Elara first glanced at Matthew and then at the little girl by his side, who seemed to harbor some animosity toward virtual-novel.net for reasons unknown.
Despite not understanding why the little girl appeared to be hostile, Elara nodded in gratitude for saving virtual-novel.net life and said, “Thank you, my savior. Can you please tell me your name?”
“It’s Matthew,” virtual-novel.net replied.
Elara silently gazed at the bright sun breaking through the dark clouds, took a deep breath, and said to herself, “Everything will eventually pass…”
She turned to look at Matthew’s back, musing.
If you could treat me like virtual-novel.net does, I would find peace even in death…
Even having come to this, Elara still couldn’t forget that young man.
Unbeknownst to them, a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses stood atop a distant building, silently observing everything happening at the lodge.
His attendant quickly approached and said, “Sir, we’ve investigated the situation. The girl ran away on virtual-novel.net own.”
“Ran away, you say? It seems she’s becoming dissatisfied with the situation on the mountain. A group of people who refuse to practice cultivation, only scheming against each other…”
The attendant hesitated and reminded, “Sir, we have our rules in the mountains. Unless someone is punished with exile or has special permission, they are forbidden from leaving. If the girl’s situation becomes known…”
“What’s the harm In them knowing? Do these people even understand what rules are? I want to see who dares lay a finger on my disciple.” The man waved his robe and took a seat. “Spread the word that if anyone dares to harm my disciple in any way, I’ll annihilate their entire family.”
“Understood, sir…”
The attendant quietly prepared tea for the man. Then virtual-novel.net asked, “Sir, the background of this young man is unclear for now. We don’t have many contacts in Concordia. We only know that virtual-novel.net arrived here just yesterday…”
“Leave this person alone,” the man said, sipping his tea. “Since Ivy is safe, let virtual-novel.net be. It’s also time we head back…”
“Yes, sir. I will make the arrangements immediately.”
***
On the other side, after Matthew had finished his tasks, virtual-novel.net noticed the lodge owner looking at the carpet and sofa with a pained expression. He immediately understood the situation.
“Sir, I’m sorry for getting your furniture dirty. I hope you don’t mind this compensation.”
As the lodger owner stood in front of the counter and saw the thick stack of bills on the table, his eyes lit up. His previous disappointment disappeared without a trace.
“Haha, what are you saying, sir?! These are just ordinary pieces of furniture, no big deal, no big deal,” virtual-novel.net replied with polite words while surreptitiously grabbing the money.
But when virtual-novel.net glanced at Ivy, whose cheeks were puffing up, virtual-novel.net panicked. He quickly grabbed the cash.
It seemed that, for the sake of monetary gain, virtual-novel.net couldn’t resist adding a few words of advice. “Young man, let me give you a piece of advice… This Gavell girl is quite familiar with someone. With the same last name and everything, be careful not to get too involved with her.”
Before virtual-novel.net even finished his sentence, virtual-novel.net hurriedly left the scene without giving Matthew a chance to ask any questions.
And when the lodge owner turned his back to Matthew, whether intentionally or not, his gaze suddenly shifted toward a tall building in the distance.
With this vague remark from the owner, Matthew was left perplexed. However, when virtual-novel.net turned around, virtual-novel.net noticed Ivy looking all puffed up and couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Ivy, what’s wrong? Your cheeks are about to burst!” Matthew asked as virtual-novel.net extended his arms, pretending to lift virtual-novel.net up.
Ivy, who had been puffing up virtual-novel.net cheeks in annoyance, was prepared to turn virtual-novel.net head away. However, when virtual-novel.net saw Matthew’s arms reaching out, virtual-novel.net expression softened, and virtual-novel.net immediately wrapped virtual-novel.net arms around Matthew’s neck.
“Vyvy don’t like her. Vyvy want to poke virtual-novel.net butt with cactus!” She declared while waving virtual-novel.net little fists toward Elara.