Although Chen Ren had long known the Tang Clan head’s intentions when he allowed his body’s former occupant to stay in the family’s courtyard, he had hoped the man had abandoned those thoughts. But as he sat in front of Tang Jihao, hearing his sudden excitement and hopeful tone, Chen Ren knew his recent success had reignited those expectations.

The clan head leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of paternal pride and ambition. "It seems your growth has given me something to think about, Young Ren. Perhaps there’s a future between you and Yuqiu after all."

Chen Ren felt a chill run down his spine. He had to clarify quickly before things spiralled further. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. My words were not about marriage."

Tang Jihao’s eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from hopeful to curious, almost predatory. "Oh? And why not?" His tone was sharper now as if testing Chen Ren’s response. "Do you already have someone else in your heart? Although Yuqiu can be hot-headed, she's a beauty. You won’t find another woman like her—certainly not in Cloud Mist City. I think you can be apprehensive since she won't allow more wives, but isn't she enough? You have seen her. She can certainly handle you."

Chen Ren swallowed hard. His mind raced, trying to find the right words to avoid offence. "It’s not that," he said, his voice steady. "But I’ve no intention of considering romance, not until I’ve cleared my debts." He glanced at the clan head, measuring his response before continuing. "My focus right now is elsewhere, more on business than personal matters."

Tang Jihao leaned back, stroking the goatee thoughtfully. His sharp gaze softened slightly, his interest piqued. "Business, you say?" His voice lost some of its edge, settling into something more curious. "What exactly do you mean?"

Chen Ren took a deep breath, the tension in the room still palpable but shifting. "Earlier," he began. "I overheard your conversation. I know your daughter has been trying to start a business of her own."

Tang Jihao’s brows furrowed, his lips tightening. He nodded slowly. "That’s right. I gave her an investment and told her to test her capabilities. It didn’t work out as she’d hoped. Business is not as simple as many believe. It’s not all about capital but understanding people, markets, and timing." He sighed. "I admit, I’m surprised you managed to run that noodle stall so effectively. It’s no small feat."

Chen Ren nodded in agreement. "Exactly, it’s difficult. That’s why I’m offering to help her. But in exchange, I need two things."

The clan head’s eyes sharpened once more, the air between them growing still.

"Oh?" He sat up straighter, his presence suddenly felt towering, demanding. "And what exactly are these two things you’re asking for?"

Chen Ren steeled himself, knowing this was the crucial part. "First," he began, "I need you to hold off the creditors for a bit longer. Just for a short time. I’m confident I’ll be able to pay them back soon." His voice was steady, but Chen Ren felt the weight of his gamble inside.

Tang Jihao frowned slightly but didn’t interrupt, so Chen Ren pressed on. "Second, I’ve heard that your clan has a carpenter workshop. A good one."

The clan head’s frown deepened. "Yes, we do. Why?"

Chen Ren smiled. "I need them to build several stalls for me. Nothing extravagant, just enough to put up a proper front for my noodle business. I would like to open up branches all around the city."

At that, Tang Jihao fell silent, lost in thought. His gaze drifted towards his lap, but Chen Ren could feel the man’s mind working, calculating the risks and benefits, pros and cons. Finally, the old man sighed, nodding slowly. "It doesn’t sound like an unreasonable request. But are you confident, boy? Starting a new business isn't as simple as setting up a shop. My daughter isn’t interested in selling noodles, as you know. Only in eating them."

Chen Ren smiled wider, feeling more at ease. "It won’t be noodles this time. I’ve seen many things as a cultivator before I ended up here. I have ideas, things I’ve picked up during my travels that will suit her more. You can trust me on that."

Tang Jihao’s eyes flickered, still cautious but intrigued. "And what if you fail? What happens then?"

Chen Ren didn’t hesitate. "If I can’t make this business a success for her, you can kick me out. No hard feelings. I won’t come back for second chances or beg for forgiveness. My pride as a cultivator won't allow me to do so."

That seemed to amuse Tang Jihao. A low chuckle escaped his lips, growing louder until it became a full, hearty laugh that echoed through the room. "Bold! You’ve got a spine, I’ll give you that." He slapped his knee, still grinning. "Fine, fine. I’ll do it. But remember, if you do succeed, this business needs to be something she controls. I’m not giving you free rein here, understand? She needs to be at the front."

Chen Ren nodded quickly. "Of course. I’ll make sure of it. Her face will be at the front, and I'll stand beside her. She’ll be the one in charge. Profits will be shared, but her name will be heard around the city."

Tang Jihao’s laughter subsided, but a spark of approval lingered in his eyes. "We’ll see how long that confidence of yours lasts. But for now, you’ve got my backing. Don’t disappoint me."

