"Senior Hong, please don't come over and disturb us."
Tang Xueyi spoke, her voice tinged with shyness.
It was precisely these words that forced Hong Qiantu to stop.
"Just as I suspected, it's a honey trap!"
Huining stared at Xuan Ao, unable to comprehend how this dull-witted, foolish turtle had suddenly become so clever.
He watched Xuan Ao continuously chewing on wild grass and, struck by inspiration, immediately pulled out a few blades and stuffed them into his own mouth.
"Ah, this is delicious."
Huining, disregarding everything else, crammed wild grass into his mouth and began to devour it ravenously.
"Ji Mo, what exactly did you do to Miss Tang?"
Hong Qiantu roared, convinced that Tang Xueyi must have been ensnared by Ji Mo's sorcery. Otherwise, how could a young lady utter such words?
Moreover, the rules of the Lingxu Sword Sect were extremely strict. It was even less likely for Tang Xueyi to throw herself at a man. This must all be Ji Mo's doing.
"I didn't do anything! Are you blind? Can't you see I'm the victim?"
Ji Mo held up his hands to prove his innocence, his body rigid, not daring to move. He was afraid Tang Xueyi would turn the tables and falsely accuse him of being a pervert.
It was he who was being taken advantage of, yet he was being misunderstood. It was utterly unfair.
"The Lingxu Sword Sect must have found out Mr. Ji's true identity and specifically set up this honey trap. What a cunning plan."
Fan Jingxing snorted coldly. These so-called righteous sects were all hypocrites, putting on a show while being corrupt within.
Then, he noticed Huining stuffing his mouth with grass. With a hint of confusion, he couldn't help but pull out a blade and put it in his mouth.
"Let go of me quickly, or I won't be polite anymore."
Despite the warmth and softness in his embrace, Ji Mo had no mood to enjoy it. If things went wrong, his reputation would be ruined.
He was still single. If any rumors spread, how would he find a wife in the future?
"Then you can't run away?"
Tang Xueyi finally released him. Only then did she realize how bold her actions had been, pressing her entire body against Ji Mo. How embarrassing!
Her cheeks instantly turned crimson.
Seeing this, Hong Qiantu believed that Tang Xueyi was not under Ji Mo's spell. However, judging by their words, it seemed there was something unspeakable between them.
"Miss Tang, could it be that this ungrateful scoundrel Ji Mo took advantage of you and then turned his back on you?"
Hong Qiantu couldn't help but ask, glaring at Ji Mo with eyes that seemed to wish he could skin him alive.
"What are you talking about? I don't even know her. Don't try to extort me."
Ji Mo eyed Tang Xueyi and Hong Qiantu warily.
He suspected they were putting on a charade, trying to frame him and seize his family's property and land.
"Actually, I heard Mr. play the zither at Yue'er's house, and I greatly admired him..."
Tang Xueyi explained the reason, her face growing redder as she spoke.
Really, it was just a brief encounter, so why did she have to leap into his arms the moment they met?
In fact, Tang Xueyi was afraid that Ji Mo would disappear again, as he had the previous two times, which was why she had become so agitated.
Now that she had calmed down, the shyness of a young girl made her face burn, and she fiddly with the hem of her clothes, not daring to meet Ji Mo's gaze.
With the explanation, the misunderstanding was cleared up, leaving Hong Qiantu bewildered in the wind.
When Ji Mo heard that Yue'er had been taken away by Tang Xueyi, he invited her inside for tea, wanting to inquire about Yue'er's recent condition.
After a long while, Hong Qiantu came to his senses.
Now that Ji Mo was gone, it was the perfect opportunity to rescue Xuan Ao and the other two.
He surveyed his surroundings, confirming there was no danger, and then bravely walked into the courtyard.
"My three brothers, you have suffered."
Hong Qiantu strode towards the two people and one demon who were chewing on wild grass, his eyes welling up with tears.
What kind of life had they been living? Even eating grass with such relish, they must have been starving.
He quickly rummaged through his storage bag, pulling out a large quantity of roasted chicken, cured meat, and wild game. "Eat, eat quickly. Look how hungry you are."
However, Xuan Ao and the other two didn't even blink, still happily munching on wild grass.
"Don't be afraid. I'll find a way to rescue you all soon and free you from this suffering."
Hong Qiantu patted his chest and shoved the food into their hands.
"Old Hong, what are you doing? I consider you a friend, but don't harm me."
Xuan Ao batted away Hong Qiantu's hand with a claw, signaling him to take back all the food.
Fan Jingxing's tone also turned cold. "Old Hong, you don't understand. Go back. We don't need your rescue."
Rescue them?
What a joke. They wished they could stay here for life.
However, the reasons behind this were naturally impossible to explain to Hong Qiantu.
Hong Qiantu continued to persuade them, insisting on rescuing the three no matter what.
Then he noticed that they had no restraints on them, which puzzled him.
If they were not restricted in their freedom, why would they stay here to be abused by Ji Mo?
"Before that Ji Mo discovers this, I'll take you away."
Hong Qiantu decided he would tie them up if necessary and take them away.
"That's enough, Hong Qiantu. Go do what you need to do and stop meddling. Don't disturb our enjoyment."
The three could no longer stand Hong Qiantu's incessant chatter and directly told him to leave.
They had initially intended to be more tactful, but this Old Hong was simply too annoying.
Only a fool would leave. To be able to stay with Mr. Ji was something even the Immortals couldn't offer.
The greens they ate were spiritual medicine, the well water they drank was nectar, they could use farming tools as they pleased, and at night, they could comprehend the laws of the Great Dao under that willow tree.
Where in the world could they find such a good place?
If it weren't for their past friendship with Hong Qiantu, the three would have likely subdued and taught him a lesson.
"You've gone mad! You ungrateful wretches, biting the hand that feeds you!"
Hong Qiantu couldn't believe it. He thought this life was enjoying bliss, wondering if they had all lost their minds.
He was trying to help them out of kindness, but these people were simply unappreciative.
"Have a taste."
Fan Jingxing, too lazy to argue, offered a blade of grass to Hong Qiantu.
Considering Hong Qiantu's good intentions, he wanted to help him out.
"Enjoy yourselves. I cannot partake."
Hong Qiantu flicked his sleeves and left. These three were willingly degenerating, and he wouldn't stoop to their level.
Eating wild grass as food, would they have any shame if this got out?
"Old Hong is just too short-sighted. He was the first to discover Mr. Ji's uniqueness, but unfortunately, he couldn't seize the opportunity." Xuan Ao shook his head.
"Alas, a great fortune was placed before him, and he didn't cherish it. We can't blame him."
Fan Jingxing felt he had done his best; it was Hong Qiantu's own fault for not seizing the opportunity.
"Opportunities are a matter of personal destiny. Back then, if I hadn't glanced at your hoe one more time, I might have also missed this immense opportunity," Huining said sincerely.
Hong Qiantu thought Xuan Ao and the other two had lost their minds, but in their eyes, he was the most foolish.
"Miss Tang, come play again sometime."
Ji Mo opened the door and saw Tang Xueyi out.
They had a pleasant conversation, and their relationship seemed quite harmonious.
Tang Xueyi was eager to befriend him, and Ji Mo also wanted to win her over to ensure she took good care of Yue'er, so they got along very well.
Hong Qiantu was displeased to witness this scene. He simply couldn't stand Ji Mo, finding him displeasing no matter how he looked.
Then, when his gaze fell upon Tang Xueyi, he couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "Ah, how did you get..."