Even Madam Lu seemed like a different person after returning to Mist Rain Village.

Aside from being much more beautiful than the other village women, naturally graceful, chatting and greeting people, discussing everyday matters, she appeared no different from any ordinary woman in the village.

At least, having not seen Madam Lu's methods, Chen Tang and his companions couldn't detect any flaws.

The group followed Madam Lu to a cottage in the village, where a middle-aged man casually walked out, wearing a clean and simple scholar's robe. His figure was tall and upright, with neatly tied black hair, smiling eyes, a kind face, and a friendly demeanor.

"Father!"

Dugu Qingcheng exclaimed joyfully upon seeing the middle-aged man.

"You still remember to come back!"

The middle-aged man put on a stern face and glared at her.

"Daddy, Qing'Er knows she was wrong."

Dugu Qingcheng pouted, timidly approached the middle-aged man, tugged on his sleeve, and said, "Qing'Er's friends are here, please forgive me this time, father."

Chen Tang's gaze moved, noticing that the left sleeve of the middle-aged man's arm was empty, indicating he had lost an arm.

"Greetings, senior."

Seeing the middle-aged man looking over, Chen Tang and his companions composed themselves and bowed.

The middle-aged man was slightly taken aback, looking toward Madam Lu.

Madam Lu nonchalantly said, "Qing'Er made some friends while she was out this time and invited them to the house as guests, so I brought them here."

The middle-aged man pondered briefly and smiled at Chen Tang and his companions, saying, "My name is Lu Qianshan, just a teacher in the village. I'm undeserving of the title of 'senior.' Since you're Qing'Er's friends, just call me Mr. Lu."

Dugu Qingcheng's real name is Lu Qing.

"That's right."

Madam Lu said, "There's no need to call me 'senior' in the village. It makes me sound so old. Just call me Madam Lu like everyone else."

In such a village, calling someone 'senior' indeed feels somewhat out of place and could raise suspicions.

Lu Qianshan was quite talkative and engaged in casual conversation with Chen Tang and his companions.

This Mr. Lu seemed unsteady on his feet, making it appear as though he knew nothing of martial arts.

Occasionally, village children would pass by and respectfully call out "teacher" to him.

According to him, their family has been in Mist Rain Village for ten years now.

Madam Lu busily worked, picking vegetables and cooking, with great skill and speed.

If not seen with one's own eyes, those hands didn't seem like they had ever wielded a sword.

Chen Tang and his companions were full of questions.

How could such a martial arts-ignorant, one-armed teacher be together with Madam Lu, a Third Grade master?

Where did Madam Lu learn her skills?

Why was she content to stay in this tiny village for ten years, unknown to the world?

As they chatted idly with Lu Qianshan, Chen Tang and the others also observed the villagers passing by.

Initially, they thought the village might have some secret significance.

But after some observation, they found no martial artists in the village.

At most, there were some strong young men.

Mist Rain Village appeared to be an utterly ordinary village.

The only unusual aspect might be the storyteller at the village entrance.

And Madam Lu.

Before long, Madam Lu had prepared a large table of dishes, both meat and vegetables, very abundant.

At the enthusiastic invitation of Lu Qianshan and his wife, Yuwen Heigou and Changsun Ming nervously took their seats, looking at the large spread of food on the table, voicing their doubts to themselves.

Previously, they had fallen for Lu Qing's trick in that broken temple.

Now, with Lu Qing's mother having prepared a table of dishes, who would dare to lift the chopsticks?

It's really not surprising they were overthinking. This Madam Lu was ruthless and unpredictable, having previously exhibited baseless murderous intent towards them.

If she had poisoned the food, it would have been completely normal.

"Please, eat, don't stand on ceremony."

Lu Qianshan nodded and gestured, starting to eat first.

Madam Lu, smiling, said to Chen Tang and his companions, "Try my cooking, see how it is?"

Yuwen Heigou and Changsun Ming hesitated.

However, Chen Tang didn't concern himself, seemingly carefree as he said, "The sight of all this food is making my mouth water, I'll just help myself."

With that, Chen Tang picked up his chopsticks, tasting each dish, praising them endlessly.

Every time he tasted a dish, he would close his eyes and savor it, as if meticulously appreciating the flavor.

Madam Lu, half-smiling, asked, "Aren't you afraid the food might be poisoned?"

"Haha!"

Chen Tang laughed heartily, saying, "Such delicious food would be worth it even if it's poisoned!"

Madam Lu's gaze toward Chen Tang grew more appreciative.

Changsun Ming and Yuwen Heigou felt a bit ashamed internally.

Chen Tang tasted each dish, seemingly to savor Madam Lu's culinary skills, but in reality, he was taking a considerable risk, proving to the two of them that there was nothing wrong with the dishes he tasted.

Having come this far, they might as well relax.

In fact, with Madam Lu's skills, if she truly wanted to harm them, why would she need to use poison?

In comparison, Chen Tang's straightforwardness made the other two seem a bit petty.

Actually, Chen Tang wasn't quite what Madam Lu and Changsun Ming thought. His daring was largely due to possessing the skill of Entering the Divine State.

If he were to be poisoned, he could enter the Divine Illumination State to detect it immediately.

After tasting the dishes, he found no problems.

Feeling reassured, Chen Tang ate heartily.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lu Qianshan led the three to a cottage not far away, saying, "This house is a bit plain, been unused for years. If you don't mind, you can stay here for a while."

Chen Tang and his companions then temporarily settled down in Mist Rain Village.

...

As night fell.

Seeing that Lu Qing was already asleep, Lu Qianshan called Madam Lu outside and softly asked, "What happened today?"

Madam Lu briefly recounted the incident in Bingzhou City and said, "That boy with the spear is from the Changsun Family, and the one with the straw hat should be from the palace."

Hearing this, Lu Qianshan frowned.

Madam Lu added, "The third boy used a sword skill, Vast Ambition, and he has truly inherited it."

"Oh?"

Lu Qianshan's expression shifted as he asked, "From the previous dynasty?"

Madam Lu replied, "His master should be a person from the previous dynasty and held a significant position in the previous dynasty's army."

Lu Qianshan asked again, "Could it be related to that old man at the village entrance?"

"Hard to say."

Madam Lu said, "That old man is certainly from the previous dynasty's military; otherwise, he couldn't know so much about the previous dynasty."

Lu Qianshan suddenly said, "You originally intended to kill those three, didn't you?"

"Yes."

Madam Lu didn't hide it, saying, "That would be the simplest and most secure approach."

"Forget it."

Lu Qianshan shook his head, saying, "After all, they are friends Qing'Er made at the start of her Jianghu journey. I see those three's character isn't bad. After a few days, let them leave. If need be, we can just move away from here."

Madam Lu said, "We've settled here for ten years; I'm afraid you won't want to leave."

Lu Qianshan smiled gently and said, "As long as I have you and Qing'Er by my side, wherever we go is home, nothing to be reluctant about."

The two smiled at each other, sat embracing, looking up at the twinkling stars in the tranquil and peaceful village, enjoying their unique moment of tranquility.

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