“Indeed, the Xuanlang Sect has always been direct in their actions, never beating around the bush when they want to fight or kill. But this time, it’s a clear provocation. Their methods have really changed quite a bit—there’s no other way, the poison can’t be delayed, let’s go take a trip. What do you think?” Mu Yuan turned to look at Feng, and seeing Feng nod, she said to Ning Xian, “You and Du Cisheng stay at the Bai family, in case the Xuanlang Sect tries anything else.”
Where are you planning to look?
"--If we're talking about the closest one... it would naturally be the Xuanlang Sect's branch in Jiangcheng."
Chapter Forty-Eight
Feng and Mu Yuan went together, and even if they didn't gain anything, their safety shouldn't be a concern. Ning Xian had no doubt about their ability to protect themselves; all she needed to do was focus on taking care of Bai Yan and making sure he didn't die prematurely. However, for some inexplicable reason, she couldn't feel at ease. After entrusting Bai Yan to Ci Sheng, she sat on the veranda to get some fresh air.
Bai Mo followed him out. "Are you worried about them?"
"No... with their martial arts skills, it's more practical for them to worry about me." Ning Xian tried to shake off the feeling that something was hanging over her heart and changed her thoughts, "How is Yue Ji? I don't think I've seen her today..." Mu Yuan and Feng were not there, and Bai Mo came to nag early in the morning, as if trying to ignore the fact that there was such a person in the mansion.
Bai Mo looked slightly embarrassed, as if Yue Ji no longer needed him.
"Does Young Master Mu Yuan really intend to take her to the Demonic Sect?"
"Who knows? Mu Yuan is unpredictable. I have no idea what he's thinking all day... He's just too idle and makes trouble for no reason. He should be given some work to keep him busy so he doesn't have time to cause trouble."
"Are you and Young Master Mu Yuan very close?"
"With him? It's alright... Actually, the people in the sect have pretty good relationships, so I don't see them getting any better off with him..." This idle Left Envoy Mu is probably only hanging around Ning Xian because there's a lot of drama to watch right now. I just wonder what kind of scene this looks like to outsiders who don't know the situation.
Bai Mo stared intently at her profile. Perhaps Ning Xian was just trying to distract him with her casual remarks, and he hadn't really paid attention to what he was saying; it was just some unintentional chatter. But these few words painted a picture of a free-spirited, unrestrained, yet harmonious demonic sect—unless one had personally visited and spent time there, one would probably not know that even a demonic sect could be completely different from what people imagine. And it was precisely these few words that made Bai Mo clearly see a chasm, and he and Ning Xian were separated by a vast distance at opposite ends of this chasm.
"Ning Xian, were you happy before you came to the Bai family?"
"It's alright." Although her answer was casual, there was no hesitation or reluctance. He dared not ask if she was happy after coming to the Bai family... her answer might not have been so natural and nonchalant.
"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you suddenly so serious..." Ning Xian casually jumped onto the railing of the corridor and sat down. Even though she was dressed like an ordinary young lady, no lady would be so casual, so unruly and unpresentable.
"Ning Xian, haven't you ever resented me?"
"You blame me?" Ning Xian was confused for a moment before realizing what he was asking. "Why? Oh—you mean that affair?"
Pause, let me touch my classmate's dark face first... Cheating... Does anyone talk about men cheating? Does this woman have to be so blunt?
"I was really angry at the time. You have no idea how annoying it was that you cheated on me and then kept interfering in other people's business. I'm not so petty as to hold a grudge. Anyway..." Anyway, her hope was to leave the Bai family, find a lover in the Demonic Sect, and live a carefree life. Of course, it's better not to say this when someone has just been dumped. "Actually, you weren't that annoying when you didn't care about me. I wouldn't always hold a grudge against you. You don't know, when I married into your family, it was my parents who..." She couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. Hmm... well, to save face for her father, she shouldn't reveal his glorious deeds.
Seeing Ning Xian's carefree laughter, he knew very well that she had never cared about him. Because she didn't care, she didn't have to hold a grudge.
Bai Mo slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again, his expression as clear and serene as pale ink, as if he had finally figured things out and was no longer wavering or doubtful.
"I'll go see Yue Ji. She's currently at the Bai residence; she's just a guest."
