As night fell, the high-hanging Full Moon cast its frosty white light, illuminating the corners of Clear Sky Castle.
In the stillness of the night, every sound becomes exceptionally clear.
In the pitch-black corridor, faint footsteps could be heard.
"Big brother, where are you taking me so late at night? It's my own place, and you're making me look like a thief."
Tai Tan lowered his voice and asked Niu Tian in front of him.
Niu Tian turned and glared at him, then whispered angrily, "Don't say anything. You'll find out soon enough. This is our chance, understand?"
Tai Tan, somewhat puzzled, shut his mouth and could only follow quietly behind.
Niu Tian was very careful on the way; he even dismissed the usual patrol personnel tonight.
Still feeling uneasy, he waved his hand to create a barrier, silencing their footsteps, and headed towards the highest point of Clear Sky Castle.
The highest point of Clear Sky Castle is a rooftop terrace that resembles a watchtower, roughly the size of an ordinary room.
It is located in a relatively remote area of Clear Sky Castle, and generally no one comes up here.
Niu Tian led Tai Tan around in a large circle to make sure that no eye was following him before they went up to the rooftop.
The moon is like frost, the ground like snow, and the wind howls through the empty valley.
The two walked onto the rooftop, where two figures were already quietly waiting for them not far away.
The long black robes trailed behind, billowing in the wind, while the golden dragon throne gleamed, piercing straight into their vision.
Wang Qiu'er was dressed in the distinctive attire of the Shadow Garden, and the bright red wine in the glass bottle in her hand swayed, appearing even more vibrant and captivating under the moonlight.
The Shadow's face was still hidden by the heavy hood. He propped his head up with one hand as he looked at the two people who came up, while casually playing with the wine glass in his other hand.
The bright red wine slowly entered Huo Yuhao's mouth, and he felt an incredibly pleasant sensation.
This kind of scene suits me better.
Looking at the two people in front of him, Niu Tian immediately clasped his hands in a respectful salute, recalling yesterday's battle and their miraculous skills.
It wasn't that he was afraid of being beaten; it was mainly because the methods used by the Shadow were truly unbelievable.
Tonight, it seems as if everyone here was conveying a single thought from the Shadow.
After Wang Dong'er left the room, he felt a sudden mental fog, as if he had lost consciousness.
When Niu Tian opened his eyes, he found himself in a pure white space, still confused about what was happening.
The Shadow figure suddenly appeared before his eyes.
"Under the moonlight, in this land reaching to the heavens, I await you."
After saying this, the Shadow's body vanished like a bubble.
Before Niu Tian could react, his consciousness instantly returned to the room.
After thinking about it for a long time, he finally figured it out: this must be a peculiar mental technique.
As for the Shadow spoke of, upon closer examination, he could quite understand it.
So, having made thorough preparations, he brought Tai Tan here.
"Big brother! What's going on?! Didn't he leave?"
Tai Tan's eyes widened, and he blurted out instinctively.
"Don't speak carelessly," Niu Tian reminded him, then bowed towards Huo Yuhao and said, "Your strength is unfathomable. If there's anything we brothers can do to help, we will certainly answer to the best of our ability."
"If you need our help, we will do our duty without hesitation. We only hope that after you have achieved your goal, you will also allow my brother and me to regain our true freedom."
"Oh?"
Shadow took a sip of red wine, a playful smile curving his lips.
Huo Yuhao hadn't expected Niu Tian to be so decisive.
Niu Tian looked up at the Shadow sitting firmly on the dragon throne under the moonlight, feeling somewhat uneasy.
He had shown his utmost sincerity, knowing the gap between himself and Shadow, and fearing that he might inadvertently bring trouble upon himself.
But then he thought about it again and felt relieved. His and his brother's lives were already in someone else's hands, so what difference would the outcome make?
After thinking it over, Niu Tian laughed loudly, "My brother and I keep our word."
Tai Tan's brows furrowed deeply, and he quickly grabbed his older brother, "No? Brother, what you're doing..."
Niu Tian patted him on the shoulder, giving him a reassuring look, and said, "Listen to your brother, I'm doing this to find a way out for us."
Huo Yuhao reached out to cover the rim of the cup, making Wang Qiu'er step aside, and said, "Aren't you afraid that guy in the sky will hear us?"
"With you here, how could that person possibly hear you? Am I right?" Niu Tian regained his usual gentle and refined demeanor.
Hahahaha.
Huo Yuhao's laughter was so loud that it spread out like a tidal wave, crashing into the surrounding space and revealing a faint black barrier.
