He stood still for a moment before suddenly turning and carrying me to his room instead. Gently placing me on his bed, he even brought me a cup of tea and fed it to me.
Sipping the warm tea, I felt a pang in my heart. So you like the weak and delicate type? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I could’ve collapsed anytime!
Mu Xuan placed a cool, damp cloth on my forehead. After finishing these small tasks, he didn’t leave immediately. Perhaps worried that my condition would worsen, he stayed nearby. However, sitting in silence seemed awkward, and staring at me felt even more so, so he picked up a book and started reading.
I quietly watched the side of his face for a while, his calm profile illuminated by the light. My head grew heavier, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from fluttering shut.
“Master,” I whispered.
“Hmm?” He turned to look at me.
In the backlight, his expression was uncharacteristically gentle.
At that moment, I completely forgot what I had initially wanted to say. Instead, the words slipped out of my mouth uncontrollably: “Your eyes are so beautiful.”
Mu Xuan froze, visibly startled. I didn’t linger to study his expression. Instead, I closed my eyes and fell asleep immediately.
When I woke up again, it wasn’t Mu Xuan by my side but Mu Jue. I blinked, looking around the room.
“Stop looking,” Mu Jue said cheerfully. “Your Master got called away by my Master for a meeting.” He grinned. “Little girl, you seem pretty attached to your Master, huh?”
I smiled sweetly. “Master saved me, so of course I rely on him. Thank you, Uncle Master, for taking care of me in his stead.”
Hearing me call him “Uncle Master” seemed to delight Mu Jue. He chuckled and tilted his head smugly before turning back to me. “You seem fine now. Just one bowl of medicine, and your fever’s already gone down. Looks like you’ll be fit enough to run with us.”
“Run?” I asked, confused. “Where are we going?”
“Didn’t your Master tell you? There’s been a lot of trouble lately with minor demons and monsters wreaking havoc near Jing Mountain to the north. The mountain lord there has asked the Cang Lan Sect for help. Since most of us junior disciples haven’t had much experience outside, our Master suggested that Senior Brother take us along for some field practice.”
My eyes lit up. What a perfect opportunity! Outside Cang Lan Mountain, in a demon-infested area, amidst the chaos of battle, who would be paying attention to who’s who? In the heat of the moment, I could cover my face, cut Mu Xuan’s belt, snatch the Ling Jing, and disappear without a trace!
“Look at you, all excited—your eyes are practically glowing green.” Mu Jue laughed heartily. “We’re leaving tomorrow. At first, we thought you wouldn’t be able to come because of your illness, but now it seems like you’re perfectly fine.”
“She’s not going,” a cold voice interrupted from the doorway.
I turned to see Mu Xuan entering the room, his tone as indifferent as always. He sat down at the desk and began writing something.
No, no, no! Let me go! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!
Mu Jue seemed just as surprised. “Why not let her go?”
“She’s new and hasn’t even learned the fundamental techniques. She’ll be a burden,” Mu Xuan replied bluntly.
“I won’t be a burden!” I protested, feeling wronged.
Mu Xuan ignored me entirely. After finishing his writing, he left the room, presumably to use a spell to send the message.
Feeling pitiful, I looked up at Mu Jue with teary eyes. “Uncle Master…” Tugging at his sleeve, I pleaded, “I’ve never seen the world. I want to broaden my horizons too.”
Mu Jue glanced at me, then at the hand clutching his sleeve. Scratching his head awkwardly, he finally gritted his teeth and said, “Fine! I’ll sneak you out tomorrow.”
Uncle Master, you truly are the best Uncle Master.
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