The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus

Chapter 20: Bamboo Forest and Green Apricot (8)

This humble one is Imperial Censor Guo Xiu from the Ministry of Rites ugh Im very grateful to you heroes for saving me. May I know your names? When we return to Chang An, I must show my great gratitude.

Last night, the big ole man in a terrible state, who teetered on the edge of life and death, had now dried up in the sun and regained his refined, noble appearance.

Mu Yao thought of his vile actions the night prior that lead to half an entire ship of innocent people losing their lives. As such, her face turned cold. From beginning till the end, she didnt raise her head the slightest bit: Killing demons and removing devils is natural for Demon Hunters, theres no need to express gratitude.

Liu Fuyi didnt have a good expression on his face either as he faced him. His reply was neither warm nor cold: Many thanks for your wonderful intentions. We were originally already heading to Chang An

Thats wonderful then! A smile was piled on top of Guo Xius face, This lowly official was also going to enter the palace. I can still help recommend you all and arrange food and room for you all He paused, seemingly thinking of something, and lowered his voice: Dare I ask, if you all are going to Chang An for His Majesty Duanyangs matter?

Mu Yao and Liu Fuyi looked each other in the eye. Mu Yao coldly replied: Our informer wants their matters to be kept a secret. Its not convenient to speak about it.

Guo Xiu touched his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He was a near two meter tall man, both tall and well-built. When he stooped over like that, it was like a dark cloud was right above their heads. No matter how one looked at him, he didnt look like an official. He looked more like a kidnapping mountain bandit.

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I dont blame you, not in the slightest. Miaomiaos brows knitted up, Bringing up such an old topic, isnt it irritating?

She took back her arm and patted him on the chest with a force that wasnt light nor heavy: I dont blame you because Im lenient and magnanimous. I wont lower myself to your level.

She paused for a moment, then measured him up with an askance glance. There was once again a smile filled with schadenfreude on her face: Did you think that your incredible charm would make me fall for you or perhaps, while Young Noble Mu is in this state, that Ill try to scheme something?

. Mu Sheng clenched his teeth, his face turning unsightly.

Miaomiao looked at his appearance and realized that she had incautiously poked his wounds.

Ling Miaomiao, can you not be so sarcastic with your words? Hes the one you have to capture, not anger to death

She felt extremely remorseful as she pondered for a moment before she thought of an exquisite method: If youre always so uneasy, I think it must be because I know your secret. Since thats the case, let me tell you one of my secrets.

She had wracked her brains for a solution before finally thinking of this method. Excited, she crouched down beside him and moved her body close beside his ear.

Mu Sheng felt strands of her hair brushing over his face and immediately afterwards, her soft but cold lips accidentally brushed his outer ear. As if he had touched a fresh petal, he was caught off guard and trembled all over like he had been struck by lightning.

She used her hand to block them and lowered her voice, deathly afraid of others hearing: I I only started having my period this year, slower than other girls by 4-5 years. The night my period came, I started crying from joy. I thought that I was a fake female in the past.

Her voice beside his ear rustled and shook. His ear, neck and even half his body turned numb from the sensation.

The last few years he traveled the lands, there were many that had thrown themselves at him. They had meticulously adorned themselves with jade and perfume, and as such, before theyd even near him, the greasy smell of cosmetics would hit him first in the face.

The first shy girls that first fell in love with him, in his eyes, were all just putting on pretenses. It was too shameful and disgraceful for them to leave the house.

Yet, the girl in front of him was completely oblivious to it all. She had been unintentional, and so those intimate actions had turned hard to predict. It was like walking on a road when ones leg suddenly swept past a rose. A bead of morning dew in between the petals slips down ones leg suddenly and ones heart feels pierced through with cold. And afterwards, one couldnt help but recall such a thing over and over again.

He repeatedly recalled that stimulating moment of his heart beating fiercely.

Miaomiao suddenly felt that Mu Shengs body was drawn taut. She slightly leaned backwards to see him turn his head over. His face jumped from red to white and his ears were slightly red. His tone was considerably unhappy, Tell me, why did you say such a thing to me?

Is this not considered a secret? I feel like its very secret-y- She then knit her brows, half out of doubt and half out of caution. Do you know what a period is?

I know, dont say anymore! He turned back over to look at her, his pair of bottomless black eyes were surprisingly filled with a few strands of helpless resentment.

Ling Miaomiao felt at ease now. She stretched before also laying down on the grass, Alright, secret exchange completed. Now, if I ever reveal a single word of your secrets, you can go and tell the whole world of mine now you can be at ease.

Mu Sheng felt his patience tearing at its seams and thus closed his eyes. Still, she kept being long-winded beside his ear, Oh right, speaking of periods Her voice suddenly paused, and the rustling noises of a paper bag started to enter his ear instead. He opened his eyes a meager amount to a shadow looming over him. Immediately after, something was stuffed into his mouth.

Dont, dont spit it out As if she could feel his resistance, her cold fingertips carried the object further into his mouth and straightforwardly sealed up his mouth without hesitation.

A sweet flavor started to spread in his mouth.

He was stunned for a moment: What was this?

Gold silk candied jujube.¹ [1] Gold Silk Candied Jujube: Just like a normal candied jujube, but it has gold silk-like threads going from one end to the other. Which, from my research, is just light reflecting off of the folds and crannies. Theyre specially used to supplement blood. She cupped her face as she smiled, My dad used to say, if one eats candied jujubes everyday, youll look healthy and wont look old.

Remove your hand. His voice was rather unclear. He waited for Ling Miaomiao to take back her hand before starting to slowly chew then swallow it. The pit of the candied jujube had already been removed. Its gelatin-like texture and sweetness from having been simmered in cane sugar for a while caused every bite to release a strong sweetness.

