Chen Xuan nodded lightly. "If you need my help, call me."
"Alright."
Xu Mu nodded back. When it came to surveillance, no one was better than him—he didn't need anyone's help.
After Chen Xuan left with his woven sack, Xu Mu settled onto the living room sofa to wait quietly.
Time ticked by, and Xu Mu was growing a bit impatient.
This Zhou Xia really can sleep. It's almost eleven, and she's still out cold.
He was actually worried the man would leave before she woke up.
Finally, he sensed Zhou Xia stirring in the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xia walked out into the living room and saw a man sitting on her sofa. She didn't seem surprised.
"Xiong Er, how long have you been here?"
"About an hour," the man replied, standing up.
"So? What's this about this time?" Zhou Xia asked, yawning as she sat down.
"I arrived yesterday, but I ran into a master in the back mountain and got injured. I had to rest before coming."
As he spoke, Xiong Er pressed a hand to his waist—it still hurt.
"Alright, tell me what the Sect Master ordered."
"The Sect Master wants to know whether Ye Chen has been staying in Jiang City lately."
"That's right. He's been here this whole time. I check on his place every night," Zhou Xia said.
"Looks like he's settled here," Xiong Er nodded. "The Sect Master says if Ye Chen needs anything, you're to assist him fully."
On the other side, Xu Mu—listening through his spiritual sense—let out a helpless sigh.
So it wasn't that the Yin–Yang Sect had a grudge against Ye Chen… the Sect Master actually wanted to help him.
But that didn't fit the plot he remembered—there'd been no real connection between Ye Chen and the Yin–Yang Sect.
Zhou Xia frowned slightly. "I don't get it. Why is the Sect Master so interested in Ye Chen? Is he some kind of benefactor of ours?"
Xu Mu nodded to himself in silent agreement. That was exactly the question he wanted answered.
"No, not a benefactor," Xiong Er said after a pause. "I heard from Big Brother Xiong that Ye Chen's strength is immeasurable. The Sect Master once fought him personally and was deeply impressed by his talent."
He looked at Zhou Xia. "The Sect Master intends to have him marry her daughter."
"I see. Well, Ye Chen does look strong. It makes sense the Sect Master would fancy him," Zhou Xia replied with a nod. "Got it—I'll keep watch."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Xiong Er turned and left.
Xu Mu withdrew his perception and leaned back on the sofa, eyes closed.
What a bizarre world this was.
So it turned out the Sect Master wanted to marry his daughter to Ye Chen for his talent.
He remembered the Yin–Yang Sect's cultivation methods: there were two main branches—borrowing yin to nourish yang, or borrowing yang to nourish yin.
That was why they were branded heretical and hunted by the Bureau of Sanitation.
But there was also a second technique — Yin–Yang dual cultivation.
It required both partners to merge their qi, harmonizing their blood energy to elevate their realms together. The more talented one's partner, the greater the cultivation gain.
So, was the Sect Master trying to drain Ye Chen's strength through his daughter—or truly pair them as cultivation partners?
Still, since Ye Chen was the story's protagonist, this sect probably wouldn't pose any real threat to him.
"Xu Mu, are you home?"
Zhou Xia's voice called from outside. "I saw your car parked out front."
"I'm home," Xu Mu replied.
A moment later, Zhou Xia stepped into the living room, smiling as she sat on the sofa. "The Sect Master gave me a new mission."
"What kind of mission?" Xu Mu asked evenly.
He wanted to see if she would lie.
Zhou Xia recounted the mission in full detail.
Even Xu Mu was a little shocked—she hadn't concealed a single thing.
"You're not lying to me?" he asked with a grin.
"No. I swear it's all true." Zhou Xia raised three fingers solemnly.
"Then why not lie? I can't even verify what you're saying."
Zhou Xia smiled faintly. "Because I know Ye Chen is your enemy. And I also don't want the Sect Master's daughter marrying him."
Her expression hardened.
"Why?" Xu Mu asked.
"Our Sect Master's daughter is a good person. Honestly, she shouldn't even have been born into the Yin–Yang Sect," Zhou Xia said seriously. "I've been investigating Ye Chen recently. He's extremely self-centered. If she marries him, Xiao Qing will only suffer."
Xu Mu raised his brows. "Hearing something like that from you is unexpected."
"This world isn't black and white," Zhou Xia said quietly. "Even a man who kills and burns might still be a filial son or a loving husband at home."
She looked him in the eye. "I'm that kind of person. I'm a bad person—but I still have some conscience."
"I understand."
Xu Mu nodded slowly. "Since you've been honest with me, I'll help stop the marriage between Ye Chen and your Sect Master's daughter."
"Good. That's all I needed to hear." Zhou Xia smiled with relief.
Just then, Chen Xuan walked in carrying his woven sack.
"You're here too?" he said, glancing at Zhou Xia.
"Heh, just dropping by for a chat," Zhou Xia said with a smile, standing up. "Since you're back, I'll leave you two to it."
After she left, Xu Mu and Chen Xuan got into the car and drove off.
It was already lunchtime, so they decided to grab a bite.
They stopped by a small wonton shop at the edge of town.
A middle-aged woman greeted them with a smile. "What'll it be, boys?"
"Two big bowls of wontons, and four meat buns," Xu Mu said, then sat down with Chen Xuan.
"Brother Mu, be careful not to fall for her tricks," Chen Xuan warned seriously. "My master said the Yin–Yang Sect drains people's life essence."
"Old Chen, do you doubt my taste? Even if I were tempted, it wouldn't be by her," Xu Mu chuckled.
"I just worry you're too young and impulsive," Chen Xuan laughed too.
Thinking about it, he had met plenty of women around Xu Mu—each young and beautiful. Zhou Xia really couldn't compare.
At that moment, Xu Mu's phone vibrated.
He pulled it out and saw a video call from Jiang Huihui.
"Huihui, what's wrong?" he answered.
On the screen, Jiang Huihui looked gloomy.
"You'd better head out this afternoon," she said. "Go check out the venue yourself. That old bastard's locked me up again."