Chapter 32: The Perplexing Pursuit and a Gentle Reprieve

The time spent in the guest room quietly drew to a close. Should you inquire as to how that particular chapter concluded, allow me to maintain a degree of suspense.

After preparing a feast for the Night family siblings at noon, Ouyang Xiyue successfully obtained his leave.

As he stepped through the grand entrance of Night Xuehui’s home, an invigorating sense of freshness washed over him.

The sunlight poured down, its warm rays feeling like a tender caress from nature itself.

For the first time, he realized that even being scorched by the intense sun could be a unique kind of happiness.

“Who’s there!”

Just as Ouyang Xiyue indulged in a leisurely stretch, preparing to return to school, an unsettling sensation crept upon him.

He acutely sensed a gaze fixed firmly upon him, an aura that felt vaguely familiar yet remained indescribable.

Ouyang Xiyue swiftly turned his head, his gaze sharp and unwavering, locking onto a shadowy corner behind him.

He meticulously scanned his surroundings, yet the mysterious presence vanished instantly, like a phantom, leaving no trace.

‘To be shadowed so persistently is truly disquieting,’ Ouyang Xiyue mused to himself. ‘I must discover who dares to track me in such a brazen manner. I’ve no recollection of provoking anyone. Could it be someone from Night Xuehui’s side? That seems rather unlikely.’

With this thought, he moved with the agility of a swallow, leaping twice in quick succession to land steadily upon a rooftop.

He then traversed the rooftops like a gust of wind, weaving through hidden corners and shadows.

Indeed, the moment Ouyang Xiyue sprang upwards, that enigmatic presence resurfaced.

“Conceal!”

Ouyang Xiyue suddenly recalled a magical item his Master had once gifted him.

During his trials in the Magical Beast Forest, his Master had specifically instructed him that in a moment of crisis, infusing it with magic would completely mask his aura.

Having activated the magical item, Ouyang Xiyue ascended to a vantage point, surveying the path he had just taken.

As expected, a figure cloaked in black was cautiously navigating the rooftops below.

‘There they are,’ Ouyang Xiyue murmured to himself, ‘Why does this figure feel so familiar, as if I’ve met them in a dream? To engage in such behavior in broad daylight…’

Just as he prepared to apprehend the individual, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

From nearby, a familiar voice rang out: “In this bright and clear world, in broad daylight, someone is actually following a young girl. Could they be a pervert? Let me deliver justice on behalf of heaven!”

A man in a black trench coat suddenly appeared.

‘Eh?! Night Xuehui!?’ Ouyang Xiyue’s heart leaped in surprise. ‘Is she also tracking me? Whom have I possibly offended to have two people eyeing me so intently at once…’

“Damn it, I’ve been discovered! Shadow Art, Second Stage Split!” the cloaked man roared, unleashing dark magic.

His body gradually dissolved into a shadowy void, and in the blink of an eye, it split into four dark figures, scattering in four different directions.

“Hmph, I didn’t expect this pervert to have some skill,” Night Xuehui scoffed. “To think they could escape from my grasp, Night Xuehui, is pure delusion. Multiple Shadow Clones, Fourfold Imprisonment!”

Night Xuehui likewise employed a cloning technique, instantly splitting into four figures and pursuing the four dark shadows.

Observing the scene unfolding before him, Ouyang Xiyue felt a surge of helplessness. ‘Even if my tracker were more powerful, I had already devised a countermeasure. Yet Night Xuehui’s sudden appearance has undoubtedly alerted the snake by beating the grass.’

It seemed the mysterious individual would escape this time. ‘Very well,’ he thought. ‘Having revealed his tracks now, he will surely be more cautious in the future. Apprehending him again will likely prove far more difficult.’

Ouyang Xiyue sighed softly, settling onto the rooftop. He gently stroked his chin with a fair, delicate hand, lost in contemplation.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the magic the man employed was incredibly familiar, and his voice seemed to echo from somewhere in his memory. ‘This figure, this magic, this voice… Could it be Hei, Ling’er’s subordinate? How could that be? I must be overthinking things. Perhaps someone is deliberately framing Hei, but what would be their motive? This whole situation is far too peculiar.’

As Ouyang Xiyue was deep in thought, Night Xuehui approached from not far away, carrying a person clad in black.

“Caught them,” Night Xuehui announced. “I didn’t expect this tracker to be so powerful; they almost got away.”

“Thank you, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble,” Ouyang Xiyue politely expressed his gratitude.

