“If something like that really happens, then I’ll just accept my fate.”
Bai Xue hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.
“It’s enough that you have that kind of resolve,” Ye Lian nodded slightly.
Even though she said that, she had no intention of revealing her identity to Bai Xue.
This was just a preemptive warning.
Once her identity as the Demon Emperor was exposed, it would mark the moment she became the enemy of the world.
Whether it happened passively or by her own hand, it no longer mattered.
As for her god-tier alchemy skills—those would inevitably be exposed if she stayed among the player base.
Sooner or later made little difference.
If Bai Xue accidentally let something slip, Ye Lian wouldn’t blame her.
The only person she was genuinely worried about was Mu Ling.
Right now, among the players, only Mu Ling had the strength to pose a real threat to her.
***
“Master.”
Bai Xue finally relaxed after receiving Ye Lian’s approval.
“Can you not call me that?” Ye Lian felt a bit uncomfortable with the title.
“Then can Master at least tell me your name? Calling you ‘White Knight’ all the time just feels weird,” Bai Xue said.
“…Whatever you prefer.”
Ye Lian definitely wasn’t going to tell her real name.
She couldn’t even be bothered to make up a fake one.
Honestly, it was just easier to let Bai Xue stick with “Master.”
“Yes, Master.” Bai Xue smiled sweetly, clearly enjoying herself.
Then she remembered something she had been curious about and asked: “Master, do you know me?”
Ye Lian was caught completely off guard.
“Why do you ask that?”
“Because I never told you my name, but you already knew it,” Bai Xue said, gazing at Ye Lian with a hint of expectation.
Truth be told, part of the reason she was willing to serve Ye Lian so willingly came from that very assumption.
It was easier to follow someone who knew her than a complete stranger.
Ye Lian’s mind froze for a second, the corner of her mouth twitching.
‘Shit.’
She had completely forgotten—she wasn’t Ye Lian right now.
She was Silver Moon.
Ye Lian knew Bai Xue.
But Silver Moon wasn’t supposed to.
At that moment, Bai Xue was still looking at her with hopeful eyes.
‘Damn, I need to find a way to patch this loophole.’
The problem was—Ye Lian knew next to nothing about Bai Xue.
Even if she tried to make something up, she needed some kind of basis.
Suddenly, she recalled the setting of their earlier conversation.
There were other people around at the time too, just standing a bit farther away.
This could still be explained!
“Back at the starting point, didn’t you talk to a boy for a bit? I happened to be nearby and overheard your name. Since we’re all from Huaxia, I remembered it.”
Ye Lian said with a perfectly straight face, lying through her teeth.
“I see…” Bai Xue looked a little disappointed.
At the same time, she remembered Ye Lian’s male appearance.
She quickly asked, “Master, did you run into that boy when you came over?”
“No. Are you that worried about him?” Ye Lian’s heart stirred slightly.
Bai Xue nodded.
“I’m afraid he might be in danger all alone. This place is just so terrifying.”
“It’s already been a while since the beta test ended. Let’s hope he’s safe and sound.”
Ye Lian said calmly.
“Mhm.”
Bai Xue lightly bit her cherry-colored lip, a wave of helpless sadness washing over her.
That feeling of powerlessness—it was like a sharp blade stabbing into her chest over and over again.
The pain was sharp and piercing.
“Life and death are decided by fate, fortune lies with the heavens. Maybe he’s a blessed one who’ll survive no matter what.”
Ye Lian tried to comfort her.
‘I’m standing right here. What’s there to worry about?’
“Let’s hope so.”
Bai Xue tried to steady her emotions and gave a bitter smile.
This game was far too dangerous.
Just the thought of surviving alone made her scalp tingle.
“Speaking of the starting point, did you happen to see a girl with long black hair, wearing a black leather jacket and pants?”
Ye Lian shifted the topic to what truly concerned her.
“You mean the girl who kicked Zhao Gang flying with one blow?” Bai Xue remembered her vividly.
“That’s the one.” Ye Lian nodded.
“Back then, we set off first. But soon after, she appeared ahead of us, sprinting toward the forest. She was incredibly fast.”
Bai Xue explained.
“The forest, huh…” Ye Lian looked into the distance.
Sure enough, there was a large, densely packed forest not too far away.
At most, it was a 20-minute walk from here.
“Master, do you care about her a lot?” Bai Xue asked curiously.
“I do, because she’s really strong.”
Ye Lian withdrew her gaze, quietly letting out a breath of relief.
She wasn’t ready to meet Mu Ling just yet.
If Mu Ling was in the forest, she’d just avoid going there.
Simple as that.
“She really is strong. Aside from you, Master, I haven’t seen any girl that powerful.”
Bai Xue recalled the hint of strength Mu Ling had shown back then, and the astonishing speed she moved with.
She was certain that girl was doing just fine now.
“Enough about that. I’m going to craft something useful.”
As she spoke, Ye Lian laid out the materials she had gathered on the ground.
Bai Xue’s eyes nearly popped out at the sight.