Chapter 1038: Hand in Hand

She seemed a bit distracted, not even noticing Zhang Xuan approach. The bright moonlight fell upon her like white frost, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like quality, as if she might float away at any moment.

“What are you thinking about, so deeply engrossed?” Zhang Xuan smiled, coming closer.

“Nothing…” Snapping out of her thoughts, Luo Ruoxi shook her head, stood up, and glanced at the faint moonlight. “Would you mind accompanying me for a walk?”

Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned, then excitedly leaped up. “Of course, I’d be delighted!”

Seeing his expression, Luo Ruoxi shook her head with a wry smile. “Are you always so unreserved in everything you do?” Others, even when pleased to be with her, would try to conceal their excitement, pretending to be dignified and composed. But this guy was different; he did exactly what he wanted, acting on his true nature, carefree and enviable.

“I…” Zhang Xuan seemed a little nervous. “Actually, I’ve always been hiding something…”

“Oh?” Luo Ruoxi became interested upon hearing he could be reserved, and her beautiful eyes looked at him. “Tell me about it!”

“I’m actually a person who dislikes conflict and is very low-key, but as you can see…” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

“Low-key?” Seeing his serious expression, Luo Ruoxi burst into laughter, her earlier melancholy vanishing completely. She couldn’t help but say, “You hide it so well, I didn’t notice at all…” This guy was incredibly high-profile wherever he went, becoming the most dazzling star in everyone’s eyes… And now he claimed he disliked conflict and was very low-key… He had some nerve!

She usually felt disgusted when others were shameless, but for some reason, being with this guy, she felt incredibly relaxed, with a profound sense of peace.

“You really don’t believe me!” Seeing the girl’s expression, Zhang Xuan shook his head. Deep down, he genuinely was very low-key. But fate played tricks on him; he was simply too outstanding. Wherever he went, he was like a firefly in the dark night – bright and dazzling, impossible to hide.

“Hehe!” Seeing his serious face, Luo Ruoxi laughed again.

The two talked and laughed, stepping out of the Master Teacher Pavilion residence under the cover of night. The night was cool like water, the temperature significantly lower than during the day. People who had been indoors had all come out, and the streets were bustling with crowds.

Luo Ruoxi had disguised herself somehow; to outsiders, she was still beautiful, but not strikingly outstanding. Thus, passersby merely admired her without drawing too much attention.

After walking for a long while, Zhang Xuan stopped and pointed forward. “Due to its climate, Huoyuan City has many delicacies not found elsewhere. There’s a restaurant here; why don’t we rest and try some local specialties?”

Luo Ruoxi looked ahead and saw a tall building with four large characters inscribed: “Ru Meng Wine House.”

“Life is but a dream, a vast expanse with a single smile, why not sing to wine… This wine house has a profound charm!” With a soft smile, the girl nodded.

Inside, the wine house was exquisitely decorated and very cozy. The waiters moving around all possessed the strength of Transcendent Mortal 5-dan, indicating at a glance that this was no ordinary establishment.

“Welcome, esteemed guests, please come in…” A waiter greeted them and arranged a window-side table for couples. Zhang Xuan glanced at Luo Ruoxi, saw she wasn’t annoyed, and sat down with a clear conscience.

“Bring us a serving of all your specialties…”

“Coming right up!” The waiter withdrew, and soon, fine wine and delicious dishes were served.

It must be said that the food and wine here were excellent. Huoyuan City’s abundant earth fire not only made artifact forging and pill refining professions popular but also produced mellow and delicious wines that would captivate anyone after a single sip, making them linger.

“This Golden River Salmon is a special species found only in Jinjiang Lake of Yanlin Mountain. It’s extremely rare, growing only one or two liang in ten years. It’s boneless, fresh, and tastes superb when cooked with yellow wine…”

“This is Azure Sparrow Beast Liver; simply steam it and add a little sesame oil. Not only does it contain abundant spiritual energy, but it also tastes incredibly delicious…”

“This is Bamboo Tip Green Leaf Meat; its main ingredient is the unique Green Leaf Bamboo Tip from Huoyuan City. When cooked, it resembles cured meat and has a very satisfying chew…”

Zhang Xuan introduced the dishes as they ate. With just one taste of these delicacies, the Library of Heaven’s Path could generate books on them. Not only could he provide detailed descriptions, but he could also effortlessly list dozens of cooking flaws without repetition.

“You also have knowledge of gourmet food?” Luo Ruoxi was full of surprise, hearing him describe everything in such detail. This guy, though young, was not only powerful and skilled in various auxiliary professions but also incredibly knowledgeable about everything. Especially gourmet food; it was considered one of the least significant professions among the lower ranks, usually found in palaces, preparing dishes for nobles and experimenting with new recipes, without much status. It was rather strange to think that the dignified dean of the Master Teacher Academy had actually studied this.

“I’ve read related books, so I know a little…” Zhang Xuan explained.

“You can describe it so detailed just from reading books? Impressive!” Luo Ruoxi praised him.

