Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 139

“Ah, that was when the young lady and I were near….”

The girl, flustered by Han Li’s sudden question, explained the situation. It turned out that the young lady she was referring to had gone with her two days ago to a place called Biyun Mountain to gather tea leaves for making spirit tea [tea that enhances cultivation]. They had encountered a group of Qi Refining cultivators [cultivators at the early stage of cultivation] and, sensing something amiss, tried to descend the mountain immediately.

Unfortunately, one of them recognized the woman as a formation master [a cultivator skilled in creating and manipulating formations] and decided to capture her to extract her insights on formations.

However, while they were talking, the woman took the girl and began to flee back the way they came.

But the Qi Refining cultivators quickly pursued them, and as the distance closed, they were about to be caught. She had no choice but to use a formation artifact [a tool that can create or manipulate formations] she possessed to hide in the bushes and send the girl to Zheyun Xiao. After hearing the story, Han Li, thinking that dealing with only seven or eight Qi Refining cultivators would be no problem, nodded to the girl.

“Miss, please lead the way. We should go right now.”

After speaking, Han Li received a grateful look from Zheyun Xiao and took out his white skiff [a small, fast flying vehicle].

“This artifact is a bit small, but it’s fast, so everyone get on. We need to hurry since we’re saving someone!”

He nimbly stepped onto the front of the skiff and turned to look at the others. Only then did Zheyun Xiao and the young girl board the skiff, while Zheyun Xiao stopped the teahouse owner from joining them.

“Uncle Lim, your cultivation is too low, so it’s dangerous. Please wait here. I’ll be back soon after saving her.”

The teahouse owner wanted to go, but he knew that Zheyun Xiao was saying this for his own good, so he couldn’t refuse.

The Wind Riding Skiff was very fast, and Han Li and Zheyun Xiao soon arrived above the bushes where the woman was trapped.

The Qi Refining cultivators were besieging the barrier, launching a fierce attack, and the blue membrane covering it was losing its light precariously. Seeing this, Zheyun Xiao’s eyes turned bloodshot, and he tried to jump down immediately, but Han Li stopped him.

“Don’t rush. They seem to have good artifacts, so they must be from a cultivation family. If they already know that the young lady is a formation master, even if we chase them away now, they’ll come back. How about I take care of it cleanly?”

At the thought that those ruffians might harass the woman again, Zheyun Xiao nodded without realizing it. Han Li smiled slightly and cast a cold gaze at the cultivators who were still oblivious to the situation and rampaging.

Immediately, as Han Li raised both hands, a black light and six golden lights shot out. As the lights enveloped the Qi Refining cultivators, they fell to the ground, their eyes filled with terror, before they could even form a defense. They died instantly.

Zheyun Xiao and the girl behind him were stunned by this scene.

They knew that Qi Refining cultivators were no match for a Foundation Establishment cultivator [a cultivator at a higher stage of cultivation], but they never imagined they would be killed so quickly. Among them, there were even those who had reached the eleventh level, but they were helpless.

Han Li ignored their gazes and descended on his artifact.

Before the Wind Riding Skiff even touched the ground, Zheyun Xiao jumped down.

“Eum-ah! Eum-ah, are you okay? The enemies are all dead, so come out safely!”

Seeing Zheyun Xiao rushing and shouting, Han Li naturally smiled. He wasn’t an expert in relationships, but it was very clear that Zheyun Xiao had more than friendly feelings for the woman who was proficient in formations.

And behind him, the woman’s maid also rushed towards them. After a while, Zheyun Xiao and the girl emerged from the bushes with a woman wearing navy blue clothes.

Han Li carefully examined her. The woman, with an ordinary build and a cute nose, smiled when her clear eyes met Han Li’s. It seemed that Zheyun Xiao had already told her about Han Li’s identity.

In fact, the woman’s appearance was not particularly special, and she was even a bit less attractive than her maid. However, her elegant and relaxed expression, and her dignified demeanor, combined with her clear eyes, more than made up for any shortcomings.

Anyone would see her as a woman with a subtle charm rather than just an ordinary woman.

However, Han Li felt a slight headache after examining her.

“This humble one is Shin Yeo-eum, and I thank you for saving my life, Senior!”

The woman in navy blue clothes stood confidently before Han Li and bowed gracefully. Her tone was clear and articulate.

“Miss Shin, it was nothing, so there’s no need to be so formal. Let’s hurry back and talk. If their companions are nearby, things could escalate.”

Han Li waved his hand, indicating that they should return quickly. Zheyun Xiao, who was listening beside him, also nodded repeatedly, worried by Han Li’s words.

“Yes, that would be best! Eum-ah, it’s still dangerous here, so let’s go back quickly.”

From the moment he found Shin Yeo-eum, Zheyun Xiao’s eyes had not left her for a moment. Shin Yeo-eum’s face also flushed slightly at Zheyun Xiao’s attitude.

“Okay. But what about those corpses….”

“I’ll burn them all, so don’t worry.”

Han Li interjected, answering Shin Yeo-eum, who was about to add something while glancing at the corpses on the ground.

Then, he immediately sent out a fireball, turning them into ashes, leaving only the storage pouches on the ground.

The woman felt a slight chill in her heart at his familiar actions, but she didn’t mind and continued her conversation with Zheyun Xiao.

“I don’t need the storage pouches, so if you need them, Miss, take them. We shouldn’t leave any traces anyway.”

Han Li spoke to the girl standing next to Shin Yeo-eum.

“Really?”

