Luo Yunzhen's appearance had a somewhat pitiable air about it, and it couldn't help but trigger a protective instinct.
Breathing heavily, Luo Yunzhen leaned into Gu Lingling's shoulder, relaxing as he inhaled her familiar scent.
"Ouch..."
Gu Lingling was taken aback. This seemingly coquettish, pained exclamation was truly adorable.
Admitting her peculiar thoughts to herself, Gu Lingling couldn't help but marvel at this stark contrast - a usually aloof and enigmatic man, now seeking comfort and affection. The stark contrast made her heart melt, much like Big Treasure...
Gu Lingling frowned, as it seemed that she found quite a few similarities between Luo Yunzhen and Big Treasure: equally difficult to handle, equally aloof, and equally... handsome.
A daring suspicion slowly formed in Gu Lingling's mind, but it was unknowingly shattered by Luo Yunzhen's grunt when her hand accidentally touched his back. Her newfound theory dissipated like a soap bubble, forgotten in no time.
If Luo Yunzhen knew that Gu Lingling found him cute after being injured, he would probably be infuriated.
Roused from her thoughts, Gu Lingling felt something sticky on her hand, and when she looked, it was blood. She was so scared that her hands trembled, and she hurriedly pulled out a bottle of medicine from her own possession, threw it away, and then fumbled frantically in Luo Yunzhen's embrace.
"What are you doing, do you think my injury isn't serious enough? The medicine is on my bed," weakly spoke Luo Yunzhen. He was only wearing an outer robe, with no place to put the medicine bottle. However, Gu Lingling was so startled that she became somewhat dazed, opening Luo Yunzhen's outer robe once again.
Helplessly watching his "modesty" revealed once more, Luo Yunzhen didn't mind the minor skin injuries. However, he knew that if this continued, he would inevitably be exasperated by Gu Lingling.
Equally flustered, Gu Lingling actually reached out to shield him. At that moment, Rong Rong, the first to sense the demonic energy, rushed into the room.
"Master, I've come..." Her usual composed and indifferent demeanor was replaced by surprise when she saw the scene before her. Even her usually expressionless and taut skin couldn't conceal her astonishment. Yet, her beautiful eyes seemed to reflect the gradual shattering of something within her.
Gu Lingling knew that the thing being shattered might be Rong Rong's core beliefs.
"Rong Rong, let me explain. It's not what you think..."
Rongrong is indeed the "God of War" of the Green Feather Pavilion. Having experienced many ups and downs, she quickly adjusted her expression and, facing the part of Luoyun Zhen blocked by Gu Lingling, she solemnly said, "Disciple's timing was not appropriate. I ask the sect leader to punish me."
Another set of footsteps could be heard outside the door, sounding like Liao Feixing. Rongrong frowned, stood in front of the door, and blocked the newcomer from entering.
"What are you doing, Rongrong? There was a monster just now. What if it hurt the sect leader?" Liao Feixing's tone was not as deep as Luoyun Zhen's, and in his eagerness, it became even more intense. However, it was evident that he was worried about Luoyun Zhen.
Luoyun Zhen closed his eyes helplessly, indifferent to whether his clothes were disheveled or if others would discover his condition.
Rongrong dared not look at him again, and could only sternly tell Liao Feixing, "The sect leader is handling important matters and cannot be disturbed."
Damn those important matters. Rongrong, can't you stop misinterpreting such a pure gesture, and also be so "intimate" as to close the door! Gu Lingling shouted in her heart, but it was too late.
"Help me up," Luoyun Zhen said.
Luoyun Zhen's voice lacked vitality. Gu Lingling quickly helped him up, standing tall, seemingly showing no other intentions.
Luoyun Zhen sneered, thinking that it was too late to make such a move when everything was clear to everyone.
Nevertheless, Gu Lingling carefully helped Luoyun Zhen onto the bed. Luoyun Zhen lay on the bed, his dark, long hair scattered on the light-colored brocade, his clothes open, revealing an enticing curve on his neck and back, with spots of blood on them.
It was a kind of alluring yet chaotic beauty...
"What are you looking at? Hurry and give me the medicine," Luoyun Zhen said, propping himself up on the bed, sweating profusely. He felt that he wouldn’t be able to maintain control of his adult body for much longer.
Gu Lingling found the medicine bottle and carefully opened Luoyun Zhen’s already blood-stained outer robe, inadvertently disturbing the wound. Luoyun Zhen's slender fingers involuntarily tightened on the brocade, leaving creases on it.
Gu Lingling was about to have a nosebleed. Can't Luoyun Zhen be a little less seductive?
Sensing Gu Lingling's pause, Luoyun Zhen turned his head slightly, his handsome face appearing amidst the disheveled hair, "What are you doing?"
He was too weak to say more, let alone have the patience to explore what Gu Lingling was thinking.
"Oh, I'm coming, I'm coming," Gu Lingling said hastily.
The specialized medicine of the Forget Worry Pavilion was extremely effective. Whether taken internally or applied externally, it worked quickly, especially the special supply for the sect leader, which was much better than the medicine she made herself.
With a gentle pinch from two fingers, the medicine turned into powder. Sprinkling it on Luoyun Zhen's back, the fresh blood immediately stopped, and the wound showed signs of healing.
Gu Lingling took out another pill and placed it near Luoyun Zhen's mouth, "Be good, open your mouth..."
As soon as the words were spoken, Gu Lingling realized the impropriety. It seemed that after spending a long time with Dabao, her tone had become inadvertently affectionate.