Chen Ren bowed his head slightly. "I won’t."

Inside of him, a storm of thoughts churned, already planning the next step. He glanced at the letters from the creditors and realised he might have less time than he had hoped for.

As Chen Ren turned to leave, Tang Jihao’s voice stopped him at the door. "Oh, and one more thing," the clan head said, his tone lighter. "Send me those noodles every day. They’re quite good."

Chen Ren smiled and nodded, but just as he was about to step out, Tang Jihao added with a knowing smirk, "And think about my daughter, would you? She may be mortal, but she’s not a bad match. Especially if you’re serious about becoming a merchant."

For that, Chen gave a polite smile, though his mind was already elsewhere.

"Understood," he replied, nodding once before stepping out into the corridor.

***

The corridor was quiet as he walked, his thoughts still circling the conversation with Tang Jihao. The weight of the proposal— Tang Yuqiu’s business, the creditors, the thinly veiled suggestion about marriage— hung heavy on his mind. But deeper still was the gnawing sense that his own plans were slowly slipping beyond his control.

As if sensing his turmoil, a soft purr echoed from the shadows. Chen Ren turned to see a sleek, pure-white-furred cat emerge from the corner, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement.

"That girl isn’t suitable for the Chen Clan," Yalan remarked casually, her voice laced with nonchalance as she padded beside him. "I have nothing against mortals, of course, but as a cultivator? One should always seek an immortal as a spouse. Concubines, well, that’s a different matter."

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Chen Ren sighed, shaking his head. "I don’t have any plans for that right now." He glanced down at Yalan and glared at her. "Were you listening to the conversation?"

Yalan lifted her chin, her tone imperious. "I was outside the door. It’s easier to sneak around in this majestic body. No one suspects a thing."

Chen Ren couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. "Majestic?"

"Compared to humans," Yalan replied smoothly, her tail flicking with pride, "I’m far quicker, with better reflexes. And no one ever suspects a lovely creature like myself. It’s far more majestic than your body ever could be. If you try to do something like sneaking around a rich, merchant clan, you would be killed. But not me."

Chen Ren bit his lip, trying to suppress his amusement, but Yalan’s confidence was contagious. He let the moment pass, though, and focused on the more pressing matters at hand.

"So, are you going to start this business with the Tang girl?" Yalan asked. "Why? I thought you had enough money to get your own stall up and running. Why can't you just spend it on expanding to other stuff?"

"It’s not enough," Chen Ren admitted, his mental voice lowering as they walked. "I need a face for distribution, someone with influence. I can’t do it on my own. Xiulan is too tied up with the other stalls, and the creditors... they’re getting impatient. I have no other way to stop them."

Yalan’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully before she spoke again."You could let me handle the creditors."

Chen Ren stopped in his tracks, turning to look at her and not even bothering to speak in his mind. "You’d do that for me?"

Yalan stretched lazily, her eyes half-closed as she replied, "You’re technically someone I’m supposed to protect, aren’t you? I’ll step in if your life gets close to danger. And besides," her eyes gleamed with a faint curiosity, "I’m also interested in your Dao. Whenever an esoteric Dao appears, big things tend to follow."

Chen Ren stared at her for a long moment, a mix of amusement and curiosity flickering across his face. "You’re that interested in my Dao?"

Yalan didn’t respond right away, simply turning her head to the side as if she hadn’t heard the question. Then, with a slow, deliberate flick of her tail, she said, "Let’s just say... I don’t think you’re as ordinary as you think you are."

Chen Ren smiled to himself, his thoughts once again returning to the many complications that awaited him. But with Yalan beside him, whispering secrets of Dao and destiny, he felt a little more at ease. Even if he hadn’t fully trusted her yet, it was better to have her on his side than against him.

He let out a laugh through his nose and looked down. "I don’t know about all that. Either way, I’d rather keep you as my trump card. If things get too bad, I’ll call on you. But for now, I was planning to ask Yuqiu for help. I still owe her a favour, so I can knock out two problems at once. And having the support of the Tang Clan Head won’t hurt either."

Yalan gave a satisfied nod as they continued walking, her ember eyes reflecting the lanterns’ dim glow in the corridors. It was quiet, the stillness only broken by the soft sound of their footsteps and the distant rustling of night wind through the courtyard trees.

After a while, Chen Ren broke the silence. "By the way," he began slowly, "I’ve been wondering... Do you know what’s going on with the Tang Jihao? He looks... sickly. He's the same in the previous Chen Ren's memories. And it doesn't seem like normal sickness."

