"That fellow's back." As soon as Suoliya spoke, his fingers swept across his waist and drew the short blade concealed there. Its blade was two inches long and pitch-black. As a spy, he naturally kept this weapon on him at all times. Small as it was, it had already taken more than a dozen lives and helped him escape on numerous occasions. It could be called his closest companion.
"Easy. It's not him." Zeng Mu raised a hand to stop him, then tilted his head to signal that he should put the weapon away.
Once the blade had slipped silently into its sheath, candlelight emerged from among the pear trees, illuminating a warm, friendly face. Suoliya looked carefully and finally recognized the visitor. It was not the fellow from the Soul-Returning Cult, but Yuan Qian.
"Phew, it's only Yuan Qian. I worried for nothing."
"Good evening, Mingyin, and you too, Mr. Nameless!" Seeing the two men, Yuan Qian assumed they had come out especially to greet her and felt a little delighted. She waved to them repeatedly as she called out.
"Oh, have you both been drinking? Why are your faces so red?" Yuan Qian asked, stopping as she reached them.
"We had a little wine, but it's mostly from a fright," Zeng Mu said, gesturing toward Suoliya beside him.
"Huh? Who frightened you? Was it how I dressed tonight? That can't be right. I'm not even wearing heavy makeup," she said.
"Ah, it's nothing. Come on, let's go inside first," Suoliya said, beckoning to them.
The three entered the cottage. After considerable persuasion from the two men, Yuan Qian sampled the little fine wine that remained.
After half a cup, Yuan Qian's earlobes turned scarlet. Soon the redness spread to the bases of her ears, and even her eyes