Although Night Xuehui’s appearance had disrupted his plans, it had saved him a considerable amount of effort.

“Don’t mention it,” Night Xuehui replied with a smile. “I can’t allow anything to happen to my little sister.”

“Sister?” Ouyang Xiyue’s mind was filled with confusion. Just as he was about to ask, Night Xuehui gave him a meaningful glance, and he suddenly understood.

“Ouyang little sister, how do you intend to deal with this fellow? Braised, or steamed?” Night Xuehui teased.

“I think feeding him to the fish would be best. No, that won’t do. Someone who stalks others like this, if we capture him today only to release him, there’s no telling he won’t go on to harm others. It’s better to leave him to Brother to handle!” Ouyang Xiyue, feeling exasperated and unwilling to bother with the matter further, tossed the problem to Night Xuehui.

“Since you insist, then Brother won’t stand on ceremony. I happen to have a lion at home; he’ll make a nice extra meal for it. Someone as powerful as him might even help my little pet gain a level or two,” Night Xuehui responded with a chuckle.

Ouyang Xiyue stared intently at the black-clad figure bound by chains, her doubts growing stronger. “Hei, is that you?” she asked softly.

The black-clad man remained silent for a moment before slowly replying, “Yes, Master Xiyue…”

Ouyang Xiyue’s brow furrowed. She glanced at Night Xuehui, who, understanding her unspoken request, unfastened the chains.

The black-clad man slowly removed his dark trench coat and hood, revealing a face etched with panic. His legs gave way, and with a soft thud, he knelt before Ouyang Xiyue.

“Master Ouyang Xiyue, please spare my life! I know I was wrong, and I swear I will never repeat this mistake!” he pleaded, repeatedly kowtowing.

Ouyang Xiyue sighed softly, then knelt and helped him to his feet. “Hei, I won’t make things difficult for you. You only need to answer my question truthfully: who ordered you to follow me?” Her eyes fixed on Hei, her gaze imbued with an undeniable authority.

However, Hei’s face contorted in distress, his eyes darting nervously. Seeing this, Ouyang Xiyue understood. “Enough, Hei, you may stand.”

With that, she retrieved a dry towel from her spatial ring and gently wiped the beads of sweat from Hei’s forehead, brought on by his anxiety.

Next, she produced a bottle of mineral water, moistened and wrung out the towel, and carefully dabbed at Hei’s forehead, which was grazed and bleeding slightly from his kowtows.

“Master…” Hei began to protest, but Ouyang Xiyue stopped him. “Don’t move around so much, or I’ll get angry.” Ouyang Xiyue’s gaze was filled with tenderness and concern.

Then, unhurriedly, she took a first-aid kit from her spatial ring, skillfully retrieving gauze, alcohol, tape, and other supplies to disinfect and bandage Hei’s wound.

In mere minutes, the wound was properly treated. She nodded in satisfaction and clapped her hands together.

“Hei, you may go back now. I will handle this matter. Remember to clean your wound when you return, and be careful of infection,” Ouyang Xiyue said with a gentle smile.

By then, Hei’s eyes were already glistening with tears. He gazed at Ouyang Xiyue as if witnessing an angel descend.

He had never imagined that after being caught red-handed tracking someone, the other party would still treat him with such profound gentleness.

In that moment, he finally understood why Princess Ling’er would be so fond of this seemingly ordinary, yet infinitely charming girl.

“A true man should possess unyielding resolve, shedding blood but never tears. Now, go back soon; I still have important matters to attend to,” Ouyang Xiyue said, gently patting Hei’s shoulder, his words soft yet imbued with undeniable firmness.

“Master Xiyue… this subordinate has deeply recognized his mistakes and humbly begs for your forgiveness,” Hei said, performing a respectful 90-degree bow with earnest words, before slowly retreating.

Night Xuehui, who had observed the entire scene, allowed a slight smile to play on her lips. “Tsk tsk,” she teased. “Well, well, I never realized you possessed such a kind heart; you certainly keep it well hidden. Why don’t I ever receive such gentleness from you? This preferential treatment is quite stark, wouldn’t you say?”

Ouyang Xiyue rolled his eyes at her, waved a dismissive hand, and said with an air of nonchalance, “That’s enough out of you. I will certainly repay your kindness another day. Even if you were to be gravely wounded, how could I ever stand by idly? Until we meet again.”

With that, he turned and departed, his steps light yet imbued with a resolute finality.

Night Xuehui watched Ouyang Xiyue’s receding figure, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, before she too turned and vanished from the spot.