Chapter Eighty-Two: Little Fish Would Never Dare Deceive Master

At that moment, a crane’s cry echoed from the distant sky, its shrill call growing louder as it drew nearer.

“Little Fish.”

From the dense, shadowy woods came the voice of Zilian.

My heart trembled, and I suddenly snapped to my senses. With both hands, I shoved the little boy behind me. There was a thud as I turned to look back, realizing I’d pushed him over in my haste. Guilt washed over me. I hurried to his side, helped him up, offered a hasty apology, and ushered him behind a massive boulder. Leaning close, I whispered, “Remember, don’t make a sound. Stay hidden here and don’t come out.”

His eyes shone, clear and bright as a lake. He nodded at me.

Seeing his agreement, I smiled, reaching out to gently stroke his small face.

“Little Fish.”

Zilian’s voice called again from behind.

“Master, I’m here!” I replied loudly, excitement in my tone. Glancing back, I saw the boy’s face, full of longing to follow. I quickly shook my head at him. At once, his eyes dimmed and sorrow clouded his face, tugging at my own heart with pain.

But this was for his own good—to keep him from becoming Zilian’s medicine’s catalyst, I had no choice but to hide him behind that stone.

I quickly distanced myself from the boulder and dashed toward the direction of Zilian’s voice.

“Master, I’m here!”

I leapt up and waved toward the woods.

At some point, a white crane had appeared by his feet. Now, the crane stretched its neck high and let out a long, piercing cry toward the heavens. In Zilian’s palm gleamed a luminous pearl, as large as a bowl’s rim, its surface smooth and radiant, casting brilliant silver light all around. The entire forest was suddenly awash in that silvery glow, bright as day.

“Did you find the Blood Ganoderma?” Zilian lowered his gaze to me and asked softly.

“No, I didn’t. I didn’t see that leaping, running Blood Ganoderma,” I replied, shaking my head. My heart fretted for the little boy, fearing he hadn’t hidden well enough and that Zilian would discover him. I edged forward, positioning myself directly in front of Zilian, standing as straight as I could and lifting my toes, trying to block his line of sight.

“Hmm!” He took his time, finally nodding slowly, his eyes fixed on me. “Little Fish, are you telling the truth?”

As he spoke, he brought the luminous pearl close to my face, scrutinizing me intently.

I stood rigid, not daring to move, feeling his gaze shift from my face to the crown of my head.

“Little Fish.”

He reached out with his other hand, taking a few loose strands of hair from my forehead and gently tugging at them.

This was far too close! I felt a tingling on my scalp, a rush of heat blooming in my chest and surging upward, all the way to the top of my head, my face burning unbearably hot.

“Uh, Master,” I answered nervously.

“Little Fish, you aren’t lying to your master, are you?” His voice teased, one hand holding the luminous pearl now resting on my shoulder, the other giving another tug at my hair.

“I wouldn’t dare. I would never deceive you, Master,” I stammered, shaking my head, my voice trembling despite myself.

“Truly? Every word you’ve just told me is the truth. You haven’t lied to me,” he murmured, his tone almost hypnotic. Again, he tugged hard at my hair, then sighed softly. “Very well, I believe you.”

Oh heavens! He finally chose to believe me. If he’d pressed me any longer, I feared I wouldn’t be able to control my tongue and would reveal the whereabouts of the Blood Ganoderma after all.

At last, the tension in my chest eased, and I drew a few deep breaths. Suddenly, I felt a force pressing down on my chest. Looking down, I saw a hand—a man’s hand, slender-fingered, nails gleaming, skin as fair as mine.