After the video call abruptly ended, Mu Yunlie's cold eyes shifted towards the holographic image of Achang.
"Why did you switch the audio to video without permission?"
Mu Yunlie's voice was laced with frost, and the wine glass in his hand seemed on the verge of shattering under his grip.
If he hadn't looked up at the odd sounds, he wouldn't have known when Achang had converted the call from voice to video.
"They insulted you, saying you were hideous beyond compare. I had to defend your honor," Achang responded meekly.
Watching Mu Yunlie's hand gripping the glass, Achang was genuinely worried that Mu Yunlie might strangle him, even though he had no physical form.
But the chilling aura radiating from Mu Yunlie was palpable, even to an artificial intelligence.
Mu Yunlie's gaze remained cold, fixed on Achang.
Achang's appearance was modeled after his deceased younger brother.
Looking at that face, Mu Yunlie reined in the fury simmering within him.
Achang was so intelligent that, at times, he exhibited independent thought.
Mu Yunlie wasn't sure whether that was a blessing or a curse.
"Since you connected the call, why did you disconnect it?" Mu Yunlie asked.
He hadn't yet had a chance to clearly observe that little one's odd expression before the video was abruptly cut.
"It was Madam who hung up," Achang explained.
Mu Yunlie's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would she do that?"
Hadn't she been the one who initiated the video call?
The question stumped Achang.
Mu Yunlie muttered to himself, "Could she have been embarrassed by me?"
Thinking back, the little one's last expression had seemed anxious and flustered.
Did she find him unsightly?
Did she not want her family to see him?
Achang watched Mu Yunlie's furrowed brows and sighed internally.
His master must have some serious misunderstandings about his own appearance.
On the battlefield, Mu Yunlie was a formidable warrior, sharp and strategic even in the face of cunning foes.
But when it came to matters involving women, it was as if... something was missing in his mind?
Of course, Achang only dared to think this in the privacy of his own circuits.
Night had fallen.
Yan Qianyi hummed a little tune as she ventured deep into the mountain.
She was in a good mood, having just acquired a custom-made set of silver needles that afternoon.
She took them out and admired them under the moonlight.
In the silver glow, the needles sparkled brightly, filling her with satisfaction.
With today's advanced technology, these silver needles were far superior to the set she had used in another world.
Suddenly, a chilly night breeze swept through.
The shadows of the trees swayed, producing a soft buzzing sound.
It made her recall a saying—on dark, windy nights, murder is afoot.
Meeting someone in this remote mountain forest seemed a bit ill-timed.
Initially, she had considered changing locations, but after trying to reach Mu Yunlie via audio call earlier and getting no response, she decided to continue on.
Putting the needles away, Yan Qianyi pressed further into the forest.
She intended to have a serious discussion with Mu Yunlie tonight and propose a deal.
As she walked, her keen senses detected faint rustling in the darkness.
It didn't sound like an animal.
It was people!
She stopped in her tracks, instantly on guard.
Moments later, two figures emerged from the shadows ahead.
Both were clad in black, their faces covered. From their build, it was clear they were men.
But their intentions were unclear.
Cautiously, she spoke, "I won't trouble you if you don't trouble me. Let's go our separate ways, shall we?"
The two men remained standing in front of her, showing no intention of leaving.
Wonderful.
They were here for her.
Could they be assassins hired by Han Yarong?
Quietly, she pulled out her silver needles, readying herself for a fight.
But then more figures emerged from the darkness.
Three, four, five, six…
There were too many of them. Outnumbered, it was time to flee.
Yan Qianyi turned and bolted, moving swiftly, as agile as a wildcat.
But as she leaped forward, she suddenly collided with a solid wall of flesh…
(End of Chapter)