Chapter 62

The next day, everyone continued their journey. On the road, Jiang Ning noticed Huixin constantly yawning and found it strange:

"Sister Huixin, what's wrong?"

Huixin avoided the gazes of both Jiang Ning and Shenhe: "N-nothing..."

Last night had been torture for her.

Was Wangshu Inn's soundproofing really that poor?

Or was it because she was in the room next door?

When she heard the sounds from Jiang Ning and Shenhe last night, she was shocked.

As a mother herself, Huixin was no stranger to such matters.

But still, Jiang Ning was just a child!

How could Shenhe do such a thing?

And from the looks of it, this wasn't their first time either.

Didn't Lady Ganyu have anything to say about this?

This was knowingly breaking the law.

And poor Jiang Ning - those sounds continued all night long, without stopping?

Shenhe really didn't know how to take care of him...

Huixin glanced at the two of them unconsciously and was surprised to see them both glowing with health.

Strange - shouldn't Shenhe be the one glowing while Jiang Ning looked exhausted?

How were they both...

Huixin's confused brain finally shut down.

Well, they were adepti disciples after all - naturally different from ordinary people...

"Sister Huixin, if you're tired, take a rest. We'll keep watch outside."

Jiang Ning looked triumphant, and Huixin didn't resist, retiring to her carriage for a brief rest.

"System, you're actually quite useful."

Jiang Ning thought silently.

The System proudly replied: [Naturally! The absorption skill, when used well, is like a secret technique of Yin-Yang cultivation. How about that? Last night you lasted until the end, even made Shenhe surrender first. Happy?]

"Happy... Did you find the skill manual?"

Jiang Ning asked suddenly.

[How did you kno- No, no! Master, don't falsely accuse me!]

The System hurriedly corrected itself.

"Innocent? I saw you crying on your knees about performance issues just days ago." Jiang Ning showed no mercy.

After bantering with the System for a while, Jiang Ning ignored it.

Instead, he turned to Shenhe, who was dozing off beside him: "Senior Sister, you should rest too."

Though Shenhe was glowing with health, she was still very tired.

Shenhe immediately lay down on Jiang Ning's lap and closed her eyes, soon breathing evenly in sleep.

Jiang Ning gently stroked Shenhe's head, humming a tune, like petting a docile cat.

Enjoying the breeze and sunshine.

After passing Wangshu Inn, they had truly entered Liyue's wilderness.

Unless demon god resentment was involved, Xiao wouldn't deliberately clear out the monsters here.

He was too busy, so this area had become a breeding ground for monsters.

In just one hour, they'd encountered three or four large hilichurl camps.

There were many hilichurl berserkers among them.

Shields, axes - they had everything.

Fortunately, they were within the Millelith squad's capabilities to handle.

But to speed up their journey and reach their destination earlier,

Jiang Ning still stepped in. He couldn't let these monsters disturb his Senior Sister's rest.

He formed sword seals and used talismans, basically dealing with these monsters while continuing to let Shenhe rest on his lap.

This casual display of power made the surrounding Millelith even more admiring.

...

After about three days, they finally saw Dawn Winery.

"We're a day later than estimated..." 

Huixin said, looking at the map.

"It couldn't be helped - we encountered several Abyss Mages and a Stonehide Lawachurl on the way."

Jiang Ning said with a smile.

During these two days, Jiang Ning had finally caught a live Abyss Mage.

It was a Hydro one, which he immediately froze to examine the differences between it and normal people.

First, he studied its limbs, then prepared to remove its mask, revealing an ugly and grotesque face beneath.

The sight made Jiang Ning uncomfortable.

The Abyss Mage refused to submit even in death, trying to counterattack after thawing from the ice.

Jiang Ning mercilessly broke its limbs and tore out its tongue used for incantations.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

Just as Jiang Ning wanted to go further, to see what kind of body lay beneath that thick, furry cloak-like garment...

The Abyss Mage, unable to bear the humiliation, smashed its head against the ground, committing suicide.

Its corpse turned to dust, returning to the ley lines.

Only a branch-like object remained.

Jiang Ning recognized it as a Ley Line Branch, dropped by Abyss Mages - a valuable alchemy material sought after by many alchemists, also used in weapon crafting.

After putting it away, Jiang Ning acted as if nothing had happened, standing up and smiling brightly at the Millelith behind him.

"Alright, let's continue."

Recalling that bizarre and grotesque scene, Huixin wondered if Lady Ganyu had raised Jiang Ning wrong. How could he seem so... unlike a good person...

Though the target was a monster, that method was still... somewhat inhumane.

The Millelith were also uncomfortable.

A sweet neighborhood boy suddenly transformed into a monster-tearing beast.

Smiling sunnily while tearing monsters to bloody pieces...

Strange.

But only Shenhe admired him internally.

Little Junior Brother's skills had improved - look at how he broke the enemy's limbs instantly without letting them die, and didn't even raise any dust. Impressive.

In any case, amid different people's varying opinions, they finally reached Dawn Winery.

Huixin said: "Everyone, let's push on! We'll try to rest at Dawn Winery by noon today."

"Yes!"

The diplomatic team responded.

After days of continuous travel, everyone missed soft beds and fresh food.

Though the mission's provisions weren't bad, it still felt like rough living.

But Jiang Ning and Shenhe didn't have this worry, because with one tent and Brother Exquisite's teapot...

The exterior guard duty was handled by the teapot spirits, who sensed the outside world and warned them.

Therefore, Jiang Ning wasn't missing houses and big beds.

Instead, he was thinking about that Abyss Mage.

Don't misunderstand - Jiang Ning was still thinking about stripping the Abyss Mage to see what it really looked like.

Next time, break the limbs first, then tear out the tongue, and if necessary, paralyze it so it has no way to commit suicide... that should work.

Jiang Ning thought silently.

[Master, you're really... quite evil.]

Jiang Ning found it strange: "Didn't you say you're a villain system, and I'm a villain template? Isn't it normal for me to do some cruel things?"

As they bantered, they arrived at Dawn Winery.