return your gift!” Luo Yansha smiled helplessly.

“Today’s trouble is also my fault. I got too involved…”

Yue Tingxi blurted, “How can that be called meddling…”

“I mean I acted rashly without the strength to handle the consequences. Now it’s like this!” Luo Yansha sighed.

Yue Tingxi smiled, thinking back to the previous life. Back then, she was trapped in Qingxu Sect as a puppet, and Qin Suliu would never have gone to the Red Dust House.

Her past self, Luo Yansha… she couldn’t bear to think further.

The Book of World Affairs only described events related to the protagonist. Luo Yansha’s life, in the story, barely even had a name. Her death was like a speck of dust, falling silently.

“…Why don’t you come back with me?” Yue Tingxi looked at Luo Yansha. “You wanted to do business with nobles, right?”

“Eh? With Qin young lady?” Luo Yansha widened her eyes. “I don’t think so! Qin residence shouldn’t lack tailors?”

“She said ‘these two women come with me.’ Even if you don’t stay long at Qin residence, you can hide from the spotlight for now.” Yue Tingxi offered this as leverage to negotiate with Qin Suliu.

Luo Yansha clicked her tongue, speechless.

Back at Water Moon Sha, she reluctantly packed her belongings into a storage bag.

The shopkeeper aunt was astonished: “Sha Sha, what are you doing?”

“My sister is doing great in the sect; I’ll take advantage of that!” Luo Yansha replied lightly.

The aunt looked a little sad: “Sigh! Without you, the shop will feel empty!”

After chatting a bit more, the three waited in the empty shop for Qin Suliu to return.

Yue Tingxi noticed the pipa courtesan hadn’t spoken at all, perhaps too scared, or pondering her future.

She debated whether to subtly gather information, but Luo Yansha asked, “Although I shouldn’t doubt Qin young lady… why are you so trusting of her?”

“She and I are old acquaintances. Though not close enough to know everything, I’ve sparred with her several times

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