Chapter 90: Paranoia

Chen Ren knew there were certain things that could draw humans like moths to a flame, and among them, crowds stood at the top of the list. In both his previous life and this one, he had learned that nothing stirred curiosity more than the sight of people gathered together, craning their necks to see what the fuss was about. It didn’t matter if someone was headed somewhere important—if they passed by a crowd, they would slow down, even stop, just to take a peek.

It was a truth that had served him well before, and today, it was paying off again. He had proven it during his very first noodle stall venture, where a few groups of customers enjoying his food had drawn more like flies to honey. This time, he was planting an entire network of groups.

Tang Yuqiu had brought plenty of people with her to help launch their business here in Jingxi, and Chen Ren wasn’t about to let those resources go to waste. He assigned them roles carefully, using the prettiest girls among them to set up enticing booths in key areas of the city, while the rest were sent to act as “curious bystanders,” gathering around the booths to create the illusion of a buzz. All it took was a few whispered words about the new shop selling perfumes and clothes, a little playful chatter about limited stock, and—most importantly—a special opening-day discount if customers brought their friends along.

The results spoke for themselves. By midday, the trickle of curious onlookers had become a flood.

Chen Ren stood at the top of the staircase inside the newly opened shop, his gaze sweeping across both the ground floor, where bottles of handmade perfumes were neatly organised and the first floor, where racks of elegant clothes were being admired and tried on by eager shoppers.

It had been slow in the morning, but by afternoon, the shop was packed. Young women, middle-aged women, and even a few curious men wandered between displays, sampling scents and running their fingers over finely tailored fabrics. Too many different conversations filled the air to decipher who was sayingwho’s telling what. But he noticed several delighted exclamations as some ladies found a perfume they loved or a dress that fit just right.

During those times, Chen Ren allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. If he was being honest, this was far beyond what he had expected. They had already surpassed the first-day sales back in Cloud Mist City—and they still had hours left before closing time.

As a result of all of that, he felt his qi steadily building up inside him. Constantly , surging and filling him. His eyes took it all, moving across the crowded floors, observing everything. He didn’t want to miss a single thing about the opening.

Even if things seemed to be going smoothly on the surface, he wasn’t the type to let his guard down. Now that he knew that they had powerful enemies, it was clear as day that opening day was as good a time as it gets to strike and make someone suffer; snuff it out before their mall could even spread its wings.

Even the thought sent a light shudder through him.

He wanted nothing more than for the opening to go drama-free.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a presence.

He looked to his side, seeing Yalan approach quietly and took a seat beside him on the staircase. Her ears were swiveled toward where all the noise was coming from, and when Chen Ren looked at her, he saw how her amber eyes were scanning the crowd, just like he was. But her pupils were dilated. Whiskers pushed forward and awaited some sort of trouble. He was used to this trance now—she was on alert.

She was the only person, aside from Hong Yi, who had followed him to Jingxi. Hong Yi, however, had already returned to the sect after Chen Ren had inspected his puppets in action and assigned him the task of creating more. It was a mission Hong Yi had eagerly accepted, leaving Chen Ren with Yalan.

Chen Ren asked through their mental connection,

“Did you find anything?”

Yalan’s lips barely moved as she responded telepathically.

“Nothing suspicious. No cultivators, at least. It’s pretty peaceful—just mortals, as far as I can tell. Though… There were a few mortals who lingered around the booths and quietly observed before slipping away, but I couldn’t tell if they were from the Union or just random passersby.”

Chen Ren nodded slightly.

“It’s fine. I fully expect the Union to be aware of how big our opening day is. We’ve made enough noise that they’d have to be blind not to notice. Besides, after their last attempt to sabotage us, we were never going to stay low-key for long.”

Yalan grunted in his mind and meowed next to him.

After a moment, Chen Ren’s gaze flicked toward her, and he asked with a hint of dry amusement,

“And what about our captured princesses?”

“By now, they’re probably wishing for death—if only to escape the humiliation.”

She glanced at him.

“They can’t even get through their chains, and you’ve drained all their qi. It’s been… humbling for them.”

“Good.”

They had captured them for a reason, and he wasn’t about to let them slip away anytime soon.

“I’ve seen a few Xueying Clan members snooping around the city, though. They’re clearly searching for them, but the [Redirection arrays] are still working, at least for now.”

Chen Ren hummed.

“Let’s keep it that way. The longer we keep them off our trail, the better. But stay ready. If anyone tries to make a move, I want to know about it immediately.”

“Understood.”

Chen Ren nodded, his thoughts shifting back to the first thing he had done after arriving in Jingxi: putting Yalan to work as their scout.

The cat wasn’t the type to pour all her strength into helping him unless she thought he was on the verge of failing, but she was supportive enough to lend a hand—especially when it came to stealth. With her feline agility and nimble movements, slipping through alleyways and keeping out of sight came naturally to her. It hadn’t taken long for Yalan to track down useful leads and scope out potential dangers.

