Not far away, Zhu Pianpian blocked Sheng Changying’s path.

“Um… I just… I just…” Her mind was in a fog, and without thinking, she blurted out, “Does it hurt?”

Sheng Changying took a small step back. In all his life, he’d never been this close to a woman.

“It’s fine,” he said, covering his face and sidling past her to hurry away.

Zhu Pianpian had traveled with the convoy for a day, mostly staying in the carriage. She hadn’t met many people but suspected they were from Kongheyuan and likely dangerous. She’d been cautious the whole way. With her experience in reading people, she sensed that the fox-eyed man was different from the others—he lacked a murderous aura.

As she pondered this, she saw Sheng Changying meet a black-robed man wearing a demon mask. They exchanged brief greetings before parting ways.

The masked man then approached her. Zhu Pianpian stepped aside, sneaking a glance as he passed.

That single look stunned her. Though the mask concealed his face, his eyes were like autumn pools. Long, thick eyelashes cast shadows above them, evoking the vastness of the sky and the cold clarity of water.

Only after the man disappeared did Zhu Pianpian snap out of her daze. Her first thought was that Kongheyuan had some impressive men. Then she realized that Chu Dingjiang seemed to hold a high position here, and this masked man dressed similarly must also be important. Yet he had politely greeted the fox-eyed man!

What did this mean?

Zhu Pianpian yelped and ran after Sheng Changying. “My lord, please listen to me!”

Meanwhile, Chu Dingjiang was still on the roof, debating whether to look inside, when he sensed Gu Jinghong nearby. At first, he paid no attention due to the small size of the relay station. But then Gu Jinghong appeared on the roof as well.

Chu Dingjiang gently pressed down on the tile and stood up. “What is it?”

“Let’s talk elsewhere,” Gu Jinghong said.

Chu Dingjiang nodded and followed him to the dead tree outside the courtyard.

“Daren Chu, I have a request,” Gu Jinghong said directly.

“Go on,” Chu Dingjiang replied.

“I’ve secretly rebuilt the Dragon Guard within the Konghe Army,” Gu Jinghong said, watching Chu Dingjiang’s impassive face. “It’s not the current Emperor’s alchemical Dragon Guard, nor the one His Majesty allowed to be rebuilt. This secret guard has only twenty men, but each can fight a hundred. I want to entrust it to you, Daren Chu.”

Chu Dingjiang folded his arms and gazed at him calmly. “Why?”

“I’ve observed you for some time, Daren Chu. I believe you can lead the Dragon Guard to become an invincible force.”

The wind rose, scattering dust and his words.

At that moment, Chu Dingjiang realized why An Jiu disliked Gu Jinghong. Though young, Gu Jinghong exuded a weary desolation. Chu Dingjiang thought he must show An Jiu his more positive side!

Startled by his thoughts, Chu Dingjiang coughed and returned to the topic at hand. “You want me to lead this secret guard to help a prince rebel?”

“No,” Gu Jinghong said, a faint smile in his eyes. He had noticed Chu Dingjiang’s momentary distraction but didn’t mention it. He continued calmly, “I don’t know what should be done. I just don’t have much time left and don’t want my efforts to be wasted.”

Gu Jinghong pulled a small booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Chu Dingjiang. “This is the roster.”

Seeing Chu Dingjiang hesitate, he maintained his position and continued, “You’ve won a great victory in this battle, Daren Chu. Even His Majesty is impressed. You’ll surely receive high office and rich rewards upon return. This Dragon Guard can help you achieve your ambitions.”

“Where are you going?” Chu Dingjiang took the booklet and glanced through it. When he looked up, Gu Jinghong was gone.

Chu Dingjiang clenched his fist, pulverizing the booklet into dust.

He wasn’t usually suspicious, but Gu Jinghong’s sudden move made him wary. Gu Jinghong had said he didn’t have much time left—was he poisoned or ill?

