Flying swiftly on the wind all the way, in just a quarter-hour, Meng Ruji brought Mu Sui down in the forest near their “home.” They didn’t continue forward because the silver ingot, now reduced to eight silver, began flickering in its formation.
Meng Ruji was afraid they might fall from the sky, so she simply put away the silver ingot.
“This thing has size and duration limits for carrying techniques,” Meng Ruji realized. “Copper coins can only carry small techniques, silver ingots can handle a bit more, but after a long time, they’re depleted. Will they slowly recover?”
Meng Ruji examined the silver ingot from all angles, talking to herself.
Behind her, Mu Sui silently answered in his mind: Yes. By tomorrow, there will be more.
But he couldn’t expose himself, so he chose to keep his lips tightly sealed, not opening them at all, afraid he might say something uncontrollable again.
“I’ll study it more tomorrow…” Meng Ruji put away the silver ingot and turned to look at Mu Sui. “There’s not much road left—it’s just ahead. Let’s walk. It’ll also avoid the commotion of controlling wind and drawing others’ attention, causing unnecessary trouble.”
Wealth should not be displayed openly—Meng Ruji understood this clearly.
Mu Sui silently followed Meng Ruji forward.
The forest was quiet, the night wind gentle. Meng Ruji was savoring this rare moment of stolen leisure after these busy days.
The eight silver in her chest, while not enough to return them to the mortal world, could at least ensure that she and Mu Sui wouldn’t worry about food for a while.
Moreover, she had now comprehended the path to using techniques in the Place of No Refuge. When she next tried to catch a major criminal, she wouldn’t have to worry about being outmatched in combat.
Peace of mind, tranquility—this long-absent inner calm made even Meng Ruji’s steps feel lighter. She took a deep breath, feeling that even the cold night wind could dispel the stagnant qi in her heart.
But beside her, Mu Sui’s heart was tormented.
Behind Meng Ruji, every step he took was conflicted. His body wanted to get closer to Meng Ruji, while his heart wanted to distance itself from her.
He had thought of ten thousand manipulative words to trick Meng Ruji into teaching him how to use the Inner Core, but he was afraid that once he opened his mouth, he’d start saying things like wanting kisses and hugs again…
If he said such things too many times, Mu Sui feared his soul would truly become clingy and disgusting…
He couldn’t stand it.
He couldn’t accept such a version of himself.
Harboring completely different moods, the two walked the same quiet stretch of night road.
Until they reached “home,” still three or four zhang from the door, Meng Ruji and Mu Sui almost simultaneously heard rustling sounds coming from the broken house.
Someone was in the house.
In the next instant, before Mu Sui himself had even reacted, he had already grabbed Meng Ruji’s wrist, pulled her behind him, stepped forward, and positioned himself in front of her.
He completed these actions without saying a word, then continued in silent darkness, his mood even more complex and tormented.
Meng Ruji wasn’t particularly surprised—this was indeed how Mu Sui had been all these days.
She peeked out slightly from behind Mu Sui, focusing on their broken wooden house, speaking matter-of-factly: “There’s only some dry grass in this broken wooden house—would someone steal that too? Didn’t you finish eating before you came out today?”
Of course, Mu Sui didn’t answer her. He was in no mood to answer her. He was currently immersed in the frustration of being unable to control himself.
“Huh?” From the broken wooden house, someone came out—not a thief, but Miaomiao.
She had vaguely heard Meng Ruji’s voice from inside the house. Coming out to look, she indeed saw them: “Heavens, you’re finally back.” Miaomiao immediately walked over quickly. “Are you two alright? Where did you go?”
“We’re fine, we’re fine.” Meng Ruji waved her hand. “Sorry to make you worry, waiting here for us until now. Thank you for helping me call Mu Sui over.”
“Ah?” Miaomiao looked up in confusion, glancing at Mu Sui.
“Right.” Mu Sui spoke, his voice slightly cold. He stared at Miaomiao, his eyes containing a warning. “Thank you for the reminder.”
Meeting Mu Sui’s gaze and hearing these words, Miaomiao immediately pressed her lips together. She glanced at Meng Ruji and saw her smiling brightly, looking spirited with no injuries except for the broken skin on her forehead…
Miaomiao lowered her head slightly, mumbled an unclear “oh,” then said: “Sister Ruji, as long as you’re alright. I’ll head back now.”
Meng Ruji glanced at the pitch-black forest path: “How about I escort you back…”
“No, no, no.” Miaomiao waved her hands repeatedly. “I know the way.”
After speaking, Miaomiao ran off like a wisp of smoke, not saying another word.
Meng Ruji watched Miaomiao’s retreating figure, somewhat puzzled: “Is she still a bit afraid of walking at night? Mu Sui, why don’t you go escort her?”
“She said it wasn’t necessary.” Mu Sui replied, walking indifferently toward the wooden house, saying softly, “She seems quite clever.”
Back in the wooden house, Meng Ruji had been busy all day and was tired. She leaned against the corner and, like every night in the Place of No Refuge, went to sleep.
Tonight, she slept especially soundly, no longer having to worry about tomorrow’s meal money.
Mu Sui also lay down nearby, sleeping in his clothes, but compared to Meng Ruji, his sleep was far from peaceful.
Having just recovered his memories, he had many dreams throughout the night, waking several times. Nearly all memories of past and present leaped about in his dreams, giving him no peace all night.
After sleeping one night, he was in worse condition than if he hadn’t slept at all.
When he woke the next day, Meng Ruji lazily stretched. Looking at Mu Sui beside her, she found he seemed to have been awake for a long time, but had heavy, dark circles under his eyes and looked very gloomy.
Even seeing her wake up, he didn’t come over seeking closeness as he had before.
“Mu Sui?” Meng Ruji asked him. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Mu Sui glanced at Meng Ruji, initially not planning to say anything since he was already accustomed to such states. But thinking about what he needed to accomplish today, he controlled his mouth and opened it: “I have a headache.”
“What’s wrong?” Meng Ruji moved over with concern, reaching up to feel his forehead.
Mu Sui pressed his lips together, letting his cheeks grow warm.