After leaving the Demon Lord’s Hall, the two temporarily returned to Shang Can’s residence.
Although it was said that they were going to pack up, Shang Can didn’t have much to take with her, so after a quick tidy-up, she sat down again in the guest room.
“Though it’s a bit late to bring this up now…”
There had been too many incidents yesterday for Shang Can to spare any time to think about this matter. Now that she finally had a moment, her expression turned serious: “I didn’t have much choice in front of those cultivators. Ah, it’s not that I don’t want to cooperate with Yun Zhongjun—”
She was just about to find a plausible excuse when she noticed Yun Duan nodding in understanding, saying, “No need to elaborate. I know you wanted to replace me back then.”
“…That’s true, but it’s not that simple.”
Shang Can didn’t expect Yun Duan to remember that detail. She forced a dry smile and tried to change the subject.
“I just think that since we’re going to cooperate, we should at least exchange information we have about each other, right?”
“Okay,” Yun Duan replied decisively, “Ask away, I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Shang Can felt relieved that it was finally her turn, and this time she wouldn’t let herself falter by asking trivial questions like yesterday. She narrowed the focus of her questions to the attack on Tianwaitian, pondering: “First of all, when was the Dao Heart Lotus Seed discovered missing?”
“I wasn’t present when it was discovered, but I heard it was shortly after we left.” Yun Duan frowned slightly, her tone flat. “It was probably only when the surrounding crisis was resolved that everyone had the leisure to care about this matter.”
Even though her tone didn’t change, Shang Can sensed a hint of personal emotion in her words. Shang Can, however, seemed unconcerned and continued to ask, “On the day of the tournament, how did you get injured? Did you investigate it afterward?”
Her question implied certainty that Yun Duan had been injured by a cultivator on the arena, and Yun Duan showed no signs of surprise, shaking her head calmly.
“I didn’t find out.”
The brevity of her response made Shang Can sag her shoulders, yet she pressed on, “So, can we rule out the people who attacked you afterward?”
“Yes,” Yun Duan affirmed confidently, casually adding, “Those people are inexperienced and have already been dealt with by their sect.”
“Given their level of cultivation, they couldn’t possibly be the ones who injured me that day.”
After that, both fell into silence. Shang Can felt somewhat relieved to hear that the attackers had already been dealt with but soon became serious again. She hesitated for a long while but ultimately didn’t voice the concern stuck in her throat.
The person who injured Yun Duan not only had to possess significant power but, most importantly, had to know Yun Duan’s secret about her physique.
Shang Can absolutely did not believe that Yun Duan’s injury was merely an accident.
That person had to know that Yun Duan’s injury would attract monsters and did not want them to open the spiritual power barrier, which is why they chose to act at that moment, using the monsters and cultivators to block the two of them—
But now, there was no one who fit that description.
As Chu Ming had said before, the secret of Yun Duan’s flawless celestial body was highly confidential. Originally, apart from Shang Can, only their master, Wangyue, and the elders above the Qingyu Peak knew about it, and none of those people had come to Tianwaitian at that time.
Shang Can’s thoughts had hit a dead end. She didn’t want to take any action when her suspicions were still vague—there was no way she would directly cause trouble for each cultivator who had been at the arena that day. That would be exactly the kind of thing a demon cultivator would do.
She firmly noted this matter in her mind and decided to set it aside for the moment, shifting the conversation: “Also… if you can’t answer this question, then we can skip it.”
“I want to know where the leak about the entrance to Biluo Huangquan came from?”
Since the establishment of Biluo Huangquan, hundreds or even thousands of years had passed, and the entrance had been well guarded. Yet, just when Biluo Huangquan faced this kind of blame, it suddenly became exposed. This made it hard for Shang Can not to think of conspiracy theories.
“…I’m not clear on the specific source of the information either.” Yun Duan seemed to express some confusion in her tone. “I only received an invitation from Tianwaitian to jointly attack Biluo Huangquan, but they didn’t mention how they found out about it.”
“If you need, I can ask Jun Kunya about it—”
“No need,” Shang Can quickly refused. “This is not something that can just be asked casually. Moreover, I doubt even if I ask that tight-lipped one, I’ll get anything useful. I’d just end up attracting unnecessary trouble.”
