Chapter Seven: Secretly Descending to the Mortal Realm to Seek Him

Seeing the confidence on his face, it was clear that he had already guessed my true identity with near certainty. It seemed this scholar was not an ordinary person; I had underestimated him due to my own carelessness.

“How did you know?” I asked, curiosity stirring within me. I lifted my head and began to scrutinize him seriously—a rosy mouth and gleaming teeth, delicate fingers, skin as pale as porcelain, a smile lingering on his lips, a natural charm that surpassed even the most seductive fox spirits. Such an enchanting face belonged to a dangerous soul, best admired from afar.

He raised his brows slightly and replied with a smile, “I am known as the ‘Hundred-Knowledges Scholar of the Rivers and Lakes.’ If I couldn’t see through something as simple as this, how could I survive in the world of wanderers?”

A blind beggar could make a living among mortals merely by wielding a cane and posing as a celestial master. While this scholar had discerned that I was no ordinary maiden, he had not yet uncovered my true identity. It was likely that the title ‘Hundred-Knowledges Scholar’ was a self-bestowed honor; few in this world would recognize such a uniquely alluring scholar.

I looked at him with amusement and asked, “Then tell me, what do you think my real identity is?”

He gently waved his folding fan and replied with a smile, “In my opinion, you are most likely a little carp—a small fish who slipped out of the demon realm, enamored with the mortal world.”

“How…how did you know?” I stared at him in astonishment, for in the brief time we had spent together, I had not revealed anything of significance.

“Hundred-Knowledges Scholar,” he declared proudly, flicking open his fan once more. Rising to his feet, he clasped his hands in greeting and said, “My surname is Pu, given name Tai. May I ask your name, my lady?”

Seeing him so formal, I rose as well and answered, “Yu Ge.”

“Yu Ge?” he softly repeated, a flicker of something strange passing through his eyes before serenity returned.

I nodded gently, puzzled by his reaction.

“The food is here,” the waiter announced, a cloth slung over his shoulder and a tray in hand as he approached. He quickly arranged the dishes and wine neatly on the table, then smiled ingratiatingly. “Please enjoy, honored guests. If you need anything, just call for me.”

Pu Tai produced a gleaming pebble from his robes and handed it to the waiter. “Prepare a premium room.”

“Certainly, I’ll arrange it right away,” the waiter replied, beaming as he accepted the stone. As he left, he shot me a glance laden with meaning, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Where is Yu Ge planning to go?” Pu Tai asked leisurely as he ate, raising his head to look at me.

His question left me silent. Where to go? Truth be told, I was lost. From the beginning, I had only known his name; everything else about him remained a mystery. Where to go? I longed to know, too—where could I find him?

“Yu Ge, don’t tell me you don’t know where you’re headed?” Pu Tai said with a smile.

“Mm.” I answered gloomily.

“Hahaha…” He cast aside his chopsticks and burst into laughter, eyeing me with a look of helpless amusement. “So what brings you to the mortal world? Don’t tell me you’re here sightseeing! As far as I know, the scenery in the demon realm is no less than that of the mortal world. Surely you didn’t sneak here just for the view, Yu Ge.”