Chapter 260 Thanking Myself
"But...but I..." Mu Jianjian's mind was in turmoil, and she didn't know what to say.
Is it true that she wasn't originally from this world, and that she'll be sent back to her original world after completing the mission?
She started as an observer, but now she's already involved. Her feelings have taken hold, and she can't control them.
"System, if... if this mission is successfully completed, will I definitely be sent back to my original world?"
"We don't know yet, host," the system's childlike voice paused, then continued, "because before you arrived, no one had ever been able to complete this task."
Correspondingly, they naturally wouldn't know if there was any room for maneuver.
"Jianjian, I'll give you time. Don't rush to give me an answer." A layer of dark mist shrouded Chi Wenqing's gentle black eyes, like a dragon sinking into an abyss.
No matter what Jianjian's answer is, she will always belong to him alone.
Mu Jianjian blushed as she looked at the handsome face that was getting closer. She subconsciously covered her chest with her hands and tried to back away, but the other person suddenly stopped when he got close, and his deep, magnetic voice lingered in her ear.
"Now, Jianjian, can you tell me who Tang Ruan is to you?" The murderous intent in Chi Wenqing's eyes vanished in an instant. "The name that Jianjian softly calls out in her sleep must be very important to her, right?"
Mu Jianjian swallowed hard, sensing something was off about the man's demeanor. "He's my friend... a woman!"
"Hmm?" Chi Wenqing tilted her head slightly, her black hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall, exuding an alluring charm. She was clearly dissatisfied with the other party's perfunctory answer.
Mu Jianjian now understands the meaning of "beauty as a painting" and suddenly feels that King You of Zhou, who played with the feudal lords by lighting the beacon fires, was not without reason.
She looked away. "She's a friend from a long time ago. She helped me a lot when I was going through a tough time. I... haven't seen her in a long time. I miss her a lot."
Through the girl's ethereal eyes, Chi Wenqing sensed the deep longing she felt for the woman named "Tang Ruan."
Mu Jianjian realized she had spoken out of turn. After all, the original owner was a noble young lady, and what "bad times" had she ever had?
However, having survived such a disaster, she no longer had any intention of hiding anything. She just wanted to say everything on her mind. Being by her senior brother's side always gave her a sense of security. "Most importantly, I have no idea how she is doing... People from two different worlds, this is the greatest distance between them."
After Mu Jianjian's emotions gradually stabilized, she learned from the other party about the reactions of the others after she disappeared from the Yingzhou Demon Palace, and she also met Qu You, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
When the other party saw her again, she looked much more haggard than when they said goodbye. Perhaps it was because she was too tired from the affairs of the upper realm, or perhaps it was because she had been tricked and suffered because of her negligence.
"Senior Brother Qu, there's no need to apologize to me. This was my own choice," Mu Jianjian said calmly, her voice cool yet gentle. "If I had to choose again, I would still go."
Hiding behind others is never the path that Mu Jianjian should choose.
“You—” Qu You hesitated, but was more composed than before, “In any case, this is something I owe you, and you don’t need to feel indebted.”
As the man turned to leave after speaking, Mu Jianjian suddenly spoke up, "The Illusionary Butterfly originated from the Pupil Transformation Technique, but the Illusionary Butterfly is ultimately just an illusion. How can true energy make the Illusionary Butterfly real?"
Qu You seemed to have thought of something, and his figure instantly stiffened. He turned around abruptly and moved in front of Mu Jianjian, "Did you see something? Or did you encounter something?"
Previously, his junior sister had never mentioned the secret technique of transforming the illusory butterfly into reality. But now that she has reappeared after disappearing, not only has her cultivation improved a lot, but why is she suddenly asking about this?
You should know that... even ten thousand years ago, only one person could actually transform the illusionary butterfly into reality.
“Very beautiful, very pretty,” Mu Jianjian smiled gently, her gaze lingering with nostalgia, “I have never seen such a beautiful woman.”
And it's still so powerful.
Qu You instantly understood. His hands, which had been supporting the girl's shoulders, suddenly dropped, and his hair fell loosely to his sides due to the movement. "Yes... she is indeed the most beautiful."
"Did she say anything to you?" Qu You murmured, then suddenly looked up at Mu Jianjian, startling her. "She has mastered the Pupil Transformation Technique to its extreme. After seeing your origins, she must have said something to me, right?"
