Chapter 355: 355 See you in the Capital City (at the fourth watch)

This place is a lively hot spring vent, shrouded in white mist that curls upwards, and surrounded by light veils that give the illusion of stepping into a fairyland.

"This is the place, I’ll wait for you outside." Stopping in front of the light veil, Mo Zhixuan ceased moving; beyond the veil lay the entrance to the hot spring.

"Alright," Chu Jin nodded gently, her eyes deepening with the hues of autumn, and the dimples at the corners of her lips growing more pronounced.

The rising white mist slightly blurred her peach blossom-like visage, adding a touch of ethereal beauty. Her red lips, hidden within the mist, were faintly visible, like jade, graceful and exquisite, like nothing of this world.

Mo Zhixuan’s eyes suddenly conjured up the scene of him undressing her last time, his gaze deepening a shade, his Adam’s apple rolling silently; the next second, his expression returned to normal, and he turned and walked outside. Just as he reached the door, it creaked shut automatically.

"Lord Nine Ye, the elder wants me to ask you to come over," a disciple approached Mo Zhixuan and said with great respect.

Mo Zhixuan glanced back at the bathroom, then at the small white creature guarding the door, and the concern in his eyes gradually faded. He spoke in a deep voice, "Lead the way."

The two figures gradually disappeared within the courtyard.

Inside the bathhouse.

Chu Jin lifted the light veil, slid off the shoes from her feet, and began to undo the first button at her collarbone. Suddenly, her brows furrowed slightly, her long fingers lightly twirled, and she fastened the button again.

Without a breeze, the light veil stirred on its own, and a black shadow swiftly passed through the veils.

Leaving behind only a gust of wind.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three Golden Needles flew out from between her fingers.

The Golden Needles seemed to vanish into thin air, silent and traceless.

The air returned to tranquility.

Outside, in the woods.

A man in black, holding three Golden Needles, slowly lifted the corners of his perfect lips that were hidden under the brim of his hat. His voice, cold to the bone as if coming from the depths of hell, was shocking yet carried a mix of indulgence and a hint of amusement, satisfaction.

It was an exceedingly familiar tone, like that of long-acquainted lovers.

"My Feng’er, your skills are still as sharp as ever."

With those words, he slowly placed the Golden Needles into his chest, as if they were some delicate treasure to be handled with care.

"Lord Ghost, are we just leaving like this?" A young woman following behind him asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

It seemed that she didn’t understand why Lord Ghost had taken such a roundabout way just to test her abilities.

The young woman was also dressed in black, wearing a fierce and terrifying mask that concealed her face, revealing only her graceful and elongated figure.

"Let’s go. As long as I’m sure she’s alright, I can rest easy."

This journey was merely to confirm that her injuries were not serious. Now that she appeared to be back to normal, there was no reason for him to stay any longer.

This place was never meant for a prolonged stay.

Before taking a step away, the man in black slowly turned and slightly lifted his sleek, thin jaw, looking towards the wooden house. The scenery under the hat’s brim was also revealed.

Under the half mask, one could only see a pair of deep black eyes, sharp and vibrant, captivating enough to sink into, gleaming in the twilight.

They were like, the black Manjushage flowers.

He slightly curved his lips up, his gaze lingering, his voice slow and gentle, "Feng’er, see you in Capital City."

The setting sun cast a soft glow around him, blending him into the light of the slanting sun.

——See you again in Capital City.

Inside the wooden house, Chu Jin carefully checked the doors and windows to make sure there was no one else inside. Then, she slowly took off her dress and gently slid into the warm springs, lazily leaning between the stone platforms. The warm water obscured the spring scenery, and the look in her eyes was somber.

She could feel that the mysterious person lurking in the shadows just now held no malice towards her.

But who exactly was he?

**

Elsewhere, Elder Xu Kong and Mo Zhixuan were still in conversation.

"Dai Yu is still young, with inevitable imperfections in her temperament. I hope that in the future, Lord Nine Ye and Miss Chu will be more forgiving," sighed Elder Xu Kong.

He made no mention of Dai Yu’s injury, his composure as if the event had never happened.

"Youth is no excuse for misbehavior. If such an incident recurs, I will not be lenient!" Mo Zhixuan’s expression was slightly cold.

His voice, cool and heavy, carried an authoritative force, silencing all around.

Elder Xu Kong felt a jolt in his heart.

