The disciples sent by the Cang Lan Sect this time were meant to gain experience. Many of them had never even left the sect before. They might handle minor demons or beasts well enough, but if they encountered cunning and dangerous members of the demon clan, they’d likely be wiped out in an instant…
I stroked my chin, deep in thought. “Do you mean I should fight alongside Mu Xuan? But I can’t let him discover that I have magical powers…”
“No.” The Demon Lord’s eyes reflected the moonlight, his tone firm. “I want you to stop him.”
I froze. “Why?”
The Demon Lord didn’t answer. I frowned. “We’re already in this together, so why keep secrets from me? Does it even make sense?”
He just stared at me, his gaze unwavering. I sighed. “Fine, I won’t ask why. If you’re telling me to do it, I’ll trust you.”
Hearing this, the Demon Lord seemed momentarily taken aback. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but before he could, his expression shifted to a frown.
I turned to look behind me and saw Mu Xuan rising from his spot, heading in our direction. Panicking, I crouched in the bushes and waved at the Demon Lord. “Mu Xuan is getting suspicious. Leave quickly!”
Without hesitation, the Demon Lord spun on his heel, his black robes sweeping silently into the night. Just before he disappeared completely, I thought I heard a faint, almost imperceptible, “Thank you” drift through the forest.
Stunned, I stood there for a moment, but Mu Xuan’s footsteps were already audible. Snapping back to reality, I deliberately rustled the bushes and called out in mock alarm, “Who’s there?”
Adjusting my waistband noisily, I made sure to create the sound of leaves and grass shifting.
The footsteps halted immediately. I called out again, “Master, is that you?”
Perhaps sensing the awkwardness of the situation, Mu Xuan hesitated before replying with a soft “Mm.” Then, in a slightly muffled tone, he added, “I noticed this area had gone quiet… If nothing’s wrong…”
I made another show of rustling the bushes before standing up and hopping over to him. “No need to worry, Master. I just had a bit of an upset stomach.”
Hearing this, Mu Xuan frowned slightly under the moonlight. “You’re not fully recovered?”
Looking at his refined face in the dim glow, I found myself momentarily lost in thought. Comparing him to the Demon Lord, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of indescribable emotions. What could have turned such a composed and graceful person into someone so worn and scarred, with a gaze so bleak?
Tomorrow, when we reach Jing Mountain and face the demon clan’s ambush, he, as the leader of this mission, would undoubtedly bear the blame for any harm that befell the disciples. For a fleeting moment, I wanted to warn him about the danger.
But what good would it do? How could I explain how I knew about the ambush, or convince him to believe me?
Lost in these thoughts, I was startled when a warm palm suddenly touched my forehead.
Mu Xuan was checking my temperature, just like the previous night. But this time, knowing the guilt I carried, I couldn’t meet his beautiful eyes without feeling my cheeks flush.
He lowered his hand, frowning. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Mu Jue take you back.”
I waved my hands in a panic. “No, no, I’m not going back!” My mind raced, and I quickly added, “Besides, Master, Uncle Master Mu Jue and I are of opposite genders—it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Mu Xuan stared at me in silence for a long moment before finally speaking. “In that case, stay by my side tomorrow.”
For the first time, he referred to himself as “your master” in front of me. Did that mean… he acknowledged me?
Feeling elated, I couldn’t help but break into a wide smile.
Mu Xuan fell silent again, his gaze lingering on me. Though he said nothing, there was a newfound softness in his expression that hadn’t been there before.
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