How Quickly Mo Yuan Changed His Tune

A gentle breeze swept across the fields outside town, carrying away every trace of the lingering heat and Soul Power fluctuations from the battle.

The crowd in the clearing had long since scattered, leaving only dust and scattered grass clippings to bear silent witness to the heart-stopping turmoil that had unfolded there.

Holding the slender, utterly exhausted Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, Lin Chen happened to glance behind him and caught Mo Yuan secretly giving him a thumbs-up.

The teasing smile hidden beneath that composed exterior was unmistakable, completely shattering Mo Yuan's usual image as an aloof, stern teacher who rarely smiled.

For a moment, Lin Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

He had wanted to explain that saving Zhu Zhuqing and recruiting her had been entirely part of his long-term plans to build his own forces, not some adolescent impulse sparked by a pretty face.

But with the words on the tip of his tongue, he saw how determined Mo Yuan was to enjoy the show, as though the world could never be chaotic enough for his liking, and silently shut his mouth.

He knew perfectly well that any explanation now would only smear more ink over an already dark picture.

There was no point saying more when his teacher so rarely indulged his taste for gossip. He might as well accept the teasing without further protest.

Lin Chen gently adjusted his hold, applying a little pressure with his fingertips to support Zhu Zhuqing securely beneath her slender knees and slight back.

His movements were gentle, steady, and painstakingly careful, sparing the weakened girl even the slightest jolt or discomfort.

After an intense struggle between life and death, Zhu Zhuqing had completely exhausted both her Soul Power and her physical strength.

When her long-strained nerves abruptly relaxed, she lost the last of the strength holding her up and lay limply in Lin Chen's arms, quiet and frail.

Her long black hair fell smoothly against her cool, pale cheeks, concealing most of her delicate face. Only her long lashes remained visible, trembling faintly with unmistakable exhaustion.

Her body was slightly cool and light in his arms, surrounded by a faint air of chilly detachment. Even in her weakened state, the solitary pride in her bones was impossible to conceal.

Once he had adjusted his hold, Lin Chen turned and headed steadily toward the inn in town without lingering. His steps were slow and even, each one carefully measured for fear of disturbing the girl resting in his arms.

Behind him, Mo Yuan kept his hands clasped behind his back, his posture relaxed and unhurried as he followed at an easy pace, maintaining a distance neither too close nor too far.

The teasing smile lingered in his eyes as his gaze remained fixed on the backs of the young man and girl ahead.

He looked entirely like a leisurely spectator savoring the gossip and enjoying the show, a striking contrast to the furious, commanding Soul Saint whose presence had cowed everyone outside town moments earlier.

They passed through the bustling streets of the little town, where pedestrians streamed to and fro and the clamor of everyday life filled their ears.

Yet after experiencing the crushing pressure of a Soul Saint outside town, every passerby regarded the three of them with awe. People stopped and stepped aside as soon as they spotted them, afraid to look directly at them, much less approach for a closer look.

Amid the noisy street, only the space around the three remained quiet and clear, with no one daring to disturb them.

Within moments, they returned without incident to the street-facing hotel where they had been staying.

The hotel lobby was bright and comfortably warm, its rich atmosphere of everyday life washing over them and dispelling the lingering hostility of the battle and the chill of the woods. Everything felt peaceful and secure.

Carrying Zhu Zhuqing, Lin Chen walked straight to the front desk and addressed the attendant gently, his tone calm and measured:

"Sorry for the trouble, but please arrange another quiet guest room next to ours. Also, have some warm bathwater prepared as soon as possible and sent to the new room."

The attendant had already heard about the astonishing scene outside town and knew that these three were no ordinary guests. In particular, the youthful-looking Mo Yuan was a terrifyingly powerful Soul Saint, and the attendant was filled with reverence.

Not daring to delay for even a moment, the attendant bowed in acknowledgment and swiftly arranged the room key.

