Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Xiao Hanxing dropped some of his playfulness, unfolded his folding fan again, and slowly swayed it.

His dark blue robes swayed lightly with each step, and his tone became more serious:

"Miss Liu is too modest. Your 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique' is subtly sharp, combining strength and gentleness perfectly."

As he spoke, he slowed his pace, moved closer to Liu Yunshu, and lowered his voice:

"I've heard that Miss Liu has been in seclusion for many days. I imagine she has made great progress in her swordsmanship. I wonder if I would have the honor of sparring with Miss Liu someday?"

Liu Yunshu nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"If Alliance Leader Xiao is willing, I will gladly oblige."

Shen Run saw Xiao Hanxing and Liu Yunshu walking side by side, their conversation revolving around swordsmanship.

A barely perceptible hint of bitterness flashed across his eyes, and he unconsciously quickened his pace.

Walking to their side, he gently interjected, "Yun Shu, would you like to return to the manor first?"

"I replied."

Liu Yunshu glanced at him, her almond-shaped eyes curving into a gentle smile.

"When I went to visit my uncle and aunt, they told me that you had gone out to travel. My junior brother Lin said that he had met you in Lulin County, so I came looking for you."

Her tone was gentle, carrying the familiarity of a long-awaited reunion.

The bitterness in Shen Run's heart was instantly soothed by the warmth, and even his steps became lighter.

She chattered on about the trivial matters of the martial world during her seclusion, her eyes overflowing with tenderness.

Seeing this, Xiao Hanxing raised an eyebrow, tapped his folding fan lightly in his palm, and a playful smile flashed in his eyes.

Mu Yunling followed behind the three of them, watching Shen Run's meticulous care for Liu Yunshu, and a strange pang of jealousy rose in her heart.

She knew she shouldn't have such thoughts; Brother Shen was already engaged, and Miss Liu was gentle, generous, and highly skilled in martial arts.

But seeing the unique tenderness in Shen Run's eyes when he looked at Liu Yunshu, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Lost in thought, Mu Yunling tripped over something and cried out in surprise, her body instantly tilting forward.

Upon hearing the noise, Shen Run instinctively turned around to help.

But as soon as he turned around, a moon-white figure had already swept past him faster.

Liu Yunshu reached out and gently embraced Mu Yunling's waist.

Liu Yunshu helped the woman to her feet, looking at her with concern in her eyes: "Miss Mu, please be careful, the path in the woods is slippery."

Still shaken, Mu Yunling leaned against her arm, a faint scent of cold plum blossoms lingering around her nose.

It is crisp and refreshing, yet not harsh, and carries a reassuring power.

She looked up at Liu Yunshu, whose concern was genuine and not at all perfunctory, which only made her feel more uneasy.

She quickly straightened up and took half a step back, her cheeks burning: "Thank you, Miss Liu, it was my fault."

"It's alright." Liu Yunshu withdrew her hand.

Shen Run quickly walked over, his tone tinged with concern: "Miss Mu, are you alright? Did you sprain your ankle?"

Mu Yunling shook her head. A slight stinging pain in her toes made her instinctively curl her feet, but she still forced a smile.

"I'm fine, Brother Shen. I just tripped accidentally. It's nothing serious."

As soon as she finished speaking, she stumbled again.

Liu Yunshu frowned slightly and reached out to support her arm.

Shen Run looked at her with concern: "Miss Mu, did you sprain your ankle?"

Mu Yunling bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded gently.

"It hurts a little, but it should be nothing serious. Let's not keep everyone on their way..."

"You're in so much pain you can barely stand, yet you say it's nothing."

Liu Yunshu interrupted her disapprovingly and turned to look at Xiao Hanxing.

"Alliance Leader Xiao, do you know of any place nearby where we can stay?"

Xiao Hanxing closed his folding fan and glanced at the surrounding mountains.

"About half a mile ahead, there is a mountain god temple. Although it is simple, it can still provide shelter from the wind and rain."

"Then let's go to the mountain god temple."

As soon as Liu Yunshu finished speaking, she picked up Mu Yunling and carried her in her arms. "Miss Mu, please forgive my rudeness."

Mu Yunling was caught off guard and was suddenly picked up. She exclaimed in surprise and instinctively grabbed her clothes.

Her cheeks flushed instantly, and even her breathing became rapid.

The fragrance of cold plum blossoms grew clearer, carrying with it the faint, refreshing scent emanating from Liu Yunshu, which inexplicably calmed her flustered heart.

But when she thought about how Shen Run would see her relying on him, she couldn't help but feel a little guilty and secretly looked up at Shen Run beside her.

Seeing that he was only focused on looking at Liu Yunshu, the sour feeling that had just been soothed surged up again.

Perhaps it was her lingering attachment to chicks that led her to be the first person to lend a helping hand when she was transported to this strange world.

That gentleness and thoughtfulness made her want to rely on him and possess him completely.

