With a new playmate, Luo Yan no longer lingered in bed.
By the third crow of the rooster, she was up and dressed, eagerly setting off to find Zhu Yun.
But to her surprise, the room was empty—not only was the bed unoccupied, the sword that usually hung on the Bogu Shelf had vanished without a trace.
Had he left without saying goodbye?
But why?
Could it be that he carried a blood feud so deep he feigned coldness toward his benefactors and slipped away silently in the dead of night to avoid dragging the innocent into trouble?
Or perhaps his poison flared up overnight, and fearing that the Jiazai might get entangled in a deadly lawsuit, he didn’t want anyone to see his withered state, so he left alone.
Luo Yan quickly dismissed these thoughts—after all, Zhu Yun hardly seemed the understanding type.
There was only one last possibility: his wounds had healed, and he had descended the mountain with a sweep of money.
She recalled how the number of jars and bottles in the Baoxiang hadn’t been quite right.
At that moment, Grandmother was already busy in the kitchen, the aroma of steamed stuffed buns mingling faintly with the scent of Leicha Porridge wafting through the air.
She took a deep breath, composed her expression in the mirror, and reassured herself, “If he’s gone, he’s gone. There are other children, after all.”
Suddenly, a soft chuckle echoed.
Startled, she turned around and saw Zhu Yun standing outside the window, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with mischief.
“You’re back? No, wait—you never left.”
“Where would I go?” Zhu Yun smiled enigmatically, a riddle in his tone. “The one who should be leaving isn’t me.”
Luo Yan, basking in the joy of having him back, barely registered his words. “Come on, come on, let’s finish breakfast quickly and set off.”
“Mm.”
He swung the window open, vaulted inside, set his sword down, and adjusted his Shuxiu.
Today, the young man’s long hair was tied high and neat—sharp and spirited.
He walked with a sway that caught Luo Yan’s attention repeatedly.
Curiously, she asked, “Did you do your own hair? It looks really nice.”
He shot her a mocking glance, as if to say—
What else?
Growing accustomed to his temper, Luo Yan was too lazy to retort.
She pretended to be indifferent and followed behind Jia Yufang.
While carrying a bowl, she whispered, “Grandmother, I want to learn how to tie my hair. I want to do it myself too.”
Jia Yufang, though well aware of her subtle rivalry with the young man, barely held back a laugh and whispered back, “Alright, I’ll teach you later.”
But children are children. After breakfast, Luo Yan had already forgotten her bold words and allowed Jia Yufang to tie her hair into a neat Shuangji.
Then, taking some Guofu, she dashed off.
The hour was still early when the two settled beneath the ancient tree.
Luo Yan poked her cheek thoughtfully, pondering whether to smile slightly or grin broadly later.
Unable to decide, she bothered the person beside her, “Hey, do I look scary like this?”
Zhu Yun was dozing but opened his eyes lazily after a couple of nudges, only to be blinded by the girl’s excessively radiant smile.
Brighter than the sun, it dazzled him and made him blink.
Luo Yan said, “When I first arrived in Qingyuan Village, I was in a bad mood and always wore a stern face. Maybe that’s why they called me the ‘Female Ghost.’”
“……”
Smiling quietly, she leaned closer and said seriously, “This is friendlier, right?”
Zhu Yun finally showed a trace of sympathy. “Maybe the ‘Female Ghost’ doesn’t mean a fierce demon.”
In folklore and Martial World tales, those called spirits or demons were often stunningly beautiful, earthly marvels.
But Luo Yan misunderstood, thinking maybe it was her pale complexion that frightened them, since the entire village shared a darker skin tone.
This time, Zhu Yun silently chuckled and closed his eyes again to rest.
The scent of Guofu drifted through the silk scarf.
Luo Yan plucked one and placed it on her tongue—the sweetness instantly flooded her taste buds, banishing all worries.
She didn’t forget to slip one to Zhu Yun, casually asking, “How old are you this year?”
Zhu Yun chewed, furrowing his brow slightly from the sweetness, then answered after swallowing, “Thirteen, I think.”
“Think?”
Could one even have uncertainty about their own age?
