Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 200 | The Midnight Escape | Novela.app

"Foster Father, how much further is it to the treasure?" Tu Ao’zhi pointed to a spot on the local topographical map. "Look here. It’s roughly this position. At our current pace, it shouldn't take more than three days. Rest well tonight; we must pick up the speed tomorrow." "Dinner time, dinner time!" Lin Jianghong chirped as she approached. "Hey, where’s Chu Ruo?" Duan Ning walked over and patted her on the shoulder. "Xue’er is right here, yet you’re so concerned about your love rival?" Duan Ning was never one to keep quiet; she spent her days teasing Chu Ruo to stave off boredom. It hadn't taken long for her to see right through Lin Jianghong’s crush on Nan Muxue. Whether the others knew was one thing, but as far as she was concerned, it added a fresh layer of entertainment to this dreary journey. Lin Jianghong didn't even blush. "She and I are friends. Besides—" "Besides what?" "None of your business. Stop poking your nose where it doesn't belong." She walked over to Bai Zhi’er’s side. "Let’s eat. You promised me we’d spar again tonight." Bai Zhi’er was currently studying the map. Hearing this, she couldn't help but chuckle. "You little thing, why is sparring the only thing on your mind all day?" "I just want to beat all of you, that's all!" "And what if you do?" "Nothing in particular. This lady just feels like it." "You should look for Ruo’er. Only someone with her playful nature has the time to indulge your madness." "Anyway, I’m looking for you now. Can you all just hurry up and eat?" Lin Jianghong scanned the group again before asking Nan Muxue once more, "What exactly is Chu Ruo doing?" Nan Muxue replied expressionlessly, "She’s ill." Duan Ning curled her lip. "That girl really has turned into a bit of a weakling lately." Bai Zhi’er immediately grew anxious and moved to leave. "When did Ruo’er fall il—" However, Nan Muxue stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "I will look after her myself." "Move." "I will not." "By what right do you—" "By the right that she is mine." Fuming, Bai Zhi’er drew her needles. "It’s one thing if you can't take care of her, but I am going to see Ruo’er..." "It is unnecessary." Nan Muxue’s words were always brief, but her bluntness only fueled the fire in the worried Bai Zhi’er’s heart. "I insist on going today—" "Zhi’er," Tu Ao’zhi interjected. He looked at the two women and spoke calmly, "Chu Ruo has someone to care for her. Come back." "Foster Father!" "Are you refusing to listen even to my words?" "I..." "Our priority is finding the treasure. We must conserve our energy tonight. We cannot afford infighting." Bai Shan stood up abruptly. "Who says we’re on the same side as her?" Nan Muxue simply turned to leave, tossing a cold remark over her shoulder. "Before you try to bite, check how sharp your teeth are. Don't be a dog that only knows how to bark." "You!" Bai Shan’s temper flared instantly, but Bai Zhi’er caught her sister’s arm. "With her current martial arts prowess, we are no match for her." "We can't just let it go like this!" "Enough. Go back. I don't want any more trouble before we find the treasure. Especially you—stop provoking her." "I’m your sister!" "It is precisely because you are my sister that I worry for your safety." "Heh, is it because she’s our elder sister?" Bai Zhi’er frowned. "You’ve said enough. Go back." "Fine, I’ll shut up!" Bai Shan stomped back to her tent in a rage. Seeing this, Bai Zhi’er sighed softly and picked up some food to go and coax her sister. *** Inside the tent, the moment Nan Muxue entered, she was pulled into a warm embrace. She relaxed completely against the other woman, a smile finally touching her lips. Chu Ruo held her beloved close, taking her hand and peppering it with light kisses. "I didn't know I was sick. Care to explain?" "It was to prevent you from going out and making eyes at them." "That’s slander! Clearly, you’re the one flirting with that Lin Jianghong and you’re afraid I’ll see." Nan Muxue’s finger twitched toward a pressure point. "Hmm?" "If you really want to be a widow, then go ahead and poke me to death." "You..." "Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. Let’s talk business." "Who’s the one being troublesome? Shameless." ...The little scorpion was shifting the blame again. "So, what's the plan? Why have me hide in this tent pretending to be sick?" Nan Muxue tilted her head back and hooked her arms around Chu Ruo’s neck. "What does my disciple think?" "I think..." Chu Ruo leaned in close. "I think..." The atmosphere grew heavy with intimacy. Nan Muxue cooperatively closed her beautiful eyes, only to be met with a playful whisper. "I think we should eat first." She opened her eyes, "incensed" by the trickery. "Chu Ruo, you—" *Mwah.