Chapter 102: Qin Yu's Unusual Behavior

Qin Yu sensed Xiao Hei’s departure, sighed softly, then walked over and sat beside Nangong Yao. “What was it you wanted to say to me just now?” she asked.

Nangong Yao had already opened his eyes as soon as he felt Qin Yu draw near. Hearing her question now, he turned away with a haughty air, replying, “It’s nothing.”

Qin Yu looked at him, exasperated. “Stop fooling around. I’m being serious.”

Nangong Yao rolled his eyes in a most unrefined manner, then turned back to her, his expression solemn. “Isn’t there something you want to ask me?”

Qin Yu was momentarily taken aback by his sudden seriousness. She felt a jolt in her mind, then asked, “Are you hurt?”

Nangong Yao burst out laughing at her question. He had imagined countless things Qin Yu might ask: Where had he been just now? Who was he, really? Why had he approached her—what was his true purpose?

But never did he expect her to ask, “Are you hurt?” Smiling, Nangong Yao looked at her puzzled face. “What’s so funny?” Qin Yu asked.

“Qin Yu, I’m suddenly finding you quite adorable. My fondness for you just keeps growing!” Nangong Yao laughed heartily.

Qin Yu fixed her gaze on him, and after he grew a little uncomfortable under her stare, he rubbed his nose and said, “Of course I’m not hurt. I am Nangong Yao, after all! How could I possibly be injured?”

Seeing that he was indeed safe and sound, Qin Yu gave a small nod, accepting his answer.

“Isn’t there anything else you want to ask this celestial? I’m in a good mood today—I’ll answer your questions free of charge,” Nangong Yao said with a grin.

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke. “Have you ever met me before?”

Nangong Yao shook his head. “No.”

“Oh.”

A long silence followed. Nangong Yao looked at Qin Yu and at last sensed something was wrong with her. Was Qin Yu usually this absent-minded? He gazed at her profile, his thoughts drifting. He realized, perhaps for the first time, that Qin Yu was quite pretty—not a breathtaking beauty, but delicate and charming in her own way. A girl like her should’ve grown up cherished in her parents’ warm embrace, yet she was carrying the burdens of life alone.

Maybe it was the trials of time that made Qin Yu seem so seasoned and mature, causing people to forget that she was just a girl in her early twenties.

Lost in his musings, Nangong Yao watched her, while Qin Yu too was lost in thought.

At that moment, Qin Yu felt her mind sluggish and slow, as if she were running a high fever—her body weak and her head heavy, though her consciousness remained clear. Yet everything she did seemed to run counter to her true intent.

How could she describe it? It was as if she were an onlooker, watching her own body—watching someone called Qin Yu conversing with Nangong Yao beside her. The questions she asked weren’t what she truly wished to know.

She wanted to ask: Where had he gone just now? Why hadn’t he come out to fight with them—they were supposed to be a team, weren’t they? What did he really know?

But instead, she heard herself ask, “Are you hurt?” and “Have you ever met me before?” These strange, inexplicable words tumbled from her lips, making her deeply uneasy. The sensation of her body acting apart from her mind only made her more anxious.

And so, she never did voice the questions she most wanted answered. Gradually, she felt herself becoming enveloped by something, and then everything went black.

Nangong Yao looked down at Qin Yu, who had fallen asleep against him, a smile flickering in his eyes. “In the end, no matter how formidable, she’s still human—still needs to sleep.” In that moment, he suddenly felt that being a celestial was wonderful—at least he never needed to sleep and was always brimming with energy, as long as he didn’t overexert himself with magic.

Meanwhile, at the city base, Zi’s bewitching violet eyes snapped open. He gazed at the faint moonlight above, irritation flickering in his gaze.

He had dreamed of that man again. He felt as if a battle had taken place, which was why he’d asked if the man was hurt. He remembered the man’s smile—it was so familiar. He’d asked if they had met before, but the man said no.

He looked at the man, his heart pounding with nerves, leaving him at a loss for words. Yet as long as he could be by his side, he was content. “But really, Yin, why did you wake me up so suddenly? What, you finally crawled out of that ramshackle attic of yours?”

Yin glanced at him. “They’ll meet soon. Very soon.”

Zi stared at her in confusion. This woman was always so cryptic—he could never make sense of her. He rolled his eyes. “I have no idea what nonsense you’re babbling this time. Don’t you know I was having a beautiful dream? Interrupting me like this will bring down divine retribution, you know.”

Yin looked back at him. “Divine retribution? The gods abandoned this world long ago, leaving us pitiful wretches here to scrape by. Do you really think I’m afraid of retribution anymore?”

Zi fell silent. Yin was right—the gods had long since deserted this world. Still, he bristled. “Listen, Yin, don’t lump me in with you. I’m no pitiful wretch! I am—I am…” But what was he? Why couldn’t he remember? Zi frowned, lost in thought, but quickly gave up.

He waved at Yin dismissively. “Go away! Don’t disturb my dreams. If it’s not important, don’t bother me. Even if it’s important, don’t bother me.” With that, he lay back down, closing his eyes, eager to drift back to sleep—or perhaps to try and see that man again.

Yin cast a deep, enigmatic look at Zi, who had already closed his eyes, a cold smile curling her lips. “Sleep? As if any of them actually sleep. Couldn’t they come up with a better excuse? How stupid.” With a final thought that the two were about to meet and her days in this wretched place were nearly over, Yin vanished from sight.

The moment Yin left, Zi opened his eyes, gazing at the spot where she’d disappeared, helplessness flickering in his eyes. He closed them again, longing to return to the side of that man—to see his smile, his confidence as he spoke, and to look upon his form.

Yin, meanwhile, felt herself transported somewhere else. Yet something seemed off. Where was she? What was this place, shrouded in mist and wild grass?