"That's enough for today's deal. Bring your goods tomorrow morning to trade for cabbages and seedlings," Luciel said as he set down his chopsticks, signaling the end of the first round of negotiations.

Everything unfolded almost exactly as he'd anticipated. These landlords were cautious and skeptical—no one was foolish enough to rush into a big transaction on the first day.

"Yes," Waldo replied, giving a small nod.

"Xiaonuo, clean up. We're heading back." Luciel turned and gave a quiet command.

"Yes!" Minuo and Wei Youlan immediately got up, gathering the dishes and utensils with practiced speed. Within moments, the table was cleared, everything packed neatly into their lunch boxes.

Luciel stood, leading the way out. Wei Geng and the others followed behind, each carrying their boxes in silence.

Yue Qinlan rose last, taking her time. As she passed by Yi Liyi, she blinked—a single, graceful motion—her aqua-blue eyes full of subtle meaning.

"???" Yi Liyi froze, confused. Why did she wink at me?

That tiny gesture didn't escape the attention of the others. Several landlords noticed and immediately began to speculate. Was it a secret signal? An unspoken deal? Something hidden beneath the surface?

Luciel led his group out of the animal-hide shed toward the rock tortoise waiting in the open square. The crowd's curious gazes followed them all the way.

Yue Qinlan lifted the hem of her dress and trotted a few light steps to catch up, falling into stride beside Luciel.

"So?" he asked, a faint curve at the corner of his mouth. "Who do you think makes a good starting point?"

"That young woman," Yue Qinlan answered softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with elegant precision. "She might be the right opening."

"Her circumstances aren't exactly favorable," Luciel noted. He had seen how the girl was being quietly pushed aside by the others.

"All the better," Yue Qinlan replied, smiling in that darkly graceful way of hers. "Pity draws attention. If we plant the seed of doubt, others will do the rest."

Her earlier glance—just a brief flutter of her lashes—would surely ignite suspicion. Once whispers began, someone would approach Yi Liyi on their own, far more convincing than Luciel knocking on her door himself.

Luciel chuckled quietly. "Seems you've already mapped out the next move."

He glanced sideways at her—poised, calm, and stunning in the moonlight. This woman's elegance carried a touch of cunning; her charm was the kind that came only with experience and intelligence.

"It's just a test run," Yue Qinlan said lightly, turning her head. Her eyes met his, and warmth crept into her cheeks. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're beautiful," Luciel said simply, still smiling. "Can't I look?"

"Oh…" Yue Qinlan pursed her lips, her blush deepening. The faintest smile tugged at her mouth as her heartbeat fluttered.

It had been a long time since anyone dared to compliment her so openly. Since she had become the Moon Lord, no man had spoken to her like that—softly, honestly.

Tch…

Behind them, Minuo clenched her small teeth, her blue rabbit ears twitching in irritation. Her mood instantly soured at the sight of Luciel and Yue Qinlan walking so close together.

"???" Wei Youlan blinked and turned to glance at the rabbit-eared girl, who was muttering angrily under her breath.

She caught a few words—"That old aunt is too damn smug…"—and immediately covered her ears, fighting back a nervous laugh.

The shy head maid dares to call the Moon Lord an old aunt now?

"Ah? Did I just hear something strange?" Yue Qinlan said suddenly, her pretty face still flushed but her expression sharp. Her hearing had caught the muttered insult perfectly.

Luciel coughed lightly, pretending not to notice. This wasn't something he wanted to step into.

He quickened his pace instead, stopping near the rock tortoise's massive foot. His gaze shifted toward the dark horizon. There—just barely—he could feel it. Someone was watching them.

"What is it?" Yue Qinlan asked, frowning as she followed his gaze. She made a mental note to settle her score with the rabbit-eared girl later.

"Someone's observing us," Luciel murmured.

"There are a lot of eyes tonight," Yue Qinlan replied softly, glancing around. Indeed, plenty of onlookers still lingered nearby.

"Maybe," Luciel said, but his tone carried weight. His instincts rarely failed him.

Then—

"Luciel, wait!"

A voice rang out from the darkness, clear and cold.

"That's Liyue," Luciel said immediately, his eyes lighting up. He recognized the white-haired girl's voice at once.

"Liyue, are we really going there?" another voice asked hesitantly—a girl's, soft and unfamiliar.

"Of course," Liyue replied. "If we go now, we don't have to climb up later."

The second figure lagged behind, voice full of complaint. "But you said it was just the two of us. Why are there so many people?"

Alina half-hid behind Liyue, uneasy as the silhouettes of strangers came into view. "And you didn't tell me the man you like owns an ancient savage beast!"

They had seen the rock tortoise earlier that day—and if not for the risk of exposure, Alina might never have known.

"You—don't say that!" Liyue hissed, flustered.

Luciel, overhearing from a distance, felt a brief wave of awkwardness.

"Hmph! You've gotten bad, Liyue," Alina complained, swatting the white-haired girl's slim waist in mock protest.

"I'll explain later," Liyue said quickly, shrinking away as she tugged Alina forward.

As they stepped into the firelight, Luciel's expression softened.

"Welcome back," he said warmly.

"Mm. I'm back," Liyue replied. The fatigue from her long journey melted away at the sound of his voice.

Alina peeked out from behind her, pink eyes studying Luciel carefully. Handsome… calm… clean eyes… black pupils with depth.

He didn't look like the kind of man who'd fear someone infected with a "phantom ghost."

Still—Alina wasn't convinced. Such kindness didn't exist without reason. She needed time to watch, to see who this man really was.

"Is she the one you were searching for?" Luciel asked, sensing the girl's shy scrutiny.

"Yes. This is Alina," Liyue said. "She's a bit timid, but… once she warms up, she can be a handful."

"I'm not timid," Alina muttered under her breath. "Just… cautious."

Liyue smiled faintly. "Sure."

Luciel chuckled. "We'll talk at home—it's cold out here."

He glanced at the obedient rabbit-eared girl beside him and thought that Alina and Minuo might actually get along—they were both a little awkward in the same way.

"Alright," Liyue said softly.

Luciel tapped the ground, and a wide stone platform rose beneath their feet, lifting them toward the rock tortoise's back.

"An Earth Element Awakener?" Alina's eyes widened.

Her surprise deepened. He's even more capable than I thought.

Such a powerful man… and yet, he cared about a woman afflicted by "phantom ghost infection"?

It didn't add up.

Unless… it wasn't real affection.

Alina pressed her doubts down and resolved to observe him carefully.

---

[3/4] — Request for continuation and corrections.

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