Chapter 1019: Holding Hands

She seemed somewhat distracted, not even noticing Zhang Xuan approaching. The bright moonlight fell on her like white frost, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like appearance, as if she might float away at any moment.

"What are you thinking about, so absorbed?"

Zhang Xuan smiled as he came up to her.

"Nothing much..."

Snapping back to reality, Luo Ruoxin shook her head and stood up. Glancing at the pale moonlight, she said, "Would you accompany me for a walk?"

Startled for a moment, Zhang Xuan jumped up excitedly. "Of course, with pleasure!"

Seeing his expression, Luo Ruoxin shook her head with a wry smile. "Do you never hide anything you do?"

Others, when with her, would try to conceal their joy, pretending to be dignified and cultivated. But this guy was different—he acted on his true feelings, carefree and enviable.

"I..." Zhang Xuan looked a bit nervous. "Actually, I've been hiding things all along..."

"Oh?" Hearing that he could conceal things, Luo Ruoxin became interested. Her beautiful eyes looked at him. "Tell me about it!"

"I'm inherently not fond of conflict and am very low-key, but you've seen the result..."

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

"Low-key?" Seeing his serious expression, Luo Ruoxin burst out laughing. The melancholy on her face vanished instantly, and she couldn't help saying, "You hide it so well, I didn't notice at all..."

This guy, wherever he went, was incredibly high-profile, becoming the brightest star in everyone's eyes... And now he said he wasn't fond of conflict and was very low-key...

Where's his face?

She would find others shameless and detestable, but for some reason, being with this guy made her feel incredibly relaxed and at peace.

"You really don't believe me!"

Seeing the girl's expression, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Deep down, he really was very low-key, but fate played tricks. He was too outstanding; wherever he went, he was like a firefly in the dark night, bright and dazzling, impossible to avoid...

"Giggle!"

Seeing his earnest look, Luo Ruoxin laughed again.

Talking and laughing, the two stepped into the night and walked out of the Master Teacher Hall's residence.

The night was cool as water, the temperature much lower than during the day. Those who had stayed indoors all came out, filling the streets with crowds.

Luo Ruoxin had used some method to disguise herself. To outsiders, she was still beautiful but not exceptionally so. Thus, people on the street merely admired her without attracting too much attention.

After walking for a while, Zhang Xuan stopped and pointed ahead. "Because of the climate in Fire Source City, there are many delicacies not found elsewhere. There's a restaurant here; how about we rest there and try the local specialties?"

Luo Ruoxin looked ahead and saw a tall building with four large characters: "Dreamlike Restaurant."

"Life is but a dream, a smile in the vastness; better to sing with wine... This restaurant has a lot of charm!"

Smiling gently, the girl nodded.

Inside, the restaurant was luxuriously decorated and looked very cozy. The waiters moving around all had strength at the fifth level of Mortal Transformation, indicating that this restaurant was no ordinary place.

"Honored guests, please come in..."

A waiter greeted them and arranged a window seat for couples. Zhang Xuan glanced at Luo Ruoxin and, seeing she wasn't upset, sat down contentedly.

"Bring us one of each of your specialties..."

"Right away!"

The waiter withdrew, and soon fine wine and delicious dishes were served.

It must be said that the food and wine here were indeed excellent. The abundant earth fire in Fire Source City not only made smithing and alchemy professions thrive but also brewed mellow and delicious wine that captivated anyone who took a sip.

"This golden river salmon is a special species found only in the Golden River of Yanlin Mountain. It's very rare, growing only half a tael in ten years, scaleless, with tender meat. Stewed with yellow wine, it tastes superb..."

"This is green sparrow liver, steamed directly, with a little sesame oil added before eating. It's rich in spiritual energy and has an exquisite flavor..."

"This is bamboo tip green leaf meat. The main ingredient is the green leaf bamboo tip unique to Fire Source City. Cooked, it's like cured meat, very chewy..."

As they ate, Zhang Xuan introduced each dish.

As long as he tasted a dish, the Library of Heaven's Path could generate a book. Not only could he give detailed introductions, but he could also list dozens of flaws in the cooking without repeating himself.

"Are you also knowledgeable about cuisine?"

Hearing him speak so detailedly, Luo Ruoxin was very curious.

This guy, though young, was not only powerful and skilled in auxiliary professions but also seemed to know everything.

Especially cuisine, which was the most inconspicuous among the lowly professions, usually found in palaces, preparing dishes for nobles and testing new recipes, with no high status.

That the dean of the prestigious Master Teacher Academy had studied this seemed somewhat strange.

"I've read relevant books, so I know a bit..." Zhang Xuan explained.

"Just from reading books you can describe it so detailedly? Impressive!"

Luo Ruoxin praised him.

