I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 569 Heading to Northern Mang

When Qin Mu returned to the inn, dusk was slowly falling from the edge of the eaves.

When he pushed open the inn's door, the light in the lobby was already mostly dim. Several oil lamps were lit one after another, and the warm yellow light spread out irregular patches of light on the blue brick floor.

The waiter, who was dozing off at a table, sat up abruptly upon hearing the door open. Seeing it was Qin Mu, he quickly wiped his hands and greeted him with a broad smile.

"Young Master Zhao is back? There's still some hot water on the stove, shall we take it up to you?"

Qin Mu waved his hand, did not stop, and walked straight through the lobby and up the stairs.

The footsteps made a steady and rhythmic sound on the wooden steps, neither fast nor slow, like someone who was not in a hurry to get back to their room or to get somewhere.

The second-floor corridor was quiet, with only a few guest rooms at the far end letting in warm light through their door cracks.

He stopped in front of the door to the innermost room, raised his hand and pushed the door open.

The moment the door was pushed open, everyone in the room stood up.

The candles in the room were already lit, and the light shining through the lampshade bathed the entire room in a soft, warm glow.

Jiang Zhaoyue was the first to stand up. She gently closed the scroll on her lap, placed it on the side of the chair, then stood up, bowed her head slightly, her posture respectful but not deliberate, like someone who was already used to maintaining politeness when seeing him.

Yunluan moved half a step away from the side of the door. Her original posture of placing her hand on the sword hilt remained unchanged, but her body turned slightly towards Qin Mu's direction. She nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over his face to confirm that he was unharmed, before resuming her silent posture, like a sword ready to be drawn at any moment.

Xu Fenghua stood up from the shadows.

She put down her teacup, folded her hands in front of her, and bowed her head slightly, her posture dignified and quiet, like someone who was used to expressing respect through silence in the deep palace.

She didn't look directly at Qin Mu, but stood there quietly, waiting for him to sit down first.

Yun Suxin also stood up from the corner against the wall.

Her movements were neither fast nor slow, like someone who had learned to obey and no longer needed to be reminded what to do.

Her gaze fell on Qin Mu, but she didn't speak. She just stood there quietly, like a blade of grass that had been blown by the wind for a long time at the foot of a wall, and had become accustomed to keeping her height low.

Han Xin'er stood up from the low stool, gently placing the unfinished grasshopper she was weaving on the stool. She took half a step back, stood with her hands at her sides, like a well-mannered young lady who knew when to be quiet and when to back down.

Her gaze lingered on Qin Mu's face for a moment before lowering again.

Chen Wanqing stood up from the inner corner, the rolled-up document in her hand already closed, and placed on the corner of the table.

She straightened her clothes, lowered her head slightly, her posture respectful yet natural.

Mingyue stood up from the low couch, her slightly curled long hair slipping from her shoulders. She turned slightly to the side, making room for the window, and lowered her head, like a shadow that knew where it was.

There was a cautious submissiveness in her posture, like someone who had been repeatedly torn apart by fate and had learned to exchange stability for the lowest posture.

Su Wan also stood up. She straightened her clothes, folded her hands in front of her, and stood up straight, like a well-mannered woman who maintained proper respect in front of her elders.

Her gaze fell on Qin Mu, then shifted away, quietly waiting for him to speak first.

Chen Ruoyao was originally sitting in the seat closest to the inner room. When she saw Qin Mu come in, she stood up, turned slightly to the side, and made room for him in the chair next to the table.

Her movements were more natural than others, as if she were someone who had become accustomed to such etiquette in more private settings.

Qin Mu's gaze swept over everyone, but he neither said "no need for formalities" nor deliberately softened his tone.

He walked to the table, sat down, and poured himself a cup of tea. The tea was warm, as if someone had prepared it in advance and placed it there.

He picked up his glass, took a sip, put it down, leaned back in his chair, and glanced at the people standing in the room, as if he were used to this scene: "Please sit down."

Everyone then took their seats one by one, returning to their previous positions.

Jiang Zhaoyue sat on the chair by the window, Yun Luan still stood by the door, Xu Fenghua sat back in the shadows, Yun Suxin leaned back against the wall, Han Xin'er sat back on the low stool and picked up the unfinished grasshopper, Chen Wanqing sat back in the corner, Mingyue sat down again by the low couch, Su Wan sat back in her seat, and Chen Ruoyao sat nearby.

Qin Mu held his teacup, as if waiting for the silence in the room to completely settle before slowly speaking: "In a few days, I need to go to Northern Mang."

When those words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment, like a pebble thrown into still water, creating ripples that spread outwards.

Jiang Zhaoyue raised her head, her gaze falling on his face: "Northern Mang?" she asked softly, as if confirming something.

