Bai Yanzhou didn’t immediately answer Xiao Duchuan’s request to “don’t leave without saying goodbye.”
His fingers rubbed the slightly cool teacup as his gaze, settled by a thousand years of time, calmly met the other’s deep eyes.
In that gaze lay stubbornness, probing, and a trace of carefully hidden grievance.
“Price…” Bai Yanzhou repeated softly. His tone was devoid of emotion, carrying the tolerance of an elder watching a junior make a fuss, yet subtly drawing a line of distance. “Xuan Lin, by using the word ‘price,’ are you negotiating a deal with me, or catching up on old times?”
Xiao Duchuan’s eyes flickered. His smile didn’t change; if anything, it became gentler.
He leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed, as if the almost-pleading words just now hadn’t come from him.
“Teacher is right to scold me, it was my poor choice of words.” He corrected himself smoothly. “Not a price, but a request. Or rather… cooperation. The clues I have regarding the meteorite core and Xiangliu’s seal should be useful to Teacher. My request is merely that Teacher… allows me to accompany you this time.”
He spoke beautifully and lowered his posture, but Bai Yanzhou knew him too well.
Behind this seemingly obedient proposal was a net Xiao Duchuan was quietly weaving, closing in step by step, refusing to let him escape again.
Coal Ball let out a timely “meow-woo,” rubbing against Bai Yanzhou’s hand, his golden cat eyes looking at one, then the other.
Bai Yanzhou finally sighed softly. “The legs are on your body, and the Ailao Mountains aren’t my private property. If you want to come along, can I stop you?”
He paused, seeing the light instantly ignite in Xiao Duchuan’s eyes, and added, “However, the situation in the mountains is unclear, and the matter of Xiangliu is no small thing. Safety must be the priority. Do not act without authorization.”
This tone vaguely resembled the earnest teachings of a mentor from a thousand years ago.
The arc of Xiao Duchuan’s lips deepened, as if he had received some precious permission.
“Naturally, I will listen to everything Teacher says.” He responded obediently, then casually mentioned, “My room happens to be right next to Teacher’s. If there’s any disturbance in the mountains tonight, we can look out for each other.”
Bai Yanzhou glanced at him, not exposing the deliberate arrangement, and simply stood up. “It’s late. Rest well.”
“Teacher first.” Xiao Duchuan stood up as well.
His gaze remained glued to Bai Yanzhou until the latter turned and walked into the shadows of the inn stairs.
Only then did he slowly withdraw the overly brilliant smile on his face.
He gently scratched Coal Ball’s chin, whispering, “Slowly. This time… we have plenty of time.”
Early the next morning, the fog in the mountains hadn’t dispersed, and the air carried a chill.
Bai Jimu had stuffed his backpack until it bulged, pacing anxiously at the inn entrance. “Bro! Sister Ming Shu! Can you guys hurry up!”
Ming Shu walked out slowly, yawning elegantly. “Rushing to your death? If good things were that easy to find, would it be your turn, dumb dog?”
Her glance swept over and saw Xiao Duchuan approaching. Her tone took on a hint of amusement. “Tsk, the guardian knight is early.”
Xiao Duchuan had changed into a sharp grey outdoor jacket, his figure tall and upright.
Coal Ball sat steadily on his shoulder.
Xiao Duchuan carried professional equipment in his hand, but his gaze locked directly onto Bai Yanzhou, who had just walked out.
“Teacher,” he stepped forward in a few strides and handed over an exquisite insulated lunch box.
His voice was soft and gentle, carrying an undeniable intent. “It’s cold in the mountains; eat something warm to comfort your stomach first. It’s the shredded chicken congee you used to like. I made it according to the taste in my memory.”
Bai Yanzhou looked at the lunch box, his eyes dazed for a moment, as if seeing through it to the young boy who always quietly prepared tea and snacks for him before class a thousand years ago.
He was silent for a moment before reaching out to take it. “…You shouldn’t have bothered.”
The moment his fingers touched the lunch box, Xiao Duchuan’s fingertips seemingly inadvertently brushed lightly across the back of his hand, leaving a cool touch.
