Chapter 72: Heading Into the Trap

In certain parts of Benji City, some special constructions were underway in full swing.

These were traps and magical arrays, specially prepared for the arrival of the Shadow Sword Immortal.

Benji spent some time in the mornings supervising, and the rest of the time was with Nongli.

He needed to study more with Nongli, especially the special training for the Shadow Sword Immortal.

First, Nongli had to admit that she had a natural fear of Lin Qiyou, the ruthless bastard.

She couldn’t understand it—back when she was still a little fox, she had nearly been obliterated by one of Lin Qiyou’s pouches of alchemical pills.

The legendary fox lover Lin Qiyou truly frightened foxes.

Secondly, Benji seemed to harbor a strong sense of caution toward Lin Qiyou as well.

Why was that?

Was Lin Qiyou really that powerful?

There were rumors that when Lin Qiyou faced the Lin family and killed her own father, she had been injured and her spiritual veins damaged—maybe she wasn’t that formidable after all?

So was all this just an overreaction?

Still, they had to take this seriously and not underestimate her.

So, Nongli and Benji worked hard.

It was as if they studied every single strand of Lin Qiyou’s hair thoroughly.

As the day of Lin Qiyou’s arrival drew closer, Nongli and Benji grew increasingly tense.

In truth, Nongli had an extra motive—while sparring with Benji, she was secretly studying him.

She had to take out both Lin Qiyou and Benji.

As long as Benji was eliminated, occupying the city would be easy, right?

With this place, she could live with her master forever and ever!

Only a few days remained before Lin Qiyou’s arrival.

After finishing their research on the soon-to-be trapped prey, Nongli and Benji parted ways, and she went back to find Qingmu.

She stopped by the kitchen, but it was late—the cooks had already gone to bed.

She didn’t care and simply dragged a sleeping cook out to make a big feast.

At first, she ordered a lot, some dishes she liked, some Qingmu liked.

But realizing she had ordered too much and there was only one basket, plus the pig demon cook had left, she hesitated.

Which dishes should she bring back?

She was tired and didn’t want to make two trips.

So after some thought, she packed only the dishes Qingmu liked into the basket.

Usually, Qingmu brought the meals and she just ate what was ready.

But today, Qingmu had gone elsewhere to gather alchemy materials and would return late, so Nongli took the initiative.

Back at their residence, in the corridor, she went straight to her room.

Since she’d been busy recently, Qingmu usually waited for her.

Pushing open the door, she found Qingmu asleep at the dining table, propping his chin with his hand, eyes closed.

Her master was a little unkempt—or maybe not.

Nongli quietly set down the basket and crept closer to Qingmu’s face.

She thought Qingmu looked older.

There was stubble on his face—the kind that no matter how much you shaved, the bluish tint couldn’t be fully removed, with a few stray hairs left behind.

Wrinkles gathered at the corners of his eyes, his skin rough, especially his hands.

Years of alchemy had worn down his fingerprints and left scars from occasional burns.

Not handsome, but he was aging.

Even so, Nongli still felt this was the face she most wanted to see in the world.

Her favorite.

“Hey.”

Nongli suddenly got a mischievous idea.

She set down the basket and quietly reached out two fingers, aiming to pluck a whisker from Qingmu’s face.

But just as her fingers moved, Qingmu opened his eyes.

“Ah!”

Qingmu’s reflexes were quick—he pinched her nose and tugged hard.

Nongli crouched on the ground, saying repeatedly, “Nongli knows she was wrong, Nongli knows!”

“Hmph, so late tonight? What were you training with Benji?”

Hearing Qingmu’s question, Nongli was about to explain with mock grievance when suddenly her fox ears twitched.

She asked, “Master, guess!”

“Hm?”

Qingmu was taken aback.

Nongli suddenly stood, hand on her slim waist, frowning with a playful and smug expression.

“It was just normal training with Benji. Now whenever I think of training, all I think about is Benji.

Ah, Benji is so—”

“Smack!”

Before Nongli could finish, Qingmu jabbed her stomach.

She clutched her belly in pain as Qingmu grabbed her ear next, saying, “Speak plainly.”

“It was just normal training, nothing else!”

“I don’t think that’s what you meant. What’s going on?”

Qingmu sneered, “As your master, you seem to be thinking a little too much where you shouldn’t?”

“I’m not—”

Nongli averted her gaze, feeling disgruntled.

She just wanted to see if her master might… get jealous.

How did it get ruined so quickly?

No, she was already a three-tailed fox spirit—why was she still completely controlled by this old man?

She needed to toughen up and not always let him boss her around!

Frowning and pursing her lips, Nongli tried a stern look as she faced Qingmu.

But she was immediately scared back by a glare.

She stuck out her bright red tongue and said, “Hehe, master, have mercy!”

“Hmph.”

Qingmu released her ear, and Nongli quickly stepped back, rubbing it.

Looking at the table, Qingmu was surprised.

“You brought something back?”

“Yeah, I guessed you hadn’t eaten.”

Nongli was right—lately, Qingmu waited for her to return before eating.

Qingmu rolled his eyes, “You’re imagining things.”

“What?”

But then Qingmu said, “Actually, I haven’t eaten yet.”

Nongli beamed with joy.

“But did we overdo it?”

Qingmu also pulled out a basket of food from under his foot.

Nongli opened her mouth in surprise.

“Master, you went out for materials, why do you have food too?”

“Do you think Benji’s palace is the only place with cooks?”

Qingmu looked at Nongli as if she were foolish, then said, “Yes, we overdid it. I ordered dishes you like too.”

“Such a pity!”

Nongli shook her head and opened her basket.

Qingmu saw it was all his favorite dishes.

“I’m so selfish.”

Nongli pretended to be dramatic as she grabbed Qingmu’s basket and opened it—sure enough, it was full of things she loved.

She bobbed her head, fox ears twitching wildly as she handed out utensils to both herself and Qingmu.

The master and disciple exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.

Tonight’s meal was especially delicious, though they ordered too much and didn’t finish it all.

Later, Qingmu went to rest in his room.

In the middle of the night, Nongli climbed onto his bed, and they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

In another world, the Rose Capital.

“Planning to travel far soon?”

The halfling priest, Little Ya, looked at Lin Qiyou packing her bags with reluctance.

“Yes. After I leave, don’t stay at this place anymore.

Rent somewhere more hidden, or leave the capital entirely.”

Lin Qiyou hinted at the assassination attempt last time, warning Little Ya to be more cautious.

Little Ya thought it over, nodded, and approached, chanting a blessing of the Holy Light upon Lin Qiyou.

Though Lin Qiyou didn’t believe in the Holy Light, she patiently waited for the blessing.

“Come.”

Little Ya stretched out her hand.

Lin Qiyou hesitated, then lowered her head, allowing him to touch the top of her head.

“Now, even if you’re not a believer, the Holy Light will protect you!”

Little Ya said with a smile.

“Mm.”

Lin Qiyou smiled and turned, heading toward the trap others had prepared for her.