Zhu Yanqiu stared at Qing Shuang in shock, disbelief filling his eyes.
"Miss Leng, do you think I'm a burden too?"
Qing Shuang said, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, that isn't what I mean. It's just that you and Young Master Xiao have had your differences. I'm worried they might lead to unnecessary trouble."
"Then... why isn't Xiao Yuankui the one leaving?" Unwilling to accept it, Zhu Yanqiu kept arguing. "You agreed to take me first! Besides, I was the one who told you about the Seven-Colored Lotus!"
"Because you're weak, of course," Xiao Yuankui cut in, his voice full of scorn. "And you don't even realize how weak you are!"
"You... both of you..."
Zhu Yanqiu's gaze swept between Qing Shuang and Xiao Yuankui. At last, he flicked his sleeve and turned toward the courtyard gate.
"I'll leave, then."
Seeing this, Song Wen quietly opened the gate.
He watched Zhu Yanqiu leave the small courtyard alone. Zhu Yanqiu's figure gradually disappeared behind the courtyard wall.
Song Wen thought to himself:
Qing Shuang had a soft heart after all. She didn't want to drag an innocent man into this.
Xiao Yuankui had to die on this trip to the Spirit-Devouring Mountains!
If Zhu Yanqiu came along, he would have to be killed to silence him.
By driving him away, Qing Shuang had saved his life.
Unaware of Song Wen and Qing Shuang's plans, Xiao Yuankui grew even more pleased with himself as he watched Zhu Yanqiu slink away.
"Fairy Leng, that's more like it. Trash like Zhu Yanqiu would only cause trouble. Rest assured, Fairy. With me, Xiao Yuankui, here, I'll keep you safe throughout this trip, and we'll certainly pick the Seven-Colored Lotus without a hitch."
"Then I thank you in advance, Young Master Xiao," Qing Shuang said.
"There's no need