"Is that so?"
Qing Muye's sword-like eyebrows arched, a curve tugging at the corner of his lips.
The woman raised her elbow, resting it on Qing Muye's shoulder, displaying a heroic and uninhibited demeanor. "From the moment I first saw you, I sensed something unusual about your face. Although you were disguised exceptionally well, fooling everyone, you couldn't fool my eyes."
Disguise was He Kalienuo's greatest skill and her favorite pastime.
In her youth, due to her status as the Hidden Clan's young mistress, she was not allowed to leave the royal palace. So, she disguised herself, successfully tricking the soldiers and leaving the palace.
From then on, she would occasionally don disguises, and over time, she became a master of disguise.
Who would have known that a mere personal hobby would inadvertently help her so much?
"Indeed, the Young Mistress of the Hidden Clan is wise and intelligent. Your guise of innocence has truly deceived the world."
Originally, Qing Muye had been growing impatient due to the numerous rivals around Meng Jingwei and was on the verge of revealing his identity. He hadn't expected He Kalienuo to see through his disguise.
Naturally, he no longer bothered to maintain his pretense.
"The world is simply foolish; it's not my fault, Young Mistress."
He Kalienuo turned, walked to the desk by the right-hand window, picked up an item, and strolled leisurely towards Qing Muye. She slowly raised her hand, presenting the item before him. "This, should be your true identity."
In her hand was a photograph, and the person in that photograph was none other than... Qing Muye!
Even though Qing Muye knew He Kalienuo was intelligent, he was still somewhat surprised when she produced the photograph.
This woman was not simple.
"Silence implies consent."
He Kalienuo confidently curled her red lips, her captivating watery eyes gazing at the photograph in her hand. "With sword-like brows and starry eyes, a nose like a suspended caliper; you are indeed handsome, with a strong masculine presence. Your appearance is precisely to my liking. Fortunately, you yourself are domineering and cold, not effeminate like those 'little fresh meat' idols, or I would be disgusted."
She held the photograph, admiring it as she murmured.
After speaking, she stood before Qing Muye, hands clasped behind her back, tilting her head and staring at his face. "I really want to see your true appearance. Hey, can you remove your disguise?"
Qing Muye's gaze remained cold, his expression impassive.
He Kalienuo, assuming he would refuse, added, "In exchange, I will agree to help you conceal your identity."
This counter-strategy left him unable to fathom her intentions.
"Reason?" he asked, his words sparse.
"Your purpose for coming to the Hidden Clan is for Meng Jingwei. Those behind the scenes are unaware of your existence, making you an unpredictable factor in their plans. I eagerly await the day you reveal yourself and disrupt their schemes."
She lightly tapped his chin with her whip. "After all, it's beneficial to me."
"If that is the case, then I should all the more not fulfill the Young Mistress Kalienuo's request."
Qing Muye finished speaking and turned to leave.
His intention seemed to be: I'm leaving, and you can announce my identity to the world.
"You... wait!"
Unable to grasp his personality, He Kalienuo found herself unable to control Qing Muye, and this feeling of miscalculation was unpleasant.
She quickly caught up to Qing Muye, blocking his path. "How about this? If you're willing to remove your disguise and show me, I promise that if Meng Jingwei encounters danger, I will do my utmost to protect her. You know I am capable of that."
He Kalienuo was clever, knowing to target the person he cared about most.
The effect was significant.
Qing Muye hesitated for a second, then readily agreed.
In the Hidden Clan, dangers lurked everywhere, and no one knew what unexpected events might occur in the next moment. If he had He Kalienuo's verbal "get out of jail free" card, it was worth his doing this.