“Haven’t we already scouted the area around here? There shouldn’t be any large beasts.”

“A’Ke has a built-in heat-source detection system. If there’s danger, it’ll alert everyone. We’ll be safe tonight, no problem.”

“Then why do I have to stand guard out here!”

Qin Fei sat on a large rock, his face ashen. “Old Ji, tell me, why is this happening?”

Why was Ninth Master doing this to him? Why?

Ji Mingyu, whom he’d dragged along to vent to, opened his mouth as if to speak, but seemed unsure what to say.

“How would I know?” he finally said, tossing aside the hand Qin Fei had been using to pester him. “Maybe… you’re too noisy. Maybe Ninth Master just wants some peace and quiet.”

“When was I ever noisy?” Qin Fei felt deeply wronged. Around Ninth Master, he never dared to talk out of turn.

He’d admittedly talked more than usual today, but that was only because there was a young girl in the group now.

Old Ji wasn’t much of a talker, and Ninth Master even less so — a man who guarded his words like gold.

If even he ignored Zhen Jiu’er, wouldn’t people think their group was cold and aloof?

He’d only said a few more words than usual.

Was that really such a big deal?

“Old Ji, go put in a good word for me with Ninth Master…”

“Why don’t you try it yourself?”

“How would I dare?”

“And you think I would?” Ji Mingyu rolled his eyes, decided to ignore him, and turned to leave.

“Whatever Ninth Master tells you to do, just do it. Don’t ask why. He always has his reasons.”

“Old Ji, Old Ji… ugh! Come back! Talk to me! It’s so dark and cold out here, so scary… Hey! Hey!”

Ji Mingyu quickened his pace and was soon far away, heading back toward the tents.

No matter how much of a chatterbox Qin Fei was, he didn’t dare call out loudly — what if it disturbed Ninth Master, and he ended up banished a hundred meters further away?

Wuwuwu, it really was so dark!

Could A’Ke come keep him company?

By the time Ji Mingyu got back, the lights in Lu Beicheng’s tent were already off; he’d turned in.

The light in Zhen Jiu’er’s tent had also just gone out.

Ji Mingyu returned to his own tent, thought about it, thought some more, and felt he’d almost figured it out — yet not quite.

Had Ninth Master driven Qin Fei away because Qin Fei had said to Zhen Jiu’er, “wait until he gets back”?

But since when had their Ninth Master become so petty?

And besides, why would he even be petty about it? He didn’t seem to have any particular feelings for Miss Jiu’er.

She was just a young girl, one who hadn’t even graduated yet.

In Ninth Master’s eyes, she should count as practically a child.

Ji Mingyu, like Qin Fei, sank into thought.

Just what was going on here?

…Someone spent the night unable to sleep, while someone else slept quite comfortably.

Early the next morning, Qin Fei was woken by Jiu’er.

“Why are you sleeping on a rock? Your clothes are soaked.” Zhen Jiu’er had called out to him several times with no response.

The last time, she kicked him right in the calf.

Qin Fei’s eyes flew open, and he nearly leapt to his feet.

“Assassin!”

“What assassin?” Jiu’er looked around — there was nothing there. Had this guy been dreaming?

Still, it did make her wonder — did Ninth Master often deal with assassination attempts?

Being the richest man in Jiangzhou really wasn’t an easy life.

“Jiu’er?” Qin Fei rubbed his eyes, sat up on the rock, and stretched.

He had to admit, sleeping on this rock — hard as it was — was actually more comfortable than a soft bed.

Hmm, he should get someone to make him a stone bed sometime; the mattress at home was too soft.

Zhen Jiu’er tilted her head, still staring at his sleep-fogged face. “You had a bed and didn’t sleep in it — what were you doing out here?”