The moon rose above the treetops. A gentle breeze blew across the pond, where water lilies quietly bloomed. Wisps of cold mist drifted upwards.
The candle flames flickered gently. Everyone in the room had their own concerns.
Su Xiaoliu looked up at everyone in turn and realized that she no longer had a choice in her current situation.
Since they had turned against the Alliance Leader, Zhong Fengyue and his group had been traveling eastward non - stop for three days and three nights before finally finding shelter in a small town.
Except for Island Master Tang and Elder Wei, who had returned to guard their families, the others had followed. Gu Ran, who had reunited with his master, also tagged along. The group now had to avoid the Alliance Leader's pursuit and be on guard against the tracking of the Hundred Families.
Tang Yuyan was combing Cang Luoyao's hair. Cang Luoyao, who had become somewhat numb, just stared blankly at the bronze mirror, showing no reaction.
Su Xiaoliu quietly stared at the small red fruit in the wooden box on the sandalwood table. The fruit was crystal - clear all over, with its red body shining beautifully... Was this the Rebirth Fruit?
The Rebirth Fruit, which everyone in the martial world dreamed of, was said to grow on the Golden - Jade Tree. It had once been just a legend, but now it was right in front of them.
"We'll go eastward on the less - traveled paths. This way, we can avoid many of the Alliance Leader's secret guards," said the elegant Wei Feng to everyone softly. "But we need to minimize our public appearances. The Alliance Leader has eyes and ears everywhere in the martial world. If we're detected, we must immediately set off and shake them off."
Su Xiaoliu frowned tightly as she listened. She had never imagined that she would be living such a vagrant and fugitive life.
She turned to look at Chang He, who was sitting beside her, sipping his tea in silence. Her eyes were full of resentment. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have been involved in all these things...
Chang He seemed to sense her piercing gaze and looked up at her.
Su Xiaoliu was taken aback. Just as she was about to feel guilty, she straightened her back and stared back defiantly.
What are you looking at? I'm staring at you on purpose!
Chang He let out a soft laugh, covered his teacup, and placed it aside without looking at her.
Su Xiaoliu was so angry that she raised her hand. Zhong Fengyue beside her tilted his head in confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
Su Xiaoliu quickly retracted her hand, looked up at him, and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing, nothing." If others found out that she had received 200,000 taels of gold to act as the Alliance Leader's concubine, she was sure she would never be able to get out of the shadow of being laughed at.
Speaking of this, she looked at the Ancient Immortal Elder again, and her eyes were filled with indignation once more.
In the end, it was because she had helped him read the sentence on that piece of paper. Otherwise, she wouldn't have so easily agreed to that sinister Chang He just to protect the old man...
Su Xiaoliu glared and pretended to punch the shadow of the Ancient Immortal Elder a few times to vent her anger.
"What's wrong again?" Zhong Fengyue asked again, looking down.
Su Xiaoliu looked up, blinked her almond - shaped eyes, and shook her head, saying, "Really nothing."
Zhong Fengyue curved his lips and suddenly leaned down to whisper in her ear, "If you want to hit someone, you can hit me to vent your anger." His slightly warm breath tickled her ear.
Su Xiaoliu blushed and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Who wants to hit someone." This young master was just too good - tempered.
Gu Rongxue glanced at the two of them, and a hint of loss suddenly flashed across her face.
"Just getting a bit closer to talk. Why are you blushing?" Not far away, Chu Weixin glanced at Su Xiaoliu and said something that made Su Xiaoliu extremely embarrassed and angry.
Hearing this, Zhong Fengyue looked up at Chu Weixin and a soul - stirring smile curled up on his lips.
Su Xiaoliu gritted her teeth, looked at Chu Weixin, and said, "We're just talking. What does it matter to you!"
Chu Weixin was taken aback. A strange emotion flashed across his beautiful eyes. After a moment, he smiled faintly and said, "I forgot. Blushing isn't an illness, so it can't be cured."
Su Xiaoliu gave him a disgruntled look, shifted her body, and didn't look at him anymore.
"Shall we call the Northern and Eastern Star Lords?" Wei Feng glanced at Zhong Fengyue and asked.
After days of traveling, Mo Xin had gone back to her room to rest. Jiang Li and Duanmu You were also extremely exhausted.
Zhong Fengyue shook his head and said softly, "Forget it. Let them have a good rest."
Wei Feng nodded, looked at Gu Rongxue, and said, "Then tomorrow we'll go to the Gu Family's mountain villa to take shelter for a while."
Gu Rongxue smiled slightly and nodded.
"Will the Alliance Leader not chase us to the Gu Family's mountain villa?" Gu Ran beside the Ancient Immortal Elder looked at Wei Feng in confusion.
Gu Rongxue replied on behalf of Wei Feng, "The Gu Family's mountain villa is for summer retreat. The Alliance Leader doesn't even know about its existence. The villa is very large. We can stay there for a few days first."
"So that's how it is," Gu Ran nodded. He had been a bit worried before, but after hearing Gu Rongxue's explanation, he felt relieved.
For a moment, everyone fell silent again.
Although they could avoid the Alliance Leader, they couldn't escape the tracking of the Hundred Families.
The Hundred Families might be after the Rebirth Fruit, but at this moment, no one could give it away. The matter of the Rebirth Fruit hadn't spread in the martial world yet. If it did, it would probably cause even greater turmoil.
"Let's leave the Rebirth Fruit with Yuyan for safekeeping. Is that okay?" Wei Feng asked everyone.
In this critical moment, they had to reach a consensus to help each other through the difficulties.
Everyone trusted Wei Feng very much, and Tang Yuyan was an extremely meticulous woman. Leaving the Rebirth Fruit with her would surely be safe.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"If the Rebirth Fruit is with Miss Tang, she'll be in more danger. We should keep an eye on her on a daily basis to prevent her from getting into trouble," the Ancient Immortal Elder looked at everyone and said.
Tang Yuyan finished combing Cang Luoyao's hair, put down the comb, looked at everyone, and smiled, saying, "Everyone, don't worry. I've practiced martial arts since I was a child. I can handle ordinary opponents."
"It's better to be more careful. I'll help watch over you," Chu Weixin looked at Tang Yuyan and said.
Tang Yuyan nodded with a smile and said, "Thank you, Divine Doctor."
"It's getting late. Go back to your rooms and rest. We'll set off for the Gu Family's mountain villa early tomorrow morning," Wei Feng stood up and said to everyone.
Chang He was the first to stand up. He dusted off his sleeves and said, "I'll go back first. If there's anything, just come to my room."
Everyone nodded in response.
Su Xiaoliu thought to herself secretly that Chang He was not active in discussions but was very quick to leave.
Of course, Chang He had no idea what Su Xiaoliu was thinking. He walked out of the room steadily with a calm gait.
Everyone in the room also stood up one after another. After exchanging a few words, they headed towards their respective accommodations.
"Master, I'm a bit hungry," Gu Ran frowned as he followed behind the Ancient Immortal Elder.
The Ancient Immortal Elder turned around and slapped him on the butt with his long spear, scolding angrily, "All you do is eat and sleep. What good are you?"
Gu Ran staggered forward from the blow and rubbed the beaten area with a mournful face, saying, "Master, can you be a bit gentler..."