Originally, Qingmu wanted to stay a little longer at Liuweitang.
For example, before leaving, he hoped to sneak away some things: elixirs, formulas, tools, that kind of stuff.
But now, because of Nongli’s breach of agreement, he didn’t even get the chance to scout the place properly.
The arrival of the Ghost Sword Immortal would still take some time, but it was clear that Qin Feng couldn’t wait that long.
Fortunately, Qingmu had already established a good relationship with Qin Feng beforehand and thus learned of these developments.
Still, while packing up, Qingmu couldn’t help but wonder—had Qin Feng already discovered his little secret?
Was his frequent searching for him a warning, urging him to turn back before it was too late?
Sigh, there was no time to dwell on these thoughts. Did he even have a chance to turn back anymore?
Simulation, simulation was the most important thing!
Seeing Nongli’s injuries almost healed and the future with a second tail growing right before his eyes, how could he simply back down now?
In the simulation, his own life wasn’t that important.
In the afternoon, Qingmu continued as usual with refining elixirs and deliveries. After eating, as night deepened, he and Nongli quietly slipped out of the courtyard.
Before leaving, he made a point to inquire who was on night patrol today, hoping to gauge whether the patrol was slack or diligent.
Unfortunately, ever since the previous head of Liuweitang was bitten to death by a fox demon, the number of night patrols had increased dramatically.
Qingmu had no choice but to move slowly along the base of the wall under the cover of darkness.
In his heart, he longed desperately for a low wall somewhere, a place he could escape with Nongli and vanish without a trace.
He carried only simple belongings, and aside from the essentials, he secretly took a few elixirs with him.
These elixirs weren’t for Nongli’s consumption—they were to be used as travel funds once they ran away.
Though he often grumbled about how bad Liuweitang was, he immediately thought of the inevitable period of hardship he would face once he left.
“Did you hear what I just said?”
Taking a few steps out of the courtyard, Qingmu stopped and spoke to Nongli nestled in his arms.
Nongli, in her fox form, nodded before climbing out and disappearing into the darkness.
They had to separate before running; if caught together, they would be captured all at once.
Qingmu continued to sneak through the night, hindered by the numerous patrols slowing him down.
Fortunately, though the fox demon caused trouble, there had been no recent incidents, and the patrols weren’t as strict as Qingmu had imagined.
Crossing Liuweitang usually took about two incense sticks’ time, but he had spent an entire hour inching toward his destination.
There was a low wall here. Qingmu glanced around, then struggled to climb over it, his still-healing back wound making him grit his teeth in pain.
Jumping out of Liuweitang, he saw the bamboo grove on the rear mountain and felt a surge of joy.
Looking left and right, just as he was about to call for Nongli, he heard a voice beside him:
“Brother Qingmu, where are you going so late?”
It was Qin Feng’s voice. Qingmu’s heart sank upon hearing it.
“Brother Qin Feng? Didn’t expect you to be on patrol tonight as well.”
Qingmu turned his head and stammered.
The moon was bright tonight, and Qingmu vaguely caught the gleam of cold light flashing from the sword at Qin Feng’s waist.
Qingmu neither forced himself to stay calm nor panicked overly—just wore the kind of nervousness one would have when caught trying to escape.
“Where are you going?”
Qin Feng’s tone was calm.
“Sigh… I don’t want to stay at Liuweitang anymore. Brother Qin Feng, you saw for yourself—the headmaster spoke to me today, saying many things I couldn’t accept. When I think of spending my future here like that, it’s really…”
Qingmu then recounted some of the grievances and inconveniences he had faced. Qin Feng nodded, then said simply, “Sigh, it seems Brother Qingmu doesn’t consider me a friend after all—you didn’t tell me you were leaving?”
“Uh… I know my worth. I’m just an incompetent person who hasn’t even reached the threshold of the Immortal Path.”
Qingmu scratched his stubble, full of self-mockery.
“No, I don’t believe you are such a self-deprecating person.”
Qin Feng suddenly shook his head, denying Qingmu’s words.
“Then what kind of person do you think I am?”
Qingmu smiled, not understanding Qin Feng’s meaning.
“Brother Qingmu, you’re a good person.”
“A good person? How good?”
“You saved my disciple when he had diarrhea—that’s good.”
“You live at Liuweitang every day, so we are neighbors. A neighbor is closer than distant relatives, so we are even closer than family.”
“So, by that logic, Brother Qingmu is family to the fox demon as well? Very good indeed!”
Qingmu was suddenly choked by this statement. Just as he wanted to speak, Qin Feng suddenly pulled out a golden-eared white fox, its throat gripped tightly.
Seeing this, Qingmu thought to himself, “It’s over!”
Actually, this afternoon, Qingmu had deliberately acted suspiciously in front of Qin Feng to raise his doubts, hoping Qin Feng would come looking for him and thus give Nongli the chance to escape.
Unexpectedly, Qin Feng had caught Nongli first!
“Brother Qingmu, why are you silent? After what you just said, I guess I’m family to this fox too?”
“Give her to me.”
Qingmu reached out, pointing at Nongli, who was struggling desperately in Qin Feng’s hands.
At the same time, he was curious.
How is it that this fox ate so many elixirs and ended up just in the dog’s belly?
How could she lose a one-on-one fight with Qin Feng?
He wasn’t that formidable a cultivator after all!
“Give her to you? Brother Qingmu, you’re being unrealistic. I’m here to catch you.
But in consideration of our old friendship, I’m willing to hear your explanation of your relationship with the fox demon. If you can explain it away, I’m willing to let you off.”
Qin Feng’s words carried great magnanimity, but without Nongli, what purpose did Qingmu’s existence in this simulation world serve?
“I live and die with Nongli.”
Qingmu answered without hesitation.
Hearing this, Qin Feng’s brow furrowed deeply, staring at the fox in his hand with anger and helplessness.
“I think you’re really bewitched by this fox demon.”
“But do you think this fox demon has any bewitching methods?”
Qingmu shook his head. “Could it be that you approached me initially because you knew the fox demon was by my side?”
“No. I first befriended Brother Qingmu out of a genuine desire for friendship—no schemes. If I had any, I would have acted long ago.”
Qin Feng denied it.
“Can’t you return her to me?”
Qingmu made one last attempt, stepping forward and reaching out his hand.
“Brother Qingmu, please don’t make things difficult for me. The matter of the fox demon doesn’t lie with me, but with the Ghost Sword Immortal.
Whether you stay or leave, I won’t tell anyone about your relationship with the fox demon.”
This was Qin Feng’s compromise to Qingmu. He sighed, took out a bag of spirit stones from his waist, and threw it on the ground, mumbling, “If you leave, take these as your travel funds. It won’t be for nothing that we met.”
“This…”
Qingmu hesitated, looking at Nongli. She looked pitiful in Qin Feng’s hands, mouth open trying to make a sound, but only managing a choking “ka ka” noise.
“Fine!”
After much thought, Qingmu picked up the bag of spirit stones and weighed it in his hand. Qin Feng closed his eyes and sighed in relief.
“Bang!”
The next moment, Qin Feng felt a sharp pain in his face as Qingmu slammed the bag of spirit stones directly onto him.
“Looking for death!”
Qin Feng roared in anger.