The girl was so surprised that she asked again without realizing it. Han Li smiled lightly and nodded in agreement. She immediately expressed her gratitude and ran to pick up the storage pouches. It was clear that the storage pouches would be full of good items.

Shin Yeo-eum paused slightly at the scene, but she politely thanked Han Li again and followed Zheyun Xiao onto the Wind Riding Skiff.

After gathering all the storage pouches and the girl returned, the Wind Riding Skiff, fueled by Han Li’s spiritual power, flew into the sky like the wind.

On the way back, Shin Yeo-eum said she wanted to formally thank Han Li and Zheyun Xiao and invited them to her residence.

Zheyun Xiao had no reason to refuse since the woman he admired was inviting him home, and Han Li also had something to ask, so he naturally didn’t object.

Thus, the Wind Riding Skiff changed direction and flew towards the northwest. A few hours later, guided by Shin Yeo-eum, they arrived at a small, unremarkable mountain.

Except for the thin mist that covered the area, it was a low mountain that could be seen anywhere.

However, it was the residence of a capable formation master, so there was likely a powerful barrier, but Han Li, who was ignorant of formations, couldn’t find anything unusual.

They all arrived at a bamboo house halfway up the mountain. Shin Yeo-eum led Han Li and Zheyun Xiao into a room and disappeared with the girl to change clothes.

After being chased and running around in the mountains, it was something a woman who preferred cleanliness couldn’t tolerate.

Sitting on a bamboo chair, Zheyun Xiao kept looking at the door, eagerly waiting for the woman. Only when he noticed Han Li looking at him with a smile did Zheyun Xiao’s face turn red, and he apologized repeatedly.

“Isn’t it natural for a butterfly to chase a flower? There’s nothing for Fellow Cultivator Zheyun to be sorry about.”

Han Li said, smiling as he moistened his throat with high-quality spirit tea on the table.

“Senior! It’s not that… I mean….”

He seemed to be at a loss for words. At that moment, the girl opened the door, saving Zheyun Xiao from his predicament.

And Shin Yeo-eum appeared, exuding an elegant aura like a white lotus.

“I will never forget how Senior Han and my brother saved me. I offer this tea as if it were wine, please accept my gratitude.”

Shin Yeo-eum said, handing over the tea held by the girl. Han Li secretly smiled wryly.

‘Tsk, she’s clearly trying to make sure she repays us while preventing any strange talk.’

However, Zheyun Xiao, who received the tea from the person he admired, was already out of his mind. He gulped down the teacup in one go, and for a while, his foolish laughter didn’t stop. Shin Yeo-eum had a headache at his childish behavior, but she quietly turned her head and continued her conversation with Han Li. She wanted to find out about his identity and background. After all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was likely affiliated with some family or sect.

Knowing this, Han Li wouldn’t easily give her the information she wanted, so their conversation kept circling around the periphery.

After talking for a long time without getting anything she wanted, Shin Yeo-eum became a little frustrated, and her wariness towards Han Li grew.

“Senior Han, as I said before, I’ll give you any formation artifact I have if you save Yeo-eum. I can show you a few now, would you like to take a look?”

Zheyun Xiao, who had barely taken his eyes off Shin Yeo-eum, said something that Han Li would be pleased to hear.

It was an opportunity for Han Li to bring up what he wanted. Shin Yeo-eum seemed very touched by Zheyun Xiao’s words.

Of course, it goes without saying that Zheyun Xiao’s foolish laughter started again after receiving that look.

“Formation artifacts are not urgent… I need Miss Shin’s help with something else. If you solve this, I won’t ask for any reward and will give you an 800-year-old spirit herb to help cure your illness.”

“You’re really going to give us a spirit herb?”

The two people who were listening were surprised by the sudden turn of events. Zheyun Xiao was already so happy that he wanted to jump for joy as if Shin Yeo-eum was already cured.

Shin Yeo-eum was also very happy as it was a chance to completely get rid of her tiresome illness, but for some reason, a conflict flashed across her face.

“Senior, could you tell me what you need my help with? As long as it doesn’t go against my morals or conscience, I will do my best to help.”

She looked directly at Han Li with clear eyes, fearing what kind of request he might make. Han Li smiled involuntarily at her cautious attitude.

“There’s no need to be so tense. It’s just a matter of repairing an item related to formations. If you restore it to its original state, the spirit herb will naturally be yours.”

Han Li spoke frankly. Shin Yeo-eum still looked doubtful, but she was relieved for now and opened her mouth.

“If it’s about repairing formation-related items, don’t worry. Yeo-eum will do her best for Senior.”

She maintained a calm expression, but when she suddenly smiled brightly, Han Li was momentarily stunned, and Zheyun Xiao, who was already completely smitten with her, was even more out of his mind.

When she noticed Han Li’s dazed expression, she blushed, creating an even more subtle atmosphere.

“I know that Miss Shin is proficient in formations, but I’m not sure if you can fix this item. Moreover, the original is far from here and cannot be moved, so you’ll have to check the design to see if you can fix it.”

He handed over a jade book from his storage pouch, and Shin Yeo-eum immediately infused her consciousness into it, as if curious. After checking the contents of the book, she was shocked.

“Ancient Teleportation Array!”

When she instantly identified the ancient teleportation array, Han Li’s worries lessened a bit. It was now certain that it was indeed an ancient teleportation array, so the key was whether she could fix it or not.

He didn’t take his eyes off Shin Yeo-eum’s expression, hoping that she wouldn’t look troubled. Zheyun Xiao was also surprised by the words “ancient teleportation array” and had a look of incomprehension on his face.

# 141