Chapter Sixty-Nine: A Drink to Forget

"Why did you kill them?"

Mo Zhuo flipped over the wall and landed lightly, his black clothes fluttering as he gave me a wide grin, "I was just helping you cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. Aren't you impressed?"

I felt that something was definitely wrong with his mind. Avoiding his gaze, I sighed, "Do you realize they were from the Moon Shadow Sect? You killed your own comrades."

He raised an eyebrow, "I know. So what? Kuruo and Nian Ying. Despite all their years of cultivation, they couldn't withstand a single strike from my Exorcism Blade."

I was even more puzzled, "And yet you still killed them?"

He answered even more righteously, "They were too weak to be of any use. If they were still around when the other sects attacked, they might steal my credit. That would be a big loss for me."

What kind of logic is this?

"You… never mind. What did you just say about the blade, the Exorcism Blade?" I pointed to the sword in his hand, which emitted black smoke. "Exorcism?"

"Yes, a blade that drives out demons. What else would it be called?"

So that's what he meant. My head ached, and I held my forehead, not wanting to engage further with him.

"Hey, where are you going alone?"

"To find someone, find something, and find trouble."

"Take me with you."

"Don't follow me."

I thought I had clearly rejected him, and even someone as thick-headed as him should understand. But I underestimated him. He immediately took a big step and blocked my path.

Already in a foul mood and unwilling to waste more time, I cast a few spells, summoning vines and ice blades to attack him directly. This time, his reaction was surprisingly fast, and he used his sword skills to break my spells one by one.

Just as I was about to cast another spell, his sword already captured my wrist.

He smugly winked at me, "Did you really think I'd embarrass myself twice with the same spell?"

I kicked him.

"Annoying. If you're going to follow me, keep quiet."

He bent down to rub his leg, frowning and complaining, "Tch, that really hurts. It'll definitely swell."

I said irritably, "Serves you right. You brought it on yourself." I conjured a few pieces of ice and tossed them to him, "If it swells, just ice it."

"You're quite handy."

I clenched my fist, holding back my anger, and left the troublesome place without another word.

Turning around the alley, I returned to the inn. As soon as I entered, the innkeeper approached me with an apology, "I'm sorry, miss. Would you still like the mung bean soup? I'll bring you another bowl."

I took a few silver fragments from my sachet and tossed them to him. "Include the one I accidentally broke. Use the rest for wine."

"Right away."

Thinking about what Daxian said to Ling Lu, I couldn't help but ask, "Do you know where that gentleman and lady went?"

"Oh, the gentleman mentioned he was going to get some Seven-Colored Grass. The lady said it was quite far."

"And the lady?"

The innkeeper scratched his head, "She's resting upstairs, second room on the left. Do you know each other?"

I smiled, "Yes, I'd like to check on my friend. You can get back to work."

I sent the innkeeper away and went upstairs. In my palm, I conjured an ice lotus, releasing its fragrant scent. I made a small hole and fanned the scent inside.

"Nine Nether Cold Ice, birthing an ice lotus. Its fragrance is icy and intoxicating. Truly remarkable." A voice suddenly spoke behind me, startling me. I turned to see Mo Zhuo and sighed in relief.

"Aren't you drinking? Why are you following me?"

He crossed his arms, amused, "I wanted to see how an innocent little girl like you handles things. I can't even imagine it."

"Then take a good whiff of this ice lotus and see how I handle things." I waved the ice lotus in his face and pushed the door open.

Ling Lu lay quietly on the table, her white veil still clutched in her hand.

I cautiously approached and used a spell to lower her hand. I gently lifted the veil covering her face. "So ugly!" Mo Zhuo suddenly exclaimed behind me.

I turned and glared at him.

Hua Ying had refined some pills from snow lotus a few days ago and gave me a few. I took one from my sleeve and fed it to Ling Lu, channeling my spiritual power into the scars on her face.

After a long time, her skin became smoother and fairer, but the scars didn't fade at all.

I started to get puzzled. Logically, her facial injuries were caused by ordinary external forces. Even the spiritual medicine from the Qiong Yun Sect would have healed them within a few months. But instead, the scars on her face seemed to have worsened?

"Step aside, let me try," Mo Zhuo gently pushed me away and used a spell to examine the scars on her face. He then smiled knowingly.

"What's going on with the scars on her face?"

Mo Zhuo rubbed his chin, "Typically, if you used Moon Shadow Sect techniques to injure her, it would make sense that the scars wouldn't heal easily. But there's no trace of demonic energy in her wounds, which means you used various techniques without mastering any. So, there's only one possible explanation for these scars."

When I injured Ling Lu, I did indeed deliberately hold back, "How did you know I practice multiple techniques?" He sighed, "I could tell when we fought. You're terrible at hiding your abilities."

After he finished speaking, he dipped his hand in the water basin and rubbed Ling Lu's face. The hideous, bright red scars gradually disappeared, leaving only her fair, rosy complexion.

"Fake?" No wonder her scars never healed. It turned out she had applied them herself to garner sympathy and make Da Xian feel guilty.

Mo Zhuo pulled out a dagger from who-knows-where and started tracing it over Ling Lu's face, "This woman is so cunning. How about I give her some real scars?"

I waved my hand, "Forget it. I'm not interested."

"Oh? After all the trouble she's caused you, you're just going to let her go?"

"I don't want to waste my energy on irrelevant people. Come on, let's go downstairs. I'll buy you a drink." I grabbed the dagger from his hand and headed out.

I knew that adding real scars to Ling Lu's face would be meaningless and would only aid her schemes. For now, I had to endure and gather clues. When the truth was fully revealed, everything would be settled once and for all.

Downstairs, the table was already set with drinks. I grabbed a handful of wine jugs and headed outside, motioning for Mo Zhuo to bring the wine as well. We found a small alley with peach trees and started drinking.

Silently, we each drank our own wine. When our faces reddened and we were slightly tipsy, he spoke first, "I say, it's not even the season for peach blossoms. Why did you come out here instead of staying at the inn?"

I laughed, "Even though the peach blossoms aren't blooming, we have peach blossom wine. Isn't it more enjoyable to drink peach blossom wine under peach trees?"

He hiccuped, "Pretentious."

I took out my white jade flute and played a tune, "Clear Wind, Bright Moon." When I grew tired, I picked up the wine jug again.

The wine burned fiercely in my mouth, like a fire scorching my throat, sliding down to my stomach. Warmth crept up to my cheeks, and in a haze of drunkenness, I recited a few lines of poetry.

"Peach trees blooming, brilliant and radiant. This girl, in her wedding finery, brings joy to her new home."

He elbowed me and frowned, "Why are you reciting these pretentious poems? You're from an immortal cultivation sect, not a useless scholar. Playing tunes and reciting poetry, what's next? Unrequited love?"

I shivered, "Who's in unrequited love!"

"You."

"You are!"

"Heh heh, got you, didn't I? You are in unrequited love."

"No, you are! You are the one who's loveless! Loveless and unloved!"

"Hey, watch your words. Plenty of girls are after me..."

"If I say you're loveless, you are! Loveless! Loveless!"

"Alright, alright..."