Chapter Ninety-One: Return to Freedom

In the deep hours before dawn, Hu Mo and Cang Ling lay side by side on the bed, their hands tightly clasped, the long silence giving the room an eerily strange atmosphere.

Hu Mo had not entered a state of cultivation; he merely lay there with his eyes closed. For many days, he had not slept properly like an ordinary person, and now, lying here, he found it oddly unfamiliar. Cang Ling, too, was behaving differently. Ordinarily, she would have already pressed Hu Mo to cultivate, yet tonight she was uncharacteristically quiet, lying still as if she had already drifted into peaceful slumber.

"Are you asleep?" Cang Ling suddenly broke the silence.

"Yes, I'm asleep," Hu Mo replied softly, his tone perfectly calm.

Suddenly, a small hand pinched the soft flesh at his waist, making him grit his teeth in pain. Instinctively, he reached out and caught the mischievous hand, about to shout out, but then he saw Cang Ling's pouting lips, which immediately stifled his cry.

"Fine, I'm not asleep, is that okay?" he said, forcing a smile. Before Cang Ling, whose power seemed boundless, he felt utterly insignificant.

"Hmph! How could you talk if you were asleep? You know, deceiving your master is a serious crime. According to the rules of the Continent of Battle, the punishment is far from ordinary!" Cang Ling glared at him, her manner both threatening and dignified.

Hu Mo gave an inward, bitter smile and fell back onto the bed, murmuring, "Rules? The Continent of Battle? Hah, this world truly is a mess. So much trouble, it's exhausting. I really miss the old days."

Memories of his previous life surfaced in Hu Mo's mind. Though it had been tiring, there was little intrigue or scheming. He'd had more time to pursue what he loved, feeling at ease and free.

But now, he could no longer be as easygoing as before; every day was rife with plots and bloodshed. He asked himself if this was truly what he wanted.

To be drunk in the lap of beauty, to wake and hold the reins of power—yes, it was a beautiful dream. But the price paid for such a dream was far too high.

Yet, having chosen this path, he had no reason to turn back. Like Cang Ling's repeated questions, each one probing his soul—how could a man lack resolve?

Cang Ling fell silent. Suddenly, she found herself at a loss for words, simply curling up quietly behind Hu Mo like a docile kitten.

Sensing her change in mood, Hu Mo slowly turned to face her, their eyes meeting. Cang Ling possessed a beauty that could take one’s breath away; every frown, every smile, every gesture, even her anger, was a delight to behold. Now, she radiated a lonely, melancholy grace, awakening in Hu Mo a fierce desire to shelter her in his arms.

He could feel her emotions as if they resonated deep within his soul, and without thinking, his arms encircled her gently.

"Let’s just rest quietly for a while. Perhaps I haven't yet grown into the role expected of me—or perhaps I'm simply unsuited for it," Hu Mo murmured softly. Even before he finished speaking, he could hear Cang Ling’s soft snores. In just that brief moment, she had already fallen into deep sleep.

With a faint smile, Hu Mo closed his eyes, his heart suddenly at peace. He realized this night seemed to return him to something good, the faint fragrance lingering at his nose, lulling him into dreams.

The restriction placed on Hu Mo had been lifted; he could now walk freely from the Hu residence. Yet just as he was about to step out, he ran into Zhu Xinyue, hurrying excitedly into the estate.

At the sight of Hu Mo, Zhu Xinyue paused in surprise, then immediately sprang toward him, abandoning all the restraint or decorum expected of a princess.

Hu Mo had no choice but to let her hang on his neck, shouting excitedly into his ear, "Big Brother Hu, you're finally out!"

"Was your house arrest lifted, or did you sneak out?" Zhu Xinyue suddenly asked, her voice tense.

Hu Mo gave a wry smile. "Xinyue, please don't mention house arrest again. I'm timid, you know, easily frightened. So, what brings you here? Could it be..."

He leaned in and whispered, "Could it be you’ve come to offer yourself to me? I assure you, I won't refuse!"

"Ugh! Big Brother Hu, you’re as shameless as ever—you're impossible!" Zhu Xinyue covered her face, blushing furiously.