Chu Dingjiang doubted it. There was a skilled physician right here, yet Gu Jinghong had never sought treatment.

Not knowing Gu Jinghong well, Chu Dingjiang couldn’t speculate further. He decided to set the matter aside for now—there were more pressing issues at hand!

In a flash, his tall figure reappeared before Mo Sigui’s door.

After hesitating in the darkness for a moment, Chu Dingjiang poked a hole in the window paper. A faint yellow light shone through.

This wasn’t his first time observing a target, but somehow, he felt particularly sleazy doing it now.

Through the hole, he saw An Jiu rise from the couch, her clothes disheveled, exposing a glimpse of her white chest and the swell of her breasts. Her hair was slightly loose, with a few strands falling around her face, making it seem even smaller and more delicate.

The sight made Chu Dingjiang’s heart race.

Mo Sigui was washing his hands in a basin. “We need to rebuild your body as soon as we return. Tell me honestly, what happened to you? Why is your body being damaged?”

From outside, Chu Dingjiang could only see An Jiu’s profile, but he sensed she had regained her usual demeanor.

Indeed, An Jiu’s cold voice came from inside, “Is it spiritual power damaging me?”

“This…” Mo Sigui’s hand-drying motion paused. “It shouldn’t be possible, but…”

“Nothing is impossible,” An Jiu interrupted. “Wei Yuzhi’s spiritual power can kill. He can control external objects with it.”

“What?!” Mo Sigui was shocked but quickly regained composure. He cared most about the medical condition. “Your injuries aren’t from external force. If what you say is true, I suspect your spiritual power is damaging you.”

Initially, there were only tiny fractures in her body, but as she continued to use her spiritual power, the internal injuries would worsen.

After a pause, Mo Sigui slapped the table angrily. “Your meridians are already broken! Stop courting death! From now on, without my permission, you can’t use spiritual power at all!”

Chu Dingjiang immediately became furious. What kind of attitude was that? The insolent brat needed a beating!

“Understood,” An Jiu said, adjusting her clothes. She glanced at the sweet potatoes roasting over the fire, then stood to leave.

Chu Dingjiang quickly leaped into the courtyard, clasping his hands behind his back and gazing at the sky.

The door creaked open. He turned slowly, his voice deep, “All done?”

“Mm,” An Jiu responded flatly. Remembering her foolish behavior from the past few days, she felt awkward facing Chu Dingjiang and hid behind her usual coldness.

Chu Dingjiang nodded. “If there’s nothing else, go rest. I have some matters to discuss with the Divine Physician.”

Hearing this, Mo Sigui used his inner force to shut the door from inside, shouting, “I have nothing to discuss with you!”

An Jiu took a few steps, then turned back. “Don’t hit him.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not unreasonable,” Chu Dingjiang said, walking towards Mo Sigui’s room. He didn’t clarify whether he would hit Mo Sigui or not.

An Jiu pondered for a moment, then returned to her room. She sat in the darkness, her bright eyes fixed on the door.

A while later, Chu Dingjiang silently appeared in her room.

An Jiu looked around and sniffed. “You didn’t bring sweet potatoes?”

“Disappointed?” Chu Dingjiang smiled, stepping forward to take her hand.

As An Jiu tried to pull away, he said, “I bought a fresh lamb leg and some sweet potatoes from a village today. Do you like lamb?”

Chu Dingjiang noticed she stopped resisting. His smile deepened. “Let’s go.”

They sneaked out of the relay station to a nearby stream. The area was deserted, with a fire already set up and a large bamboo basket nearby.

An Jiu peered into the basket curiously. “What’s this?”

“Chestnuts,” Chu Dingjiang said, removing his cloak and tossing it by the fire. He crouched down to prepare the lamb leg.

An Jiu had seen chestnuts before, but these spiky things looked different from what she remembered. She picked one up and examined it curiously.

Chu Dingjiang glanced up occasionally to check on her, amusement in his eyes.