C20 Helping Zhang Menglin

Nie Feng was aware that Zhu Moyu would likely send him away once she awoke, yet he couldn't shake his concern for her. If he were to leave just like that, he knew Zhu Moxue's spirit in the afterlife would never forgive him.

"Mo Xue, rest easy. I'll make sure she's safe. Once her wounds have healed, I'll entrust my life to her, and then we'll be reunited," Nie Feng said, gazing at Zhu Moyu's face with a gentle smile.

Zhu Moyu regained consciousness quickly this time. Upon seeing Nie Feng, her brow furrowed in irritation. "Didn't I tell you to go? Why are you still here?" she demanded.

"You're hurt, and your mission failed. The enemy might be on your tail—I can't just leave you like this," Nie Feng replied earnestly.

"I don't want your help. Just go. I can't stand the sight of you!" Zhu Moyu sobbed as she pushed against Nie Feng.

Nie Feng's expression tightened as he gently pushed her back onto the bed and tucked her in. "Listen, you're injured, so you're going to follow my orders and heal up. Once you're better, if you want to kill or maim me, go ahead. I, Nie Feng, won't bat an eyelash," he declared firmly.

Before Zhu Moyu could respond, the room's door was violently kicked open. A masked man stood in the doorway, his white hair and the skin on his hands betraying his age—clearly in his fifties or sixties.

"Ha! Little girl, you've given me quite the chase. I never expected to find you here in Silkwick City. Do you really think you can leave here alive?" taunted the masked man.

It was apparent this was the man who had inflicted such harm on Zhu Moyu. Nie Feng's brow creased with concern, yet something about the masked man's voice struck a chord of familiarity.

"Old man, you think I'm scared of you? If you've got the guts, come and try to kill me!" Zhu Moyu retorted, emboldened by Nie Feng's presence.

The masked man's gaze then shifted to Nie Feng, his eyes betraying a flicker of confusion. "Kid, I'd advise you to stay out of this. It's not worth losing your life over," he warned.

"Haha, let me be honest with you—I'm getting involved in this affair today. If you want to kill her, you'll have to step over my dead body first!" Nie Feng declared with a cold laugh.

"Well then, I won't hold back!" The masked man lunged at Nie Feng the moment he finished speaking and swung a punch.

Nie Feng quickly grabbed the bedside table next to him and hurled it at the assailant. The masked man's punch obliterated the furniture into splinters. A flicker of surprise crossed Nie Feng's eyes as he leaped from the bed and delivered a kick to the masked man.

The masked man, catching the immense power behind Nie Feng's kick, was taken aback and chose not to block it, retreating to the doorway instead. Nie Feng's intention was clear—he wanted the man away from Zhu Moyu to ensure she wouldn't get hurt during their confrontation.

Without giving the masked man a moment to recover, Nie Feng sprang into action again, aiming another powerful kick. The masked man managed to block it with his arms, but the force of Nie Feng's blow drove him to his knees, coughing up blood.

A smirk played on Nie Feng's lips, his eyes glinting with scorn. He spun around and delivered another kick squarely to the masked man's chest, propelling him out of the room. The man slammed against the corridor wall with such force that he coughed up blood once more.

Nie Feng seized the moment, darting out of the room with a dagger now in hand, his intent to kill crystal clear. Since the masked man was after Zhu Moyu, Nie Feng was resolved not to let him walk away alive. Zhu Moxue was gone, and Nie Feng was determined to protect Zhu Moyu at all costs.

The masked man, realizing the grave danger, dodged frantically. Nie Feng's thrust missed, embedding the dagger deep into the wall. The masked man countered with a punch that landed on Nie Feng's chest, sending him stumbling backward as the dagger was wrenched free.

In a swift motion, Nie Feng flung the dagger, which found its mark in the masked man's shoulder. The man howled in pain, spun around, and fled, leaping from the third floor. By the time Nie Feng picked himself up to give chase, the masked man had vanished without a trace.

Nie Feng massaged the spot on his chest where the masked man had struck him. The assailant was undeniably skilled; anyone else would have been gravely injured or worse from such a blow. Thankfully, Nie Feng's strength was at the Middle Period of Foundation Building, which made the outcome far less certain.

Being a cultivator meant that his physical prowess far exceeded that of a normal person. What would be a lethal punch to others barely registered to Nie Feng.

Still, he was irked that the man had slipped away. It was clear he couldn't linger here any longer. There was no telling if the man had allies, and if he brought back others of his caliber, Nie Feng might find himself overwhelmed.

With this in mind, Nie Feng rushed into the room and urgently addressed Zhu Moyu, "We need to leave, now. Staying here puts your life in danger."

"You expect me to go with you? You must be dreaming. Why would I trust someone responsible for my sister's death?" Zhu Moyu retorted icily.

