### Chapter 52: Xu Miaoyin Advised by Su Mo, and the Overactive Imagination of Lama Ming - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 52: Xu Miaoyin Advised by Su Mo, and the Overactive Imagination of Lama Ming At this moment, Su Mo walked into the kitchen. He noticed that the dishes were already set on the table, yet Guo Lin hadn't started eating. This struck him as somewhat peculiar. "Why aren't you eating?" "Today, I specifically made your favorites: mouth-watering chicken and osmanthus roasted duck." Guo Lin was a bit annoyed at Su Mo's obliviousness. "I'm not eating, I'm on a diet!" Su Mo failed to catch the underlying meaning of her words and simply nodded. "Alright then." "I'll make more vegetarian dishes for you in the future." With that, Su Mo tossed some greens into a wooden bowl and scooped some water from the well to wash them. Hearing Su Mo's response, Guo Lin felt a little vexed. What does he mean by "alright then"? Does he think I actually enjoy eating just vegetables? Spring Orchid, seeing the situation, quickly tugged at Guo Lin's sleeve. "Miss, perhaps we should start eating. Steward Su has a business to run." Guo Lin reluctantly nodded. "Fine..." Su Mo quickly finished up the meal and brought it to the front hall. Once Su Mo had left, Spring Orchid looked at her mistress. "Miss, do you have feelings for Steward Su?" Guo Lin's face flushed crimson. "What nonsense are you talking about?" Spring Orchid chuckled softly. "Miss, if you truly have feelings for Steward Su, you shouldn't act like this." "I noticed that steward is quite popular; that lady warrior seemed smitten with him at first sight." "Even though love is weighty, you can't lose your cool over a slight provocation." "Why not prepare a small gift for Steward Su? Perhaps a handkerchief with your own embroidery and some poetic verses expressing your feelings." Guo Lin felt a twinge of temptation at the suggestion. "Do you think that would work...?" "It will, trust me, Miss. Follow my advice, and you'll surely win above the steward!" --- In the tavern's main hall, Bai Manshan and his two companions had drunk themselves into oblivion, snoring loudly at their table. Meanwhile, over at the Snow Maiden Sect's table, the girls were eagerly devouring Su Mo’s stir-fried dishes, their eyes shining with delight, unable to stop. "Save some for me." "This is my favorite; you eat that one." "So delicious, who would have thought such a small town had a chef better than those fancy restaurants in Bianjing?" "This place is truly home to hidden talents..." The female disciples of the Snow Maiden Sect, accustomed to eating on the go and satisfying hunger with mere flatbreads, had never tasted such exquisite dishes. They couldn't stop eating, even when full. Watching her disciples indulge, Xu Miaoyin felt a pang of sympathy—her disciples truly led hard lives. Unfortunately, much of the sect's business had been overshadowed by the Blood-Robed Tower, forcing them to endure in silence. Then, Xu Miaoyin picked up a leaf, her snowy-white wrist delicately moving, and placed it in her mouth. As she chewed, a wondrous flavor filled her palate. Tender with a hint of aftertaste, although the bitterness was present, it was precisely this bitterness that kept the dish from being cloying. Delicious, truly delicious. Xu Miaoyin was astounded. Had Su Lang, in this life, traded all martial talent for culinary skills? Su Mo stood nearby, smiling as he watched this scene. There was nothing more satisfying than seeing a group of beautiful women, especially an exceptional beauty like Xu Miaoyin, indulge in dishes he had personally prepared. Xu Miaoyin cast a sidelong glance at Su Mo. "Thank you, proprietor, for preparing such a delicious meal." Her radiant eyes sparkled, filling the hall with an enchanting light. Her gaze held an irresistible allure. Su Mo felt his soul almost drift away. Wow. Su Mo was startled. He had once thought the idea that a beauty's gaze could steal one's soul was exaggerated, but Xu Miaoyin’s glance was something else entirely! Could she have mastered some kind of seductive art? Carefully recalling, Su Mo found no mention of Xu Miaoyin learning any seductive arts in his simulations. Perhaps her allure was simply natural. In the simulation, she didn't seem particularly stunning, but in reality, each one was more attractive than the last. Top-tier beauty, not