Chapter 473 456: Little Yueqiu Doesn't Want to Be a Substitute for Qing Yueqiu in Pei Yuhang's Heart

SPLASH—

The autumn rain fell without end, draping the world in a somber, gray curtain.

Pei Yuhang held a paper umbrella in one hand and Little Yueqiu's hand in the other as they walked across a single-plank bridge.

PATTER—

A few large drops of rain, big as beans, burst against the paper umbrella.

Pei Yuhang stopped abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Beside him, Little Yueqiu immediately understood and obediently took the paper umbrella from his hand.

She noticed that the tips of Pei Yuhang's fingers had grown slightly cold, yet his knuckles were turning white from the force he was gathering—it was the sign he was about to draw his sword.

WHOOSH—

In an instant.

Several dark figures shot out from under the bridge like giant black bats!

Their ferocious faces flashed through the rain. The poison-coated blades at their waists glinted with a faint, blue light, slicing through the air as they aimed straight for Pei Yuhang's throat.

"Close your eyes."

Pei Yuhang's voice was as calm and cool as ever, showing no sign of panic at being ambushed.

After Little Yueqiu hurriedly shut her eyes, all she could hear was the crisp patter of the autumn rain and... in that instant, the ring of a sword being unsheathed, like the cry of a Dragon!

The curtain of rain was torn apart by fierce Sword Qi, and his snow-white sleeves fluttered like the wings of a crane.

Little Yueqiu heard the crisp clatter of poisoned blades falling to the ground, mixed with the muffled groans coming from the enemies' throats.

A warm liquid splashed onto the back of her hand, only to be quickly washed away by the cold rain.

When the last curse died abruptly, she smelled the scent of iron spreading through the damp air.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw Pei Yuhang sheathing his sword with a flick of his wrist. As the snow-white blade returned to its scabbard, it shook off a string of blood drops.

He lowered his gaze to brush the raindrops from his sleeve, his expression so indifferent you would think he had just flicked away a fallen leaf, not slaughtered a group of world-renowned assassins.

"Why did you open your eyes? Didn't I tell you not to look at the bodies?"

Pei Yuhang stood in front of Little Yueqiu, blocking her view of the grotesque corpses, each killed by a single strike to the throat.

But Little Yueqiu shook her head.

"Ma... Master, I can't keep holding you back.

I want to be able to help, and... haven't you always said I'm your disciple? If that's the case, then isn't it only natural for a disciple to see just how powerful her master's sword is?"

Pei Yuhang was taken aback by her words. Ever since he found Little Yueqiu, he had treated her like a helpless young lady who had fallen on hard times. Now, it seemed he had overlooked her resilience and fortitude.

'Yueqiu is still Yueqiu. Even without her memories, that innate resilience of hers will never change.'

Pei Yuhang smiled, gratified. He then reached out to pat the silver strands on top of her head, but she dodged back with a look of distaste.

"Master, your hand is all wet! You're getting my hair soaked!"

"Is that so? Then I'll have to get your face wet, too!"

As he spoke, Pei Yuhang reached out and mischievously rubbed Little Yueqiu's cheeks.

Little Yueqiu's pretty brows furrowed in annoyance, but there was nothing she could do.

The two of them horsed around for a bit, and the drizzling rain began to wash away the smell of blood on the bridge. If not for the fresh corpses still lying there,

the harmonious scene between master and disciple would have been quite a heartwarming sight.

"Master, teach me how to use a sword."

"Alright."

Pei Yuhang gripped Little Yueqiu's hand, causing her crimson eyes to widen in surprise.

She could sense it... It was as if Pei Yuhang had been waiting a long time for her to say those words.

Since Little Yueqiu wanted to learn the sword, she would naturally need a good one.

Pei Yuhang released her hand and stood with his own clasped behind his back, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

"Next, I will find a good sword for you. It certainly won't be as good as Luminous, but it will at least let you get a feel for things."

Little Yueqiu didn't know what "Luminous" was, but from Pei Yuhang's tone, she could guess it was the name of the sword belonging to his true disciple, the girl named Qing Yueqiu.

Then, a more practical problem surfaced in her mind.

She lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with worry.

"We're wanted everywhere. Where are we supposed to find a good sword?"

Pei Yuhang chuckled and flicked her forehead lightly with a long finger. "We'll go to the market, rent a fine room at an inn, and then someone will come and 'offer' us a good sword."

At his words, Little Yueqiu's crimson eyes went wide, like two round, red moons.

She stared at Pei Yuhang in disbelief, her pink lips trembling. "If we go to a town now, aren't we just walking into a trap?"

'I can't believe Pei Yuhang is this audacious!'

"Well, Yueqiu, have these last two days of roughing it in this vast forest been so safe and sound?"

Little Yueqiu fell silent.

Pei Yuhang was right. Behind the Government Office, there truly seemed to be an omniscient, all-powerful figure. No matter where they hid, the pursuers sent by that person would find them.

They would even... lie in wait for them on the paths they were bound to take.

The killers Pei Yuhang had just slain were already the ninth wave of assassins they had encountered in three days.

'If that's the case...'

'...then there's no real difference between hiding in the forest and returning to a town to wait for the enemy in an inn room.'

Just as Little Yueqiu was worrying, a large, warm hand suddenly rested on top of her head. Pei Yuhang leaned down to meet her gaze, his eyes filled with a reassuring firmness.

"Yueqiu, just trust me. I told you, I won't let any harm come to you."

Pei Yuhang said softly, squeezing Little Yueqiu's hand.

"Mhm..."

Little Yueqiu nodded lightly, her voice as quiet as the buzz of a mosquito.

She felt as if her heart was soaking in warm water, a gentle heat spreading from her chest to every corner of her body.

She didn't know when it started, but she had come to completely rely on this man she had known for only a few days. As long as she was by his side, it felt as if there was nothing left in the world to fear.