Wandering Swordsman |

Upon hearing Shen Mo's words, Yue Linglong felt a pang of sorrow welling up in her heart. However, she forced a smile, trying to conceal her inner disappointment: "I understand. But when I reach marriageable age, when I've become a great beauty, I will tell my grandmother about this and have her propose marriage to you."

Shen Mo breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Yue Linglong's nonchalant smile.

He secretly rejoiced that he hadn't hurt Yue Linglong's feelings, while also considering what to do if that time really came.

"Forget it, we'll think about that when the time comes. Let's focus on the current matters at Demon Refining Mountain." After pondering for a moment, Shen Mo couldn't come up with a solution, so he simply put aside what Yue Linglong had mentioned. Then, he said softly, "Yue Linglong, it's getting late, let's go back."

After they finished speaking, the two left the open space together. A gentle night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness, as if adding a melancholy atmosphere to their conversation.

Back at the camp, Shen Mo returned to his cabin, his heart still unsettled. He understood that although he had politely declined Yue Linglong's feelings, it didn't mean the matter was over. Yue Linglong's smile and the expectation in her eyes kept flashing through his mind, and he couldn't help but feel guilty. He knew that matters of the heart were rarely resolved with a simple rejection.

After parting ways with Shen Mo, Yue Linglong's feigned strength vanished instantly. She stood alone in a corner of the camp, gazing at the bright moon, two streams of tears involuntarily sliding down her cheeks. She had thought she could bravely face this relationship, but now she realized that the pain of loss was far more intense than she had imagined.

"Why..." Yue Linglong murmured softly, her voice choked with sobs, "Why do I feel this heartache..." Her hands gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms, but she felt no pain, only a sense of loss and helplessness in her heart.

As night deepened, moonlight bathed her, seemingly offering silent comfort. Yue Linglong wiped away her tears and secretly vowed that no matter what the future held, she would never give up on her feelings for Shen Mo. Although she felt incredibly lost at this moment, she believed that one day, her love would be reciprocated by Shen Mo.

"Shen Mo," she said silently in her heart, "I will continue to work hard to become a better version of myself. When I reach the age of marriage, you will see a completely new me."

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her turmoil. Just then, she heard soft footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Xie Xin standing there quietly, her eyes filled with concern.

"Senior Sister Linglong," Xie Xin asked softly, "Are you alright?"

Yue Linglong forced a smile: "I'm fine, just... a little sad."

Xie Xin immediately understood what was going on; it seemed Shen Mo had rejected her. So she stepped forward, gently took Yue Linglong's hand, and said softly, "Senior Sister Linglong, I know you must be feeling very sad right now. But you must understand that matters of the heart don't happen overnight. Sometimes, you need time and patience to wait."

Yue Linglong lowered her head, her voice slightly choked: "I really thought I could bravely face this relationship, but now I realize that the pain of not getting the result I wanted is far more intense than I imagined..."

Xie Xin gently patted Yue Linglong's shoulder and continued to listen to what Yue Linglong had to say.

After Xie Xin learned of Shen Mo's reply from Yue Linglong, she encouraged him, "Senior Sister Linglong, you've been very brave. Actually, Shen Mo didn't completely reject you; he just felt it wasn't the right time yet. You can use this time to improve yourself and become even more outstanding. I believe that when that day comes, if you ask the Moon Demon Lord to propose to him, he will definitely see your sincerity."

Yue Linglong raised her head, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes, and then looked at Xie Xin gratefully: "Junior sister, thank you. I feel much better now."

At that moment, Yue Linglong suddenly remembered that whenever she was feeling down as a child, after her grandmother comforted her, she would always sleep with her grandmother, which made her feel more at ease. So, she tentatively asked, "Junior sister, can I sleep with you tonight?"

Xie Xin immediately agreed: "Of course, Senior Sister Linglong. We'll sleep together tonight, and if you have any worries, just tell me anytime."

The two smiled at each other, their friendship deepening.

As they entered Xie Xin's room, the warm light inside illuminated their figures, seemingly dispelling the chill and loneliness of the night.

Meanwhile, in the shadows not far away, Shen Mo silently observed everything through a crack in the room. When he saw Yue Linglong's emotions gradually calm down and that she received Xie Xin's care and support, he felt a weight lifted from his heart. He knew that although he had politely rejected Yue Linglong's feelings, Xie Xin's comforting presence would surely ease her pain.

Meanwhile, in Xie Xin's room, Yue Linglong and Xie Xin lay side by side on the bed, talking softly. Yue Linglong gradually relaxed, and the disappointment in her heart slowly dissipated under Xie Xin's comfort. She closed her eyes, feeling Xie Xin's warmth beside her, as if she had returned to those warm nights she spent with her grandmother in her childhood.

......

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Early that morning, Shen Mo found Su Ming and said gravely, "Su Ming, I need you to come with me to decipher the undeciphered inscription on the stone slab in the circular plaza."

Su Ming nodded, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes: "Brother Shen, when do we set off?"

Seeing Su Ming's eager expression, Shen Mo immediately said, "Now!"

"Should we talk to Senior Sister Yue Linglong and the others about it?" Su Ming then asked.

Recalling what happened last night, Shen Mo immediately replied, "They're probably still asleep, we don't need to disturb them!"

Then, led by Shen Mo, the two traveled together to the valley. The surroundings were quiet all the way, broken only by the occasional bird call.

After entering the valley, they quickly arrived at the narrow passage. The two demon beasts guarding the passage saw Shen Mo and fled as if they had seen something terrifying.

Su Ming stared at the scene in surprise and asked in confusion, "Brother Shen, what's going on? Why did these demon-refining beasts run away when they saw you?"

Shen Mo explained, "After defeating the Demon-Refining Beast King, I absorbed its aura. I think these Demon-Refining Beasts probably sensed this aura, which is why they chose to flee."

Su Ming suddenly realized, and his gaze toward Shen Mo became even more respectful.