The First Steps into the Spirit Realm 38. Layers of Mist

When Mo Dao returned, he saw that Bai Jie and the others had already finished eating. Bai Jie was holding her stomach, looking uncomfortably full. When she noticed Mo Dao had come back, she hurriedly called out, “Mo Dao, did you find any water? I’m dying of thirst.” Mo Dao replied while walking quickly over and handed her a cup of water.

Bai Jie took the water and gulped it down. The others, seeing her drink, began to swallow nervously themselves. Jin Lin sidled up and asked, “Lady Bai, could I have a sip too?” Bai Jie glared at him after finishing her drink, “If you want water, find it yourself.” With that, she handed the cup back to Mo Dao.

Jin Lin, embarrassed, retreated. Guan Zhuang was also feeling thirsty, but his pride kept him from asking Bai Jie for water, so he instructed Hou Longtao to fetch some instead. Hou Longtao, ever obedient, set off into the forest without a word of complaint.

Seeing that Guan Zhuang had sent someone to look for water, Jin Lin quickly whispered something to Zhuge Chun and then headed into the woods himself. Mo Dao shook his head and began eating the roast rabbit Bai Jie had saved for him. Although it wasn’t as tasty as when he cooked it himself, it was still quite good.

With Jin Lin gone, Zhuge Chun looked immediately forlorn. Though Jin Lin wasn’t particularly kind to her, in this wild and desolate place, he was the only one she could rely on. As Mo Dao quietly ate his rabbit, he suddenly heard the faintest sound of sobbing from Zhuge Chun’s direction.

He looked over and saw Zhuge Chun covering her face, weeping softly. This puzzled him—why was Zhuge Chun crying behind Jin Lin’s back? Bai Jie, kind-hearted as ever, couldn’t stand to hear anyone cry and walked over. Smiling, she asked, “Sister, tell me what’s wrong. Who bullied you?”

But Zhuge Chun only shook her head, refusing to answer no matter how Bai Jie pressed her. This frustrated Mo Dao, who put down his rabbit, walked over, and questioned her sternly, “Look, this lady, people are genuinely concerned about you, but you refuse to say anything. How can anyone help you like this?”

Zhuge Chun only cried harder at his words. Bai Jie quickly jabbed Mo Dao’s arm and scolded him, “If you can’t comfort a girl, just keep quiet and eat your rabbit!” At Bai Jie’s rebuke, Mo Dao stuck out his tongue and withdrew, not wanting to make matters worse.

Seeing Mo Dao get scolded, Zhuge Chun hurriedly said, “Sister, don’t blame Mr. Mo—he means well, and I know it.” “Enough about him. Tell me, where did you go when you disappeared earlier?” Bai Jie asked gently.

“Sister Bai, please, I beg you, don’t ask me anymore, please?” Suddenly Zhuge Chun threw her arms around Bai Jie and broke into loud sobs. Her cries were so heart-wrenching that Bai Jie instinctively held her close, refraining from further questioning. Whatever had happened must have wounded Zhuge Chun deeply, and the best comfort now was simply to listen. Zhuge Chun cried in Bai Jie’s arms for a long while before slowly quieting down.

Once Zhuge Chun stopped crying, Bai Jie said softly, “Sister, whatever grievance you have, tell me. Whatever Jin Lin can’t do, I can. Whoever dares trouble you, I’ll make sure they learn their lesson.” Guan Zhuang also approached and gave Zhuge Chun a gentle smile, “Indeed, Miss Chun, if there’s anything troubling you, just tell this old man—I will see justice done for you.”

Mo Dao found Guan Zhuang’s words admirable, but Zhuge Chun still shook her head and said nothing. Mo Dao was perplexed—Guan Zhuang was clearly the most capable person present, so why was Zhuge Chun still so afraid? Something was amiss.

Bai Jie, seeing that Zhuge Chun remained silent, could only sigh helplessly. She couldn’t force Zhuge Chun to speak. As Bai Jie was lost in thought, Mo Dao suddenly had an idea—was it possible that Zhuge Chun feared none other than Guan Zhuang? Otherwise, why wouldn’t she say a word in his presence?

What puzzled Mo Dao even more was that Zhuge Chun had returned with Hou Longtao earlier—how had Guan Zhuang become involved? Could it be that when Guan Zhuang returned, he discovered something Hou Longtao had done to Zhuge Chun?

