Chapter 374: Is That Mu Yiting?

Chapter 374: Is That Mu Yiting?

In the Zhi Shu Ge, at a corner of the study desk, a noble silver-haired girl delicately held an esoteric book, while a plush and chubby Spirit Cat sat regally on the desk.

The Spirit Cat, having extensive knowledge and an uncanny ability to judge character, concluded that Lin Nuo had brought Qin Shili to the stele and encountered Jun and Ling, ultimately obtaining the Water Spirit Heart and shouldering the mission to resist the Sea Domain Dragon Clan.

It was just formulating a few elder-like blessings to offer Qin Shili.

But the outcome…

Things hadn’t gone as it had anticipated.

The girl who shared the Water Spirit Heart with Lin Nuo was not Qin Shili but someone else entirely.

The Dao Yuan Spirit Cat was instantly left speechless.

A total blunder, and it couldn’t find the words.

Meanwhile, Qin Shili gleaned something extraordinary from the Spirit Cat’s words.

She sifted through the crucial information: Lin Nuo, another girl, obtained a vital item called the Water Spirit Heart, and bore an important mission.

If only Lin Nuo was shouldering the important mission alone, it wouldn’t have surprised her in the least. After all, given his strength, he should be entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

However, there was an additional girl involved.

Who could that be?

She racked her brain, trying to deduce the identity of this other person.

Lin Nuo was acting as an undercover agent at Helong Hall; according to Master Zhao, Mu Yiting was also working alongside him.

If it was a significant mission, it had to relate to Helong Hall.

So this must be Mu Yiting.

Yes, that’s right.

As for the Water Spirit Heart, it was still unknown to her what exactly it was, but it must be a treasure with miraculous powers.

Why did the Dao Yuan elder know about this?

That made sense, considering that the Dao Yuan elder was erudite and widely knowledgeable, so it wasn’t strange for him to be informed.

But now, regarding Lin Nuo’s undercover work at Helong Hall, with Mu Yiting assisting and her, Qin Shili, acting as the intelligence liaison, it was possible that the Dao Yuan elder had misidentified the target.

Yet, she was also part of the task team and was kept in the dark.

Qin Shili had lost the focus to read calmly. Normally, she might have slammed the book shut in anger, but here in Zhi Shu Ge, she had to gracefully turn the pages before finally closing it.

Outwardly showing no sign of emotion, her heart was seething with anger.

She sincerely asked, “Elder, may I inquire what this matter is about? Why did you mistake that other girl for me?”

Dao Yuan Spirit Cat felt embarrassed after that major misjudgment; conversing pleasantly was out of the question now—it was becoming increasingly awkward, and it was better to conclude the topic.

It merely waved its paw dismissively and said, “That’s enough for now; the secrets of heaven shouldn’t be revealed.”

With that, it turned lightly, stepping away from the desk with graceful cat-like steps.

It rushed in, spilled a huge chunk of information, and then hurried out without leaving a trace, leaving Qin Shili with ample room for thought.

In Qin Shili’s eyes, the Dao Yuan Spirit Cat was enigmatic and inscrutable.

But in reality, it was merely a cat who made a mistaken guess and spoke halfway.

Qin Shili stood up and returned the book to the shelf.

Her thoughts were in disarray, filled with ideas about Lin Nuo, the other girl, and the Water Spirit Heart.

Perhaps she had no choice but to ask the person directly.

She had to find Lin Nuo.

…

Mu Yiting returned to the Xuanyun Sect earlier than Lin Nuo.

After all, she could fly with her sword while Lin Nuo had to land halfway through and walk back. They eventually met Su Kexin, who had dawdled in the mountains for quite a while before returning, so naturally, she got back first.

Feeling baffled, she wondered why she hadn’t seen Lin Nuo yet, even though she believed she had lost some time due to other matters.

Had he encountered trouble on the way, or was his so-called return home actually to another location?

What was the point of her returning, if all she wanted was to see him?

Mu Yiting felt quite gloomy. She had already spent a day at the Xuanyun Sect without catching sight of Lin Nuo, and the disciples inside hadn’t seen him return either.

Even stranger.

Today, she had been summoned by Master Zhao for a discussion about the undercover operation.

The problem was, she was utterly confused and didn’t have a clue about it.

Moreover, Lin Nuo’s undercover name at Helong Hall wasn’t Ni Daye but rather Lin Xiaohai.

There was no Lin Xiaohai in Helong Hall, at least not within her sphere of influence.

Thus, she speculated that Lin Nuo intended something else.

Lin Nuo had intentionally indicated that she would join him at Helong Hall as an undercover, having a backup plan in case she was discovered. Master Zhao would then cover for her.

But he didn’t inform her and instead infiltrated her faction under a different identity.

According to the Xuanyun Sect’s plan, Lin Nuo was set to go undercover in Helong Hall’s major power, yet he chose to help her faction instead, seeking her rise.

Why was that?

Perhaps it was all for her.

So now, Lin Nuo was secretly assisting her as he was taking this rare opportunity to be an undercover agent, even adopting a new name.

Thus, she had to cooperate with him and couldn’t disclose anything about his activities.

Facing Master Zhao, Mu Yiting fabricated a story, claiming she was gathering intelligence on Helong Hall together with Lin Nuo, portraying herself as a small leader who was knowledgeable about Helong Hall matters.

She shared some minor issues with Master Zhao, making her story convincing enough that he let her go.

Mu Yiting was adept at disguising herself, having concealed her identity at Xuanyun Sect for so long; managing Master Zhao was well within her capabilities.

After parting with Master Zhao, Mu Yiting planned to return to her quarters. With no news of Lin Nuo’s return, she decided to wait a bit longer.

One more day; if he truly hadn’t come back, she would have to head out—she couldn’t waste time at Xuanyun Sect.

She walked through the lush green forest, crossed the gently flowing creek, heading toward the female cultivator dwelling.

With six miles left to her residence, at Xuanyun Sect, she was a gentle and charming female cultivator, much beloved within the sect.

As she made her way, she encountered several disciples.

“Senior Sister Mu, hello!”

“Junior Sister Mu, good to see you!”

“Yiting, long time no see!”

…

In response to the greetings from the practitioners, Mu Yiting always put on a virtuous and gentle demeanor, greeting everyone with a pleasant smile.

“Junior Brother, Senior Sister, Senior Brother…”

She was no stranger to this act; she appeared sincere, but in reality, she was merely a robotic response with no emotional investment.

Mu Yiting had grown accustomed to greeting people, so much so that it became mechanical, repeating pleasantries as a crowd of passing practitioners greeted her kindly.

Suddenly, a lad with his head lowered, munching on a biscuit and blending in with the practitioners, didn’t acknowledge her. He focused on something while chewing away, completely ignoring Mu Yiting.

Mu Yiting felt like something was off. This shouldn’t be; male practitioners always greeted her.

Yet it seemed someone had overlooked her.

Snapping out of her daze, she turned her gaze to discover who it was.

Could it be… Lin Nuo?

“Why are you ignoring me?”

Mu Yiting reached out to grab Lin Nuo’s arm, causing a bunch of practitioners to look curiously in Lin Nuo’s direction.

Lin Nuo finally lifted his head, coming back to reality.

He paused.

Wasn’t this… wait, no, it’s not, ugh, it’s Mu Yiting!