Chapter 133: You Owe Me One
The return journey through the darkness was much easier than the arduous trek inward.
Luo Luo closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were back at the entrance of the secret realm.
“We’re finally out.”
Chen Yin gently nudged Luo Luo awake, then turned to Qingying.
“What are your plans now, Miss Qingying?”
Qingying lowered her head, and after a long silence, she mumbled, “I’ll go wherever I want. It’s none of your business.”
Her voice was filled with resentment.
Chen Yin shrugged, as if he hadn’t noticed. “In that case, farewell, Miss Qingying. May our paths cross again.”
He took Luo Luo’s hand and turned to leave.
“W-wait!”
Chen Yin turned around.
Qingying bit her lip, as if struggling to speak, then finally whispered, “You’re just leaving like this?”
“What else should I do?”
“Didn’t you want to get away from me as soon as possible?” Chen Yin asked with a playful smile.
Qingying was speechless.
She stared at him, her eyes clear and bright, then finally said softly after a long silence:
“…I have nowhere to go.”
“So?”
“If you don’t want me, I’ll leave.”
Her voice was calm, but her eyes were red-rimmed.
Chen Yin stared at her silently.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Seeing this, Qingying’s System couldn’t help but sigh. “Oh, you uncommunicative humans.”
Luo Luo also tugged at Chen Yin’s sleeve.
“Young Master, don’t bully Sister Qingying…”
Chen Yin pinched her ear playfully and said with a hint of reproach, “You little rascal.”
Then, he cleared his throat and said,
“Ahem… if you have nowhere to go, Miss Qingying, I do have a job offer.”
“The world is a dangerous place, and a weak Cloud Ascending Realm cultivator like myself is vulnerable when traveling alone. I’d like to hire you as my bodyguard. What do you say?”
Qingying thought for a moment, then asked, “Room and board included?”
“…Naturally.”
“Alright.”
She walked over to Chen Yin and bowed slightly.
“I’ll go with you.” Her voice was calm and indifferent, betraying no emotion.
But Luo Luo exchanged a knowing smile with Chen Yin and took Qingying’s hand. “That’s great! We can travel together again, Sister Qingying!”
Chen Yin said with a mischievous grin, “Just a warning. Being my bodyguard isn’t easy. Don’t quit after just a few complaints.”
A faint blush appeared on Qingying’s cold face, and she turned her head slightly.
“…As long as you’re not too unreasonable.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Chen Yin was surprised.
“Do you… have some kind of strange fetish? Do you enjoy being bullied?” He asked cautiously.
The next moment, a long, slender leg swung towards him.
And then he found himself lying on the ground, his face bruised and swollen.
Luo Luo stuck her tongue out. “Sister Qingying is so mean!”
“He deserved it.”
Qingying snorted, but a faint smile played on her lips.
As they were about to leave the secret realm, Chen Yin suddenly paused.
“Wait, are we forgetting something?”
He thought for a long time, then suddenly slapped his forehead.
“Oh, right.” He turned and walked towards the left passage.
Seeing him turn, Qingying and Luo Luo also remembered what they had forgotten.
…Someone was waiting for them at the end of the left path.
The left passage led to a dark cave. Although it wasn’t dangerous, it was still unsettling.
Chen Yin seemed very familiar with the path. He held Luo Luo’s hand and walked briskly for about half an hour, finally arriving at a deep pit at the end of the passage.
A faint, shimmering barrier covered the pit. Inside, a woman in white was huddled in a corner, motionless.
Her face was pale and bloodless, her hair disheveled, her eyes wide with terror. Her pristine white dress was covered in dust. She looked utterly miserable.
Chen Yin coughed lightly and struck a hidden point on the edge of the pit with his sword. The barrier slowly dissipated, and the fear in the woman’s eyes faded, replaced by confusion.
“Ahem. Miss Nan, what a coincidence.”
Nan Xiaoxiang looked up and saw Chen Yin standing at the edge of the pit, a smile on his face.
…Ch-Chen Yin?
Am I… still alive?
Was it all… an illusion?
Her lips trembled as she gasped for air, her heart pounding.
Chen Yin squatted down and looked down at her.
“What’s wrong, Miss Nan? You look terrified.”
“Did you… see a ghost?”
Nan Xiaoxiang gradually regained her composure. Although her face was still pale, her eyes were clear.
“…You tricked me.”
She raised an eyebrow, forcing her voice to remain calm.
Chen Yin immediately protested, “Hey, don’t accuse me of lying! When have I ever lied to you?”
“You said the left path was safe.”
“It is safe.”
“If it was dangerous, do you think you would still be alive?” Chen Yin spread his hands, feigning innocence.
Nan Xiaoxiang took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
She knew that Chen Yin had deliberately sent her down this path, knowing she was afraid of ghosts.
But she had no recourse.
And he was right. If he had sent her down a more dangerous path, she would probably be dead.
After calming herself down, Nan Xiaoxiang said softly, “Young Master Chen, since we’ve met again, I have a small request. Would you be willing to listen?”
Chen Yin grinned. “No.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s words died in her throat.
“Since you know it’s an unreasonable request, why even bother asking?”
He smiled mischievously. “Since you’re so determined to brave this secret realm alone, you must have prepared for the worst, right?”
“Then I wish you good luck~”
With that, Chen Yin turned to leave with Luo Luo and Qingying.
“Wait!”
Nan Xiaoxiang frowned, then said softly after a long hesitation:
“Young Master Chen, please help me.”
“Give me a reason.” Chen Yin narrowed his eyes, unmoved by her pitiful expression.
Nan Xiaoxiang bit her lip, her inner conflict evident.
Finally, she said softly, her voice strained, “What… do you want in return, Young Master Chen?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Chen Yin grinned. “You owe me one.”
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