photogenic at all! "Ahem." Su Mo cleared his throat, trying to ease his own nervous and awkward mood. "It's nothing, this is my duty." "However, if you don't mind my asking, who are you? Are you also here to eliminate the Black Wind Stronghold?" Yulan, standing beside Xu Miaoyin, answered. "We are from the Snow Maiden Sect, and this is our leader, Xu Miaoyin." "As for the Black Wind Stronghold, you're right. The bounty this time is a substantial fifteen hundred taels, so we decided to try our luck." Su Mo was surprised. "That's quite a lot, fifteen hundred taels can accomplish much." "However, I must warn you; I've heard that those bandits from Black Wind Stronghold aren't simple, there's talk of demons at play." "Demons?" Unbeknownst to anyone, Bai Manshan and his two companions had sobered up and were watching Su Mo intently. Lama Ming, with his hands in a prayer gesture and a flushed face, let out a drunken hiccup. "Benefactor, please tell us more." Su Mo couldn't help but inwardly comment. Weren't you all drunk? How did the mention of a keyword suddenly snap you awake? Despite his thoughts, Su Mo spoke, adding embellishments as he went. "I've heard that these bandits have been capturing people for months now, but those taken never return." "We all know bandits usually seek wealth, not this kind of behavior which is abnormal." "And capturing one group after another, it’s as if they intend to refine people into pills." Hearing Su Mo’s words, the female disciples of the Snow Maiden Sect grew pale with fear. Should it be ordinary bandits, they could handle it. But if demons were involved... Even in numbers, they'd merely be offering themselves as more prey for the demons. Xu Miaoyin furrowed her brows; she hadn't expected such hidden depths. "If that's the case, then this is indeed a tricky situation." Lama Ming spoke up. "There is a tale from the Western Regions about an evil art used to create 'human puppets.' Once transformed, the puppets’ senses are removed, trained in deadly arts. They become perfect warriors." "Currently, demons are scarce within the Great Song, seldom appearing." "Perhaps these Black Wind Stronghold bandits obtained the secret of making 'human puppets,' hence capturing people everywhere." Lama Ming's reasoning was logical and structured. This provided some relief to the disciples of the Snow Maiden Sect. If that was the case, it was less concerning. Su Mo, however, was speechless looking at Lama Ming, deducing based on imagination. However, he could only caution them this far. He then turned to Xu Miaoyin. "Master Xu, please proceed cautiously with this matter." "Those bandits are pretty suspicious." Seeing Su Mo's solemn expression, Xu Miaoyin nodded. "Alright, Mr. Su, I will take heed." Satisfied with her response, Su Mo took his leave. "Your bill totals two taels of silver; you're free to go once you're done eating. I don't offer accommodations." With that, Su Mo returned to the kitchen. Watching Su Mo leave, Xu Miaoyin's eyes revealed a trace of longing. She had taken his warning to heart. If demons truly were involved, intervention would require seasoned practitioners. Going as ordinary martial artists would spell death. Without experiencing a shared life with Su Lang, how could she perish? With this in mind, she addressed her fellow disciples. "We must leave now, return to our sect!" Yulan hesitated momentarily, given the sect's financial strain. This reward could ease their difficulties. "Master?" "We leave now!" Xu Miaoyin's tone was unyielding. "And remember, settle the bill!" "Yes!" Yulan promptly placed two taels of silver on the table, and together with the others, they rode hastily away before the city gates closed. Before leaving, Xu Miaoyin took one last glance at the "Spring by the River" signboard. Su Lang, I'll return in a few days... --- Watching the departing Xu Miaoyin and her group, Master Artisan Liu Xiao looked at Lama Ming. "Third Brother, your thoughts?" Lama Ming had no plans of leaving. "I possess a relic gifted by my master. Once it's out, few demons dare act wantonly." "With them gone, no one will contest the bounty." Bai Manshan showed a hint of regret. "It's a pity that our business was ruined by those Blood-Robed Tower people, otherwise we wouldn't be risking our lives for such a small amount of money!" "Blood-Robed Tower, they're truly despicable!" (End of Chapter)