But this was the world of the book—she herself was orphaned, and Zhu Yun’s background was unknown, so it wasn’t unusual.
Luo Yan tactfully didn’t pry and said, “Then you’re one year older than me.”
Zhu Yun didn’t reply, seemingly ready to doze off again.
Luo Yan stopped bothering him, picked up a thin twig, and began sketching on the ground, reviewing the plot she still remembered.
She recalled that The Tale of Wu Yang was divided into two volumes—the first set in the Jianghu, the second at the imperial court. The author favored the male lead, not only letting Cui Wu Yang stand tall in the Martial World but also have him defend the realm and become a legendary emperor.
The story was long, naturally with many supporting characters.
There were over a dozen villains and countless allies.
Eight prominent noble families had names, but none bore the surname “Zhu,” nor homophones.
This was the biggest reason Luo Yan had removed Zhu Yun from the danger list and was willing to shelter him.
She erased her scribbles and sat back, watching the shadows dance across his brows and eyes. Softly, she asked, “Are you asleep?”
“……”
She wondered if he was truly asleep or just pretending.
Leaning close, her gentle breath brushed his thick eyelashes.
It tickled.
Zhu Yun had to open his eyes and glare at her. “What now?”
Though his tone was gruff, it did nothing to dampen Luo Yan’s enthusiasm for sharing. She carried on, “Did you know? Their leader is Liu Changsheng, the same age as me but bigger in build, so everyone’s afraid of him.”
Annoyed by such a trivial matter?
Zhu Yun’s eyes darkened, displeased.
Unfortunately, Luo Yan wasn’t good at reading moods.
With an audience, she grew more excited. “To catch a thief, catch the king first. Let’s win over Liu Changsheng.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“What’s that supposed to mean!”
With a mouthful of Guofu, her indignation lacked any menace.
Zhu Yun was amused and tried to tease her further, but suddenly, poison surged, and he spat a mouthful of blood.
“Hey.”
Luo Yan’s quick reflexes caught him, steadying him immediately. “What’s wrong?”
Her bright eyes shone with concern, glinting gold in the warm sunlight.
The cold words suddenly stuck in his throat.
“I’m fine.” Zhu Yun wiped his lips with the handkerchief she offered and swallowed a few more pills. His tone softened. “You want to use me to intimidate Liu Changsheng?”
Luo Yan recognized the porcelain bottle—it looked familiar. She was about to ask if he had taken hers but stopped when he saw through her plan. She blushed but wouldn’t admit it.
She shrugged, “I have lots of other games. Just say if you want to join.”
Zhu Yun was genuinely interested. “How do we play?”
“First, you help me win them over.” Luo Yan spotted four or five village children leading a Niudou over and gestured for Zhu Yun to follow, reminding him, “Use that expression you usually make when you’re mad at me—keep up the tough act.”
“……”
The children tied the Niudou to the hillside and debated whether to play grass fighting or cockfighting today.
One of them noticed Luo Yan, pointed in her direction, and the others huddled together whispering.
Luo Yan took the peaceful approach today, stopping a few steps away and calling out, “Liu Changsheng, do you want some Guofu? It’s really sweet.”
Zhu Yun’s step faltered—could this really work?
Unexpectedly, the chubby boy named Liu Changsheng’s eyes lit up and he took a few steps forward, only to be quickly pulled back by his younger sister, Liu Changyi.
That was close!
Almost got fooled.
Liu Changsheng rolled his eyes, wanting to retreat but afraid of being mocked by Guyu and the others.
Then his sister said anxiously, “Brother, I want some Guofu too.”
Seeing the plan was working, Luo Yan peeled back the oiled paper. “It really is sweet. If you don’t believe me, you can ask…”
She glanced at Zhu Yun and made up a cover on the spot, “You can ask my brother.”
“Such a slowpoke.”
Zhu Yun took the Guofu from her hand, circled the children to make sure everyone caught the scent, then pointed at Luo Yan. “Ever seen such a short Female Ghost?”
Luo Yan: ?
Wang Hunter’s second son, Guyu, pondered and told his friends, “My brother says Female Ghosts usually wear white and like eating children, but she’s about our age and always wears colorful clothes.”
