Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhe Huo bit down on a rose-red lip, and nodded. “I know you’re just looking out for me, Wu Shan,” she murmured, “But I’m not that helpless, am I? If there really was something else going on, how wouldn’t I notice? Luo Qinghan is a truly wonderful child. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful not to let him get into any trouble.”
Wu Shan was silent for a moment, before replying, “Don’t let yourself get into any trouble.”
She nodded earnestly, and forced out a little laugh for him.
He gazed at that smile, and the tension in his heart eased. The warmth returned to his features.
He’d meant to see her out of town, but she wanted to be considerate of Qinghan’s feelings, so she gently turned down Wu Shan’s kind offer. However, as they left the inn, he came along anyway. When Zhe Huo stepped into a nearby shop to conduct a bit of trade, he held Qinghan back. The boy stared straight ahead for a moment, then looked back, a faint sneer at the corner of his lips.
Wu Shan watched him coldly. “What did you say to Zhe Huo?”
Luo Qinghan smirked with those perfect, petite lips of his. “Just fighting fire with fire.” His profound azure eyes danced with unconcealed mockery. “Try to separate Zhe Huo and me again, and I’ll make you pay for it.”
Wu Shan gave a harsh little chuckle. “So that’s how it is.” If it had been any other man, he’d have returned fire with some sort of savage comeback. Instead, he was up against some mewling brat. He could have laughed at the childishness of this whole situation. The boy thought he’d found himself a benefactor, and was terrified of losing her to anyone else—that’s why he was using all these tricks and schemes to keep Zhe Huo and Wu Shan apart.
But seeing things from this perspective didn’t mean Wu Shan no longer had anything to be concerned about. It was as he’d thought: The fox demon was a cunning thing.
And so he said, “I don’t care what you want from Zhe Huo, but if you do anything to betray her trust in you, there will be a reckoning.”
Qinghan didn’t appear to feel anything besides contempt at this threat, and wouldn’t even dignify it with a response. Just then, Zhe Huo finished her business and re-appeared outside, only to find Qinghan and Wu Shan facing off against each other.
A surge of anxiety welled up in her heart—but before she could sort out what was going on, the boy ran over and caught hold of her hand. “Zhe Huo, let’s go.”
He seemed in good spirits. She sighed with relief, nodded, and brought him over to say goodbye to Wu Shan. Then they made their departure.
***
Her next quest would be taking place in the Valley of Blossoms, a famous location in Dazhao.
Renowned for its natural beauty, one could find the most beautiful flowers in the world growing upon its slopes, breath-taking flurries of butterflies drawing upon incomparably delicious nectar. Of course, there were also deadly venomous wasps—it was said that anyone who got stung in the valley, if they weren’t treated in time, would meet their demise there.
What sort of quest had Zhe Huo been assigned to, here? Word had it that there was a venomous wasp which had somehow developed into a demon, draining people dry of their life essence, and then skinning its victims. Many people had already been killed by this wasp demon, and the local clans were offering a considerable reward to anyone who could bring it down: eighty-five thousand spirit gems.