She wouldn’t let this Traitorous Shizun have any contact with Shen Ling precisely to nip any little thoughts she might have about learning martial arts in the bud. There was absolutely no other motive behind it.
After all, if this Traitorous Shizun’s martial prowess advanced, her own revenge and punishment would require far more effort.
However, this Traitorous Shizun clearly possessed the strength of a Second-Rate Warrior, so why did she act like a completely powerless ordinary person?
If it was deliberate disguise, then her acting skills were simply too impressive.
Chen Qing stared at Su Mu, searching her body for any traces of pretense.
But when she saw Su Mu clumsily banging two stones together to make fire, Chen Qing let out a sigh.
At least right now, that silliness didn’t look feigned at all.
“Two ordinary stones can’t make a fire. I told you, there’s a fire starter in the bag.”
Chen Qing handed the fire starter to Su Mu with a look of disdain.
Seeing that disgusted expression on her face, Su Mu itched with anger.
Who was it that had been starving like a hungry ghost and insisted on eating grilled fish? And now she was complaining about Su Mu being clumsy. Infuriating!
Daring to be angry but not speak up, Su Mu could only vent her frustration on the fish.
Imagining the sizzling, oil-dripping fish on the fire as the arrogant Chen Qing made Su Mu’s mood improve a bit.
Seeing how seriously Su Mu was grilling the fish, Chen Qing was a little surprised. She had thought Su Mu would deliberately ruin it out of spite.
It seemed she at least understood that a wise person knows when to yield to the circumstances.
Before long, the fish was grilled golden brown on both sides and began emitting a tantalizing aroma.
With the seasonings Chen Qing carried, the fragrance grew even richer.
The thick, enticing smell even drew over the caravan resting nearby.
“Xiao Ling, what is that smell? It’s so fragrant.”
Mu Qiuzi sniffed the air curiously as she chewed on her dry rations.
“It seems like Grandmaster Chen and Miss Su are grilling fish.”
Although Shen Ling was answering Mu Qiuzi’s question, her attention remained fixed on the hidden bushes around them.
Even though Chen Qing had already dealt with the attackers, the earlier situation had been so perilous that to ensure her Miss’s safety, she had to stay vigilant at all times.
“Grilled fish? Let’s go try some.”
The moment she heard there was grilled fish, Mu Qiuzi instantly lost interest in the dry rations in her mouth.
Perfect—she could personally thank Grandmaster Chen while freeloading a taste.
Watching her Miss excitedly head toward Su Mu and the others, Shen Ling felt a bit helpless.
She felt they shouldn’t disturb Grandmaster Chen and Miss Su’s little world of two, but she couldn’t think of a reason to dissuade her.
If she mentioned the relationship between Grandmaster Chen and Miss Su, her curiosity-driven Miss would be even harder to stop.
Shen Ling could only follow behind Mu Qiuzi to prevent her from saying something wrong due to her lack of awareness.
Su Mu lifted up the grilled fish. The enticing aroma made her stomach growl.
But looking at the expression on the Detestable Villain Chen Qing’s face, she looked ready to outright snatch it.
Just as Su Mu was reluctantly about to hand the grilled fish over to Chen Qing, Mu Qiuzi’s voice rang out.
“Grandmaster Chen, thank you so much for what happened earlier.”
“Since I promised Miss Mu, I will naturally do my utmost.”
As Mu Qiuzi chatted with Chen Qing, Shen Ling shot Su Mu an apologetic look from behind.
After all, they had finally gotten some quiet alone time, only for it to be interrupted by their oblivious Miss.
Su Mu didn’t quite catch Shen Ling’s look, but out of everyone there, Shen Ling was the one she had the highest favorability toward.
Seeing Shen Ling approach, the grievance of having her fish snatched eased a bit.
She cutely blinked at her by way of greeting.
Although Chen Qing was busy dealing with Mu Qiuzi, her attention had always been on Su Mu.
Seeing Su Mu exchanging flirty glances with her Sister Shen again, the grilled fish in Chen Qing’s hand suddenly lost all appeal.
She forcefully grabbed Su Mu’s wrist.
“Miss Mu, although the ambushing enemies have been eliminated, there’s no guarantee there aren’t more dangers ahead. I’ll go scout the path forward first.”
“Hey, the fish isn’t done yet!”
Ignoring Su Mu’s protests, Chen Qing dragged her away.
“What’s going on with Grandmaster Chen?”
Watching Chen Qing and Su Mu’s retreating figures, Mu Qiuzi was a bit dazed.
They had been chatting just fine a moment ago—why did she suddenly seem angry?
Seeing her Miss’s puzzled expression, Shen Ling had no choice but to quietly explain the special relationship between Su Mu and Chen Qing.
“Two girls… that kind of relationship.”
Mu Qiuzi’s eyes held a hint of shyness, but mostly boundless curiosity.
“Exactly, so Miss, we shouldn’t disturb them anymore.”
“Hehe, Xiao Ling, aren’t you curious about how they get along?”
Mu Qiuzi grinned mischievously at Shen Ling. From that look in her eyes, Shen Ling knew exactly what scheme her Miss was cooking up.
“Miss, Grandmaster Chen’s strength far surpasses mine. I have no chance of sneaking you over to peep.”
“Tsk, how boring.”
Seeing her Miss’s expression, Shen Ling felt helpless.
But this was her Miss’s true nature—the prim and proper demeanor she put on in front of Grandmaster Chen was just an act.
On the other side, Chen Qing led Su Mu down a small path.
Once they were far from the riverbank, Chen Qing finally stopped.
Looking at the dense surrounding forest and the Chen Qing in front of her, Su Mu felt a chill run down her spine. What did this Villain want? Hadn’t she said Su Mu was still useful to her?
“Want to eat?”
Chen Qing held the fragrant grilled fish right up to Su Mu’s face, the aroma making her swallow hard.
But looking at Chen Qing before her, she still shook her head with difficulty.
“N-No, I don’t want any.”
“You really don’t want it?”
Chen Qing placed one hand on Su Mu’s soft belly. Even through the fabric, she could feel how much it had deflated.
The fragrant grilled fish drew closer and closer to Su Mu.
“I—I’ll eat!”
Unable to resist Chen Qing’s temptation any longer, Su Mu took a big bite of the fish.
The rich flavor flooding her mouth brought a blissful expression to her face.
She had thought this bite would earn her a harsh lesson from Chen Qing.
But unexpectedly, not only did Chen Qing not punish her, she handed over all the remaining grilled fish.
Watching Su Mu stuff the fish into her mouth like a thief, Chen Qing pinched her little belly again. It was soft and squishy—the texture felt surprisingly nice.
“Mmph!”
With her mouth stuffed full of fish, Su Mu could only shoot her a protesting glare before continuing her battle with the fish.
As she enjoyed the wonderful texture, Chen Qing pondered her next plan.
Originally, she had planned to interrupt and head back to Cloud City with Mu Qiuzi and the others, then find that item in the city.
But the frequent interactions between Shen Ling and Su Mu had stirred an inexplicable sense of crisis in her.
If they traveled together, her silly Traitorous Shizun would be snatched away by that Shen Ling.
Mu Qiuzi already owed her a big favor—any more and it would breed resentment.
After this ambush, Mu Qiuzi’s enemies had suffered significant losses. Handing off the remaining dangers to that First-Rate Martial Artist called Shen Ling would be no problem at all.
Chen Qing glanced at the satisfied Su Mu and gave her belly another unhappy pinch.
But the most important reason was still this foolish Traitorous Shizun going and provoking that Shen Ling.
