Chapter 28: Doesn’t Seem Like Acting

 

Back at the main hall with the statue, He Yimo already knew many of the trap triggers.

But since it was his first time solving this puzzle in reality, he worried that the mechanisms might differ from the original story. So, he cautiously guided Jiang Jinyue step by step toward the correct solution.

Now, however, things were different.

Successfully passing the first stage confirmed to He Yimo that the mountain temple’s structure was identical to the original.

He felt confident now.

Next…

He needed a way to lure Jiang Jinyue into a trap and claim the mountain temple’s treasures for himself.

He Yimo wasn’t about to go soft on Jiang Jinyue just because they’d spent some time together.

 

He still remembered how she had tricked him into barging into Mo Yuyan’s bath back at the Grand Tutor’s residence.

Even if Jiang Jinyue had never shown overt malice toward him, her mind worked in unpredictable ways. She could sweetly say something like “make your death meaningful” while plotting his demise. Who knew if tonight she’d do the same—caressing his face with pity before casting an illusion to send him to his death?

In the past, He Yimo had no choice but to follow her lead.

But now, with the advantage of knowledge and circumstances, he wouldn’t gamble his life on Jiang Jinyue’s conscience!

Moreover…

The mountain temple’s basement was where Gu Wanglan imprisoned the Nine-Colored Deer.

If He Yimo could trap Jiang Jinyue here, she’d become the perfect scapegoat for any missing treasures. It was a flawless plan!

“Junior Brother Yimo, be extra careful.”

“Even though I said I’d protect you, we should avoid triggering any strange traps!”

Walking through the narrow basement passage, Jiang Jinyue spoke with apparent concern.

She seemed fully immersed in their “teamwork,” as if they were truly solving puzzles together. But whether this was genuine or just her acting, He Yimo couldn’t tell.

“Don’t worry. I’ll only step where you step, Senior Sister.”

He Yimo replied earnestly, following obediently behind her.

They gradually made their way through the passage until they reached an open space.

“This…”

“There’s a natural cave down here?”

Standing at the tunnel’s exit, Jiang Jinyue looked around in astonishment.

Her surprise was genuine. Although she knew from prophecy that Gu Wanglan had hidden the Nine-Colored Deer in the mountain temple, she had no knowledge of its internal layout. This was her first time seeing it tonight.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

A few bats flapped their wings overhead.

As a chilling wind swept through, Jiang Jinyue felt an oppressive sense of danger emanating from the cave.

Her fox demon instincts screamed alarms—this place was far more perilous than the main hall with its eerie statue!

After all…

How big could a temple above ground be?

 

But this underground cave was vast—plenty of room for hidden traps and mechanisms!

“Senior Sister, if you’re scared, maybe we should head back…”

He Yimo feigned hesitation, trying to dissuade her.

For him, it didn’t matter what Jiang Jinyue decided.

If she chickened out, he’d have the cave to himself for looting.

If she pressed on, he’d ensure she fell victim to the cave’s traps!

“Scared? This place feels more open—much safer than that creepy statue earlier!”

The cherry-haired girl placed her hands on her hips and smiled back at He Yimo.

But the bead of sweat sliding down her forehead betrayed her unease.

He Yimo didn’t understand why Jiang Jinyue was so fixated on the mountain temple, but he could empathize with her current predicament. As a fox demon with innate charm and illusion abilities, her strengths lay in manipulating living beings—not dealing with physical traps.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have triggered earlier mechanisms that got her hit by an iron ball and hung from a tree.

Could she cast illusions on an iron ball to stop it from hitting her?

Obviously not.

And this was precisely why He Yimo felt confident moving forward!

“Let’s go!”

After a moment to steady her breathing, Jiang Jinyue mustered her courage and spoke up.

 

But instead of jumping into the cave alone, she turned and extended a hand toward He Yimo.

Caught off guard by her sudden gesture, He Yimo froze momentarily.

The girl blinked curiously and urged him:

 

“Come on—hold my hand! It’s a long drop down. You’re new to Wuji Sect—what if you hurt yourself jumping?”

“Oh… okay.”

Still dazed, He Yimo stepped forward and took her hand.

She pulled him along as they jumped into the cave together.

 

Mid-air, Jiang Jinyue held his hand tightly. Glancing back at his nervous expression, she flashed him a sweet peach blossom smile.

She seemed completely unbothered by earlier tensions.

 

At some point, holding hands had shifted from He Yimo taking advantage to Jiang Jinyue treating it as normal behavior.

Now it was He Yimo who felt awkwardly out of place.

Was this the subtle influence of her Enchantress physique?

 

He Yimo couldn’t help but wonder inwardly.

It wasn’t until they landed safely that he snapped out of his thoughts. Steeling himself mentally, he reminded himself not to fall for Jiang Jinyue’s gentle facade.

Another mournful deer cry echoed from deeper within the cave, guiding their path forward.

 

Jiang Jinyue narrowed her enchanting eyes with determination:

“Let’s go—it must be up ahead!”

“Alright.”

She led the way while He Yimo followed at a safe distance behind her.

This time, Jiang Jinyue moved with extreme caution. Every step was deliberate; every floor tile scrutinized carefully before stepping on it.

