For some reason, Du Yulin suddenly thought of the boy who was like a younger brother to her.
That child who always followed behind Old Gu, taciturn yet sharp-eyed; that lad who had kept company with wolves on the wasteland, fiercer than any beast.
Back then, that fellow had left with Old Gu. Now the old man had returned, but the boy was nowhere by his side.
With that in mind, she could not help feeling unsettled.
Could it be that you lost him too?
Sure enough, when Old Gu heard Du Yulin ask about Little Fly, his expression changed again.
It was an extremely complicated look—guilt, unease, and a trace of heartache that was difficult to detect.
He opened his mouth, yet could not say a single word. Turning around, he headed for the door.
After taking two steps, he stopped again.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally gave a bitter smile. "...How could I have nearly died? I told him to run first... He'll probably be back here before long."
His voice was soft, as though he were talking to himself. It sounded as if he were comforting Du Yulin, but perhaps he was more likely comforting himself.
In the old man's eyes, Little Fly had lived alongside wolves on the wasteland. He was probably fiercer than even Wind and Rain Tower's assassins.
That child had grown up at death's edge. What flowed in his veins was not blood, but the wind of the wilderness. So long as that lad did not seek his own death, who in this world could possibly trick him?
Hearing that, Du Yulin could not help glaring fiercely at the old man, her eyes reddening slightly.
She suddenly stomped her foot hard, making the bluestone slabs beneath her let out a