Chapter 203: The chase [3]

Chapter 203: 203: The chase [3]

Qin Xishu’s relaxed expression suddenly disappeared.

A strange sensation emerged within her spiritual sense.

She lowered her gaze toward Zhaofeng and then looked around the surrounding forest, her eyes narrowing.

She had been marked.

"What?"

The realization left Qin Xishu completely flabbergasted.

She immediately dropped her concealment and pushed her spiritual energy to its limit.

The moment her aura was exposed, Lin Xuan’s divine sense locked onto her position.

Qin Xishu did not hesitate.

She grabbed Zhaofeng and immediately began running through the Yew Woods.

Her speed was astonishing, and the trees around her blurred as she rushed through the forest.

However, she soon heard the faint sound of something cutting through the air behind her.

Qin Xishu glanced over her shoulder.

Lin Xuan’s flying sword was rapidly closing the distance.

Her expression became increasingly ugly.

She could escape from Lin Xuan’s divine sense, but she could not outrun a flying sword.

Within moments, the sword caught up to her and stopped directly in front of her.

Lin Xuan stood calmly on the sword, looking down at her with an unimpressed expression.

"We meet again," he said.

Qin Xishu stopped in her tracks and looked up at Lin Xuan.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Zhaofeng remained unconscious in her arms, his face pale from his injuries.

Qin Xishu glanced at him before looking back at Lin Xuan.

"Patriarch Lin, what a coincidence," she said with a faint smile.

Lin Xuan’s eyes moved toward Zhaofeng before returning to her. "I wouldn’t call it a coincidence. I have been looking for him for two days."

Qin Xishu smiled as though she had not heard the warning in his voice. "I see."

Lin Xuan stepped off the flying sword and landed on the snow in front of her.

"Hand him over."

Qin Xishu lowered her gaze toward Zhaofeng. "He is seriously injured. If you move him carelessly, you could make his injuries worse."

Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You treated his wounds?"

Qin Xishu nodded. "He would have died without treatment."

Lin Xuan remained silent for a moment before sweeping his divine sense over Zhaofeng’s body, carefully examining his condition.

The injuries were severe, but the bleeding had been stopped and the wounds had been treated with medicinal herbs.

"He is only sleeping," Lin Xuan said.

Qin Xishu smiled faintly. "You should be thanking me."

Lin Xuan looked at her without much expression. "I will thank you after you explain why you were carrying one of my family members through Yew Woods while concealing your presence from me."

Qin Xishu’s smile widened slightly. "That sounds rather accusatory."

"It is," Lin Xuan replied calmly.

She stared at him for a moment before letting out a quiet murmur.

"Here. Take him."

Qin Xishu extended Zhaofeng toward him.

Lin Xuan carefully took Zhaofeng from her arms and checked his condition once more.

Only after confirming that he was stable did he look back at Qin Xishu.

"Why are you here?"

"Just felt like it," Qin Xishu replied casually.

Lin Xuan stared at her and the system interface showed up.

———————————————————

Name: Qin Xishu

Realm: Third Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Martial Spirit: Fifth-Grade Earth Rank

———————————————————

Lin Xuan was currently only at the First Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Although the difference was merely two minor realms, the gap between each minor realm in the Nascent Soul Realm was enormous.

If Qin Xishu truly focused on attacking him, the only sensible choice would be to retreat.

Fortunately, she did not appear to have any intention of fighting.

Qin Xishu noticed his gaze and smiled playfully. "You’re showing your nervousness, Patriarch Lin."

Lin Xuan stared at her for a moment before asking, "Miss Qin, what is it that you seek?"

Qin Xishu raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think I’m searching for something?"

"Because you saved Zhaofeng, but not the others," Lin Xuan replied. "What is your motive?"

Qin Xishu placed a hand against her chin and smiled.

"Is that what you based your calculation on? Hmm, that’s rather hurtful."

She paused before looking at him with renewed curiosity.

"How about this? Why don’t you tell me how you found me out? I was certain I had avoided you perfectly."

Lin Xuan stared at her for a moment before calmly replying, "It’s a trade secret. I’m gatekeeping it in case you decide to kidnap another one of my kids."

Qin Xishu blinked before letting out a soft laugh.

"Fair enough. Alright then, have a good day."

She turned around and casually walked away.

Lin Xuan watched her figure disappear deeper into the forest before remaining still for a while longer.

He did not immediately leave.

Only after he was certain that Qin Xishu had truly gone did he turn his attention back toward Zhaoyue, Zhaocao, and Zhaofeng.

"Let’s go," he said.

Lin Xuan placed Zhaofeng on the flying sword before allowing Zhaoyue and Zhaocao to board as well.

Once everyone was settled, he guided the flying sword away from the Yew Woods.

Rather than returning directly to Azure Willow City, Lin Xuan changed their direction toward Violet Log City.

After all, Violet Log City was considerably closer to Yew Woods than Azure Willow City, and they had an ill person on board. It made more sense to head there first rather than waste time returning to the Lin Family.

———————————————————

Shortly after her departure, Qin Xishu circled back and made sure Lin Xuan and the others had truly gone away before leisurely returning to her hiding spot.

’So what exactly gave me away?’

She remained there in silence, staring at the place for nearly ten minutes.

She stared at the spot again, replaying everything in her mind.

Her expression gradually shifted as she went over each detail, until her eyes suddenly widened.

Her gaze dropped toward the place where she had been hiding, and her face stiffened.

"That..."

The realization made her felt so stupid she almost wanted to slap herself in the forehead.

She knew exactly what had given her away.