Chapter 11: The Mask I Was Forced to Wear

  The night still draped over the nd. The lingering scent of blood was carried by the wind. Scattered torches flickered weakly, casting dancing shadows over the bck-robed man's cold, austere face. He stood there silently, solitary and still, as if the chaos around him had nothing to do with him at all.

  Xu Sanbao slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred, and the searing pain almost pushed her consciousness back into the abyss. She instinctively tried to move, but her body felt unbearably heavy, as if it had been crushed.

  Her gaze first fell upon the bck-robed man.

  Bathed in the firelight, his face appeared more defined—sharp features, deep-set eyes, and a cold detachment that made him seem almost inhuman. Yet the moment their eyes met, she caught a flicker of warmth hidden in those deep, aloof eyes.

  "You... who are you?" Sanbao's voice was hoarse and weak.

  "It was this gentleman who saved you, Miss," a familiar voice chimed in. Sanbao turned her head slightly and saw Wu Yuyu looking at her anxiously, her eyes filled with concern.

  Sanbao’s heart eased slightly. She struggled to sit up. Though her chest still throbbed painfully, at least she was alive. She took a deep breath and forced a faint smile, looking at the bck-robed man seriously.

  "Thank you, sir."

  The man merely nodded slightly, his tone calm and certain: "It’s nothing. I simply happened to be passing by. Wherever evil crosses my path—it shall be eradicated."

  Sanbao blinked, momentarily stunned. She couldn't help but think to herself, *So the cold-faced handsome guy is actually a bit of a chuunibyou.* She almost wanted to ugh, but now was hardly the time for teasing. She forced herself to hold back.

  Secretly observing his expression, she noticed he was looking right back at her. Their gazes locked for a moment—and the air between them seemed to freeze.

  The bck-robed man’s face remained calm as ever, but... the tips of his ears turned faintly red.

  Sanbao stared in surprise, nearly bursting into ughter again. But she kept her composure. Just then, a sudden excmation broke the awkward silence.

  "Miss! Your wound—it’s not bleeding anymore!"

  Li Xiaon’s voice rang out with delight. Sanbao followed her gaze, lowering her head.

  The blood-stained fabric at her chest was still dark and ragged, but indeed, no fresh blood was seeping out. She moved her arms and legs a little—although there was still some pain, she was much better than before. She could even stand up.

  She realized immediately: Her **Rapid Regeneration** ability had taken effect.

  But she had no intention of revealing this secret. Instead, she quickly put on a pained expression and croaked: "It must be the miraculous effect of the pill the gentleman gave me... cough, cough..."

  Clutching her chest, she faked a wince, her brows knitted in feigned agony. "Ow..."

  The bck-robed man, deceived by her act, frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of concern: "Are you alright?"

  "I’m fine... I’m fine..." Sanbao waved her hand weakly, seizing the chance to change the topic. "So, sir, what brings you alone to the outskirts of Moling City so te at night?"

  The bck-robed man paused for a second, then lightly coughed and averted his gaze.

  "I was... out for a walk."

  Sanbao: "..."

  Wu Yuyu: "..."

  Li Xiaon: "..."

  For a few seconds, the air was painfully silent.

  Realizing how absurd his excuse sounded, the bck-robed man bit his lip subtly and quickly added: "No, actually... I was tracking these bandits."

  Sanbao, Yuyu, and Xiaon exchanged looks—and saw the same thought reflected in each other’s eyes: *That was one terrible lie.*

  But given that he had saved their lives, Sanbao chose not to pursue it. Instead, she smiled knowingly and nodded, accepting the expnation without comment.

  "Sir, the way you control your sword... that’s sword intent, right?" Yuyu spoke up, deftly steering the conversation.

  The bck-robed man gnced at her indifferently and answered, tone still ft: "My surname is Tang. I come from the Royal Capital."

  *Not answering the question again?* Sanbao grew more suspicious.

  *The Royal Capital?* Her heart stirred. The Royal Capital was the grandest city on the continent, the heart of the Rudy Kingdom, where cultivators, noble houses, and powerful factions gathered.

  Could he be from one of the great cultivation cns? Her eyes drifted to the sword at his waist—the Longyuan Sword. The bde occasionally emitted a faint, flowing light, clearly indicating it was no ordinary weapon, but a treasure imbued with mysterious power.

  "Sir, that sword must be a precious artifact, right?" Yuyu pressed on, picking up on Sanbao’s curiosity.

  The bck-robed man slowed his steps slightly, tilting his head with a hint of aloofness.

  "It’s a family heirloom," he said, voice steady and final.

  Again, avoiding specifics. But from this, Sanbao deduced he was definitely from a major family—whether a great cultivation sect or a noble house, it was clear he had a powerful background.

  She gnced at his calm, unreadable face and thought to herself: *The deeper someone hides, the bigger the secret they’re protecting.*

  But now wasn’t the time to dig deeper.

  As the darkness began to fade, pale light appeared at the horizon.

  Meanwhile, far away in the Xu family estate within Moling City, the night remained silent.

  In the council hall, a man dressed in the Xu family guard uniform knelt respectfully before the patriarch.

  "Miss Sanbao and her companions have safely left the city," he reported.

  Patriarch Xu nodded slightly, his gaze deep and unreadable. "Good. You’ve done well."

  It turned out that Sanbao’s escape had not been a coincidence—it had been carefully arranged by her father.

  Another shadow-cloaked guard stepped forward and added: "We have also informed Lord Tang. He said he would have his second son protect the young dy from the shadows."

  A flicker of thought crossed Patriarch Xu’s eyes. He waved his hand gently. "Good. You may go."

  "Yes, sir."

  The hall returned to stillness, with only Patriarch Xu remaining.

  He sat silently, staring into the depths of his teacup, murmuring in his heart: *Sanbao… I pray you find peace and fortune out there.*

  The door creaked open again. Lady Xu entered, her face etched with worry.

  "How is Sanbao?" she asked.

  Patriarch Xu looked up at her, his voice soft and reassuring: "We’ve just received word. She has left Moling City safely."

  Lady Xu sighed heavily, her eyes glistening. "It’s the first time she’s traveled so far alone... Will she eat well? Will she sleep safely?"

  Patriarch Xu smiled gently, reaching out to take her hand.

  "Don’t worry. She has Xiaon and Yuyu with her. They’ll take good care of her."

  The couple exchanged a look. Their hearts ached with worry—but they knew there was no turning back now.

  Far away, Xu Sanbao knew none of this.

  As the night retreated and morning light bathed the nd, Sanbao and her companions pressed forward under the bck-robed man's silent escort.

  By dusk, they finally arrived at Pingjiang Prefecture.

  Standing before the city gates, watching the bustling streets gradually light up, Sanbao felt a stirring sense of anticipation rise in her heart.