Chu Yi first looked up at Yue Liangze on the wall, raising an eyebrow to ask: “Just happened to be passing by, why are people from the Sacred Sword Sect here too?”

He had been quite displeased with the Sacred Sword Sect these past two days.

Delivering breakfast was fine, but what was the meaning of only bringing one portion?

Didn’t they know two people were living in the west courtyard?

“Detected traces of demonic energy,” Yue Liangze replied with an unchanged expression.

Ling Luo walked a few steps closer to Yue Liangze while examining the young lady behind Chu Yi. “Weren’t you out playing with Senior Brother Zi Xiu and the others?”

“We switched people midway,” Chu Yi showed no intention of introducing the young lady behind him.

However, the young lady in the pink dress made a gesture: “Are you alright?”

Chu Yi glanced sideways, slightly furrowing his brows.

Ling Luo pretended not to know the other’s identity and responded with sign language: “I’m fine.”

Chu Yi: “…”

The pink-dressed young lady then looked toward Yue Liangze, gesturing: “Thank you.”

After seeing this, Ling Luo wondered to herself why she was thanking him.

Yue Liangze merely glanced once, saying nothing.

Chu Yi spoke in a quiet tone: “You all know sign language?”

“Only Senior Brother doesn’t know it,” Ling Luo said. “Two years ago, Revered Master Yun taught it in the study hall, but you didn’t attend.”

Chu Yi said expressionlessly: “I’ve already entered the secular world, do I still need to attend classes at the study hall?”

He didn’t understand sign language, but the pink-dressed young lady would only speak when she was alone with him.

Ling Luo couldn’t be bothered with his affairs with the Moon from Heaven, so she explained why she was there, only concealing the appearance of the Death Mist Gate.

“Because the Giant Fire Demon suddenly appeared, that medicine peddler escaped,” she said. “I need to continue looking for Xu Shen.”

“No need to search anymore. Before I came, I found him with another medicine peddler. He was somewhat injured,” Yue Liangze said. “On the way here, I met Chang Fei, and already handed him over.”

Ling Luo looked at him, a bit surprised.

Yue Liangze added: “A few days ago, my Third Senior Brother was already investigating the matter of forbidden drugs used in the competition.”

“This is indeed something the Sacred Sword Sect should handle,” Chu Yi said lightly. “I’ll send her back first, then go see Xu Shen. Don’t wander around outside, return to Tai Chu. Master and the others will be arriving in two days.”

Ling Luo’s expression turned haughty, refusing to listen to Chu Yi’s words, turning to walk in the opposite direction from them.

She walked along the wide pathway, the shadow of the high wall dividing the light in half. She walked on the bright side illuminated by the sun.

Yue Liangze fell a few steps behind her, walking in the shadow of the high wall.

Ling Luo caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye, vaguely recalling her previous life.

It was also on such a wide, quiet, and deserted official road.

At that time it was dusk, with vast burning clouds at the horizon. The entire sky seemed to be on fire, beautiful enough to startle the soul.

She had guarded the dangerous city for three months against demon invasions, already pushed to her limits. Fortunately, reinforcements finally arrived. Exhausted, she collapsed, and when she awoke, she found herself being carried on Yue Liangze’s back to their residence.

She awoke midway, and the first thing she saw was the brilliant sky beyond the high wall, dazzlingly gorgeous clouds, and sunset glow.

At that time, she was still the obedient disciple of Yun Shouxi. Since the matter was related to Yun Shouxi, the first question she asked upon waking was: “Where is my master?”

Both of them were wounded.

But on his back, Ling Luo only felt steadiness and solidity. She could continue sleeping without worry—even if demon armies broke into the city, she needn’t worry, for this man would stand in front of her first.

The glow of the sunset fell upon the man, a gentle orange-red color.

Yue Liangze said in a low voice: “Immortal Master San Xi will arrive tomorrow.”

She wanted to prove to Yun Shouxi that his disciple had accomplished something, but couldn’t see her master at her most glorious moment, which made her a bit disappointed. She merely responded with an “oh,” remaining silent.

After walking for a while, Ling Luo finally asked: “Then why did you arrive even before my master?”

“When I heard the person guarding the city was you, I came over.”

His answer was very calm.

