Chapter 8: He is a flower thief!

If one sentence could describe Li Xingruo’s current mood, it would be—

Kidnapped, what do I do? Urgent!

Just moments ago, at the checkpoint gate on the immortal-demon border, when Li Xingruo heard Shi Xiangwen say he’d take her back to the Huangji Sect to complete the marriage, she immediately used her movement technique to flee.

Unfortunately, Thousand Mechanism Peak’s puppet arts were too strong. Before she could take a few steps, Shi Xiangwen’s puppet dragged her back.

Then, to her horror, she found her spiritual power was sealed.

A sealing technique?

When did he hit me with a sealing technique? How did I not notice?

“Young Master Shi’s sealing technique is truly masterful—worthy of a Huangji Sect disciple!”

Knowing he wouldn’t undo the seal, Li Xingruo bit her lip and said sarcastically.

Shi Xiangwen just smiled gently, ignoring her jab, and said:

“Past the checkpoint, we’ll board a large flying boat. It should take only three days to reach the Huangji Sect.”

“Young Master Shi, must you take me back?” Li Xingruo’s face looked tearful, her eyes glistening as she gazed at him, filled with hopeful pleading.

This was a charm technique she’d learned from the Hehuan Sect aunties.

With her current beauty and allure, even without spiritual power, she figured she could evoke pity.

It might not get her released outright, but it could at least loosen his guard.

Sure enough, her rudimentary charm technique had an immediate effect—

Shi Xiangwen waved his hand, tossing four puppet snakes toward her wrists and ankles.

The moment they touched her, the puppet snakes coiled around, biting their own tails, locking snugly onto her wrists and ankles.

“Young Master Shi, what’s this?”

Feeling the cold, metallic texture of the puppet snakes, Li Xingruo tugged at them, but they were fastened tight—her strength couldn’t budge them.

“You’re clever and resourceful, miss. I’m worried you’ll try to escape again, so I have to use these spirit-locking rings to restrain you for now.”

“F*ck…”

At his words, Li Xingruo’s carefully crafted noble lady demeanor shattered.

She glared at him fiercely:

“You stinking Taoist, acting all honest, but you’re full of dirty tricks. Kidnapping a frail girl like me—aren’t you afraid this’ll tarnish the Huangji Sect’s name if it gets out?”

“You’re too modest, Miss Xianer,” Shi Xiangwen said with a slight smile. “You’re no frail girl—your strength and character are exceptional.”

“Then release me, or aren’t you afraid I’ll retaliate later?” Li Xingruo’s eyes widened, her voice a low threat.

“I’ll await that day.”

Shi Xiangwen bowed slightly, then pointed to the checkpoint gate:

“Miss Xianer, please.”

“Hmph!”

Unable to do anything for now, Li Xingruo let out an angry huff and strode forward.

As the saying goes, a wise person doesn’t fight losing battles. With her spiritual power sealed and the puppets’ purpose unclear, arguing to vent her anger was one thing, but resisting outright was unwise.

Wearing a resigned expression, she obediently entered the checkpoint gate.

Following Shi Xiangwen toward the plaza where large flying boats docked, her eyes scanned the surroundings.

Noticing a bustling restaurant, she realized the crowded diners could be perfect cover for an escape.

With her looks, drawing attention was easy. Causing a scene near the restaurant might create a chance to slip away.

“Hey, I’m hungry. I want to eat!”

Li Xingruo stopped at the restaurant’s entrance, pointing at the packed hall:

“It’s so busy here—it must be good. I want to eat here.”

Shi Xiangwen glanced where she pointed.

“It seems full,” he said, frowning.

“Then we’ll wait in line. Young Master Shi, you’re taking me to Chui Xing Peak, and I’m not running, but you can’t let me go hungry. I don’t have the cultivation to fast!” Li Xingruo patted her stomach, gesturing her protest.

She noted his subtle frown, thinking he either sensed her plan to cause trouble or disliked crowds. If the latter, she could exploit it.

“Well? Can we?”

Getting no reply, she pressed.

Shi Xiangwen looked at her, then at the restaurant, and finally nodded:

“Alright, since you want to eat, let’s go in and wait.”

Hearing his agreement, Li Xingruo strode inside.

Bang!

Bang!

At the counter, she slammed the desk, deliberately raising her voice:

“Manager, get me a fine private room and a table of your signature dishes!”

Intending to stir trouble, she made the desk shake loudly, startling nearby diners, who shot her displeased looks.

But when some saw the noise came from a stunningly beautiful girl, their anger turned to dazed admiration.

After a stunned moment, the manager forced a smile:

“Oh, my apologies, miss. Our private rooms are full. Could you wait a bit or take a table in the main hall?”

Li Xingruo hadn’t planned on a private room. She’d calculated that a busy restaurant like this, with a packed hall, wouldn’t have empty rooms.

Scanning the room and confirming no free tables, she said to the manager: “Wait? If I starve, can you afford it? Find us a clean table in the hall—I’ll eat here!”

Her loud voice, already drawing attention, quieted the noisy crowd. Everyone heard her clearly.

Seeing her rudeness, they assumed she was a spoiled, ill-mannered noble lady, sparking disdain and annoyance.

The manager, realizing she was trouble, bowed with a smile:

“Miss, it’s peak dining time, and we can’t free up a table right now. How about resting on a bench over there with some sunflower seeds?”

“No need. I’ll find a table myself!”

Li Xingruo glanced at Shi Xiangwen, who was watching the scene, then kept her haughty demeanor and marched toward a nearby table.

She’d sensed the three female cultivators at this table had some skill. When she caused a ruckus, one of them, brimming with justice, had wanted to confront her.

Stepping onto a bench, Li Xingruo eyed the trio:

“This table’s nice!”

She sat down familiarly on a bench.

The three female cultivators clearly didn’t want to share. The one who’d wanted to scold her earlier refused coldly:

“Sister, our table’s small. Find someone else.”

It’s time!

Li Xingruo took a deep breath, grabbed the woman’s arm, and pointed at Shi Xiangwen:

“This guy’s a notorious flower thief! He kidnapped me! Sisters, I didn’t mean to cause trouble—please save me!”