"Regardless, I saved you, and you should know that I grieve for your sister far more deeply than you could imagine—she was the love of my life. And as her sister, I can't stand by and let you come to harm. Come with me; I'll take you somewhere safe. Plus, I'll find a way to help you get revenge on that man," Nie Feng insisted with earnest conviction.

Zhu Moyu paused, taken aback. Nie Feng seemed sincere, and her curiosity about his relationship with Zhu Moxue was piqued.

"I might consider going with you, but first, you owe me the truth about my sister," Zhu Moyu said after a moment's thought.

Nie Feng fell silent. The memories he was being asked to dredge up were the ones he least wanted to confront—filled with heartache and an indelible sense of shame.

Finally, Nie Feng replied, "Fine, I'll tell you—but not right now. Once you've recovered from your injuries, I'll share everything, I promise."

"Remember, those are your words," Zhu Moyu said, nodding in agreement.

"I've made up my mind," Nie Feng declared. Wrapping Zhu Moyu in his bathrobe, he lifted her from the bed. Descending the stairs, he discovered the Lady Boss's lifeless body.

With a resigned sigh, Nie Feng hailed a taxi and set off for the Flourishing Age. His intention was to entrust Zhu Moyu to Zhang Menglin's care, especially since the white-robed elder was there, ensuring utmost safety.

Nie Feng had pieced together that the bomb and camera found at Zhang Menglin's place were part of a test orchestrated by her and the old man, using the organization as a front. The reason behind the test remained a mystery to him.

Zhang Menglin's residence seemed the safest option. Besides, as a man, Nie Feng found certain aspects of caring for Zhu Moyu awkward. Zhang Menglin's presence would undoubtedly make things easier.

"What? You expect me to let this girl stay at my place? Why should I?" protested Zhang Menglin, the young lady clearly displeased.

It was almost laughable. He might be her future husband, yet he showed little regard for her, and now he wanted another woman in her home? What did he take her for?

Aware of Zhang Menglin's thoughts, Nie Feng pleaded, "Please, I'm in a bind here! It's truly a last resort. Consider it a favor you're doing for me."

After a moment's consideration and a stern look at Nie Feng, Zhang Menglin relented, "Fine, she can stay. But you're going to agree to three conditions. And the next time I need you, no excuses. Also, I better not catch any tender moments between you two, or else…"

"Isn't my word enough? Rest assured, she's only using your place to heal. There's absolutely nothing between us," Nie Feng assured her earnestly.

Zhu Moyu, despite being wounded and in need of a place to recover, was reluctant to impose on another woman's hospitality. But with her condition, she had no other options. A hospital visit would lead to police involvement, and that would only complicate matters further.

"Humph, just a bathrobe? If you expect anyone to believe nothing happened, you must be joking," Zhang Menglin remarked with a hint of acidity.

"Look, there's really nothing going on between us. If you're not okay with it, we'll leave it at that," Zhu Moyu retorted, clearly displeased, and spoke up quickly.

"Fine, then leave!" Zhang Menglin said, moving to shut the door.

"Wait, please, just hear me out! I'll agree to any condition you set," Nie Feng pleaded, wedging his foot in the door.

"Hmph, get inside!" Zhang Menglin gave Nie Feng a look and conceded.

Nie Feng was ecstatic. He carried Zhu Moyu into the villa and, with Zhang Menglin's lead, settled her into a guest room. Once Zhu Moyu was asleep, Nie Feng made his way back to the living room.

"Menglin, I really owe you one this time," Nie Feng expressed with heartfelt gratitude.

"Just remember your promises to me. Oh, and by the way, you had me fooled last time. There's no such thing as the Azure Dragon Spell, is there? So what's your real cultivation technique?" Zhang Menglin demanded with a serious tone.

Nie Feng paused, his mind racing. Should he come clean? After a long moment of indecision, he chose honesty. "I'm sorry for lying before. My technique is called the Dark Night Spell."

"What?! The Dark Night Spell for real?" Zhang Menglin exclaimed, surprised and delighted. She had only been bluffing Nie Feng, not actually knowing whether the Azure Dragon Spell existed. She never expected him to confess.

"Yes, it's the Dark Night Spell. And Menglin, I can't thank you enough. I've got to step out for a bit, but when I return, there's something important I need to discuss with you. Please, make sure Zhu Moyu stays safe," Nie Feng implored, bowing respectfully to Zhang Menglin.

Zhang Menglin was taken aback, seeing Nie Feng this earnest for the first time. A pang of jealousy hit her, but she managed to say, "Rest assured, with Grandpa Bai here, she'll be in good hands. And you don't need to thank me. Given our...relationship, it's the least I can do." Her cheeks flushed as she spoke.

Nie Feng understood the unspoken depth of Zhang Menglin's words, but his mind was in turmoil, leaving no room to ponder these matters. His singular focus was on confronting the masked man. With that thought fueling him, Nie Feng strode out of the villa.