The Array Master's Debt

Han Li watched Qi Yunxiao disappear into the woods and let out a faint, amused smile.

The man’s flustered state was obvious. Han Li had little experience with romantic entanglements, but even he could see at a glance that Qi Yunxiao’s feelings for this array-proficient woman ran far deeper than ordinary friendship. It was undoubtedly a case of unrequited love, or the man would not have been so nervous.

The maid followed after him, equally frantic.

Han Li waited leisurely outside the grove for a while until Qi Yunxiao and the pretty maid emerged from the trees, accompanying a blue-clad woman. They walked toward him with lively steps.

Han Li did not hesitate to gaze at the woman as she approached.

She was of average height, with a small, delicate nose and a pair of bright, clear eyes like limpid water. When her gaze met Han Li’s, she offered a faint smile.

It seemed Qi Yunxiao had already informed her of Han Li’s identity.

To be honest, the woman’s facial features were not particularly outstanding. She was even slightly less attractive than the pretty maid beside her. However, her elegant and composed demeanor, the graceful poise of her every movement, and those dark eyes that seemed to speak, all of this more than compensated for her ordinary features. Anyone who saw her would not find her plain at all; instead, they would be left with a sense of striking beauty. No one would ever mistake her for a mere maid.

Yet, seeing such extraordinary poise in this woman, Han Li felt a headache coming on.

He did not need to guess to know that this woman was the sharp and perceptive type, far more intelligent than most. Dealing with her would likely be far more taxing than his straightforward negotiation with Qi Yunxiao. He would not be able to keep everything under his control so easily.

“Thank you, Senior, for coming to our rescue! I am Xin Ruyin, and I am deeply grateful!” The blue-clad woman walked gracefully before Han Li, gave an elegant bow, and spoke openly. Her voice was crisp and pleasant to the ear.

“Miss Xin need not stand on ceremony. It was merely a small effort on my part. However, we should return quickly. These men might have some background, and if their seniors are nearby, it could spell trouble.” Han Li waved his hand and spoke politely, subtly urging them to leave.

Qi Yunxiao heard this and nodded repeatedly in agreement, his expression anxious.

“Yes, Yin’er! We should leave this place at once. It is still too dangerous here!”

Since laying eyes on Xin Ruyin, Qi Yunxiao had not taken his gaze off her jade-like face. Now he even addressed her with the utmost intimacy, enough to make Han Li feel a little embarrassed.

Xin Ruyin’s cheeks flushed slightly, two spots of red appearing.

She threw a mildly reproachful glance at the nearby Qi Yunxiao, hesitated for a moment, then parted her red lips to agree.

“Very well, let us leave now. But what about these bodies…?” Xin Ruyin glanced at the corpses, as if about to say something more.

“That is easily resolved. We burn them on the spot.” Han Li said dismissively. Then, spreading five fingers, seven or eight fireballs the size of a bowl shot from his hand, instantly reducing the corpses to ash. Only a few storage pouches remained on the ground.

Han Li’s practiced method of disposal made Xin Ruyin’s expression flicker slightly. A chill ran through her heart.

But she was no ordinary weak woman. She quickly regained her composure and chatted with Qi Yunxiao as if nothing had happened.

“There is nothing useful to me in these storage pouches. If this young lady is not opposed, you may take them. It will save us from leaving any traces.” Han Li turned his face to the pretty maid standing at Xin Ruyin’s other side and spoke gently.

“Senior, do you truly mean it?” The maid’s face lit up with surprise and joy. She asked again, as if finding it hard to believe.

When she saw Han Li smile faintly and nod in affirmation, she immediately thanked him and happily ran over to pick up the pouches one by one. For her, this was a windfall from heaven. The pouches were full of good things!

Xin Ruyin was momentarily taken aback by the sight, but quickly returned to a calm expression, exchanged a few polite words with Han Li, and boarded the floating skiff with Qi Yunxiao.

After the maid had excitedly gathered the pile of storage pouches and boarded the magical artifact, Han Li moved. His form flickered, and he was the last to step onto the skiff. Spiritual power flowed from his feet, and the artifact soared into the sky.

…

On the way back, the blue-clad woman proposed that Han Li and Qi Yunxiao visit her home so she could formally express her gratitude for saving their lives.

Qi Yunxiao would hardly have said no to a chance to spend time with his long-admired sweetheart. He immediately agreed without hesitation. Han Li, too, felt this was a good opportunity to propose repairing the teleportation array. After a moment of consideration, he did not object.

