Chapter 27: Who on Earth Are You?

Long before Gu Dinghan had finished discussing matters with Yun Zhao, Bai Lingxiao had already summoned a small beast to track down the Dragon Saliva Grass.

Gu Dinghan looked displeased. "She didn't even say a word to us."

"Alright, alright," Meng Wenchang pulled him along. "Let’s stop talking and hurry over before we get separated."

With that, they departed.

Mu Qianqian pursed her lips. "Zhaozhao, let me tell you, this Gu Dinghan is no good. He looks all smiles and easy to get along with, but he’s actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing."

"Just like Song Zhiyuan!"

"Never mind them," Yun Zhao mused for a moment. "Did they mention Song Zhiyuan’s name just now?"

Mu Qianqian recalled. "It seems... they did."

Yun Zhao looked at Qi Yan, who nodded. "I heard it too. They said Song Zhiyuan told them the Dragon Saliva Grass grows here."

"Zhaozhao," Mu Qianqian asked, puzzled, "Why would Song Zhiyuan want Dragon Saliva Grass? He doesn't need Body Tempering Pills."

Lin Shu interjected, "Exactly. Dragon Saliva Grass is only used to refine Body Tempering Pills, and most people don't need those."

"But Junior Brother Qi needs them," Shuang Xue said, setting down her notebook where she recorded inspiration. "Do you think it’s possible that Song Zhiyuan doesn't want Junior Brother Qi to have them?"

Venturing into conspiracy theories, Yun Zhao felt that was a possibility.

"Whether he wants it or not, we have the Dragon Saliva Grass now."

Yun Zhao placed the herb into a jade box for safekeeping. "When it’s time to leave the secret realm, we’ll head out and pay them no mind."

The group nodded. "Agreed."

Since there was no need for training for a while, they built a campfire and roasted some small spirit beasts they had caught. They seasoned the meat with various spices and honey. Fuguang and Yinxie sniffed the air repeatedly, but unable to eat the meat, they retreated to the side to gnaw on spirit stones.

Qi Yan sliced the roasted meat into thin, cicada-wing-like pieces. Yun Zhao picked up a slice.

"Wow," Yun Zhao praised. "Ah Yan, you’re amazing! Your knife skills are incredible!"

She glanced at her own attempt at cutting; well, the shape didn't matter as long as it was edible.

"Just keep practicing," Qi Yan said, wiping his dagger. "You'll be able to cut like this once you’ve practiced enough."

As he spoke, he sliced some spirit fruits into various shapes, drizzled them with honey, and set them before Yun Zhao.

Yun Zhao had an epiphany. "So, the reason you always stayed in your room before was to practice your knife work? No wonder you don't like going out."

Qi Yan: "..."

That was not the case.

Furthermore, the knife skills he used to slice the meat were honed in his previous life.

He had so many enemies; if he practiced by carving 3,650 cuts into each one, he was bound to get good at it.

Recalling the way his enemies had begged for mercy in his past life, Qi Yan suddenly felt an itch in his hands. His gaze swept past Yun Zhao, who was alternating between bites of meat and fruit, and lingered on Lin Shu and the others for two seconds.

Shuang Yue pulled her cloak tighter. "Why do I suddenly feel cold?"

Lin Shu shivered. "Me too."

Mu Qianqian looked confused. "Cold? I don't feel anything."

"Ah Yan," Yun Zhao said, popping a piece of spirit fruit into his mouth. "This is delicious, try it."

Qi Yan withdrew his gaze. "Too sweet."

"I think so too," Yun Zhao said, holding a piece of fruit she had already bitten into on a toothpick, looking conflicted. "But I really love this texture. When we get back, let’s have Xiao Tong make some plum sauce to drizzle over it; that should make it better."

Qi Yan took the toothpick from her hand and replaced it with a fresh one. "How do you make plum sauce?"

Yun Zhao thought for a moment and began to describe it to him.

