Qin Yao was awakened by the hum and buzz of the small town at dawn. It seemed as if the people of this town wished to complete their day-to-day tasks before sunset.

Anxiety spread to the town's residents as a feeling of dread seeped into their bones.

Qin Yao lazily stretched before leaving Blackwater and entering the small forest nearby; she needed to prepare some materials for her plan with Shopkeeper Song.

The forest outside the town was large and had a faint menacing aura; although the deeper parts of the forest may be dangerous, the Qinxia Kingdom soldiers ensured that nothing other than small critters and the usual beasts stayed in the outskirts.

The methods they employed were beyond her understanding, but at least it meant that she would be safe whilst finding the ingredients for her plan.

Qin Yao didn't see herself as an alchemist of any kind; she just knew how to mix various mortal herbs to get her desired effects.

Thankfully for her, the herbs in this world were very similar to those of her previous life. About an hour later, Qin Yao found the plant she was searching for; it was a tiny green plant with yellow flowers and small orange-red fruit.

It was lovingly named the Winter Cherry, Qin Yao carefully collected her harvest before continuing to gather various other plants.

As soon as Qin Yao finished her task, she headed back to Blackwater town; without even bothering to clean up her mud-stained robes.

She recalled all the rumours she had heard about Shopkeeper Song and her family, she had a son who died during a winter two decades ago, and although losing a child was tragic, it was not uncommon.

With her youth and her husband's fertility, it wasn't hard for them to try again, except her husband got into an accident paralysing him from the hip down.

Between the loss of her child and the disability of her husband, she never despaired. Against the criticism of her community, Shopkeeper Song started her own business and won the hearts of the town.

Though Qin Yao didn't understand why she stuck with that burden, she admired her mettle and ability.

Maybe I'll understand someday, Qin Yao smiled.

She wouldn't harm Shopkeeper Song if she had the choice. Perhaps this was because she genuinely admired her or the faint resemblance between Shopkeeper Song and her mother.

"Shopkeeper Song, is this enough to buy a map?"

Asked Qin Yao; whilst holding up a pitiful amount of copper coins. The bleak expression on her face made it seem like she would start to cry the very next second. Shopkeeper Song's face couldn't help but soften at the sight of Qin Yao.

"Why don't you buy yourself some bread instead? She coaxingly asked, "You need to be full and strong to fight the plague."

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"I need to leave, " Qin Yao insisted, "My mum died from the plague, and my father got murdered! "

At this point, tears began to stream down Qin Yao's face; it was as if she was no longer able to hide the misery she was carrying around. Though tears soaked her face, outsiders could see her resolution, a young man's resolution, in her gaze.

"I'm the last of my family line."

Shopkeeper Song's heart couldn't help but soften; this feeling of helplessness wasn't something she didn't understand.

In the past few months, who in this town did not understand this feeling? Seeing a young child also suffer, her maternal instincts couldn't help but stir.

"The immortals are working on this very second," Shopkeeper Song assured, "By this time, tomorrow we'll be safe."

"Then, can I stay with you this evening?"

Shopkeeper Song was startled by this response, but after looking at Qin Yao's dirty clothes, her gaunt expression and hopeful eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

"Of course, my child."

Qin Yao suddenly felt glad that she had travel sickness when she first arrived; along with her lack of sleep and proper food, she probably reminded Shopkeeper Song of her deceased son.

How pathetic, Qin Yao cursed whilst simultaneously thanking her for her graciousness.

After this little show, Qin Yao honestly bought some bread, got an accompanying cup of milk and sat outside the shop. She sat there for the rest of the evening, playing with the broken pebbles on the road and accepting the loose change that came from passers-by.

Soon the number of people moving by thinned; until almost no one was walking the unlit streets.

"Did you wait long?" Shopkeeper Song's kind voice sounded behind Qin Yao.

"Not at all."

Qin Yao quickly got up and bowed; though her movements weren't entirely clean, they showed Shopkeeper Song that Qin Yao was once well-raised by loving parents.

Shopkeeper Song suppressed her melancholic feelings and guided her to her home. She showed Qin Yao to her room before giving her a basket of water to wash up. After thanking Shopkeeper Song, Qin Yao stealthily followed Shopkeeper Song around and silently dropped her medicinal powder onto her. Qin Yao caught her before she hit the ground; gently set her on her bed. She then sprayed some of the powder into the already sleeping husband just in case.

The maid had already left, and Qin Yao finally washed up, getting rid of the grime and dirt that covered her body. Only after the clear water turned pitch black was she satisfied.

Qin Yao wore the robe that Shopkeeper Song had prepared for her; judging from how worn out the robe was and its size, this should have belonged to her dead son.

Even after two full decades, Shopkeeper Song still kept his clothes; it's not like he will walk through the door any second.

Qin Yao bitterly smiled before laying her head, and her breathing turned rhythmic.

Not soon after Qin Yao fell asleep, a slight sound rose her. Two clear sets of footsteps walked around the house as if they were searching for something.

The sound of their footsteps was controlled, barely audible and not waking anyone else. Though their stealth skills were not bad, it was evident to Qin Yao that they were not skilled in this area.

The cultivators, she thought. Qin Yao's breath was still steady and rhythmic, perfectly hiding the fact that she was awake. They finally made their way to her room; they took a superficial glance around before getting ready to leave.

"There's nothing to see here," Liu Jiayi said, "No one here could have been the murderer."

"This is the last place we had left to check," Zhong Xian sighed, "Why is it that the Song took in an orphan today?"

"She's a kind soul." Liu Jiayi carelessly answered, "Maybe the murderer already left?"

Liu Jiayi didn't care much about why or how these murders happened. If Zhong Xian didn't insist, he would not have bothered with this investigation. Whether it was the Young Miss or these victims, they were all mortals, and in his eyes, mortal lives were worthless.

Liu Jiayi took the initiative to leave the room, and Zhong Xian gave the figure wrapped underneath the cover one last glance, seemingly in deep thought.