A Clear Conscience

After several days of devoted cultivation, along with the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone from the Blood Moon Wolf King she had absorbed earlier, Zhang Lexuan had completely refined her Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

The attributes a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring could provide far surpassed those of her previous Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. No wonder people often said that Titled Douluo with and without a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring were practically two different things.

Although Zhang Lexuan had only just reached the Soul Douluo stage, she vaguely felt that she was already no weaker than a veteran Soul Douluo powerhouse.

If that was the case, then Mu En's three Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings...

Seeing Zhang Lexuan hurriedly take him away from Sister Luochеn, Huo Yuhao thought something urgent had come up and asked, "Sister Lexuan, is there something urgent?"

"It's nothing much, actually."

Zhang Lexuan had originally only intended to ask Ling Luochеn which class Huo Yuhao was in, then go find him later.

She had not expected Ling Luochеn to bring Huo Yuhao straight home. That worked too, saving her another trip, so she had simply taken Huo Yuhao along.

It was not a particularly major matter. After Zhang Lexuan emerged from seclusion and went to the Sea God Pavilion to report to Mu En, she learned that Xuan Zi had returned to the Sea God Pavilion, and the Inspection Corps' work had resumed as well.

Although it was absurd, she still understood. After all, the academy only had a handful of top-level fighters who could move about freely.

Yet whenever she thought of the junior brothers and sisters who had died so horribly, and the few who had lost their fighting spirit and whose whereabouts were now unknown, she still found it somewhat hard to breathe.

Zhang Lexuan felt a little lost. She did not know what path she should take, and just like that, she thought of Huo Yuhao again.

When they had parted last time, Huo Yuhao had said that one needed a goal of one's own, and she had unconsciously glanced at him.

Now, seeing Huo Yuhao again and watching him make progress toward his goal little by little, she always felt a sense of comfort and joy.

She wanted to see Huo Yuhao's future, to stay with him always and protect him by his side.

At that thought, Zhang Lexuan gently crouched down, her fingers tenderly wrapping around Huo Yuhao's hand.

As the inner court's Senior Sister, she usually maintained a composed, dignified demeanor in front of others.

Now, beside Huo Yuhao, her taut nerves could relax, and even the weariness that had lingered in her eyes faded somewhat.

"I'll tell you on the way. Oh, and grill a few fish for me. I really can't forget that taste."

At dusk, the setting sun dyed the horizon orange-red.

The spot where Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan were was fairly close to her little courtyard, and because it was tucked farther away, there was hardly anyone nearby.

Zhang Lexuan took the fish she had bought outside from her storage space, threaded them onto skewers, and handed them to Huo Yuhao, who had just finished lighting the fire.

"Here. Thanks for the effort."

"Sure."

Huo Yuhao deftly took the skewers and placed them directly on the rack, slowly turning the fish with both hands to keep the flesh from burning.

Beside him, Zhang Lexuan said nothing more. She simply sat quietly by the campfire, gazing at him as he grilled the fish.

The warm firelight outlined Huo Yuhao's profile, and the sight of him concentrating on grilling the fish settled in Zhang Lexuan's eyes.

The only sounds here were the faint whisper of the occasional breeze and the sizzle of fat dripping onto the campfire.

This long-missed tranquility filled Zhang Lexuan's eyes with smiles. She simply sat there, enjoying this brief moment of peace.

The rich aroma of fish drifted in every direction, lingering around Zhang Lexuan's nose. After sprinkling on the final seasonings, Huo Yuhao handed the grilled fish straight to her.

"Sister Lexuan, it's ready."

"Thanks for the effort."

Zhang Lexuan reached out and took it steadily. She blew on the steam rising from the fish and took a small bite.

Instantly, the delicious flavor spread across her tongue, making her eyes light up. She felt even the fatigue accumulated during her days in seclusion ease considerably.

It tasted even better than when she had first tried it.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao smiled, picked up a skewer of grilled fish himself, and sat down on Zhang Lexuan's other side to eat.

"Sister Lexuan, I actually think what Sister Luochеn told me makes a lot of sense."

"Ling Luochеn?"

Zhang Lexuan still had some fish in her mouth, so her words were a little muffled, though neither of them particularly minded.

"Yes. Don't worry about others. Just keep your conscience clear."

"A clear conscience..."

The deep night spread out, leaving only a bright moon.

Zhang Lexuan gently rubbed the top of Huo Yuhao's head and said slowly, "Little Yuhao, let's leave it here for today. Can you head back on your own?"

Meeting Zhang Lexuan's eyes, Huo Yuhao nodded. "All right."

As Huo Yuhao's figure gradually disappeared from view, Zhang Lexuan's voice returned to its usual, more composed tone.

"Mu En."

Suddenly, an aged voice sounded nearby. "No need to be so serious. Learn to relax a little. It's been a long time since I've seen you like this, too."

Beneath the moonlight, Mu En slowly emerged in white hemp clothing. He walked over to the still-burning campfire, pointed at the two remaining grilled fish, and asked, "May I have one?"

Zhang Lexuan was inwardly startled, then said somewhat awkwardly, "...Of course."

Seeing her reaction, Mu En naturally knew why. He smiled, picked up one of the fish anyway, and took a small bite.

"Mmm, truly delicious. I wonder how this little fellow made it."

Zhang Lexuan did not answer.

Looking in the direction Huo Yuhao had gone, Mu En continued, "That child is exceptionally gifted, whether in his Martial Soul or Soul Tools. What do you think?"

"Yes. Yuhao has always had ideas of his own."

"You should have your own, too..."

Mu En looked at Zhang Lexuan. The little girl who had once begged him to avenge her family had long since grown into a graceful young woman.

"Lexuan, it's been so long since I brought you to Shrek. I've seen everything you've given to Shrek."

"So I don't want you to be like Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi. You need to learn to let go a little more, or it will affect you yourself when the time comes."

Zhang Lexuan lowered her head slightly, looking at the campfire beside her. "Mu En, I-"

Mu En raised his hand, interrupting her. "I know you still remember the conditions you agreed to back then. But those conditions were only something I said offhand at the time. Thinking back now, I really was quite a bastard then. Hahaha."

"So you don't need to remember that agreement anymore. I watched you grow up, too. I don't want it to become a shackle on your life instead..."

"Mu En."

Zhang Lexuan shuddered at his words and tried to raise her head to look at Mu En, only to discover that she was now alone.

"..."

A wave of frustration washed over Zhang Lexuan. She looked up at the moon and remembered that when she was beside Huo Yuhao, she simply wanted to protect him and watch him grow.

Or was it that she wanted more than merely to stay by his side...

As though something had occurred to her, Zhang Lexuan's face could not help flushing slightly. She shook her head hard, picked up the last grilled fish, and walked toward her courtyard.

"A clear conscience..."