A Shocking Dream

Chapter 197

The innkeeper, wiping the counter, glanced up at her and forced a smile, his eyes etched with respect. "Good morning, young lady! You've returned with another bountiful load," he said, trotting over and reaching out to take the basket. Lin Wunian slightly sidestepped, offering a gentle smile. "Don't bother, boss. I can do it myself." His voice was as clear as a silver bell, yet piercing with unmistakable distance.

The owner, knowing her temper, awkwardly withdrew his hand, stepping aside to make way, his gaze still following her. Lin Wunian walked into the backyard, found a vacant spot, and gently set the basket on the ground. The herbal spread spread out, and a delicate fragrance instantly filled the air. Her fingertips moved nimbly, sorting the herbs with skillful grace. The morning light filtered through the window, outlining the soft contours of her face, like a lady from an ancient painting. Yet, the coldness between her eyebrows, like a frosted blade hidden in its sheath, made anyone hesitate to approach her.

As the diners gradually arrived, their gazes drifted towards her, and whispers rose and fell. Lin Wunian pretended not to hear, concentrating on sorting the herbs until a shadow fell in front of her. She looked up and saw it was a regular at the inn—an old man who knew the ins and outs of the martial arts world. "Young lady, I heard you often venture deep into the mountains to search for herbs. The Cloud Mist Ridge is very dangerous. There were rumors of wild beasts attacking people recently. You must be careful in the future," the old man said, his face full of concern.

Lin Wunian nodded slightly, his eyes calm. "Thank you for the reminder. I know my limits." His tone was neither cold nor warm, his hands moving non-stop. The old man was annoyed and left with a grumble. Seeing this, the boss coughed lightly, leaned in and whispered, "Young lady, you are of noble status. There is no need to get angry with these idlers. If you need help going into the mountains in the future, just let me know. I will accompany you even if it costs me my old bones."

Lin Wunian glanced at him, a hint of warmth flashed in her eyes, but disappeared in a flash: "I appreciate your kindness. I have always been a loner and not afraid of hardships." After that, she continued to work. The noise of the inn seemed to be a barrier between her and him. Only the fragrance of herbs, the wet skirt and the cold back became the unique scenery of this fireworks place, as if she was a fairy grass elf who had strayed into the mortal world, isolated from the world.

After carefully spreading the herbs out to dry in the backyard, Lin Wunian dusted her hands, lifted her skirt, and hurried down the corridor. The wooden stairs creaked softly under her feet. Reaching the door of the upstairs guest room, she raised her bare hand and knocked. Her movements were quick yet gentle, and the knock echoed in the silent hallway.

"Who?" Kanan's alert voice instantly echoed from inside the room, her voice tense, like a taut bowstring poised to unleash sharp arrows at any moment. Lin Wunian pursed his lips slightly, leaned closer to the door, and said, "Kanan, it's me," his tone gentle and calm, trying to dispel the tension and alertness.

There was a brief silence inside the door. After a moment, the door bolt sounded lightly, and the door slowly opened a narrow crack. Half of Kankan's face was hidden in the shadows. Her eyes were like torches as she scanned Lin Wunian up and down. After confirming that there was no danger, she opened the door completely, stepped aside to let her in, and closed the door and bolted it.

Lin Xiaonian walked straight to the table inside the room, her sleeves fluttering softly, making a faint sound. She looked a little tired, but she still smiled. Just as she was about to speak, Xiaoxiao hurried over, grabbed her hand, and said in a voice full of anxiety and scolding: "Sister, where have you been all these days? Sister Lu Yao and I are so worried about you!" Her eyes were slightly red, showing that these days were full of worry and torment.

Lin Xiannian gently squeezed Xianxian's hand, reminding her not to panic, and said softly, "I was just going out to look for some rare herbs. The road was rough, so the round trip took some time. Look how anxious you are, little girl. You panic at the slightest sign of trouble."

As he was about to sit down, Kanan hurriedly went around the table and hurriedly picked up the teapot to pour tea. The hot tea was poured into the teacup, and mist rose up, blurring her worried eyes.

