After the Dual Cultivation Relationship Ended, the Heroine Panicked! - Chapter 4

“And…”

Bai Muyao pondered for a moment before continuing, “It is inconvenient for the two of us to meet within the sect. My leaving to travel will precisely allow us to avoid such unnecessary risks.”

Bai Muyao had thought this through thoroughly. The dual cultivation between her and Xu Qing would inevitably bring trouble if leaked. Therefore, even if the possibility of exposure was tiny, they should minimize contact. Her leaving to travel was undoubtedly a solution that killed several birds with one stone.

As soon as Bai Muyao finished speaking, she noticed Xu Qing’s face seemed to darken further. However, Xu Qing’s face was always like a still pond, unchanging through the seasons. Bai Muyao couldn’t be certain if she was actually angry.

Seeing that Xu Qing remained silent for a long while, and not wanting to keep Duan Yi waiting, Bai Muyao took the initiative to ask, “What did Senior Sister want to say to me just now?”

She vaguely remembered Xu Qing mentioning the treehouse.

Xu Qing snapped back to reality and said, “I wanted to say… if you still wish to go to the treehouse, you may do so at any time.”

“Is that so?” Bai Muyao smiled. “If I return in the future and the opportunity arises!”

Bai Muyao feared she might not return to the sect for another hundred years. But after the Great War, if she was still alive, coming back to take a look would be a nice choice.

Beneath her sleeve, Xu Qing unconsciously rubbed her thumb.

Bai Muyao: “Senior Sister Xu Qing, is there anything else?”

Xu Qing shook her head without a word.

Bai Muyao performed a salute. “Senior Sister Xu Qing, may we meet again if fate permits.”

Meet again if fate permits!

She felt that this might be the final sentence exchanged between her and Xu Qing. Whether they could meet again in the future was truly unpredictable. This “fate” would likely be hard to come by.

After bidding farewell to Xu Qing, Bai Muyao found Duan Yi waiting outside.

Bai Muyao: “Sorry for the wait, let’s keep going.”

Duan Yi asked, “The three of us?”

Bai Muyao whipped her head around, only to see that Xu Qing had actually followed them. This ‘fate’ came back too fast!

Xu Qing wore a gentle, business-like smile. “The young lady has not yet purchased my goods, so I wish to recommend them further.”

Duan Yi looked confused. “You didn’t buy that Water talisman?”

How could she possibly afford a high-grade talisman!

Xu Qing’s behavior left Bai Muyao completely baffled. First, she suddenly sought her out to discuss the treehouse, and now she reappeared right after saying goodbye. Xu Qing’s actions today were exceptionally bizarre.

Since she is Senior Sister Xu Qing, she surely wouldn’t do something so weird for no reason!

Bai Muyao suspected that Xu Qing had matters she couldn’t disclose—perhaps she needed to hide her identity within the market? Like a secret mission or something?

Bai Muyao couldn’t be certain her guess was correct, but Xu Qing would never come looking for her without cause. There had to be some undisclosed purpose!

Then I must help her.

Having cleared her thoughts, Bai Muyao tried to extend an invitation: “Then, is the lady willing to browse with us? I will reconsider the purchase then.”

If Xu Qing had no intention of coming along, she could simply refuse. Bai Muyao handed the choice over to her.

As for Xu Qing, she hadn’t intended to come back out. She was simply displeased and, in a moment of impulse, had arrived there in the blink of an eye. Now Bai Muyao was inviting her to browse the market? Should she agree?

Xu Qing still had the matter of the lotus, which could not be delayed. She should refuse Bai Muyao and return to her manor. Yet, between the two choices, Xu Qing chose…

“Very well. I shall accompany the young lady.”

Xu Qing (Inner Thought): Why did I agree!

Bai Muyao (Inner Thought): As I thought, Xu Qing definitely has important business to attend to!

Bai Muyao’s gaze was determined; she planned to provide perfect cover for Xu Qing. Thus, inexplicably, they became a trio browsing the market.

The most annoyed person was Duan Yi. She wondered why an extra person had suddenly joined them for no reason. This was supposed to be her and Xiao Bai’s exclusive quality time!

After walking for a while, Duan Yi seized the right moment to ask, “Xiao Bai, you haven’t answered my previous question yet.”

Hearing this, Xu Qing’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Bai Muyao’s mind was elsewhere, so she didn’t catch on immediately. “What question?”

Duan Yi said anxiously, “About me going out to travel and gain experience with you!”

Traveling!

Hearing those words, Xu Qing pricked up her ears. She wanted to hear exactly what was going on. She wanted to know why Bai Muyao suddenly wanted to leave.