Mo Dao shook his head at the thought—it was too disturbing to dwell on. He glanced at Guan Zhuang, but saw nothing unusual. Was he overthinking things, or was Guan Zhuang simply good at hiding his intentions?

“Forget it, Senior Sister. Since Miss Chun doesn’t want to speak, let’s not push her,” Mo Dao said, exchanging a meaningful look with Bai Jie. Bai Jie saw the gesture, offered Zhuge Chun some comforting words, and then returned to Mo Dao.

After that, no one spoke much. They simply waited for Jin Lin and Hou Longtao to return. But time passed, and neither of them appeared, leaving the group increasingly anxious.

“Lady Bai, Young Jin and Longtao still haven’t returned. Why don’t you and I go search for them?” Guan Zhuang suggested. “All right. Mo Dao, come with me,” Bai Jie replied.

“Let him stay and look after Miss Zhuge. You and I can go,” Guan Zhuang said with a small smile. Mo Dao sensed something odd in his tone, but Bai Jie did not notice and was about to agree.

“How about we all go together?” Mo Dao suggested. “With Miss Zhuge, it’ll be easier to find Young Jin.” He stood up and looked at Guan Zhuang.

Guan Zhuang stared at Mo Dao for a long moment before reluctantly agreeing, “Very well. But be careful, Miss Zhuge—there are many wild beasts in these woods. Don’t get eaten.”

With that, Guan Zhuang strode into the forest. Without a word, Zhuge Chun hurried after him. Seeing this, Mo Dao’s suspicions grew—Guan Zhuang surely had something to do with Zhuge Chun’s distress.

Mo Dao grabbed Bai Jie and whispered, “Senior Sister, there’s something off about Guan Zhuang. I suspect he and Zhuge Chun have some secret.” Bai Jie was startled by his words and fell into deep thought.

“You mean Zhuge Chun is so wary of Guan Zhuang that no matter how we ask, she won’t speak, but as soon as he gives a hint, she follows him?” Bai Jie said, voicing her suspicions. Mo Dao nodded.

“Exactly. When Guan Zhuang returned late earlier, we all assumed he was out hunting rabbits, but with his skills, it shouldn’t have taken that long. The second time he went, he was much quicker,” Mo Dao explained, listing his reasons for doubting Guan Zhuang.

“But what exactly did Guan Zhuang do to Zhuge Chun to frighten her so?” Bai Jie wondered. Mo Dao said nothing—he had already sensed what was happening to Zhuge Chun at that very moment. He shook his head and said, “Senior Sister, don’t ask. Let’s take this chance to leave.”

“Leave? Where to?” Bai Jie asked in confusion.

“Somewhere else. Maybe we can find Master Feng and the others. Just the two of us aren’t a match for Guan Zhuang,” Mo Dao replied with a sigh. Bai Jie frowned. Though she also suspected Guan Zhuang, there was no proof, and she hadn’t planned on running away.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “If we leave now, won’t Guan Zhuang notice?” Mo Dao smiled, “Senior Sister, I already know the map of this island. Just follow me—unless we’re teleported away again, we’ll be fine.” “What? You found the map? Really?” Bai Jie couldn’t believe it.

After all, Mo Dao had been with her the whole time—how could he have found a map? Mo Dao smiled and recounted his encounter with the ancient tree. Honestly, had he not experienced it himself, he wouldn’t have believed it either.

“Trust me, Senior Sister, we must leave as soon as possible, or it’ll be too late,” he urged. Bai Jie felt sorry for Zhuge Chun, but if Guan Zhuang was truly involved, there was nothing she could do. The only hope was to find Master Feng and the others first.

“All right, Mo Dao. Let’s do as you say and find Master Feng,” Bai Jie agreed, albeit reluctantly, and prepared to leave with him. Just then, Mo Dao suddenly stopped her, becoming alert.

Bai Jie, surprised by his reaction, grew cautious as well, though her skills surpassed Mo Dao’s. Logically, he shouldn’t sense danger before she did, but she said nothing, instead watching their surroundings closely.

Mo Dao had sensed someone rapidly approaching, though the figure was so fast he couldn’t make out who it was. Whoever it was seemed not to notice them, merely flashing past ahead.

Only when the shadow was gone did Mo Dao relax—he had no desire to fight at such a critical moment. He gestured to Bai Jie, indicating it had been a false alarm. But just then, he sensed something else, and his brows furrowed in concern.