chapter 38

“Miss Xia, did anyone ever tell you never to mention another person’s scars?” Xuean’s voice became cold and even his gaze was covered in an extra layer of frost.

However Fengguang didn’t seem to have noticed his warnings and continued on stubbornly, “Because I care about it so I want to know the answer.”

His first reaction was to snort, followed by a negative thought. ‘What do you care about?’ But in the end, all he did was let out a carefree smile.

“Where else can a burn come from? The burn obviously came from getting hurt in a fire. If I said I got burned trying to save someone, would you believe me?”

She didn’t hesitate at all and nodded. “I believe you.”

Xuean was speechless.

He suddenly went silent which caused Fengguang to look at him in confusion.

“We should move along.” Xuean turned and decidedly dropped the topic.

She obediently followed behind him. Even though she didn’t receive an answer to her question, she was smart enough to know not to continue the conversation. Step by step, she traveled further in the desert. The sand heavily reduced travel speed but every time, the distance between them reached a certain point, he would slow down and wait for her.

Fengguang nearly fell and he caught her. She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you.”

“You really are a burden.” He felt deep inside that she was truly troublesome but when she nearly fell again, he still instinctively helped her.

After travelling through the desert for two hours, they encountered a caravan. The people there were kind-hearted so they offered Xuean and Fengguang a ride since they were travelling in the same direction. Fengguang let out a sigh of relief because she could finally sit. Shortly afterwards, Guanghe City came into view.

Guanghe City was on the border between two countries and was not under either country’s control. However, neither country would willingly hand over the city the other. Thus, under no country’s jurisdiction, Guanghe City created their own laws where only the strong can survive. If either country were able to take the city, it would be a great advantage in their war.

Xuean had said that Guanghe City was his territory because he and the current city lord Luo Ying, a man who would stab his brother twice for the woman he likes, were friends for many years. This relationship was not known by anyone else besides themselves. Even though they were on friendly terms, Luo Ying did not side with either country, whether it was Guangli or Dawei. Xuean also didn’t ask for his support. As long as Guanghe City remained neutral and was able to achieve balance, that would be enough.

But quickly, this balance was disturbed because of the female lead, Xia Qimeng… Or otherwise known by her current identity, the Silver Mask Strategist Bai Rong. Due to her presence, the passionate warrior Luo Ying’s heart was set on her. Don’t forget, this was the world of a novel where love triumphs over all.

Once they entered the city, they were surrounded on all sides with archers. Despite the unexpected development, Xuean didn’t appear flustered or nervous and instead, let out an amused “Oh~”.

He turned to Fengguang and said, “Stay by my side and don’t move.”

“Yes,” Fengguang nodded.

Amidst the archers, they opened up a path where three people came forward. It was the Ghost King Xiao Ruo, the Silver Mask Strategist Bai Rong, and Guanghe City’s city lord Luo Ying.

“Release Xia Fengguang and surrender yourself,” Bai Rong was the one who spoke up first. One could not read her emotions from her words. Xiao Ruo and Luo Ying were standing beside her on both sides to protect her.

Xuean laughed as he looked at the tall and handsome Luo Ying. “I never once thought that you, who was always neutral, would one day stand as my enemy.”

“Regarding this, I had no choice,” Luo Ying replied as he tousled his hair, unapologetically. “You also know I’ve been single for a long time. It’s hard for me to encounter someone I like. But brother, rest easy. I’m only helping them rescue that lady. I won’t let them hurt you.”

After Luo Ying finished his spiel, he felt a chilly glare directed towards him from the other side of Bai Rong. He then shot back a smile to Xiao Ruo, as though to tell him, ‘There’s nothing you can do to me.’