My eyes met Lu Beiteng’s. His gaze held mine for only a heartbeat before clarity struck me, and I immediately slipped back into my room like a startled cat.
“Little Liangguo, why are you hiding?” Shen Yuan asked lazily in my mind.
I had acted too suspiciously!
That was my first thought—but I couldn’t even respond. I had forgotten to leave her a proper communication pathway in the formation!
Clearly, that formation needed serious revision. A new communication function… perhaps two.
I was still contemplating it when I heard steady footsteps approaching from outside. They grew louder, closer, until they stopped squarely at my door.
I held my breath.
Could it be that Lu Beiteng had sent his black-clad warriors again… this time to finish me off?
Just as tension coiled in my chest, a polite knock sounded:
“I am Lu Beihan from the Lu Clan of Yanfeng. Thank you for saving my brother, young lady. My brother wished to thank you in person, but he is still unwell. He asked me to invite you to the carriage for a conversation.”
His voice was warm and respectful, entirely unlike someone planning murder.
I hesitated but finally cracked the door open. It was the same man who had wielded the black brush, yet his gaze had softened—no longer the cold, death-measuring stare I remembered.
Should I go?
Before I could decide, Shen Yuan answered inside my mind:
“Go. See what he wants.”
So I nodded. “Alright.”
I followed Lu Beihan downstairs. This time, the black-clad warriors stood neatly on both sides like disciplined guardians. Even the doorkeeper—the first one I had ever seen—was among them. All of them stared straight ahead, serious, imposing, and strangely well-behaved.
Lu Beihan opened the carriage for me but did not enter. He stood guard outside.
Inside, the carriage was surprisingly spacious. Lu Beiteng sat at the center, wrapped in a dark cloak. The seat cushions were made of soft velvet, comfortable but modest, nothing like the flamboyant designs favored by wealthy nobles.
I suddenly remembered Shen Yuan’s Love Palace… every pillow, every robe, every curtain an extravagant piece of art.
“Forgive the sudden invitation,” Lu Beiteng said softly, his voice still hoarse.
I glanced around the small enclosed space. Being alone with a man like this felt a bit improper—especially for someone who, in theory, served as the God of Love and wasn’t supposed to engage in romance at all. I wondered what the actual God of Love thought of this situation.
“Last time, on the mountain road, it was the same…” Lu Beiteng lifted his eyes to me. “Had I not invited you today, would we have missed each other again?”
Not really…
Considering I still needed to get close to him.
I didn’t say that aloud. I waited for Shen Yuan’s guidance. She should be teaching me how to reel him in after he had already taken the bait.
But she remained silent.
So, there we were—locked in eye contact as an awkward tension filled the carriage.
“Uhm…” I finally forced out a sound, trying not to appear strange. I touched the red acacia mark on my hand, silently begging Shen Yuan to wake up. “A doctor’s heart is benevolent…”
Lu Beiteng froze slightly.
His reaction made my heart jump. What? How could one sentence already expose me?
“Miss… you practice medicine?” he asked patiently.
“Yes. Isn’t it obvious?” I lowered my head and rubbed the acacia flower mark more insistently.
He fell silent. But something in his silence felt off.
I looked up.
In his eyes—some faint, obscure emotion.
Sadness?
When our gazes met again, he turned away, concealing something beneath that aloof exterior.
After a long moment he finally spoke:
“The magic you used earlier was quite exquisite. It manipulated the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to nourish my body. May I ask… what technique that was?”
It’s my livelihood…
I mumbled inwardly.
“He’s testing you,” Shen Yuan finally reappeared in my mind, her tone sharp. “You’re still not convincing enough.”
I nearly cursed aloud.
So she had been awake!
But confidence returned as I straightened my back.
“Young Master Lu wants to know which sect I come from?” I asked, interpreting his question cautiously.
Lu Beiteng coughed lightly. “I’m simply curious. I’ve cultivated for many years yet never seen such magic. But if it’s inconvenient, you need not answer.”
“To earn his trust, you must answer him,” Shen Yuan instructed. “Repeat after me. Dongji Mountain, Feng Changxi.”
“Dongji Mountain, Feng Changxi,” I repeated obediently.
I had absolutely no idea who that was, but Lu Beiteng certainly did. Surprise flickered across his face before settling into understanding.
“They say Immortal Venerable Changxi ascended long ago after attaining immortality at Dongji Mountain. To think she still remains in the mortal realm… And you are her disciple. No wonder…”
No wonder!
Everything finally clicked.
Of course Shen Yuan dared to fabricate this identity—she knew exactly which immortals were actually still in the heavens. Mortals couldn’t verify any of this. Perfect cover. Perfect deception.
Cunning woman.
“Since you’re Changxi’s disciple, what brings you here?” Lu Beiteng asked.
“I’m here to gain experience,” I recited smoothly. “I just parted ways with my senior brother last night.”
“And where will you go next?”
“Lakeside Town,” Shen Yuan supplied instantly. “Tell him you want to see the most legendary medical clinic—but you need to earn some travel money first.”
I repeated her instructions word-for-word.
Lu Beiteng thought briefly, then said, “Lakeside Town is close to Yanfeng. I can take you there.”
Perfect!
I had been waiting for this opportunity—felt like lifetimes!
“Control your expression,” Shen Yuan warned.
I quickly lowered my head and murmured, “Wouldn’t that trouble Young Master Lu?”
“It’s on our way,” he replied gently. “We’ll pass through Hubin Town from Guiyan Peak.”
Another perfect arrangement—thanks to Shen Yuan.
“Then… I’ll pack my things.”
He looked a little surprised by how easily I agreed, but nodded.
I stepped out of the carriage. Lu Beihan stood to the side, his earlier calm replaced with a faint frown. I couldn’t tell if he disliked me or his brother’s decision.
So I turned back and said to Lu Beiteng, “You absolutely must not leave early.”
He blinked.
But unlike Shen Yuan, he didn’t laugh at me. He simply nodded, solemn and sincere. “Of course.”
I dashed upstairs.
As I packed, I faintly heard the brothers arguing below. Lu Beihan objected to my joining them; Lu Beiteng stopped him, punctuating his words with rough coughs.
I ignored Lu Beihan entirely.
I folded my celestial-realm garments carefully and grabbed Shen Yuan’s butterfly dress. With my bundle slung over my back, I happily descended the stairs.
According to my naïve understanding of romance…
Lu Beiteng and I had established a fragile thread of connection. Staying close to him would strengthen it. And then—my mission would finally succeed. I would find true love and return to the Nine Heavens.
Everything finally felt on track.
…Until I sat inside the carriage with both Lu brothers.
I turned my head toward the scenery outside, refusing to look at either of them. I could sense Lu Beiteng occasionally glancing at me. But Lu Beihan—he wasn’t glancing. He was staring. His eyes were practically burning the side of my face.
The carriage was spacious, yet with Lu Beihan inside, I felt as though even ten thousand years alone with Lu Beiteng wouldn’t create a romantic mood.
Wait.
Lu Beiteng didn’t even like me yet, and Lu Beihan had already decided to glare holes into me?
I wasn’t picky—true love could take any form—but this stare…
This stare was not love.
It was unsettling.
Creepy, even.
Next
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment