The Buddha Child disposed of the strand of consciousness split off by the Gray-Clothed Man, while Su Jiu turned and flew toward the Sacred Spirit Palace.
Before leaving, she left them with a few words.
"Go find Senior Brother first. Leave marks or clues for me along the way. Once I... bring Little Green out, I'll come meet up with you."
Yun Huanling wanted to follow Su Jiu, but Chu Luohen caught him by the back of his collar.
He was just about to flare up when he heard that cool voice say, "Don't go making more trouble. The matter of the Vermilion Bird is beyond your ability to take part in. If you go, A Jiu will have you to worry about too."
The anger rising from Yun Huanling's heart was instantly choked back down.
He bit his lip. "If we can't handle it, wouldn't A Jiu be marching to her death by going alone?"
Chu Luohen gave him an indifferent glance. "The Azure Dragon Sacred Spirit won't protect her."
Half of Yun Huanling's worries eased, but as he mulled over Chu Luohen's words, he still felt something was strange.
Only after the three of them had traveled much farther did Yun Huanling suddenly grasp the implication.
The Azure Dragon Sacred Spirit could protect Su Jiu, but might not risk his life to protect him.
That was what he meant, wasn't it? That bastard had definitely meant that!
A knot of frustration lodged in his chest, unable to rise or fall. Yun Huanling ground his back teeth, first casting a sidelong glance at the Buddha Child before sending Chu Luohen a voice transmission. "So, when exactly are you planning to come clean with A Jiu?"
The malice in Yun Huanling's tone was utterly undisguised.
Chu Luohen did not indulge