Lin Jin wasn’t picky. Unlike Hua Nanzhi—who would rather stand than sit on a dirty chair—he sat down promptly. He even pulled Qiuqiu out from his robe to let the little puppy get some fresh air.
He took out a plate of fried meatballs from his storage pouch, handing a handful to Hua Nanzhi. When it came to Xiao Yunkong, however, he hesitated.
“Senior Brother, would you like some?”
The question felt foolish the moment he asked it. Why was he offering food to a sword cultivator of the Emotionless Dao? The man had clearly long since given up eating.
But since everyone else was offered some, it seemed impolite not to ask.
Sure enough, Xiao Yunkong replied, “No need. I have fasted for many years.”
Hearing that, Hua Nanzhi popped two meatballs into her mouth and mumbled, “Senior Brother, I’ve fasted too, but just try one! Lin Lin’s cooking is really good!”
“….”
At her insistence, Xiao Yunkong blinked, considered briefly, then gracefully lifted his sleeve and took one, tasting it lightly.
Lin Jin and Hua Nanzhi stared at him, but his expression revealed nothing.
Finally, Hua Nanzhi couldn’t help asking, “Senior Brother, is it good?”
He nodded. “Quite good.”
“Then…” Lin Jin tentatively pushed the plate toward him. “Would you like a bit more?”
“No need,” Xiao Yunkong replied solemnly. “I have fasted for many years.”
“……”
For a brief moment, Lin Jin felt that despite there being three people and a dog in the room, the atmosphere was even colder than the empty street outside.
Quietly, he stuffed the meatball he’d meant for Xiao Yunkong into Qiuqiu’s mouth instead.
“Honestly, this place is really strange. Not finding Shuangxi Village is one thing, but even the nearby town is this deserted. After walking around for so long, this is the only place with anyone in it.”
The old woman had been upstairs for quite a while with no sign of returning. Growing bored, Hua Nanzhi looked around the inn and out the window.
Hearing her words, Lin Jin gave an odd smile and said faintly, “Who says there’s anyone alive here at all?”
“!”
Goosebumps erupted across Hua Nanzhi’s skin.
She glanced at the ceiling, then at Lin Jin, lowering her voice. “You mean…?”
“Nothing. I’m joking.”
“?”
“Really. Just a random thought. There’s not much sign of living people in this town, but there’s no ghostly aura either.”
“Do you know people can scare others to death like that?!”
“Miss Hua is so brave and mighty. Surely a single sentence wouldn’t frighten you?”
“You—!”
Even on a mission, the two of them couldn’t resist bickering whenever they had a spare moment. As Lin Jin teased her, he broke meatballs into pieces for Qiuqiu.
Xiao Lanqi lay by Lin Jin’s hand, enjoying being fed without effort. Though the arguing was a bit noisy, it was still comfortable enough.
But after a moment, he sensed something off.
It felt as though someone was staring at him.
Xiao Lanqi frowned slightly and turned his head—sure enough, he met the gaze of the human sitting across the table.
…
Xiao Yunkong.
Before being imprisoned at Ghost Cry Cliff, Xiao Lanqi had often visited Misty Rain Mountain, but he had never seen this young man. He must be one of the rising stars of the cultivation world in recent years.
Back in Golden Scale City, Xiao Lanqi had sensed his aura and sword intent. The human was strong—very strong. Perhaps not equal to Chu Tingxue in his prime, but among human cultivators, he was at the top.
Which meant he likely wasn’t as easy to fool as the two idiots in front of him.
Why was he staring?
Had he seen through something?
The man and the dog locked eyes in silence.
Lin Jin hadn’t noticed at first. It wasn’t until Qiuqiu failed to take the meatball he’d broken apart that he glanced down instinctively.
He looked at Qiuqiu, then followed the puppy’s gaze to Xiao Yunkong.
The atmosphere between the man and the dog was undeniably strange. A thought flashed through Lin Jin’s mind:
Could Senior Brother Xiao have realized Qiuqiu wasn’t an ordinary green-eyed hound?
He opened his mouth to make a cover remark, but suddenly Xiao Yunkong lifted his eyes—cold, steady—and looked straight at him.
Xiao Yunkong was a man of sparse emotion, as though covered in a thin layer of ice at all times. Lin Jin could rarely read his thoughts from his expression.
He swallowed nervously. “Senior Brother?”
“Mm,” Xiao Yunkong responded.
After a pause, he asked, “Your dog?”
“Yes.”
Under Xiao Yunkong’s oppressive aura, Lin Jin broke into a cold sweat. “Is… something wrong?”
“….”
Xiao Yunkong lowered his gaze again.
After another suffocating moment of eye contact between man and dog, he blinked.
“Cute.”
“?”
“May I pet him?”
“……”
Lin Jin felt a whirlwind of emotions.
He looked at Hua Nanzhi. From each other’s eyes, they saw equal parts confusion and shock.
So that’s what it is—a fluff enthusiast.
Lin Jin took a deep breath.
“…Be my guest.”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152