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Back to Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion

The Third Wheel's Intrusion

Chapter 60

Everything had been going beautifully until a sudden downpour unceremoniously drenched them. One moment, Chu Ruo was locked in a romantic embrace with the woman she loved; the next, she was frantically supporting a drunken Nan Muxue back to their room. Perhaps because she was in such high spirits, Nan Muxue had picked up the wine jar again after they collapsed into the flowers and drank quite a bit more. Now, she was well and truly intoxicated. "Let's go, let's go, back to the room..." "Ruo’er... Ruo’er..." "Don't wobble! Where are you going? This way." The two stumbled along. Nan Muxue’s face was bright with a smile, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, only murmuring that one name over and over. "Ruo’er..." "I'm here, I'm here," Chu Ruo grunted, struggling to keep the other woman’s arm draped over her shoulder. She muttered to herself, "You don't usually feel this heavy. Does your weight go up when you drink?" She imagined what would happen if the Little Scorpion were sober right now—the thought made her shrink her neck in phantom terror. *Terrifying.* "Ruo’er, you're back..." "I'm back, and I'm never leaving again." Chu Ruo’s nose felt a bit prickly. In truth, no matter how potent the wine, Nan Muxue had a formidable tolerance. If she weren't truly exhausted, if she hadn't completely let down her guard and relaxed her soul, how could she have gotten this drunk? Chu Ruo tried to snatch the jar from her hand. "No more drinking. Go back and rest." Instead of letting go, Nan Muxue raised her hand, and the remaining wine splashed directly onto Chu Ruo’s clothes. *Gods help me.* Drenched in both rain and wine, Chu Ruo finally managed to haul her back to the room and deposit her onto the bed. The other woman showed no intention of getting up, simply lying there as she was. Chu Ruo walked over and stared at that face for a long time. Finally, a tender smile broke across her lips. "You Little Scorpion, getting drunk and leaving me to wait on you. Hmph. And you have the nerve to call yourself my Master. With that arrogant personality of yours, you’d probably put on airs and tell me, 'As your Master, it is only right that you serve me; this is your duty.' Ugh, I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Just you wait. I’ll wipe your face and change your clothes." By the time she finished the task, Chu Ruo felt exhausted herself. She washed up quickly and climbed into bed, but sleep eluded her. She lay on her side, facing her companion. It was rare to be able to look at her so directly while she was unconscious. Nan Muxue was always more alert than her; she never allowed herself such indulgence. Her life had always been one of walking on eggshells. Aching with sympathy, Chu Ruo reached out to stroke her cheek—a gesture the other woman had done to her countless times. "Xue’er." Nan Muxue shifted, startling Chu Ruo into thinking she’d woken her. Instead, the woman simply fumbled about until she accurately burrowed into Chu Ruo’s embrace. Her voice was uncharacteristically clingy. "Ruo’er... sleepy..." That soft, sweet mumble was entirely unlike Nan Muxue’s usual style—likely a rare side effect of the alcohol. Combined with her flushed face, the drunken Little Scorpion was incredibly alluring. It was practically a crime. When she restlessly nuzzled against Chu Ruo’s neck, it felt like a deliberate provocation. Chu Ruo swallowed hard. The memory of changing the other woman’s clothes—including her inner robes—flashed vividly in her mind. She hadn't thought much of it then, but now her throat felt parched. She looked down at the woman in her arms, then quickly tilted her head back, terrified her nose might start bleeding. *What kind of torture is this? Doesn't she know I've been craving her? Is this a test? No, I can't. Even if we are of one mind, and even if she’d probably just punish me with some copying exercises tomorrow morning if I did something... the point is, she’s unconscious. I can't be a creep. I’m a proper lady; I must endure. Control, control, and more control.* Once the thought took root, it refused to leave. Chu Ruo didn't dare move a muscle for fear of losing her restraint. Yet Nan Muxue kept shifting in her arms, hugging her tighter and tighter. Chu Ruo wanted to cry; she wanted to shake this oblivious woman awake. *Don't you know you're playing with fire?