Ling Luo muttered: “You’re not trying to steal my achievements again, are you?”

Yue Liangze couldn’t help but laugh at her words.

“When have I ever stolen from you?” he asked.

Ling Luo answered righteously: “Two years ago at the Golden Luan Pool Banquet in Tai Chu, didn’t you suddenly appear and steal my spotlight?”

Yue Liangze: “I didn’t know I could pull out the Immortal-Subduing Jade.”

Ling Luo rested her chin on his shoulder and hummed: “You still stole it.”

Yue Liangze gradually became helpless: “I’ve never stolen your achievements.”

Ling Luo tilted her head to look at him: “Last winter, they said you and I built the road through the mountain village together.”

Yue Liangze said: “Indeed, we built it together. I split Little East Mountain with Wu Sheng.”

“I split open more mountains!” Ling Luo said discontentedly. “I don’t want to share with you!”

Yue Liangze said calmly: “If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

Ling Luo: “…”

She tightened her arms, burying her face in his warm shoulder and back, muffling her voice as she said: “I didn’t want to before, but this time defending the city, I’ll reluctantly share with you, just a little bit, and my name must come first.”

Yue Liangze didn’t respond.

But the corner of his mouth curved for an instant.

That day there were no carriages traveling on the official road, only their shadows stretched long and overlapping in the sunset.

The burning clouds in her memory were replaced by the blazing midday sun before her eyes.

Ling Luo stopped and looked back, “Why are you following me?”

“Taking you back,” Yue Liangze answered calmly. “To prevent you from encountering the Fire Demon again.”

Fire Demons were undying flames, impossible to eliminate.

“Even if it appears again, I can handle it,” Ling Luo said. Standing in the sunlight, she raised her hand to fan herself. “But the weather is hot now, it’s tiring to walk.”

Yue Liangze, standing in the shadow, blinked once and said: “Then come over here.”

Ling Luo looked at him, chin raised.

Yue Liangze added: “Walk in the shade.”

Ling Luo took a deep breath and said: “No, I prefer walking where there’s sunlight!”

So Yue Liangze cast a Cool Breeze Charm for her, dispelling the heat. A gentle, cool breeze lingered around her.

Ling Luo: “…”

She refused to give in.

Ling Luo said: “It’s that I’m tired from walking, not from the heat.”

If this man dared to suggest she use her sword to fly, she would immediately whip him with Ying Xi.

Yue Liangze said dispassionately: “Come over and rest for a while before continuing?”

Ling Luo said expressionlessly: “Stop following me. If you keep following, I’ll kill you.”

Seeing her angrily turn and walk away quickly, a trace of amusement flashed in Yue Liangze’s eyes.

He followed her, and Ling Luo turned back with a sword intent, which Yue Liangze blocked. He extended his hand and said: “Come here, I’ll carry you back.”

“Too late!” Ling Luo snorted.

Yue Liangze’s hand reached out from the shadow, exposed to the light, his knuckles distinct.

Ling Luo said: “You come here.”

Why should she go to him?

So he stepped completely out of the shadow into the sunlight, bent down to carry Ling Luo on his back, and headed toward Tai Chu.

Today’s official road was also very quiet, with no carriages passing by.

This familiar shoulder and aura.

Ling Luo took an almost imperceptible gentle breath.

“Do you know who the woman with my senior brother is?” Ling Luo asked.

Yue Liangze lowered his eyes, concealing the deep meaning within them. “I know.”

Ling Luo was surprised, “You know?”

How do you know?

Shouldn’t I be the only one who knows?

“Then who is she!”

“The Palace Mistress of the Northern Pavilion Moon Palace,” Yue Liangze said. “When I first came to Tai Chu, I paid my respects to her together with Senior Brother.”

The Palace Mistress of the Northern Pavilion Moon Palace might not necessarily be from the Jiang family, but the Palace Mistress’s wife must be and can only be from the Jiang family.

Jiang Miao married the Palace Master three years ago, but in the second year, her husband unfortunately passed away from illness. Jiang Miao temporarily took over the position of Palace Mistress. According to the rules, whoever married her would become the next Palace Master of the Northern Pavilion Moon Palace.

But she had brought back her late husband’s illegitimate son, Mu Xu Jing. What’s more, this illegitimate son was only two or three years younger than her.

