NOVEL WEB chapter 142
142. A Night Together
Mu Yiting was resting in the house, while Lin Nuo patrolled outside, taking the opportunity to deal with the corpses scattered everywhere.
After being discovered burying bodies last time, Lin Nuo had learned his lesson. These people could be tracked by dogs, and even buried, they could be sniffed out. So, the best way was to burn them, once and for all.
However, burning had its problems; the smoke was a giveaway. He had chosen a secluded place precisely to avoid detection. Moreover, these people had come from far and wide to hunt him down. If they saw the smoke, they might just come chasing again.
That’s where the smoke hood came in handy.
As a top-notch villain, a smart and agile brain was essential. In his past life, he had accumulated a wealth of knowledge, delving into military tactics, mystical artifacts, and public and private affairs.
The smoke hood was designed to absorb the thick smoke produced by the burning flames.
He piled up the bodies, set them on fire, burned them, and then used the smoke hood to absorb the smoke. What a clever solution.
After the burning, he scattered the ashes.
He wandered around the area, finding no one pursuing or lurking, which put his mind at ease.
As night fell and darkness enveloped the sky, it was time to address the issue of hunger.
“Gurgle gurgle gurgle~”
Bang!
A mighty surge fell from the sky, bringing down two pigeons.
Besides that, he could also catch some wild boars and even fish in the neighboring ponds, catching some delicious fish. Tonight’s dinner was going to be a feast.
Then, he piled up firewood in front of the house, placed a few bricks, set up a rack, equipped with a metal grid, lit a fire, and roasted the meat directly.
After half a day’s rest, Mu Yiting had also recovered quite a bit, her stomach rumbling unconsciously.
She noticed the light of the fire outside and peeked out from the house, finding Lin Nuo roasting meat over the fire.
“Come over.”
Lin Nuo noticed Mu Yiting and uttered an invitation.
Mu Yiting unceremoniously took a seat next to Lin Nuo, holding a bottle of black beverage in her hand.
“Here’s the cold water you wanted,” she said.
“That was quick.”
Lin Nuo took the cold water without hesitation and gulped it down.
“Huuh~”
He let out a long sigh, feeling immensely satisfied. What better way to relieve worries than with a bottle of ‘Joy Water’?
In fact, he had tried making ‘Joy Water’ himself, but he couldn’t replicate the taste. Only Mu Yiting had that level of skill.
He had kept her around primarily for her ‘Joy Water.’ Once he had tasted it, living without it was unbearable.
The firelight cast a glow on Mu Yiting’s face, revealing a hint of melancholy.
Lin Nuo could see her worries, which was understandable. It was rare for him to represent and negotiate, and not only had the talks failed, but they were also being hunted. Now that his own followers had met with misfortune, she was left alone, and it was unclear how long her father’s power would last.
“Stop worrying, it’s no use. Better to enjoy some pigeon instead.”
Lin Nuo deliberately handed her the roasted pigeon, the fragrant scent wafting through the air.
Upon seeing the pigeon meat, Mu Yiting’s heart fluttered:
“You, where did you get this pigeon meat, it couldn’t be…”
“It’s not your carrier pigeon, so why panic? Besides, do you even have that thing anymore?”
“Um… that’s true…”
Mu Yiting realized, this wasn’t Tianling Mountain, and she hadn’t released any carrier pigeons. She was still trapped in the fear of Lin Nuo roasting her pigeon right in front of her.
Since then, she had developed a bit of a fear of roasted pigeons.
“Can I eat fish instead?”
“Yes, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
Lin Nuo continued to skillfully flip the fish on the fork, and after a while, the fish was roasted to perfection, sprinkled with some seasoning, and quickly became flavorful.
“Go ahead and eat.”
He handed the fork with the roasted fish to Mu Yiting, who didn’t hesitate to start eating.
Despite the dishevelment of being outside in the wilderness, dining with Lin Nuo was quite pleasant.
“I suggest you head back to Tianling Mountain first, at least they won’t come killing over there.”
“Um, I know, I’ll leave in a bit.”
“Better make it tomorrow, it’s too late today.”
“So where do I stay tonight?”
“Stay here.”
“Is that okay?”
“Where else could you go?”
“Alright then.”
Even though Lin Nuo was cold and indifferent, Mu Yiting felt a warmth in her heart at this moment.
Initially, she detested this man, but now she found him quite agreeable.
Mu Yiting could stay here, and he wasn’t worried about anyone coming to find them. The bodies were burned, no one was lurking nearby, and he had done a thorough spiritual detection. Even if someone did come looking in the middle of the night, he would know.
He wouldn’t go out of his way to save anyone, but since Mu Yiting had come, he would shelter her for the night.
There were two reasons: one, she was adept at making ‘happy water’; two, being with Mu Yiting felt like finding a kindred spirit, at least better than dealing with the righteous disciples of Xuan Yun Sect.
“I just looked inside, it’s all materials for mystical instruments, do you have any plans?” Mu Yiting changed the subject.
“There are plans, but they’ve fallen through. With the chaos in Tianhui District, I couldn’t find what I needed, thanks to your good deeds bringing enemies upon us.”
“If Xuan Yun Sect finds out, they will hold you accountable.”
“Are you planning to betray me?”
Lin Nuo’s piercing gaze shifted onto Mu Yiting, carrying an inexplicable aura of menace.
Mu Yiting shook her head: “I won’t, and there’s no need.”
“That’s fine then. Don’t worry about what I’m planning; just stay the night and leave when it’s time.”
Lin Nuo devoured the roasted pigeon and fish, took a swig of soda, savoring the delicious comfort, “I’ll say it again, don’t come testing me. I suggest you sort out your own family mess first.”
“I understand.”
“Oh, and by the way, make me some more ice water.”
“Sure, if you have the ingredients, I’ll make it even without rest.”
Though treated like a tool, Mu Yiting didn’t complain, feeling it was something she ought to do, and that was all there was to it.
After eating and drinking their fill, they extinguished the fire and returned to the hut. Although there was no bed, a spread-out mat on the floor was enough for sleep.
“I’m going to rest; do as you please.”
Lin Nuo spread out the carpet and lay down. As a villain, he had roughed it in all sorts of wilderness before, and sleeping outdoors was nothing new to him; laying on the ground brought back a sense of past struggles.
The armchair was left for Mu Yiting, but she didn’t use it, instead following Lin Nuo’s lead and lying down on the carpet.
Though she came from a mafia family, spending the night in the wild was a first for her.
Outside, the howling of wolves was somewhat terrifying. Lin Nuo hadn’t fallen asleep yet; he lay on his side, back to Mu Yiting, lost in thought.
Mu Yiting lifted a faint smile and gradually moved closer to Lin Nuo.
“Aren’t you sleeping in the armchair?” Lin Nuo noticed Mu Yiting also lying on the carpet and turned to look.
“Mm, I still prefer sleeping on the ground.”
“Then suit yourself, just don’t disturb my sleep.”
With that, he turned away again, continuing his contemplation.
Mu Yiting drew nearer, her head slowly resting against his back.