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墨書 Inktalez
"What? Your father still hasn't returned? It's been ten days. It only takes two days to travel from Linjiang to Yun Cheng, and you don't have any relatives to visit..." Zhao Daye said, frowning and speaking in a rough voice.
"Perhaps he'll be back tomorrow. Uncle Zhao, please wait a little longer," Ling Yunchu replied.
Though she wore a faint smile, doubt gnawed at her heart. Her father had been gone for so long without a word.
Just as she sent Zhao Daye off, Ling Yunchu spotted He Chong approaching her stall with a bright smile.
Seeing He Chong's cheerful demeanor made Ling Yunchu feel irritated deep down. Ever since she learned his true identity that night, they hadn't seen each other again.
She had gone to Clear Crane Temple to find him, but the young Taoist guarding the gate told her that the Temple Master was in seclusion and could not be disturbed.
She knew he was avoiding her and decided not to pursue the matter further. She never expected he would come looking for her today.
"Well, what brings you here, Temple Master?" Ling Yunchu asked, looking up at He Chong with a forced smile, her knife coming down hard on the cutting board.
He Chong raised an eyebrow, his smile warm and gentle. "Naturally, I came to see you because I missed you."
"Oh? Are you no longer afraid of scaring me?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Ling Yunchu regretted them. She noticed the flicker of hurt in He Chong's eyes but refused to back down first.
This scoundrel of a Taoist had left without a word that night and now just waltzed back in as if nothing had happened. Did he think she was someone easy to toy with?
"Yun Chu," He Chong called softly, "the day you came to Clear Crane Temple, it wasn't that I didn't want to see you; I simply couldn't get away at that moment." Seeing that Ling Yunchu was ignoring him, he grasped her wrist and pulled her into the house.
"Couldn't get away?" Ling Yunchu scoffed, trying to break free from his grip. However, his strength was too great, and she had no choice but to relent. "What about before? You had so many chances to be honest with me but chose to keep it all hidden!"
At her words, He Chong slowly released her and said quietly, "Do you really think that saying it would change anything? Yun Chu, were you not scared at all? When you saw my true form that night, didn't you feel even a hint of fear? Rather than confessing the truth and facing your disgust, I'd rather keep it all hidden." His gaze was intense as he questioned her, unable to mask the self-mockery in his voice.
Ling Yunchu was momentarily stunned. That night, she had indeed been shocked by his true identity; however, after the initial shock, what lingered was a deeper anger at being deceived—he did not trust her enough to share such an important truth!
“I’m angry because—” Ling Yunchu was about to speak when suddenly, someone burst into the room, cutting her off.
It was Butcher Ling.
“Father, you’re back…” Before she could finish her sentence, Butcher Ling abruptly pulled Ling Yunchu to his side and pointed an accusing finger at He Chong, shouting, “He is not Master He Chong!”
At these words, Ling Yunchu’s heart sank. Did her father know He Chong’s true identity?
She looked at He Chong, whose brows were tightly knitted and expression grave; the usual warmth he exuded was nowhere to be seen. In a panic, she grabbed Butcher Ling’s arm and said urgently, “Father, there’s a reason He Chong kept this from me!”
“He deceived you, and you still protect him!” Butcher Ling scolded. “You said you wanted to be with He Chong; I won’t stop you. But you should at least know who you are entrusting your life to. He Chong is from Xue Cheng, and just a few days ago when I went to inquire there, do you know what people said?”
Butcher Ling paused here, glaring at He Chong. “Half a year ago, He Chong returned home for a visit and fell ill within just a few days. The person before us is clearly not He Chong! It’s possible he even killed He Chong!”
“Oh, it’s impressive that you’ve investigated so thoroughly,” He Chong replied with a light laugh, though inside he was calculating how to reclaim Ling Yunchu. Every nerve in his body was taut with tension; he feared that any slip would endanger Ling Yunchu.
“After all this effort chasing me down, aren’t you tired?”
As soon as he finished speaking, He Chong swiftly advanced and struck towards Butcher Ling.
Butcher Ling nimbly dodged back several steps, and in that moment of distraction, He Chong seized the opportunity to pull Ling Yunchu behind him.
Seeing her father nearly injured, Ling Yunchu rushed to Butcher Ling’s side but was blocked by He Chong.
"Get out of the way! How could you hurt my father?"
"Come with me!"
The two were entangled in their struggle, unaware that Butcher Ling had approached. He held a talisman and slammed it hard against He Chong's back!
He Chong let out a pained cry, and a white light enveloped him. By the time Ling Yunchu looked again, he had returned to his true form, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.
"He Chong!"
Butcher Ling moved closer to the tiger and drew another talisman.
At that moment, the tiger suddenly roared and swiped its paw, sending Butcher Ling flying.
Butcher Ling was taken aback; he hadn't expected the tiger, even after being struck by a talisman, to possess such strength. Caught off guard, he was thrown far away, and a fierce battle erupted between man and beast in the small room.
Ling Yunchu stood frozen at this sight.
After the previous shock, she hadn’t realized that He Chong’s true form felt oddly familiar, and even this chaotic scene seemed strangely recognizable. She stared blankly as a figure dashed out from the fight.
He Chong's face was ashen as he grasped Ling Yunchu's hand, struggling to escape.
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