At the same time, the attendant hurriedly instructed the kitchen staff and other workers to prepare hot water and room supplies, remaining respectful and attentive throughout, without the slightest negligence.

Nestled in Lin Chen's arms, Zhu Zhuqing heard every word of the exchange.

A faint blush instantly spread across her cool, pale face, like rouge scattered over white snow, making her look exquisitely lovely.

She had wandered alone for years, always keeping to herself. Aloof and proud by nature, she rarely grew close to anyone, and no man had ever cared for her with such thoughtful attention.

Arranging a room and preparing hot water—such private, considerate gestures instantly left the reserved, sensitive girl feeling shy and at a loss.

She instinctively turned her face slightly away from the people in the lobby, lowering her narrow, deep black eyes as her long lashes trembled.

Unease and shyness quietly spread through her heart, and her body, which had relaxed after its earlier tension, curled inward a little.

Before Zhu Zhuqing could compose herself, Mo Yuan spoke from behind them at just the right moment, his voice thick with amusement and teasing:

"Not bad, little Chen. You're getting more thoughtful by the day, considering every little detail. You know how to take care of someone better than your teacher does."

That perfectly timed teasing assist instantly brought dark lines of exasperation to Lin Chen's forehead, leaving him utterly helpless.

He had finally seen his teacher's true colors. At the academy, Mo Yuan was a stern, aloof, imposing Soul Saint, rigorous in his teaching and rarely given to smiles.

In private, he actually loved watching the fun and teasing others, without the slightest airs of a powerful expert.

Lin Chen could not be bothered to respond. Still holding Zhu Zhuqing, he quickened his pace slightly and headed straight for the inn's stairs.

His steady footsteps made soft sounds against the wooden stairs as he climbed toward the guest rooms on the second floor.

Upon reaching the newly booked room, Lin Chen pushed open the door and walked slowly inside.

The room was spacious and tidy, filled with natural light and furnished with tasteful elegance. The bedding was clean and soft, a faint fragrance lingered in the air, and it offered excellent privacy. It was indeed an ideal place to rest.

He carefully bent down and gently lowered the utterly exhausted Zhu Zhuqing onto the soft bed, his movements as tender as could be for fear of hurting the weakened girl.

Once Zhu Zhuqing was settled, Lin Chen straightened and gave her a few careful instructions in a gentle, patient voice:

"Rest here without worrying. Regulate your breathing, recover your Soul Power, and regain your strength."

"They'll bring the bathwater up shortly. Wash up and relax a little."

"Once you've rested, we'll go downstairs to eat. My teacher and I are in the rooms right next door, so call us anytime if you need anything."

Sitting on the soft bed, Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly. Most of the wariness had faded from her cool eyes, replaced by a faint trace of warmth.

After being rescued from a desperate situation and cared for so attentively, she, who had wandered alone for years, experienced a rare sense of security and warmth.

Lin Chen said nothing more. He quietly turned, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

But the moment he turned around, he saw Mo Yuan resting one hand against the corridor wall, his posture lazy and casual.

His eyes brimmed with teasing amusement as he regarded Lin Chen with a knowing half-smile.

Faced with his teacher's gossipy expression, Lin Chen was utterly helpless, and his voice took on a pleading note:

"Teacher, please. Could you go back to being aloof and serious like before? I really can't get used to you acting like this."

At his disciple's complaint, the teasing amusement in Mo Yuan's eyes vanished instantly, and every trace of laziness disappeared from his face.

In the blink of an eye, his entire bearing changed, returning to the composed, commanding, coolly inscrutable manner of the teacher he usually was.

His presence became concentrated and restrained, fully displaying the depth and bearing of a Soul Saint. The speed of his transformation was astonishing.

"Come. To my room."

Mo Yuan's voice had returned to its usual calm steadiness, without a hint of teasing. With that, he turned toward his own room next door, pushed open the door, and went inside.