Why does she have so many sweet things on her person?

The number of sweet things he had eaten the last few days had already surpassed the number of sweet things hed eaten from a young age till now.

Its too sweet. He subconsciously licked his lips, the flavor was both familiar and unfamiliar. Because it had been so long, it felt somewhat unreal in his mouth.

Whats wrong with sweetness? Ling Miaomiao raised her hand to block the sunlight. Her tone was somewhat disdainful, Being alive is already so bitter. We have to give ourselves a bit of sugar whenever we can.

Mu Sheng was slightly stunned. Like an instant skill, the girl sitting beside him had already taken out a paper bag and stuffed it into his chest. She even familiarly helped him close his lapels and hide the package: Save it to eat in the future.

I dont want it.

There was a voice in his head that repeatedly reminded him but he was late in raising his hands for some unknown reason. Return it to her, return it to her I dont need anyones goodwill

Miaomiao Someone called out from far away.

Ai! Brother Liu! Her voice turned lively and vigorous in a split second as she lifted her skirt and ran away without the slightest bit of hesitation.

He opened his eyes and turned around to take a look, only to see her chasing after Liu Fuyis back in great spirits. The place where she had sat before, a ring of grass was still crumpled and pressed down. The marks on the grass were still there, but the person had gone far away already.

Ah Sheng. Mu Yaos voice came from beside his ear. To his left was Mu Yaos cyan skirt. She crouched down, lowered her head and investigated the condition of his wounds.

This shouldve been how things went.

He closed his eyes as Mu Yaos familiar smell surrounded him. This was the smell he yearned for day and night for the last decade.

Youve recovered some? Her hand brushed over his chest, Ill take a look at your wounds.

Before he even realized it himself, he had already swapped out the paper bag in his clothes and hit it in his sleeves.

His heart was beating wildly and he hadnt felt such panic in a very long time. Immediately after, he fell into a heavy daze: What in the world was he doing?

Sis He stared at Mu Yaos calm face that sadly didnt have any worry on it. Out of habit, he put on a wronged expression: It hurts

Distress flashed through Mu Yaos face and she immediately turned serious: Ah Sheng, youve caused a huge blunder this time. In the future, you cant be this headstrong anymore.

Sis, I understand. He gazed at her with a face full of obedience, yet his heart was completely filled with sour bitterness.

Does his sister know of that matter? Those things that he couldnt remember, does sis remember?

No, Mu Yao and the Mu Family were completely different existences. Everytime he was whipped and locked in the firewood shed, Mu Yao would let him out in the middle of the night and help him apply medicine he would feel drops of something warm on his back: Her tears.

He could only have his sister to put his entire trust onto.

Alright, I wont criticize you anymore. Rest properly, let your body recover. Mu Yao supported herself on her knee as she got up. Suddenly, her expression grew heavier, Ah Sheng, the aura around you grew thicker did it not? You

He had used his demonic skills twice in the past three days, obviously there would be traces left behind. Mu Sheng felt like a bolt of lightning landed on his head; He felt his heart beating like a drum.

Sister Mu, Brother Liu is calling you over.

Miaomiao suddenly appeared behind Mu Yao. There was a dense fragrance around her, which was the smell of the unique hair combing water the Taicang County Mayors Residence had: The air around her was completely filled with the fragrance of jasmine.

Mu Yao was completely pulled off track by Miaomiao.

Miaomiao grabbed onto Mu Yao and walked away together. Yet, she seemed to have eyes on the back of her head as she threw a scented sachet behind her back towards Mu Sheng: The Scented sachet drew an arc through the air before landing on his hand.

He opened it to take a look. There was a bunch of soft cloth freshly ripped off of her skirt. It had just been soaked in the hair combing water.

The scent was extremely intense. It was enough to make people take glances at it, definitely enough to disturb ones sense of smell.

Liu Fuyi used a rock to draw out a simple map on the ground: Well stay here another night to wait for Ah Sheng to be able to walk. Then we can start heading towards Apricot Town. It should take about 2 days and two nights before we arrive. If we rent a carriage there and take the main road, well need another day to reach Chang An.

He turned quiet for a moment before involuntarily laughing: What smell is this thats so strong?

Oh, its my hair combing water Miaomiao smiled, Does it smell nice?

Mu Yao knitted her brows tightly yet managed to stay quiet with extreme self-control.

Wind blew through the bamboo forest, causing the leaves to tremble with a rather desolate noise. Ling Miaomiao felt very anxious inside.

According to the original plot, Ling Yu survived the confiscation of property and escaped with her life. Together with the impoverished main lead group, they walked on foot all the way to the green bamboo forest.

In this world, Miaomiaos father was extremely worried about her being wronged so he extravagantly sent her on a luxurious passenger ship Never would he have expected that they would meet a water demon calamity in the middle and the entire ship would sink. They had taken the long way around but in the end, still could not avoid the green bamboo forest.

There were two reasons why Ling Miaomiao didnt like the green bamboo forest: 1. Inside the green bamboo forest, Ling Yu, who thought there were some ambiguous feelings between her and the main lead, stuck onto Liu Fuyi like an octopus: Causing Mu Yao to feel uncontrollably fed up. In this stretch of the plot, she had to unceasingly stick very closely to Liu Fuyi to gain enough intimacy points.

2.In this green bamboo forest, Ling Yu was going to meet with an extremely dangerous situation.

Being cannon fodder was also an excruciatingly bitter matter eh?

[1] Gold Silk Candied Jujube: Just like a normal candied jujube, but it has gold silk-like threads going from one end to the other. Which, from my research, is just light reflecting off of the folds and crannies.

TLN: Yoho everyone. Kinda dying hoho. Sorry about the late chapters, completely slipped my mind that I hadnt scheduled them. Had to ask a favor from liltato :0