Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: A MYSTERY

Mo Xing didn’t stick around once Li Hua had left. He exited the same way he entered, his smile wide and predatory, showing off his straight pearly white teeth.

Once he was out in the forest again, his body flashed before appearing on the top of the pine tree. He stretched his hands over his head in a languid motion that rippled through his powerful frame, then leaned back with casual grace, one leg dangling as he watched her small figure disappear from his sight. His fingers absently traced his lips as the memory of her flooded his senses—those rosy, pouty lips had been so tempting, practically begging to be claimed. A low, seductive chuckle escaped him as he remembered how she’d trembled under his touch, trying so hard to maintain her fierce facade while her body betrayed her desire.

Mian Mian materialized before him, her shadowy form crossing her arms in disapproval, but Mo Xing barely registered her presence. His mind was still lost in the cave, replaying every delicious detail of their encounter, savoring the memory of her quickened breath and flushed cheeks.

“Master!” Mian Mian’s irritated voice finally cut through his daze.

He chuckled again, letting out a content sigh that held the satisfaction of a predator who’d found worthy prey. “Patience, Mian Mian. Some treasures are worth savoring slowly.”

Mian Mian rolled her eyes, “It’s the first time I’ve seen you like this. So… infatuated.”

“Hmmm,” he answered thoughtfully, tracing a pattern in the air that left trails of dark essence, “I feel infatuated is a little light.” His eyes darkened with an emotion that made even Mian Mian’s shadowy form shiver. “She’s like a flame that’s been missing from my hearth—and now that I’ve found her, I intend to keep her burning.”

“Master,” Mian Mian’s voice held a note of warning, “she’s not some toy to play with. I felt her essence. She’s—”

“Dangerous?” Mo Xing’s laugh held a trace of delighted wickedness. “Oh, I’m counting on it. After all,” his eyes gleamed with predatory satisfaction, “what fun would it be if she wasn’t?”

Mian Mian face palmed. Ugh he’s in so much trouble, she thought.

“Did you see how she moved?” he breathed, closing his eyes to savor the memory. “Like liquid darkness, every motion flowing into the next with deadly precision. No wasted movement, no hesitation—just pure lethal grace.” His fingers traced patterns in the air, mimicking her fluid attacks. “Every strike aimed at vital points, meridians, tendons—she wasn’t just fighting, she was executing killing moves with the precision of a master assassin.” A slight flush colored his cheeks as he recalled how even he had felt a flutter of excitement at her lethal efficiency. Lucky for him, he healed quickly, or those precise strikes would have left him nursing severed tendons and punctured meridians for days.

“That kind of skill… it makes me wonder what world her soul wandered before finding its way here. What trials she endured, what battles she fought, to move with such deadly artistry.” His eyes fluttered open, gleaming with anticipation. “And to think, she’s still so young. In a few years…” He trailed off, his smile turning predatory as he imagined her potential. “She’ll be absolutely devastating.”

That dangerous smile deepened, like a predator savoring the prospect of an intriguing hunt. “Such an enigma you are—a golden core cultivator carrying white dragon bloodline, whose very movements whisper stories of battlefields and bloodshed. Tell me, my little tempest,” his voice dropped to a velvet purr, “what other secrets are you hiding?”

Mian Mian could only shake her head at her usually unaffected master. She had never seen him like this before—so intensely focused on unraveling a single mystery, no matter the cost.

“Master.” His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice and a man kneeling beside him.

“Hmm?” Mo Xing’s calm demeanor returned, though his eyes still held that dreamy quality from thinking about his little tempest.

“Ahem. Mo Tao has been looking for you and… ended up causing trouble in Jade City.”

“What kind of trouble?” Mo Xing sighed, already expecting something ridiculous. Mo Tao had a talent for finding the most absurd situations.

“Ahem, Master, it seems he’s been betrothed to Jade City’s third princess.”

Mo Xing’s eyebrow rose slightly. “And how, exactly, did he manage to get himself betrothed without my knowledge?”

The messenger shifted uncomfortably, tugging at his collar. “Well, apparently he complimented her spirit beast’s fur… and her father happened to overhear… and now there’s a betrothal feast being prepared as we speak. The entire city is celebrating. I believe they’re already measuring him for wedding robes.”

“Is that what he wants?”

“No Master. He specifically asked me to find you and, in his words, ‘get him the fuck outta there.’ He also mentioned something about the princess having a collection of ex-suitors’ heads displayed in her chamber.” The messenger lowered his voice to a whisper, “Apparently, she preserves them in spirit jade and makes them recite poetry during dinner.”

Mian Mian couldn’t help but snicker. “Sounds like Mo Tao finally found someone as crazy as he is.”

Mo Xing pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tell me he at least didn’t—”

“Try to escape by pretending to be possessed by an ancient demon? He did, Master. The princess apparently found it ‘adorably creative’ and has now added ‘exorcism’ to their wedding ceremony plans. She’s quite excited about it, actually. Something about ‘adding flair to an otherwise boring ceremony.'”

A rare grin spread across Mo Xing’s face. Perhaps his friend’s predicament would provide some entertainment while he planned his next encounter with his little tempest. The thought of Mo Tao, one of the most powerful cultivators he knew, desperately trying to escape marriage while a love-struck princess chased him with exorcism talismans was too amusing to pass up.

“Fine, if we must.” His voice held a hint of anticipation for the chaos to come.

With a slight wave of his hand, the group disappeared, leaving only the smell of mountain rain and night-blooming flowers behind. The pine needles where they had been sitting still swayed gently, carrying whispers of power and mischief on the evening breeze.