Hu Mo regarded her in surprise, marveling at how much she had changed. In the past, she would have slapped him without hesitation. Now, it seemed he had become the favored one, and Zhu Xinyue couldn't get enough of him.

"Alright, alright, I was just teasing! Anyone else who dared say such things to the little princess, I’d flatten him on the spot. Of course, I’m the only exception," Hu Mo said with a laugh. Just then, Lin Nan emerged from within the estate, quietly appearing at his side.

Hu Mo was mildly surprised. "Sister Lin—oh, I should say Brother Lin. Aren’t you going off with your sister Cang Ling? What brings you here?"

Lin Nan, unfazed by his jest, looked at him coldly. "It was Sister Cang Ling who asked me to protect you. She said that only by following you would I get what I want. So I’m here."

Lin Nan had always been direct, never mincing words. Hu Mo was left momentarily speechless; Zhu Xinyue stood awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

"I see. Well then, follow me. I’m going out to clear my head. Once those others return, you’ll be busy as the team leader," Hu Mo replied with a smile, his thoughts turning suddenly to Cang Ling. He wondered what she was doing now.

Zhu Xinyue, feeling left out, coughed in protest. "Can I come with you? I came out of the palace especially to see you, Big Brother Hu."

Hu Mo chuckled. "Of course you can! I was just worried you wouldn’t want to join me—I've been anxious about it."

With an exaggerated gesture, Hu Mo made Zhu Xinyue burst into delighted laughter; she skipped ahead, full of joy.

Lin Nan seemed not to notice any of this, silently following Hu Mo, thoroughly dedicated to her task. Thanks to Hu Mo’s insistence, he could finally venture out without an overly ostentatious entourage. Otherwise, parading through the streets with dozens in tow was always uncomfortable.

After that incident involving Zhu Xinyue, all her original guards had been dismissed. Now, her true protectors were hidden experts from the shadows, each at least at the level of a King of Battle. Thus, Zhu Xinyue was safer than ever.

Strolling the streets with Zhu Xinyue was a genuine pleasure. Although she was clingy, always wanting to buy this or eat that, her childlike innocence was refreshing, and all the negative impressions Hu Mo had once held of her faded away.

Though Hu Mo’s transformation had become widely known throughout Flame City, the common people still regarded him with deep fear. He did his utmost to present himself well, hoping to redeem his reputation, but the results were far from immediate.

After wandering for hours, Zhu Xinyue grew tired and settled herself in a teahouse, refusing to budge. Hu Mo smiled, sat beside her, ordered fragrant tea and pastries, and began to rest.

Suddenly, Zhu Xinyue giggled. "Big Brother Hu, you were so odd today! When you tried to give money to beggars, they were so frightened they gave it all back. Truly worthy of being Flame City's most notorious rake—my admiration knows no bounds!"

She made a show of bowing, her words and gestures leaving Hu Mo embarrassed and slightly exasperated. "You little scamp, I was honestly trying to help people! My past reputation was just too awful. By the way, weren't you once the bane of all playboys? Why are you hanging out with the worst of the lot now? Isn't this like a cat befriending a mouse?"

He couldn’t resist teasing her, making a comical face. Yet Zhu Xinyue became quite serious and replied, "You’re wrong, Big Brother Hu. I was indeed the scourge of rakes, but before you I have no power at all. The notorious scoundrel of old is gone; you’ve been reborn, and I admire you as a brother. You’re nothing like a rake now."

Her words made Hu Mo burst into laughter. He had to admit, Zhu Xinyue was truly charming, and her words pleasing to the ear.

Lin Nan rolled her eyes at Hu Mo, snorted, and looked away from them, unable to bear their mutual flattery any longer. The goosebumps nearly fell from her skin.

Her gaze wandered, then suddenly her expression sharpened, and she dashed outside in an instant.

Sensing something amiss, Hu Mo tossed some silver on the table, grabbed Zhu Xinyue, and hurried after her. There, before their eyes, Lin Nan had pinned a local thug to the ground, her body radiating a fierce, icy aura—Lin Nan was truly enraged.