Chapter 120: So That Was It

After speaking, Zhang Ning felt too embarrassed to look at Chu Hanyu’s expression and quickly ran back to his bedroom.

Chu Hanyu, who had always been somewhat indifferent toward Zhang Ning, unexpectedly drew a deep, unsettled breath and then stepped out of the Moonlit Water Cave.

This small place called Moonlit Water Cave had a beautiful origin to its name. Regardless of the hidden mysteries within, even judging by its surface alone, it was meticulously crafted by skilled artisans with extraordinary cultivation from the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect. They had even summoned some of the moonlight from the heavens to scatter over the small waterfall here. The effort put into this was beyond what outsiders could imagine. The residents here did not regard the demon clan as their adversaries, so the usual moonlight nectar was of little use to them. The painstaking effort was purely for aesthetic purposes—and they had succeeded magnificently.

At this moment, outside the Moonlit Water Cave, the moonlight, drawn here by some mysterious force, sprinkled over the small waterfall at the entrance. The splashing spring water mixed with the scattered moonlight fragments created an incomparably beautiful scene. Yet, no matter how beautiful the scenery, the aura of the figure slowly stepping out beneath the waterfall transformed the entire scene into an imposing display of his presence, forbidding anyone from harboring even the slightest thought of disrespect.

Those waiting outside the cave saw this and held their breath, immediately kneeling and saluting, “Greetings, Honored One.”

Chu Hanyu looked at her without responding. She was a young girl of about eighteen or nineteen, with a dignified and beautiful appearance—Zhang Ning’s attendant, Kikyō.

Usually calm and composed, the girl now, though only kneeling before Chu Hanyu, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat down her back. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Your servant was disrespectful. I shall accept whatever punishment you see fit.”

Chu Hanyu said, “Speak.”

Only then did Kikyō dare to explain.

Chu Hanyu had originally thought that the girl’s reckless intrusion near the Moonlit Water Cave was for her own gain or because she had suffered a great injustice. Unexpectedly, it was simply to deliver a late-night meal to her lord, the prince she loyally served. (Perhaps that was why Chu Hanyu’s men didn’t stop her.) Although Chu Hanyu had considered Zhang Ning’s need to eat and had sent food earlier, it was through his subordinates. Kikyō, though holding a high rank under Zhang Ning, could not intervene and had to take such a risk. This made Chu Hanyu quietly approve of Zhang Ning’s method of managing his followers.

A short while later, Chu Hanyu returned to the Moonlit Water Cave and gazed clearly at the Starflash Fruit on the table. It was said to be something the prince drank every night before he could sleep. Chu Hanyu had no intention of withholding it, but Zhang Ning was already snoring soundly in his room. Without needing to listen carefully, Chu Hanyu could guess how deeply he slept.

Yet, of course, Chu Hanyu was not pondering the Starflash Fruit but rather the words Zhang Ning had just spoken.

Although Chu Hanyu had worked to improve the richness of the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect’s library, there was still a clear lack of beginner-level reading materials. So Chu Hanyu had to take matters into his own hands earlier. But this only served to confirm a question he had never considered before: Zhang Ning probably still could not fully recognize the characters of the Azure Sky Realm.

Then the question arose: How long had Zhang Ning actually been in the Azure Sky Realm? Had he only briefly encountered that mysterious powerful figure? Was his connection with the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect—or his time within it—far longer than his time with that enigmatic stranger?

Moreover, Chu Hanyu always thought Zhang Ning was cunning and bold enough to dare impersonate his disciple. Yet Chu Hanyu also knew that the greatest fear of an impostor was being exposed. If Zhang Ning were truly so scheming, wouldn’t he have taken care to master these basic matters first?

A true impostor would place hiding their identity above all else, not prioritize serving the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect like Zhang Ning did! With this, the differing opinions from Chu Hanyu’s other disciples about when Zhang Ning became his disciple, and the chaotic rumors within the sect, all pointed to one guess in Chu Hanyu’s mind.

Perhaps everyone had been mistaken—and the cause of this misunderstanding was Chu Hanyu himself!

If this was the truth...

In fact, Chu Hanyu’s earlier trip out wasn’t solely to get Zhang Ning’s late-night meal. Because of Zhang Ning, Chu Hanyu had almost forgotten his original purpose.

An incense stick’s time later—

Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect

Hall of Transcendence

Ming Chen obediently knelt before Senior Brother Qin Guanlan’s coffin. Not only did he not shirk his punishment, but he seemed reluctant to leave the coffin even a step. When Chu Hanyu arrived, neither spoke a word. Chu Hanyu did not want to say more either. The two stared at each other like enemies for a long moment, both simmering with anger. In the end, Chu Hanyu swept his sleeve and left, returning to the more manageable junior disciple for now.

When Chu Hanyu returned to the Moonlit Water Cave, his subordinates had already efficiently found the items he requested. His disciples were all growing strong; it was extremely difficult for outsiders to interfere in their affairs. But if Chu Hanyu wanted to know something, it was easy enough.

After dismissing them, Chu Hanyu sat quietly for a while before picking up the jade slips. After reading the expected results, he sighed softly, “So that’s how it is.”

The next day—

Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect

Moonlit Water Cave

Zhang Ning had slept through the night without awareness. He had slept soundly, and upon seeing the Starflash Fruit on the table that morning, he felt nothing could be more delightful. He picked up the fruit and began gnawing on it. When Chu Hanyu appeared shortly after, Zhang Ning calmly greeted him with a bow, “Good morning, Master!”

Zhang Ning had somewhat adjusted to the fact that his master was now within arm’s reach. Seeing Chu Hanyu nod in response, Zhang Ning’s eyes brightened.

Drawing encouragement from his master’s attitude, he looked around for a topic and said, “Master, would you like to try some Starflash Fruit? It’s incredibly delicious, just like the coconut flavor from my hometown.”

Chu Hanyu said, “You like Starflash Fruit because it tastes like your hometown?… You miss home?”

Startled by Chu Hanyu’s unexpectedly long sentence, Zhang Ning inwardly scolded himself for being so weak-willed. When they first met, he had dared to struggle wildly in his master’s arms, but now, after confirming their relationship, he only grew more timid. He encouraged himself silently: ‘Be shameless, and enjoy it! Be shameless, and enjoy it!’

Then he said, “A little… That’s why I always drink Starflash Fruit juice at night to fall asleep. But last night, here with you, I slept very well. Well… it’s not that I think it tastes that good, I’m just used to it. The specialty drinks of the Azure Sky Realm are certainly no less than those of Water Blue Star. The Azure Sky Realm is wonderful.”

Perhaps because of Zhang Ning’s clumsy and obvious flattery, Chu Hanyu couldn’t help but smile.

It was the first time Zhang Ning had seen his master so relaxed. His heart stirred, his breath almost stolen away by that smile. He blurted out, “The people of the Azure Sky Realm are wonderful too!”