Chapter 45 Night Market

This illusion is getting more and more interesting.

Su Meichuan was humiliated, and Jun Xiangbei unconsciously protected and indulged her... Everything developed in a direction that was even more interesting than he had imagined.

As dusk falls, the lights of Tian Shu City come on, and the night market opens, becoming even more bustling and lively than during the day.

Various stalls sell elixirs, talismans, spiritual plants, magical artifacts, and even some strange and unusual items.

Jun Xiangbei didn't like the noise, but when he saw Gu Yunqing's eyes, which were shining even brighter under the lights, filled with "I want to go and see," he swallowed back the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue.

He simply told her to "stay close" before leading Gu Yunqing into the bustling crowd.

On the surface, Gu Yunqing seemed curious about everything, looking around and touching things, but in reality, she was calmly observing her surroundings.

He sensed that Qiu Zangxue was nearby.

Sure enough, when he stopped in front of a stall selling rare minerals, a faint but extremely oppressive aura emanated from behind him.

This aura... Gu Yunqing's heart stirred, but she subconsciously revealed a hint of unease on her face and moved closer to Jun Xiangbei.

The crowd parted automatically to make way. A figure strolled over unhurriedly.

The newcomer was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit that accentuated his muscular physique.

His black hair was tied up high, his face was cold and stern, and his pair of scarlet eyes were as if they were soaked in blood, his gaze filled with undisguised ferocity and scrutiny.

He wore two curved swords at his waist, their scabbards dark and dull, as if they had drunk countless cups of blood.

It was one of Gu Yunqing's aliases—Qiu Zangxue!

Of course, Qiu Zangxue is also being managed by the system at this moment, playing a role in the illusion, a rising star of the demonic sect with a notorious reputation.

However, perhaps due to the deep connection with Gu Yunqing's original body, the behavior of Qiu Zangxue, who is managed by the system, is subtly influenced by Gu Yunqing's current state of mind, making her appear more... aggressive and unpredictable.

Qiu Zangxue's gaze swept across the stalls and finally settled on Gu Yunqing, who was "timidly" hiding behind Jun Xiangbei.

A faint hint of interest flashed in those scarlet eyes.

He stopped a few steps away and stared at Gu Yunqing without any attempt to hide his gaze. His eyes were so intense, like those of someone assessing prey.

"From the Sword Sect?" Qiu Zangxue asked, his voice low and hoarse, with a metallic quality, his tone not polite, even a bit provocative.

"He does have a pitiful and handsome appearance." He said this to Gu Yunqing, but his gaze swept over Jun Xiangbei, who was protecting him, with a casual and probing look.

Gu Yunqing knew perfectly well that this scoundrel was one of his own, but he put on a perfect act on the surface.

He seemed to be frightened by Qiu Zangxue's undisguised gaze and murderous aura. His body trembled almost imperceptibly, and his hands instinctively gripped the fabric of Jun Xiangbei's back tightly. He buried his face even lower, revealing only a small section of his fair nape, so fragile that it seemed as if it would break at the slightest touch.

When Gu Yunqing saw this scene in her live stream, she felt horrified:

"Holy crap, Qiu Zangxue, didn't he lose his memory? Why does he seem even more menacing in the dungeon?"

"This red-eyed lunatic... I feel suffocated even through the screen."

"The way he looked at Gu Yunqing was a bit off."

"Gu Yunqing, run! This is a true killing machine. Who knows if amnesia will make him even more murderous?"

"Why did he run away? Aren't he and Gu Yunqing in the same guild?"

"That Su Meiren and Jun Shen are from the same guild, and she was still mocked by Jun Shen just now."

Almost the instant Qiu Zangxue's gaze locked onto Gu Yunqing, Jun Xiangbei's aura suddenly turned icy and sharp.

He had only instinctively shielded Gu Yunqing behind him, but now his entire demeanor had changed.

Like a sharp sword suddenly drawn from its sheath, the chilling sword intent swept towards Qiu Zangxue without any mercy, forcibly forcing back his pervasive murderous aura!

The surrounding air seemed to freeze.

The passing cultivators sensed the collision of these two completely different yet equally terrifying auras, and their expressions changed drastically. They hurriedly detoured, not daring to approach.

Jun Xiangbei completely shielded Gu Yunqing behind him, blocking Qiu Zangxue's view.

He raised his eyes, those usually cold and aloof gazes now sharp as ice picks, piercing straight at Qiu Zangxue, his voice colder than ten thousand years of ice:

"Stay away from him."

There were no unnecessary words, just these four simple words, yet they carried an undeniable warning and... an almost instinctive hostility.

This was the first time Jun Xiangbei had shown such obvious emotional fluctuations towards a stranger since entering the illusion, even more so than when he was with Su Meichuan.

All of this was because Qiu Zangxue said that Gu Yunqing had a pitiful and handsome appearance.

Qiu Zangxue narrowed his crimson eyes. Instead of backing down from Jun Xiangbei's hostility, he seemed to be even more interested.

He licked his dry lips, and his hand unconsciously went to the hilt of the knife.

