Wen Ran's eyes carefully scanned the little miss's expression, noting every detail with practiced precision. Her worried, confused face was like an open book to him, one he could read with ease.
"Miss Fang…" he began softly, but his words caused her expression to shift instantly. Hurt flashed across her face.
"All I can rember is that I consud so mysterious herb," he continued, feigning the confusion of a bewildered child. "I think I found it sowhere in the wild. After that, a strange energy hit , awakening sothing inside . Maybe it was the herb… maybe it helped ."
Her golden eyes widened as she mulled over his words, her concern blending with curiosity. "That… I need to check the archives to see if it's possible. A herb like that would have to be a treasure—at least a thousand years old…" she murmured, seemingly convinced. Wen Ran suppressed a smirk. This girl is too trusting.
"Follow !" she exclaid, tugging him forward.
[New quest received:]
[Kiss the woman next to you.]
[Reward: mories of the last ten days.]
[Failure to complete will result in punishnt.]
Wen Ran's expression widened as he froze in place, a mix of shock and disbelief flashing across his face. But this ti, a distinct irritation darkened his gaze.
Like hell I'm kissing a child! He thought furiously, his jaw tightening. I'll take the punishnt instead, like a real man.
[Are you certain you want to decline?]
Wen Ran glanced at the beautiful young mistress. Her golden eyes sparkled with innocence, her delicate features frad by soft waves of golden hair. But despite her beauty and charm, his morals wouldn't allow him to cross that line.
With a steady heart, he answered silently, Yes, give the punishnt.
The system responded without delay.
[Quest Failed: Kiss the woman next to you.]
[New punishnt quest received:]
[Kill two people.]
[Ti limit: 1 day.]
[Failure to comply will result in death.]
Wen Ran's gaze sharpened as the system's words burned into his vision. Kill two people in a day? And without getting caught…? His mind raced, analyzing the situation. No matter how he looked at it, this wasn't going to end well.
"Wen Ran, are you even listening to ?" The girl's voice snapped him back to the mont. She pushed him lightly against the wall, her golden eyes filled with frustration—and love.
They stood near a hidden entrance she had crafted herself. The panel was concealed behind a curtain of ivy along the outer palace wall. At first glance, it looked like part of the vegetation, but beneath the leaves was a narrow wooden panel etched with faint patterns.
Unbeknownst to Wen Ran, the previous owner of his body had slipped through this very entrance countless tis under the cover of night, his movents as silent and precise as a shadow.
"Ah?" Wen Ran blinked, his focus returning to her. The system's sudden intrusion had shaken him, but inside, he felt a strange calm. Killing wasn't difficult for him; it was second nature. But the timing of this quest made things complicated.
"You have no idea how much I worried about you..." Her golden eyes shimred with unshed tears, her voice trembling as if it might break. "Not only did you nearly die because of my uncle, but now… now you don't even rember . And on top of that… you can mysteriously cultivate..."
She paused, her gaze searching his face desperately for answers. "Are you truly my Wen Ran?" Her pleading eyes reflected heartbreak, silently begging for all of this to be a lie.
Wen Ran felt a ripple deep within him, an unfamiliar sensation that made his chest tighten. Before he could stop himself, words slipped from his mouth, unbidden but strangely familiar.
"Yao'er…"
The na lingered in the air. Wen Ran's gaze softened against his will, holding an affection he hadn't intended. For a fleeting mont, he felt the pull of emotions not his own, an urge to lean closer.
But who was he? He was the one who had slain gods and devils alike, a battle-hardened warrior forged over thousands of relentless years. His heart fought back fiercely, his resolve unshaken.
There's still a fragnt of the previous owner's soul lingering inside , he realized, his thoughts sharp and grim. I must purge it completely—no matter how long it takes.
He clenched his fists. If I don't, who knows what kind of chaos this will bring in the future?
The girl, however, was ecstatic. Her golden eyes sparkled with unrestrained joy, her heart pounding so loudly it seed to echo in the silence between them. She leaned in, her lips trembling, inching closer with each passing mont.
Wen Ran's body tensed, his instincts readying him to dodge. But just as he prepared to evade, a sudden voice shattered the mont, sharp and authoritative, cutting through the air like a blade.
"Where did that brat Fang Jinyao run off to?"
The voice was rough and aged, unmistakably belonging to an old man.
"Oh no, Grandfather is here!" she gasped, her face paling. In an instant, she pushed against the ivy-covered panel, sliding it open to reveal a steep tunnel descending into the palace's depths.
"Get in!" Fang Jinyao hissed, her voice urgent, her golden eyes wide with panic. Wen Ran hesitated but stepped into the dimly lit tunnel. The panel slid shut behind him with a soft click, and silence enveloped him.
Outside, Fang Jinyao stood still, her expression shifting. Slowly, a cunning smile crept across her lips, her golden eyes glinting with determination. This ti, I'll keep him here forever. It's not safe outside. Nobody will hurt my Wen Ran. If they dare… I'll kill them myself.
Her sweet features twisted into a faintly maniacal grin as she turned and disappeared into the courtyard.
Inside the tunnel, Wen Ran adjusted to the dim light emanating from faintly glowing spirit crystals embedded in the walls. The air was cool and damp, carrying a faint echo of distant steps.
This place… it feels so familiar, he thought, narrowing his eyes.
With each careful step, his mind raced. This is my chance, he mused, a faint smirk forming on his lips. I'll use this opportunity to complete the quest the system gave . Ti to turn this situation to my advantage.
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