Chapter 176: Never a Good Time

“Ugh…”

The white-robed demon hid inside a cave after being struck by the Thunder Technique.

He clutched at his chest, looking quite weak.

Everything was quiet outside. Under the dark night, he used his Demonic Power to soothe his injuries.

But despite that, the Thunder Technique wound on his back kept aching dully. It never faded away.

“That Thunder Technique is so ruthless…”

The white-robed demon frowned, then flicked his sleeve. A treasure bottle dropped into his hand. He raised a finger, guiding a wisp of Magical Power inside. It flowed towards his Lightning Tribulation wound.

Soon, his face slowly looked better. The injured area gradually healed.

He sighed with relief, recalling the earlier scenes.

The Soul-Summoning Banner was lost.

“Boom!”

He pounded his fist on the ground, his face showing frustration.

“None of your business!”

For some time now, he had travelled all over Western Xiao, day and night, gathering the Wandering Spirits.

He finally got such a great chance. He was about to succeed, but something unexpected ruined it.

All his effort was wasted!

But after the anger passed, his expression turned somber.

“Why…”

He murmured softly, staring at the dripping water inside the cave. The drip-drop sound lingered in his ears for a long time.

The cave grew silent, except for the dripping water.

Meanwhile, in the mountain forest nearby.

Several beams of Golden Light suddenly landed. Several dozen figures appeared. They wore matching uniforms, like disciples from some Immortal Mountain.

The leader held a compass disk. The disk pointed straight at this mountain.

“He should be in this mountain. Search carefully!

“Turn this mountain upside down if you must, but find him!”

“Yes!”

With that order, dozens of disciples began searching the mountain.

The white-robed demon hiding in the cave suddenly sensed something.

He instantly looked nervous.

“Those wretched souls!”

He gritted his teeth, quickly stood up, and stumbled out of the cave. He planned to hide somewhere farther away.

Somehow, he kept hiding constantly in this world. Even stopping to rest became a luxury.

.

.

A carriage waited at Tang Manor’s gate. Yun Xiang stood before it.

She looked at Tang Mingjing standing by the gate and asked, “Brother Tang, not coming along?”

Tang Mingjing shook his head and smiled. “It’s fine for you to go. For me, it wouldn’t be right.”

Yun Xiang had heard this answer many times before.

Brother Tang was stubborn. He felt barging in might disturb Mr. Chen’s peace, since he and Mr. Chen had only met by chance.

But Yun Xiang was different. She and Mr. Chen had fate between them. So it wouldn’t be a disturbance.

Tang Mingjing said, “If you see Mr. Chen, remember to send him my best regards. It would be best if he’d come.”

“Okay.”

Yun Xiang agreed, then boarded the carriage.

Tang Mingjing watched the carriage disappear into the distance and breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

His father, Tang Shijie, stood behind him and asked, “How old is Yun Xiang this year?”

“Twenty-four,” Tang Mingjing replied.

Tang Shijie said, “I recall her being fifteen or sixteen back then?”

Tang Mingjing nodded. “She was only ten-something when she entered the manor.”

Tang Shijie stared at the carriage and sighed. “If this keeps up, this girl might waste her whole life. I just don’t get it. Why can’t she understand… Mr. Chen is hardly someone who…”

Tang Shijie didn’t finish, just shook his head.

Tang Mingjing turned to his dad. “Dad, do you think Yun Xiang is a foolish girl?”

Tang Shijie froze for a while. He let out a long breath, helplessly saying, “What a mess…”

Tang Mingjing simply stated, “Let her be.”

After noon, the cruel summer sun grew less harsh.

The carriage stopped at the mountain’s foot.

Yun Xiang carried a box. Inside was a bag of Preserved Fruit and a few freshly picked lotus flowers.

The Maid and escorts stayed at the foot of the mountain. Yun Xiang climbed up alone.

When she reached Flowing Cloud Temple’s entrance.

She was about to knock when commotion drifted out from inside.

“Su Junhan, you have too much free time, don’t you? Always picking a fight with me!”

“Wasn’t it you who started arguing?”

“If you didn’t talk so annoyingly, would I bother arguing?”

“Do I talk annoyingly?”

“What do you think?”

Su Junhan just gave Moyuan a faint look. It seemed almost mocking, like Moyuan was making excuses because he lost the argument.

Su Junhan said nothing, but that mocking look alone made Moyuan furious.

“Damn it!”

Moyuan slammed his fist on the table. The entire temple seemed to tremble.

Yun Xiang at the door clearly felt the vibration.

She steadied herself, surprised.

‘Crash…’

The stone table lay shattered into pieces. Moyuan stared at it and clicked his tongue.

“Seventeenth table gone.”

Su Junhan looked at Moyuan. “I told you to stockpile more stone materials, but you wouldn’t listen. Now what? Time to find another.”

“You better shut up!”

“Why should I? When it comes to skill, you lag far behind me. Regarding influence, I am the Fox Sovereign of Yuan Mountain. You’re just a lone wolf. How can you tell me to shut up?”

“…”

Moyuan clawed at his hair, almost frantic.

Couldn’t win a fight. Couldn’t win an argument. Got humiliated on top of it. It felt worse than death.

Then, a sudden knock sounded at the gate.

Moyuan snapped back to reality. He glared at Su Junhan. “Door God, go open the gate!”

Su Junhan lifted a hand. The temple door swung open.

Moyuan asked, “Couldn’t you walk over and open it?”

“You think I’m as foolish as you?”

“This is about respect! Don’t you get it? What if the person at the door is Mr. Chen?”

“Seems the lightning from your Tribulation fried your brain. Can’t even sense if it’s Mr. Chen standing so close?”

“Su Junhan! I’ll get you one day!”

“You? Can’t even beat my maid.”

“Damn it!”

Yun Xiang stared blankly at the bickering pair. They completely forgot she was there.

She found she couldn’t get a word in.

But seeing Moyuan so flustered made her cover her mouth with a stifled laugh.

In this world, someone could actually put Moyuan in his place.

That soft chuckle reached the dragon and fox’s ears.

They turned to look at Yun Xiang.

Yun Xiang froze, her face changed at once. She called out, “Brother Moyuan.”

Moyuan’s angry face instantly smoothed over. “Came early this year.”

“And this is…” Yun Xiang looked at Su Junhan.

Moyuan waved dismissively. “Never mind him.”

Su Junhan stated, “Su Junhan.”

Yun Xiang blinked, nodding. “Brother Su.”

Su Junhan’s expression softened into a gentle smile. He gave her a nod.

Moyuan rolled his eyes. “What a show.”

Su Junhan glanced at him.

“Nothing special.”

Moyuan clenched his fist within his sleeve again.

He eyed the pile of broken stones and thought fiercely: Next time, he would find an unbreakable table.

Yun Xiang blinked again and said softly, “I’m afraid…”

“I came at a bad time.”

Moyuan looked toward Su Junhan.

“With him around,” he said grimly,

“Every day is a bad time.”