But Liu Yunshu in front of her was far superior to her in terms of appearance, martial arts skills, temperament, and tactics.

and……

She looked up at Liu Yunshu, whose jawline was smooth and soft, and whose profile was bathed in a soft glow in the twilight.

She is truly beautiful and cool, making it impossible for anyone to feel even a little bit of jealousy.

As dusk deepened, the wind in the woods grew cooler.

She tilted her head slightly, pulled Mu Yunling closer to her, and said gently, "Bear with it, we'll be there soon."

Mu Yunling buried her face in her neck, her cheeks burning. Listening to her steady heartbeat, the scent of cold plum blossoms seemed to have a calming magic.

The panic and bitterness from before gradually faded away, leaving only a heart full of shyness and a strange sense of relief.

She gave a soft "hmm," her voice barely audible.

The half-mile journey was over in no time, and a dilapidated mountain god temple was hidden in the woods.

The walls are mottled, and the roof has holes in some places, barely enough to keep out the wind and rain.

Liu Yunshu gently placed Mu Yunling on a pile of dry grass inside the temple, patted the dust off her skirt, and glanced around the temple.

"Please make do for one night, Brother Shen. Could you please gather some dry branches? It's cold at night, and they can be used to make a fire to keep warm and ward off insects."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Shen Run replied, picked up his sword, and turned to walk out of the temple.

"Then I'll go find some game." Xiao Hanxing tapped his palm with his folding fan, and his dark blue robes swirled in a clean arc in the twilight.

Liu Yunshu nodded, watching Xiao Hanxing's figure disappear outside the temple gate before turning to look at Mu Yunling sitting on the haystack.

Her tone remained gentle: "Miss Mu, which ankle did you sprain? Let me take a look."

Mu Yunling quickly pulled her right foot back, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her voice was weak: "No, no need to trouble Miss Liu, I can massage it myself."

"If a sprained ankle is not treated properly, it may lead to chronic problems and difficulty walking in the future."

Without a word, Liu Yunshu squatted down and gently held her ankle with her fingertips. "Relax, let me see how badly it's injured."

Her fingertips were slightly cool to the touch when they touched the skin.

Mu Yunling instinctively flinched, but still obediently relaxed her ankle.

Liu Yunshu gently pressed her fingertips from her ankle to the instep, her gaze focused.

When the pressure was applied to a spot, Mu Yunling couldn't help but hiss, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Does it hurt here?" Liu Yunshu looked up at her, her tone knowing. "The bones are fine, it's just a sprained tendon, and there's some swelling."

As she spoke, she took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom and poured out a little bit of blue ointment.

After warming the fingertips by rubbing them together, gently apply the mixture to Mu Yunling's ankles, kneading and massaging with just the right amount of pressure.

The ointment, with its cool touch, spread along the meridians, gradually relieving the sharp pain, leaving only a faint soreness.

Mu Yunling looked at Liu Yunshu, who was squatting in front of her. Liu Yunshu had her eyes downcast, and her long eyelashes cast a light shadow under her eyelids.

Her expression was focused and serious, and her gentle eyes showed no impatience, but rather were full of delicate concern.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her, including shyness, gratitude, and a touch of indescribable warmth.

The words of thanks were on the tip of my tongue, but I didn't know how to say them.

"Alright, don't exert yourself for now. You should feel better by tomorrow." Liu Yunshu withdrew her hand and put the porcelain bottle away.

Before long, Shen Run returned with a bundle of dry branches on his shoulder, his forehead beaded with sweat.

Upon seeing Liu Yunshu, a smile instantly appeared in his eyes: "Yunshu, I've gathered some dry branches; that'll be enough to start a fire."

"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Shen."

Liu Yunshu stood up and took the withered branch from his hand, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against his wrist, her voice still gentle and warm.

"I'll start the fire, you take a rest."

She took a few dry leaves and spread them next to the haystack, then took out a tinderbox, and in an instant, a faint flame was lit.

Liu Yunshu added a few thin branches, and the flames gradually grew stronger.

The flickering firelight reflected on her moon-white skirt, making her gentle profile appear even more delicate.

Shen Run sat by the fire, watching her movements intently, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

Just as he was about to say something, Xiao Hanxing's hearty laughter rang out from outside the temple gate: "Brother Shen, Miss Liu, look what I brought back!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Hanxing strode into the temple, carrying two plump wild rabbits on his shoulders.

His dark blue robe was stained with some grass, but it still couldn't hide his dashing air.

He tossed the rabbit to the ground, flicked his folding fan, and said with a hint of smugness, "We're in for a treat tonight."

Liu Yunshu raised her eyes and smiled, the warmth in her eyes like sparks: "Alliance Leader Xiao, you have quite the skills. We've benefited from your skill."

"It was just a small favor."

Xiao Hanxing waved his hand, his gaze falling on Mu Yunling by the fire.

Seeing the ointment on her ankle, one knew that Liu Yunshu had helped her.

"I'll go and prepare the prey."