* Forget it. She couldn't sleep like this. Maybe she should just make a pallet on the floor, or she’d go mad. But just as she tried to move the other woman’s hand to get up, Nan Muxue—despite being so drunk she couldn't open her eyes—clutched her tightly. Her tone turned anxious and tense. "Ruo’er, don't go! Don't go anywhere! Don't leave me again! I won't let anything happen to you! Ruo’er!" That panicked expression made Chu Ruo’s heart ache again. She turned back and pulled the beloved woman into her arms once more. "I'm not going. Be good, I'm right here by your side." She kissed her forehead. "If you're tired, sleep. I'm here; everything is fine." She had brought the wine specifically so the other woman could rest. If not for her exhaustion, her trust, her happiness, and a thousand other reasons, she would never have traded her sobriety for this stupor. It was all for her. "Sleep..." *** Morning. "You're awake?" The moment Nan Muxue opened her eyes, her bedmate pressed close to her. She rubbed her eyes. "What are you doing?" "Hehe." Chu Ruo leaned in with a wicked, suggestive grin. "Aren't you going to ask what happened last night?" Nan Muxue glanced around, finally settling her gaze on herself. Seeing the fresh inner robes, she understood a few things. She felt a flash of bashfulness but followed it with a knowing, light laugh. "What is there to ask?" Chu Ruo persisted, pressing close to whisper in her ear, "Last night... you became mine..." Nan Muxue immediately pinched her cheek. "Is that so?" "Ow, ow! Gentler! It was a joke, a joke! I lied!" *Really, not cute at all, Little Scorpion.* Unfortunately, Chu Ruo realized her brain was like a sieve; she never learned her lesson. She had only just called her "Little Scorpion" in her head when karma arrived. "It seems Ruo’er has lived in comfort for too long and is tired of living..." "I was wrong, okay? Xue’er, Xue’er~" Nan Muxue finally let go, but Chu Ruo snatched her hand and began to toy with it. "Tell me, what happened last night?" "It’s obvious. You got drunk and threw up. It was quite a spectacular scene. I told you that you can't drink..." Before she could finish, Nan Muxue flipped over and pinned her down. Chu Ruo’s "clueless" trait manifested instantly. "What? You want to kiss like we did on the tree? There’s not enough room on this bed for those acrobatics." For a split second, Chu Ruo was certain she saw a sinister glint in the Little Scorpion’s smile. Before she could react, the other woman’s hand reached behind her back, sliding inside her clothes. Tension—pure, unadulterated tension. Was the Little Scorpion going to have her way with her in broad daylight? *How scandalous!* "You... what are you... what are you doing?" Normally, the other woman would have mocked or snapped at her, but she didn't. Her hand stopped, two fingers pressing against a specific spot on Chu Ruo’s spine. She said slowly, "Right here. If I press in three inches, you will drop dead on the spot, beyond any hope of recovery. Will you tell the truth now?" *Are you for real? I make one joke and you want my life? What kind of Little Scorpion is this? What kind of 'Big Sister' did I find? You're a monster! Why did I fall for you? No, why was I so unlucky to transmigrate and meet you? Waaaah...* "One inch." Two words, crisp and cold. "Stop it! If I die, you won't even count as a widow!" "Mind your tongue." Before the words had even faded, Chu Ruo felt the pressure on her back deepen. "I'll talk, I'll talk! You really did drink too much. You kept vomiting, all over both of us. I had no choice but to change our clothes, and then..." "Two inches." "No, wait! You're serious?" Cold sweat poured down her face. To think she had fantasized about a bashful morning after, or at least some sweet talk and cuddling. Where was the affection? This was not beautiful at all. "Two and a half inches." As she grumbled internally, the fingers poked in further. "The truth." *Waaaah, I don't want this woman anymore!* "It rained suddenly, you were drunk and spilled wine on your clothes, so I helped you back and changed us both. That's it!" The hand on her back vanished instantly. *Phew.* What a relief. As the other woman lay back down, Chu Ruo huddled close to her. "Can that spot really kill someone?" Nan Muxue rolled over to face away from her, answering airily, "Half an inch to the left." Chu Ruo nodded, then realized something. "Wait, you didn't need to put your hand inside my clothes for that, did you?" *Little Scorpion, you're taking advantage of me!