Chapter Forty: Decision

Now I finally understand what it means to miss someone dearly. One day feels like a season apart, and ten days felt like thirty seasons. The duration was so long that I momentarily forgot why we were separated in the first place. Unable to contain the joy of our reunion, I ran towards him, but then hesitated, unsure of what to do. Awkwardly, I withdrew my hand that had been reaching out, and after some deliberation, I bowed my head and asked, "How is Sister Linglu's face?"

He gently took my hand and rubbed it softly, his eyes sparkling with a warmth that was as gentle as ever. "You don't need to worry. Linglu is fine now. I know her well; she won't mind the scars on her face."

"Is there really a scar?" I pulled my hand back, feeling a bit worried. But then I remembered that Linglu had framed me herself, so why should I be concerned? Resolutely, I slipped my hand back into the Immortal's palm and looked at him with determination. "I didn't do it! Immortal, don't you believe me?"

"I believe you," he replied firmly, holding my hand again. "This time, I won't leave your side."

"Then why didn't you come for me earlier?" I questioned, clasping his hand tightly. "Have you been secretly following me, waiting to help when I'm in danger? Was it you who killed the Red Ming Beast?"

"It's not my fault. The White Jade Flute you have can sense danger and always stirs my Han Yue Xiao to respond." So the Immortal had already equipped me with a non-human danger detection device.

"Uncle Que." Luo Xi walked over hurriedly, glancing at Yier by the statue. He bowed respectfully to the Immortal. "Please, save Yier."

The Immortal nodded slightly and approached the statue, using his powers to examine Yier. His brows furrowed briefly, but soon relaxed as he smiled faintly. "Her body is fine. When I checked her injuries, I detected a strong spiritual power protecting her. She must have prepared herself before being attacked by the Moon Shadow Sect leader."

"Moon Shadow Sect leader?" Luo Xi and I exclaimed in unison, both stunned.

Though I had suspected that the man was some elite of the Moon Shadow Sect, I never imagined that the frivolous-looking guy was actually the leader.

I clicked my tongue. "It seems that being a disciple of Xinghuo Hall and the leader of the Moon Shadow Sect are the least valued and most arbitrary professions nowadays."

The Immortal raised an eyebrow and looked at me, puzzled. "Hmm? Why do you say that? The Moon Shadow Sect leader has countless disciples and has tamed thousands of demons. His power must be unfathomable to command such loyalty."

"An ancient demon," Luo Xi muttered.

"Hmm… The Moon Shadow Sect leader is human," the Immortal clarified.

I quickly retorted, "Then he's a human demon."

If he's already this terrifying as a human, imagine how much more horrifying he'd be after a few hundred more years of cultivation. He'd be a thousand times more terrifying as a human demon. This reasoning is flawless.

I asked, "By the way, Immortal, if Yier managed to fend off the Moon Shadow Sect leader's attack, why is she still unconscious?"

The Immortal sighed and explained seriously, "Though the power within her protected her, using that power exhausted her. She's temporarily unconscious but will recover after resting for half a day."

"Speaking of which, most of our troubles have been caused by that Lingyun. Not only did he harm Luyin and Lian Mu, but he also spread rumors that Brother Luo Xi was the demon behind the Luoyang massacre." Clenching my fists in anger, I continued, "We need to settle the score with him."

The Immortal nodded. "Then let's go find him and make him pay."

The Immortal seemed unsurprised by any of this. Could it be that he knew every move we made over the past ten days? It made sense; if he could sense the Red Ming Beast immediately, he could surely spy on other matters if he wanted to… No, I shouldn't think of the Immortal that way.

I shook my head vigorously to clear my thoughts.

At this point, Brother Luo Xi suggested, "Staying here isn't a solution. Why don't we move somewhere else to rest?"

"Let's go back to the inn."

"But Lingyun has already spread the rumors. Returning to the inn now would be walking into a trap," Brother Luo Xi's concern was valid.

"Don't worry," the Immortal said calmly, looking at Brother Luo Xi. "I'll go with you. With my testimony, those cultivators won't easily believe any baseless rumors. We'll stay for one night, and then head to Lingyun Temple the next morning."

"Then let's let Yier rest well for the night and go to Lingyun Temple tomorrow. What do you think, Brother?" I also thought this plan was good.

Brother Luo Xi nodded. "Alright, I'll carry Yier. Qingyue, you and Uncle Que go ahead. I'll catch up in a bit." He seemed to have some unfinished business.

"Let's go then." I tugged at the Immortal's sleeve, and we set off. After walking a few miles, Brother Luo Xi caught up. The surrounding autumn flowers were in full bloom, so we strolled leisurely, enjoying the wild scenery.

I took out the White Jade Flute and fiddled with it for a while, but I couldn't figure anything out. "Is this flute really that magical?" I shook it vigorously, and when nothing happened, I felt a bit disappointed. "Where's the danger detection? This flute can't even sense the danger of being dropped and broken."

The Immortal couldn't help but laugh. He took out the Han Yue Xiao and lightly tapped my arm with it. The White Jade Flute immediately emitted a white glow, causing the Han Yue Xiao in his hand to shine with a pale blue light.

"Wow!" I exclaimed, marveling at the magical sight. I took the Han Yue Xiao from the Immortal and compared it with the White Jade Flute, muttering, "White Jade Flute, Han Yue Xiao, Han Yue Xiao, White Jade Flute…"

Han Yue Xiao…?

"Wait, why does your xiao have such a beautiful name while my flute is just called the White Jade Flute? It's so plain," I said, feeling a bit indignant.

The Immortal smiled and stopped to turn around. "Why don't you give your flute a name? How about Qingque?"

"Qingque? No, no, this flute is made of white jade. Calling it Qingque is not appropriate."

The Immortal explained, "It's not Qingque as in 'blue bird,' but Qing for 'clear' and Que for 'palace.'"

"Qingque… Doesn't that sound like a medical term? Immortal, naming it that isn't very auspicious." Wait, Qingque? Hold on, isn't that… the combination of the Immortal's and my names…

"Hmm? I don't see anything wrong with it," the Immortal said with a smile, his expression unchanged.

"Are you teasing me, Immortal? I'm not talking to you." Despite my words, my heart was pounding. I quickly ran a few steps ahead, ignoring any more strange name suggestions from him.