At the same time, Bai Yu wasn"t the only one whose heart had nearly leapt out of his chest.
Li Meirong suffered a fright and stumbled back in surprise as well.
Upon entering her home, she wordlessly stared slack-jawed at the man resting comfortably on her single mattress.
"What the…"
The bed was obviously not made for him. Zhu Qingyue had his long legs bent in an uncomfortable looking position, yet his feet still dangled in the air. His dark robe was large and loose, contrasting with his fair skin and silver hair. It enveloped him like a blanket of darkness as he laid curled like a puppy. The blanket had dropped to the floor by the foot of the bed.
Li Meirong peeked a little closer and discovered the afflicted man was actually asleep! He looked serene and peaceful, resembling an ethereal fairy as he rested.
The moment she started advancing towards the bed, Bai Yu used the opportunity to save his life and escape her hold while keeping a close watch over His Lords.h.i.+p, in case he should wake up and incinerate him at any given moment. Bai Yu had been at his Lords.h.i.+p"s side for many years. He wasn"t even certain the Fox Lord had ever slept throughout the ages! He decided to be extra cautious and lingered near the doorway.
Li Meirong silently tiptoed towards the direction of the sleeping man.
At first, she wanted to kindly wake him up, but as she crept closer, she was able to tell by his heavy breathing and peaceful expression that he was indeed sound asleep, thus making her change her mind.
"What is he doing here?"
Li Meirong a.s.sumed it would be best to let him sleep peacefully, especially since he was terminally ill. She could always question him later.
She lifted the blanket from the floor and after making sure it was clean, she carefully draped it over Zhu Qingyue, keeping her movements gentle so as to not disrupt his slumber.
Then, Li Meirong went back to the cabin"s entrance and bent down in front of her Fox Spirit.
She whispered to her pet. "s...o...b..ll, I"m going to disappear from the cabin, but I"ll be back shortly. Meanwhile keep watch over this man, alright? He"s frail and ill so we have to be especially attentive to him."
"s...o...b..ll" blinked his big bright eyes at her, looking most aggrieved.
"What frail and ill?! This ferocious tiger doesn"t know the meaning of frailty! Her Ladys.h.i.+p is getting tricked again yet, I can"t tell her the truth! but if I stay here on my own, His Lords.h.i.+p would kill me. This won"t do, I must hug Her Ladys.h.i.+p"s powerful thighs."
Bai Yu"s thoughts were in a disarray. However, one thing he was sure of. He mustn"t stay here alone with His Lords.h.i.+p!
"No, master. I"m coming with you!" "s...o...b..ll" said as he nipped Li Meirong"s robe. Refusing to let her go.
Li Meirong stared helplessly at her peculiar little fox, experiencing a gush of warmth from his insistence.
Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she patted his head in adoration and said, "Ah, so now you remember the meaning of loyalty? Fine, come with me."
After arranging herself in a lotus position, she placed s...o...b..ll on her lap and began her meditation. Focusing her mind on her dimension in the same exact process which she had utilized to depart from it.
While Li Meirong was concentrating, her eyes were shut and her mind was in a state of higher consciousness. In comparison, Bai Yu was focused on his surroundings. His eyes were wide open and alert, locked on the dangerous G.o.d lying snugly a few steps away from him. In the split second prior to being transported alongside Her Ladys.h.i.+p, he noticed the unmistakeable predatory glint of Bai Qingyue"s vicious glare as he locked his narrowed eyes on him.
Bai Yu made a sign of prayer in thanks to the G.o.ddess of luck for allowing him to preserve his life and escape with Her Ladys.h.i.+p.
Regretfully, he knew this temporary reprieve won"t save him. Bai Yu resolved to somehow make certain Her Ladys.h.i.+p would protect him from his vengeful master and devise a plan before his impending sentence.
As Li Meirong connected her consciousness to the dimension, her soul transferred into the wondrous s.p.a.ce she discovered back when she was trapped inside the volcano. This time, she brought "s...o...b..ll" along with her.
The sweet scent of peach blossoms permeated the air. A gentle breeze carried the petals with it, circling Li Meirong as she materialized inside the flower field. The familiar sight of a majestic shrine surrounded by a wide meadow greeted her eyes.
"s...o...b..ll" had already dashed forward, hopping to and fro across the field. He seemed strangely ecstatic.
"T-this is the clan"s ancestral grounds!" The sound of his squeals echoed in the field.
Li Meirong looked ahead and observed the fluffy white b.u.t.t of her little fox skipping down in excitement as pink petals fell above his furry head.
"What are you so happy about?" Li Meirong curiously questioned.
Then, "s...o...b..ll" turned around and looked at his master"s inquisitive eyes, gulping a mouthful of saliva.