Bai Yan was shocked by the sudden confession from the young lad. She didn’t think her existence would mean so much to him.

  Making a complicated expression, she sighs and accepts the request: “Mmm, next time I’ll tell you in advance.”


  Mo Li Shan finally smiled like the warming sun. “Then Yan Yan, have you found Di Cang yet?”


  Bai Yan’s body stiffened upon hearing this. Then slowly closing her eyes in sadness, “Di Cang is no longer at that place, but I believe that we will be able to meet each other soon.”


  ……


  Monarch Manor.

  Monarch Willow entered her estate in quick strides while greeting everyone she came across. However, the lady didn’t forget to order her maid to do something important: “Go call my student Xin Yan over.”


  “Yes, my liege.” The maid respectfully complied and withdrew from the entourage.

  Willow didn’t dally around and promptly entered her study. Brushing the dust off from her dress, she took a seat at the desk and poured over the possible reasons for the failure.

  A few minutes later, Mo Xin Yan had entered following the lead of the maid. Her attitude was timid and gentle, totally different from her usual behavior in front of those serving her.

  “Shifu, is there anything you need of me?”


  “Xin Yan,” Willow narrowed her eyes in at this girl and eyed her up and down, “during the past few days, were you in the estate the entire time?”


  Mo Xin Yan was stunned before meeting her teacher’s gaze for a split second. The surprise in those eyes didn’t appear fake so it gave off the impression that she didn’t understand the reason for the question.

  “Shifu, I’ve been training in the back mountain the entire time. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”


  Before she left, the girl had told some of the maids she would be retreating to her private quarters for cultivation. It’s an excellent way to cover her hides from the monarch if asked later on like this.

  Willow’s voice was still cold to the bone: “Really? You really haven’t left?”


  “Shifu, I really don’t understand what you mean. I’ve been practicing the new spell you taught me before so I ignored what’s happening outside. If it weren’t for this maid calling for me, I would’ve continued to stay at the back mountain.” Due to the lack of trust, Mo Xin Yan sounded miserable in her voice now, “I have always listened to you Shifu. If you say to stay, then I will stay. If you tell me to go, then I will go.”


  That’s not a lie from the girl. In Willow’s memory, this student of hers had always followed the orders to the teeth, never disobeying or straying from the initial intent.

  Maybe it really wasn’t her doing it?

  “Shifu, can you tell me what’s going on first? I’m getting nervous by the tone you’re using.” Mo Xin Yan tightly pursed her lips like a wronged child accused of something they didn’t do.

  Willow’s expression gradually softened up while her tone didn’t seem as cold anymore: “It’s nothing, just that we weren’t able to locate him when we went to that valley. I suspect someone had leaked the news to him.”


  At that moment, Mo Xin Yan’s heart jolted in a panic that left her hands clenching. “So, Shifu believes I am the one who leaked the news?”


  A bitter smile appeared on that delicate face: “I have followed Shifu for many years, how can I ever betray you Shifu? Besides, what good will it do me by leaking that information? I know Shifu regards me as your own daughter. That’s why I will never do such a thing like destroying your happiness.”