"Yes," Qin Mu said. "Xu Longxiang wants to form an alliance with the Northern Barbarians and asked me to investigate their strengths and weaknesses."

Jiang Zhaoyue didn't press further, but simply nodded slightly, as if to confirm that she already knew.

Yunluan removed her hand from the sword hilt and said briefly, "Your subject will also go."

Her tone was flat, as if she were talking about something that didn't need to be discussed at all.

Xu Fenghua remained seated in the shadows, gently turning the teacup in her hand, causing a faint ripple to spread across the surface of the water.

She kept her eyes downcast and said softly, "Your Majesty... I will go too."

Han Xin'er finally finished weaving the last arc of the grass stem in her hand. She raised her head and said earnestly, "I will go too. I shouldn't cause His Majesty any trouble."

When she said "Your Majesty," her voice was very natural, as if she was already used to calling him that when there were only a few of them.

Chen Wanqing also stood up and gave a slight curtsy: "This humble woman is willing to accompany Your Majesty."

Mingyue raised her head from the low couch, her slightly curled long hair slipping down her shoulders to reveal a delicate face.

She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Mingyue wants to go too."

Su Wan nodded, her voice soft: "This humble woman is also willing to go."

Yun Suxin remained seated against the wall until everyone had finished speaking. Then she looked up at Qin Mu and asked, "Xu Longxiang and Bai Yujing... probably don't know His Majesty's identity yet, right?"

She asked slowly, as if sorting through something, with a hint of confirmation in her tone.

Qin Mu put down his teacup: "I don't know."

Yun Suxin nodded slightly and didn't ask anything else. It was as if she had confirmed something that she had always kept in her heart, and then she fell silent again.

Chen Ruoyao sat nearby, remaining silent the entire time. She simply sat there quietly, as if waiting for an arrangement whose outcome she already knew, requiring no further explanation.

Everyone had taken their seats, and the candlelight burned quietly in the lampshade, casting their sitting or standing figures onto the wall like a silhouette painting soaked in water.

The night breeze from outside the window seeped in through the cracks, causing a layer of extremely fine water droplets to condense on the rim of the teacup on the table.

The phrase "go to Beimang" was like a pebble thrown into the water, creating the first ripples, while the unseen undercurrents beneath the surface quietly changed direction at that moment.

Qin Mu's gaze lingered on the room for a moment.

Looking at the people in front of him, he had already guessed their reaction.

Neither Yun Luan, nor Jiang Zhaoyue, nor Yun Suxin would choose to stay after he decided to go to Northern Mang.

They were used to following.

I've gotten used to standing behind him.

Qin Mu didn't say anything more, but simply picked up his teacup and drank the tea in one gulp.

"alright."

Let's rest for today.

"The journey to the Northern Wilderness is not urgent."

After he finished speaking, he got up and left.

Everyone stood up to see them off.

Stepping out of the inn's second floor, a night breeze greeted me.

The autumn nights in the North are colder than those in the Central Plains. The wind carries a dry chill, blowing past the lanterns lining the streets and causing their tiny flames to sway gently.

Qin Mu walked along the path in the backyard of the inn.

There is a small courtyard there.

The courtyard wall is not high, and inside there are several trees that have begun to turn yellow.

This is a quiet place specially arranged by the innkeeper.

Lin Xiaolu lives there.

When Qin Mu pushed open the courtyard gate, he heard a girl's cheerful voice coming from inside.

"Little White, you've stolen my pastries again."

"I've told you so many times, you can't do this."

"If you keep doing this, I won't let you eat anymore."

The sound was crisp and clear.

She possesses the vivacity unique to young girls.

Qin Mu stood at the door, looking at the scene in the courtyard, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

In the center of the courtyard.

Lin Xiaolu was squatting on the ground, holding a piece of pastry in her hand, scolding a small animal that had appeared out of nowhere.

She was wearing a light-colored dress, and her long hair was simply tied back.

She lacked the poise of a lady from a prominent family, and the aloofness of a spiritual practitioner.

She was just like an ordinary girl next door.

simple.

Clean.

Lin Xiaolu was taken aback when she saw Qin Mu appear.

Then a smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Brother Zhao?"

She stood up and hid the pastries behind her back.

"Why are you here?"

Qin Mu walked into the courtyard, looked at her, and smiled, "Can't I come to see you?"

"sure."

Lin Xiaolu quickly said.

But after she finished speaking, she felt that she had reacted too quickly, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She lowered her head and said softly, "I'm just a little surprised."

Qin Mu smiled, not revealing her little scheme.

The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled.

Lin Xiaolu poured Qin Mu a cup of tea.

They were very focused on their movements.

It was as if this was a very important matter.