Unfortunately, their progress had been limited. They weren’t able to get into the inner areas of any Union member estates. Those places had been locked down tight. The outer areas were easy enough to check, but the inner estates? All of them were warded with arrays. And even with her skills, snooping around would set off alarms. If someone tried to force their way in, they would break, alerting whoever’s handling them. Basically, it was like walking into a wasp’s nest. That was something they couldn’t afford yet.

“So, what are you planning to do with those ‘princesses,’ anyway? They’re kind of useless right now, aren’t they?”

she asked, looking towards him.

“I have plans for them. They’re still cultivators, and they’re witnesses to everything the Xueying Clan has done. The clan head won’t want people like that getting captured. In his eyes, it’d be better for them to die than to be left alive as liabilities.”

“Are your plans going to start soon, then?”

“Hopefully,”

Chen Ren replied.

“I just need to wait for the right timing. For now, I’m watching and waiting to see what the Union does next.”

“You’ve been waiting for a long time. They’ve gone quiet. Completely silent, actually.”

“I know. But that’s exactly why I can’t relax.”

“So, you’ve finally become paranoid, huh?”

Chen Ren glanced at her, a dry smile playing on his face.

“I prefer to call it being prepared.”

“Sure, whatever you call it, you are still paranoid.”

He didn't say anything to that, knowing Yalan was right. He had become paranoid, and there was no denying it. The constant waiting, the feeling of being on edge, always expecting something to go wrong—it wasn’t a pleasant way to live.

And honestly, that was probably exactly what the Union wanted.

If this was some kind of mental tactic, it was working, at least for now. But Chen Ren was also certain that whatever they had planned, they wouldn’t wait much longer after seeing how successful the mall’s opening day had turned out. He could practically feel the tension building, like a string pulled taut, ready to snap at any moment.

“Actually,”

Yalan said suddenly,

“paranoia isn’t all that bad for a cultivator.”

Chen Ren glanced at her, as if asking ‘what do you mean?’.

“The

longest-lived cultivators are always paranoid,”

she continued, stretching lazily but keeping her sharp, catlike gaze fixed on him.

“They move to get stronger, always expecting a blade to hit their neck at any time. It’s how they survive.”’

Chen Ren let out a low breath.

“That sounds like a pretty hard way to live—”

Before he could finish, a loud voice cut through the hum of chatter below.

Chen Ren’s head snapped toward the sound, his body already tense as he stepped down the stairs a bit to get a better look. His eyes quickly locked onto the source of the commotion—a man dressed in extremely

fine robes, standing near one of the counters on the first floor. He looked like the typical young master of some influential family, and he wasn’t alone. A small group of lackeys stood behind him, nodding and murmuring in agreement as he argued with Ling’er.

The man’s voice was loud enough to draw the attention of nearby customers, and Chen Ren felt his jaw tighten.

Is this it? Is the Union finally making a move?

Without wasting a second, he moved quickly down the stairs, moving through the crowd to intercept the situation before it escalated into something bigger. As he drew closer, he caught part of the conversation.

“You don’t know who I am, do you?” the young master was saying. He rolled his eyes as if she’d made the worst mistake; not knowing who he was. “Yunji Lian! I belong to the Yunji Clan. My father won’t be happy to hear that you’re treating us unfairly.”

Ling’er, to her credit, didn’t back down. She stood her ground while still maintaining a respectable trance, her hands clutched in front of her. “Young Master, we’re not being unfair,” she said evenly. “We only give the discount if you’ve brought more people with you, as per the rules.”

Lian scoffed, gesturing dramatically at the small group of followers behind him. “Don’t you see? I did bring people with me! Are you blind?”

“No, young master. I see them,” the maid replied, nodding politely. “But they need to actually buy something, too. They aren’t purchasing anything right now, and because of that, they don’t qualify for the discount. Nor do you.”

Chen Ren’s eyes narrowed as he observed the exchange, his mind already racing. This disagreement wasn’t just random, it had all the signs to cause huge trouble. Though he didn’t know if the Union had a part to play in this, he wasn’t about to stand and find out. For all he knew it could be some arrogant young master looking to flex his status and buy things cheap. But no, he couldn’t let either of the reasons disrupt the opening.

The drama was attracting too many eyes, and the longer it dragged on, the harder it would be to smooth things over. He stepped forward with a polite, disarming smile.

“Hello, I’m Chen Ren, the owner here. Can I ask what’s going on?” He looked at the man’s brown eyes directly, maintaining a friendly demeanor.

Lian put his hands in the air. “Finally, someone important!” he said, puffing up his chest. “You promised a discount, but you’re not giving it! That’s cheating!” His voice rose slightly, as though daring Chen Ren to argue.

