Looking sideways, Mu Ge saw the translucent figure under the bright sky and said with an odd expression, "Aren't you afraid of sunlight?"
"Why should I be?" Mu Qingge asked curiously in return.
Well! The ghosts of this world are different from those on Earth.
Mu Ge's mouth twitched, deciding not to continue this topic.
...
The blazing sun hung high in a clear sky.
On the road leading to Luodu, a person and a horse were plodding along languidly, neither hurried nor slow.
"Sunset Wilderness is to the southwest of Luodu. If you follow this official road north and increase your speed, you could reach Luodu in about ten days," Mu Qingge's spirit floated in mid-air, keeping pace with Mu Ge on the horse.
Along the way, she was briefing Mu Ge on the situation in Luodu. However, given the latter appeared to be half-asleep, it was uncertain how much of it she actually absorbed.
"Noisy."
The faint voice came, making Mu Qingge pause in surprise. Her expression instantly darkened as she asked unhappily, "What did you say?"
Mu Ge glanced up at her and asked irrelevantly, "Aren't you afraid of flickering out if you keep hovering around me like this?"
"You!" Mu Ge's sharp tongue made Mu Qingge's translucent body tremble a little, as if she could dissipate at any moment. "Hmph, you need not worry," she snorted coldly, diverting her gaze with arrogance.
Mu Ge merely curled his lips and continued to close his eyes to rest.
After walking a while longer, the road was empty of any other figures.
However, just as Mu Ge was about to fall asleep, his gaze caught sight of a sudden surge of yellow sand and the clatter of hooves in the distance.
Slowly opening his eyes, Mu Ge calmly watched the storm-like dust cloud in the distance.
"There's a military! It's the Mu family banner!" Mu Qingge, who had somehow floated into the air, abruptly grew excited.
Mu Ge looked up at her and asked, "Aren't you going to hide?" From Mu Qingge's mention of the Mu family banner, she had already guessed who was coming.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingge gloomily descended from the air and stood next to Mu Ge: "Except for you, no one else can see me."
"..." It was the first time Mu Ge had heard her say this.
Suddenly, Mu Qingge's expression became profound as she looked at the gradually clarifying figures ahead and murmured, "He actually came too!" The complex emotions in those words drew a sidelong glance from Mu Ge.
However, the girl didn't continue, focusing seriously on Mu Ge instead and said, "Remember, from now on, you are Mu Qingge. The little Lord of the Mu Mansion!"
The little Lord?
Mu Ge raised a hand to touch the purple stud earring on her left ear.
This seemingly ordinary earring had been completely restored, and when she woke up in the morning, she found herself transformed into a stunningly handsome youth. Though slightly built, his aura was undiminished. Probably the only difference between her and the real Mu Qingge was the disappearance of the gloomy aura between her brows, leaving only a calm indifference like drifting clouds and flowing water.
"Ge'er!"
A voice roared from the ground, and before Mu Ge could react, she was pulled into a wide and warm embrace.
So fast!
Buried in the broad embrace, Mu Ge was startled by the newcomer's strength, then frowned slightly. She seemed to catch a streak of deep blue light flash before her eyes, and then she was enveloped in the embrace.
"Ge'er, are you itching for punishment? Daring to sneak off to Sunset Wilderness behind my back?" A voice, both aged and vigorous, came from above Mu Ge's head, and the next second, she was pushed out of the embrace.
Only then did she realize she'd somehow dismounted from the horse and stood on the ground.
Although the newcomer's tone was full of reproach, she could feel the concern and tension in the eager gaze that scrutinized her.
"Grandpa..." came the choked murmur from Mu Qingge beside her ear.
Mu Ge looked up at the person clutching her arms tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again.
His temples were frost-white, and his stern features exuded a militaristic air. Even though he was past his prime, he remained majestic, commanding respect and fear.
"Grandpa." The word slipped out almost instinctively.
"Hmm." Mu Xiong responded gruffly.
But Mu Ge still heard the tremor in his voice, and saw the moisture he tried hard to hold back in his eyes.
For an old general seasoned in battle to be moved to tears, it seemed only his precious grandson could evoke such a reaction.
"Old Lord Mu, it seems Qingge truly is blessed, having returned safely," suddenly, a noble yet indifferent voice interjected.
Mu Xiong shuddered, his expression soured as he turned to look back at the distinguished young man standing amid the crowd.
Mu Ge's gaze followed her grandfather's, locking onto the speaker immediately. The man's appearance and demeanor were too notable.
Clad in a dark python robe, he stood as straight as a sword. His stern and aloof features inexplicably made people want to draw near. As if receiving even a single glance from him was the ultimate happiness.
Among his sword-like brows were innate nobility, making him conspicuous even among the crowd, refusing to be overlooked.
"He is Prince Rui, Qin Jinhao," Mu Qingge's voice timely floated into Mu Ge's ear.
The latter glanced subtly at the former, noticing the complicated emotions in her tone despite Mu Qingge's efforts to conceal them.