* Though, technically, it was just her back, and considering she’d seen everything while changing her clothes yesterday, what did a back-rub matter? The other woman paused, then said, "Your skin is thick; I had to go inside to be precise." While speechless, Chu Ruo also felt a sense of realization. The Little Scorpion had learned to be naughty and scare people. But ultimately, she still cared about her—see, she’d shifted her aim away from the lethal spot. "What are you smirking at?" Hearing the movement behind her, Nan Muxue kept her eyes closed, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "Nothing, just in a good mood." She wrapped her arms around the other woman’s waist from behind. "Xue’er really does care for me." "Weren't you just calling me a Little Scorpion in your head a second ago?" "You're not being cute now. Why are you facing away? Turn around." "My neck hurts." "Then..." Chu Ruo was famously shameless. She propped herself up and squeezed into the space in front of her. "It’s the same if I sleep on this side." She finally succeeded, and Nan Muxue opened her eyes to see that brilliant, beaming face. "Thick-skinned." "I just want to hold you. Xue’er, Xue’er~" Chu Ruo might never know that she was someone’s Achilles' heel, to the point where the other woman was willing to do anything for her. Nan Muxue allowed herself to be pulled into that embrace. "You say you want to practice martial arts, but it seems you only ever practice your silver tongue." "I'll go practice in a bit. But my internal power is sealed, and I'm a patient, so... so I'm just being a bit lazy. Besides, with you in bed, how could I focus on anything else..." A jade-like finger pressed against her lips. "Don't make me kick you out of bed." *How many times have you threatened me with that? Do you even keep count?* "Can't you be a bit gentler with me? When you were pretending to be Yan’er, you were so..." "If you want gentle, go find your Zhier." "I don't know if your martial arts are number one in the world, but when it comes to the ability to choke someone with your words, you are definitely Dugu the Unbeaten." "Dugu the Unbeaten? Who is that? What an arrogant name." She thought for a moment, then asked thoughtfully, "Is this person a figure from your world?" "See, my Xue’er is so smart. Sort of. He’s a master from a book, known as the Sword Demon. He never lost a single battle. To him, grass, wood, bamboo, and stone could all be used as swords. Do you think this world has someone like that?" Nan Muxue shook her head. "There is no one that powerful. If there were, the martial world would not be so fractured." "Even if there were, they probably couldn't unite it. Everyone acts for their own interest. Even if he were invincible and everyone made him the Alliance Leader, there would always be someone harboring ill intent. Or perhaps his power would be so great that it would force everyone to unite just to oppose him." "If Mother completes her *Love Flower Intoxication*, I fear she would be no less powerful than such a person." "Is the martial art your mother practices that strong?" The other woman nodded, her expression turning deep and serious—a look Chu Ruo hadn't seen in a while. "With every level of *Love Flower Intoxication*, its power increases tenfold. The tenth level is more than a hundred times stronger; it reaches a state of pure transcendence. If she succeeds, it will surely trigger a bloodbath." "That's insane. What level are you at?" "I haven't practiced it." "Why?" "Mother never allows anyone else to learn it. Besides, the technique is tyrannical. To practice it, one must first possess extremely high internal power—at least twenty years of cultivation. Then, one must destroy their own cultivation before they can begin. Who would be willing to throw away decades of hard work? Furthermore, the true qi flows backward in the body; the higher the level, the harder it becomes. It even requires the use of poisons. In short, it is agonizing. Legend says that if completed, one becomes invincible, but no one has ever succeeded. And to practice this art, one must sever all love and emotion." "Oh," Chu Ruo interrupted with a playful grin. "So someone’s heart isn't pure enough." Wait, that wasn't right. Before the Little Scorpion picked her up, she was practically a nun. Could it be... she grew tense. "Quick, tell me, did you like someone else before?" Nan Muxue rolled her eyes and ignored the question. "The *Glacial Palm* I practice already requires a heart as still as water. Yet compared to Mother, I am far from disciplined enough. Her method of cultivation is far more extreme than simply severing the seven emotions and six desires." "So, she doesn't let you practice it because she cares about you? But