"You are saying... when you found me, I was already lying on the floor, unconscious."
Ye Che questioned, skeptical, yet he couldn’t remember the ’acts’ he had done. The aphrodisiac had done its part rather beautifully, it seems.
"Yup, that’s it."
Gu Changsheng said, poker-faced, but his stomach started churning whenever he thought of ’that’.
"Then why are you still standing away from me?"
Ye Che somewhat believed the lies, but found Gu Changsheng standing two hands’ distance away, while the fairies were standing twice as far.
"Umm... let’s get out of this secret realm. It’s been three days since we’ve been here!"
Su Mingyue finally opened her mouth, trying to redirect someone’s attention.
Though Ye Che was still a bit dubious, he didn’t pursue the matter anymore. Whatever had happened must have left them speechless.
Maybe they had seen his glorious form while battling the hogs.
As Ye Che’s thought process ran elsewhere, the group decided to leave the secret realm.
As for the crypt, they naturally found the exit in the end... with Gu Changsheng reluctantly pulling Ye Che out of it.
...
Twice an hour later.
Soon, Gu Changsheng and the group reached the space crack. Many disciples had already gone through with a bountiful harvest, while others were still searching.
They hurried through the crack without looking back, especially the three eager to put the horrors of the crypt behind them.
As they travelled through, what first came into view were the two elders guarding the entrance.
Seeing them come out safe and sound, Elder Ye asked eagerly.
"How did your adventure go, little ones?"
"It was bountiful, Elder Ye/Father!!" ×4
The four answered at the same time. Gu Changsheng, looking unusually excited, called out in a hurry.
"Elder Ye, can I have a few days of leave? I have some unfinished business back in my hometown!!"
Not only were the elders stunned, but so were his squad members, as this came out of nowhere.
Though it was rather mind-boggling to ask for leave just after coming out, Gu Changsheng still chose to do so.
First, it was easy to explain. He would just say he had an elder on his deathbed back home and that he had procured a medicine for him, making him eager to go.
Second, if he waited for the matter to settle down, maybe they could send someone with him, which was something he didn’t want.
Elder Ye thought for a while and readily agreed, not prying into his disciple’s matters.
After all, there was nothing worth much on him.
"Then let Ye Che go with you. It will be safer that way."
"Thanks, Elder, but Senior Brother Ye Che should have some rest."
Hearing Elder Ye’s suggestion, he didn’t deny it outright, instead hinting at Ye Che’s exhaustion.
"Hmm?!"
As Gu Changsheng said that, Elder Ye quickly turned towards his son. His divine sense quickly scanned Ye Che, and as he did, his face blackened at a visible pace.
[A/N: Divine sense is basically a 360-degree radar-like sense combined with all of your senses. Only Foundation Establishment and above have it.]
Then his gaze shifted, lingering on Su Mingyue and Ning Rongrong for a while, before landing back on Gu Changsheng.
"Then you... you can go."
He wanted to send someone else to ensure his safety, but then stopped, remaining silent out of nowhere before finally letting him go.
"Disciple thanks the master!"
Gu Changsheng said gratefully. Su Mingyue and Ning Rongrong tried to volunteer, but Elder Ye denied it outright.
"Here, have this!"
Instead, Elder Ye took out a wooden humanoid puppet, demonstrating its usage. This was a 3–Star spirit puppet capable of carrying out simple commands.
Thanking Elder Ye once again, he sped away, riding the puppet.
As Gu Changsheng made his way down the mountain, Elder Ye turned his attention back to his son and the two little ladies.
"You three are going to tell me about the whole ordeal when we return, got it?!"
"Roger that!" ×3
For some reason, Elder Ye’s tone was giving them the creeps.
Particularly Su Mingyue and Ning Rongrong, who only wanted to keep their mouths shut and never mention the ’incident’.
...
Elsewhere.
Gu Changsheng was on his way home, shifting between mountain terrains and lush jungles.
The reason he was so desperate to go back was now being held in his hand.
___
『Entity』: Mask of Deception
『Grade』: 4–Star (broken)
『Description』: A formidable artifact of concealment and disguise, capable of masking its bearer from the senses of Soul Creation experts while expending but a sliver of spiritual energy. Though it’s now damaged, it is still a decent artifact.
___
In his hands lay a white mask with cracks all over it, an artifact he found when he rescued Ye Che in the gaps in the wall, concealing a defense mechanism within.
And this mask was perfect for Mulan.
The sky bled crimson and gold as the sun dipped below the jagged peaks of the Cloud Piercing Mountain Range.
Gu Changsheng stood on the back of the wooden puppet, the wind whipping at his disciple robe.
Below him, the world was a tapestry of dark green forests and silver rivers, all blurring into one as the puppet sped forward.
Days melted into a blur of motion and monotony. The puppet, tireless and unwavering, carried him across rivers and over hills.
He wanted to get back as soon as possible.
In fact, he never wanted to leave without her in the first place. But he knew he had to, to become stronger and safer.
Mulan had great talent, probably the kind whose sheer existence caused jealousy. That’s why he wanted her not to attract any attention.
But when he was away, he was always worried about Mulan getting into trouble in his absence.
This was the typical case of not daring to embrace and not daring to leave.
But now, with this Mask of Deception...
She could at least hide her astounding talent and be low-key, just like him.
『A/N: Don’t overestimate yourself!』