Two of them traveled along the road for who knew how long. Mu Xueshi was already a bit tired, but when he turned his head to look at Su Ruhan, he seemed to have completely fallen asleep. The weight on Mu Xueshi’s back grew heavier and heavier, and he became increasingly drowsy. However, since the two of them couldn’t fall asleep at the same time, Mu Xueshi could only sneak in brief naps while sitting in front.
Along the way, Mu Xueshi thought about many things—everything he hadn’t had time to process during that storm-like chaos earlier now passed thoroughly through his mind. Of course, what he thought about the most was the scene of Su Ruhan slaughtering people. Even now, Mu Xueshi still felt lingering fear. To him, it was like a nightmare—dozens of soldiers right before his eyes, transforming from living, breathing people into shriveled corpses.
And that cruel demon was now resting against his back. Yet Mu Xueshi found himself unable to blame him, because Su Ruhan had done it for his sake. Moreover, the bloodthirsty killer from before simply couldn’t be connected, in Mu Xueshi’s mind, to the Su Ruhan he knew now. Perhaps it had only been the poison from that so-called State Preceptor taking effect, causing his master’s nature to change drastically…
Mu Xueshi had once believed that human life was precious, that death was a great calamity for everyone. But after going through such an escape, he suddenly felt how fragile life was—life and death were nothing more than a fleeting thought apart. Within that fleeting moment, how could one live without having wasted this life…
The more he thought, the more exhausted he became, until he drifted into a hazy sleep. When a sudden jolt shook him awake, he realized they had already entered a mountain path. The road ahead grew steeper, yet it looked somewhat familiar. Mu Xueshi searched his memory carefully but couldn’t quite place it.
When they reached a small bend, the horse stopped.
Only then did Mu Xueshi realize—this was the Ice-Fire Cave. The last time, when those two people had performed a ritual to draw his soul over, it had been right here.
Three people walked out from the cave. Mu Xueshi had a deep impression of two of them—and an even deeper impression of the third. The moment he saw that person, he asked, “You… are you really Li Qian?”
Li Qian shifted his gaze away from Su Ruhan behind Mu Xueshi and looked at Mu Xueshi. A faint smile flickered in his clear eyes.
“Yes, I am. You are Mu Xueshi?”
Seeing the trace of surprise in Li Qian’s eyes, Mu Xueshi suddenly recalled what Su Ruhan had said earlier when exposing the fake Li Qian. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he explained, “My face… I don’t know if it’s an allergy or poison. It didn’t scare you, did it?”
Li Qian shook his head. “It’s not that easy to frighten me. Let me take a look at it later—perhaps I can prepare some medicine for you.”
Mu Xueshi quickly nodded. Before he could speak, he saw the red-haired Liehuo rush up to him, laughing loudly before teasing, “Kid, we meet again.”
Hanbing, standing to the side, said coldly, “We should first help Alliance… Brother Su down, shouldn’t we?”
Hearing the displeasure in Hanbing’s tone, Liehuo quickly followed his lead and helped Su Ruhan down, sighing as he did so. “Brother Su is actually injured—and so seriously too.”
The moment Su Ruhan’s hand touched Li Qian’s, his eyes snapped open instantly. There was a hint of joy in his expression, along with a trace of guilt. However, he didn’t seem as gravely injured as expected. He insisted on walking himself, so Liehuo and Hanbing had no choice but to let go. Only Li Qian continued holding onto Su Ruhan’s hand.
Mu Xueshi followed behind, watching their hands clasped together. Suddenly, he remembered the phrase “the one he loves” that Shangchuan Hong had mentioned earlier. Instead of asking directly, he pondered it again—and suddenly, his eyes lit up as he figured out something that had puzzled him for a long time.
Back when Mu Xueshi had stayed with Su Ruhan in Linhan Palace, he had once believed there was a graceful woman in Su Ruhan’s heart. Because one time, he had caught Su Ruhan gently touching his cheek and calling out “Qian’er.” At the time, Mu Xueshi had wanted to ask who “Qian’er” was, but Su Ruhan always wore a stern face, and Mu Xueshi didn’t dare joke with him easily.
Later, when they became close and could talk about anything, Mu Xueshi had instead forgotten about it. Now that he thought of it again, he finally realized—what Su Ruhan had said wasn’t “Qian’er” (倩儿), but “Qian’er” (浅儿), referring to Li Qian standing before him.
“I get it—I finally get it! Hahaha…” Mu Xueshi threw his head back and burst into laughter.
His sudden laughter startled the others walking ahead, all of them pausing in confusion. But Mu Xueshi paid no attention to their puzzled expressions. Instead, he kept his secret, refusing to explain, wearing a smug look as if he held some great revelation.
Liehuo was just about to ask what was going on, but when he glanced at Hanbing’s expression, he immediately shut his mouth tightly, standing to the side with a regretful look.
