Wandering Swordsman |

Before long, the three arrived at the inn where Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong were staying. This three-story inn, situated on the busiest street in the city, boasted flying eaves, intricate carvings, and painted beams, showcasing its luxury and grandeur. Two large red lanterns hung in front of the main entrance, particularly eye-catching in the morning light, seemingly welcoming every guest. Pedestrians bustled about the street, and the cries of vendors rose and fell, injecting vibrant life into this ancient town.

He Yun and Zhao Xue were taken aback when they saw the magnificent inn. Judging from the exquisite architecture, this was no ordinary inn. It seemed that the person traveling with Shen Mo was either very wealthy or of high status. The two exchanged a glance, a hint of curiosity flashing in their eyes.

After the three entered the inn, Shen Mo went straight upstairs, his steps light but cautious. He quickly arrived at the door of the top-tier suite, only to find it locked. A sense of unease welled up inside Shen Mo, and he hurried down the stairs to the inn's lobby.

Inside the lobby, wooden tables were neatly arranged, each set with steaming tea. It was breakfast time, but the innkeeper and waiters were nowhere to be seen; only a few guests were quietly enjoying their food. Shen Mo looked around anxiously, searching for familiar faces, but to no avail.

"Waiter!" Shen Mo called out, his voice echoing in the empty lobby. A short while later, a young waiter rushed over from the back kitchen, his face showing some panic, clearly startled by the sudden shout.

"Sir, what do you need?" the waiter asked respectfully, wiping the rag in his hand.

"Excuse me, have you seen the two women who stayed at the same hotel as me yesterday?" Shen Mo asked anxiously, his eyes fixed on the waiter's expression, hoping to get some clues from it.

The waiter pondered for a moment and replied, "Oh, you mean that generous young lady and the other middle-aged female knight-errant? They left early this morning, saying they were looking for you."

Hearing this, Shen Mo breathed a sigh of relief, but a pang of guilt also welled up inside him. It turned out they had been worried about him all along, even starting to search for him early that morning. He turned to look at He Yun and Zhao Xue, who both wore relieved smiles.

"Brother He, Miss Zhao, I need to find them quickly," Shen Mo said, his eyes revealing a firm determination.

He Yun patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother Shen, we'll go with you to look for him."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo felt a warmth in his heart, and at the same time realized that Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong must be very worried about him. So, he, He Yun, and Zhao Xue temporarily left the inn, intending to wander around the city to see if they could find them.

Walking along the bustling streets, surrounded by a vibrant market scene, vendors enthusiastically hawked their fresh fruits and vegetables, exquisite handicrafts, and various snacks. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the hustle and bustle of the crowd. However, Shen Mo's mind was elsewhere. His gaze swept across every corner, trying to spot a familiar figure.

"Brother Shen," He Yun asked softly, "where do you think they'll look for you?"

Shen Mo shook his head, his brows furrowing slightly. "I don't know, but given Miss Murong's personality, she will definitely spare no effort in searching for her."

For Shen Mo and his group, this was no easy task. For a full hour, they walked along the street, asking passersby for information about Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong, but each time they received a disappointing answer.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from not far away. Shen Mo looked up sharply and saw Murong Qing leading Liu Xiaorong, walking quickly from an alleyway. Their eyes were filled with anxiety and worry. They looked around, seemingly searching for someone.

"Shen Mo!" Murong Qing's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the surrounding noise. She immediately spotted Shen Mo standing on the street, a hint of surprise and relief flashing in her eyes. Liu Xiaorong also noticed them at the same time, quickening her pace.

Upon seeing them, Shen Mo was overjoyed and quickly went to greet them. "Miss Murong, Senior Liu, we've finally found you."

Murong Qing ran up to Shen Mo, panting, and said, "We found you were missing when we woke up this morning, so we came out to look for you, afraid that you might have encountered some danger." Her cheeks were slightly flushed, obviously from running so fast.

Liu Xiaorong gently patted Murong Qing's shoulder and comforted her, "Qing'er, don't worry, it's good that we've found it now."

Looking at Murong Qing before him, Shen Mo felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he sensed her concern for him. However, he knew this was not the time to explain; there were still many things to deal with.

"Miss Murong," Shen Mo said, "I'll explain later. Right now, I'd like to introduce you to these two friends—this is He Yun, whom I mentioned to you before, and Zhao Xue."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong both clasped their hands in a respectful greeting. Murong Qing's voice was sincere and polite: "This humble woman, Murong Qing, greets you both." Her movements were elegant, and her eyes were clear and bright, as if they could penetrate one's heart. Liu Xiaorong followed suit, also bowing respectfully to He Yun and Zhao Xue.

At that moment, the sunlight shone directly on Murong Qing's face, making her exquisite features appear even more captivating. He Yun and Zhao Xue were both momentarily stunned, then a look of amazement flashed in their eyes. In their hearts, only Situ Meng's beauty could compare to Murong Qing's.

As the sun rose higher, the city's hustle and bustle intensified. More and more people lined the streets, their voices blending together to create a vibrant symphony. Amidst this lively atmosphere, the four exchanged a smile. In that moment, the initial awkwardness seemed to melt away, replaced by a deep sense of friendship and trust.

"Brother He, Miss Zhao," Shen Mo said, clasping his hands in greeting. His voice was steady and full of gratitude. "Miss Murong, Senior Liu, and I will go back to the inn to pack our things. We'll go find you at the inn that Master Zhang has booked later."

He Yun nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "Brother Shen, go ahead, we'll go back to the inn and wait for you." His eyes showed concern and support.

Shen Mo clasped his hands in a salute again, then turned and left with Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong.

Back at the inn, Shen Mo felt a little heavy-hearted, but he knew he needed to calm down and explain everything that had happened the night before to Murong Qing and Liu Xiaorong.

Murong Qing sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes revealing urgency and worry; Liu Xiaorong stood by the window, quietly watching the scenery outside, seemingly waiting for Shen Mo to speak.

Shen Mo took a deep breath and slowly said, "Miss Murong, Senior Liu, about last night..."