“Xiu Jiming,” Lin Ling said, her voice incredibly solemn.
Xiu Jiming, who had just sat down to rest, heard her and turned sideways to look at her, a faint smile appearing on his face.
“What is it?”
“So, what exactly is your cultivation realm?”
She was about to continue speaking when she found herself stuck again, unable to make a sound.
Feeling somewhat frustrated, Lin Ling pulled out a notebook and wrote: “So what exactly is your cultivation realm now? That was the God of the Setting Sun who inherited my fourth uncle’s body, and yet you killed him with a single kick.”
Xiu Jiming looked at the page with satisfaction.
By now, Lin Ling’s handwriting had become very elegant.
Xiu Jiming said, “He wasn’t anyone particularly special.”
“But he was a Sky Realm demon,” Lin Ling added on the paper with a frown.
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about that. I saved your life; didn’t you want to think about how to repay me?”
Xiu Jiming looked away, still not wanting to tell Lin Ling about his true state too early.
“Ah. Er. Um.” Hearing this, Lin Ling immediately shifted her gaze as well.
‘Damn it, is just saying thank you really not enough?’
“What… do you want?”
Lin Ling bit her lip and leaned close to Xiu Jiming’s ear.
Xiu Jiming’s eyebrows shot up, his composure shaking slightly.
He looked at Lin Ling seriously and said, “Try to avoid speaking to others like that in the future.”
“Hmph, if you don’t like it, I’ll go speak to others then.”
Lin Ling rolled her eyes at him.
Xiu Jiming suddenly grew tense and grabbed Lin Ling’s arm, his eyes exceptionally solemn.
“No!”
Startled by his sudden reaction, Lin Ling could only nod blankly.
‘What’s wrong with Xiao Ming? Is he in heat?’
“Now, let’s talk about the reward.”
Xiu Jiming let out a breath of relief, finding it hard to imagine Lin Ling leaning into someone else’s embrace and speaking so softly.
“Hmph.”
Lin Ling turned her face away, thinking she had successfully changed the subject.
Seeing her reluctant look, Xiu Jiming found it a bit amusing.
He reached out and pinched her cheek, saying, “Don’t be so resistant. It’s not anything too complicated. How about you brew my tea for me from now on?”
“Huh?”
Lin Ling raised an eyebrow at him.
‘You want me to be your servant, is that it?!’
Fearing the wild girl might get the wrong idea, Xiu Jiming said bluntly, “Of course, I’ll leave all my Providence Tea with you. You’ll be in control of it.”
“Can I sell it then?”
Lin Ling’s eyes sparkled.
Xiu Jiming chuckled. “No.”
“Then what’s the point!”
After writing it, Lin Ling felt it wasn’t strong enough and added several exclamation marks at the end.
“I’m letting you drink it whenever and however you want, isn’t that enough?”
Xiu Jiming crossed his arms and stared at Lin Ling.
Lin Ling felt a bit annoyed, her large tail wagging incessantly.
Seeing that he wouldn’t budge, she held up one finger and said, “One—”
“Fine. One year it is.”
Xiu Jiming reached out to grasp Lin Ling’s small hand, finishing her sentence for her.
‘You jerk! I clearly meant one month! A bad “one”!’
Watching Lin Ling gnash her teeth, Xiu Jiming felt much better.
He crouched down, naturally revealing his broad and sturdy back to her, and waited for Lin Ling to climb on so he could carry her back.
Lin Ling looked down at her skirt with a complicated expression.
Something felt off.
As she lay on Xiu Jiming’s back, she couldn’t help but use one hand to keep pressing down on her dress.
‘Crap! This is bad. If this guy runs a bit faster, won’t I be exposed in public!’
Thinking about what might happen next, Lin Ling wanted to get off him.
However, Xiu Jiming reached back and hooked his arms under her legs, immediately soaring into the sky.
A barrier of sword qi protected the two of them, and Lin Ling barely felt any wind.
Sighing, she remained afraid of exposing herself the whole way, clutching her hem tightly.
When Xiu Jiming landed, he chose a deserted spot and touched down gently.
He didn’t put her down either; instead, he continued to carry Lin Ling on his back as they strolled slowly toward the Inspection Bureau.
Lin Ling was stunned for a moment, but then she calmed down.
She lay contentedly on Xiu Jiming’s back, humming a song softly to the rhythm of his steps.
“No one was seriously injured this time, but those demons from the True Self haven’t been found yet. My colleagues are still searching for their tracks. Don’t leave the Inspection Bureau without reason these next few days,” Xiu Jiming instructed as he walked.
Lin Ling wrapped her arms around his neck and gave a soft “mm-hmm.”
“I’ve left a protective array in the Inspection Bureau. You—remember to just hide back there in the future,” Xiu Jiming turned his head, looking at her twitching ears and laughing softly.
“You didn’t tell me sooner,” Lin Ling muttered.
“Sorry, I thought since you study talismans every day, you would have noticed,” Xiu Jiming said, sounding a bit sheepish.
“Hmph.”
Lin Ling curled her lip. She didn’t respond.
The two walked a bit further until the houses began to grow more frequent.
Many villagers working in the fields saw them and waved enthusiastically.
Lying on Xiu Jiming’s back, Lin Ling happily waved back at them.
Xiu Jiming smiled and said, “I always feel like you have infinite energy.”
“It’s called being bright and cheerful,” Lin Ling whispered earnestly into his ear.
They strolled through the marketplace until they reached the end, where the Inspection Bureau was located.
Lin Ling saw many wounded people sitting by the entrance resting, with villagers constantly helping to look after them.
Xiu Jiming let go, and as Lin Ling slid off him, she actually felt a slight sense of loss.
She rubbed her face, forced a smile, and ran toward Bai Yunyun and the others.