“Nature is formidable,” Qinglong boasted. “There must be many formidable people like you around the young master, right?” Chuxia muttered to herself, “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent you to protect me…”
“The young master has the Four Leopard Guards, and I am one of them, not just anyone,” Qinglong emphasized. “Among the Four Leopard Guards, Baihu excels in attack, Zhuque is a divine healer, Xuanwu is skilled in intelligence, and as for me… I specialize in defense. The young master asked me to protect you, which shows how much he cares for you.”
Chuxia tilted her head, pondering, “Do they all, like you, secretly stay in the manor without revealing their identities?”
Qinglong shook his head, “Not at all. Unless there’s something very urgent, I wouldn’t have been called back by the young master. Actually, among the four, I’ve only met Xuanwu… To think of it, only the young master has seen all four of us.”
Feeling a bit sleepy, Chuxia rubbed her eyes, “I understand, Ah Qing.”
“Then go to sleep.” With a nimble flip, Qinglong extinguished the candle and whispered before leaving, “Chuxia, rest assured. I will persuade the young master to set you free.”
The next day, Chuxia was summoned to the study. Passing by the courtyard where she had lived for over a month, now reduced to ashes, was a shocking sight. A large map of mountains and rivers hung on the wall of the study, with the young master looking up and examining it closely.
“Young master, are you planning to go out?” Chuxia stood behind him, curiously glancing at the map several times.
The young master turned to look at her, paused, and then said, “What’s wrong? Did you cry last night? Your eyes are swollen like walnuts.”
Chuxia didn’t respond.
“Chuxia, I need to ask you about something,” the young master said, seeing she didn’t answer, without pressing further. “Would you like to come with me to Qingtian River?”
“Are you looking for ‘Shanshui Yao’?” Chuxia thought for a moment, then shook her head firmly, “I won’t go.”
The young master hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t ask why, only saying, “Then stay at Jun Manor.”