If she were to ask, it should be her doing it directly, and she couldn’t trouble Yun Duan any further. Shang Can thought, getting up and saying, “Let’s discuss the other questions later. If Yun Zhongjun has nothing else, we should be on our way.”
After all, keeping Yun Duan in Biluo Huangquan for too long wouldn’t be a good idea. One could never know if Tianwaitian, which seemed to have retreated quietly, was actually lurking at the entrance, waiting for a chance to pounce. Leaving earlier was definitely a good call.
With the information exchange coming to a temporary end, the two set off and left Biluo Huangquan, returning to the desolate mountain outside the entrance.
Not wanting to disturb the demon clan of Biluo Huangquan, Shang Can left as quietly as possible. When she left the city, a few demons saw her; she just said she was going out to play with Yun Zhongjun and would be back soon.
This time, Wan Shao couldn’t accompany her out like before. After all, the cultivators had already come knocking, and just the exposure of Biluo Huangquan’s entrance left her with a mountain of meetings to attend, making her so angry she could bite her handkerchief.
“I’ve prepared everything you might need as much as possible. If it’s not enough, don’t push yourself too hard. Even if you don’t have time to come back, at least find a spy from Biluo Huangquan to come back and report.”
She nagged like an old mother, stuffing Shang Can’s pouch, which could hold an elephant, almost full. Finally, she patted Shang Can’s shoulder with a sigh.
“Of course, if you and Yun Zhongjun have any progress, don’t forget to share it with me—”
Shang Can turned and left.
…How to put it, this attitude of wanting to watch the fun without considering the consequences was really infuriating.
As she grumbled to herself, Shang Can chewed on the sesame candy given by the children at the city gate, tilting the paper bag toward Yun Duan: “Want some? It’s sweet.”
Yun Duan was silent for a moment before gracefully picking out a piece to eat, saying, “Shang Can is quite popular with the children.”
“Kind of, but I think they just see me as one of them, treating me as an equal,” Shang Can thought for a moment and then corrected herself, “Not that it’s wrong. After all, although they look small, their actual ages might be older than mine.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Yun Duan’s lips as she flew her sword down onto the Wuyou Sword, looking at Shang Can and asking, “How does Shang Can plan to travel this time? The Yufan Iron must be quite exhausting.”
“…” Recalling her previous experience with that precarious feeling at night, Shang Can sighed, “It really is quite exhausting.”
This time, she really didn’t want to experience that shaky feeling again, so she didn’t hesitate to manifest her fiery wings and followed closely behind Yun Duan, smoothly reaching Yan Yang.
The two moved quickly, traveling for half a day; the sky was still not dark. But after estimating in her heart, Shang Can proposed, “How about we go inform Pei Chen about our movements first and then find a place to rest? No need to rush into that mountain we’re looking for today.”
Yun Duan replied, “As you wish.”
She was really easy to talk to.
So the two didn’t continue forward but entered Yan Yang together. The city was still bustling with the lively street scenes Shang Can had seen before, but as they appeared, the atmosphere suddenly grew agitated.
“It’s… it’s Yun Zhongjun!”
“Hey, don’t crowd me!”
“It’s the real person… no wonder they say ‘a beauty like a flower is as distant as the clouds’… ahhh.”
—Yun Duan was simply too famous.
Shang Can silently looked at Yun Duan, who showed no fluctuations in her expression, as if she had grown accustomed to such situations.
She knew that Yun Duan had never liked crowded places, let alone being the center of everyone’s attention. Shang Can thought that getting used to such days must be quite a struggle, and her tone almost carried a hint of sympathy: “…That’s really impressive.”
Hearing the amusement in her words, Yun Duan glanced at her and said softly, “If Can-er were to take out the white jade mask and wear it, I’m sure it would also create quite a scene.”
Shang Can wouldn’t do such a foolish thing as announcing her identity. Unfazed while wearing a mask, she boldly stepped in front of Yun Duan, cleared her throat, and announced, “Everyone, please step aside! Yun Zhongjun has something to attend to, don’t delay Yun Zhongjun’s important matters!”
