Chapter 68: Gazing at Me with Deep Affection

The response from the Mount Huang Sect was both prompt and efficient.

By the early hours of the following day, the upper echelons of the Mount Huang Sect had already learned of the inexplicable disappearance of three of their disciples. The sect leader, Mu Xiangdong, flew into a rage and ordered a thorough investigation.

Thus, the disciples of Mount Huang swept through the entire Huangshan Chong scenic area in a carpet search. Their first suspicion naturally fell on Du Jingjing and her companions. However, due to Du Jingjing's special status, they dared not apprehend her directly and could only conduct a covert investigation.

Soon after, they stumbled upon a shocking clue: during the time when Guo Xiancheng and the others disappeared, Dai Xing and Chang Gengsheng from the Salt Society had somehow infiltrated Huangshan Chong!

Dai Xing and Chang Gengsheng were inspectors from the Salt Society's main hall, not unknown figures in the martial world. The Mount Huang Sect leaders were well aware of their capabilities.

At this point, the truth seemed crystal clear. The Mount Huang Sect almost instinctively concluded that Dai Xing and his party were responsible for the missing disciples.

As for motive, they even found one for Dai Xing and his group.

It was discovered that before Guo Xiancheng and the others disappeared, they had taken two extra-long steel cables and headed for the scenic area. Based on this, Mu Xiangdong and the senior members concluded that Guo Xiancheng and his companions must have discovered some rare medicinal herbs in the area. While harvesting them, they perhaps encountered Dai Xing’s group. Bearing old grudges against the Mount Huang Sect, and tempted by the valuable find, Dai Xing and the others killed the three disciples on the spot.

After committing the crime, Dai Xing and his group, fearing the Mount Huang Sect’s influence, dared not return to their hotel. They abandoned their car and escaped through other mountain paths.

Later, as the investigation deepened, the Mount Huang Sect learned that Dai Xing’s group had entered the region to kidnap two young women from the Special Task Force, one of whom was the precious granddaughter of Du Sancai, the head of the Great Benevolence Hall.

Mu Xiangdong had initially worried that if his sect moved against the Salt Society alone, the other major sects might be displeased. But upon learning that the affair involved the Special Task Force and the Great Benevolence Hall, he immediately notified them both and even contacted the Hengshan Sect, intending for the four groups to unite and mete out swift and severe retaliation against the Salt Society.

Of course, all that was yet to come.

Chu Tianfeng was as yet unaware that the Salt Society had once again taken the fall for him—this time, the blame was heavy and grave indeed!

As usual, they rose early and, sticking to their plan, arrived at Shixian Peak for filming.

Li Shijun and Xu Yan continued to play the couple, murmuring sweet nothings under a great tree. Yet both seemed distracted, prompting Tang Yi to bark at them time and again.

"Li Shijun, why are you trembling? You're holding your lover, not your mother! NG!"

"Xu Yan, where are you looking? You should be gazing into Li Shijun’s eyes! NG!"

"Li Shijun, why is your expression so stiff? Are you playing a zombie?"

"You two are already third- and fourth-year acting students—how can you still be like this?"

…

Chu Tianfeng was cast as a man again today—a background character, of course.

Yesterday, he was a janitor; today, Tang Yi, in a rare act of mercy, promoted him to serving tea to Li Shijun and Xu Yan.

With every take ruined, Chu Tianfeng poured the tea again and again, until the entire pot was empty, yet Tang Yi remained dissatisfied.

Du Jingjing could no longer bear it. After yet another cut, she walked over to Tang Yi and suggested, “Teacher Tang, why not let Qian Ling take Li Shijun’s place?”

Tang Yi was visibly moved. “Qian Ling’s figure and temperament do suit the role. Let her try.”

She could see that ever since the cliff incident, Li Shijun and Xu Yan no longer had the rapport they once did. Their partnership was broken, let alone any hope for further collaboration.

Chu Tianfeng, however, was alarmed and quickly waved his hands. “Teacher Tang, I’m really not suitable for the lead. Really, I’m used to playing extras—I love being an extra.”

“A soldier who doesn’t want to be a general is not a good soldier,” Tang Yi snapped, glaring at him. “Stop rambling and go get changed!”

Holding the empty teapot, Chu Tianfeng’s hands shook. “Teacher Tang, I’ve never played a lead, nor acted as a lover. I’ll definitely break character and laugh.”

In truth, there was a barrier in his heart: he didn’t want to play a couple with anyone else. If he had to, it would only be with Qian Ling.

“Hurry up!” Tang Yi ordered, bristling with anger. “How do you know you can't do it if you don’t try?”

She even began to doubt if Chu Tianfeng was serious about acting. Any other student would jump at such an opportunity.

“Exactly,” Jiang Ziyue chimed in. “The sun’s almost overhead and we haven’t finished a single shot. Please, I’m starving here!”

Du Jingjing waved her little fist at Chu Tianfeng. “You can do it! I believe in you!”

Exasperated, Chu Tianfeng dragged Du Jingjing aside. “Are you out to get me? How much do I owe you? Why must you make things so hard for me?”

“Just finish the scene so we can leave,” Du Jingjing replied, feeling wronged herself. “Six o’clock direction, those two have been tailing us all morning. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed, or that they have nothing to do with you.”

Of course, Chu Tianfeng had noticed the two tails—they’d followed from the hotel all the way to Shixian Peak, pretending to be tourists admiring the scenery.

But clearly, they had never studied acting. Their stern faces and piercing gazes stood out a mile—they couldn’t have looked more conspicuous.

Martial artists! Most likely disciples of the Mount Huang Sect!

