The iron-eating beast would most likely claim the bamboo forest as its kingdom. If the two of them went there, they wouldn't even be enough for a single meal for the iron-eating beast.
Yaohua shook her head. "An iron-eating beast has appeared in the bamboo forest. We'd better not go there before Fairy Ziying comes back."
"Iron-eating beast?" Bailu suddenly opened his eyes wide. "Iron-eating beasts have always lived in the north. Why would one appear in the bamboo forest?"
There seemed to be some hidden meaning in his words.
Yaohua looked serious. "What do you mean by that?"
"My father was a sinful immortal from the north. He told us that sinful immortals in the north usually choose to subdue spiritual beasts to protect themselves, even if it means paying the price of their lives." When talking about his late father, Bailu's expression turned a bit gloomy. "The iron-eating beast is a target that many sinful immortals choose."
He paused for a moment, frowning tightly. "There's only one iron-eating beast in the north. If the one you encountered is it... I'm afraid the sinful immortals from the north will come looking for it."
"Surely it can't be that coincidental?" Yaohua hesitated. Since iron-eating beasts were so rare, she simply didn't dare to be certain.
Fairy Ziying was not around, and this news was extremely important. After thinking for a while, she decided to inform the other immortals.
Just as she reached the door, she heard a burst of cheers from outside.
"Fairy Ziying really is amazing! She managed to hunt two snow bears this time!"
"Yeah, with Fairy Ziying around, what do we have to worry about!"
Yaohua opened the door. Fairy Ziying was walking towards the village square surrounded by the villagers. Her clothes were torn in several places by the bear's claws, and there was still some blood on her face. Only the big knife at her waist was shiny, just like Yaohua's eyes at this moment.
Yaohua saw her wave her hand casually and then walk towards her.
"Yo, haven't seen you for a few days, little girl. You've grown quite pretty."
"Don't tease me, Fairy. Come in quickly. I have something important to tell you."
Fairy Ziying walked into the house and couldn't help but laugh. "Could it be that you haven't finished weaving the bamboo mat yet and are here to plead for mercy?"
"Don't tease me, Fairy. I'll make it short. An iron-eating beast has appeared in the bamboo forest."
"What!" Fairy Ziying's smile disappeared instantly. "There's only one iron-eating beast on this ice plain, and it was trapped by the sinful immortals from the north long ago."
Yaohua no longer harbored any illusions. "In that case, people from the north will be coming soon."
"Those scoundrels from the north have always coveted the food in our village. This time, they'll surely use the pretext of capturing the iron-eating beast to invade our village!"
As soon as Fairy Ziying finished speaking, her eyes widened.
Following her gaze, they saw Bailu and his brother walking over, supporting each other.
"Fairy Ziying."
Their voices lacked confidence.
Just as Yaohua was feeling strange, Fairy Ziying spoke again.
"What are you two doing here? Get out of here quickly!"
"Please take us in, Fairy. Qingshi and I were born here. If we go to the north, we'll surely die!"
Bailu knelt on the ground, his head lowered, looking extremely humble.
Yaohua watched the situation unfold and noticed that Fairy Ziying's attitude towards the two of them didn't seem overly cold. She immediately knew that there was a chance.
"Fairy, these two broke the bamboo mat I worked so hard to weave. How about keeping them here to pay off their debt?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Fairy Ziying strode inside. Sure enough, she saw the bamboo mat lying on the ground.
"Please give us a chance to atone for our sins, Fairy!"
"Fairy, don't forget that we still need to repair the wall." Yaohua gently tugged at Fairy Ziying's sleeve. "Moreover, if people from the north come to attack, these two brothers can be of great help."
"You do have a point." Although Fairy Ziying softened her tone, her eyes were extremely critical.
She walked up to Bailu and pinched his arm as if she were picking meat. After that, she looked at Qingshi.
Qingshi was more proactive. When Fairy Ziying looked over, he rolled up his sleeve on his own initiative.
Unexpectedly, Fairy Ziying didn't even look at it. Instead, she pinched her chin. "I remember you always used to go to Baiye's yard. How about I send you to Baiye? Let's see if he'll take you in."
Presumably, Baiye was the immortal Bailu had mentioned before.
Yaohua hadn't visited him yet. She couldn't help but look at Qingshi. If he agreed, she would have a chance to visit that immortal.
"I don't want to be separated from my brother!"
Qingshi hugged Bailu's arm tightly and refused to let go.
"Fine, then you can stay with your brother." Fairy Ziying murmured. "Do you have to almost kill your brother before you wake up?"
Her murmur was quite soft, but Yaohua had excellent hearing and heard it clearly.
She looked at Fairy Ziying in surprise.
Could it be that Fairy Ziying could tell fortunes here?
"Little girl, tell me in detail what happened with that iron-eating beast."
Fairy Ziying grabbed Yaohua and walked out of the yard.
Yaohua was surprised that Fairy Ziying had accepted the two brothers so quickly. She composed herself and told the whole story in detail.
Fairy Ziying stroked her smooth chin. Her expression was sometimes relaxed and sometimes serious. After Yaohua finished speaking, she stood up, fetched some water from the well, and handed it to Yaohua.
"You've worked hard. Do you really want to go hunting with me?"
This question seemed completely unrelated to what Yaohua had just said, but luckily Yaohua was quick to react and immediately replied.
"I definitely won't hold you back, Fairy."
"If you hold me back, you don't have to stay in this village anymore." She let out a couple of snorts, sized Yaohua up with that strange look again, then patted the hem of her clothes and left the yard.
Yaohua quickly followed.
"Fairy, where are we going?"
"To find my little troublemaker." Fairy Ziying replied casually. "Since you're going hunting, you must have a suitable weapon."
Weapon?
Fairy Ziying was actually going to find a weapon for her?
Yaohua suddenly felt quite touched.
Before she could shed a tear of emotion, Fairy Ziying arrived at a small yard full of weapons hanging on the walls.
An immortal with his bare chest was pounding something with his back turned to them. Sparks were flying everywhere.
It was freezing cold outside, but the fire in the yard was burning brightly.
"Go ahead and choose a weapon. I'll buy it on credit."
Buy on credit?
Yaohua looked blank.
So Fairy Ziying also bought things on credit?
Maybe it wasn't that strange, because at first, Fairy Ziying even tried to renege on her debt.
"Who is this kid? Where did you pick him up this time?"
The bare-chested immortal turned around and looked at Yaohua in surprise.
"This one came on her own initiative." Fairy Ziying burst out laughing and slapped the bare-chested immortal on the shoulder. "Hurry up and bring out your best weapon!"
She was so overbearing that no one would believe she was buying on credit.
Yaohua endured it. After all, the other person was buying on credit for her.
After she chose a weapon and walked over, she saw Fairy Ziying holding a bamboo slip and showing that fox-like smile again.
"Come on, press your fingerprint here."