"You are a smart person. I promised you I could answer a question. You may ask first."
Niu Tian smiled calmly and waved his hand, saying, "I won't ask anymore."
Are you sure you don't want to ask?
"I won't ask anymore."
Seeing his sincerity, Huo Yuhao stopped beating around the bush and said, "In that case, I will tell you everything I know."
"Your Excellency, please speak."
As the morning light climbed the mountain peak, pierced through the clouds and reached the rooftop, Niu Tian and the others had already vanished.
Niu Tian and Tai Tan had already returned to their room.
Tai Tan was about to say something when there was a knock on the door.
Niu Tian grabbed Tai Tan's shoulder and gave him one last instruction, "Don't mention last night's events again. Keep them in mind, and don't tell anyone, understand?"
Tai Tan finally suppressed his doubts and nodded solemnly.
"Come in."
Creak!
The room door opened immediately.
"Chicken soup is here!"
"Huh?" Wang Dong'er, holding a small jar of chicken soup, craned her neck, exclaimed in surprise, and immediately protected the jar of soup in her hand. "Second Uncle, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, it smells so good!" Tai Tan laughed, jogging over to take the chicken soup from Wang Dong'er's hand. " Dong'er, your second father hasn't spoiled you for nothing..."
Wang Dong'er bent down, darted past her second father, ran to Niu Tian's side, made a face, and said, "Second father, you're shameless! All those muscles of yours are just minor injuries; drinking chicken soup is a waste for you."
Tai Tan stood there somewhat awkwardly, and said with a wry smile, "No? Dong'er, you're being way too biased."
"No, I'll just have one bite, just one bite, okay?"
Tai Tan grinned slyly and shamelessly walked over again.
Wang Dong'er dodged again, then turned and kicked Tai Tan in the waist.
Thump!
The entire Clear Sky Castle inexplicably trembled.
"Ouch, my back is killing me..."
Wang Dong'er looked at Tai Tan, who was lying on the ground clutching his back, and covered her mouth with a laugh, "Hehehe, this is something I specially cooked for my eldest uncle, but second uncle, you don't get any..."
"Uncle, drink it quickly, it won't taste good when it gets cold." Wang Dong'er picked up the chicken soup, blew on it, and handed it to Niu Tian, urging him to drink it.
"Okay, okay."
Niu Tian smiled as he took the chicken soup and drank a small sip.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, how is it? How does it taste?"
Niu Tian didn't hold back his praise, "It's delicious, Dong'er put a lot of thought into it."
Wang Dong'er felt a little embarrassed by the praise, and said shyly, "No, it was just a quick and easy cooking. I'm glad you like it."
Tai Tan stood up at that moment, and said sourly, "Hmm~ I just cooked it casually~, Second Uncle has been spoiling you for nothing."
"Hmph!" Wang Dong'er turned her head away immediately, "Who told you to try and intimidate my friend right away? You deserve it!"
"Hey! You little rascal, you still remember that!"
"Of course! Alright, Second Uncle, I'm not talking to you anymore. I want Yuhao to try my cooking!"
Wang Dong'er, too lazy to pay attention to her dim-witted second father, ran out to deliver chicken soup to Huo Yuhao.
Tai Tan froze on the spot, then knelt down and cried out, "What a terrible thing! This little girl definitely did it on purpose!"
Niu Tian smiled gently as before, " Tai Tan, it's alright. This chicken soup wasn't made for you, that's normal. I just benefited from it."
As he spoke, Niu Tian waved his hand, and a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect walked in through the door.
Niu Tian asked, "Miss, how long has this chicken soup been simmering?"
The disciple respectfully replied, "Miss, she started stewing it before the sect leader even woke up, keeping a close eye on the heat; she was very meticulous."
Niu Tian looked at Tai Tan and shrugged, as if to say, "Look, is this chicken soup for me? What are you being so pitiful about?"
Tai Tan laughed through his tears, "Waaaaah... A daughter is like a tree that grows up and leaves home! Who knows, one day Dong'er might give up Clear Sky Castle to an outsider."
"No way! I absolutely have to drink this chicken soup!"
As he spoke, Tai Tan straightened up abruptly, his eyes gleaming as if he had made up his mind.
Niu Tian frowned and asked, " Tai Tan, what are you going to do?"
"I'm sorry, brother!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tai Tan lunged at Niu Tian, his target being the chicken soup in Niu Tian's hand.
Bang!
The towering mountain peak trembled once more; it was time for Clear Sky Castle to repair its walls again.