Chapter 986: Something’s Wrong Outside

Chapter 986: Chapter 986: Something’s Wrong Outside

She said softly, "Young master, when I was sleeping in the middle of the night last night, I vaguely heard some noises outside, it felt quite unusual. Did you notice anything?"

Ye Qingchen put down his chopsticks and after contemplating for a moment, nodded: "Hmm, I heard it too. Although the noise wasn’t loud, it was particularly clear in the stillness of the night." He paused, then continued, "At first, I thought it was someone in town getting up in the middle of the night to do something, so I didn’t pay much attention. Maybe it’s a unique feature of this small town, perhaps there’s some different activities at night."

Xiao Xiao frowned, her expression carrying a hint of doubt: "But that feeling always left me a bit uneasy, as if there was some kind of unusual force surging. I wanted to go out and take a look at the time, but I was afraid of disturbing you, so I held back."

Ye Qingchen chuckled softly at her words and reassured her: "Xiao Xiao, don’t overthink it. We’ve encountered a lot on this journey, so it’s natural to be a bit sensitive. However, this place is, after all, a small town close to the Jiang Ancient Clan, so it’s not surprising for some cultivators or other forces to pass through and cause some commotion."

Xiao Xiao nodded slightly at that, although she still felt some doubts in her heart, she was relieved significantly. She smiled and said, "Maybe I’m just being overly cautious. This bustling small town shouldn’t have any major issues."

The shop assistant, while refilling tea for Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao, inadvertently overheard their conversation.

He suddenly tensed up and quickly said: "Sir, you don’t know yet, do you? Something big happened last night. When we woke up this morning, the entire town was surrounded by soldiers of the Jiang Ancient Clan, just look outside, so many soldiers patrolling here!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao immediately cast their gaze out of the window.

Through the wooden window of the teahouse, one could clearly see the streets filled with an atmosphere of tension.

A squad after squad of soldiers in uniform armor marched steadily on the streets.

Their expressions were stern, each holding a spear or longsword tightly, seemingly ready to respond to any unexpected situation.

The soldiers were divided into small patrols, four people each, maintaining an appropriate distance between each group, patrolling back and forth in an orderly manner on the main streets of the small town.

Their gazes were sharp, constantly scanning every corner around them, as if searching for someone or guarding against some danger.

The vendors and passersby on both sides of the street, upon seeing these soldiers, couldn’t help but step aside, speaking in hushed tones, afraid of causing any trouble.

Ye Qingchen’s eyes narrowed slightly, his brows furrowing involuntarily: "I didn’t expect there to be so many soldiers of the Jiang Ancient Clan here, and judging by their demeanor, it seems to be for something important."

Xiao Xiao was also a bit surprised, asking softly: "Young master, are they looking for someone? So many soldiers patrolling, it’s making the whole town atmosphere tense."

Seeing their interest in the situation outside, the shop assistant quickly whispered: "Isn’t that right? Early this morning, everyone in the town was shocked. I heard the Jiang Ancient Clan discovered something important in the nearby deep mountains, which is why they dispatched so many soldiers to patrol. Now the entire town is under their authority, no one dares to act rashly."

Ye Qingchen was silent for a moment, gazing deeply at the soldiers patrolling outside the window, as if pondering something.

Xiao Xiao, seeing this, didn’t ask more, simply accompanying him quietly.

The people at the neighboring table, seeing Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao looking out the window, immediately started discussing in low voices.

Although their voices were low, the people in the teahouse couldn’t help but focus their attention on their conversation.

One of them spoke mysteriously: "I’ve long heard that the Jiang Ancient Clan discovered something incredible in the nearby deep mountains. Look, now the whole town is controlled by their forces, it seems the rumors aren’t false."

Another person, lowering their voice with a hint of amazement, said: "I heard this time, it’s the Jiang Ancient Clan’s Saint Heir who led the team personally and saw the treasure with his own eyes! That’s no ordinary item, the Jiang Ancient Clan deployed so many soldiers to patrol just to protect it, not even sparing this nearby small town, afraid of some outsiders coming to snatch it."

A person nearby, entranced by the conversation, couldn’t help but ask: "Do you know what the treasure actually is? To make the Jiang Ancient Clan go to so much trouble, could it really be the legendary Supreme Treasure?"

The person who first spoke shook their head, a tinge of helplessness in their voice: "Who knows? But I heard that when the treasure was discovered, the entire deep mountain was shrouded in an eerie power, not even the Jiang Ancient Clan dared to be reckless. They brought in many experts to guard it, those soldiers watch us as if they’d catch us as thieves the moment we get close."

Another person chimed in: "Sigh, who knows how powerful that treasure is, but seeing the Jiang Ancient Clan so anxious, it’s certainly not an ordinary item. Maybe it’s some kind of rare treasure that can enhance cultivation!"

The more they talked, the more excited they became, as if they had already seen the astonishing sight of that treasure.

The volume of their discussion gradually grew, attracting other customers in the teahouse who also pricked up their ears, filled with curiosity and speculation.

After hearing the discussion at the neighboring table, the corners of Ye Qingchen’s mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint sneer: "I didn’t expect, before we even went to find Jiang Qi, he delivered himself to us. Xiao Xiao, should we go and take a look at the treasure? Since Jiang Qi is so nervous, it means that item is very important to him, maybe it could also be of use to us."

Upon hearing Ye Qingchen’s words, Xiao Xiao’s eyes lit up immediately, nodding without hesitation: "Wherever the Young master goes, I will go! Whether it’s the treasure or Jiang Qi, as long as it’s something the Young master wants to do, I’ll definitely accompany you."

Her tone was firm, her face brimming with excitement.

Seeing Xiao Xiao like this, warmth surged in Ye Qingchen’s heart, and he nodded, his tone softened a bit: "Alright, let’s go take a look. But, we need to be careful, those from the Jiang Ancient Clan aren’t easy to deal with."

Xiao Xiao displayed a sly smile: "Rest assured, Young master, I’ll definitely listen to you obediently and won’t cause any trouble."

Ye Qingchen gently ruffled Xiao Xiao’s hair, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes: "You have never been a trouble. Let’s go, let’s head out."

Just as Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao were about to leave the teahouse, a young man dressed in luxurious attire, accompanied by a martial arts expert, walked straight to their table.

The young man appeared to be around twenty years old, with a tall and slender build, a handsome appearance, and a confidence and pride that exuded from his brow.