Moonlight spilled over the secluded window, its hazy glow filtering through the gauze curtains onto the spring quilt.
Linghu Qingmo had already taken off his nightgown and pulled the thin quilt over his chest. Glancing at the lecher beside him, who seemed to be sleeping with his eyes closed, he whispered:
"Are we really sleeping here? Ling'er must be waiting at home..."
Xie Jinhuan held Momo with one arm and smiled.
"It's fine. I told them before I left. Get some sleep. We can head back early tomorrow."
Linghu Qingmo did want a good night's sleep, but how could he possibly sleep like this? After closing his eyes and trying to settle his mind for a moment, he turned slightly onto his side, rested his head on Xie Jinhuan's shoulder, and twirled a lock of hair around his finger as he muttered:
"I didn't deliberately run off today, either. If I had your abilities, naturally I'd set my sights on the world, just like you, and leave the little matters at the yamen to Yang Dabiao and the others. But I'm not that capable yet. I can only catch petty thieves, so naturally I have to do my own job properly, instead of reaching for lofty heights beyond me..."
Xie Jinhuan turned and kissed his forehead. "I know. Anyone can tell my Momo is destined to become a sect master. There's no rush with cultivation. With me here, you'll have an unlimited supply of Heavenly Treasures. You'll catch up sooner or later..."
Linghu Qingmo had confidence in himself, but without taking an unconventional path, cultivating on his own meant advancing one step at a time. He reckoned it would take years to enter the Transcendent Grade, and catching up to Xie Jinhuan was even more hopeless in this lifetime. He