honestly," Chu Ruo looked at her cautiously before continuing, "she doesn't treat you very well." "She naturally wouldn't let me learn it." The other woman unconsciously pressed closer into the warm embrace. "I am a chess piece. How can a chess piece be allowed to become a threat?" Chu Ruo had already guessed as much. With the Little Scorpion’s high talent, how could Nan Menghua let her learn such a peerless art? It wasn't out of love. Moreover, she needed the Little Scorpion as a puppet to do her bidding. This art was so difficult that one could easily lose their life; where would she find such a useful tool then? Her heart ached for her again. The more she understood her, the more Chu Ruo’s heart overflowed with sympathy. "Xue’er, I will treat you well from now on." Seeing the other woman’s amused expression, she added hurriedly, "Don't laugh! I'm serious. I really will treat you well. I’ll protect you, care for you, and cherish you. I’ll spoil you rotten." "I believe you." Three simple words, yet they contained everything. Chu Ruo felt herself being held very tightly. "So, if your mother comes out of seclusion, is our honeymoon over?" *What a mood-killer.* One second she was making vows, the next... "Is Ruo’er afraid?" "No way!" She had to save face. "Can't the two of us with our four hands handle your mother?" "With you involved, counting it as one hand is already generous." "Hey! I have a reputation to maintain..." "Fine, you don't need to worry. I will handle everything." Nan Muxue’s voice was very tender as her fingers brushed over the other woman’s collar. "As I said, I will protect you." *Why do I always feel like I'm destined to be a kept woman? Getting something for nothing—the dream of a lifetime, right? No, I’m being shameless. I need to practice martial arts. If I can't win with brawn, I’m a modern person; I can use my brain. I must protect my 'Big Sister'—no, my Little Scorpion.* "What are you thinking about with that dazed look?" "Nothing." The other woman happened to hook her arm around Chu Ruo’s neck. Chu Ruo glanced down and saw the sleeve slide back, revealing an arm as white as lotus root and the very prominent Cinnabar Mark. That thought popped up again. She suddenly flipped over to pin Nan Muxue down, suggestively tilting her chin up. "Do you really believe I didn't do anything else? After all, I’ve seen everything." *Gods, what kind of predatory talk is this? I’m so shameless. But the atmosphere is so good; it would be a waste not to. Yes, wasting it would be the real crime.* Of course, it was a joke; the Cinnabar Mark was the best proof. But how would the Little Scorpion react? Nan Muxue’s cheeks flushed red, perhaps without her even realizing it. She also reached up to pinch the chin of the person above her, asking provocatively, "And what is it you want to do?" This was practically a green light. Who would have thought? The Little Scorpion, usually so socially stunted, could actually... *Tsk tsk.* This was her chance! She said, half-joking and half-serious, "Aren't you afraid I’ll really take you?" Even lying beneath her, that single look in her eyes remained as though she were looking down upon the world, save for the reflection of one person. Nan Muxue would always be peerless and high-spirited. "You certainly have the lust," she said, before adding three words that nearly made Chu Ruo’s nose turn crooked with indignation, "but no guts." *Hey! Do you know how to talk? Can we have a pleasant conversation?* No, no, she couldn't let this perfect atmosphere go to waste. Besides, she didn't have the heart to argue now. The thin silk of the inner robes gave the translucent skin a hazy, ethereal beauty. Chu Ruo finally lost control and kissed her, her hand finally sliding shamelessly inside the other woman’s clothes. "Xue’er..." Nan Muxue closed her eyes. She knew what this meant. She returned the kiss, though she was still nervous, her hands frantically clutching at a corner of Chu Ruo’s clothes. She would give her whatever she wanted, including herself. *Creeeeeak—* *Gods damn it all!* Chu Ruo was unhappy—extremely unhappy. To be interrupted by someone pushing the door open just as they started kissing—what was the meaning of this? If it were anyone else, she’d kick them out and continue, but generally, no one dared enter Nan Muxue’s room without knocking, except for one person as eccentric as Chu Ruo—Duan Ning. *You bastard, I only got one kiss! Just one!