An oath

He casually pulled out a piece of clothing and draped it over himself.

Mo Lu's voice was a little weak. "Put me down."

"Young Master, sleep in my arms for a while, all right?"

Weisheng Tou spoke softly.

The scent of Rose Liquor grew richer, leaving Mo Lu feeling weightless, as though he were floating among the clouds.

Weisheng Tou deliberately released a little of his pheromones' intoxicating effect.

Under their influence, Mo Lu sank into a deep sleep.

Weisheng Tou stepped out of the bathroom.

A servant was waiting outside.

Seeing Mo Lu cradled in Weisheng Tou's arms, the servant's eyes widened in shock.

Without even looking at him, Weisheng Tou strode straight toward Mo Lu's room.

To his surprise, Old Master Mo was sitting inside.

When Old Master Mo saw Mo Lu in Weisheng Tou's arms, even his beard seemed to bristle with surprise.

He came closer in wonder, glanced at the soundly sleeping Mo Lu, and asked softly,

"Is he asleep?"

"Yes."

Weisheng Tou lowered his voice.

"Tsk. It really does take someone with matching pheromones."

Old Master Mo stroked his beard.

Ever since Mo Lu had grown old enough to understand things, even he had never held him like this.

Yet Mo Lu actually let Weisheng Tou carry him this way. How extraordinary.

Weisheng Tou gently laid Mo Lu on the bed, then stood before Old Master Mo.

The smile vanished from Old Master Mo's face. He looked at Weisheng Tou, his expression cold and stern.

He raised his aged hand, and black-and-red talismans instantly rose around them, emitting an eerie, dark red glow.

The space had been completely sealed off.

Weisheng Tou glanced at Mo Lu, still asleep on the bed. Mo Lu showed no reaction at all.

Old Master Mo looked at Weisheng Tou and said slowly,

"Weisheng Tou, I know the Empire has been researching the Mo Family's Witchcraft, and that they have already achieved some initial results."

At those words, Weisheng Tou turned back toward Old Master Mo, shedding the gentleness he had shown before Mo Lu.

His entire bearing turned sharp.

Old Master Mo showed no surprise at the change.

A faint black light flickered around his aged fingers as he said,

"If I'm not mistaken, they should already be able to faintly sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but they lack the proper method. Am I right?"

Weisheng Tou felt as though an enormous mountain were pinning him down.

Yet his back did not bend in the slightest.

A smile curled at his lips, his husky voice carrying a natural nonchalance.

"Since you already know, Old Master Mo, why ask?"

A heavy wave of pine-scented pheromones bore down on Weisheng Tou.

"Weisheng Tou, the mission the Empire gave you was to enter the Mo Family and steal our legacy."

Weisheng Tou stared at Old Master Mo, his gaze darkening.

He could not quite gauge what Old Master Mo meant.

So he knows I have a mission. Is he going to drive me away?

Weisheng Tou's hands slowly clenched at his sides.

If that were the case, even though this was Mo Lu's grandfather, he would still want to strike.

Even if it might be like throwing an egg against a rock.

No one could stop him from staying by Mo Lu's side.

"I have no intention of driving you away."

As though he had seen straight through Weisheng Tou's concerns, Old Master Mo softened his voice slightly.

"I know your parents knew Mo Lu's parents. Linglan told me you were a good boy. But between the Empire and the Mo Family, you can choose only one."

The pressure Old Master Mo exerted grew stronger.

Weisheng Tou knew that if he did not make his choice here, Old Master Mo would kill him without hesitation.

Old Master Mo's death curse was still on his gland.

Weisheng Tou spoke slowly, his bearing sharp and confident.

"From the moment I entered the Mo Family, I came for Young Master Mo Lu. I like him. I'm sure you can see that, too. As for the mission the Empire gave me, I don't care about it, and I have no intention of carrying it out. They wouldn't dare force me, either."

"I want you to swear an oath."

Old Master Mo took out a blood-red stone the size of a finger joint.

Under the control of Old Master Mo's Curse Technique, the stone hovered before Weisheng Tou.

Weisheng Tou was silent for a moment before speaking firmly.

"I, Weisheng Tou, swear that I will never do anything to hurt Mo Lu."

The blood-red stone glowed faintly, then turned rose pink a moment later.

Only then did Old Master Mo retrieve it.

With a sweep of his hand, the surrounding talisman barrier instantly dispersed.

The glimmering ashes transformed into talismans Weisheng Tou could not understand and settled over Mo Lu.

Old Master Mo offered no further explanation.

He threaded the stone onto a black cord and placed it around Mo Lu's neck, letting it rest against his chest.

Weisheng Tou watched his movements, his gaze flickering.

Old Master Mo stroked Mo Lu's hair, then spoke softly.

"This stone only serves as a record. Once Mo Lu wakes up, he will see the oath within it. But if your heart ever contradicts your words, Weisheng Tou, the stone will shatter, and Mo Lu will know immediately."

Weisheng Tou's heart tightened.

That could never happen.

"Take good care of Mo Lu."

With that, Old Master Mo left, leaning on his cane.

As soon as he was gone, Weisheng Tou sat down beside Mo Lu's bed.

Mo Lu had yet to wake.

Weisheng Tou picked up the stone and examined it.

Aside from its color, it looked ordinary in every way.

He put the stone down, bent over, and gently shifted Mo Lu farther into the large bed before lying down himself.

A single light quilt covered them both.

Weisheng Tou carefully gathered Mo Lu into his arms, letting him nestle into the crook of his shoulder.

With his arms full of the person who carried that white tea scent, Weisheng Tou felt more content than ever before.

Even if everyone around him distrusted him, it was enough as long as his young master believed in him.

His young master was all he needed.