Thus, under Han Li’s control, the skiff made a slight turn and sped off toward the northwest.

Several hours later, guided by Xin Ruyin, Han Li landed on an unremarkable small mountain.

Apart from a faint mist swirling around the area, Han Li could detect nothing unusual. It looked like any of the countless nameless hills in the world. Utterly ordinary.

But Han Li knew well that as the residence of an Array Master, it would certainly not be unprotected. It was almost certainly guarded by a formidable formation. He simply knew too little about the art of formations to see the traces. Still, he did not dare to be careless.

Under the blue-clad woman’s lead, the group stopped before a cluster of bamboo huts halfway up the mountain. This was Xin Ruyin’s home.

Xin Ruyin invited Han Li and Qi Yunxiao into a larger bamboo hut to rest, while she and the maid went to another hut to wash up and change. After the frantic chase, both women’s clothes had gathered dust, something the naturally clean women found unbearable.

Han Li sat on a bamboo chair, watching Qi Yunxiao with considerable amusement. The man kept pacing to the doorway, peering outside every few moments. It seemed even this brief separation felt like an eternity to him. The picture of a lovesick fool.

Han Li found the sight so entertaining that the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up, revealing a hint of a wry smile. Qi Yunxiao happened to turn around and catch it.

Qi Yunxiao immediately flushed crimson, stammered a few vague excuses, and shamefacedly returned to his seat.

“A graceful maiden is a gentleman’s fair pursuit. There is no shame in it. Why be so bothered, Fellow Daoist Qi?” Han Li lightly sipped the premium spirit tea before him, offered a calm smile, and spoke nonchalantly.

“Senior! It’s not… I didn’t…”

Qi Yunxiao became even more flustered.

Just then, the pretty maid entered, much to Qi Yunxiao’s relief. Not long after, Xin Ruyin appeared in a change of white clothes, possessing a unique charm. She was like a blooming snow lotus, dazzling to behold.

“I am grateful to Senior Han and Brother Qi for coming to my aid. Ruyin shall remember this kindness in her heart! Please allow me to honor you both with a cup of tea in place of wine, as a token of my gratitude!” As soon as she entered, Xin Ruyin took two cups of tea from the maid beside her and offered them gracefully to Han Li and Qi Yunxiao.

Han Li accepted the tea with an inward, bitter sigh.

This woman was truly remarkable. Her words were flawless. She made no promises, yet there was nothing one could fault in her speech.

As for Qi Yunxiao, he was already so overjoyed at receiving tea from his beloved that he had lost all sense of direction. He drank the cup without tasting a thing, a goofy grin fixed on his face.

Seeing Qi Yunxiao in such a state, Xin Ruyin felt a headache coming on and turned her attention to conversing with Han Li. She tried to probe his identity indirectly, hoping to determine which sect or great clan he might belong to.

After all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was bound to have some background.

Han Li was hardly naive enough to reveal his secrets so easily. He deliberately dodged and weaved, speaking in circles.

After a few exchanges, Xin Ruyin had gained not a single piece of useful information. She grew increasingly frustrated with her probing but also became more wary of Han Li.

To her, even though Han Li had done her a great favor, it did not mean he did not harbor the same designs as those other men. To be safe, she had to keep her wits sharp and tread carefully.

“Senior Han, I promised you that if you saved Yin’er, you could choose any of the formation flags and plates I have refined. I happen to have a few sets on me. Would you like to see if they meet your requirements?” Qi Yunxiao managed to snap out of his infatuation a little and spoke these words to Han Li.

This took Han Li by surprise, but it also delighted him. Now he could finally steer the conversation to what truly concerned him.

When Xin Ruyin heard this, she was briefly startled, but then she shot Qi Yunxiao a grateful smile, causing him to break into another silly, happy grin.

“The formation flags and plates can wait. Actually, I have a different matter I would like to ask of you, Fellow Daoist Xin. If you can help me solve this problem, there will be no need to discuss payment at all. On the contrary, I would be willing to gift you an eight-hundred-year-old spiritual herb used for alchemy, as a cure for your illness.” Han Li suddenly said something that astonished them both.

“Senior is willing to part with a spiritual herb?” Qi Yunxiao could not help but spring to his feet, asking with a mixture of joyful surprise.

At that moment, he was completely consumed by the excitement of knowing the woman he loved might finally have the cure for her affliction.

(One more chapter later in the evening. Will be a little late!)

(End of chapter)