Mentioning Yue Ji still stirred some resentment within him. Two years of feelings couldn't be easily let go, but certain facts were undeniable. He wasn't one to deceive himself, nor could he let emotions completely control him. Even if it hurt, what needed to be done would still be done. He had lived this way for over twenty years, and he would continue to do so in the future.
"Uh, oh..." Ning Xian didn't even expect that he would suddenly reach out and stretch his arm to touch Bai Mo's head. "Don't push yourself too hard."
Bai Mo was momentarily dazed, but only smiled faintly, as faint as ink fading away, causing Ning Xian to withdraw her hand in a daze and watch him turn and leave.
They were always on different paths, unable to come together, and destined never to. Ning Xian suddenly couldn't recall why they had initially been so antagonistic and incompatible. In truth, if they had met in a different environment or in a different way, perhaps—no, certainly not—there wouldn't have been so many conflicts and rejections, but they also wouldn't have noticed each other.
People with different paths should not work together; being strangers is the best choice. How did we end up as husband and wife?
She sat there in a daze for a while, completely unaware that Ci Sheng was watching her through the window, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions. It seemed that only when he looked at her from afar could he not hide his feelings. Confusion, hesitation… How long should he stay by her side before he could find his answer?
Suddenly, a scream came from the backyard: "Help! Someone help!"
Ning Xian suddenly stood up and ran towards the backyard. She saw a maid lying on the ground, and upon seeing Ning Xian, she hurriedly cried out, "Young Madam! Young Master—Young Master has been kidnapped—"
Ning Xian rushed over, "What happened!?"
"Just now, a few people suddenly flew in from outside the wall, grabbed the young master, and left..."
Ning Xian clenched her fist, hesitated for a moment, and said to the maid, "Go and take care of the second young master!" She turned and flew back outside the room, saying to Ci Sheng who had rushed out, "Let's go after Feng and Mu Yuan!"
Ci Sheng didn't ask any more questions and followed Ning Xian out the door.
...
Mu Yuan and Feng arrived outside the Xuanlang Sect's main hall and hid behind a house. Mu Yuan glanced at Feng's furrowed brows, which hadn't relaxed since she started working them up, and said helplessly, "Can you stop looking so cold and frowning all the time? It makes it seem like you're about to venture into some dangerous place. It's just a small hall, don't be so serious."
Feng only gave him a cold glance, too lazy to explain further.
—This place made him feel uneasy. He had felt this way before… but it shouldn't be here. It shouldn't be here… or was it just his imagination?
Mu Yuan nudged him with her fan, "Don't think too much. You can't tell anything just by looking. Let's go inside and talk." Then she quietly slipped away first.
Everyone in the Netherworld Sect knew that Left Envoy Mu Yuan was highly skilled in martial arts, but few had actually witnessed his skill. He spent his days loafing around, doing nothing but causing trouble for others; how could anyone possibly understand his martial arts if he didn't actually use them? Feng, however, was one of the few who had seen his movements.
The guy was clearly strolling away with an elegant sway, but he was like several blurry shadows, and he was already outside the gate. Before they could even see what he did, the guards on both sides had no time to react or even make a sound, and they fell down like wooden statues.
Feng hesitated for a moment. Although there seemed to be nothing unusual outside the hall and the guards were deployed in an ordinary manner, there was a distinct atmosphere... Since the Xuanlang Sect had taken the initiative to provoke them, they should have known that they would come looking for them—or rather, they deliberately lured them here. Wouldn't they have strengthened their defenses?
Mu Yuan couldn't possibly be blind to something this simple, but given his character, if he wanted to go, he wouldn't care even if he knew it was a trap—he'd just walk in without a second thought. He really wanted Mu Yuan to go alone and lead the charge…
The red figure leaped away like an arrow, disappearing into the doorway in the same direction. However, after only a few steps, it saw Mu Yuan standing not far away, stopping in its tracks.
"how?"
Mu Yuan waved her fan and shook her head, smiling leisurely, "This mechanism really has a story behind it—"
—A mechanism? Feng frowned slightly, the feeling from earlier becoming even more vivid.
“Look there—and there—” Mu Yuan casually pointed to a few places with her fan. “This trap was set not long ago, so it’s inevitable that it has left traces. If we give them more time, I’m afraid even I will have trouble seeing it… It seems that fresh blood has come to the Xuanlang Sect.”
Feng glanced around and saw that apart from the two guards at the entrance, there was no one else in the courtyard. Even this situation felt familiar to him.