Compared to the concern and questions the three of them directed at Su Ruhan, Li Qian appeared rather indifferent. Mu Xueshi even noticed that Li Qian seemed more willing to speak with him than to show concern for Su Ruhan. Meanwhile, ever since entering the Ice-Fire Cave, Su Ruhan’s gaze had never left Li Qian, yet Li Qian remained neither warm nor cold.
Could it be that my master is in unrequited love? Mu Xueshi began to speculate secretly again.
“Young Master Li, perhaps you should first examine Brother Su’s injuries,” Hanbing said calmly.
Liehuo quickly added, “Yes, judging by his condition, Brother Su seems seriously injured.”
Li Qian glanced at Su Ruhan, his expression somewhat complicated—though more of it leaned toward negative emotions. Then he turned to Mu Xueshi, smiling faintly as he said gently, “Let me first look at Young Master Mu’s facial condition. As for him… he seems quite fine to me. He can endure a little longer.”
Mu Xueshi felt something off in those words—there was a faint edge of hostility. Being perceptive, he quickly declined Li Qian’s outstretched hand. “My face is nothing. You should treat my master first—he’s really badly injured. Just now we were surrounded by soldiers, they even used cannons—”
Suddenly, he felt the force of Su Ruhan’s gaze shoot toward him. The moment Mu Xueshi met it, he was so startled that he didn’t dare say another word.
Li Qian’s expression clearly darkened a little. Pretending not to have heard anything, he gestured for Mu Xueshi to follow him into another cave. Mu Xueshi glanced back at Su Ruhan, and only after receiving his silent approval did he follow Li Qian inside.
Originally, Mu Xueshi thought Li Qian had brought him aside to privately ask about what had happened earlier between him and Su Ruhan. But after entering, Li Qian truly intended to examine the injury on his face. Mu Xueshi couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. Although he wasn’t very close to Li Qian, deep down he still hoped that Li Qian would treat his master a little better.
Li Qian had intended to check Mu Xueshi’s pulse, but upon seeing Mu Xueshi’s darkened little hand, he withdrew his own hand.
Mu Xueshi quickly explained, “My hand didn’t get dirty like this—it suddenly turned black too, just like my face.” To prove it, he rolled up his sleeve to show the obvious contrast.
Li Qian seemed slightly amused by Mu Xueshi’s action. The corners of his lips lifted into a beautiful curve, his eyes crescent-shaped like a bright moon.
Mu Xueshi couldn’t help but feel a little dazed. This man is truly beautiful… And it was a beauty unlike that of a woman—elegant, refined, and ethereal. Even Mu Xueshi himself couldn’t help but feel a bit drawn to him, let alone Su Ruhan.
“What you have—if you call it poison, it’s not exactly poison.”
Li Qian’s voice pulled Mu Xueshi out of his thoughts. Mu Xueshi quickly shook his head and asked with confusion, “What do you mean, it’s poison but not poison?”
“It means others must not touch you—if they do, they’ll be infected by the poison. But if no one touches you, the poison will never take effect.”
Mu Xueshi scratched the back of his head, one corner of his mouth tilting. “There’s such a poison? So you’re saying I can’t have contact with other people? But my master touched me today, and he was fine.”
Li Qian patiently explained, “It’s not that you can’t be touched at all—it’s just that there must be no direct skin contact. If there’s clothing in between, it’s not a problem.”
Mu Xueshi nodded, muttering gloomily, “That’s so inconvenient… It’s impossible not to come into contact with people normally. Do I have to keep my distance from everyone?”
“Not exactly. There is one person who can touch you—the one who poisoned you.”
Mu Xueshi still didn’t quite understand. His thoughts were a mess, so he simply said, “Then please help me remove the poison first.”
“I can’t cure this poison.”
“Even you can’t cure it?”
“No one can cure it, no matter who they are—unless it’s the one who administered it. Only that person has the antidote.”
Mu Xueshi ground his teeth. “Who the hell would put such a despicable poison on me…”
Li Qian smiled thoughtfully. “Of course—it’s the person who doesn’t want anyone else to touch you.”
Hearing this, Mu Xueshi’s brows gradually relaxed, though the light didn’t return to his eyes. Instead, he seemed a little downcast. Noticing Li Qian still looking at him, he quickly covered it up, saying, “Then there’s no need to cure it. This is fine too. Black is black—it’s not like I’m losing any weight because of it.”
Li Qian finally laughed, his eyes glimmering faintly, his voice carrying a trace of delight.
“You’re really cute.”
Mu Xueshi felt as if he’d been shocked by electricity. He froze for a moment, then asked, “Are you talking about me?”
“Is there anyone else here besides the two of us?”
“Well… no, but that word doesn’t really suit me…”
“It suits you perfectly. If you didn’t have this poison on you, I think I would’ve already kissed you.”
…Mu Xueshi swallowed hard. It seemed he had underestimated Li Qian. From appearances alone, he looked like an innocent young man—but hearing him say something like that, with a hint of ambiguity, made Mu Xueshi wonder if it was because he had grown up around the brothel with his sister.
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