"Huh? N-No, I'm fine!" Bai Heng forced a laugh. "I'm just showing Sir Dian Dao around the Luofu, and helping Jing Yuan-yuan deal with a few little problems on the side."
"Mmh." Jingliu acknowledged softly, then her gaze returned to Wei Qing. "Sir Dian Dao, as a Knight of Beauty who travels far and wide, you must have seen much and learned much. What do you think of the Luofu?"
It sounded like ordinary small talk, but coming from Jingliu, it carried an unmistakable weight.
"The Luofu has a long history, magnificent sights, and a rich culture. It truly is a rare treasure in the cosmos," Wei Qing replied smoothly. "Especially these past few days—under Miss Bai Heng's guidance—I've come to appreciate how this place gathers remarkable people and remarkable spirit."
Jingliu listened in silence, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
When he finished, she added lightly, "A land that is a treasure is also a land that weathers storms."
"The Luofu may appear calm, but under the surface, currents run deep. Since you are a traveler, I advise you to be cautious and not be deceived by appearances."
Bai Heng's heart leapt into her throat. She feared Jingliu's next sentence would cut straight to something she couldn't afford to hear.
She hurriedly jumped in. "Jingliu, don't worry! Dian Dao is really capable—and with me watching out for him, nothing will happen!"
She meant it as a peace offering.
Instead, the moment the words left her mouth, she felt Dan Feng and Ying Xing's looks turn even more complicated. Even Jing Yuan lifted an eyebrow, the "I'm watching a show" smile deepening at the corners of his lips.
Only then did Bai Heng realize how protective her words sounded.
Her face flared red again.
I'm finished.
Why am I suddenly getting stupider today?!
Jingliu gave Bai Heng a single glance—calm, flat, and utterly unreadable—and Bai Heng immediately fell silent.
"Bai Heng is lively by nature," Jingliu said to Wei Qing, and there was a faint, unmistakable note of shielding in her tone. "If she has been discourteous, Sir Dian Dao, I ask for your understanding."
The sheer absurdity of it all pressed harder on Wei Qing's temples.
Even Jingliu's whole vibe felt… different.
How had she turned into someone who sounded like a worried guardian?
This scene, these lines—this was exactly what it looked like: the "female side's senior family member" examining a prospective partner, and the toughest one at that, using a polite surface to conceal a blade-sharp assessment.
Wei Qing kept his expression composed. "Miss Bai Heng is warm and candid. Traveling with her has been pleasant. There is no discourtesy to speak of."
Jingliu said nothing more. She raised her cup and took a small sip.
Tonight, she was different—yet even seated, she felt like a sword resting in its scabbard: not drawn, but impossible to ignore.
The table's earlier looseness quieted under her presence.
Ying Xing and Dan Feng exchanged a look. With Jingliu here, their earlier "interrogation" posture no longer fit.
Jing Yuan, on the other hand, looked delighted to be absolved of effort. He poured himself a drink and ate, serenely enjoying the spectacle.
Bai Heng sat as if on needles, feeling like this meal was more exhausting than shooting arrows for an entire day.
She stole a glance at Wei Qing. Seeing him calm and unbothered—like he didn't notice the strange atmosphere at all—only made her more unsettled.
Does he think we're acting weird now?
Jing Yuan-yuan, you're the culprit!
And Ying Xing and Dan Feng—why are you adding fuel?!
And Jingliu—why are you asking questions like that…
Just as Bai Heng's internal wailing reached its peak, Jingliu spoke again, this time more directly.
"Sir Dian Dao, you travel widely. Your eyes are set on distant horizons. Your stay in the Luofu—are you merely resting for a time, or do you have other intentions?"
A clean question on the surface. A needle hidden in silk.
Wei Qing lifted his gaze to meet Jingliu's cold eyes.
"Miss Jingliu, the cosmos is vast," he answered evenly, "but any place worth pausing for carries its own fate and its own meaning. For me, the Luofu is both a place to rest—and a place to learn and refine myself."
"As for how long I'll remain…" He smiled faintly. "Where there is fate, we gather. When fate ends, we part. I follow my heart."
The answer clearly didn't satisfy Jingliu. Her brow tightened slightly, though she didn't press immediately.
Ying Xing seized the opening and stood up. "I'll go see what else they have that pairs with wine."
Dan Feng added coolly, "It's a bit stuffy here. I'll step out for some air."
In the blink of an eye, only Wei Qing, Jingliu, Bai Heng—and the immovably relaxed Jing Yuan—remained at the table.
Jing Yuan, completely unbothered by being the third wheel, even poured Jingliu a drink. "Master, try this. It really is good."
Jingliu ignored her disciple's offering. Her eyes stayed on Wei Qing.
"Sir Dian Dao," she said abruptly, "some scenery looks dazzling, but vanishes in an instant. Some people seem to fit well, yet may not be able to walk the same road to the end."
Silence.
When no one answered, Jingliu chose the most direct method possible.
"Enough. I'll ask plainly."
"Sir Dian Dao… what do you think of Bai Heng?"
Bai Heng nearly knocked her cup over. Her face went so red it looked like it might drip.
The cosmos truly had an endless supply of malice.
Wei Qing stayed quiet for a long moment—so long that Bai Heng was almost ready to leap up and stop the suffocating stillness herself.
Right before she could speak, Wei Qing finally set his cup down and looked Jingliu straight in the eye.
"Miss Bai Heng is a very good friend."
"She is warm, sincere, and eager to help others. As a guide, she's beyond reproach. Knowing her has been a pleasant thing."
Bai Heng's heart loosened—just a little.
But Jingliu didn't look satisfied.
"Is that all?" she pressed, her tone calm, yet refusing him an escape.
"Miss Jingliu," Wei Qing replied, "I don't understand what you mean. I've only known Bai Heng for a few days. What more could there be to say?"
Jingliu answered with a straight-line strike so blunt it stunned the entire table.
"Bai Heng likes you."
The moment the words fell, the space around their corner of the tavern seemed to become a vacuum.
Bai Heng's mind made a loud, ringing buzz and went completely blank. She could hear her own blood rushing in her ears. She wanted to evaporate on the spot.
She reached out and grabbed Jingliu's sleeve, voice trembling with near-tears. "Jingliu! W-What nonsense are you saying?!"
Jing Yuan's cup froze midair. Genuine surprise flashed across his face.
Master… that's brutal.
Even Ying Xing—halfway to the counter—and Dan Feng—standing by the doorway for air—instinctively stopped and looked back.
Jingliu, however, acted as if Bai Heng's frantic tugging didn't exist. She simply stared at Wei Qing.
There wasn't the slightest trace of humor in her eyes.
Only a stubborn, unyielding seriousness.
She had come here, and she was going to ask it through—because for Bai Heng's sake, she had to know where this "Dian Dao" stood.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 142)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter181)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter103)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter192)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 173
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 166
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 110
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 190
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 165
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 156
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 81
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 102
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 120
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 80
Uma Musume: I Want All 95
I Can Copy Unique Skills 84
Summoning an Evil God, but the 66
Supernatural Multiverse 83
My Harem Is Indescribable 75
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 81
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 75
Still playing traditional Honk 55
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 60
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 57
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 45
Transmigrated as Sukuna 55
Checking In in Demon Slayer 60
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 65
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 35
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 35
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 39
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 58
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 30
Why did they assign me to Uma 35
MYGO Beauties 42
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