Chapter 652: Chapter 528: I Will Not Live On Alone, Do You Understand Now?

Summer sunlight spilled over the mountains, and in the forest, summer cicadas chirped tirelessly, one after another.

A soft breeze drifted leisurely through every corner of the mountains, and even the spirit rabbits tilted up their fluffy little heads in comfort.

And in a courtyard halfway up Moon Spring Peak, graceful wisps of cooking smoke began to rise.

"Xiao Mo, I’m back! I heard you made a bunch of delicious food. I have to get a good taste!"

As noon approached, Tushan Jing Ci bounded into Xiao Mo’s courtyard like a little rabbit, her face beaming with a happy smile as she called out.

A short while ago, as soon as she had returned to Moon Spring Peak, she’d heard from Sister Yue Shi that Xiao Mo had prepared a whole table of food and was waiting for her.

And so, Tushan Jing Ci didn’t linger in her own courtyard for even a moment longer, rushing over immediately.

Sure enough, the moment she stepped into Xiao Mo’s yard, the fragrant aroma of cooking food rushed to greet her.

"Just a moment, Miss. It’s almost ready."

Xiao Mo’s head popped out of the kitchen, and he called to the young woman in the courtyard.

"Then let me help you." Tushan Jing Ci rolled up her sleeves, revealing fair, slender arms, and started for the kitchen.

"There’s no need, Miss. It’s better if you just wait in the courtyard," Xiao Mo politely declined. "If you come into the kitchen, I’m afraid this meal won’t be on the table quite so soon."

"Oh, alright..." Tushan Jing Ci muttered, a hint of grievance in her voice. "I’m not *that* helpless, you know. I can actually be useful..."

However, despite the slight pang of disappointment, Tushan Jing Ci obediently listened to Xiao Mo and didn’t insist on running into the kitchen to get in the way.

The young woman sat primly in the courtyard, knees together and hands on her lap, her gaze fixed expectantly on the kitchen.

Ever since she was little, Tushan Jing Ci had loved Xiao Mo’s cooking more than anything.

But since Xiao Mo usually had to focus on his cultivation, she felt it would be an imposition to take up his time, so she never asked him to cook for her.

Only on happy occasions or for moments worth celebrating would Xiao Mo take the initiative to cook, giving her the chance to feast to her heart’s content.

Half an incense stick later, Xiao Mo began bringing out plates of steaming hot food.

Tushan Jing Ci quickly got up and brought the rice bucket out from the kitchen. She served Xiao Mo a bowl of rice first before getting one for herself.

"Would you care for a drink, Miss?" Xiao Mo asked with a smile, taking out a jar of wine. "This wine is quite famous in Tushan. It’s called Snow Beauty, and the taste isn’t half bad."

"Well... just a little, then."

Tushan Jing Ci hesitated for a good while before finally nodding.

She cupped the wine bowl in both hands and held it out to Xiao Mo with her arms straight, looking impeccably well-behaved.

Xiao Mo lifted the wine jar and poured a small amount for Tushan Jing Ci.

Tushan Jing Ci lowered her head and took a small sip.

The moment the wine touched her throat, her beautiful fox-like eyes instinctively squeezed shut. Her little pink tongue poked out slightly from the sharp taste, a truly adorable sight.

"You’re still not used to drinking, are you, Miss?" Xiao Mo chuckled, then tilted his own head back for a drink.

In truth, the wine wasn’t particularly strong.

After all, the Tushan Race had more women than men.

Furthermore, the men of the Fox Race mostly lacked a certain masculine vigor, with many having the air of a ’pretty boy’.

As a result, almost no one in Tushan had a taste for strong liquor.

And yet, the wine still seemed to be too much for Jing Ci.

"I’ve never really understood what’s so good about drinking, anyway."

Tushan Jing Ci set down her bowl, her face a picture of confusion. Then she looked up at Xiao Mo, her expression turning curious as she changed the subject.

"Oh, right, Xiao Mo. Did something good happen? How come you suddenly decided to cook for me today?"

"As a matter of fact, there is something good I wanted to tell you about, Miss," Xiao Mo answered with a smile.

"Tell me, tell me!" Tushan Jing Ci instantly sat bolt upright, her eyes, full of anticipation, sparkling as she gazed at Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo met Tushan Jing Ci’s clear gaze and said in a gentle voice, "The Grand Elder approached me a few days ago. He wants me to join the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance. Tomorrow, I will be marching out with the main army."

"Huh?" Tushan Jing Ci’s expression froze as she heard his words. She blinked a few times, her mind a complete blank. She almost thought she’d misheard. "Xiao Mo... you... what did you say?"

"I said... I am going to march out with Tushan’s army." Xiao Mo looked at Tushan Jing Ci with a smile, repeating his words slowly and deliberately. "This meal... you could call it a farewell meal."

"No!" Having snapped back to her senses, Tushan Jing Ci shot to her feet, her voice laced with obvious urgency. "I know about the great war between the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance and the Holy Demon Alliance! It’s likely to be a fight to the death! Many who go will never come back!"

Tushan Jing Ci stared intently at Xiao Mo, her small hands clenched into tight fists, her knuckles turning white. Her voice trembled. "I... I’m going to find the Grand Elder right now. I absolutely will not let you go to the battlefield."

With that, Tushan Jing Ci turned, about to fly off toward Wang Yue Mountain.

"Jing Ci." Xiao Mo reached out and gently took hold of her fair wrist. "Just listen to me first."

"Xiao Mo, nothing you say will work. I won’t let you go."

Hearing Xiao Mo call her by her name, Tushan Jing Ci pressed her lips together tightly. Her expression remained as unyielding as iron, as if she wouldn’t budge an inch, no matter what he said.

"Jing Ci, please, calm down first."

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