* The kiss was as light as a dragonfly skimming the water. Nan Muxue actually felt like laughing; this wasn't like her usual self. "Being so refined today?" "Mhm," Chu Ruo answered, her arms tightening around the slender waist. "I just wanted to try out how it feels when you kiss me like that." "And? How does it feel?" "Not enough." This time, Chu Ruo’s lips pressed down firmly, deepening the kiss. "I’m left wanting more." Eventually, the kiss had to end. Chu Ruo smacked her lips appreciatively. "A beauty in my arms..." "You..." "Let’s eat. I’m starving." Nan Muxue stopped her. "You can't eat this." Chu Ruo laughed. "I know. I can't eat the stuff you brought in. I’m talking about the food I prepared." Only then did Nan Muxue notice there was other food on the table. She looked at her lover. "That is rare for you." "What? Your disciple has always been exceptionally brilliant. Haven't you noticed?" "No." ... "Would it kill you to let me win once?" "Don't force your Master to kick you out." "You wouldn't have the heart." "Try me..." Chu Ruo blinked mischievously. "Because you’re going to take me and elope." This time, Nan Muxue truly laughed. "It seems I really did underestimate you." *** In the middle of the night, all the lights in the tents had been extinguished. Even the moon had hidden behind the clouds to rest. It was the perfect time to slip away. As their horses galloped through the dark, Chu Ruo spoke into Nan Muxue’s ear. "Why did we have to leave tonight?" "I thought you said you were smart. You can't figure that out?" "I..." Nan Muxue, however, still had the patience to explain things to her Ruo’er—a patience she reserved for her alone. "We are very close to the treasure. Everyone in that group has their own agenda. We must stay one step ahead of them to avoid falling behind." "True. Everyone serves a different master. But what about Duan Ning and Yin Liuli? They’re still loyal to you." "The more people there are, the more noise we make. Aside from you, I trust no one." Chu Ruo said smugly, "Being so heartless can be quite hurtful, you know." "Would you like your Master to treat you that way as well?" *Cough.* "That won't be necessary. I prefer being your one and only." "When did I ever say..." "You know, you’re at your least cute when you’re being this stubborn. Want something to eat?" Nan Muxue shook her head. "I’m not hungry." "Afraid I drugged my own food? Tell me, who do you think would have tampered with the meal tonight?" "Anyone is possible. Shen Ruoxuan, Yunshuang, your Zhi’er, or even Lin Jianghong." "Stop right there. How many times do I have to correct you? She isn't 'my' Zhi’er. But given Lin Jianghong’s blunt personality, she’s probably the least likely, right?" "One must always be on guard. Regardless of who it was, you must remember: trust no one except me." "I know," Chu Ruo finished for her, tightening her grip on Nan Muxue’s waist. "Xue’er, I know that the only ones we can rely on are each other." Nan Muxue squeezed her hand in return. "Ruo’er, I’ve said it before. I never believe in fate. I only believe in human effort. I believe in myself, and in you." "Mhm. But did we really have to leave tonight? There were still two or three days left. Won't leaving this early alert the others?" Nan Muxue simply smiled without a word. They pushed through the night and the following day. A journey that should have taken two and a half days was completed in just one. The horses were huffing heavily. Chu Ruo patted them soothingly. "Good horses, you’ve worked hard. I’ll feed you the best fodder every day once we get back." It was lucky they had brought two horses to rotate; otherwise, even if the riders could handle the pace, the animals would have collapsed. "We’re definitely a step ahead of everyone else this time, right?" Nan Muxue replied, "You asked me if we really had to leave tonight. Look." Chu Ruo looked into the distance. Though she couldn't see clearly yet, her exceptional hearing had already picked up the sound of galloping hooves. Soon, several dark silhouettes emerged—it was the rest of the group. "They... they’re this fast?" "Exactly. If we hadn't left, the others would have found a way to get here first. We absolutely cannot fall behind." Nan Muxue tightened her reins. "Let’s go!"