“What’s it got to do with me? Maybe the Mount Huang Sect is just worried your Special Task Force will tear up Huangshan Chong, so they assigned people to keep watch on us.”

Chu Tianfeng knew these two disciples were probably there because of Guo Xiancheng and the others’ disappearance, but he wasn’t afraid. After all, he was now clinging to Du Jingjing’s leg—and she represented the Special Task Force, the military. No matter how bold the Mount Huang Sect became, they wouldn’t dare openly oppose the Special Task Force.

Du Jingjing rolled her eyes. “Last night after dinner, you disappeared for two or three hours and even turned off your phone. If you weren’t up to something shady, even a ghost wouldn’t believe it.”

“Heh! You got me,” Chu Tianfeng laughed. “I went to soak in a hot spring, found a girl who looked like you. Great figure, excellent service.”

As he spoke, he gestured toward Du Jingjing’s chest.

No matter how little effort she made, Du Jingjing could read Chu Tianfeng’s mind.

“Pervert!” she snapped, kicking at him. “Get lost!”

Chu Tianfeng dodged nimbly, about to retort, but Tang Yi’s voice rang out again. “Are you done? Why are you still dawdling?”

Chu Tianfeng shot Tang Yi a resentful glance, grumbling inwardly that this woman must be in menopause, her moods so unpredictable.

Grumbling aside, he obediently removed his servant’s costume and went to the set.

Li Shijun had already taken off his costume, standing dejectedly by Xu Yan’s side. He handed his costume to Chu Tianfeng in silence, picked up the teapot, found it empty, and went to refill it with bottled water from the luggage.

“Remember, you’re lovers now—bound by life and death. On camera, you must hold her at all times. Your movements should be gentle and smooth, your gaze full of emotion. Understood?” Tang Yi patiently explained the role to Chu Tianfeng.

“I told you, I’ve never been in love, never played a lover. If this goes badly, don’t blame me,” Chu Tianfeng muttered as he put on the costume.

“You’re driving me mad!” Tang Yi exclaimed, stepping forward and pulling Chu Tianfeng into her arms. “Watch carefully.”

Chu Tianfeng froze, immobilized in Tang Yi’s embrace, staring at her in confusion.

Tang Yi’s face, which had been angry, instantly softened. Her eyes grew tender, full of deep emotion.

However, Chu Tianfeng’s costume was only half on, the sash hanging loosely from his hand.

The image was, to put it mildly, bizarre.

“Look at me—with affection, longing in your eyes,” Tang Yi’s voice was magnetic, and Chu Tianfeng found himself unconsciously drawn in, obeying her every word.

“All right, just try to relax and be natural. Don’t overdo it,” Tang Yi continued.

Her voice was gentle and warm, enough to make anyone’s heart flutter and become entranced.

Chu Tianfeng even felt a strange illusion: the person holding him was not Tang Yi, but his master, Qian Ling.

Once, that voice had also been so melodious, those eyes so enchanting.

Chu Tianfeng felt his emotions stirring, gazing at Tang Yi in a trance.

He found his face slowly drawing closer to hers.

The others stood stunned, watching him and Tang Yi in disbelief.

“That’s it, just that feeling,” Tang Yi said, stopping him at the crucial moment and releasing him.

Chu Tianfeng woke as if from a dream, gazing after Tang Yi’s retreating figure, words stuck in his throat.

“Is your injury better?” Suddenly, a clear voice sounded beside him.

Chu Tianfeng sighed, turned to Xu Yan, and managed a faint smile. “I’m fine now, thank you.”

He knew she was not Qian Ling. Qian Ling had already ascended to the Immortal Realm. Perhaps they would never meet again.

The spiritual energy on Earth was so thin—just reaching the Nascent Soul stage here was uncertain, let alone ascending.

“That’s good,” Xu Yan replied, stepping forward and skillfully fastening his belt. “In a moment, just look into my eyes. I’ll help you get into character.”

“Uh…” Chu Tianfeng thought, after all, I’m your senior, no—your senior sister. How am I supposed to handle this?

“Three, two, one, action!” Tang Yi’s voice called from afar.

Xu Yan leaned gently against Chu Tianfeng, gazing at him with sweetness.

Chu Tianfeng was watching Li Shijun approach in the distance, but feeling Xu Yan’s presence, he slowly turned to look at her.

“I don’t know why, but when I lean on you, I feel especially safe, especially at ease,” Xu Yan whispered, her voice as soft and intimate as a lover’s murmur.

“Maybe it’s because I saved you before. You feel a sense of dependence,” Chu Tianfeng replied with a slight smile.

“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” Xu Yan pressed closer, nestling fully into Chu Tianfeng’s embrace.

She longed for the strength of his arms—the same arms that had once held her aloft in midair.

But what truly moved her was when Chu Tianfeng had softly said, “Don’t be afraid.” She would never, ever forget those words.

Li Shijun approached, head bowed, silently refilling the cups before Chu Tianfeng and Xu Yan.

Xu Yan smiled sweetly, pointing ahead with her right hand.

“Cut!” Tang Yi shouted excitedly.

“Yes!” Jiang Ziyue nearly jumped for joy, hugging Du Jingjing in celebration. Xu Yan remained nestled contentedly in Chu Tianfeng’s arms.

“Excellent! Qian Ling’s performance was truly outstanding,” Tang Yi said as she packed up the camera. “For the next few scenes, Qian Ling will take over from Li Shijun.”

Chu Tianfeng had been about to hug Tang Yi, but at her words, he immediately changed his mind, secretly flipping her the bird behind her back.