"Sister, the world is full of dangers. You must take me with you next time. Even if I can't help, it's good to have someone to look after you. You don't know this, but Sister Lu Yao and I have lost our appetite and can't sleep well at night, for fear that something might happen to you."

Xianxian passed the tea to Lin Xingnian. The scalding cup touched her skin, the warmth seeping into her heart. Lin Xingnian's head felt hot. She sipped the hot tea gently, the rich aroma lingering between her lips and teeth. She said slowly, "I have the ability to protect you, but it's my fault that you died. Where's Lu Yao? Why don't you see her?"

"Sister Lu Yao's injury has almost healed in the past few days. She said she was going to get something." As she spoke, Kankan picked up a piece of cake on the table and handed it to Lin Wunian. Her eyes were full of innocence and carefreeness, and she was not aware of the growing gloom around her.

Lin Wunian's heart tightened. He took the cake with his slender hands, but he had no intention of tasting it. His brows furrowed slightly. "Did she say where she was going to get it? And when she would be back?" Kankan shook her head slightly, took a bite of the cake, and replied vaguely with puffed cheeks, "She didn't tell us in detail. She just said she would be back after finishing her business and told us not to worry."

"Oh no!" Lin Wunian abruptly stood up, nearly dropping the cake in her hands. Her expression suddenly changed. She had just felt an inexplicable panic, as if tiny shards of ice were piercing her heart. A sense of foreboding spread like ink in water. Without a second thought, she turned and rushed to the door, her skirt flying in her haste.

As she reached the door, she hurriedly turned back and instructed, "Kan-Kan, bring the herbs drying in the yard to boil water at noon. I need them." Without waiting for a response from Kan-Kan, she was gone like an arrow, disappearing into the corridor in an instant. An innkeeper passed by with a tray. He saw only a flash of black shadow and a gust of wind. When he looked closely, all that remained was the dust raised by Lin Wu-Nian's departure. He froze in shock, and the cups and bowls on the tray clashed and clattered.

Lin Wunian rushed out of the inn. The sunlight was like golden needles, piercing her eyes. She didn't even bother to raise her hands to block it. Her anxiety burned into a blazing fire, consuming all her surroundings. The streets were thronged with people, the clamor of vendors, the sounds of children playing, and the rumble of carriages and horses intertwined like a boiling pot. But she was like a fish swimming upstream, her body nimble and resolute, darting through the cracks, her only target the dilapidated temple outside the city.

She knew full well that Lu Yao would risk everything to retrieve the items hidden in the ruined temple. The evidence implicating Xie Yuan was the key to her long-awaited and patient planning. This evidence was her only hope of clearing her name and bringing down Xie Yuan. Despite countless obstacles and dangers, she would risk everything.

Lin Wunian's feet blew, and the suburban scenery faded like a blurry scroll. His mind kept flashing back to Lu Yao's confident expression when she'd mentioned the ruined temple. Her eyes then shone like stars in the dark night sky. "Wunian, the item is hidden beneath the base of the Buddha statue in the ruined temple. It's so hidden, no one will find it. Once it's retrieved, it will be Xie Yuan's downfall." But now, the situation was tense. Yingzhou City was in turmoil, with various factions intertwined and spies everywhere. Any unsettled movement would be followed. Lu Yao's wanted status was like a bull's-eye; if she showed herself, she would be hunted.

The path outside the city was rugged and the weeds were ankle-deep. Lin Wunian stumbled but did not stop for a moment.

The outline of a dilapidated temple gradually emerged in the distance, its ruins casting mottled shadows in the sunlight, revealing a dead and eerie silence. Her heart pounding like thunder, she quietly approached, hiding behind a dead tree beside the temple and peering in. The temple was silent and serene, with only dust floating in the light. Lu Yao was nowhere to be seen, only a series of messy footprints on the ground leading to the back of the Buddha statue. Lin Wunian's heart tightened, and she tiptoed in, calling softly: