"He helped me."Mu Qingyun lowered her eyes. She still remembered the light in the old man's eyes when he asked her to stay with him, and the firm resolve he had to protect those victimized girls.
She had disappeared without a word—he must be feeling terrible. He was likely blaming himself for not being able to protect her.
"He has already experienced many failures and witnessed countless people he could not save. He is used to it by now. Even if you were really dead, he might be sad for a while, but that is all," Yin said lazily, glancing at her with indifference.
That old man had stayed here partly because he was old and had nowhere else to go, and partly because he was still hung up on the death of his granddaughter. Otherwise, why else would he remain here?
"Please, just take me there. I am asking you sincerely," Mu Qingyun didn't answer his comment but instead made a serious request.
She knew Yin could not truly understand human emotions. Vampires were cold-blooded, always a step behind when it came to empathy.
Since he could not relate, there was no point in trying to reason with him further.
"I am busy. I do not have time," Yin said, rubbing his brow impatiently and frowning.
He had already gone out of his way to explain the previous fire incident. Now this woman had used her powers again, and when the others started asking questions, he would have to smooth things over yet again.
He turned and walked away, unwilling to argue.
Unbelievable.
Mu Qingyun watched his retreating back, her eyes turning cold.
"What is wrong?"
A familiar voice sounded from behind her. She turned quickly—it was Su Qiluo.
"I want to go out for a bit," she replied.
"That is it? Come on, I will take you out," Su Qiluo said lightly. "You looked so serious, I thought something major had happened."
"Really?" Surprise flickered in her eyes, though she still asked for confirmation.
"Yes. I happen to have a black umbrella in my room. Wait here a moment."Su Qiluo turned and left, while Yi Beixuan walked up beside her.
Feeling his gaze on her, Mu Qingyun raised a brow in confusion, silently asking why he was still standing there.
"Qiluo asked me to protect you," Yi Beixuan said politely, positioning himself beside her.
She said nothing in response. Though she did not need anyone's protection, it was a kind gesture from Su Qiluo. Besides, given their relationship, Yi Beixuan probably had no choice.
She would speak to Su Qiluo about it later.
Soon, Su Qiluo returned with a black umbrella in hand.
After greeting Yi Beixuan, he and Mu Qingyun headed toward the castle gates.
As soon as they stepped outside, Su Qiluo opened the umbrella and held it above her head."I do not need it. Just be careful and avoid the sunlight."
"Okay," she replied simply, taking the umbrella and holding it above herself while Su Qiluo walked beside her, deliberately staying out of the shade.
Gripping the handle tightly, she looked around.
It really did resemble the European castles she had seen on her phone—rows of hedges, all kinds of flowers blooming inside: roses, camellias, and more.
Turning to glance at the castle behind her—luxurious and pristine in white—she found it oddly eerie. The tightly drawn curtains made it feel gloomy, almost haunted.
"Where are you headed?" Su Qiluo asked softly as they walked.
Mu Qingyun gave him a rough description based on her memory. He nodded and led the way, taking several turns before finally stopping in front of a deserted wall.
"Do you want to come with me?" she asked, glancing at the wall. She could break the formation, but she was not sure whether Su Qiluo wanted to accompany her.
"I will come," he said, puzzled by the wall and the empty land surrounding them.
Nodding, she placed her hand on the wall and tapped a few times.
Hearing a faint echo, she led Su Qiluo forward.
After circling several times, Su Qiluo furrowed his brows at the familiar sight of a discarded plastic bag."Are we walking in circles?"
"Yes. This is an ancient formation called a maze array."She nodded and walked a bit more before arriving at the wall the old man had once led her to. She reached out and pushed gently.
The wall opened, revealing the familiar interior.
Su Qiluo looked at the opening, then back behind them. His confusion deepened.
He had read about such ancient formations in novels. Each had unique purposes and patterns.
He had thought those were purely fictional. Yet now, he was witnessing one with his own eyes.
Art truly imitates life.
"Old man? Sir?"
Su Qiluo glanced at Mu Qingyun, then toward the aged building."Could he have gone out?"
"You go ahead. I will stay and wait," she said, walking toward the main house. She remembered there were plenty of books there—enough to pass the time.
She pushed open the door. The creaking hinge made a dull, unsettling sound, hitting her heart like a stone.
But as soon as the door opened, she was greeted by the sight of a dry, lifeless corpse.
Clatter.
The umbrella slipped from her hand.
Mu Qingyun stared at the motionless body on the floor, a wave of cold dread rising from her chest.
"What is wrong?"
Su Qiluo, noticing her stunned silence, quickly stepped into the house.
As he entered, he saw the corpse—an old man, wrinkled, face frozen in a terrified expression. He had likely died in fear.
Again… this feeling.
Mu Qingyun stood motionless, her face blank. Yet her hand clenched tightly, nails digging into her palm, causing a sharp pain that she ignored entirely.
Aside from her younger brother and her mother, everyone she had ever cared about—she had never been able to protect any of them.
The eunuch who gave her candy as a child.The maid who pitied her and secretly gave her money.The concubine in the cold palace who let her in to warm herself...
It was like a curse. Anyone who ever helped her never met a good end.
She thought this place would be different. But it was not. Tragedy still found her.
"Yunjie?"
Su Qiluo glanced at the body, already forming a guess. But seeing Mu Qingyun's blank expression, he hesitated. Now was not the time for facts—she needed emotional support.
"I am fine," Mu Qingyun said slowly, one word at a time. She stepped forward and gently closed the old man's still-open eyes.