Chapter 114: Who is protecting whom in 114?

She wasn’t certain whether the strange treasure mentioned by Zong Dingfang and He Songhua referred to the Dragon Blood Stone. Although in her previous life, she never encountered any complications when Mu Nan mentioned the Dragon Blood Stone, her rebirth had subtly altered many things, and she had to be more cautious.

To strike first is to gain the upper hand; to strike late is to court disaster—this was Mu Hanyan’s experience and her lesson.

Upon arriving at the city gate, which was just opening, Mu Hanyan and her companions swiftly left and headed toward the Longyan Mountain Range.

The road became narrower and more rugged, and the undulating mountains drew increasingly near.

At this point, Huayue and Zirong were both quite excited; after asking Che Xiang for directions, they rushed ahead.

As they entered the mountain range, the terrain became even more steep and treacherous. Many paths required leaping over cliffs and ravines. Unafraid, they relied on their Third-tier Swordsman strength to tread as if on flat ground, running with great joy.

Che Xiang shook his head. You may be joyous, but at the very least don’t forget your responsibilities. You’re personal guards, after all. Don’t forget that your master is just a Second-tier Knight—oh no, actually just a First Rank wastrel. You might want to stay behind and lend him a hand.

Huayue’s job wasn’t truly forgotten, but how could others not know Mu Hanyan’s strength when they themselves did? A Sixth-tier Swordsman, towering above them by a considerable margin. If danger arose, it was uncertain who would need to protect whom; did they need to lend a hand?

Nonetheless, the two glanced back from time to time, sharing a slight smile upon meeting Che Xiang’s disapproving gaze.

"Young master, do you need help?" Che Xiang stopped in front of a nearly four-yard wide trench, speaking to Mu Hanyan.

Such a vast distance posed great difficulty even for him to leap across, let alone for the wasteful Big Playboy Mu.

While saying this, Che Xiang pulled out a rope as thick as a pinky with a hooked claw at the end. The rope was so thin it might not sustain the weight of a person, but with their own cultivation and a bit of added momentum, jumping over the ravine would not be an issue.

"No need," Mu Hanyan replied. She was racing against time and couldn’t afford to waste any, swiftly lifting Che Xiang up and effortlessly leaping over the trench.

Che Xiang felt as light as a feather, soaring through the air as if riding the clouds, and when he landed, it was light and without shock.

Standing on the other side of the trench, Che Xiang stared dumbfounded at Mu Hanyan, still foolishly holding the rope in his hand.

"Is this really the Mu family’s notorious playboy who has achieved nothing despite having the resources to do everything? With that kind of strength, he must be at least a Fifth Rank Knight," Che Xiang thought. Not even if Heishi City were turned upside down would he be so astonished.

The Big Playboy Mu, branded as having no potential since birth and having spent over a decade confirming it, actually possessed such a high level of cultivation—it was more unbelievable than a barren tree blooming.

"I am a Sixth-tier Swordsman." The upcoming journey would undoubtedly be more challenging, and Mu Hanyan, eager to make good time, could not afford to conceal her strength. So, she simply confessed.

Of course, before uttering these words, Mu Hanyan still harbored some doubts. The agonizing experience of betrayal in her previous life stabbed at her heart like a steel needle; the pain was heart-wrenching each time she recalled it.

They say a smart man learns from his mistakes; Mu Hanyan’s mistake had cost her an entire lifetime. The lesson learned was naturally far more profound. It was difficult for her to trust someone again, even though, in her previous life, she had already gained sufficient understanding of Huayue and Zirong. Yet, she could not fully trust them, always holding some reservation, let alone Che Xiang, whom she had barely heard of before their recent acquaintance. Her disclosure was for a reason.

Because the most human-like being with her had astonished her with its godly antics.