“Oh no, I’m finished. I screwed up again. When I go back, that group of people will never let me hear the end of it.” The unkempt youth drooped his head down in dejection as he walked back to his stall.

Jun Wu Xie’s luck wasn’t very good, after scouring through the whole of Ghost City, she still could not find a suitable cultivation method for herself.

During this trip, she had not gained anything. All she had were those few gardening books and she even made a loss of three bottles of elixir.

It was late in the night and not a single soul could be seen.

On an empty street of the Imperial City, Jun Wu Xie and the little black cat were on their way back, the lonely silence of the night with the moonlight shining on them, elongating their shadows – only her footsteps could be heard. She walked back in resignation with her mind full of thoughts.

As they continued walking, the cold wind was howling loudly through the dark streets. As they turned at the corner of the street, with the veil of darkness shrouding it in its entirety, an outstretched arm reached out for her and pulled her into the darkness.

“Meow!” The cat called out shrilly.

Jun Wu Xie was drawn into a warm embrace as the man behind her hugged her from behind, gently pressing a finger over her lips with breath of warm breath beside her ear. A deep enigmatic voice hushed her.

“Shhh.” The black shadow directed it this time to the black furball.

The little black cat stiffened.

“Going out so deep into the night all alone is not a very good choice.” The deep voice said in a teasing voice as he breathed down her slender neck. She trembled slightly.

“Jun Wu Yao, let go of me!” Without turning back, Jun Wu Xie knew who it was right away.

This playful voice was ingrained deep within her.

“Hold still, its so cold at night. Look, your body is so cold,here, let me warm you up.” Under the veil of darkness, Jun Wu Yao smiled contentedly as he held her close and hugged her even tighter. He loved this feeling, so small and petite and her body was so soft.

“I’m not cold.” She retorted.

“Oh? I’m cold, you help me warm up then.” The chuckled as he leaned in further bending slightly, chin resting on her shoulder.

“Your are really not aware of your surroundings. You need to be more alert, you’ve been followed by other people for a whole night and yet did not notice.” His dark purple eyes narrowed. Her small stature coupled with her faint scent of herbs made it unbearable for him to let her go. She fitted perfectly in his arms.

“I thought you are not considered a person?” She replied calmly, never once had she thought that he was a normal person.

“I’m not referring to myself…” Jun Wu Yao raised his hands as he used two fingers and gently clasped her chin and turned her head to the direction of the street.

Along the deserted streets suddenly appeared a tall figure anxiously looking for something.

The moonlight shone on his face and his features were slightly revealed.

“Long Qi.” Jun Wu Xie immediately recognized that man.

“Lin Palace has so many guards, yet you ran out in the middle of the night, turning the whole palace into a state of frenzy. Once you stepped out of Lin Palace, the news already spread to Jun Xian.” Jun Wu Yao hugged her closely as he spoke to her in a playful yet soothing tone.

“Long Qi really knows how to show his gratitude, personally protecting you in the dark.” Jun Wu Yao scoffed as a dangerous glint flashed across his deep purple eyes.

All these years, Long Qi had been solely responsible for the care of Jun Qing, never meddling in any others of Lin Palace’s affairs. With Jun Wu Xie sneaking out at night, just having some of the elite shadow guards following her would have sufficed, there wasn’t a need to have Long Qi personally guarding her.

Her medicines seem pretty incredible, they have really won quite a number of people over!

Jun Wu Yao frowned slightly, not waiting for her to say anything, he turned her back, with one hand on her waist, the other hand clasping her jaw and lifted her face.

Under the moonlight, a face that could move countries was replaced by a plain ordinary face.

As Jun Wu Yao’s rough fingertips gently rubbed against her delicate lips, he gave a teasing and playful grin.

“Really ugly.” The foreign face with the different facial features staring back at him really made him want to wipe them away completely.

“Do not look then.” Jun Wu Xie frowned, she really could not understand what was on his mind.

He rarely stayed in Lin Palace, his presence was very elusive. He would sometimes surprise her by suddenly appearing, at times not a single trace could be found. As he had said before, he had no animosity with Lin Palace meant no harm to them. He only tampered slightly with their memories, when those people see him they will remember his identity. Or else, no one will think of him, if he’s not around Jun Xian and Jun Qing almost forgot his existence.

“I want to go back.” Jun Wu Xie voiced out rather abruptly, as she looked down at this hands, suggesting him to let go.

“Alright, let’s go back together.” Jun Wu Yao said as raised an eyebrow as he suddenly lifted her up and carried her like a princess.

“………………” Jun Wu Xie glared at him.

Jun Wu Yao paid no heed to her silent threat as he whisked her out, the little black cat following closely behind.

On the street, Long Qi was angry at himself for losing sight of Jun Wu Xie as he searched frantically. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Jun Wu Yao carrying Jun Wu Xie in his arms as they came out from a dark alley.

“Young Master, Miss.” He called out but he was secretly astonished that he could not sense the presence of his Young Master previously.

Without even giving a glance at Long Qi, Jun Wu Yao simply continued to carry Jun Wu Xie as they headed back to Lin Palace.

Long Qi silently followed behind them.

……………………….

The whole incident of Jun Wu Xie was simply ‘forgotten’. When the sun rose the next day, Jun Xian and Jun Qing did not bring the matter up as Long Qi still followed Jun Qing and tended to him as they carried on their daily routines.

As soon as Jun Wu Xie and the little black cat entered the pharmacy, little lotus was called out in a firm voice by the little black cat.

[You rascal, come out!]

A trembling little figure could be seen as it quickly sprawled into the ground on all fours with its head bowed down.

Jun Wu Xie had her arms folded across her chest, looking at that little figure with a cold glare.

Little lotus shook involuntarily.

The room was quiet.

After half an hour standoff, little lotus could no longer bear the suffocating pressure. He started to cry out, with his watery eyes looking pitifully looking at Jun Wu Xie.

“Do not leave me……. P..Please do not …*sniff*..se..send me back.” Little beads of precious tears came rolling off his cheeks. He quivered as he looked over at Jun Wu Xie. He knew that he had incurred the wrath from his master when it appeared on his own accord in Ghost City.

Jun Wu Xie narrowed her eyes as she gave him a piercing stare.

Little lotus small legs began to shiver again.

[When I said that you were useless, I didn’t think that you were that useless, even forcing Master to get these dilapidated gardening books. Tell me, what are we going to do with these musy old things?]

Little black cat jumped onto the table as one of its paws touched the pile of old books that were placed there as it looked menacingly at little lotus.