Shang Can mimicked the manner of the night crow from Bi Luo Huang Quan, confidently playing the role of a road clearer.
Although the passersby didn’t know who she was, seeing that Yun Zhongjun behind her showed no intention of stopping her, they obediently stepped aside in groups, no longer blocking the path.
Shang Can found it quite enjoyable to be a bit intimidating, and she proceeded happily, almost like a bodyguard in front of Yun Duan.
She paused as they passed a stall, signaling Yun Duan to wait a moment, and soon returned after buying something.
“Put this on first.” Shang Can carefully placed a veiled hat on Yun Duan’s head and smiled, “You’re too beautiful, so it’s better if you hide for a bit.”
With a few sighs of regret from the surrounding crowd, Yun Duan’s ethereal beauty was obscured behind the veil.
Yun Duan didn’t move away; she obediently stood still while Shang Can adjusted the hat for her.
Shang Can secretly sighed, realizing that even with her face covered, Yun Duan still exuded an enigmatic beauty, like a delicate flower partially hidden. It was only after she finished adjusting the hat that she became aware her actions might have been too familiar. She withdrew her hand, trying to appear casual as she took a couple of steps back. “Alright, this should make it a bit easier.”
However, Yun Duan did not respond. The veil obscured Yun Duan’s expression from Shang Can, but she could feel those beautiful obsidian-like eyes watching her.
Just as she began to feel uncomfortable, Yun Duan finally adjusted the hat and softly said, “Thank you.”
Feeling relieved, Shang Can inexplicably let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and waved her hand casually. “It’s nothing; after all, I’m Yun Zhongjun’s…”
She turned her eyes and added, “Yun Zhongjun’s subordinate!”
Pleased with her sudden makeshift identity, she assumed Yun Duan was in agreement due to her silence. They continued toward Tian Wai Tian, with Shang Can “dutifully” dealing with the crowd coming toward Yun Duan.
“No, no, Yun Zhongjun doesn’t sign! You can’t have a blank paper signed either!”
“You want to give this spirit jade to Yun Zhongjun? That won’t do; Yun Zhongjun is of high morals—What? Alright, I can accept the sweet pancake. Here, have this sesame candy instead.”
“What’s this? A book? Let me see—’The Few Matters Between Jun Kun Yao and Yun Zhongjun’… Hey! Who wrote this nonsense? Tell me the author’s name; I’m going to sue them for slander!”
There was no moment to relax; Shang Can diligently handled her duties. Finally, they reached the entrance of Tian Wai Tian, and she felt as if sweat was about to bead down her neck.
If it weren’t for the fear that her signature fiery wings would scare the people of Yan Yang, they would have flown straight here—Ah, it was really her underestimating Yun Duan’s popularity. Next time they entered the city, they’d better think of a way to avoid this mess.
As she pondered, ready to wipe her sweat with a handkerchief, a hand suddenly stretched out from beside her, gently touching her neck with a plain white cloth.
A faint fragrance wrapped around her like a fine net, causing Shang Can to freeze, unable to retreat. She slowly looked up the delicate white wrist and met Yun Duan’s ethereal gaze behind the veil.
“…What are you doing?”
“Wiping your sweat.” Yun Duan’s voice was calm and steady, as if stating a matter of fact. “Isn’t it natural to care for one’s subordinate?”
Subordinate—Shang Can realized, quickly snatching the cloth from Yun Duan’s hand and hastily wiping her neck before putting it away.
“I’ll wash it clean and return it to you. And… if anyone saw that, they definitely wouldn’t think Yun Zhongjun was caring for her subordinate.”
“Is that so?” Yun Duan tilted her head, genuinely curious. “It’s my first time having a subordinate; I don’t quite understand. What would they think of that just now?”
That wasn’t particularly important. What mattered was that Yun Duan was gradually closing the distance between them, which was remarkable!
Shang Can’s internal alarms went off, and while trying to figure out how to answer, a sudden thought crossed her mind, and she blurted it out.
“…They’d probably call it, the few matters between Can-er and Yun Zhongjun.”
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