But Luoyun Zhen, as if he had not noticed anything, obediently opened his mouth and swallowed the pill.
As the pain in his back lessened, Luoyun Zhen sat up and began to activate his inner energy to drive the effects of the medicine.
Considering that Luoyun Zhen had recently injected his spiritual energy inside her body and had not fully used it up, Gu Lingling placed her palm on Luoyun Zhen's sturdy chest, imitating the way she had seen on television to transfer her spiritual energy back to him.
"Sect leader, endure it for a moment. I'm transferring my spiritual energy to you," Gu Lingling explained, taking the initiative without Luoyun Zhen having to ask.
Her own spiritual energy was then transferred back into her body through the soft little hand on Luoyun Zhen's chest. Luoyun Zhen unexpectedly felt a hint of discomfort and moved slightly. Gu Lingling frowned unhappily. The small hand also pinched as a warning, indicating to Luoyun Zhen not to move recklessly.
This action seemed to have touched Luoyun Zhen's heart, making his heartbeat unsteady and his inner energy in disorder.
"In fact, even if you need my spiritual energy, you don't have to place your hand on my chest..."
...
Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Rongrong and Liao Feixing stood in Luoyun Zhen's room, but there was also an unexpected yet reasonable person beside them—Tao Fanru.
It turned out that after learning that the matter she had dealt with previously had left some loose ends, the former master of the Startling Dragon Pavilion felt ashamed and had specially dispatched her favored disciple, Tao Fanru, to help Rongrong and Liao Feixing.
Tao Fanru had been absent-minded these past few days and had not taken on any tasks, wanting to calm her chaotic thoughts. She did not expect to receive a task personally assigned by the former pavilion master.
Originally, she did not want to go, but not only did she not want to offend the pavilion master, but the task was also simple, and she viewed it as an opportunity to clear her mind. What she didn’t expect was that Luoyun Zhen was here as well.
The fairy robe on Tao Fanru gave her a cute feeling. Her brows showed seven parts sorrow and three parts charm, her eyes revealed a lingering sentiment, and Gu Lingling couldn't help but sigh in her heart: A female lead is indeed a female lead. Even she, as a girl, was attracted to her.
Not to mention men. Gu Lingling glanced a little sourly at Luoyun Zhen, who was already dressed and sitting in the upper position drinking tea.
It seemed that Luoyun Zhen felt Gu Lingling's gaze, lazily looking at her. Gu Lingling immediately panicked and averted her gaze, blushing like a child who had been seen through.
Luoyun Zhen's gaze flickered, as if thinking, as he played with his teacup.
The ambiguous atmosphere between the two spread, and how could Tao Fanru not see it? Biting her red lips, she was not willing to accept that Luoyun Zhen belonged with anyone else. Gu Lingling was just a disciple with lower talent and looks—how could she compare with her?
Adjusting her emotions, Tao Fanru put on an appropriate and sweet smile and respectfully greeted, "Master..."
"The former pavilion master means well. This unexpected incident was not his fault. However, since you are here, stay and help investigate," Luoyun Zhen interrupted, displaying an obvious sense of business, devoid of any other emotions.
Not involving Gu Lingling, Luoyun Zhen reverted to the clear and decisive sect leader of the Forget Worry Pavilion.
Tao Fanru was taken aback. She didn’t expect to be so directly ignored.
Gu Lingling was also very puzzled. Both the male and female leads were here. Tao Fanru was pretty and likable, and Luoyun Zhen was dignified and handsome. They seemed like a perfect match, but the dynamic between them seemed like the story of a goddess and a king without dreams.
Was it that Luoyun Zhen was so used to his distant and unemotional demeanor that he was no longer good at expressing his emotions?
Gu Lingling couldn't help but shake her head. Luoyun Zhen was truly someone who relied on his strength. But that's okay. When he finally comes to pursue his wife, she would definitely stay far away from him at that time. After all, the setting of this book is such that when the male and female leads meet, it's like a tumultuous and intense love affair that defies death.
However, this relentless pursuit is not between the male and female leads. The storm of abusive love between the two will involve those unfortunate supporting roles, becoming sacrifices on their emotional journey.
Gu Lingling shivered a bit, subconsciously took a step back, distancing herself further from Luo Yunzhen.
With a snap, Luo Yunzhen placed the teacup on the table.
Rongrong, perceptive as she was, though unaware of each other's thoughts, keenly sensed the dangerous atmosphere flowing in the air.
"Grandmaster, the monster seems to be a dark hand at work in the prince's palace. Although I have not seen it, during my encounter with the foul-smelling ferret spirit, I vaguely sensed the presence of a powerful demonic aura. Today, it came to ambush Grandmaster, it seems our investigation was on the right track, having touched the core, forcing it to reveal itself."
Liao Feixing fully agreed with Rongrong's inference, saying, "It must be hiding in the attic. Tomorrow, we shall go and raid its home."
Gu Lingling still couldn't figure out some things, "No, how did it know about our progress? Rongrong has set up a formation, and the slightest movement in the prince's palace cannot escape Rongrong's formation. How could it move around freely in the palace?"
The corner of Luo Yunzhen's eyes lifted slightly, leaving a restrained curve on his smooth skin, "Then let's startle the snake in the grass."
The author has something to say: Today, a few lovely people helped me analyze the issue of addressing people. After thinking about it, I decided to change "subordinate" to "disciple." However, due to the previous chapters involving reviews, I will not make changes for now.