Beautiful Autumn Dew

Translator: Cinder Translations

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After leaving the mission hall, Song Wen asked Zuo Shuiyun, "Senior Sister Zuo, when shall we set out?"

Zuo Shuiyun glanced at Song Wen, her eyes filled with a hint of disdain.

She was reluctant to carry out the external mission with Song Wen.

Due to Song Wen's poor aptitude for alchemy and his lack of demonstrated combat abilities, Zuo Shuiyun subconsciously regarded him as a burden.

"At noon tomorrow," she replied curtly.

Having said that, Zuo Shuiyun left without looking back.

The next day, at noon, the two set out promptly, flying on their swords toward the Cheng family in the West Mountain.

The Cheng family was located over thirty thousand miles south of the Beast Control Sect, close to the mortal realm.

The Cheng family thrived on cultivating spirit herbs, specifically the Sun Spirit Herb, which was one of the key ingredients in refining Beast Essence Pills.

The two were not in a hurry and took two days to arrive at the Cheng family.

The Cheng family was situated amidst mountains and rivers, with a clear stream winding through the front and a towering peak named West Mountain behind it, thus earning the name West Mountain Cheng Family.

Between the Cheng family and West Mountain, there was a misty valley filled with abundant spirit herbs.

These spirit herbs stood about two to three feet tall, with dark brown stems and nine emerald green leaves, and were known as Sun Spirit Herb.

With their identity tokens, Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun smoothly entered the Cheng family.

In the main hall of the Cheng family, they met the family head, Cheng Ruida.

Cheng Ruida was tall, about six feet, with a warm and refined demeanor, exuding an air of elegance.

"You two have finally arrived," Cheng Ruida said with a joyful expression upon seeing Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun.

"Greetings, Family Head Cheng. I am Wu Sheng, and this is Elder Zuo Shuiyun," Song Wen introduced them.

"Elder Wu, Elder Zuo, thank you both for coming all this way to aid our Cheng family," Cheng Ruida said gratefully.

Song Wen asked, "Family Head Cheng, I noticed that there are fewer than ten thousand people in your family. Why is that?"

Upon entering the Cheng family's territory, Song Wen observed that the estate was vast, yet there were relatively few people around.

Using his spiritual sense to scan the entire Cheng family, he discovered there were only about eight thousand members, which was quite pitiful for a Foundation Establishment family.

Cheng Ruida sighed deeply, his face filled with resentment.

"Alas! My Cheng family used to be prosperous, with over ten thousand members. However, ever since that Blood Demon appeared two years ago, it has rampantly hunted my family members, resulting in a drastic decline in our numbers, especially among the non-cultivating mortals, who suffered the most."

Hearing this, Song Wen's eyes flashed with shock.

From over ten thousand people, only eight thousand remained?

In just two years, the population had dwindled to a little over ten percent.

The Cheng family had lost the majority of its clan members to the Blood Demon, and only now were they seeking help from the Beast Control Sect?

Song Wen gave Cheng Ruida a deep look but chose not to press further.

Zuo Shuiyun suddenly interjected, "Enough of this. We shouldn't waste time. The sooner we eliminate the Blood Demon, the sooner we can repay the Cheng family. Family Head Cheng, please take me to your alchemy room. I need to refine a second-grade Demon Luring Powder."

Zuo Shuiyun was not overly concerned about this mission; with three Foundation Establishment cultivators present, killing a mid-second-grade Blood Demon should be a piece of cake.

Cheng Ruida responded, "Thank you, Elder Zuo. Refining a second-grade Demon Luring Powder takes several days and is quite difficult. I humbly request both elders to cooperate and expedite the refinement process. Please follow me; I'll take you to the alchemy room right now."

After saying this, he stood up and gestured toward the main door, indicating for Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun to follow him.

Zuo Shuiyun stood up and walked toward the door.

Song Wen also got to his feet.

Zuo Shuiyun glanced at Song Wen, her tone dripping with disdain as she said, "Junior Brother Wu, you need not come along. I can manage alone. You probably can't even refine a second-grade Demon Luring Powder. If you enter the alchemy room, you won't help me but may instead distract me."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen awkwardly sat back down.

He was already capable of refining second-grade Demon Luring Powder.

Zuo Shuiyun wanting to refine the Demon Luring Powder alone was clearly to gain more credit for this mission.

Since she wanted to handle it herself, he would let her do so and enjoy some leisure time instead.

Anyway, the reward for the mission was inconsequential to him.

Moreover, Song Wen felt that something was off about both the Cheng family and Cheng Ruida. While Zuo Shuiyun was busy refining pills, he could take the opportunity to investigate the Cheng family.

Better to be prepared than sorry!

Cheng Ruida glanced back and forth between Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun but said nothing as he led Zuo Shuiyun to the alchemy room.

After they left, a maid approached.

"I am Qiu Lu, honored to meet Elder Wu. Please follow me; I'll take you to a guest room to rest," she said.

Qiu Lu was beautiful, but she had no cultivation and was an ordinary person without spiritual roots.

The two passed through the Cheng family's courtyard, heading deeper into the estate.

"Qiu Lu, can you tell me about the layout of your Cheng family?" Song Wen asked.

"Of course!" Qiu Lu replied respectfully as she led the way. "The Cheng family is divided into three areas: the front courtyard near the small river is inhabited by ordinary people like myself without any cultivation. The middle courtyard is where the family conducts alchemy and forging. The back courtyard, near the spiritual fields, is rich in spiritual energy and is home to clan members with spiritual roots. The guest room where you'll be staying is also in the back courtyard, right next to the Sun Spirit Herb spiritual fields."

"When did the Blood Demon first appear?" Song Wen asked.

"About two and a half years ago," Qiu Lu replied.

"When did the clan members start going missing or dying?"

"It started after the Blood Demon appeared."

Qiu Lu's eyes suddenly turned red, tears welling up.

"Elder, I know you are here to help our Cheng family get rid of the demon. Please be sure to slay the Blood Demon. My whole family was killed by it—my parents and my younger siblings were all devoured by the demon. It's a monster that eats human flesh and drinks human blood."

As she spoke, her voice grew choked with emotion.

"If you can help the Cheng family and slay this demon, Qiu Lu is willing to give everything to repay your great kindness."

Qiu Lu stopped and looked back at Song Wen, her expression both delicate and resolute.

Her tragically sorrowful appearance stirred sympathy in others.

Feeling moved by her tragic story, as well as a sense of justice rising within him, or perhaps wanting to show his own gallantry, Song Wen patted his chest and said, "Do not worry, Miss Qiu Lu. I will take care of slaying the Blood Demon."

TL: Feeling moved my foot!

With tears like pear blossoms on her face, Qiu Lu revealed a knowing smile, her eyes crescent-shaped and filled with admiration as she gazed at Song Wen.

"Elder, I believe you will definitely be able to slay the Blood Demon and avenge my family."

Then she noticed that Song Wen's gaze was fixed on her ample bosom, and a blush flashed across her face.

Qiu Lu lowered her head, a rosy hue spreading across her cheeks.

She pointed to a two-story building not far ahead.

"Elder, we've arrived at the guest room. I'll take my leave now."

(End of the Chapter)

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