20: This Trip May Be Risky. Are You Sure You Want to Go?

At Zhongli Manor, two batches of visitors came by in just one morning.

Not long after Ning Fengzhi left, Salas arrived. He had "come in high spirits" and "left in disappointment."

He left with a "dark" expression.

But no one knew that from the moment he entered Zhongli Manor, he had been extremely respectful toward Zhongli, and the two had enjoyed their conversation.

Salas had even brought several rare treasures as gifts.

As for leaving with a dark face, disappointed—that had been his purpose in coming to see Zhongli!

At this moment, who knew how many pairs of eyes were watching the gates of Zhongli Manor!

The corners of Salas's lips lifted slightly as he thought to himself, It's settled.

Most of what he and Zhongli had discussed had merely been everyday matters.

He did not ask a single question he should not have asked.

After Salas left, "Xue Qinghe" arrived as promised. The moment she stepped into Zhongli Manor, she learned what had happened earlier.

She had not expected Ning Fengzhi to be the first to lose his composure and come calling.

It seemed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly lacked fighting strength. Their old generation was fading, and the new one had yet to rise. Otherwise, they should have observed the situation for a while longer.

As for Salas, "Xue Qinghe" gave him a silent thumbs-up.

That old bastard's acting was truly flawless!

He had perfectly displayed that feeling of... unrequited love—bah!

That unwillingness, that resentment, as he left Zhongli Manor.

"As expected of a pillar of Spirit Hall!"

"Xue Qinghe" knew Zhongli's character fairly well. Under normal circumstances, he would not make enemies of others.

She also knew Salas well. He was an old schemer with deep thoughts and a calculating mind.

How could he possibly offend a powerhouse like Zhongli upon their first meeting?

Likewise, Zhongli had no reason to offend a perfectly normal Salas the first time they met.

Therefore, Salas had been acting!

She knew that, but that did not mean others did.

"Qinghe!"

Seeing "Xue Qinghe" arrive, Paimon hurriedly flew to her side and greeted her with a smile.

This was the first person in this other world to give her a gift!

"Hello! Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"Hello, Paimon."

"Xue Qinghe" nodded and replied, pulling herself from her thoughts.

"Not yet. Paimon probably hasn't eaten either, right?"

"That's right. Zhongli and I are planning to go to the Seven Treasure Hotel from yesterday. Qinghe, do you want to come with us?"

At the mention of the Seven Treasure Hotel, "Xue Qinghe's" eye twitched. She recalled some unpleasant memories.

It felt as though it had happened only yesterday.

Well, it had happened yesterday.

"I'll... go."

Black lines appeared across "Xue Qinghe's" forehead as she looked Zhongli and Paimon over. Had these two brought money today?

Would they say again later, "Qinghe, did you bring money?"

She was furious, trembling, freezing!

They invited her to a meal, only to make her pay for it! Paying was one thing, but they should at least have told her beforehand!

She did not want to experience what happened yesterday a second time. It was far too embarrassing.

She had nearly been left there washing dishes...

"Don't worry, Qinghe. We brought money today."

Zhongli patted "Xue Qinghe" on the shoulder and spoke with a solemn expression.

The sudden "intimate contact" made "Xue Qinghe" shudder all over, her face flushing slightly.

H-He... how could he touch me so casually!

But... why don't I seem to feel uncomfortable?

"Xue Qinghe" froze for a moment, then came back to her senses, her face turning even redder.

"Qinghe, why is your face red?"

"Are you sick?"

Paimon flew in front of Xue Qinghe, level with her, and placed a small hand on her forehead.

"You're a little hot. Qinghe, don't tell me you have a fever?"

She did have a bit of a fever, but not that kind of fever.

"I-I'm fine. Let's go eat first."

"Xue Qinghe" shook her head and spoke haltingly.

Zhongli gave "Xue Qinghe" a puzzled look. He had merely patted her shoulder, and she had reacted like this?

It seemed he should not make such rash gestures in the future.

He had only subconsciously regarded "Xue Qinghe" as a junior. When an elder patted a junior on the shoulder, it was meant as reassurance.

There was nothing inappropriate about that, was there?

In only a moment, "Xue Qinghe" returned to normal, the blush fading from her cheeks.

She looked at Zhongli, who was keeping a certain distance from her, somewhat confused.

Yesterday, they had been less than a meter apart. Why was he keeping one and a half meters away today?

Because of this, Paimon kept chattering on, but "Xue Qinghe" did not hear a word.

Suddenly, "Xue Qinghe" seemed to think of something, and her eyes lit up. Without drawing attention to herself, she moved a little closer to Zhongli.

"Mr. Zhongli, I may not be in Heaven Dou City in a few days. If you encounter any trouble, you may go to my residence and seek out Steward She. He will help you handle it."

The so-called Steward She was none other than Spirit Hall Elder She Long!

"Qinghe, do you have something to do?"

Paimon was not so calculating. She said whatever came to mind and had none of those reservations.

After hearing that, "Xue Qinghe" thought for a moment before saying, "I've already broken through to level forty. In a couple of days, I'll go to Sunset Forest and try my luck to see whether there's a suitable soul ring."

"If Sunset Forest doesn't have one, then I can only go to the Star Dou Great Forest and take a look."

"Level forty?"

Zhongli glanced at "Xue Qinghe." You were probably level forty ten years ago, if not earlier.

Naturally, "Xue Qinghe's" Soul Power Level was not merely forty. She had just reached around level sixty and was preparing to obtain her sixth soul ring.

"Spirit beast forests are fraught with danger. This trip may be risky. Qinghe, are you going alone?"

Zhongli stopped walking. Without looking at "Xue Qinghe," he spoke calmly.

From her words, it was not difficult to infer the situation.

She Long would remain behind at the Crown Prince's Mansion, while the person accompanying her was most likely Ci Xue.

With a Titled Douluo protecting her, she would most likely not encounter any danger.

And with the "major villain's" destiny protecting her, she should not meet with any mishap before the protagonist group had grown strong enough.

But what if she did?

If Qian Renxue dies, who will protect the continent? Me?

Is retirement not comfortable enough? Why would I go back to work?

"Xue Qinghe" paused. Naturally, when she obtained a soul ring, she could not allow Xue Ye's people to accompany her.

After all, she was no mere Soul Elder, and her martial soul was not a swan.

This time, Ci Xue would protect her in secret. Unless her life was in danger, it would serve as a trial for her.

"Mr. Zhongli, I won't be going alone. Soul Masters from the mansion will be accompanying me."

"Xue Qinghe" smiled as she spoke.

She had not expected Zhongli to become a Crown Prince's Mansion Guest Official and immediately worry about her safety.

She wondered whether Zhongli would change in any way once he learned her true identity.

It seemed that before that day came, she needed to find an opportunity to come clean with Zhongli in advance.

Zhongli glanced at "Xue Qinghe," studying her for a moment before nodding. He did not say anything further.

Paimon: "???"