"Senior, things like this happen often enough in this world. There's no need to take it too much to heart."

Old Zhang kept pace beside Shen Yi and offered the consolation in a low voice, then went on, "I don't know what it was Senior wanted of the Baohua Sect… don't take this junior for a busybody… I've little enough ability, but my information is good."

He had just finished a run and made a good deal of money; and now the Baohua Sect route was closed to him.

With nothing better to do, Old Zhang thought he might as well make this senior's acquaintance. If there turned out to be some use for him, so much the better; and if not, being a familiar face was worth something.

"……"

Shen Yi did not answer. He came slowly to a halt.

Then he turned and looked at the figure standing some way off.

She had been following since the Guest-Greeting Hall… tch. He was not wearing the Nanyang white robe, he had put the thumb ring away, and this was his first time out of the sect alone. He would very much like to know what it was that had got him noticed.

"Uh."

The girl had her ears pricked up, listening; caught red-handed, she gave two rather sheepish laughs. "Heh heh."

"Dao Friend has a certain charm of face— pah! I mean a bearing out of the common run. But you seem to have something troubling you. Why not tell me about it? I'm a Baohua Sect disciple myself. I might be able to lend a hand."

She came over with her hands behind her back, all breezy confidence.

At that, Old Zhang raised an eyebrow slightly, bowed respectfully, and then withdrew in silence to stand behind Shen Yi.

The woman's stated reason sounded faintly absurd.

But by the reckoning of his own experience… he actually thought it was true.

"I wanted to ask about medicinal toxins."

Shen Yi did not hide it either; this was no secret to be ashamed of.

He was, as it happened, looking for…