Chapter 481: The Disaster of Nightfall

Chapter 481: The Disaster of Nightfall

As night fell, Qin Shili arrived as promised.

She was not in good spirits, yet she always showed up for Lin Nuo’s invitations.

It felt like a date, though a precious experience indeed.

Today, however, she seemed off, but her face remained as cold as ever, revealing little.

Yet again, in that small grove, the night wind howled, rustling the branches and leaves.

The silver-haired girl, Qin Shili, gently raised her right hand, letting her silky hair slide between her fingers.

Occasionally, echoes of sounds she encountered in Tian Lin crossed her mind; despite her composure, they still piqued her interest.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I just arrived too.”

In truth, Qin Shili had come early to wait for Lin Nuo.

The grove was as desolate as ever, with only the sound of rustling branches and the footsteps of two people approaching each other.

“Something big happened today; I see the Xuanyun Sect has also retreated. You ought to know this.”

“Yes, I know.”

Qin Shili nodded, her voice cold as she said,

“Elder Yuan mentioned that there are spells cast within Tian Lin, and the range is extensive. Those affected hear strange sounds in their heads—some suffer minor mental strains, while others become lethargic.”

“Right, I suspect it’s coming from the center of Tian Lin. There must be a conspiracy behind this.”

“So, are you planning to foil this conspiracy and save the people of Tian Yuan Region?”

“What nonsense? Why would I go save them? If someone is scheming here, I don’t need to lift a finger. Once they all perish in this conspiracy, no one will stop me from taking over Tian Yuan Region. I’m telling you, you can lead the cultivators to retreat. We can succeed while lying down.”

“We lie down? You want to share a pillow with me? Tonight?”

Qin Shili’s shocking remark threw Lin Nuo off his train of thought.

“Just a metaphor, not an actual lie-down… I mean to reap without sowing, no need to interfere, got it?”

“Then you can lie down with me too, without interfering, no problem.”

Qin Shili continued, rendering Lin Nuo momentarily speechless.

So, to talk about “lying down and winning,” must he share a bed to achieve that?

This completely reshaped his understanding of “lying down and winning.”

By that logic, how do those without beautiful girls win? With muscle men, perhaps?

That image is indeed quite picturesque.

“Ahem.”

Lin Nuo coughed to disrupt this nonsensical topic.

“Anyway, there’s trouble in Tian Yuan Region. No need for me to intervene; we’ll see how it unfolds. But I suggest you steer clear of Tian Yuan Region—being here too long might lead to unforeseen mental damage.”

“If something happens to me, would you save me?”

Qin Shili’s gaze turned intense, her tone serious, devoid of any previous teasing; she genuinely sought a satisfying answer.

Lin Nuo hesitated, studying this woman with the surname Qin, her demeanor icy as usual, making it hard to read her unease.

Lin Nuo asked, “What did you hear from the spells in Tian Lin?”

“You don’t need to worry about it; I can handle it. Don’t you trust me?”

“No, I was just asking casually; naturally, I believe you.”

Lin Nuo replied calmly,

“So, will you get into some trouble?”

“Just answer me; don’t ask anything else.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Just that one word brought Qin Shili reassurance. She didn’t probe whether Lin Nuo was sincere; it was enough that he could say that.

“Thank you,” she said, adding two more words.

“What are you thanking me for? I haven’t saved you yet.”

“I’m leaving now; we’ll retreat soon. Good luck.”

Qin Shili’s words were devoid of fluctuations, very calm.

She walked lightly past Lin Nuo and was about to head back when suddenly, she recalled something important.

“Right.”

Qin Shili stopped, turned back, and leaned closer to Lin Nuo.

Her delicate hand brushed his cheek before landing a kiss on his lips.

As usual, it felt cold, like ice cream.

The skillful action had become second nature; after the kiss, she stepped back.

Lin Nuo touched his lips with a fingertip, muttering,

“You really never miss a chance, do you?”

“Of course.”

“You only do this at every meeting, right?”

“Just changing up the sequence to keep you on your toes. What? Do you mind? It doesn’t matter if you do; I certainly don’t.” Qin Shili responded coldly.

“You are indeed quite domineering.”

“Shouldn’t I be? You want me to back you up; you’d better be ready for that.”

Qin Shili raised her hand to brush her silver hair again, the evening breeze causing it to flutter, a faint fragrance carried along.

Like a dazzling white rose in the forest, exquisite and noble.

“I look forward to you taking the initiative again.”

Qin Shili said her final words before turning and walking away.

She walked straight ahead, never looking back, eventually vanishing into the depths of the grove.

Lin Nuo watched her leave, left standing alone as the night wind swept in, fallen leaves scattered, creating a sense of desolation and sorrow.

“I sure hope nothing happens.”

Lin Nuo said coldly, kicking the scattered leaves aside before disappearing into the grove.

…

The cultivators of Xuanyun Sect had all retreated from Tian Lin, returning to the inn.

Elder Yuan immediately gathered them for meditation, urging calm, advising them not to panic but to stabilize their minds and drive away the strange sounds.

It was all a spell disrupting their mental states; as long as their minds stayed calm enough, they could resolve it. Elder Yuan believed they could manage.

After a round of meditation, those bizarre sounds finally faded, and they felt a bit more at ease.

“There are clues here in Tian Lin; the spell is disturbing our minds. Now everyone can drive it away. Let’s rest well tonight and think of strategies to face our enemies.”

Elder Yuan told the disciples to return to their rooms early and not to overthink things; they’d be fine after some rest.

They followed his advice, rushing to bathe and change clothes, while calming incense was lit in the rooms to soothe their minds and relax themselves.

Liu Shuqin changed into a thin dress and sat by her bed.

“Junior Martial Brother, you doing okay?”

She whispered to herself. Given what happened in Tian Lin, she naturally worried for Lin Nuo’s safety.

“Junior Martial Brother is extraordinary; he should have a way out. I should just focus on myself. Those are just confusing bad words; don’t dwell on them.”

Having said that, she pulled back the covers, took off her shoes, and climbed into bed.

A good sleep would do her good.

She covered herself with the blanket, her eyelids drooping, and soon fell into a deep slumber.

That night, the border town was eerily silent, while dark claws reached into everyone’s dreams…

…

In Wutu City, Liu Shuqin’s hometown.

She walked through the bustling streets, adults holding cute children, the elderly sitting on small stools chatting and laughing, vendors on the street showing satisfied smiles; the people lived in peace and harmony, quiet and serene.

“Hello, Miss Liu.”

“Hm, hello, Uncle Li, Uncle Zhou.”

“Thanks to Miss Liu’s family’s governance, the people of Wutu City have such a good life.”

“That’s what we ought to do.”

“Miss Liu is beautiful and kind-hearted; truly a blessing for the common folk. I hope she stays safe and finds a good husband soon.”

Looking at the stable Wutu City, Liu Shuqin felt reassured, her wish for the world was for everyone under heaven to live in safety and happiness.

However, such scenes of peace and prosperity were but fleeting…