Xie Yuyan had a total of six brothers. Zhu Yin had little interest in their power struggles, so she simply slapped a label on each of them:

• • First Prince, Xie Yucheng — an impulsive fool.

• • Second Prince, Xie Yukang — a treacherous schemer.

• • Fourth Prince, Xie Yuhe — a hypocritical gentleman.

• • Fifth Prince, Xie Yuheng — a cowardly legitimate son.

• • Sixth Prince, Xie Yuling — a cautious, taciturn brute.

• • Seventh Prince, Xie Yujin — a noisy firecracker.

When introducing them to Qilin Hall, Zhu Yin planned to describe them exactly this way.

Seeing the neat parallelism, Xie Yuyan couldn’t help laughing. “It sounds a bit offensive, but somehow it fits rather well.”

Zhu Yin looked at him. “Somehow? Who doesn’t fit?”

Xie Yuyan immediately replied, “No one, no one. They all fit perfectly.”

Zhu Yin snorted softly. She had long known that Xie Yuyan was still hiding secrets. She didn’t know how one person could carry so many of them—some things she could ignore, but he even knew bits and pieces of heavenly secrets. Back then, when he asked her about Ye Qingchen, she hadn’t understood why. Only later, when her junior sister came asking about him, did Zhu Yin gradually realize that Ye Qingchen was connected to the gods of the heavens.

Even so, she couldn’t be bothered to publicize it. Zhu Yin had never cared much about such matters; she only paid attention when they happened right in front of her. If it weren’t for Xie Yuyan, she wouldn’t even have bothered labeling his brothers at all—just a bunch of boring mortals.

And now, these boring mortals were once again gathering for a pointless struggle.

When Zhu Yin descended to the mortal realm, she had disguised herself as a musician in Xie Yuyan’s residence. Fortunately, Xie Yuyan always carried himself like a carefree wastrel. Bringing a household musician along on a treasure hunt was something everyone tacitly understood, and no one made a fuss about it. After all, Xie Yuyan had done far more shocking things; compared to those, this was practically routine.

Only the Fourth Prince, Xie Yuhe, found his behavior intolerable. As they set out, he couldn’t resist a jab. “Third Brother, the Luoyi Mountains are full of dangers. Don’t indulge in pleasures and delay important matters.”

Xie Yuyan returned the jab calmly. “Even soldiers beat drums to raise morale before marching into battle. My musician merely wishes to see the vast mountains and forests. Naturally, I can’t deny her wish. I hope everyone gets their own happiness—Fourth Brother, you included.”

The Fifth Prince, Xie Yuheng, stepped in to smooth things over. “Enough, Fourth Brother. I’ve already looked into it. Though the Luoyi Mountains have steep cliffs and dangerous terrain, the mountain we’re heading to isn’t particularly perilous. Back then, Ye Qingchen of the rebel faction only met disaster here because of a once-in-a-century thunderstorm. The celestial signs have been favorable lately. As long as we follow the map, nothing major should happen.”

Xie Yuhe merely snorted and glanced toward Xie Yucheng, Xie Yukang, and the others. “I’m only afraid that some people won’t follow the map—and won’t let others follow it either.”

Xie Yuheng said nothing, because the First Prince, Xie Yucheng, had already been the first to shout about entering the mountains. This expedition provided each prince with the same number of guards, yet Xie Yucheng openly brought extra troops, as if worried the emperor might not grow suspicious fast enough.

Meanwhile…

The Sixth Prince, Xie Yuling, lifted his gaze and glanced at Xie Yucheng’s behavior, then silently withdrew his eyes and looked toward the depths of the mountain range.

He didn’t actually believe there were any treasures hidden in the mountains. But since everyone else had come, he couldn’t arrive first, nor could he come too late. He had no expectations about finding treasure—he was more than happy to watch the others fight from afar.

Zhu Yin had been thinking about when she might reunite with Qilin Hall. Instead of meeting any immortals, however, after walking for some time, she sensed demonic aura.

Something was wrong.

Xie Yuyan also sensed the problem and looked at Zhu Yin. She shook her head at him.

An intelligent great demon would never rashly attack such a large group of mortals. Doing so would only invite the Heavenly Court to descend and wipe it out. That left only foolish lesser demons or mindless resentful spirits. Though they could still harm mortals, they were within Zhu Yin’s ability to control.

She raised her cymbals and struck them sharply.

Zhu Yin’s musical magic was divided into three main categories: plucked strings for offense, wind instruments for healing, and percussion for control. Ever since she had intensely practiced the drum kit, even though Wuxiang couldn’t yet transform into an actual drum set, she had fully mastered cymbals and plates. As a result, Wuxiang now had cymbals as one of its forms.

Whether the ghosts fled or not, Xie Yuyan didn’t know—but he was certain his brothers nearly lost their souls.

No exaggeration—the impact was simply too strong.

In an instant, even Xie Yucheng, who had been most convinced that Xie Yuyan was merely using the treasure hunt as an excuse to flirt with his household musician, overturned his own assumption. Cymbals were not instruments for romance.