His explanation dispelled the children’s fears.
Wang Guyang, who had recently turned five, was already drooling as he approached, eyes fixed eagerly on Luo Yan.
Luo Yan graciously offered, “Everyone who sees some gets some.”
After passing around one round, three pieces remained.
She fed one to Zhu Yun quietly, “If you want more, there’s some at home.”
Then she walked toward the Liu siblings, giving one piece each.
With hands caught in the act, Liu Changsheng instantly grew shy, twisting his chubby body and saying, “Thank you.”
“We’re all friends, no need to thank me.” Luo Yan straightened her back proudly and lifted her chin, boasting to Zhu Yun, “See? I told you it works.”
“Oh.”
“……”
After the children finished eating and washed their hands by the water channel, Luo Yan suggested playing “Eagle Catches the Chicks.”
The rules were simple enough for five-year-old Guyang to join.
But she overlooked one thing—Zhu Yun wouldn’t go easy on anyone.
He was the eagle, relying on agility to catch one player after another with ease, winning without a challenge.
To save the fun, Luo Yan urgently called a halt. “No, no, this round you be the mother hen.”
He nodded indifferently and swapped places with Liu Changsheng.
But despite Liu Changsheng running until he was soaked in sweat, he couldn’t catch Zhu Yun’s cloak.
Instead, the chicks behind him were flung about helplessly.
Out of breath, Luo Yan leaned against the tree trunk and waved her hands frantically, “I call for a halftime break.”
Liu Changsheng came over and imitated her, “I call for a halftime break too.”
Since their friendship was still fragile, Luo Yan caught her breath and proposed again, “Let’s play hide and seek instead. Tomorrow I’ll bring you all something even better.”
Motivated by the promise, the children grew excited.
The first round had Wang Guyu as the seeker, but he couldn’t count well, so Luo Yan told him to open his eyes after roughly finishing the count.
After that, Liu Changsheng took his sister to hide behind a haystack; Qinglian from the carpenter’s family nimbly climbed onto a cow’s back; as for Guyu’s little brother, being so young, he covered his eyes with a leaf, convinced he had hidden best.
Luo Yan looked around, unwilling to hide low and dirty her skirt, nor go far under the hot sun.
She fretted, “What should we do?”
“Not us,” Zhu Yun pointed above. “I’ll hide in the tree.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Yan glanced at the leafy old tree—it truly was an excellent hiding spot.
The problem was that the sturdy branches strong enough to hold a person were several feet off the ground. How to get up there?
Just as Guyu slowly lowered his hands, she grabbed Zhu Yun’s sleeve, both anxious and stern. “If you don’t take me, I’ll tell Guyu where you’re hiding.”
“……”
Seeing her threat work, she pressed on, “Next time, I won’t tell you about any fun games.”
Zhu Yun admitted he was quite interested in these so-called games.
Back in the Order of the Moon-Seizing Tower, since he could remember, it was only training and getting beaten up.
When he got older, he started taking on assassination missions.
He never knew what ordinary children did or what their lives were like.
Now he understood—it wasn’t unpleasant and actually quite novel.
Meeting the girl’s determined gaze, Zhu Yun reached out, embraced her waist, and lightly soared to the treetop.
He really flew.
Luo Yan felt her vision blur for a moment.
When she steadied herself, both feet were firmly on the branch.
It was as if she had opened the door to a new world.
Zhu Yun, noticing her pupils dilate, frowned. “Are you afraid of heights?”
“No, no.” Luo Yan clung tightly to his arm and sweetly pleaded, “Master, please accept me as your disciple.”
He nearly fell from the tree at that address.
Leaves drifted down, and Wang Guyu was about to look up after being struck.
Driven by his competitive spirit, Zhu Yun lifted the girl with ghostlike lightness to an even higher perch, completely concealed within the greenery.
This was truly the legendary lightness skill!
For the first time, Luo Yan felt the reality of having traveled into the book. She grabbed his sleeve excitedly, shaking it, “Master! Master! Master!”
Annoying.
Zhu Yun rubbed his brow, considering whether to throw her down.
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