The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 3219 Night is Approaching
In the end, Qian Ying did not continue to probe and left with Zhou Zixing.

However, as he left, he glanced back at Chen Mo. His gaze lingered on Chen Mo for a moment, then swept over Ouyang Ruoxi, finally settling on their clasped hands.

His eyes held scrutiny, speculation, and a hint of something else that was hard to define.

Chen Mo noticed, but did not respond, simply watching calmly as Qian Ying turned around.

“The way he’s looking at you is a bit strange.” Ouyang Ruoxi stood next to Chen Mo, her voice low so only the two of them could hear. “He might have already suspected that your strength isn’t at the Acquired stage, but rather the Innate stage.”

Ouyang Ruoxi wasn't stupid; her ability to become the acting patriarch of the Ouyang family at such a young age wasn't solely due to her background. Qian Ying's glance, seemingly casual, actually contained a great deal—she had seen that kind of look before; it was the alertness of a hunter spotting its prey, and the scrutiny of a chess player seeing an unexpected variable.

Chen Mo smiled and watched Qian Ying and Zhou Zi walk away.

"It's alright," Chen Mo said. "Suspicion isn't a certainty. As long as he doesn't take action himself, it will remain suspicion. If he really does fight me and finds out my true strength, it doesn't matter. He'll know, so what?"

He spoke casually, as if he were talking about the weather rather than his own secrets.

Although Ouyang Ruoxi nodded, she gripped Chen Mo's hand tightly, her fingertips slightly cold: "Amo, you still need to be careful. Qian Ying is a peak third-level innate expert. What if he suddenly attacks you?"

At the peak of the third level of the Innate Realm, this level is among the most prestigious in the entire martial arts world. If someone of Qian Ying's strength were to suddenly launch an attack, the consequences would be unpredictable. Although she knew Chen Mo was an Innate Realm expert, Qian Ying was at the third level of the Innate Realm.

"Hehe, don't worry." Chen Mo felt the coolness of her palm and squeezed it back tightly. "I have plenty of ways to deal with Qian Ying."

He didn't specify the method, but the certainty in his tone reassured Ouyang Ruoxi somewhat. Since they met, Chen Mo seemed to have always kept his word.

But Ouyang Ruoxi was still worried. This worry was like a fine thorn stuck in her heart, impossible to pull out. She looked in the direction Qian Ying had disappeared, then at Chen Mo's calm profile, and finally said nothing, only moving closer to him.

"Amo, thank you for just now." Ouyang Nana walked over, her voice still trembling slightly. Her face was pale, and there was a fine layer of sweat on her forehead, clearly she hadn't fully recovered from the shock.

Just a short while ago, when that dark figure attacked her from behind, she really thought she was going to die.

The shadowy figure was too fast; she didn't have time to react. She was facing away, only feeling a chilling aura approaching. By the time she realized the danger, her body was frozen, unable even to turn her head.

Then she saw Chen Mo rushing over.

The figure moved as fast as lightning, sweeping past her and creating a gust of wind. A muffled thud followed, and a shockwave exploded. She was pulled back several steps, only then able to see the scene clearly—Chen Mo was standing where she had been, while the dark figure had been sent flying backward, landing in the shadows.

She only caught a glimpse of the shadowy figure, yet remembered it vividly. It had no facial features, or rather, its features were shrouded in a black mist, leaving only a rough human outline. Most terrifying were its eyes—two scarlet points, starkly bright in the twilight.

If it weren't for Chen Mo, those sharp fingers would have already pierced through her back.

"Don't worry about it." Chen Mo smiled, his tone casual, as if it were just a casual matter.

Before Ouyang Nana could say anything more, Ouyang Nan had already walked over. She patted her on the shoulder and smiled at Chen Mo, "Alright, no need for all the thanks. Be careful in the future, don't stand too far away, stay closer to Chen Mo, and don't give the shadowy figure a chance to attack." Chen Mo was her niece's husband, and he was very strong, so protecting everyone was only right. Being too polite would only create distance.

Qian Wantong's voice could be heard in the distance, as he was gathering men. Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing stood at the edge of the square, talking in hushed tones.

“Amo, Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing have called Qian Wantong over again,” Ouyang Ruoxi reminded her.

Sure enough, Qian Wantong hurriedly walked towards the two men, bowed and listened intently, then nodded repeatedly. After a moment, he turned to face the crowd and began to loudly command, "Listen up, everyone! Take your belongings and retreat to an open area, forming a semi-circle around the barrier! Do not approach buildings, and avoid shady spots!"

His voice echoed across the square, tinged with urgency. He had witnessed the shadowy figure's attack on Ouyang Nana. As someone who had personally faced the shadowy figure, he knew better than anyone how terrifying it was.

He remembered the manner of death of the two dead martial artists clearly. One had his spine ripped out, and the other had his neck snapped; both died instantly, without even a chance to cry for help. The shadowy figure moved swiftly, fiercely, powerfully, and decisively, emerging from the darkness and disappearing back into it.

If Elder Qian hadn't rushed in, he might have also fallen victim to the shadowy figure and met his demise.

If Chen Mo hadn't intervened, Ouyang Nana would have suffered the same fate.

While giving instructions, Qian Wantong secretly rejoiced. He was at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm, but the feeling of powerlessness he felt when facing the shadowy figure still sent chills down his spine.

The martial artists began to move, carrying their belongings, and gathered towards the plaza's protective barrier, moving away from the entrance, since there were buildings nearby.

"Back to the barrier, face the plaza!" Qian Wantong continued, "We can't get out of the barrier, and that thing shouldn't be able to attack from outside. But we still need to leave people to keep watch. You, and you, are specifically responsible for guarding the direction of the barrier!"

The two martial artists who had been named stepped forward and stood at the edge of the barrier. The transparent barrier shimmered faintly in the setting sun, like a thin film separating the inside from the outside. They stared at the barrier, occasionally glancing back at the plaza, their expressions tense.

The others followed instructions and formed a semicircle in the open area. They stood with their backs to the barrier, facing the plaza, leaving an open space in the middle. This formation at least ensured they wouldn't be attacked from behind.

"Place warning devices!" Qian Wantong shouted again.

Several martial artists took out various items from their bags—copper bells, silk threads, and broken glass—to create a makeshift trap. They set it up around the perimeter of the circle, stretching the silk threads a foot off the ground; any person or object touching it would trigger a sound.

The sky was darkening, and soon night would fall completely. The dark figure seemed to be even more at ease in the darkness.

"All those at the tenth level of the Day after tomorrow realm, assemble here!" Qian Wantong shouted again after setting up the outer perimeter security.

Chen Mo frowned slightly upon hearing the shout. His apparent strength was at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm, so this summons naturally included him.

However, thinking of Ouyang Ruoxi beside him, her safety would not be guaranteed if he left.

Therefore, he hesitated, wondering whether to go or not.