Xie Yucheng immediately covered his ears and moved farther away from Xie Yuyan, complaining, “Third Brother, what’s wrong with your musician? Making such sudden noises—don’t you know there are birds and beasts in the forest? If they get startled and charge at us, can you take responsibility?”

Surprisingly, he was actually making sense for once. Xie Yuyan didn’t know how to explain, so he simply said, “Eldest Brother, you all go ahead to the campsite first. My musician has suddenly found inspiration. We’ll stay here for a moment and catch up shortly.”

Had he not explained, it might have been better. With that explanation, everyone became even more suspicious. Everyone knew how ruthlessly Xie Yuyan made money using his maternal family’s assets, and how often he had tricked others while wearing a facade of harmlessness. The princes grew wary—especially the Second and Sixth Princes. When they wanted to stay, the others naturally refused to be left behind, and so they all stopped in this demon-infested place.

Xie Yuyan: “……”

Leaving Zhu Yin here didn’t seem ideal, even though she was stronger than anyone present by several levels.

Zhu Yin seemed used to this. She glanced at Xie Yuyan and transmitted through divine sense, I told you—mortal struggles are the most boring.

What should have been a simple matter had become complicated because of suspicion and rivalry.

Xie Yuyan began, “Why don’t we move forward first and come back tonight—”

Before he could finish, Xie Yucheng suddenly spurred his horse and charged into the pitch-dark depths of the forest.

Xie Yuyan: “……”

Sure enough, every expedition needed one brainless idiot to manufacture accidents.

Zhu Yin’s expression immediately turned cold. Xie Yuyan knew things were about to go badly and spurred his horse after them—not to save that useless fool, but because he feared Zhu Yin would advance suddenly and become a target for everyone’s suspicion. He was simply anticipating her move.

Even Zhu Yin’s expression changed. In the direction Xie Yucheng went, a powerful demon was definitely lying in wait.

As expected, after riding forward for a while, Xie Yuyan could barely see the road ahead. He had also widened the distance from the other princes. He slowed down and stayed close to Zhu Yin. Being under an immortal’s protection gave him immense peace of mind, and hearing the cymbals felt almost like a spring breeze washing over him, calming his spirit.

The darkness didn’t last long. As Zhu Yin shifted Wuxiang into its konghou form and plucked the strings, the trees overhead seemed to spread their branches, letting faint starlight filter through.

Before Xie Yuyan could admire the sky, he heard a guard ahead shout, “Your Highness, be careful!”

A scream followed immediately, accompanied by the sound of something heavy crashing—it sounded utterly miserable.

Xie Yuyan had no intention of courting trouble at this moment. He turned his horse around, preparing to head back, when he suddenly saw Xie Yuhe’s group approaching as well.

Seeing that Xie Yuyan and Zhu Yin were unharmed, Xie Yuhe’s gaze passed over them toward what lay behind.

“He can still scream—just superficial injuries,” Xie Yuyan said calmly, tilting his head slightly as he spoke to Xie Yuhe. “Why did you chase after us too? Worried that something might happen to your Third Brother?”

Xie Yuhe replied quietly, “Eldest Brother is reckless. Third Brother travels without guards—no less reckless. As his younger brother, if I didn’t come take a look, who knows whether a man or a ghost might have abducted you? If news reached Father Emperor, it wouldn’t be good.”

Zhu Yin glanced at Xie Yuyan. His Fourth Brother was indeed strange at times. As someone who prided himself on moral integrity, the people he disliked most were the First and Third Princes. Yet despite his disdain, he would still lend them a hand at certain moments, as if afraid that someone dying would upset the balance.

Perhaps this was just another layer of human intrigue.

Zhu Yin quietly urged her horse forward two steps, signaling Xie Yuyan to leave quickly. The darkness earlier had only been driven away by her—it hadn’t been counterattacked. That meant there truly were spirits in the Luoyi Mountains, and not the ordinary kind. They were calculating, able to judge the situation. If this wasn’t a momentary lapse meant to lure mortals, but a deliberate act, then something was very wrong. She needed to find the right moment to deliver a stronger warning.

However, before she could return to the original gathering point, she sensed that the demonic aura had reappeared—this time far more blatant, clearly heading toward those who had stayed behind.

Brazen beyond belief—seeking death right in front of an immortal.

Zhu Yin cast a spell to obscure their surroundings and plucked her strings, ready to attack. Before reaching the destination, a riderless horse charged straight at her. She dodged nimbly. Ahead, chaos had already erupted. A demonic wind swept through the sky, branches and dust flying everywhere. The guards of the princes each formed defensive circles, but the horses, terrified, broke free of their control and scattered in all directions.

The horse Zhu Yin had seen had come from the Fifth Prince’s group. She looked toward the sky, dismounted, and transformed Wuxiang into its yangqin form. As she struck the strings, the nearby horses gradually calmed down. But it wasn’t enough. She was about to switch weapons again and lock onto the demon when the sky suddenly darkened even further.

This sudden change didn’t make Zhu Yin tense—instead, she relaxed slightly.

Li Xiao had arrived.

Qilin Hall was here.

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