He Yimo wasn’t in a hurry. Maintaining a neutral expression, he kept a safe distance behind her.

 

Until an unusual sound came from beneath Jiang Jinyue’s feet—He Yimo’s cold eyes flickered briefly with intrigue.

Reacting quickly, he stepped back two paces to create more distance.

The next moment—chaos erupted as multiple arrows shot out from hidden mechanisms behind Jiang Jinyue—

“Watch out, Senior Sister!”

He Yimo called out theatrically.

 

But Jiang Jinyue had no time to respond. Biting her lip lightly, her blood-red eyes scanned her surroundings as she bent and twisted to dodge the incoming arrows.

One arrow. Two arrows. Three arrows…

“That was close!!”

Jiang Jinyue gritted her teeth and exhaled sharply.

 

The final arrow grazed past her chest. Though she narrowly avoided it, it still tore through one of her straps.

Clutching her chest with one hand, she leaned against the wall, breathing heavily in tension.

But then—

“Senior Sister! Are you okay?”

He Yimo’s concerned voice echoed as he ran toward her.

 

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Jinyue’s mind. She wanted to shout for him to stop—but it was already too late—

Click!

He Yimo triggered another mechanism as he approached recklessly.

 

【Damn fool.】

【I was counting on your token to deal with Gu Wanglan—don’t waste it on minor traps!】

Seeing danger approach him now—Jiang Jinyue couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry for He Yimo despite herself…

Standing up straight—her enchanting eyes darted around anxiously—trying to identify where this new trap would strike from…

But then—

“Wait! Why is this trap targeting me?!”

Rumble rumble rumble!!!

 

A massive boulder descended from above!

Reacting swiftly—Jiang Jinyue dove forward—barely avoiding being crushed into paste…

The boulder crashed down—severing their path and kicking up clouds of dust that obscured their view of each other…

For a moment—Jiang Jinyue found herself cut off—feeling slightly panicked…

 

She’d been as cautious as possible—not daring move unnecessarily—but these interconnected traps seemed designed specifically to corner her…

Arrows and poison needles rained down relentlessly from all directions—forcing her into frantic evasive maneuvers…

“Damn it… what kind of twisted hobby does Gu Wanglan have…”

After several minutes of dodging—Jiang Jinyue was gasping for breath…

 

Abandoning caution entirely—she began triggering traps indiscriminately as she ran through the cave…

As more traps activated—Jiang Jinyue finally revealed her true fox demon form in desperation…

Invisible flames engulfed her body—transforming into a gothic blood-red evening gown…

Three flaming tails materialized behind her—raging wildly as her true form emerged—

Rumble rumble!!!

More boulders fell from above…

 

This time—Jiang Jinyue didn’t bother dodging—instead using her wide crimson tails as shields—blocking everything with brute force…

After several more minutes—the dust began settling—and amidst scattered rubble—the white-clad boy emerged unscathed…

His expression remained calm as he surveyed his surroundings—his pristine robe untouched by dirt or debris…

Perhaps realizing how out-of-place his clean appearance seemed amidst chaos—he casually leaned against a nearby rock pile—smearing dust onto himself while wiping mud across his face…

Satisfied with his disguise—he continued deeper into the cave…

Along the way—he carefully erased his tracks while scattering strands of hair he’d collected earlier…

These strands carried faint traces of fox demon scent…

Having hugged and carried Jiang Jinyue multiple times tonight—he’d subtly gathered plenty of her hair and scent without notice…

Finally—after half an hour’s journey—he found her collapsed on the ground at the cave’s end…

Unlike him who’d dirtied himself intentionally—she genuinely looked battered—with blood-streaked lips and torn clothes stained red…

Standing at a distance—He Yimo narrowed his cold eyes studying her condition briefly…

Then—

“Senior Sister Jiang! Are you alright?!”

Rushing forward frantically—he cried out in panic—

 

“I’m so sorry… it’s all my fault…”

Cradling the barely conscious girl in his arms—his face turned pale with guilt and remorse…

Seeing him nearly in tears—Jiang Jinyue finally opened her enchanting eyes…

 

Gazing at He Yimo’s tear-filled expression—a blood-red kaleidoscope-like curse mark flickered within her pupils…

Simultaneously—a similar mark reflected faintly within He Yimo’s eyes—but he showed no reaction—instead continuing apologizing profusely while holding her tightly…

As one tear fell onto Jiang Jinyue’s face—the suspicion in her blood-red eyes softened slightly…

【This isn’t an act…】

【He’s genuinely crying because he’s worried about me.】

For some reason—a strange emotion flickered within Jiang Jinyue’s gaze…

 

Since losing her homeland—it had been years since anyone cared for her like this…

Saying nothing further—she let He Yimo bury his face against her chest as he sobbed uncontrollably…

Leaning against him quietly—she listened to his heartbeat…

After some time passed—

Perhaps growing bored of playing dead—

Jiang Jinyue opened her peach blossom eyes again—a faint smile curling at her lips:

“Silly boy—you look so scared…”

“I’m not dead yet!”

This time—her reassurance felt sincere…

 

Sitting up slowly—she gently caressed his face speaking softly…

In that moment—it seemed as though all traces of exhaustion vanished from her complexion—as warmth returned coloring cheeks rosy once more…