Entering the Spirit Void 147. Conversation Inside the Room

Without needing to ask further, the other guest room and Yin Tianlan's bedroom were of the exact same size. Glancing sideways, Xiaomei noticed two inner doors on either side of the living room leading to the guest rooms and the bedroom, so she deliberately smiled and nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Yin Tianlan asked, "Is there something that pleases the young master?" Xiaomei smiled and said, "Whoever designed these three rooms put a lot of thought into them."

This remark sounded very ordinary, but it caused a flush of rosy red to rise across Yin Tianlan's fair face. Noncommittal, she said, "Please make yourself at home, young master. I shall excuse myself for a moment and return shortly."

Xiaomei nodded, watching as Yin Tianlan stepped through the inner door into her bedroom. Moments later, Yin Tianlan emerged wearing clean clothes, and with a poised and courteous manner, she took the initiative to ask, "Would you and your companions care to freshen up with a bath?"

Mo Dao and the others chuckled, saying, "It's cold, and the journey was free of dust, so washing our faces will be quite enough." Yin Tianlan pointed toward the inner door of the guest quarters and said, "Please go right in, gentlemen."

When Mo Dao and his companions entered the guest suite, they found it fully equipped with every amenity. After washing their faces and returning to the living room, Mo Dao and Yang Yifei withdrew to their own bedroom so as not to disturb Xiaomei and Yin Tianlan's conversation. Delicious dishes and fine foods had already been arranged on the living room table. Eating, drinking, and conversing, the host and guests spent a thoroughly pleasant time together.

After the meal, the servant cleared the table, served fragrant tea, and then withdrew. Xiaomei smiled and asked, "There is something I wonder if I might ask." Yin Tianlan replied, "Rest assured, young master. Though I am but a woman, I dare say there is nothing in my life that cannot be told. Ask whatever you wish, and I shall answer."

Xiaomei smiled again and said, "I find Master Ma rather difficult to approach!" Yin Tianlan's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Is the young master running out of topics of conversation?"

With a hearty laugh, Xiaomei said, "Forgive me if I overstep, field master! I've been asking too much! To you, because you know him so well, he is a familiar presence and thus uninteresting to discuss; but to me, I feel as though I know far too little about him!"

Yin Tianlan asked, "Is there any need to know so much about him?" With an even more solemn expression, Xiaomei replied, "There is indeed a need." Yin Tianlan uttered an "oh" and asked, "May I know why?"

Xiaomei said, "To be entirely honest with you, field master, seven or eight out of ten of those enslaved laborers who vanished long ago and whose fates remain unknown were working at the Ma family's mine. I cannot abandon my search."

Yin Tianlan knitted her delicate brows together and said, "Although Fengyang can be arrogant and cold, I firmly believe he would never commit such heinous and conscience-deaf acts!"

Xiaomei spoke quite directly, "Please don't take offense, Field Master Yin, but to this moment, in my mind, your own suspicion has not been entirely cleared—let alone Master Ma's!"

Yin Tianlan smiled and said, "Your straightforwardness, young master, is the true mark of a hero. However, since I have done nothing to burden my conscience, I fear no midnight knocks at the door, which is precisely why I specially invited you to inspect the mine!"

Xiaomei offered her thanks, saying, "That shows the field master's upright and honorable nature, for which I am truly grateful. And precisely for this reason, I merely said your suspicion has not yet been cleared. You understand my meaning."

Yin Tianlan let out a chuckle and said, "I understand, I understand. Not only do I understand, but I should also know better and thank you for your candor, right?" Xiaomei responded with a smile as well, saying, "You are joking, field master."

Yin Tianlan shook her head and said, "No, no, I speak the truth. In the Bayan region, who does not know the terror of the 'Moon-Soul Soul-Chaser'? Once you provoke him, you can forget about ever knowing peace."

Xiaomei let out two hearty laughs and said, "Strange, how is it that I know nothing of this?" Yin Tianlan gave a soft chuckle and said, "To be frank, young master, your divine-dragon-like actions are truly enviable. Now that we have met and grown familiar, might we speak more deeply? I must ask you to change how you address me."

Feigning ignorance, Xiaomei asked, "Shall I simply call you 'Miss'?" Yin Tianlan chimed in, "No, calling me Tianlan would be best." Xiaomei shook his head, saying, "That wouldn't be appropriate."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Yin Tianlan suggested, "How about calling me 'Elder Sister'? What do you think?" Xiaomei smiled and said, "That's fine enough, but how will you address me in return?" Yin Tianlan replied, "You are only a few years older than me, so a sister is an elder sister, and a brother is a younger brother. If you don't mind, may I call you 'Little Brother'?"

Xiaomei readily agreed, "How interesting—'Elder Sister' and 'Little Brother.' It has a wonderful ring to it." From then on, their forms of address shifted to "Little Brother" and "Elder Sister."

This delicate and charming Elder Sister then spoke up, "Little Brother, what about Big Brother?" Startled for a moment, Xiaomei asked, "Big Brother? Which Big Brother? Big Brother Ma?" Yin Tianlan shook her head and said, "I am referring to your elder brother, Gongsun Jun."

Xiaomei uttered an "oh" and asked, "What about him? How are his martial arts studies?" Yin Tianlan said, "Though you are like a tiger or a leopard being born of the same parents, he is as frail as the wind. You really ought to find a way to help him; otherwise, that scholarly and weak demeanor of his is hardly a match for you. It would be best to ask him to return and leave Bayan."

This time, Xiaomei was genuinely taken aback and asked, "Whatever is the reason for this?" Yin Tianlan furrowed her delicate brows and said, "Have you forgotten about the Northern and Southern Overlords?" Xiaomei suddenly remembered and said, "I expect nothing more will happen."

A shadow of worry suddenly flitted across Yin Tianlan's face as she said, "It is always best to be careful." Xiaomei did not reply, but she felt a genuine gratitude for Yin Tianlan's concern.

Thus, Xiaomei deliberately lowered his head, prompting Yin Tianlan to speak further. Sure enough, Yin Tianlan continued, "Had Little Brother not suddenly inquired into the matter of the missing laborers, I would not have paid attention either. Now that I have secretly investigated, the disappearances are indeed real, and I've discovered that the mastermind behind the scenes is an extremely formidable individual. Since your elder brother possesses no martial prowess whatsoever, and yet you persist relentlessly in pursuing this matter, I fear something might happen to his detriment."

Frowning, Xiaomei asked, "Elder Sister, who in the Bayan jianghu is considered the most formidable?" Yin Tianlan thought for a moment before replying, "That is hard to say. People like myself and Fengyang can be counted among the most formidable, and the owner of the Yuebin Inn is no slouch either!"

The mention of the "Yuebin Inn" caused a secret ripple of alarm in Xiaomei's heart. Yan Nanlou and the divine-hag couple were staying in hiding there—a fact Xiaomei knew in great detail—yet unexpectedly, Yin Tianlan knew of it as well.

At this thought, Xiaomei deliberately asked, "Oh, and what is that person's name?" Yin Tianlan replied, "His surname is Yan, and his given name is Nanlou." Xiaomei asked, "How does Elder Sister know he is a formidable figure?" Yin Tianlan answered, "I didn't know at first; Fengyang told me!" It was Ma Fengyang again. Xiaomei grew even more wary of this mine master.

Taking advantage of Ma Fengyang's absence and Yin Tianlan's lack of guardedness, Xiaomei asked further, "Does Master Ma harbor any selfish motives?" Yin Tianlan replied, "Because he is the master of the field, he naturally has a few capable assistants, but I doubt he would dare form factions."

Xiaomei chuckled and said, "My good Elder Sister, I'm afraid you are far too naive!" Yin Tianlan thought for a moment and said, "Fengyang said that this Yan Nanlou possesses a level of martial prowess that likely surpasses even my own and Fengyang's. Furthermore, despite owning a vast fortune, he stubbornly guards that single inn. One must imagine he has a specific purpose for doing so!"

Xiaomei could not help but feign a slight look of suspicion as he asked, "Are there no other suspicious details?" Yin Tianlan shook her head and said, "Fengyang only told me those few words; I know nothing else."

Xiaomei let out an "oh" and asked, "When did Master Ma tell you all this?" Yin Tianlan replied, "Just the day I returned from the Ma family's old inn."

Having formed a clear idea in his mind, Xiaomei nodded deliberately and said, "If that is the case, this person is indeed somewhat suspicious. I will keep a closer watch on him in secret."

Intentionally covering his mouth with a hand, Xiaomei yawned and said, "I really shouldn't be idle and chatting away. Having ridden horses the entire day, I am utterly exhausted."

Yin Tianlan glanced sideways at Xiaomei and said, "You may be tired, but I am not." Then she asked, "How many days do you intend to stay at the mine?" Xiaomei smiled and said, "That is a strange thing to say, seeing as Elder Sister is the host."