A powerful, somewhat agitated voice filled the entire hall, causing people to tremble and feel fear, yet it was also filled with uncertainty, hesitation, and sorrow.
Mu Jianjian stared at Qu You's infatuated appearance and slowly shook her head. "The situation was urgent at the time, with a great battle imminent. My master didn't have time to say much to me."
"No?" Qu You stopped talking, frowning as he asked again. Receiving another negative answer, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. "How could she not have time? She's just angry with me and doesn't want anything to do with me anymore..."
The hoarse, bitter laugh seemed to penetrate one's chest, immersing them in a feeling of despair and anguish.
Mu Jianjian was unaware of their past and didn't know how to speak for a moment. She could only watch as the man dragged his heavy steps and slowly left the palace.
——
About three days later, Mu Jianjian's wounds gradually healed. During this time, although she was living in Duyunfang, she did not hear any news about the outside world, except for Wan Xing who came to visit her. It was like a warm greenhouse with no air.
A long-awaited peace was restored, yet it felt like the calm before the storm.
“The people of the Upper Realm were already on guard after the previous Demon Palace banquet. If you cause such a ruckus, won’t they be even more wary of you?” Mu Jianjian held a fresh flower that had just been picked from the ground and stared at the plump, translucent water droplets on it, lost in thought.
“Ten thousand years ago, the Celestial Palace ruled a region. Now, the forces in the Upper Realm are vast and complex, and the Celestial Palace can no longer call the shots. If they want to make a sound, they should be prepared to be watched.” Chi Wenqing picked up a white porcelain bowl and took a sip of tea.
Mu Jianjian nodded thoughtfully. She frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "If you want to go to the Upper Realm, then go."
She had already guessed this news from Wan Xing and Qu You's probing, and since her senior brother hadn't spoken for a long time, she would bring it up herself.
Since Senior Brother is the Little Prince, he will eventually return to his own place. Besides, the grudges between him and the lower realm have been settled, so there is no need for him to stay here.
"Will Jianjian come with me?" Chi Wenqing's eyes darkened.
“I still have things to do here,” Mu Jianjian said seriously. She turned to look at the man. “The difference in cultivation between the upper and lower realms is too great. If I were to go to the upper realm with you now, I’m afraid I would only become a burden to you.”
She wouldn't allow herself to become a burden.
Rather than relying on my senior brother to protect me at every turn, I should first strengthen myself in the lower realm and gain the strength to enter the upper realm before going there to fight alongside him.
Moreover... she still has unresolved matters in the lower realm.
“You have never been a burden to me, Jianjian.” Chi Wenqing’s expression turned cold.
“But the Upper Realm is so vast, there will always be times when you are not by my side. If you are captured by someone else at that time, it will not be so easy to resolve,” Mu Jianjian stretched out her hands and held the other’s hands, and smiled. “I don’t want to be a burden to you, Your Highness.”
"And another thing," she added before the other person could speak, "you're not allowed to lock me up like you did back in the Demon Palace of Yingzhou! No way!"
Chi Wenqing looked at the girl in his arms with her pouting lips and said in a doting voice, "Okay."
Let everything be as his tip suggests.
It's always the same. She faces danger alone with incredible strength, but after escaping, she never mentions what happened before, not wanting those who care about her to worry. But it's precisely because of this that she is the most heartbreaking.
After arriving at Duyunfang with only fragmented information, he saw the hairpin he had once given to Jianjian. How could he not know that Jianjian was now in danger and being coveted by a man who didn't know her own mortality?
But because of the information gap, I was always a little late...
Holding the woman in his arms, Chi Wenqing recalled these events, and an overwhelming, uncontrollable killing intent surged within him.
Baili Mochen... someone who worked with Sang Wanyue in his previous life, seems to have extremely high talent and some connection with a certain family in the Upper Realm?
No matter how powerful he is, we'll kill him after we've cleaned up this mess at Duyunfang.
Chi Wenqing moistened his eyes and gently whispered in the girl's ear, "Jianjian, if you like flowers, I will pick fresh flowers for you every day from now on."
Looking at the girl's suddenly blushing cheeks, the smile on his lips deepened.
He needs to act even gentler on the surface so that Jianjian won't be unable to leave him; otherwise, if Jianjian leaves, he might do something bad and things will go wrong.
These thoughts... must not be known to Jianjian.
