No one knew what Zhan Tianye was feeling at this moment.
It was a kind of elation, a joy that even he himself couldn't quite comprehend.
He had never imagined that a woman could hold so many secrets! And that this woman was her! The one who made him look at her with new eyes time and again!
"You can't kill me," Zhan Tianye replied.
If he didn't want to be killed, she couldn't kill him!
Yun Shu pursed her lips slightly, narrowing her beautiful eyes dangerously, "Oh? Then let's try."
Zhan Tianye stared intently at Yun Shu.
It seemed his eyes held only Yun Shu.
A hint of an unfathomable emotion flowed within them.
Yun Shu didn't pay attention at first, but later realized that he was merely parrying her moves! He wasn't trying to kill her at all!
Yun Shu cursed inwardly, "Damn it!"
Could it be that he didn't want to kill her and planned to reveal her identity to Zhan Tianye?
Thinking of this, the killing intent in Yun Shu's eyes intensified. Her palm flipped, and she sent a hidden weapon towards Zhan Tianye.
At the same time, she threw out a handful of poison powder.
Zhan Tianye dodged it.
A dark glint flickered in his eyes.
"How many more secrets do you have?" Zhan Tianye suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice.
Yun Shu's lips twitched violently, "None of your damn business! Are my secrets something you can covet?"
Where did this man come from?
He was so difficult to deal with, his martial arts prowess on par with hers. Even fighting for three days and three nights, they might not be able to determine a victor.
Would it be a waste for him to be an暗卫 (àn wèi - secret guard) of the Night King's mansion?
Seeing her fiery temper, Zhan Tianye's thin lips curved upwards.
He seized the opportunity and grabbed her hand.
He snatched her whip away.
At the same moment, Yun Shu pulled off his face veil!
She froze.
"Damn it! Are you sick?!"
Not only was he wearing a veil, but he also had a half-mask on his face!
A cold silver mask, like a phantom in the dark night, exuded a chilling aura.
So cold.
So soul-stirring.
Only an absolute master would possess such an overwhelming presence.
A sharp, icy light flashed in Yun Shu's eyes, "You're not the Night King's mansion's secret guard, who are you?"
A secret guard would never possess such an aura!
She had found it strange before, and now it felt even stranger.
"You'll know one day." Zhan Tianye suddenly retreated several meters.
Leaving behind words that invited endless speculation, he vanished far away from Yun Shu.
Yun Shu pursed her lips tightly.
She had no doubt that if this person had any connection to Zhan Tianye, within half an hour, Zhan Tianye would know that it was she who had gone to the Night King's mansion multiple times!
She had been somewhat worried about her identity being exposed.
But now.
She was fearless.
Didn't Zhan Tianye already know quite a lot?
It was a shame she had lost her handy weapon. That whip, woven from top-grade snakeskin, was small, exquisite, and sturdy enough to kill someone.
And now he had taken it!
...
The seemingly endless dark night concealed countless secrets.
Yet, it also seemed peaceful.
The cold moon hung like a hook.
Gradually, a night passed, and another day dawned.
Zhan Xiaoli rubbed his eyes groggily as he woke up, only to find Zhan Tianye standing by his bed.
He thought he was mistaken. Why would his father be by his bedside?
He rubbed his eyes again with more force, utterly astonished!
It wasn't a dream.
Nor was his vision playing tricks on him.
It was indeed his father, right before his eyes.
"Daddy?"
Zhan Tianye nodded, "It's Daddy."
Zhan Xiaoli furrowed his small brows, looking at Zhan Tianye with confusion. Although Zhan Xiaoli was only a little over four years old, he now behaved like a little adult, "Is there something, Daddy?"
After asking, he immediately became anxious.
Hadn't they agreed that Qiu Lu would take him to see his mother today?
Had Daddy gone back on his word?
Zhan Tianye shook his head, "No, nothing."
"Nothing?" Zhan Xiaoli didn't quite believe him.
He was still uneasy. He got out of bed, picked up the clothes lying nearby, and put them on himself.
And he dressed very neatly.
Watching Zhan Xiaoli take care of himself so well, Zhan Tianye felt a slight daze.
Time passed so quickly. It seemed like just a blink of an eye, the infant who could only be held in his arms was now able to dress himself.
Zhan Xiaoli took a deep breath and decided to take the initiative. He walked up to Zhan Tianye.
"Daddy, you promised me, and you can't go back on your word. You said a man's word is his bond, and if he breaks it, he's not a man! Even if you don't like Aunt Yun Shu, you can't force me not to like her. I just like her. I must see her today!" Zhan Xiaoli's expression was particularly serious.
It was as if Zhan Tianye would be very, very angry if he said no.
He even used the logic Zhan Tianye had taught him before, all in one breath.
Even if Daddy regretted it, after hearing his words, Daddy would definitely let him see his mother!
He had so many things he wanted to say to his mother.
Secrets he had kept in his heart.
Zhan Tianye was taken aback by his words, "Did I say you couldn't go?"
"Then why are you in my room, Daddy?" Zhan Xiaoli was also stunned, their expressions of surprise identical.
Zhan Tianye's dark eyes flickered. Watching Zhan Xiaoli sit in front of the mirror and comb his hair, he asked, "Why do you like Yun Shu?"
There were many women in the capital, and quite a few had appeared in the Night King's mansion, but Zhan Xiaoli had disliked them all, saying they weren't worthy of being his mother.
Now, Zhan Xiaoli was actively mentioning that Yun Shu could be his mother.
This was the first time ever.
Because she is my mother!
Not like those other bad women!
But Zhan Xiaoli remembered Yun Shu's words and kept his secret, so he said, "I just like her, no reason."
Zhan Tianye raised an eyebrow and said nothing more.
Zhan Xiaoli finished combing his hair.
He secretly peeked at Zhan Tianye in the mirror.
Why hadn't Daddy left yet?
As long as he didn't leave, Zhan Xiaoli felt a sense of caution. He really wanted to go to the General's Mansion right now!
Zhan Tianye stayed with Zhan Xiaoli until breakfast.
Zhan Xiaoli's heart pounded.
He became even more vigilant.
He finished a bowl of porridge in just a few bites, and then ate a flatbread in a few more.
Seeing Zhan Xiaoli wolfing down his food, Zhan Tianye frowned.
Did Zhan Xiaoli always eat like this?
"Eating too quickly can lead to indigestion. Don't rush, eat slowly," Zhan Tianye said gently.
Zhan Xiaoli was exasperated. His small shoulders slumped, and he looked at Zhan Tianye speechlessly, "Daddy, just say it directly, what happened? You don't want me to see Aunt Yun Shu?"
From waking up to watching him dress and comb his hair, and now eating breakfast.
Although he couldn't hear his father's inner thoughts, he could feel that Daddy had changed his mind.
Zhan Tianye was taken aback by the question.
Then, he lowered his eyes and looked at the porridge in his bowl, "You can go see Yun Shu."
Zhan Xiaoli scrambled to his feet, as if he was about to rush out immediately, fearing that Zhan Tianye would go back on his word.
The next moment.
Zhan Xiaoli added, "I'll go with you."