Early the next morning, Zeng Mu and Qidunston packed their belongings and took a carriage to the meeting point. Half an hour later, Yenaier arrived with her bundle.
"Let's go." Yenaier climbed into the carriage and waved eagerly.
The coachman flicked the reins and set off, the turning wheels marking the three travelers' departure from the Temple Capital.
Throughout this, Zeng Mu looked far from happy. Qidunston, seated beside him, saw what was on his mind and asked softly, "You still wanted to stay with Ma Linya after all?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I don't know why the Temple Master is interested in her, but judging by things now, Ma Linya clearly has something that fascinates her. Otherwise, we wouldn't still have heard nothing."
"I'm worried..."
"There's nothing to worry about," Qidunston interrupted. "Anyone Malena values must have something special about them. From the first moment I saw Ma Linya, I felt a familiar warmth toward that girl. I can't be certain whether that feeling was real, but now I can tell you both that I feel... she bears some resemblance to Malena all those years ago."
"What?"
Both Zeng Mu and Yenaier found this hard to believe. After taking a moment to compose herself, Yenaier said, "The Temple Master's cultivation is profound, and no one surpasses her ability to command troops in battle. Lingya is an Elemental Healer. No matter how you look at it, they don't seem like people who would have any connection."
"No." Zeng Mu shook his head. "We really can't rule out that possibility. Have you forgotten? Although Ma Linya is an Elemental Healer who saves lives and tends the wounded, she also has extraordinary talent with a sword. She said she'd only studied swordsmanship for three to five years, but during the crisis in Sand