* Chu Ruo wanted to cry. To make matters worse, the intruder was particularly tactless. "Oho! Wasn't last night enough? You two are this thirsty so early in the morning..." "Get out." Nan Muxue’s words were always brief, clear, and authoritative. She punctuated them by flicking several needles of frozen internal energy. To be hit by one was a fate worse than death. Fortunately, Duan Ning was no slouch; she performed a bridge followed by a backflip and landed right back where she started. "You're both dressed, why so tense?" *You brat, if you’d come a step later—actually, that would have been even more awkward.* "What are you doing?! Get out!" Compared to Nan Muxue’s unfathomable depth, Chu Ruo was purely exasperated. She was still sprawled on top of Nan Muxue. It felt wrong to roll off now, but staying there was also wrong. *Kill me now.* "Get out, fast!" "Little Ruoruo, you've grown bold after a few days away. You're shouting at people now. Don't think that just because you're pinning Xue’er..." *Swish, swish, swish, swish...* A flurry of icy needles flew. Chu Ruo’s eyes were dazzled by the display, but she felt a secret thrill seeing the other woman dodge so frantically. She shouted deliberately, "I’m telling you, Duan Ning, why is your mouth so foul? Is this how a Third Protector should act? You need to be mature, steady, and dignified! How can you command respect from your disciples otherwise?" If this woman lived in the modern world, she’d be a menace. Chu Ruo still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that this girl dared to come watch people roll in the hay... well, they hadn't started rolling yet, but those words were truly predatory. Was this the kind of talk that should come from the mouth of a Protector—one of those pure, ethereal ladies that so many in Baihua Palace admired? Having finally dodged everything, Duan Ning flashed a grin and leaped outside. "Fine, fine. I’ll give you two some time to get dressed... and have some 'tender moments'." She bolted instantly, her speed incredible, though she didn't forget to pull the door shut. *Thanks for nothing.* "Get up." "Oh." Chu Ruo gave a mournful response. *My golden opportunity! Duan Ning, you owe me. Just you wait. When you and Yin Liuli are together, if I don't pay you back for this, I’ll admit defeat.* "Still not putting on your clothes? How long do you plan to sit there?" "Oh." Still mournful. Nan Muxue looked at her indignant, dejected, and disappointed face, which was also a bit dazed. She gave a light laugh, grabbed a robe, and draped it over her. "You silly thing." "Xue’er," Chu Ruo pouted unhappily. "I... I..." *I what? I can't exactly say 'if she hadn't come, we would have...' Duan Ning, I hate you. I’m going to draw circles and curse you to have an unsatisfying love life with Yin Liuli.* "Mmph..." While she was still fuming, her lips were kissed. No need for surprise; she only needed to focus. "Childish temper." The other woman’s breathing was clearly uneven, and Chu Ruo’s own breath quickened. "Then we..." "Let's go." "Oh." *As expected, once the moment passes, it's gone. Aaaagh! It’s over. My long-awaited 'push-down' is gone.* *** At the dining table. "She’s a grown woman, not an invalid. Does she really need you to feed her?" Duan Ning rolled her eyes. "Do you two have to be this nauseating?" "What’s it to you? You're just jealous." Nan Muxue continued feeding Chu Ruo as she spoke. "Weren't we supposed to meet in Tianyou City? Why are you here?" "You kept delaying past the agreed time," Duan Ning said, stirring her porridge. "Besides, I didn't want to be with Yun Shuang, so I came to see what was happening with our Young Palace Mistress. Who knew I’d see something so stimulating the moment I arrived..." Chu Ruo nearly spat out her porridge. "I’ll spit this all over your face, believe it or not! I’ve realized you have a lot to say for someone who peeks at others." "Oh, Little Ruoruo, what’s this? Now that you have Xue’er as a backer, you dare bare your teeth at this Protector?" "I am currently the Saint Envoy," Chu Ruo declared, finally finding a chance to show off, especially to Duan Ning. She had to avenge this morning’s grudge. "You, a mere Third Protector, haven't even bowed to this Saint Envoy yet." "This Palace has never heard of any 'Envoy' since its founding. Oh right, a 'Saint Envoy' now, is it?" Actually, Nan Muxue had announced Chu Ruo’s appointment to the entire palace the day she found her, and word had even reached the rest of the martial world. But Duan Ning was clearly playing dumb. "Never heard of it." "Xue’er," Chu Ruo tugged on Nan Muxue’s sleeve. "Control her." "The Saint Envoy represents me," Nan Muxue said expressionlessly, playing along. "In the future, seeing her is the