Chapter Seventy-Nine: Identity Unveiled

Chu Bing, carrying Li Mohan, found the cave the system had mentioned.

A strange stench lingered inside, likely from a beast that had lived there before. Though the odor was unpleasant, it would probably deter poisonous insects and wild animals from entering. Chu Bing set Li Mohan down on the ground. She first stopped his bleeding, then cleaned his wounds. In that moment, she was profoundly grateful for her knowledge of medicine.

At least under such harsh conditions, she could still identify and use herbs to staunch the bleeding.

Li Mohan’s wounds were tended to, but he had yet to regain consciousness. Chu Bing touched his forehead—thankfully, there was no fever.

“How long do you plan to wait here?” the system’s voice sounded in her mind. “Why not leave him and return? Besides him, Master Li should also know where Li Haoran is—”

“Shut up!” Chu Bing cut the system off without mercy. “Li Mohan saved my life just now. If I abandoned him to save myself, what sort of person would that make me?”

Betrayal and ingratitude were not her way.

Sensing Chu Bing’s anger, the system retreated into silence.

Rain began to fall outside, and the air grew damp and chilly. Chu Bing gathered some dry wood and built a fire.

Leaning against the cave wall, she soon drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

“Hiss—” Li Mohan opened his eyes, pain splitting his head. He forced himself upright, his cold gaze sweeping the cave before settling on Chu Bing.

The round-faced girl, her cheeks smeared with dirt, dozed against the wall, her head bobbing like a chick pecking grain—utterly endearing.

His expression softened. With effort, he scrambled up, staggering to sit across from her.

She slept fitfully, her brow tightly furrowed.

Li Mohan couldn’t help but reach out and smooth her brow.

Chu Bing’s eyes snapped open.

She had been sleeping lightly; the slightest noise woke her. The first thing she saw was Li Mohan’s face.

“You’re awake?” Delight flashed in her eyes. “Are you feeling any discomfort?”

Li Mohan flexed his limbs, his voice low. “I’m fine.”

Chu Bing had already examined him and knew his injuries were mostly superficial. After all, the system’s protective shield had done its job.

Li Mohan’s deep eyes quietly regarded the girl before him, then he spoke suddenly. “This is the second time.”

“What?” Chu Bing was momentarily confused.

He paused before explaining, “This is the second time you’ve saved me.”

The first time… When was that?

Wait—could he mean that incident at the temple…?

He’d recognized her!

Chu Bing’s nerves snapped taut. Her face went pale, and she didn’t know how to face him.

Li Mohan took in her expression, a hint of laughter in his tone. “Thank you.”

Thank him? For what!

Chu Bing grimaced. “How did you recognize me?”

She had tried so hard not to give herself away.

“You’re too suspicious,” Li Mohan said, leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes to steady his breath. “The thing on your face is a disguise technique, isn’t it? It’s very convincing, but over time, there are always flaws.”

Like that crack he’d noticed on her face last time.

Chu Bing pressed her lips together. “Could you… not tell anyone about my real identity?”

She wasn’t worried about most people, but if Li Yuxi found out, she’d be in real trouble.

For some reason, just thinking of that man made her uneasy—perhaps even a little afraid, or was it something else?

Li Mohan’s eyes flickered. “I can promise you that. But first, you need to tell me why you changed your appearance to enter the Li household.”

His hand tightened subtly, out of her sight.

If Chu Bing showed any sign of being an enemy to the Li family… But his hand slowly relaxed again.

A flash of frustration crossed his eyes: he realized he couldn’t bring himself to harm her.

Chu Bing hesitated. Now that her secret was exposed, there was no reason to hide it any longer. She explained, “I’m looking for Li Haoran.”

“I know.” Li Mohan nodded.

“Huh? How did you know?” Chu Bing was baffled. Had she been that obvious?

Li Mohan’s lips twitched, a faint smile in his eyes. “That night, you got me drunk… I remember everything.”

His voice was soft, magnetic in the depths of night, making Chu Bing’s ears burn.

It took her a moment to realize that she’d already given herself away that night! All her caution these past days had been for nothing—the man before her had known all along!

She couldn’t help but glare at Li Mohan, full of grievance.

His voice grew even softer and deeper. “Why are you looking for my third brother?”

Chu Bing stole a glance at him, only to meet his gaze directly. She quickly looked away, straightened up, and said, “I’m his friend. He’s been missing so long—of course I’m worried!”

“Worried?” Li Mohan repeated the word, the warmth in his eyes fading.

“He’s safe now. You don’t need to worry.”

“Then where is he?” Chu Bing pressed.

Li Mohan shut his eyes, making it clear he wouldn’t answer.

Chu Bing had no idea how she’d offended him this time. Since he ignored her, she pouted, feeling bored.

Her nap had left her alert. The rain had stopped, but it was deep into the night—too late to return to the Li estate. She would have to wait until dawn.

Chu Bing sat on the ground, poking at the campfire. Suddenly, Li Mohan, eyes still closed, shot to his feet, his expression grim. “Something’s coming.”

“What?” Chu Bing stared at him in confusion. What could be coming at this hour?

Li Yuxi quickly strode to the cave entrance. Seeing the bloodstains at the mouth of the cave, his expression turned wary. “The blood outside likely drew it here. It should be a wild beast. Be careful.”

Chu Bing hurried to stand behind him, flustered. “No way! The cave still bears traces of the previous beast. Ordinary animals wouldn’t dare come here!”

“Host… actually…” The system spoke up suddenly, filling Chu Bing with a sense of foreboding. Then its voice sounded in her mind: “It’s the original resident of this cave… a bear!”

Chu Bing froze, immediately grabbing Li Mohan’s hand. “It’s a bear—we have to go, now!”

With Li Mohan still recovering from his injuries, she had no confidence she could get him out unscathed.

Li Mohan turned to her, eyeing her suspiciously. “How do you know it’s a bear?”

Chu Bing faltered, panic rising, but managed a serious explanation. “When you were unconscious, I checked—the cave must have belonged to a wild bear. In these mountains, nothing but a bear would dare return here, so it must be—”

“It’s—it’s here!” she cried.

As they spoke, a massive shadow appeared at the cave entrance, exuding a pungent, chilling odor.