"Oh?" Qiu Zangxue drawled, her gaze trying to bypass Jun Xiangbei and land on Gu Yunqing behind him again.

"I just think this little guy... is kind of interesting. When did the Sword Sect start taking in these kinds of... hmm?"

Qiu Zangxue's words were not finished, but the contempt and a certain inexplicable covetousness in them were obvious.

Jun Xiangbei's sword intent intensified, and his fingers gripping the hilt tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white.

The surrounding temperature seemed to have dropped a few degrees.

“It’s none of your business.” Jun Xiangbei’s voice was almost squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a suppressed anger.

He even took half a step forward, protecting Gu Yunqing even more tightly, as if his long sword would be drawn immediately if Qiu Zangxue dared to say another word.

Hiding behind Jun Xiangbei's solid and reliable back, Gu Yunqing felt his taut muscles and surging sword intent, and a strange emotion arose in her heart.

He could clearly feel the tension in Jun Xiangbei's body, a state of being on high alert, and all of this was to protect him.

This feeling of being wholeheartedly protected left Gu Yunqing speechless for once. For some reason, a thought arose in his mind.

Unfortunately, it was you who headed north.

Of course, while enjoying the show and the protection, he didn't forget to "add fuel to the fire."

Gu Yunqing let out a very soft, tearful sob at the opportune moment, tightening her grip on Jun Xiangbei's clothes, and whimpered softly, "Master... I'm scared..."

That trembling "Master" completely ignited the flame of "protecting one's own" in Jun Xiangbei's heart.

Jun Xiangbei stopped arguing with Qiu Zangxue, drew his sword, casually twirled it, and his sword aura surged around him, causing his robes to flutter without wind, giving the impression that he was ready to fight at any moment.

Looking at Jun Xiangbei's completely protective posture, Qiu Zangxue glanced at the trembling little figure behind him, and a glint of unfathomable light flashed in her scarlet eyes.

He seemed bored, or perhaps he was worried about something. In the end, he just gave a low, ambiguous laugh, a laugh that was hoarse and cold.

“Heh… Interesting.” Qiu Zangxue gave Jun Xiangbei a deep look… or rather, she was trying to look at Gu Yunqing behind him.

Without another word, he turned around, his murderous aura still lingering, and disappeared into the crowd.

The suffocating sense of oppression then dissipated.

Only after Qiu Zangxue's figure completely disappeared did Jun Xiangbei's sharp sword intent slowly subside.

But he didn't relax immediately. Instead, he turned to the side and looked down at Gu Yunqing, who was hiding behind him.

Jun Xiangbei's gaze, tinged with a tension he himself was unaware of, quickly scanned Gu Yunqing from head to toe. His voice, compared to its usual cool tone, carried a noticeable, almost imperceptible tension.

Are you scared?

Gu Yunqing raised her deliberately flushed face, shook her head, and said in a weak voice, "No, no... Master, that person just now... was so scary..."

As he spoke, he patted his chest with lingering fear, his look of being shaken and completely dependent on Jun Xiangbei pleasing the latter who had just experienced a silent confrontation.

Seeing that his "disciple" was safe and sound, only slightly frightened, Jun Xiangbei finally relaxed.

He raised his hand, seemingly wanting to pat Gu Yunqing's back to comfort her, but halfway through the movement, he felt it was inappropriate.

In the end, she simply patted his shoulder gently, with a reassuring tone.

"It's good that nothing happened." Jun Xiangbei's voice regained its usual coldness. "People from the Demonic Sect act eccentrically. If you encounter them in the future, just avoid them."

Gu Yunqing nodded obediently, but inwardly she was overjoyed.

Avoid it? That's my disguise, Master.

However, Gu Yunqing looked at Jun Xiangbei's profile, which had regained its composure but still carried a trace of lingering coldness, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

Jun Xiangbei has probably awakened the "emotions" in the original work and knows what joy, anger, sorrow and happiness are.

Right now, Jun Xiangbei is very protective of himself. I wonder what will happen after he leaves the instance?

Perhaps he could make good use of this to ensure that Jun Xiangbei's feelings for him remain unchanged after the dungeon ends.

After all, his alternate identity, Midnight System, needs Jun Xiangbei, or rather, Jun Xiangbei's "vision," to improve his own abilities.

“Master,” Gu Yunqing tugged at Jun Xiangbei’s sleeve, looking up with pure eyes, “Shall we go back? This disciple is a little tired.”

He needed some time alone to properly "reminisce" about the wonderful scene that had just happened.

And then they would plan how to better "make use" of their increasingly protective and innocent master.

Looking at his dependent yet somewhat tired appearance, Jun Xiangbei felt a surge of warmth and nodded, "Okay."

He didn't linger and left the still bustling night market with Gu Yunqing.

As the lights dimmed, the two figures gradually disappeared into the distance. They appeared to be master and disciple, but the undercurrents between them had long since transcended the boundaries of master and disciple.

All of this was silently observed by "Qiu Zangxue," who was hiding in the shadows.