Chapter 0724: The Hypnotizing Color of the Moon
House Luolan's convoy continued to make its way towards the south.
They no longer encountered any obstacles after repelling Shen Jinxiao, so the convoy quickly arrived at the Tianshu Province.
Even though things were easy, the atmosphere was anything but. Jiang Qing'e's situation had not been resolved and everyone knew that she only had three months of time left. After that, if the sacrificial ignition of the Heart of Light was not resolved, her life would be at an end.
Jiang Qing'e held a very special position in House Luolan, and even though Li Luo was considered to be the rightful House Lord, the pavilion masters would usually still look for Jiang Qing'e out of habit whenever they had to report any matters.
Thus, if something really happened to her, the atmosphere would definitely be brooding.
As they rushed along for the next two days, even though Li Luo could feel the stifling pressure, he had no time to turn his attention towards these other matters, only spending all of his time by Qing'e's side.
...
The night sky descended like a black curtain dotted with the most radiant stars, a beautiful portrait of the universe.
House Luolan's convoy was like a long dragon. Numerous lamps were lit and tents were pitched one after another like small, white umbrellas that dotted the forest.
Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo were currently standing side by side atop a mountain, lowering their gazes to watch the clusters of campfires being lit coupled with sounds of life.
"You've spent too much time with me in the past two days. You are the core of House Luolan, so you should also take some time to reassure them. The migration of House Luolan has already caused the hearts of your people to be shaken. You, as the House Lord, can no longer afford to be as casual as before." Qing'e pushed away a strand of hair that had been blown loose by the chilly night wind as she smiled at Li Luo.
Jiang Qing'e's ethereal beauty was even more evident beneath the moonlit sky. Her porcelain-like face had a luster akin to the finest jade, and the short cape behind her was fluttering gently under the cool breeze. Moonlight bathed her slender and exquisite body, every curve embodying a work of art.
"Now that you're like this, how could I bother with anything else?" Li Luo sighed.
"House Luolan might be important, but it can't be compared to you!"
"Don't be so depressed. Let us worry about it when it happens. After all, don't we still have three more months?" Jiang Qing'e seemed very relaxed as she consoled him.
"You're taking this too lightly!" Li Luo's voice became a little heavier and his gaze turned downcast.
"I won't give you a chance to do this ever again. Let me settle things first. I should have just used the Heavenly Emperor's Writ a second time and shattered all of his remaining pillars!" Li Luo fumed, but a tinge of remorse could also be heard.
The last two days were full of self-loathing as he knew he should never have let Qing'e take action.
"That's still better than this. Now that the situation has come to a head, you only have three months left..."
Jiang Qing'e paused to think before she shook her head and gave a wry smile. "I would have gone crazy if I let you do that."
"Well, I've already gone crazy thinking about all of this! You were just being selfish!" Li Luo emotionlessly batted an eye at the slightly amused girl.
When faced with Li Luo's accusations, Jiang Qing'e smiled like a flower. Although her life force was constantly burning away, she had been full of smiles for the past few days.
"I've been thinking about how to resolve your situation... I concluded that if nothing changes, I will follow Aunt Yun back to the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent and I will bring you along. There are countless experts there who might be able to solve your problem." Li Luo sighed.
Although they were unwilling to leave the Xia Kingdom and House Luolan, there was no other option. Qing'e's life was the highest priority.
Qing'e's gaze moved slightly. "What about House Luolan? If we were to leave, it would be difficult for them to rebuild from the ashes."
"I'll temporarily leave it in the good hands of Sister Cai Wei. I don't expect it to grow significantly anyway. So long as we can protect its legacy, we will return eventually," Li Luo replied. Jiang Qing'e did not reject Li Luo's decision. With the changes in the Xia Kingdom, things had become chaotic. From a certain point of view, if one wanted to chase further heights, they would naturally have to leave for a location with more abundant resources.
The inner divine continents, on the other hand, were like cultivation holy grounds. Comparing the East Divine Continent to the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent was like comparing a backward county to the center of civilization.
Jiang Qing'e similarly had not forgotten that Li Luo's own lifespan was a ticking clock. He had five years to reach the Duke Stage.
More accurately, he only had four years left. Although he was at the Fiend Palace Tier, there were still quite a few more stages before the Duke Stage, and time was tight.
Entering the inner divine continent and relying on the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li would definitely make his path a lot smoother.
"Now that I look at it, aren't we afflicted with the same curse? One of us can only hold on for three months, while the other has four years. Truly a fateful and tragic pair of mandarin ducks," Jiang Qing'e said self-deprecatingly.
Li Luo nodded before he calmly said, "Indeed, life is tough. Thus, I do need a little sweetness in my soul to keep me going on."
