Chapter 118 99. All bad plans and the soon-to-be-suffering Xu Yuan
Lin Qingque's utterly empty gaze caused the hearts of everyone present to almost leap in an instant.
They perceived extreme danger from it.
It was as if in the next moment, this delicate and charming girl would transform into a demon of the abyss.
Jing Lixue's smile also slowly faded.
"Oh my"—
Lin Qingque's smile was clearly pure and adorable, but to others, it seemed as if it was covered with a layer of dark color, adding a layer of gloom.
"Master Chu, why aren't you speaking anymore?"
In front of Lin Qingque, who tilted her head, revealing a sinister smile.
Chu Bingyan clenched her small hand and fell slightly silent.
She dared not speak, fearing that any word might provoke Lin Qingque to rage.
"Junior sister."
Xu Yuan, seeing the situation might spiral out of control, hurriedly spoke up.
"Shush, senior brother—don't rush."
Lin Qingque turned her head, her smile looking at him without a trace of warmth as she said, "Wait a moment, I also have something I want to ask you."
Xu Yuan was profoundly shaken.
Had Lin Qingque discovered something?
Why had she suddenly fallen ill?
He cast his gaze towards Chu Bingyan.
If there were anything that could provoke her, it was likely only Chu Bingyan's Heart Voice.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Indeed, after all, Chu Bingyan probably still did not know about Lin Qingque's ability.
Xu Yuan had already prepared for the worst.
Whether it was turning against Lin Qingque, rescuing Chu Bingyan, or even killing Chu Bingyan to clear his own suspicion.
He had prepared for both scenarios.
Jing Lixue's sudden arrangement had completely disrupted his entire plan.
"Ha!"
Lin Qingque suddenly let out a crisp laugh.
"Senior brother, I scared you, didn't I?"
She suddenly turned her head back, slightly tilting her head with an ambiguous, pale smile as if all that had transpired was truly just a play she had staged.
"...Indeed, you scared me."
Xu Yuan met her gaze for a moment before he composedly said, "Junior sister, this sudden act of yours caught us all a bit off guard."
"Hehe, if senior brother has a clear conscience, why worry about anything?"
Lin Qingque stood with her hands behind her back, smiling brilliantly.
Jing Lixue looked at her with a somewhat odd expression, her own gaze similarly shifting, before suddenly saying, "Miss Lin."
"What's the matter?"
Lin Qingque kept her smile.
"Could we step outside for a talk?"
Lin Qingque glanced at Chu Bingyan, fell silent for a moment, then smiled broadly at Jing Lixue, "Sure."
Xu Yuan watched the graceful silhouettes of the two leaving, his expression flickering.
During that instant, he genuinely sensed Lin Qingque's murderous intent.
He had already prepared himself for action.
However, what he had not anticipated was that Lin Qingque would hold back.
Could it really have been just her deceiving them?
Xu Yuan did not think so.
Lin Qingque's expression a moment ago was evidently ready for violence.
Only, something must have happened at the last moment, causing her to change her mind.
But now, the most important thing was not to probe why Lin Qingque had suddenly stopped.
Instead, it was how to explain to Chu Bingyan and... to clarify what Chu Bingyan was thinking a moment ago.
Jing Lixue had finally created an opportunity for him, and he could not afford to waste it.
Regarding his junior sister, he did feel somewhat guilty, and he would find a way to make it up to her later.
After they had left, Chu Bingyan finally breathed a sigh of relief, turning to look at him.
"Fang Yuan?"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
"It's me."
Xu Yuan sighed, his expression showing just the right amount of guilt, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to come here."
"There's nothing to apologize for."
Chu Bingyan shook her head, her smile serene.
With her eyes covered by a dark cloth, Xu Yuan could not discern her current mood.
"I should be the one apologizing."
"?"
Xu Yuan's expression hardened.
"Actually,"
Chu Bingyan sat in the chair, her body uncomfortably shifting as she suddenly changed the topic, "My sudden appearance here must have caused you quite some trouble, didn't it?"
"Frankly speaking, it indeed did."
Xu Yuan rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with a hint of distress, "But I know you came here to clarify if Princess Luoyang's identity is that of the mysterious person, so I don't blame you."
"Actually, there's another reason."
Chu Bingyan bowed her head, as if afraid of his reproach, "I knew you were here, I came to see if I could meet you. Unfortunately, I almost caused you harm."
"Oh?"
Xu Yuan's smile remained unchanged.
Although he was indeed dissatisfied with Chu Bingyan's lack of discernment in the matter, he did not overly reprimand her.
At least for now, Chu Bingyan's identity was still quite useful to him.
"I remember, I had already taken your Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea, which, by all logic, should prevent any trace of Heaven's Secret art from tracking me. How did you know I would be here?"
"After you left, I have been continuously using Heavenly Mystery Art to probe Princess Luoyang's condition."
Chu Bingyan carefully observed his expression and cautiously continued.
"Then, this morning, I suddenly noticed a disturbance in the Heavenly Mystery above the mansion. I guessed that you might have arrived. I was afraid something might happen to you, so I came here."
"I see, but..."