Bai Yanzhou’s fingers curled slightly, but he still took the box steadily.
Xiao Duchuan took in this small movement, the corner of his mouth hooking up in a faint arc.
“I should.”
His tone was gentle, but his eyes were heavy, like hiding a whirlpool. “I have always remembered Teacher’s matters very clearly.”
Bai Jimu leaned in and sniffed. “Smells so good! Mr. Xiao, you’re amazing!”
Ming Shu yanked him back, whispering, “Shut up. Can’t you see the atmosphere is weird?”
The group walked along the wet stone steps into the mountains.
The deeper they went, the denser the trees became.
The fog was thick and unbreakable, the light dim, and the surroundings eerily quiet.
Bai Jimu, who had been bouncing around at first, soon quieted down, sniffing vigilantly.
Ming Shu walked beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Xiao Duchuan walked almost shoulder-to-shoulder with Bai Yanzhou, close enough that their clothes occasionally brushed.
From time to time, he would speak up. “Teacher, watch your step. It’s slippery here.”
As he spoke, his hand would reach out to lightly support Bai Yanzhou’s elbow.
Bai Yanzhou subconsciously wanted to avoid it, but his body paused before his mind could react.
A thousand years ago, whenever they walked through dangerous places, the young Xiao Duchuan would nervously support him just like this.
This momentary hesitation allowed Xiao Duchuan’s hand to support him firmly.
“I can walk,” Bai Yanzhou said calmly, though he didn’t pull away immediately.
Xiao Duchuan didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his fingers, his grip a bit heavy.
Even through the clothes, Bai Yanzhou could feel the heat of his palm and an imperceptible tremor.
He leaned half a step closer, his voice very low, carrying a hint of gritted teeth mixed with grievance. “A thousand years ago, you said the same thing… and then you left me behind.”
Bai Yanzhou’s breath hitched, and he turned to look at him.
But Xiao Duchuan had already let go. His face returned to that impeccable, slightly distant smile, as if the resentful sentence just now had been merely an illusion.
“About the meteorite core,” Xiao Duchuan changed the subject, his tone businesslike. “The energy fluctuation points toward the ‘Black Dragon Pool’ deep in the Ailao Mountains. If I’m not mistaken, that is the site of an ancient altar and also one of the seal’s eyes.”
“Mmhmm.” Bai Yanzhou collected his thoughts. “It seems someone wants to make a move there.”
“So our goals align.” Xiao Duchuan looked at him, his eyes deep. “Teacher wants to stabilize the seal; I want to clear obstacles. Only this time…”
He paused, his voice as light as a sigh. “Teacher won’t have the chance to face it alone, or… leave alone.”
Just then, Bai Jimu, walking ahead, suddenly called out in a low voice, “Bro! Mr. Xiao! Come look at this!”
A massive rock was covered in dark red, eerie patterns that seemed to be writhing slightly, emitting a thick scent of blood and cold energy fluctuations.
Ming Shu scraped it lightly with a fingernail, sniffed it, and her face turned ugly. “It’s a blood sacrifice, and they used living creatures with spiritual intelligence. The resentment is heavy.”
Xiao Duchuan squatted down to examine it carefully, his eyes turning cold. “Someone is using this evil method to accelerate the consumption of the seal’s power.”
Suddenly, Coal Ball, squatting by Bai Yanzhou’s feet, bristled all over.
A low, threatening growl rumbled in his throat as he stared dead at the fog on the left, which was thick as ink.
Almost simultaneously, Bai Yanzhou and Xiao Duchuan’s eyes sharpened, turning toward that direction.
The fog churned violently. Accompanied by a teeth-aching rustling sound, several twisted black shadows radiating malice were approaching fast!
“Get behind me!” Xiao Duchuan shouted low, moving with astonishing speed to shield Bai Yanzhou completely behind him.
His body instantly radiated a cold and powerful aura, completely different from his usual gentle appearance.
Bai Jimu bared his fangs, letting out a deterrent growl.
Cold light flashed at Ming Shu’s fingertips, several silver needles already clamped between them.
In the thick fog, the outlines of the twisted black shadows became clear, carrying an ominous aura as they vaguely surrounded the group.