Yin Tianlan picked up on the remark instantly, saying, "The guest follows the host's convenience!" Realizing he had walked right into a trap, Xiaomei hurriedly smiled and said, "While that is the general rule, one must also consider the guest's schedule."

Yin Tianlan uttered an "oh" and asked, "So Little Brother has no time to spare?" Feigning a frown, Xiaomei said, "Elder Sister, you must know that my brother's health is naturally delicate, and having suffered a fright not long ago, I cannot rest easy leaving him alone in Jinzhou."

A thought flashed through Yin Tianlan's mind like lightning. She abruptly stood up and, smiling at Xiaomei, said, "Pardon me, Little Brother, but I suddenly remembered something I forgot to instruct my subordinates about. I must go tell them right now. Sit here; I shall return immediately."

With these words, Yin Tianlan drifted out of the living room like a colorful cloud. From beginning to such an end, Xiaomei had maintained his vigilance against Yin Tianlan; this sudden and unexpected move on her part naturally heightened Xiaomei's guard and suspicion.

After Yin Tianlan left, Xiaomei carefully pondered all possible motives. But to truly guess another person's hidden thoughts is never an easy task!

In the end, Xiaomei calmed himself down. Fortunately, he held deep confidence in his own martial skills and internal energy; as long as he remained on his guard, he had nothing to fear even if unexpected dangers arose.

True to her word, Yin Tianlan returned in a flash, her face wreathed in smiles—a smile that, in Xiaomei's eyes, was not only mysterious but also treacherous.

Yet Xiaomei asked no questions. Instead, after taking her seat, Yin Tianlan smiled and said, "Little Brother, aren't you going to ask what I went off to do just now?" Lightly, Xiaomei replied, "Is there any need?"

Yin Tianlan asked playfully, "What do you think, Little Brother? Well, not asking is fine too; in the near future, Little Brother will find out." Xiaomei's inner clouds of suspicion thickened, and he merely uttered an "oh" and said, "That is fine as well."

Since the topic was no longer pursued, the conversation shifted elsewhere. Daintily, Yin Tianlan asked, "Little Brother, where would you like to begin your investigation?"

Increasing his caution, Xiaomei countered, "Investigation? Investigate what?" While thinking thus, he kept his outward expression entirely blank, furrowing his brows even deeper as he said, "It will be difficult. First, I require Elder Sister's sincere assistance; second, I require Elder Sister's willingness to let me inspect the detailed account books of the field over the past years."

Yin Tianlan chimed in, "None of those are problems!" Xiaomei shook his head and said, "Every single one of those is a problem." Yin Tianlan said, "I have given my word. Wherever I am needed, I will exert my utmost strength to help, as long as Little Brother tells me precisely what you want me to do!"

Xiaomei uttered an "oh" and said, "Very well, we can discuss it further once we reach the mine." Having concluded that topic, Xiaomei probed tentatively, "Elder Sister, I have a premonition that Master Ma will inevitably throw obstacles in our way."

Yin Tianlan's starry eyes flashed as she asked, "Does Little Brother mean that Fengyang will not cooperate?" With a reserved smile, Xiaomei said, "Judging solely by Master Ma's attitude just now, it is enough to prove he holds a prejudice against me. Getting him to cooperate is probably impossible."

Yin Tianlan let out a hum and said, "Leave it to me; I will arrange it!" Xiaomei shook his head and said, "No, I would not wish for you and your husband to quarrel over this." Yin Tianlan made no reply; she was naturally familiar with Ma Fengyang's stubborn temperament, and nine times out of ten, he would refuse to allow Xiaomei to investigate the facts within his mining field.

Yet Yin Tianlan believed she could persuade him successfully, because this was the sole opportunity to dispel doubts. Otherwise, if matters reached an impasse, it would only cause the "Moon-Soul Soul-Chaser" to harbor even deeper misunderstandings!

Of course, Yin Tianlan did not possess absolute certainty—otherwise, she would have spoken up immediately. Anticipating this, Xiaomei smiled and said, "Fortunately, Master Ma has not explicitly refused yet. Perhaps I am merely worrying over nothing!"

Yin Tianlan swept a glance over Xiaomei and asked, "And if he does refuse?" Xiaomei retorted, "What does Elder Sister say I should do then?" Although Yin Tianlan had developed unusual feelings for Xiaomei, Fengyang was, after all, her husband. Therefore, upon hearing Xiaomei's rhetorical question, she immediately replied, "Fengyang has an extremely stubborn personality. Better let me speak and consult with him first."

Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of a voice drifted in from outside the building door: "Field master, field master." Yin Tianlan cut off her words and called out, "Who is it? Come in!"