Bai Muyao gave Duan Yi an apologetic smile and said again, “Let’s forget about that. I still prefer traveling alone.”

She had no intention of bringing anyone. She couldn’t explain the System to others. Moreover, the places containing opportunities were full of danger; she couldn’t even guarantee her own safety, let alone protect Duan Yi.

Duan Yi was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. According to sect rules, Foundation Establishment disciples were not allowed to go out alone; they had to be accompanied by a cultivator at the Golden Core stage or higher.

Hearing this, Duan Yi felt indignant and said urgently, “Why? Although my cultivation isn’t high, I definitely won’t drag you down!”

“But…” Bai Muyao still wanted to refuse.

“How about this!” Duan Yi suggested. “You take me out, and I will follow your arrangements completely. I’ll do whatever you say. Even if you make me stay in an inn all day without moving, I’ll have no complaints!”

If that were truly the case, taking Duan Yi wouldn’t be out of the question. If Bai Muyao had business, she could place Duan Yi in a safe location and still move freely. Furthermore, having someone by one’s side to look out for each other would indeed increase safety.

Taking Duan Yi seemed like a decent choice. Seeing Bai Muyao start to hesitate, Duan Yi was instantly overjoyed. She knew as long as Xiao Bai was considering it, there was hope.

However, all of this was witnessed by Xu Qing, and the displeasure in her heart magnified.

Why is it that when Duan Yi offers help, Bai Muyao seriously considers accepting? But when I offered to help her, she rejected me without a second thought?

This massive contrast made Xu Qing feel extremely unhappy.

Bai Muyao pondered for a moment. “How about this: I need to think about it carefully. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow, okay?”

“Fantastic!”

Duan Yi acted as if she had already received a “yes” and jumped up in excitement. Bai Muyao hurriedly pulled her back. “I haven’t agreed yet! I need to think seriously…”

“Oh, come on! Just say yes, okay? Just this once!”

Duan Yi started acting spoiled, shaking Bai Muyao’s hand to try and get her to relent. Bai Muyao was a bit at a loss.

Duan Yi then noticed that the strange woman was looking her way. Her expression seemed to carry a hint of rage. But at this moment, Duan Yi didn’t care; she only wanted Bai Muyao to agree to her request.

Bai Muyao sighed, deciding to drop the subject for now. “Let’s buy our things first. If I don’t get everything, I won’t be able to set off tomorrow.”

She still had many preparations to finish. However, hearing this, Xu Qing’s brow arched.

Most of the items on Bai Muyao’s shopping list were already sorted, but the remaining few were quite troublesome. Bai Muyao hadn’t expected the demon incursions at the border to impact prices so heavily. Many items had skyrocketed in price, and her funds were clearly stretched thin.

For instance, there was a Healing Spirit Grass right in front of them that could heal wounds during battle. It was rare, and she had happened upon it today! Bai Muyao really wanted to buy it, but the price…

She hesitated, thinking that at worst, she would just be extra careful on her journey to avoid combat.

Duan Yi saw Bai Muyao’s struggle. Unfortunately, she was also short on cash lately and couldn’t help. Bai Muyao stepped forward to negotiate with the boss, attempting to haggle, but was told the price couldn’t be lowered.

Bai Muyao: “Then…”

In her moment of helplessness, a cold voice rang out: “I’ll take this Healing Spirit Grass.”

Bai Muyao turned around to see Xu Qing, still expressionless. The boss was naturally happy to have a buyer and quickly completed the transaction. Xu Qing tucked the grass into her storage ring.

Bai Muyao was stunned she was still thinking about trying to haggle! What did Xu Qing mean by this? Did she also need these spirit grasses?

Yet Xu Qing didn’t explain, even avoiding Bai Muyao’s gaze. Helplessly, Bai Muyao had to cross the Healing Spirit Grass off her list.

During the subsequent shopping process, this situation kept repeating. Bai Muyao would only just ask about the price…

Bai Muyao: “Boss, how much is this…” Xu Qing: “I’ll take it.”

Bai Muyao: “???”

She was completely bewildered. Before she could even hear the price, Xu Qing would wave her hand and buy everything. Frowning, she moved to the next stall.

Bai Muyao: “Boss…” Xu Qing: “I’ll take it.”

In a deserted corner.

Bai Muyao finally couldn’t take it anymore and pulled Xu Qing into an empty corner. Seeing no one around, Xu Qing restored her true appearance.

Bai Muyao couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Sister… Xu Qing! What is the meaning of this?”

These repeated actions made Bai Muyao certain that Xu Qing was targeting her. If she were a bit more frugal, even if she bought a bit less, she could have finished her list. But with Xu Qing snatching everything before her, how was she supposed to buy anything!