"I intended to return to the inn to rest, but before I took two steps, I felt a Sword Intent piercing the sky, and hence turned back.
"I learned that Hero Wan had been ambushed and already left.
"We traced his steps in pursuit, but ultimately took the wrong path.
"We were delayed for a long time before being attracted here by the flames... Yet before we could understand what happened, Hero Wan had already appeared.
"To this moment, I still do not comprehend how this place suddenly caught on fire?
"Where is our adversary?"
Upon hearing this, Wan Cangxin heaved a sigh:
"Lord Su, the Chief of the Escort, is not the only one baffled by this event; even I am utterly perplexed at this moment.
"That person broke into my room and lunged at me with a sword.
"Their martial arts prowess was... unexpectedly high.
"In a moment of inattention, I had no choice but to fight while retreating.
"In the end, as I reached this place, that person drifted away, and only then I realized, their Qinggong surpasses mine.
"I tried to follow the tracks but ended up losing the trail.
"Looking back, it was then that I saw this place on fire...
"Who on earth is this person skulking in the shadows, and what purpose did they have in luring me here tonight?
"It’s truly... inexplicable."
At this moment, the other personages from the Jianghu nodded in agreement, indicating that when they arrived, they also saw the flames soaring into the sky and did not see the arsonist.
Su Mo nodded and said with a smile:
"After all is said and done, it’s good that Hero Wan is unscathed. The Tianqu Sword event is imminent, and it’s common to encounter such petty criminals.
"Hero Wan, please take care of yourself."
Wan Cangxin managed a smile: "Thank you, Lord Su, for your concern."
Observing the embers dying out and with no further fire sources around, Su Mo and Wei Ziyi did not tarry any longer.
Everyone returned to Tianqu City, with Wan Cangxin seemingly burdened with heavy thoughts along the way.
But when asked, he acted as though nothing had happened.
It was not until arriving at the Penglai Inn that they parted ways.
Others went back to rest, while Wan Cangxin had to speak with the innkeeper; after all, the roof had been punctured and needed an explanation.
Compensation and repairs had to be made—it was a busy night for him.
Su Mo and Wei Ziyi went directly back to their abode in the inn.
However, Wei Ziyi did not return to her own room, but came to Su Mo’s.
Without saying a word, she just gazed intently at Su Mo.
Su Mo snapped his fingers, lighting the lamp, casting their silhouettes on the window. Helplessly, he poured a cup of tea for Wei Ziyi:
"What about you, Miss Wei? A young lady, not yet betrothed, staying up late and sitting opposite a man in his room.
"What would people think if word of this got out?"
Wei Ziyi was nonchalant: "After all, if this gets out, my master and the others might be quite pleased."
Su Mo was at a loss for words: "What exactly do you want to do?"
"That’s what I should be asking you, isn’t it?"
As Wei Ziyi said this, she glanced downwards.
She saw Su Mo, not knowing when, had already prepared tea and written four characters on the table: Someone’s peeping, don’t startle the snake.
Her eyebrows raised inquisitively: "What exactly are you planning?"
Su Mo widened his eyes in feigned ignorance, drawing a question mark on the table.
Wei Ziyi didn’t understand, but she saw the question in Su Mo’s eyes and coldly chuckled:
"Nowadays, they’re forcing me into marriage at every turn, even wanting me to marry you.
"You should have made a decision by now after all we’ve been through.
"I don’t seek the position of the Yang Family Sister, but you at least owe me a status.
"To give my family an explanation, right?"
As she spoke, she too dipped her finger in the water and wrote on her cup: Still watching?
Su Mo sighed: "Miss Wei, with your Flower Face Moon Appearance and high martial arts skill, how could you lack suitors? This Su is but a common man, truly not a worthy match."
While he said this, his hand wrote on the table: Still there, no need for further words, now go back quickly.
Just as the words were spoken, Wei Ziyi sharply slapped the table, stood up with a swoosh:
"Su Mo! You falsely claim to be a hero, indecisive in critical moments, simply outrageous.
"I’ll give you three more days to ponder; if you fail to make a decision, then I shall inquire the views of the Yang Family Sister!"
After saying this, she turned and left.
Su Mo’s facial muscles twitched, knowing it was all a show for anyone eavesdropping.
However, her words had deeply struck a chord within him.
He blurted out without thinking: "That must not happen!"
Wei Ziyi paused in her footsteps, turning back to give Su Mo a look of confusion.
Why must it not happen?
But her mouth left no pause as she resolutely said, mingled with bemusement:
"Consider your next actions carefully!"
After finishing her words, she opened the door and walked out.
Su Mo let out a long sigh and with a wave of his hand, extinguished the candlelight in the room.
He then closed the door and returned to bed.
Tossing and turning, he seemed to struggle to fall asleep.
At the same time, his ears twitched slightly, sensing that the watchful presence since their return to the inn had at last disappeared.
Only then did Su Mo sit up.
Exhaling softly, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth:
"This game... is getting more and more interesting."
The next morning, Su Mo and his party sat down in the main hall.
Hu Sandao was yawning incessantly, stretching his neck while saying:
"The bedding in this inn... seems a bit uncomfortable.