Chen Ren didn’t respond right away. Instead, he glanced at Ling’er, who gave him a small shake of her head. He suppressed a sigh. He still couldn’t tell yet if this was some minor ploy by the Union to stir up trouble or just the antics of a self-absorbed brat from a lesser clan.

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Either way, he knew he had to deal with it quickly. Thankfully, by now, he’d learned a thing or two about handling this particular brand of arrogance.

Turning back to Lian, Chen Ren kept his tone light, as though he were explaining something simple to a child. “Young Master Yunji Lian, it’s not cheating. The discount applies only when the people you bring also make a purchase. It’s not enough just to bring them along—they have to actually buy something, too.”

The latter opened his mouth to retort, but Chen Ren smoothly cut him off before he could say anything.

“I get it’s just a misunderstanding,” Chen Ren said. “But I’m also pretty sure that someone as wealthy and influential as Young Master Yunji Lian can easily afford to pay for his friends, too.” He smiled slightly, letting the words sink in. “And, if I may say so, that kind of generosity would definitely earn you even more admiration from the ladies here.”

At that, the young master blinked and glanced around, finally noticing the crowd that had gathered. Several young women, dressed in fine robes, were watching the scene with barely concealed amusement. Some were whispering to each other, while others openly stared, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Chen Ren could practically see the shift in the young master’s demeanor as he realized just how much attention he was getting. His outburst had turned him into the center of attention—and not necessarily in a flattering way. But Chen Ren’s words had given him an easy out, a chance to turn the situation around and save face.

The young master’s face immediately flushed, realizing that, in his anger, he’d come across as stingy in front of several young women. His eyes darted around nervously, and Chen Ren noticed the moment recognition dawned—he must have spotted a few familiar faces, likely young ladies from clans as prominent as his own.

Chen Ren knew exactly how much value these young masters placed on their reputations. Just reminding the guy of how much he was losing by continuing this outburst was enough to make him straighten up. The young master shot Chen Ren a sharp glare, his face still red with embarrassment, and forced a stiff smile. His hand wiped his hair thrice in a row.

“I understand,” he said through gritted teeth. “It was a simple misunderstanding. I’ll return later with money for my men.”

Without waiting for a reply, he spun on his heel and bolted out of the store, his lackeys scrambling to follow.

Chen Ren stood there for a moment, quietly watching the young master retreating back. He half-expected the brat to cause more trouble later, but for now, at least, the situation seemed under control.

Yalan’s voice broke his focus.

“I doubt he’s related to the Union,”

she said with a dry chuckle.

“That was just a stupid, spoiled guy. No schemes this time.”

Hearing that, Chen Ren exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.

“I know.”

“Do you?”

He looked back at where Yalan was and saw her giving him a pointed look.

“I know you’re paranoid. But you need to relax before you lose your mind.”

“Yes, okay. I get it.”

Even as he said it, he tried to steady his breathing. After a month of constant vigilance, waiting for the Union’s next move, it felt like something could happen at any moment. That constant tension had kept him sharp—but it was also slowly wearing him down. If he stayed on edge like this, he’d just end up deteriorating before the real fight began.

Yalan, smug as always, gave him a knowing look before flicking her tail lazily and leaping to a nearby windowsill.

Shaking his head, Chen Ren turned to Ling’er. “Take care of the mall for now. I’ll be back soon.”

She nodded without hesitation, already turning to resume her duties.

Chen Ren stepped outside, breathing in the crisp air as he strolled through the streets. With all the work that had piled up, he’d barely had time to explore the city properly. Now seemed like a good time to fix that—and maybe even do a bit of research for his next line of products. And hope that no problem would come up while he would be out.

Though at this point, he was welcoming anything so he could put an end to the Union altogether.

***

Anji woke abruptly to the distant sound of a rooster crowing. Her eyes snapped open, wide with alarm, as her hand instinctively reached for the blade that should’ve been at her side. But her fingers grasped at nothing, meeting only the rough fabric of her blanket.

She blinked, her heart hammering, until the cool morning breeze drifted in through the small window, brushing softly against her skin. Slowly, her pulse calmed, and her tense body began to relax as the reality of where she was set in.

This wasn’t an ambush. There was no battle. No danger lurking around the corner.

She was in her room. In a quiet, peaceful village. Safe. Meadow Village. That was where she was.

She took a deep breath and sat up, pushing back the thin blanket. As the last remnants of fear ebbed away, she glanced around the small room. It was humble, barely furnished, with a worn wooden chair in one corner and a shelf holding a few essentials. From what she’d been told, it had once been a storage room, but Tang Xiulan had given it to her, knowing that she valued her privacy.

It wasn’t much. She’d lived in larger rooms before—far larger—but it was better than sleeping on the streets, better than waking up to the cold stones of alleyways and the constant fear of being found. Here, she could breathe.