Yalan’s ears flicked, her gaze shifting slightly."I’ve noticed it too. It’s not just physical. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a soul disease."

"Soul disease?"

Yalan’s tail swished, her tone matter-of-fact. "A disease of the soul, yes. It’s not natural either. Someone did this to him— most likely a cultivator. His soul is being eaten away bit by bit every day. That’s why he looks so frail. I’d bet he’s relying on pills and elixirs just to keep himself upright. Without them, he’d probably be coughing blood every other second."

Chen Ren absorbed the information in silence, his mind racing. Soul diseases were far outside his realm of expertise. He had heard stories about them, tales of how the soul could be corrupted, rotted from the inside out. But never had he imagined that someone like Tang Jihao would be suffering from such a thing.

For a moment, he considered offering help, but then quickly dismissed the thought. What could he do? He had no knowledge of treating soul diseases, nor the resources to even begin trying. And getting involved with something like that— it would be far too dangerous.

"I guess that explains a lot," Chen Ren finally said, his voice more subdued. "Still, it’s not my place to intervene. I wouldn’t even know where to start. Helping Tang Yuqiu is enough. I’ll leave that mess to those more qualified."

Yalan gave him a sidelong glance, her whiskers twitching. "Wise decision. Meddling with soul diseases is like trying to wrestle a demon— either you win or you get consumed. Best to focus on your own path for now."

Chen Ren nodded, but his mind couldn’t help but linger on the thought. Tang Jihao, suffering in silence, put on a strong face while his very soul decayed— it was a grim reminder of the world he had stepped into. Strength wasn’t just about physical power or martial prowess; sometimes, the greatest battles were invisible to the naked eye.

Still, he had other priorities, and getting too involved in the clan’s affairs could only complicate things. He had his own plans, his own survival to worry about. With a final glance at Yalan, who now padded silently beside him, Chen Ren exhaled and pushed the thought from his mind.

***

Under the vast expense of the sky, Cloud Mist City sprawled out like a hazy dream, nestled among the rolling clouds that drifted lazily through the air. A man stood on top of the biggest mountain in the area and from his position, he could instantly see how the city's walls rose into the distance. The atmosphere was cool and thick, almost tangible as if the city itself were cradled by fog.

His blue robe fluttered gently in the wind, worn and frayed at the edges. Dirt and bloodstains marked its once-flawless surface. His hair, as blue as the robes he wore, hung loosely down his back, swaying slightly with each gust of wind. The subtle gleam of the bracelet around his wrist caught the moonlight. He gazed down at the city, his sharp eyes taking in every detail as his heart tugged in anticipation.

Finally, after a long moment of silence, he exhaled slowly. "So, this is Cloud Mist City." His voice was low, roughened by fatigue and resolve. "I'm finally here."

He lifted his hand, brushing some dirt off his sleeve. "Are you sure we’ll find what we’re looking for here?"

The wind swirled suddenly, carrying with it a presence— faint at first, like a whisper on the edge of perception, but soon taking form. The air next to him rippled, and from the thin veil between the realms, a figure emerged. A ghostly silhouette, its shape resembling that of a demon, with twisted horns and sharp, red eyes. Its entire body flickered like a dying flame, both translucent and yet imposing.

The ghost’s voice was a rasping echo, barely louder than the wind. "Yes," it said with certainty, its glowing eyes narrowing. "But it won't be easy to acquire. The object’s aura is faint— buried deep. It needs to be very close for me to sense its full nature."

The man glanced sideways at the spectre, his lips curving into a grim smile. "That's no problem," he said, his voice cold and unwavering. "I’ll deal with whatever stands in my way. And if anyone tries to stop me..." His eyes narrowed even at the thought of someone trying to stop him. "I’ll give them a show. A little blood tends to make an impression."

The ghost chuckled, a dark, hollow sound that echoed in the wind. "You speak like a true disciple of mine. Blood may not solve everything, but it certainly smooths the path." The spectre's form shifted slightly, growing more defined as it loomed closer. "I chose you for a reason. You’re ruthless enough to survive this world and ambitious enough to carve your own path through it."

The man clenched his fist, the bracelet around his wrist glowing faintly in response to his will. "Then let’s not waste any more time. We know what we need to do."

As the ghost faded back into the shadows, the man stood there a moment longer, his gaze locked on Cloud Mist City below. The mists churned, obscuring the streets and rooftops as if the city itself were hiding secrets deep within its embrace. His heartbeat quickened, not from fear but anticipation. Whatever awaited him in that city—treasures, enemies, or bloodshed—he would face it head-on.

The wind picked up, carrying his words into the distance. "Whatever happens... this city won't forget my name."