"Huh," Lin Shu wondered, "Why isn't it cold anymore?"

After they were full, Qi Yan told them to rest while he kept watch. They were not alone on the mountaintop, and to guard against any sneak attacks from Gu Dinghan and his companions, they had to remain vigilant.

Yun Zhao yawned. "Ah Yan, sorry for the trouble."

"Go get some rest," Qi Yan poked the fire. "Good night."

Yun Zhao squatted on the ground. "Qi Yan, this is the first time you’ve said good night to me."

"Is it?" Qi Yan looked at the dancing flames.

"Yes," Yun Zhao said, resting her chin on her knees. "And you actually called me 'Zhaozhao'. What’s the matter, have you fallen in love with me?"

Qi Yan’s body stiffened. He closed his eyes and replied curtly, "No."

"Oh," Yun Zhao sighed. "Looks like I was just being wishful." Her tone was tinged with loneliness.

Qi Yan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he pursed his lips. "I..."

"Well, I’ll keep working hard!" Yun Zhao made a gesture of encouragement. "I'll try again tomorrow, and I’ll make you fall in love with me soon!" Her voice was full of energy.

After Yun Zhao left, Qi Yan opened his eyes. He stared at the fire for a long time before closing them again.

[Favorability +5, current favorability 45]

Inside the tent, Yun Zhao secretly congratulated herself. She had always said that if you provide enough familial, platonic, and romantic affection, there must be something the villain needs!

"It’s just a pity for me, working three jobs at once." She had to be family, a friend, and a lover.

The system couldn't help but chime in: "Host, if you’re tired, just stick to romance. I’ve analyzed the big data, and what the villain needs most is a lover."

Yun Zhao was pleasantly surprised. "System, you’re back? How did that investigation go?"

"That..." the system said guiltily, "the main system hasn't replied yet. Host, you’ll have to wait a little longer."

"Alright," Yun Zhao said, disappointed. "By the way, is your analysis accurate?"

"Of course it is!"

Yun Zhao thought for a moment. "Forget it, I’ll stick to all three jobs. What if what Qi Yan actually needs is family and friendship?"

Betting everything on romance was too risky.

"Oh," the system replied. It was a single, emotionless word, yet Yun Zhao somehow sensed a hint of regret.

Hmm, must be a misunderstanding. How could a machine have emotions?

She pulled up her quilt and felt her eyes growing heavy with sleep. Just as she drifted off, she heard the sounds of fighting outside.

She sat up abruptly, kicked off the quilt, and rushed outside.

The campfire had gone out, but as a cultivator with excellent night vision, Yun Zhao could see clearly even without light.

"Yun Zhao, don't come out!"

Qi Yan’s voice rang out, but it was too late. Yun Zhao saw him locked in combat with three figures. One of them, seeing her emerge, lunged toward her.

Yun Zhao decisively drew Fuguang and engaged the attacker.

The sounds of the battle were loud, yet Mu Qianqian and the others did not emerge. Yun Zhao felt a surge of anxiety, fearing they might have been harmed.

"Who are you people!"

Yun Zhao dodged the attacker's sword and summoned a fireball, hurling it at him.

The man didn't answer and lunged again, clashing swords with her.

Qi Yan saw this and tried to intervene, but he was held back by the other two, unable to break free. His expression was grim, his grip on Yinxie tightening.

After narrowly dodging several strikes, Yun Zhao shouted to Qi Yan, "I'm fine, just deal with them first..."

The person fighting Qi Yan sneered, "Deal with us? You don't have the skill!"

Yun Zhao felt a sense of familiarity, yet the feeling was strange.

Her hesitation cost her; the man’s sword came toward her. Unable to dodge in time, her sleeve was torn.

Yun Zhao paused. "You don't want to hurt me?"

That strike could have easily pierced her shoulder; why had he deliberately shifted the blade?

"Who on earth are you people!"