Early the next morning, Wen Ning left without even eating breakfast at the shop, dragging Lu Ming along.
Lu Ming looked utterly reluctant. He walked as though there were land mines underfoot, glancing back every two steps, unwilling to leave.
"Stop looking. Zhang Siyu isn't here today."
Wen Ning spoke without turning around.
"I—I'm not looking for her."
Lu Ming spoke in a small voice.
"I just think, shouldn't we have breakfast first? I'm worried I won't be able to run fast on an empty stomach."
Wen Ning glanced back at him.
"You're an Immortal Deer. Don't be such a coward."
Lu Ming bristled.
"So what if I'm an Immortal Deer? Does that mean I'm not allowed to be scared?"
"You are. Of course you are."
Wen Ning smiled with complete sincerity.
"So remember to stand in front of me when we meet a ghost."
Lu Ming's face went pale again. His little mouth opened and closed, but in the end, nothing came out.
They turned into a deserted alley. Wen Ning grabbed Lu Ming's wrist, and with a light push off the ground, he took flight. Lu Ming apparently hadn't finished psyching himself up, because he let out a howl the moment they took off.
Wen Ning ignored him and flew straight toward Mount Li.
At first, Lu Ming kept protesting. Later, he apparently resigned himself to his fate and simply squeezed his eyes shut even tighter, hanging from Wen Ning's arm like a cat held by the scruff.
They landed near Mount Li right on schedule.
Wen Ning found a deserted spot to touch down. Lu Ming's legs buckled, and he nearly fell to his knees. Luckily, Wen Ning reacted quickly and caught him by the back of his collar.
"We're here?"
Lu Ming opened his eyes and