same as seeing me." "Tsk tsk, even 'Xue’er' now. I really suspect it wasn't her who was poisoned by the Baihua Gu, but she who poisoned you. Look at you now..." Chu Ruo suddenly remembered something and slapped the table. "I just remembered something!" Duan Ning was baffled. "What? Why the sudden outburst?" "Back at the branch sect, you made a bet with me. You said whoever lost would have to clean the latrines for a month. Now..." "Did that happen? I don't recall." "Hey! How can you be so shameless? You bet me that if Xue’er ate stinky tofu, you’d clean the latrines. You’re the dignified Third Protector; are you really going to go back on your word? Have you no shame?" Duan Ning crossed her arms. "Did anyone see it? No. And if you want Xue’er to eat it now, that counts too. Why don't you ask her if she’ll eat it?" "You..." She knew the Little Scorpion wouldn't admit to it in front of her. Moreover, that day had been a matter of life and death, so she’d played along and eaten a bit. Now, getting her to eat it was impossible. "And as you said, I am the dignified Third Protector. Do you really have the heart to make me clean latrines?" "A person must be as good as their word, especially a Protector of Baihua Palace." *Aha! A perfect finishing blow!* Chu Ruo loved her dear Little Scorpion to death. She really wanted to lean over and give her two big kisses. "Did you hear that?" A protective Little Scorpion was just too cute. She loved her so much, especially when she said such things with a straight face, as if she were issuing official palace orders. Duan Ning stomped her foot in frustration. "I say, Young Palace Mistress, your favoritism for your precious disciple is reaching your throat. Truly, 'one only hears the new person’s laughter.' Waaaah... what about us old Protectors? So tragic... so pitiful..." Nan Muxue ignored her and called out to Xiao Guo’er, who was waiting outside. "Xiao Guo’er, pass down the order. The latrines of Baihua Palace are to be cleaned by the Third Protector. The count begins when she returns, for one full month. If they are not clean, she starts over." "Xue’er, you!" "What 'you'? You deserve it!" "It’s all your fault! Xue’er’s soul has completely flown over to you!" "So what? The Third Protector cleaning latrines... Hahaha, just the thought makes me happy..." *** "Hahaha, that was hilarious..." "You've been laughing for ages. Still haven't stopped?" Chu Ruo hugged her. "Who told her to annoy me? Hehe, Xue’er is the best." "You..." Nan Muxue also began to laugh along with her joy. "Drink your medicine; we need to get ready to leave." "Then you feed me." Having her wish granted, Chu Ruo swallowed the bitter herbal medicine with satisfaction. Before Nan Muxue could react, she kissed her again. Only when they were both out of breath did they pull apart. The other woman’s face was flushed as she chided, "What are you doing?" "I’m just finishing the leftover medicine, hehe." "Scoundrel." Chu Ruo happened to see the mask and veil nearby. She walked over and picked them up, smiling. "Before, these were used to trick me. I suppose you won't be needing them anymore." Back then, she had used these two items to deceive her into thinking they were two different people. Thinking back on it now was quite a sentimental experience. "I didn't wear them for you. Don't be so full of yourself." *As expected, she wouldn't be the Little Scorpion if she weren't arrogant for even a second.* Chu Ruo pulled out her own golden mask. "You're just stubborn." Nan Muxue took it and placed it on her face. "In the future, when we are outside, you are not allowed to let others see your true face." "Is that because of palace rules, or are you afraid I’ll go flirt with someone else?" "Do you dare?" "I definitely..." Chu Ruo felt a poke on her back and immediately changed her tune. "Don't dare." Nan Muxue’s eyes were full of mirth as she took Chu Ruo’s hand firmly. "Let's go." *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 情花醉 | Love Flower Intoxication | A powerful and tyrannical martial art practiced by Nan Menghua. 寒冰掌 | Glacial Palm | Nan Muxue's primary martial art. 独孤求败 | Dugu the Unbeaten | A legendary fictional swordsman from Jin Yong's novels, known for being invincible. 圣使 | Saint Envoy | The high-ranking title Nan Muxue bestowed upon Chu Ruo. 三护法 | Third Protector | Duan Ning's rank within Baihua Palace. 拭痕膏 | Trace-Erasing Ointment | A medicinal cream formulated by Nan Muxue to remove scars. 天幽城 | Tianyou City | The destination where the palace members are gathering.

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