“Why did she thank you just now?” Ling Luo asked.

Yue Liangze did not conceal anything and answered truthfully: “For not revealing her identity in front of you.”

Ling Luo: “…”

She pursed her lips, smiling somewhat helplessly.

This Moon from Heaven would only speak to those she liked and was willing to be close with; others only got hand gestures.

Ling Luo asked in a low voice: “What do you think the Palace Mistress of the Northern Pavilion is doing with my senior brother?”

Yue Liangze asked: “Are you very concerned about it?”

Ling Luo asked puzzledly: “Aren’t you curious?”

Yue Liangze: “Not curious.”

You’re truly dull.

Ling Luo grumbled inwardly.

If it were someone else, or if it were Song Yuan Yuan and the others, Ling Luo wouldn’t discuss the matter of the Moon from Heaven and Chu Yi with them.

But Yue Liangze was different.

There were many things she would unconsciously bring up with Yue Liangze, without burden, wanting to confide in him.

Ling Luo’s explanation for this was: She had spoken to him about these matters in her previous life anyway, and he wouldn’t gossip about it. Rather than keeping secrets to herself with no one to talk to, she might as well bring him in to share.

Seeing Ling Luo silent, Yue Liangze thought his attitude wasn’t good, hesitated for a moment, but still asked: “What do you think they’re doing together?”

Hearing this, Ling Luo was very happy. This person, claiming not to be curious, but deep down still wants to gossip!

“People from the Jiang family are born with premium spiritual bones. You know about spiritual bones, right? The best choice for dual cultivation,” Ling Luo said seriously. “Their spiritual power is very strong, extremely strong, but people from the Jiang family aren’t Palace Masters, they’re the Palace Mistress’s wives, unable to manage the entire Northern Pavilion Moon Palace. Putting it nicely, they stay behind the scenes, but looking at the history, they’re just dual cultivation tools.”

Yue Liangze: “…”

He regretted asking.

“It’s fine to say these things to me, but don’t let a second person know.”

Otherwise, be prepared to be hunted to the ends of the earth by the people from the Moon Palace; even Yun Shouxi couldn’t protect you.

Ling Luo snorted: “I wouldn’t even deign to tell others!”

Yue Liangze was startled, his eyes unconsciously softening a bit.

“Although people from the Jiang family are formidable, they’re not allowed to cultivate, not even permitted to learn the simplest incantations. The Moon Palace has a secret medicine that can wash away cultivation power, making one forget everything related to cultivation. She has to drink it once every month.”

Until death.

Ling Luo’s voice softened: “She’s now with my senior brother because she wants him to teach her how to cultivate.”

“Everyone knows that my senior brother is most skilled in the art of incantations.”

No one in the Moon Palace would be willing to teach Jiang Miao the arts of cultivation.

The sword way was not suitable for her to learn secretly; only incantations were most appropriate.

That day, Jiang Miao was secretly practicing incantation formations in the cherry blossom forest and unfortunately was discovered by Chu Yi.

After listening, Yue Liangze responded softly: “It’s not a good thing.”

If discovered, the person being hunted to the ends of the earth by the Moon Palace would become Chu Yi.

In this situation, even Yun Shouxi truly couldn’t protect him.

“My senior brother dislikes interfering in others’ family matters the most,” Ling Luo smiled. “But it seems he has promised the Palace Mistress. We can just enjoy watching the show.”

These words made Yue Liangze lower his eyebrows and gaze.

Just enjoy watching the show.

This attitude wasn’t what he thought.

“If people from the Moon Palace discover it, he will be in great danger,” Yue Liangze said.

Ling Luo was unconcerned: “As long as he doesn’t regret it, and besides, the Palace Mistress will protect him when the time comes.”

The Jiang family of the Northern Pavilion Moon Palace, possessing premium spiritual bones, had been suppressed by the Moon Palace for a thousand years, and not allowed to cultivate. But what if these premium spiritual bones learned the arts and incantations—

Ling Luo quite liked the Moon from Heaven.

When she was obediently using sign language, she resembled sister Yu Zhi, and there were certain similarities between the two.

They both had never given up on themselves in the worst of circumstances, striving to live for themselves.