Chapter 331: This Feels Like an Exchange of Tokens of Affection

Chapter 331: This Feels Like an Exchange of Tokens of Affection

Liu Shuqin was a sentimental girl, lost in her thoughts during the quiet of the night.

Honestly, it wasn’t just her; even modern people would start to feel melancholic past midnight.

With the world in turmoil and chaos, it’s no wonder Liu Shuqin fell into such sorrow for the fate of her country and its people.

The full moon hung overhead, a night meant for reunion, yet countless souls were wandering, displaced.

With that thought, a wave of melancholy washed over her heart.

“The wind at the cliff is quite strong. Aren’t you scared standing here?”

“Junior Martial Brother, you’re joking! As cultivators, how could we fear cliffs and precipices?”

“I’m embarrassed to be a cultivator. The wind is too strong, and I’m afraid I’ll fall.”

Lin Nuo said seriously, but Liu Shuqin sensed a hint of mischief in his tone, causing her to cover her mouth and giggle.

Only Lin Nuo would take the time to cheer her up on Tianling Mountain.

“Then if you think the cliff’s wind is strong, where should we go?”

“Isn’t there a stone bench? Let’s head over.”

Lin Nuo pointed to a spot, and the two walked over.

On the deep night of Tianling Mountain, numerous fireflies fluttered about, bringing warmth even in the chilly night.

There was a carved stone chessboard on the table, usually used by the elders for their games.

They sat facing each other, surrounded by fireflies as if they were a couple enjoying a candlelit dinner.

Lin Nuo looked around at the fireflies and said:

“These fireflies seem to be attracted to you.”

“Oh no, they’re just drawn here by your aura, Junior Martial Brother.”

“When I’m alone, they don’t come near me.”

“You’re just joking. If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t be here. The fireflies of Tianling Mountain are sentient, and they’re drawn to your righteousness.”

Liu Shuqin laughed, feeling blessed to be surrounded by so many fireflies because of Lin Nuo.

As a child, she loved fireflies, chasing after them in joyful oblivion, free from the burdens of the world and the ambiguities of the future.

She adored the serene fields and quiet woods, where endless fantasies lived.

However, as she grew up, those childhood dreams were hidden deep within her heart, and even if she encountered serene fields and woods now, the fantasies had long since faded away.

It felt as if there were many things she wanted to say, yet she didn’t know to whom she could confide.

Now, Lin Nuo had become the person she relied upon, and she wanted to talk to him.

Ironically, she used to be the one to comfort Lin Nuo. Every time he struggled with his training and was mocked by his peers, she would find ways to encourage him.

Now, it was her who needed comforting.

But it wasn’t embarrassing at all, after all, Lin Nuo was a peerless hero, mature, composed, and unfathomable.

Most importantly, he was the person she admired most.

Liu Shuqin gazed up at the bright moon and murmured softly:

“Junior Martial Brother, some things I might say will sound strange to you. I just feel… I shouldn’t exist at this moment.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I’m not sure; it just feels that way. Oh, how strange, don’t mind me, Junior Martial Brother.”

With a light sigh, Liu Shuqin’s sentimental self often had odd thoughts.

“Not strange at all. Perhaps it’s your intuition; some things are beyond explanation.”

Lin Nuo replied calmly. Indeed, according to the timeline, Liu Shuqin shouldn’t be alive. Yet, here she was, thriving.

Humans are peculiar; sometimes their instincts are spot-on, yet the person in question is clueless.

Lin Nuo had kept his rebirth a secret from everyone, as there was no need to share.

Liu Shuqin continued to worry:

“Junior Martial Brother, I had a dream last night. I saw you in a black battle robe, fighting on the battlefield. Everyone perished, but you survived, stained in blood.”

“Mm?”

Lin Nuo was taken aback; why did that dream feel so bizarre?

Not bizarre, but real.

Lin Nuo tried to act nonchalant:

“It’s just a dream. Besides, you come from a general’s family. Isn’t it common to fight on the battlefield?”

“That’s true… but it felt so terrifying; Junior Martial Brother, you carry so much burden…”

Liu Shuqin said, standing up slightly, walking toward Lin Nuo, and grasping his hand:

“Junior Martial Brother, if you feel burdened, please don’t bear it alone. After all, I’m your Senior Martial Sister; perhaps I can help lighten it a bit.”

“It’s merely a dream; no need to make a fuss. What burdens could I possibly have?”

Lin Nuo shrugged off, yet he didn’t release Liu Shuqin’s hand.

There was no one who could share his burdens. He was a reborn soul, aware of far too much, while Liu Shuqin was blissfully ignorant of the future.

Moreover, someone who aspired to righteousness shouldn’t be burdened by a villain’s weight; it simply wasn’t realistic.

“Get some sleep and stop overthinking. If you keep going, I might become the world’s villain!”

Lin Nuo chuckled, speaking in a joking tone.

“That day will never come. If it ever does, I will do everything in my power to bring you back to the right path!”

Liu Shuqin replied seriously, taking Lin Nuo’s words as not just playful banter.

Lin Nuo paused again, sensing her innocence, but from her perspective, it was perfectly natural.

In the past, everyone fought against him. He had thought of returning to the right path, but no one gave him the chance, so he simply opted not to go back, steadfastly choosing the villainous road.

She didn’t understand, but he hadn’t expected her to.

“You should focus on your matters.”

Lin Nuo gently freed her hand.

“I heard you’re going out to train soon. Good luck.”

“And what about you, Junior Martial Brother? What will you do next?”

“I have some civil tasks to complete.”

“Will anyone accompany you?”

Liu Shuqin asked anxiously, referring to the several girls he had interactions with.

“I’ll be going solo.”

He needed to keep the undercover situation confidential; he didn’t plan on revealing anyone else.

“Oh, then be careful on your journey. By the way, Junior Martial Brother, I have a peace stone for you.”

Liu Shuqin took out a small, green spirit stone from her dress and handed it to Lin Nuo.

“Though it’s not a precious spirit stone, my mother once said it can ensure safety. It’s very effective, please take it, Junior Martial Brother.”

Lin Nuo almost laughed; if that peace stone worked, Liu Shuqin wouldn’t have died in his previous life.

Seeing it wasn’t a precious spirit stone, he accepted it to please her.

“Thanks.”

He placed it in his pocket and then handed Liu Shuqin a golden talisman.

This was the true peace talisman; in the event of a powerful attack, it could withstand one strong blow.

This was like a budget version of the Great威天龙; he crafted two, giving one to Liu Shuqin and keeping one for himself.

“A token exchange of spirit objects, a peace symbol, for the sentiment.”

“Thank you, Junior Martial Brother.”

Liu Shuqin graciously took Lin Nuo’s golden talisman. Although its power was immense, it appeared quite ordinary on the surface.

Liu Shuqin didn’t have much knowledge of talismans and couldn’t discern the depth of the golden talisman.

To her, it felt as if they were exchanging tokens of affection.