Chapter 48: The Toad Covets the Swan

Ji Yin immediately turned around. “I’m free right now!”

“Didn’t you just say you had something to do?” Wuyan exposed her without hesitation. How could the Seventh Young Master change her mind so quickly, with absolutely no principles!

Ji Yin shot Wuyan a glare. “Young Master Xuan Yuan’s matters are more important than mine. Of course, I have to make time to accompany him.”

Xuan Yuan Ji stood up. “Then let’s go.”

“Alright!” Ji Yin agreed cheerfully.

Wuyan hurried after them, but Ji Yin quickly blocked his way. “I think you’d better not come.”

“Why not? What if you try something against my young master…”

“So you’re saying your young master can’t protect himself? Unless your young master is willing, I couldn’t force him even if I tried!”

“You…” Wuyan was so stunned by Ji Yin’s shamelessness that he could not speak. “There’s no way my young master would ever be willing! Stop dreaming about reaching above your station!”

“Wuyan, you stay here.” Xuan Yuan Ji commanded in a low voice.

“Young Master, I…”

“Wait until the ink has dried, then organize the heart technique.”

“Yes!” Wuyan replied, deeply unwilling.

Ji Yin walked ahead happily. “Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere is fine,” Xuan Yuan Ji replied indifferently.

Ji Yin led him forward. “You already know about that main hall—it’s the Hall of Primordial Heaven. There’s nothing fun there. That area is where all the disciples of the Heaven’s Origin Sect live—too many people. Let’s go this way instead.”

Xuan Yuan Ji had no objections and followed behind her.

Ji Yin wasn’t very familiar with the terrain of Heaven’s Origin Sect. She simply followed her instincts, and after a while, found herself in an increasingly secluded area. Still, there were traces of man-made paths ahead, so she kept going.

Xuan Yuan Ji realized that Ji Yin truly had no destination in mind.

Where was this little thing planning to take him?

After a while, Ji Yin stopped and looked around. Where was this place? She had never been here before and seemed to have lost her sense of direction.

When they came, it was left, then left again, then right—where had she turned after that?

“The scenery in these mountains is really beautiful, isn’t it!” Ji Yin said with a smile, afraid Xuan Yuan Ji would notice she was already disoriented.

“It is indeed lovely,” Xuan Yuan Ji replied softly.

With no other choice, Ji Yin braced herself and continued ahead. She was hopeless with directions. In a little while, she couldn’t guarantee she’d be able to find her way back.

A faint sound of running water drifted from ahead, and Ji Yin followed it.

Xuan Yuan Ji remained silent, trailing behind her.

He realized he simply wanted to be with Ji Yin, no matter where they were. This was a feeling entirely new to him.

As expected, a small river appeared ahead. The water was crystal clear, and little fish darted back and forth.

Ji Yin picked up a stone and tossed it into the water, startling a school of fish.

Suddenly, her foot slipped, and she lost her balance, toppling sideways.

A hand slipped around her waist, holding her tightly. Caught off guard, Ji Yin crashed straight into Xuan Yuan Ji’s arms.

Her nose brushed against his chest, and a refreshing, clean fragrance filled her senses—so pleasant, yet not at all cloying.

Xuan Yuan Ji was fond of fine incense, and his scents were always rare and precious. But Ji Yin thought even the finest incense couldn’t compare to the natural fragrance he carried.

Suddenly, she realized she was being held in his arms and quickly struggled free.