Ye Han regarded Ye Ling'er as a spy to investigate Ning Chen, but Ning Chen also saw Ye Ling'er as his eyes and ears among the servants.
Ning Chen glanced indifferently at the servants' residence, finding nothing unusual. Behind him, careless footsteps approached.
"What? Did you find out?"
"Yes. Ye Ling'er bought an expensive hunting bow that day. Who would she give it to?"
"Hmm…"
"But Ning Chuan, did you forget my instructions?"
"What?"
Ning Chuan stared quietly at Ning Chen's back, unease flickering in his chest. Ning Chen sneered.
"Did I not order you to handle the servants?"
"You… ignored my words?"
"This…"
Slap!!
Ning Chuan's vision blurred. The sting on his cheek burned like a reminder of his brother's authority.
"No next time. Understood?"
"This time, I'll handle it myself."
Ning Chen's icy glare froze Ning Chuan into silence.
"Watch the servants for anything suspicious. Report to me tomorrow. Clear?"
"Yes…"
Ning Chuan nodded weakly. Ning Chen's expression thawed into a faint, calculated smile.
The two retreated to their rooms without another word.
The next day, Ning Chen went to the school to attend class as usual, and still chose the seat by the window in the back row.
However, not long after Ning Chen sat down, Gu Yue Haoyu also came to the school. Seeing Ning Chen from a distance, she trotted over and excitedly sat at Ning Chen's desk.
"Ning Chen, how about the cakes I made for you yesterday? Are they delicious? I made them with my heart."
Ning Chen turned his head and smiled gently, with an expression completely different from yesterday's cold demeanor.
"They tasted very good, and the shape was also very delicate. Miss Haoyu is very attentive."
"By the way, I apologize to you. I didn't mean to only yell at you yesterday. I was in a bad mood at that time. I hope you can forgive me."
Ning Chen smiled gently, presenting a stark contrast to his cruel image from the previous day - it was as if he were two different people.
In truth, as a thousand-year-old demon, how could Ning Chen not control his emotions perfectly?
He had deliberately changed his attitude toward Haoyu within two days.
He wanted to use this method to test Haoyu's true feelings toward him.
After all, ordinary admiration would surely vanish without a trace after facing yesterday's harsh treatment.
Its not that he cared about this bitch's feelings but he was cautious if anyone is behind her. If yes, then just ignore her.. as he didn't want any unnecessary problem. If there isn't anyone behind her.. then just feed this bitch to the bear.
And in reality, he hadn't even tasted the cake, yet his lies sounded completely convincing and reasonable.
Gu Yue Haoyu seemed surprised by Ning Chen's sudden change in attitude. She paused for a moment before smiling.
"I did spend a lot of time making those cakes. I'm glad you liked them. Though I did overstep my bounds yesterday... it's alright."
Then she turned her head away and stopped looking at Ning Chen. It seemed that his harsh treatment yesterday had some effect.
The two of them now appeared very gentle with each other. To outside observers, they looked like a genuine young couple.
After Gu Yue Haoyu turned away, Ning Chen quietly waited for the school elder to begin class. Outwardly, he appeared to be listening attentively, but inwardly, his thoughts churned.
"Ahh...I just want to kill her so badly. so badly. Now I am understanding how Spectral soul felt. Killing is truly the solution of every fucking problem."
But he didn't let his annoyance show up in his face, it was just a piece of cake for him.
For someone like Ning Chen who had ulterior motives, attitude was merely an interchangeable mask.
As recorded in the Human Ancestor's Renzu's biography: "Attitude is a mask for those with hidden intentions. Conversely, the guileless cannot wear such masks."
A millennia-old demon like Ning Chen had long mastered the art of presenting a face as warm as spring breeze while harboring a heart as fathomless as the abyss. Fabricating gentle demeanor was child's play to him...
The school elder entered the classroom slowly, his gaze briefly resting on Ning Chen before noticing Qing Shu's still-empty seat. An almost imperceptible sigh escaped him.
"Today's lesson will cover Moonlight Gu application. We'll conduct class outside, so follow me."
Having announced this, he immediately exited without giving students time to respond.
Ning Chen rose and walked down the corridor. Passing Qing Shu's vacant seat, he didn't even spare it a single glance to the empty seat of Qing Shu. Though he was too aggressive, it was necessary to build that image of him in other's eyes.. so that no one will dare to annoy him.
'Perhaps I was too severe yesterday. Qing Shu can't even attend class today.'
Ning Chen quickly joined the stream of students exiting the school building. To the right lay yesterday's arena; to the left stretched a practice field dotted with Grass Puppet Gu targets.
These Grass Puppet Gu were first-level slave Gu insects. While incapable of resistance, they served as excellent training tools, their durability matching that of ordinary humans or first-level Gu Masters without physical enhancements.
"The Moonlight Gu is our Gu Yue clan's guardian Gu, comparable to Baijia clan's Stream Gu or Xiongjia clan's Bear Strength Gu. However, true mastery requires dedicated practice. Observe closely now."
With this, he extended his right hand from wide sleeves, palm emitting intense azure light that dwarfed the glow from Ning Chen and his classmates' Moonlight Gu.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!"
"Is this the Moonlight Gu? It's so beautiful!"
The extraordinary sight naturally drew gasps of wonder from the young students, their eyes alight with amazement.
The school elder permitted himself a faint smile. As a third-level Gu Master, the silver true essence he channeled was naturally third-grade, and the Gu insect he activated was the third-level Moon-Shining Gu.
"Watch carefully."
A luminous full moon shot from his palm, moving with speed that put their feeble attempts to shame. It streaked toward a Grass Puppet Gu ten meters away.
The azure moon and iridescent light complemented each other perfectly.
Without resistance, it cleanly severed the puppet's head, leaving behind a perfectly smooth cut. The decapitated head toppled to the ground.
Yet the moon blade continued its trajectory, flying another five meters before finally dissipating into the air.
"Wow~"
If the initial azure glow had merely piqued their curiosity, this display of the moon blade's power and its immediate effect on the target ignited genuine longing in the teenagers' hearts.
"Hahaha! Now each of you find a Grass Puppet to practice on. If you have questions, consult your peers or ask me directly."
The school elder chuckled as he withdrew to the sidelines, observing the suddenly enthusiastic students.
Before he'd even finished speaking, the students were already scrambling to claim their practice dummies, quickly dispersing across the field.
Only Ning Chen remained unhurried. After all others had selected their targets, he calmly made his way toward a Grass Puppet at the field's edge to begin his practice.