Soon, her drowsiness began to fade. She stretched, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and mentally ticked off her tasks for the day.

First, she’d help with breakfast, even if her cooking wasn’t the best. After that, there were the lessons. Since Tang Xiulan had discovered that she could read and write, she’d asked her to teach some of the illiterate mortals in their sect. Anji had agreed, not just out of obligation, but because she’d found that she enjoyed it. It was better than doing the endless, menial tasks that many others in the sect had been saddled with. Teaching gave her a purpose, even if it wasn’t exactly the life she’d imagined for herself.

She sat there for a few more moments, watching the morning light stretch across the floorboards. Then, with a soft sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

As she reached for her shoes, she suddenly paused, frowning. There was something she’d forgotten.

She turned back to the bed and rummaged beneath the shelf, her fingers brushing against a small, smooth object. Pulling it out, she glanced down at the cylindrical tube in her hand.

It was the latest creation that Sect Leader Chen had designed before he’d left for the city. After finalizing a few prototypes, he’d instructed Tang Xiulan to test them, and in turn, Xiulan had asked Anji to try one out.

They’d called it… a lipstick.

The tube felt rough against her skin as she examined it. It was sleek and surprisingly well made, even if made from wood. When she twisted the base, the top of the lipstick extended upward, revealing a vivid crimson stick with a faint sheen. She rubbed the tip with her finger and saw how beautifully the crimson stuck to her skin. But she knew this went goes on her lips.

She tilted her head, leaning closer to the small, cracked mirror mounted on the wall. Slowly, she raised the lipstick to her lips and swiped it gently across them.

The texture was smooth and creamy, spreading easily, and as it touched her lips, she tasted a faint hint of something sweet—honey, maybe, or a subtle floral note that lingered just enough to be pleasant without overwhelming.

She pressed her lips together, savoring the strange but not unpleasant sensation. For a brief moment, her reflection caught her off guard.

The vibrant red brought out the faint rosiness in her cheeks, making her face look softer, more alive. It was a small difference, but it felt… nice. Almost as though it wasn’t just her lips that had changed—but something inside her, too.

Anji touched her lips lightly, feeling the subtle warmth the lipstick left behind, before setting the tube down carefully on the shelf. Then she straightened her back, smoothed

out her tunic, and walked to the door.

It wasn’t bad. The texture on her lips reminded Anji of the fine powder she used to pat onto them in her teenage years, trying to keep them from drying and cracking during harsh winters. But this lipstick was far more convenient—no mess, no crumbling, just a single smooth swipe that left a soft, protective layer.

As she stared at the small tube in her shelf, her thoughts drifted, inevitably landing on the man who’d thought of this.

By now, Anji wasn’t even surprised at the strange, innovative ideas that seemed to constantly spill from his mind. From the noodles that had made a good profit even in a place like Cloud Mist City to products like this, Chen Ren’s thoughts always seemed to leap ahead of what anyone else was doing.

And yet… that felt natural, didn’t it? After all, he’d been chosen by the Golden Dragon.

She had no idea what it truly meant. She hadn’t been involved in that fateful event, just nearby when the dragon appeared, and Chen Ren had escaped with his life intact due to him even against a demonic cultivator. He never spoke about it, not to her or anyone else, but she didn’t need an explanation to know that it marked him for something greater.

Maybe that was why she’d decided to stay close to him. Maybe, deep down, she hoped that by following him, by staying in his orbit, she’d grow strong enough to keep a promise she was currently too powerless to fulfill.

Or… was that just an excuse?

Anji frowned. Was that truly why she stayed? Or was it something else? A fear that she wouldn’t be able to walk her own path?

She hadn’t wanted to admit it for a long time, but the truth was there, in the back of her mind, like a ghost. She was running. Running from the road she was meant to walk. Because it felt terrifying. Because every time she thought about taking that first step, she was overwhelmed by how distant her goal seemed.

But wasn’t she alive right now to walk that path? Wasn’t that the reason she was still breathing, still moving forward despite everything? Why was she turning away from it?

The questions hit her all at once, swirling around her mind, tightening her chest until—

Knock, knock.

“Anji? Are you coming for breakfast?” Tang Xiulan’s voice rang out.

Anji blinked, her mind sluggish as it struggled to adjust from the deep, uncomfortable reflections to the mundane reality in front of her. After a pause, she cleared her throat and called back,

“Yes! Just a minute.”

She glanced back at the lipstick on the shelf. Then, she took a long, slow sigh, as if exhaling the tangle of doubts threatening to choke her.

Not now.

For now, she would lock those thoughts away. She’d shove them deep into the corners of her mind where they couldn’t reach her, where she could feel that fragile peace she’d finally found in this quiet, sleepy village.

Squaring her shoulders, Anji smoothed her tunic, reached for the door, and stepped out into the light.

***

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