——
“You’re really generous,” Wan Xing said, holding a fragrant cake in his hand and walking through the bustling neighborhood, listening to the endless shouts of vendors. “If I were you, I would have gone to the upper realm to enjoy the good life long ago.”
Since spending more time with Mu Yuanyuan, she found herself increasingly fond of sweets, even neglecting her makeup and dressing up because of it.
"Whether it's the upper realm or the lower realm, there's no such thing as enjoying happiness." Mu Jianjian shook the candied hawthorn in her hand, speechless at the words of the person next to her.
The upper realm is probably even more dangerous than it is now.
After Chi Wenqing instructed her on some matters, he left Duyunfang with Qu Youwen and headed to Tongtiandao. She and Wan Xing left the neighborhood and came to the street to leave. Along the way, they did not see anyone, including Baili Mochen, who had not been heard from for a long time.
Wan Xing was planning to find the scumbag who betrayed her in the caravan. Mu Jianjian agreed to go to the battlefield with her after her heartfelt plea, and then return to the Xuan Shuang Sect to find Sang Wanyue.
I've already sent a jade slip back through someone, but I don't know when Yueyue will receive the message...
Ye Xuanzhi promised to go to the Upper Realm and then return, but so far there has been no definite news. I wonder if something has happened.
“With Shaojun protecting you, what are you afraid of?” Wan Xing clicked his tongue. “I really don’t understand you.”
Although she had been living in the clan in the Xuan Tian Secret Realm since birth, she had heard that the spiritual energy in the upper realm was abundant, immortals used demonic beasts as mounts, and magical artifacts and treasures were everywhere. Everyone would yearn for such a fairyland, so there was no room for her to think about anything else.
Mu Jianjian put aside her doubts and was about to give the little girl beside her a good talking-to when a voice sounded from behind her.
"Miss Mu!" A young voice rang out from the noisy crowd. Although it was hard to hear clearly, the general address was understood.
Mu Jianjian stopped and looked back, where she saw a young man squeezing through the crowd.
"Xiao Cheng?" She raised an eyebrow in surprise, not expecting to run into him here.
"Miss Mu, I recognized you from afar and called out, I didn't expect it to really be you!" Lu Shaocheng tried hard to control his excitement, but joy still showed in his eyes. "Long time no see, Miss Mu, where are you going? I'm familiar with this place."
Wan Xing raised an eyebrow at the newcomer. The other person's robes were clean, but the fabric was not of high quality. He was thin and weak, clearly having been starved for a long time. But these were not the most important things. The most important thing was that this person had no cultivation at all!
How did Yuanyuan and he meet?
"Long time no see," Mu Jianjian greeted with a smile. "Do you know where the caravans that used to come to the Red Mansion auction went? My friend and I want to go with the caravans to make a few transactions."
She had no hope for Lu Shaocheng, who had just come out of the sand dunes, when she asked him this question, but to her surprise, he actually answered, "I heard that the caravan heard that the head of Duyunfang had been replaced, so they left Duyunfang and headed south."
south?
South of Duyunfang lies either the Xuanshuang Sect or the Hehuan Palace.
What a coincidence.
"Thank you. If it weren't for your news, we probably would have been searching for a long time," Mu Jianjian recalled the previous events. "How is Fang Lanrong now?"
“She’s doing well,” Lu Shaocheng said, his tone now devoid of the rejection and disgust he once felt. “Fang Lanrong used the spirit stones you gave her to buy a small shop. Now that women can go out on the street, she opened a craft shop, and she’s making enough to live on.”
"That's great..." Mu Jianjian's smile became more genuine. "Then my friend and I will be going now—"
"Are you in such a hurry to leave?" Lu Shaocheng reached out to stop them, but then withdrew his hand. "Why don't you come and visit Fang Lanrong's shop? And our boss, he said he's been owing you an apology, and we're all very grateful to you..."
“I’m sorry, we’re not from here. We’re leaving Duyunfang soon, so we won’t stay with you for long,” Mu Jianjian paused and continued, “No need to thank me. What I did was all for myself. You should thank yourselves more.”
Wan Xing listened to the conversation between the two, and looking at the genuine gratitude and admiration in the boy's eyes, she sighed inwardly.
The same thing happened in the Wood Spirit Clan. Although we don't know what Yuanyuan went through, she genuinely always tried her best to help those she knew...
Including her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
