Gu Jin's mind went blank.

"What…" she whispered. "That is impossible. I never showed it to anyone. How could they know?"

Mr. Gu explained, "Someone spread the information. We do not know who. But people are saying that in your past matches, the undead you used were not really undead. They were skeleton warriors, controlled by necromancy."

Gu Jin's face turned pale.

Her father continued, "They even said that you got the key to the Void Gate, where only a necromancer could survive."

Gu Jin lowered her head, thinking carefully. Then she suddenly raised her eyes.

"I do remember something. Some forces from country J once came and tried to test my power. Though they didn't show their suspicion, I suspect that they wanted to test whether I have necromancy element or not. Other than killing the assassins they sent, I had little contact with them. But now… I do not understand. Why are they suddenly releasing the information? And how can they be so sure?"

Long Yifan, who had been quietly scrolling through something on his crystal device, suddenly paused. His eyes grew deep and grim as he looked at Gu Jin.

"It was not just random forces," he said slowly.

"The ones who discovered your secret were the Grim Reaper organization. They are one of the most powerful underground groups in country J. These groups usually target individuals with great talent. They targeted you before. I think they wanted to recruit you. But when you refused or became useless to them, they lost interest. To them, there is no joy in keeping secrets. So, they sold your information on the black market. And someone who already hated you bought it."

Gu Jin frowned deeply. "Then who bought it? Who?"

Long Yifan turned his eyes toward Mr. and Mrs. Gu, then back to Gu Jin. His voice was calm but heavy. "It was Gu Aihan's parents."

The words dropped like thunder.

Mr. and Mrs. Gu's faces turned pale. Their fists clenched tightly.

Mrs. Gu said with trembling anger, "We already captured Gu Aihan and the organization behind her. But her parents… we thought they died long ago. They never appeared when the organization was destroyed."

Mr. Gu growled, "So they were alive all this time."

Long Yifan shook his head.

"I had my men search. They are alive. I cannot spell out everything now, but from the looks of it, the news is spreading too quickly. Even if they are detained later, the information has already left their hands. It is being pushed by the forces behind the alchemist Gu Jin exposed earlier. They are spending money to spread it everywhere. The whole world will soon know."

Gu Jin clenched her fists hard. Her heart twisted.

A bitter thought crossed her mind.

"All because of one careless mistake… I never thought they would guess my necromancy even after all my efforts to hide it."

Long Yifan saw her expression. He understood what she was thinking. He walked closer, his steps firm.

Suddenly, his hand wrapped around her waist. His voice was soft but filled with strength.

"You should not think about these problems. I will deal with them for you. You just need to stay inside and safe."

Gu Jin stiffened slightly, looking at him. "What do you mean?"

Long Yifan chuckled quietly. "You have a fiancé now. Do you think I will let you fight all battles alone?"

The Gu family perked up at his words.

Mr. Gu nodded firmly. "Yes, Jin'er. We will support you too. Do not worry. With us here, no one will harm you."

Mrs. Gu held her daughter's hand tightly. "We will protect you."

Gu Jin's icy heart felt as if it had melted a little. She breathed out a soft sigh. "Thank you…"

But just as she was about to say more, the doors of the Gu mansion burst open.

A maid rushed inside, her face full of fear. "Master, Madam! Three people from the Magic Council have arrived. They say they have come to arrest Miss Gu Jin."

The room's atmosphere turned grim.

Mr. and Mrs. Gu's expressions hardened.

Long Yifan's eyes narrowed. He giggled lightly, but his tone was sharp. "Do not panic. Just tell them Gu Jin has already run away."

Mr. and Mrs. Gu frowned.

Gu Jin turned to Long Yifan. "You want to take me away?"

He nodded. "Yes. I will hide you. You will stay away from the public until the storm calms down."

Gu Jin shook her head. "Even if I move away, the Magic Council will not stop chasing me. You cannot protect me forever."

Long Yifan's eyes locked onto hers, firm and steady. "I can. You just need to believe me."

Gu Jin looked into his eyes. His confidence and assurance made her heart waver. Slowly, she closed her eyes, then nodded.

Long Yifan sighed in relief. He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Gu. "Distract the Council members. Buy us some time."

Before they could answer, another voice spoke.

"I will deal with them."

Everyone turned to see Gu Jishi standing tall. He was in his military uniform, his face cold and serious.

"You…" Gu Jin whispered.

Gu Jishi nodded. "I am a general. I may not have risen much in one year, but my status can still help. I will keep them busy for now."

Gu Jin's heart softened. "Thank you, brother."

Gu Jishi waved his hand. "Do not thank me. Just remember, if you face trouble outside, use the Gu family's name. We will hold off whatever comes your way."

Gu Jin felt her chest tighten. For the first time in a long while, she felt warmth and sadness together.

But Long Yifan did not give her more time to think. "We must leave now."

Gu Jin nodded.

Long Yifan took out an artifact from his ring. It was a jade plate covered in glowing lines.

He placed his hand on it, and the lines lit up, forming a shining circle on the floor.

"Stand close to me," he said.

Gu Jin stepped beside him.

The Gu family gathered around. Mrs. Gu's eyes were teary. "Stay safe, Jin'er. We will see you again."

Gu Jin's lips trembled, but she stayed silent.

The artifact glowed brighter. In the next moment, their figures slowly faded away, as if swallowed by air itself.

The world shifted.

When Gu Jin opened her eyes again, she was standing in a quiet courtyard. The air smelled fresh, filled with pine trees.

The mansion before her was large but lonely, surrounded by mountains and a wide forest.

"Where is this?" she asked.

Long Yifan smiled faintly. "A hidden mansion. Few people know about it. Only my most trusted people set foot here. No one will find you."

Gu Jin looked around. The place was peaceful, almost too peaceful. Birds flew above, and a stream of water could be heard nearby.

She turned back to him. "Why do you go this far?"

She had hurt him and even made him wait almost 2 years, and yet when she was in danger, he still rushed to help.

If he loved her so much, why was he cold toward her before? Just for his mother's wish? Just how dedicated a guy must be to be so selfless?

Forget it, it doesn't matter. She won't love this guy back. Her safety was important for now.

Long Yifan looked at her deeply.

"Because I will not let you face the world alone. Even if the world calls you a necromancer and hates you for awakening the necromancy element, I will fight alongside you and protect you."

Hearing those words, Gu Jin stayed quiet for a long while. She turned her head slightly, her dark eyes gazing at Long Yifan.

Finally, a small chuckle escaped her lips. "You are being too serious. I was not that serious to begin with."

Long Yifan raised his brows and let out a light laugh. "You truly know how to ruin a mood."

Gu Jin rolled her eyes. "Stop joking around. Can I enter the mansion now?"

Long Yifan smiled faintly. "Of course." He moved aside, making way for her.

Gu Jin stepped forward and walked into the grand hall of the mansion.

The place was silent and spotless, with tall pillars and warm lantern light. The moment she stepped inside, she spotted someone familiar standing at the side.

Her eyes softened. It was the head butler, the man who had been by her side during her darkest moments.

He was the one who had convinced her to give up her dangerous thoughts back then, when she had wanted to do something reckless to Long Yifan.

For that, she had always been grateful.

Walking toward him, Gu Jin paused in front of the old man. Her cold face melted into a small smile. "It has been a long while."

The head butler chuckled warmly and gave a small bow. "Yes, it truly has been a long while."

He straightened his back, his tone respectful yet gentle. "Miss, your room has already been prepared. Would you like to see it now?"

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