Qilin had originally hoped to hear something about Zhang Qi Shan, but instead, he had stumbled upon meaningless gossip. Disappointed, he moved on, deliberately avoiding Wu Ma Nan Sheng and Nan Gong Yu.
So Wang Cang Hai is here.
So it was Wang Cang Hai who saved me and killed Zhang Qi Shan—not King Mu.
If this had happened two days ago, Qilin would have been thrilled to know that Wang Cang Hai was nearby. After all, King Mu had given him a mission—no matter what, he had to bring Wang Cang Hai back to Wang Bai Mountain and Dong Xia.
But now, after learning that the Thirteenth Generation Zhang Qiling might still be alive, Qilin’s priorities had changed. His most urgent goal was no longer to find Wang Cang Hai—it was to find his parents and uncover the truth behind their departure from Dong Xia.
Zhang Qi Shan’s words had been shocking and horrifying. Qilin refused to believe that his parents were the kind of selfish, ruthless people Zhang Qi Shan had described.
But… what if Zhang Qi Shan was telling the truth?
How would Qilin face Zhang Qiling then?
Lost in thought, Qilin didn’t realize he had wandered all the way to the edge of a hot spring. The rising mist blurred his surroundings, obscuring his vision.
Suddenly, a clear, elegant voice rang out—so close it seemed right beside him.
“Who’s there?”
Qilin hurriedly took a step back. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude…”
His feet slipped on the wet stone floor. In his rush to retreat, he lost his balance and fell straight into the hot spring.
It was only then that Qilin got a good look at the person who had spoken.
Wet black hair cascading down his back, jade-like features as luminous as the full moon, sharp eyes as brilliant as morning stars.
Qilin immediately guessed who this man was.
Apart from the famous Wang Cang Hai, there was no other man in Great Yong with such an astonishingly handsome appearance.
Qilin stared at Wang Cang Hai, utterly dazed.
Wang Cang Hai, too, was looking at Qilin, his brows furrowing slightly.
Why is he running around in nothing but a night robe? Wang Cang Hai thought. His collar is loose—has anyone seen the Qilin tattoo on his chest? He was gravely injured just a while ago—what if he catches a cold on top of that?
Seeing the unfriendly look in Wang Cang Hai’s eyes, Qilin instinctively shrank back, stammering out another apology. “Wang Cang Hai, I—I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to disturb your bath…”
“What did you just call me?” Wang Cang Hai’s voice carried clear surprise.
Qilin quickly corrected himself. “L-Lord Xiao Wang… Forgive me…”
But Wang Cang Hai looked even more shocked. In fact, he suddenly stood up, barely able to contain the fury surging in his chest.
“You… Zhang Qilin! What did you just call me?”
He had been bathing completely bare, and when he stood up, the defined muscles of his upper body were exposed in full view.
Qilin was so stunned that he froze, his face instantly turning bright red.
Wang Cang Hai stepped closer, forcibly suppressing his anger. “You don’t recognize me, do you?”
Qilin suddenly began to doubt himself. Hesitantly, he asked, “…Could it be that you’re not Lord Xiao Wang? Did I mistake you for someone else? Then… may I ask, who are you?”
Wang Cang Hai opened his mouth but, in the end, said nothing. Slowly, he lowered himself back into the water, his expression dark and unreadable.
Qilin, still blushing furiously, apologized a third time. “I’m really sorry for barging in. I’ll—I’ll go now! Please, continue your bath!”
He scrambled to his feet, about to flee.
“Wait.” Wang Cang Hai stopped him.
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