Jiang Qing'e was slightly taken aback and was a little unresponsive. However, before she could ask what Li Luo meant, he had already reached out to grab her right hand and pulled her into his embrace, all while she was at a loss for words.
"Sister Qing'e, my heart aches. I need a little bit of sweetness." Li Luo adoringly looked at her. Her delicate features that were now so close to him looked even more exquisite under the moonlight. Without giving her a chance to react, he lowered his head. With a slight roughness, pressed his lips against hers.
Her delicate body froze up like a deer in headlights, a rich crimson surging up from her jade-like earlobes.
She had never expected Li Luo to act so brashly!
He actually dared to steal a kiss!
The heat coursing through her lips caused her heart to beat ever so quickly.
Her clear, golden eyes focused upon Li Luo's handsome face as he too stared right back into her eyes. Their gazes collided, and Jiang Qing'e could see all of the deep emotions running rampant within him.
There was terror and unease.
He was afraid.
He was afraid that he could not find a solution for her within the limited three months.
Although he seemed to be calm on the outside, it was only now that Qing'e realized that deep down, he was absolutely frightened.
This was a fear that had never surfaced. Not during the Housemeet, not when the Regent attacked—this was something she had never seen before.
However, her situation truly frightened him.
She could feel a deep sense of tenderness towards him surging up in her heart as she raised her palm.
Seeing her raise her hand, Li Luo's body shuddered and he reflexively and hurriedly retreated, covering his face with both his hands.
"Don't hit my face!"
Jiang Qing'e was completely taken aback, and a look of amusement surfaced on her face. "Weren't you being bold just a moment ago? Why are you scared of getting hit?" she coolly asked.
Li Luo gave a sheepish smile. He had acted in the spur of the moment, his decisions compounded by the complicated thoughts that flooded him. He had almost forgotten how mighty Jiang Qing'e's was right now... and she could probably swat him to death like an irritating fly.
However, after all these years... he had actually managed to kiss her. Perhaps being beaten up right now would be worth it.
Li Luo subconsciously glanced at her little, red lips and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. He had acted too recklessly, but that kiss was like the finest ambrosia, leaving behind a wonderful aftertaste.
Noticing Li Luo's slightly lewd gaze, complex emotions flashed through Qing'e's eyes. However, she, who always acted fiercely and valiantly, did not want to let her inner little girl out before this ravenous tiger. Instead, she glanced at Li Luo with a straight face.
"Tell me, Li Luo. How should I deal with you?"
Li Luo, on the other hand, didn't seem very concerned anymore. It was all worth it. Instead, he declared victoriously, "If you want to hit me, then do it!"
Jiang Qing'e sighed lightly. She would not be courteous then. She grasped Li Luo's robes and forcefully yanked.
Li Luo was astonished to feel that he was being pulled forward a step, and in the next instant, a familiar fragrance permeated his nose as Jiang Qing'e tiptoed slightly.
He could feel a delicate and warm sensation on his lips.
At the same time, a cool sensation passed through him when their bodies touched, almost like that of smooth jade.
Li Luo's eyes widened. At this distance, he could even see a rosiness bloom within Qing'e's snow-white skin. However, this was what she was truly like. She had a valiant character, but it was a shell for her inner shyness. At the same time, whenever she acted, she was direct and straightforward, unwilling to be controlled by Li Luo. This was who Jiang Qing'e was.
Ecstasy swept through Li Luo's heart like a storm.
He no longer held anything back, directly cradling her waist in his bosom. This was his rough counterattack against her slightly shy initiative!
Under the starry night, this was a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Beneath the mountain, Ox Biaobiao, Chi Chan, Cai Wei, and the rest of the people of House Luolan suddenly raised their heads and watched the two figures who were isolated in their own world, traces of smiles blooming on all their faces. It was the sweetest scene that they could not bear to interrupt.
Still, all good things had to come to an end eventually.
Two beams of light pierced through the sky, directly appearing atop the mountain.
Li Luo naturally felt their presence, so he reluctantly loosened his embrace. Jiang Qing'e, on the other hand, was as red as a beetroot, half panting as she buried her face in Li Luo's chest.
Li Luo raised his head and looked at the two figures in the sky, helplessly sighing.
One of them was Vice Principal Su Xin, whilst the other was a surprise to Li Luo. She had a head of long, golden hair and was a mature female beauty. Li Luo had seen her once before—she was the Resonance Artificers Hall’s head, Ling Zhaoying.
At this point, she was smiling cheerily at the two. "It looks like we came at an inopportune time."
Li Luo nodded in agreement.
Vice Principal Su Xin, on the other hand, smiled unhappily. "Do you think this brief moment of warmth is more important... or is saving her life more important?"
When Li Luo heard those words, he felt like he had been struck by a bolt of lightning and his eyes were like saucers.
Extreme joy surged from the depths of his heart.