Qin Mu watched her busy figure and remained silent for a while.

He then spoke.

"Little deer".

"Um?"

The girl looked up.

Qin Mu looked at her and said:

I need to leave for a while.

Lin Xiaolu's smile vanished instantly.

The teapot in her hand paused slightly.

"leave?"

She repeated it.

The voice noticeably lowered.

Qin Mu nodded.

"Um."

"I'm going to Northern Mang."

The words "Northern Mang" were uttered.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Lin Xiaolu looked at Qin Mu.

The smile that had been there just now slowly disappeared from those clear eyes.

She seemed surprised by the suddenness of the news.

"Northern Mang..."

She read it aloud softly.

Then he looked up and asked:

"Brother Zhao, when are you coming back?"

Qin Mu did not answer immediately.

Because he himself didn't know.

The journey to Northern Mang involved too many things.

Xu Longxiang.

Baiyujing.

The Northern Mang royal court.

And then there are those forces hidden in the shadows.

There's no telling when I'll be able to return from this trip.

Seeing Qin Mu's silence, Lin Xiaolu seemed to understand something.

Her grip on the teacup tightened slightly.

But soon, she smiled again.

"When is Brother Zhao leaving?"

"tomorrow."

Two words.

The girl's body stiffened slightly.

tomorrow.

So fast.

She originally thought there were still a few days left.

I thought I could spend some more time with Brother Zhao.

But now, she suddenly realized that she seemed to have made no preparations at all.

Qin Mu looked at her expression and said softly:

"Little Deer, I'm just going to take care of some things, it's not that I'm leaving and never coming back."

"Although the Northern Wilderness is dangerous, I have my own plans."

Lin Xiaolu lowered her head.

After a while.

She suddenly looked up.

"Then I'll go too."

The sound was very soft.

But without any hesitation.

Qin Mu was slightly taken aback.

"you?"

Lin Xiaolu nodded.

"Um."

"I'm going to Northern Mang too."

She spoke very seriously.

It doesn't seem like he's acting out of spite.

It didn't sound like she was being coquettish.

It was simply a decision that was made.

Qin Mu looked at her and smiled:

"The Northern Wilderness is very dangerous."

"I know."

Lin Xiaolu answered quickly.

"There are many bad people there, and a lot of danger."

"But……"

She paused for a moment.

Their gazes fell on Qin Mu.

"Why can't I go where Brother Zhao is going?"

This sentence made Qin Mu fall silent for a moment.

Lin Xiaolu looked down at her fingers.

The sound gradually faded.

"When I was living alone outside, no one cared about me."

"When I was in danger, there was no one around."

"But then I met Brother Zhao."

"You've helped me many times."

"so……"

She looked up.

His eyes were focused.

"I don't want to just wait here when Brother Zhao needs someone."

A night breeze blew by.

A strand of hair on the girl's forehead fluttered gently.

She didn't say anything earth-shattering.

There was no mention of being together through thick and thin.

It's just a very simple sentence.

I want to follow you.

Qin Mu looked at her.

I suddenly remembered the first time I met Lin Xiaolu.

At that time, she was still a little girl who didn't understand anything but was stubborn and refused to give in.

A piece of pastry can make you happy.

They get angry over the smallest things.

They are afraid in the face of danger.

But now, she is able to calmly say that she wants to go to Northern Mang with him.

Qin Mu sighed softly.

"Do you know what you'll encounter if you follow me?"

Lin Xiaolu nodded.

"Know."

"You might get hurt."

"There might be danger."

"It might be very tough."

She paused for a moment, then smiled.

"But isn't Brother Zhao the same?"

Qin Mu was taken aback.

Lin Xiaolu looked at him.

"Since Brother Zhao isn't afraid..."

"Then I'm not afraid."

The courtyard fell silent.

Only the sound of the autumn wind blowing through the treetops could be heard.

Qin Mu looked at the girl in front of him, and after a long while, he finally smiled.

"it is good."

"Then let's go together."

Lin Xiaolu's eyes lit up immediately.

"real?"

Qin Mu nodded.

"real."

The girl couldn't help but laugh.

That smile was even brighter than the lights in the courtyard.

She stood up, as if suddenly remembering something, and quickly said:

"Then I'll go pack my things now."

After saying that, she turned and ran into the house.

He ran a couple of steps, then suddenly stopped.

He turned to look at Qin Mu.

"Brother Zhao."

"Um?"

"Wait for me."

Qin Mu looked at her.

He nodded with a smile.

"it is good."

The girl then ran into the house with peace of mind.

The door was closed.

Qin Mu stood in the courtyard, looking at the door, his eyes gradually becoming deep.

Northern Mang.

This journey was destined to be anything but peaceful.