He looked down at the wild grass and pitcher plants in their hands, his thin lips moving slightly, but he said nothing.
"Your mortal world is so much fun. Can I come often in the future?" Luo Yao mounted her horse, her eyes blinking as she looked expectantly at Ling Xi.
Ye Ziling also got on the horse. She looked at the wildflowers she had picked, sniffed them, and a faint smile bloomed on her lips.
This time she believed it; looking at many beautiful things would make one feel better.
Soon, she noticed Ling Xi's gaze on her. She subtly composed herself and handed the wildflowers to Luo Yao, "If Miss Luo Yao is willing, you can come find me at Peach Blossom Valley in the future."
Sensing her peripheral gaze, Ling Xi hastily averted her eyes, her expression returning to normal.
So she liked wildflowers.
"Peach Blossom Valley? Are you from the Sacred Doctor Tribe?" Luo Yao exclaimed, her eyes filled with shock.
"I said before that I wanted to go to the Sacred Doctor Tribe to learn medicine. It's a pity that when the sky collapsed, the people of the Sacred Doctor Tribe all disappeared. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to the East Sea for training."
In the mortal world, the Sacred Doctor Tribe was renowned for its excellent medical skills, having produced many divine doctors over generations. Many people vied to study under their tutelage.
However, the Sacred Doctor Tribe had always been low-key and never accepted outsiders, rejecting many.
Ling Xi mused, her gaze sweeping across Ye Ziling's face.
Sacred Doctor Tribe?
The Nine Spirits Palace was cruel in its punishments, while the Sacred Doctor Tribe saved lives. The two were incompatible. How could someone possess such contradictory identities?
So, was she a killer or a healer?
Ling Xi's heart was filled with doubt, and her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Ye Ziling. Coincidentally, their eyes met.
Ye Ziling felt Ling Xi's gaze was somewhat scorching. He was the first to break eye contact.
"It's getting late, let's return to the inn." Ling Xi, standing as straight as a pine tree, calmly mounted his horse.
Before long, they returned to the inn.
Mu Heng and two men had been waiting outside for a day. Upon seeing Ye Ziling's figure, they hurried forward to hold the horses.
"Thank you, young lady... If these horses were lost, my lord would surely punish us."
Ye Ziling dismounted with practiced ease, waving her hand, "It was nothing."
Just then, a man walked out of the inn. Seeing only one of his two Blood-Sweating Horses remaining, he coldly berated the two servants in front of him, "Why is there only one horse? Didn't I tell you to watch them carefully? How could you lose them?!"
"My lord... I didn't mean to, it's just that this horse, for some reason..."
"The reins were in your hands. Do you mean to say they ran off by themselves?"
Before the servant could finish speaking, the man directly closed his fan and raised his hand to strike. However, a slender wrist caught his arm.
"These two horses did indeed run off on their own." Ye Ziling released his arm and took out a money pouch from her embrace, saying, "This money is enough to buy ten horses. There's no need for punishment."
She was in a good mood today anyway, and carrying these bothersome money pouches made her feel uncomfortable. It was better to be unburdened.
In her impression, mortals were always fond of money. This silver should suffice.
The man looked at Ye Ziling's face, his eyes nearly popping out. Then, he chuckled and said kindly, "You are right, young lady. A mere two Blood-Sweating Horses do not warrant compensation. If you like this horse, consider it a meeting gift from me."
Upon hearing this, a hint of cunning flashed in Mu Heng's eyes. He stepped forward and snatched the money pouch back, laughing, "Exactly! This young master is exceptionally distinguished and extraordinarily elegant. What are two horses compared to that!"
Ye Ziling looked at the Blood-Sweating Horse in front of her and shook her head with a smile, "No need."
After all, she only wanted to ride it once, and she didn't particularly care about the horse. However...
Ye Ziling glanced at Ling Xi behind her and continued, "Please take good care of this horse, sir. Goodbye."
Seeing that she was not accepting his offer, the man quickly stepped forward to block her path.
He couldn't let the duck that was almost in his mouth fly away. This peerless beauty was the first he had ever seen. How could he not flirt with her in return for his Blood-Sweating Horses?
"Since we've met by such fate, would you do me the honor of sharing a few drinks? Rest assured, I'm treating," the man said, patting his chest resolutely.
Ye Ziling's eyes darkened as she refused, "My tolerance for alcohol is poor, so I cannot drink. Please excuse yourself, sir."
"Ah..."
The man refused to move, opening his arms to block Ye Ziling's way. Unexpectedly, a large palm forcefully twisted his wrist, nearly breaking his bones.
"She said she doesn't drink." Ling Xi's eyes turned cold. He didn't apply much force to his wrist, yet the man was in extreme discomfort.
"Alright... alright, I understand. I have offended you..." Seeing the man yelping in pain, Ling Xi released his hand.
While they were in this standoff, Mu Heng had already ordered the dishes and stepped out to call, "The food is ordered. Are we eating or not?"
Ye Ziling stared at Ling Xi for a moment, then turned and walked inside, sitting at the dining table.
It seemed she wasn't entirely insignificant in his heart.
Luo Yao and Ling Xi sat beside her. After the waiter set down the dishes, he respectfully withdrew, "Enjoy your meal, honored guests."
They took their seats. Apart from Mu Heng, who was engrossed in eating, the atmosphere among the three was somewhat delicate.
Luo Yao served Ling Xi a piece of food, smiling brightly, "When we were in the Heavenly Realm, I saw that you also liked this dish."
Ling Xi lowered his head, paused for a moment, and brought the food to his mouth, savoring it. "Indeed, compared to the mortal world, the food in the Heavenly Realm was bland."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ziling looked up and saw Ling Xi also serving food to Luo Yao. His eyes rippled with emotion, and he said with a smile, "This dish is also quite good."
Ye Ziling picked up a piece of green pepper, hesitating. Seeing the two of them affectionately serving each other food opposite her, she could only silently withdraw her hand.
She had never felt so conflicted in her life.
So... should she serve it or not?
Ye Ziling's hand stopped halfway, frozen. The two opposite her were so engrossed in their own world that they didn't even look up.
Soon, Luo Yao came to her senses and saw Ye Ziling serving a dish towards Ling Xi, reminding him, "Miss Ye is serving you food."
Mu Heng glanced at her holding the green pepper and not letting go. He extended his bowl and took it, swallowing the food in his mouth with difficulty and mumbling, "How did you know I liked green peppers!"
"It's rare for the Palace Master to be so kind to me," Mu Heng said. Then, he served Ye Ziling a piece of meat in return, saying, "As a courtesy... Palace Master, you should eat more too."
Ye Ziling breathed a silent sigh of relief. Mu Heng had finally used his brain this time.
Seeing that the two opposite him were only focused on serving food, their bowls almost overflowing before they even took a bite, Mu Heng called out, "What are you doing? Are you eating or not? The food will get cold."
Luo Yao suddenly realized and noticed Mu Heng beside her, "Oh right, this food will get cold if we don't eat it."
Ye Ziling's expression remained unchanged. She pretended to be engrossed in eating.
It seemed she needed to find another way.
Ye Ziling propped her face with her hand and looked at the moon outside the window. After pondering for a long time, her gaze finally fell on Mu Heng.
Mu Heng was wiping his long sword with a handkerchief. Seeing her suspicious gaze, he asked, "If you have anything to ask, hurry up and ask. I'll be so fast asleep later that even firecrackers won't wake me up."