She ate sparingly, her every move showing good upbringing, unlike Zhang Xuan, who wolfed down his food without any elegance.

"Perhaps it would be better to speak your mind; though my strength is limited, there are still many things I can resolve."

After eating and drinking his fill, Zhang Xuan looked over.

He had long sensed that the girl might have something on her mind, so he had been joking and teasing along the way to make her laugh, but... now it seemed the effect was minimal.

"It's nothing..." Luo Ruoxi hesitated, then shook her head. "I just encountered some things and feel a bit homesick."

"Homesick? You... could you really be from the Luo family of the Sage Clan?"

Zhang Xuan voiced the doubt in his heart.

Regarding this girl, the Master Teacher Academy was rife with rumors, mostly that she was a descendant of sages, of exalted status.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for Master Mu, a dignified seven-star master teacher, to treat her with such deference.

"Sage Clan?" The girl smiled and shook her head, neither confirming nor denying, but instead looked back at him. "What about your family? Where are they? Why have I never heard you mention them?"

Seeing that she was unwilling to say more, Zhang Xuan did not press the issue, a hint of desolation appearing in his eyes. "I have no family; I am an orphan."

"Orphan?"

Luo Ruoxi was startled.

"Mm, from childhood to now, I have never seen any relatives..." Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had crossed over from Earth and had no relatives; if one spoke of loneliness, no one could compare to him.

Even setting him aside, his predecessor had never seen any relatives since he could remember, and becoming an academy teacher had taken immense effort, only to... have his students go berserk and almost have his qualifications revoked!

No one could rival his misery.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up..." Luo Ruoxi quickly waved her hand.

"It's nothing, I'm used to it. It's fine this way, no attachments, I can go wherever I want." Zhang Xuan smiled.

Being alone was also good; along the way, aside from a few students, there was nothing to hold him back.

"You have such a good attitude..." Looking at the young man before her, seeing that he lived happily without any pretense, Luo Ruoxi's eyes showed admiration.

Without background or connections, relying on his own efforts, he had become the dean of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy at only twenty years old. This Zhang Xuan, though seemingly unreliable, was actually the most reliable!

The unconditional trust of his students, the unconditional submission of the elders... all demonstrated his excellence.

Things that were clearly difficult could be easily resolved as long as he was present; this alone made him far beyond the reach of countless people.

She was not lacking in outstanding peers, many of whom were far more powerful than the man before her at the same age, but... these people had high starting points. If they had the same starting point, few would be able to reach this young man's level!

Reaching the pinnacle of the Sage realm at such a young age, earning the unwavering loyalty of his students, leading an entire academy, and gaining the willing recognition of everyone... such charisma was incomparable to many.

Especially his attitude; even when facing difficulties, he always faced them with a smile. As long as he did not fall, his future achievements would be limitless.

Unconsciously, Luo Ruoxi's view of the man before her had changed greatly.

Before, she had only felt an inexplicable closeness to this fellow, but now she felt that the shining qualities hidden behind his facade were so dazzling that they dimmed countless others.

Unconsciously, she began to feel an unusual emotion toward this young man.

Though only a trace, it was something she had never felt before.

"Let's go back!"

After chatting a while longer, they turned back.

The bright moon hung in the sky, stretching their shadows long. A gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of the girl, which, when inhaled, was indescribably pleasant.

Zhang Xuan had never felt such peace in his heart. His hand reached out involuntarily, brushing against the girl's hand, which felt as soft and delicate as a pile of cotton.

Luo Ruoxi's body stiffened. She quickly withdrew her hand, holding it to her chest, her face flushing. "I'm going back first!"

With that, she hurried away and soon disappeared from sight.

"She's gone..."

Full of embarrassment, Zhang Xuan slapped his forehead. "It's all my fault..."

If he had just walked properly, they might have talked longer. Why did he have to touch her hand? If she took offense, wouldn't they not even be friends anymore?

What a fool!

Helpless, he was about to return to his quarters, planning to see how she felt tomorrow and hoping she wouldn't be angry, when he heard a voice from a nearby alley.

"Farewell, my family, my friends. I have brought shame upon you and caused you disgrace..."

Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man in his thirties kneeling at the entrance of a courtyard, his face full of sorrow.

The man was covered in blood and dust, looking somewhat disheveled, as if he had just experienced something dangerous and had only just returned.

"Farewell!"

After kowtowing a few times, the man gritted his teeth and stood up. With a flick of his wrist, a long sword appeared in his palm, and he swung it toward his own neck.

"Suicide?"

Unexpectedly encountering a suicide while walking, Zhang Xuan frowned and flicked his finger.

Hum!

A beam of light shot forth, striking the long sword in the man's hand. With a "hum," the sword embedded itself in the wall not far away, still quivering.