She ate sparingly, every movement displaying excellent upbringing, unlike Zhang Xuan, who devoured his food without any elegance.

“Perhaps it would be better if you told me what’s on your mind. Although my strength might be lacking, I can still resolve many issues.” Having eaten and drunk their fill, Zhang Xuan looked at her. He had long noticed that the girl might have something on her mind, which was why he had joked and played the fool along the way to make her laugh. However… it now seemed to have had little effect.

“Nothing…” Luo Ruoxi paused, then shook her head. “I just encountered some things and felt a little homesick!”

“Homesick? Are you… truly from the Luo clan of the Sage’s Lineage?” Zhang Xuan voiced the doubt in his mind. There were many rumors about this girl circulating in the Master Teacher Academy, mostly suggesting she was a descendant of a Sage, holding an honored status. Otherwise, Master Mu, a dignified 7-star master teacher, wouldn’t have treated her with such respect.

“Sage’s Lineage?” The girl shook her head with a smile, neither confirming nor denying it. Instead, she looked at him. “What about your family? Where are they? I’ve never heard you mention them.”

Seeing she was unwilling to say more, Zhang Xuan didn’t press the issue. A hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes as he said, “I don’t have a family; I’m an orphan!”

“An orphan?” Luo Ruoxi was startled.

“Yes, I’ve never seen any relatives since I was little…” Zhang Xuan shook his head. He had transmigrated from Earth and had no relatives here. If anyone were to speak of loneliness, no one could surpass him. Even setting aside his current self, his previous incarnation had never seen any relatives since he could remember. Becoming an academy teacher had taken unknown effort, and then… his student had gone berserk during cultivation, nearly causing him to lose his qualification! No one could match his misery.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up…” Luo Ruoxi quickly waved her hand.

“It’s nothing, I’m used to it. It’s good this way; no burdens, I can go wherever I want!” Zhang Xuan smiled. Being alone was fine too; throughout his journey, apart from a few students, he had nothing to worry about.

“You have such a good mindset…” Luo Ruoxi looked at the young man before her, seeing him live happily without any pretense, and admiration appeared in her eyes. With no background or connections, through his own efforts, he became the dean of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy at just twenty years old. Though Zhang Xuan might seem unreliable, he was in fact the most dependable! Just like his students’ unconditional trust and the elders’ unconditional submission… all demonstrated his excellence. Even seemingly difficult matters could be easily resolved as long as he was there. This alone made him unparalleled by countless others.

She had many excellent peers around her, and among those of the same age, all were much more powerful than the young man before her. However… those people had high starting points. If they had started at the same level, very few, if any, could have reached this young man’s standard! Reaching the peak of Consonant Saint at such a young age, earning his students’ unwavering loyalty, leading an academy, and gaining the willing acknowledgment of everyone… this kind of personal charm was incomparable to countless others. Especially his mindset: despite encountering difficulties, he always faced them with composure. As long as he didn’t fall, his future achievements would undoubtedly be limitless.

Unbeknownst to herself, Luo Ruoxi’s perception of the young man before her had greatly changed. Before, she had simply felt an inexplicable closeness to him, but now, she saw the dazzling brilliance hidden behind him, overshadowing countless others. Unconsciously, she developed an unusual feeling for the young man before her. Though only a faint trace, it was something she had never experienced before.

“Let’s go back!” After chatting for a while longer, they started walking back.

The bright moon hung in the sky, stretching their shadows long. A gentle breeze carried a faint fragrance from the girl, filling his senses with an indescribable comfort. Zhang Xuan had never felt such peace within. His hand involuntarily reached out and touched the back of the girl’s hand, feeling as soft and delicate as cotton.

Luo Ruoxi’s body stiffened. She quickly pulled her hand back, hugged it to her chest, and her face flushed. “I’m heading back first!” With that, she hurried forward and soon disappeared from sight.

“She’s gone…” Feeling utterly embarrassed, Zhang Xuan slapped his forehead. “It’s all my fault… If we had just walked normally, we might have chatted longer. Why did I have to touch her hand? If she got angry, wouldn’t we not even be able to be friends anymore? How stupid!”

With a helpless expression, he was about to return to his residence, hoping she wouldn’t be angry tomorrow, when he heard a voice from a nearby alleyway.

“Farewell, my family, my friends. I have shamed myself and brought disgrace upon you…” He turned his head and saw a man in his thirties kneeling at the entrance of a courtyard, his face full of sorrow. The middle-aged man had blood on him and a face covered in dust, looking rather disheveled. He must have just returned from some dangerous experience.

“Farewell!” After kowtowing a few times, the middle-aged man gritted his teeth, stood up, flipped his wrist, and a long sword appeared in his palm. He moved it swiftly towards his own neck.

“Suicide?” He hadn’t expected to encounter someone attempting suicide while walking. Frowning, Zhang Xuan flicked his finger. A ray of light shot out, striking the long sword in the middle-aged man’s hand. With a *buzz*, it embedded itself in a nearby wall, vibrating continuously.