He knew that this lord was not one to be provoked, but he had no choice but to indulge his beloved disciple.

The condition Elder Xu Kong had previously agreed upon to save Chu Jin was: when descending the mountain in the future, he must also bring Dai Yu along.

In other words, it was tantamount to entrusting Dai Yu to Mo Zhixuan and Chu Jin.

Having previously made a promise to Xu Kong, Mo Zhixuan naturally had no reason to refuse now.

A so-called gentleman’s agreement.

Elder Xu Kong wiped the faux sweat from his forehead, smiling obsequiously, "Nine Ye, rest assured, today’s incident was merely a misunderstanding. Moreover, my young disciple has received due punishment and knows her mistake. I hope Nine Ye can be magnanimous and not stoop to a child’s level."

The words Elder Xu Kong spoke were very eloquent, a double entendre that not only subtly elevated Mo Zhixuan’s status but also indirectly pointed out Dai Yu’s youthful ignorance.

If an influential figure were to squabble with a child, wouldn’t that lack grace?

Mo Zhixuan’s expression was taut, and upon hearing those words, he remained silent, his body emitting a dangerous aura.

Somewhat cold.

His sharp features seemed to be shrouded in a layer of ice that could not be penetrated.

Making it somewhat difficult to breathe.

Even for Elder Xu Kong, an important figure accustomed to all sorts of trials and tribulations, his bravado diminished significantly in his presence.

His silence was the best response. Elder Xu Kong let out the breath he was holding and continued, "Nine Ye, I’ve heard that you and Miss Chu plan to descend the mountain tomorrow?"

"Yes." Mo Zhixuan answered succinctly.

"Isn’t this a bit hasty? Moreover, Miss Chu’s injuries have not yet fully healed." Mainly, Dai Yu’s injuries had not yet fully recovered, having sustained severe internal injuries, and it was not suitable for her to travel back and forth at this time.

"Elder Xu Kong needn’t worry about this; I have my own discretion," Mo Zhixuan said slowly as he stood up, facing Xu Kong, "I take my leave."

Elder Xu Kong hurriedly got up to see him off, "Nine Ye, please take care."

Watching the tall and upright figure disappear into the night, Elder Xu Kong heaved a long sigh.

The look in his eyes deepened.

**

In Dai Yu’s room.

At the moment, she was leaning against the headboard, sipping the herbal medicine fed to her by Changyi.

"Junior Sister, have you really decided to descend the mountain with Miss Chu and the others?" Changyi’s expression was somber.

"Mhm." Dai Yu nodded lightly, her complexion somewhat pale, "Yes, Senior Brother, I’ve made up my mind."

Changyi stopped talking and continued to gently feed her the medicine.

After finishing the bowl of medicine, Dai Yu’s face showed signs of exhaustion, "Senior Brother, you go back. I’m tired and want to sleep."

"Alright, Junior Sister, rest well," Changyi said tenderly as he tucked her in before turning to leave.

After sending Changyi away, Dai Yu sat up from the bed, her lips curling into a curve of innocence unlike any other day, with a hint of scorn flashing in her eyes.

She got out of bed, locked the wooden door from the inside, walked over to the bookshelf, and gently twisted the vase on the shelf.

Whoosh—

The bookshelf, which had been closed up, slowly parted with the sound of grinding stone, revealing a different world behind.

Dai Yu clapped her hands and slowly walked behind the bookshelf, looking forward with a pitying gaze.

One could see in the small space, there was a wooden chair, and upon that chair sat a young woman.

To say she was sitting there would be better described as being bound there.

The woman was dressed in plain white clothes, her long hair reaching down to her waist, her large eyes staring straight at Dai Yu, filled with hatred.

She wished she could tear Dai Yu limb from limb and devour her flesh.

Due to being imprisoned in this closed space for years, the woman’s complexion was abnormally pale compared to a normal person’s.

But most terrifying was her face.

It was exactly identical to Dai Yu’s, even the tear mole near the eye was in the same position.

Two people, one face.

"Dai Yu, I have good news for you," Dai Yu walked in front of her, lifted her chin with a finger, a hint of a smile on her lips, "I’m going to descend the mountain with Mr. Mo tomorrow."

Dai Yu was Dai Yu, yet she was not Dai Yu.

The one sitting on the chair was truly Elder Xu Kong’s disciple.

The one who had been appearing in front of everyone these past days was someone else.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read