MTLNOVEL Chapter 266: You Wouldn't Lie to Me, Right?
Li Xuanxiao and Di Nü Feng whispered together in the cave for quite some time.
Li Xuanxiao noticed something odd about the way Di Nü Feng was looking at him.
This hadn't just started now - ever since he'd forced Liu Yi to his death, her gaze toward him had changed.
How to describe it...
Her eyes held wariness, distance, and even a trace of fear toward him.
"Mhm."
"Okay."
"Mhm."
"Oh."
Li Xuanxiao blinked.
Di Nü Feng kept her head lowered, avoiding eye contact.
She didn't know how to define Li Xuanxiao anymore.
At first, he had saved her.
She'd simply felt indebted to him.
Later, he escaped from her grasp.
She found him interesting then, swearing to kill this man who had played her and betrayed her.
But as they continued interacting...
Di Nü Feng gradually realized she'd never truly understood Li Xuanxiao.
Surrounding and killing the old emperor, forcing the deputy leader to suicide...
Even convincing a Tribulation Transcension expert to willingly accept death with just a few words.
Di Nü Feng's eyes darted about.
This Li Xuanxiao was kind of terrifying~
Would he scheme against me?
No - he's been scheming all along.
Why is he helping me retake Tian Sha Hall?
Does he have some ulterior motive? Does he want to learn all about Tian Sha Hall before having me surrounded and killed.......
Lost in her thoughts, Di Nü Feng didn't register a word Li Xuanxiao said.
Not far from her, Li Xuanxiao couldn't help but frown.
This was exactly what he liked about Di Nü Feng.
Whatever she was thinking was completely betrayed by her expressions.
The kind of person where she didn't even need to speak -
One look at her face revealed everything.
Hmm, Di Nü Feng was starting to suspect him.
This was within Li Xuanxiao's expectations.
What's she imagining now?
Ah, probably thinking about poisoning me.
Then giving me antidotes periodically to control me.......
"Want some candy?" Di Nü Feng produced a piece from her sleeve.
Li Xuanxiao stayed silent.
Di Nü Feng also fell quiet, guiltily avoiding his gaze before suddenly and unnaturally whistling.
(*´з｀*)
Some time later.
Li Xuanxiao and Di Nü Feng left the cave.
"Follow the plan in the silk pouch I gave you. I believe you'll retake Tian Sha Hall soon."
The pouch didn't contain any miraculous strategy.
As deputy leader, Liu Yi had usurped power to begin with.
Having led Tian Sha Hall for millennia, Di Nü Feng still had followers among the faithful.
Loyal subordinates remained too, like Zhang Tianxin.
Most importantly, with Liu Yi dead, the organization was leaderless.
Dealing with the remaining Four Guardian Vajras wouldn't be difficult for Di Nü Feng.
She carefully tucked away Li Xuanxiao's silk pouch.
"Let's stay in touch."
After a hesitant nod, Di Nü Feng lightly tapped her toes and vanished from sight.
Watching her disappear,
Li Xuanxiao gradually gathered his thoughts, finally returning them to his main body in the thatched cottage beneath Silver Sword Peak of Mount Shushan.
The Tian Sha Hall matter was now just mopping up loose ends.
Essentially resolved.
Now the key issue - Big Silly Phoenix was becoming harder to deceive.
This wouldn't do - he couldn't let her interact with too many people.
If someone slightly clever gave her advice, he'd be in trouble.
Best keep her by his side constantly.
Huh? Why did that sound like some creepy yandere trope?
Li Xuanxiao examined the candy Di Nü Feng gave him, checking for poison.
But after thorough inspection, he found nothing toxic.
He paused - was this just ordinary candy?
Unconvinced, he checked several more times.
Finally confirming - yes, just regular candy.
Sitting atop the mountain peak, Li Xuanxiao's silhouette appeared especially tall and straight against the sunset.
The evening glow painted the sky in brilliant oranges and reds.
Breeze-tousled strands of hair fluttered lightly.
Gazing at the candy in his palm,
Li Xuanxiao seemed to hear voices again.
"Li Xuanxiao, you wouldn't lie to me, right?"
"You think I'm stupid too, don't you? Easy to trick?"
"Answer me! Look me in the eyes!"
"........"
Rotating the candy between his fingers, Li Xuanxiao's gaze grew profound.
"........"
Three years later.
Sword Holding Pavilion.
Arriving as usual during his scheduled shift,
Li Xuanxiao scanned the mission jade slips, considering his options,
When a particular slip inexplicably drew his attention.
"Murderous Demon Bird Incident."
He knew this pull wasn't random.
Touching the slip, he closed his eyes,
Absorbing the information within while simultaneously performing divination gestures.
Soon the demon bird's image overlapped with that of the Glazed Feather Bird he'd encountered by the river years ago.
Hmm?
Li Xuanxiao's brow furrowed slightly.
What's this about?
That Glazed Feather Bird should have achieved human form by now.
Back then, noticing its accumulated virtue, he'd answered its cultivation questions.
Thus forming a karmic connection.
Had some accident prevented its transformation, causing it to abandon all restraint?
Or was there another reason?
Without hesitation, Li Xuanxiao accepted the mission.
Since fate had connected them years ago,
It was only right he resolve this matter now.
"Junior Brother Xuanxiao~"
Li Xuanxiao shivered.
(°ー°〃)
Pressure comparable to a Tribulation Transcension expert!!
".........."