Jing Jiu withdrew his gaze, and with it, the Cold Cicada and the mosquitoes.
A streak of white light fell from the night sky like lightning, landing squarely in Zhao Layue's arms.
Big One meowed, indicating that no one had seen what had happened earlier.
Colluding with the Netherworld was a rather weighty charge. Even True Person Taiping had been unable to bear it back then, and Jing Jiu did not want to invite trouble either.
Just like the possible dealings between the Zhongzhou Sect and the High Priest of the Nether Department, there were many things one could do, but could not let others see.
"You go back first," Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue.
The place he was going next was very safe. There was no need to take Big One along.
Zhao Layue knew he was going to Water-Moon Convent. She said nothing, cradling Big One as she rode the Unthought Sword back to the Sword Boat.
Zhuo Rusui opened his eyes and glanced at her. He wanted to ask a few questions, but in the end asked nothing.
Gu Qing, who might have vaguely guessed something, was at the bow, meditating and cultivating before the newly risen sun. He did not so much as open his eyes.
The breeze along the East Sea was refreshing, without any heat despite the early summer. That mountain valley in particular seemed still to be in spring, and the peach tree before the stone steps was in brilliant bloom.
Jing Jiu landed on the stone steps, picked a peach blossom, and knocked gently on the door.
Before long, the door to Water-Moon Convent opened, revealing a lovely, fresh face. It was the female disciple named Zhen Tao.
At Yunmeng Mountain, Jing Jiu had taken Zhen Tao's place in the Dao-Seeking Assembly.