Chapter 270: He Found a Reason

Mo Lie's barely perceptible brow twitched: "What are you screaming about? I haven't even started to lay a heavy hand on you."

His voice had no harshness at all, but was rather pleasant.

Yet Diao Yi's fear grew; at that moment he recalled a scene he had seen not long ago, where the other was so indifferent, had slain countless elite warriors under his command, and the ground still bore a road paved with blood and bones!

Diao Yi's scream got stuck in his throat; steeling himself, he decisively bowed his head, intending to peck off his own legs to flee from this male beast more terrifying than the dead Beast God!

Mo Lie stepped back a pace, watching with interest the giant eagle that was struggling to maim itself.

He slightly raised his eyebrows; his blue eyes beneath long lashes shone vividly in the dim rain, like a sapphire washed by rain:

"It seems you want to survive?"

Mo Lie withdrew his gaze, turned to leave, and tossed out a breezy remark:

"Fine, I'll take you to see your lord."

……

After the giant ox was restrained, Lin Manzhi, dizzy, crawled up from the carpet, one hand on her forehead, turned to look for Su Li inside the carriage.

The solid, heavy wooden board sealed off the outside's thick scent of blood and the terrifying post‑battle scene; within the corpse‑filled canyon it was like a tiny safe house.

In the now‑quiet surroundings, Su Li still seemed uneasy, hugging her knees, her head buried deep.

Outside the carriage, numerous figures stood guard; their tall, strong beast‑like forms were all allies, leaving no chance for anyone to break into the carriage.

Lin Manzhi moved beside the fearful Su Li, patted her back and said, "It's okay, did you forget Mo Lie is here? He won't let anything happen to me."

Hearing Mo Lie's name, Su Li suddenly remembered that there was a lord in her team, and that the lord's Wife Master was right beside her!

Su Li stuck her head out, her lingering unease easing a bit: "Whew… I'm so panicked, someone actually dared to kill the Shamaness; I must report to the Great Witch and investigate this thoroughly."

Lin Manzhi withdrew her hand, nodded: "This matter won't end like that."

Su Li, hearing Lin Manzhi's words, felt it was like the attitude of the psychic lord of Kuangsha City, as if someone had taken charge, her pallid expression turning into outright anger.

Her anger flared, "This is Lei Ting Continent, I think we can ask Cangqiong for an explanation."

Lin Manzhi: "……"

It shouldn't be Cangqiong; he knows the one planting the medicinal herbs is himself, so this time Mo Lie will definitely accompany.

If it were him, when both sides profit handsomely from cooperating on watermelons, he wouldn't order subordinates to come and kill himself, right?

Moreover, even if he were truly possessed, having a desire to kill her, with Mo Lie present, if he really wanted that thought, he would have to come himself.

From every angle, this canyon mishap and the attack's swift cessation, such a small‑scale assault, all indicate it wasn't Cangqiong.

Yet asking Cangqiong for spiritual compensation is still possible.

Especially as the time for their next watermelon trade approaches, the other's selling price of twelve gold coins makes her a bit greedy.

Even without raising the price, letting the other agree, she'll transport an extra watermelon to sell through the Fierce Sand Escort Bureau.

Su Li still fumed beside them: "Today was truly perilous; we almost died here, this must be tied to Cangqiong!"

Lin Manzhi rubbed her wrist, which still ached from bracing the ground, and didn't refute Cangqiong: "Exactly, you can have the Great Witch step in for you; compensation is mandatory."

Still that line—Wushen Temple isn't her people, so she naturally can't take the lead.

Lin Manzhi leaned against the wall and stood up; a faint rustle came from the car door.

The door was pulled outward, and damp rain air mixed with the scent of blood surged in.

She turned her head and looked toward the door.

Then, the next second, a tall male beast's cool fingers, against the light, tightly seized her hand and pulled her toward the doorway.

Lin Manzhi's waist was encircled as she was drawn into an embrace.

Mo Lie lowered his head; his azure eyes flickered dangerous glints in the backlight. He clasped Little Female tightly in his arms, the cold breath from the rain kissed Lin Manzhi's warm forehead.

His voice was gentle and low, carrying a reassuring sense of safety: "Zhi Zhi, you aren't scared, are you?"

Lin Manzhi shook her head, "I'm fine, Su…"

Mid‑sentence, Mo Lie took Lin Manzhi's cloak from the doorway, gently draped it over her, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible grievance: "I was scared."

Lin Manzhi: "?"

Mo Lie led Lin Manzhi back into their carriage; after the team had regrouped, they set off again, soon leaving the canyon behind.

Lin Manzhi was left stunned by Mo Lie's "I was scared."

Back in the carriage after changing clothes, Mo Lie still held her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, seemingly unwilling to let go even for a moment, allowing her to depart.

His actions spoke of his fear—something had frightened him.

Such a fragile male beast was hard to see, and Lin Manzhi's heart softened toward him.

Mo Lie's soft, slightly damp black hair fell, brushing her shoulder; his embrace was as wide and warm as before, making one want to lazily nest inside.

Strangely comfortable.

"Ah Lie, do you know what the attack outside was about?" Lin Manzhi relaxed completely, comfortably nesting in Mo Lie's embrace behind her.

Mo Lie, one hand around Lin Manzhi's waist, the head perched on her shoulder unmoving, said, "Hua Zheng is still interrogating…"

His voice was softly pressed: "You know, I wasn't by your side during that attack; I was so scared you'd get hurt."

Lin Manzhi reached back to pat the head on her shoulder and said, "If there's danger I can hide in the space; I won't be harmed."

Mo Lie lowered his gaze, "But many Beastfolk's Beast Form speed exceeds your reaction, so you shouldn't rush me away any more…"

Lin Manzhi couldn't help raising her voice: "When did I rush you away?"

Mo Lie: "You said, after you forbade me from following, you let Hua Zheng take you to Su Li's carriage."

Lin Manzhi: "……"

"Is this what you call sending him away?"

Seeing Mo Lie seem to demand some excessive consolation, Lin Manzhi let out a light cough, interrupting him: "No, no, I didn't mean to send you away… I couldn't possibly…"

Mo Lie lifted his head, tilted, leaned close and gently bit Little Female's ear tip, whispering, "You still bite me…"

Lin Manzhi: "……"

She suddenly came to her senses, her finger pressing Mo Lie's wrist as she twisted around to look back at him, her black eyes full of doubt: "Wait, you seem to be looking for an excuse now—you're not trying to get me to agree to some unreasonable request, are you?"

Mo Lie's expression did not change as he shook his head, "No."

Lin Manzhi looked at him.

Mo Lie: "It's not an unreasonable request; I just want you to agree, no matter what, to let me stay by your side forever."

The doubt in Lin Manzhi's eyes slowly faded.

Mo Lie's hand tightened again, pulling her tightly into his embrace, his cheek brushing the hollow of Lin Manzhi's neck, "You say it quickly, okay."

Lin Manzhi hadn't expected Mo Lie to be so persistent about this; she tried to slip out of his arms, but remained motionless within his embrace.

It seemed the recent attack had truly left a shadow on him; if she didn't agree, he wouldn't just cling to her forever, would he?

Lin Manzhi exhaled, patted Mo Lie's forearm, and helplessly sighed, "Fine, fine, fine."