Upon hearing Xia He's words, Wentworth froze for a moment before quickly speaking up:
"Xia He, what are you doing?"
"Didn't you say there was still a reward waiting for me tonight?"
As he said this, Wentworth offered a sheepish yet hopeful smile.
Seeing his reaction, Xia He glanced at Zhao Huanjin, who stood beside them with eyes half-closed and a silent grin, then gave an awkward laugh and replied:
"Hehe… Master Zhao, as you can see, it's not that I refuse to hand Wentworth over. It's just… he doesn't want to leave with me!"
Zhao Huanjin, who had remained quietly amused until now, finally spoke:
"My master has instructed me to escort this young wizard up the mountain. I'm also to tell you that your headmaster is an old acquaintance of my master's. This is simply a gesture of hospitality."
Wentworth looked momentarily surprised at Zhao Huanjin's words. Before he could respond, Zhao Huanjin turned to Xia He and continued:
"Xia He, if you insist on taking him away, I will have no choice but to intervene. You wouldn't want my master to come knocking in person to retrieve him, would you?"
At this, Xia He laughed charmingly, a spark of playful curiosity in her eyes.
"If the old Taoist himself came looking, would he bring that young Taoist, Zhang Lingyu, with him?"
Zhao Huanjin paused at the question, then shook his head.
"That, I cannot say."
Xia He's eyes flicked back and forth between Zhao Huanjin and Wentworth, an inner conflict flickering in her gaze.
Not far off, Xu San was cursing up a storm, his voice dripping with fury and resentment.
Seeing this, Zhao Huanjin turned to Wentworth.
"Sir, if you don't leave now, I fear Xu San may lose his mind entirely under the monk Yongjue's spellcraft."
At Zhao's urging, Xia He let out a delicate laugh.
"Oh, he's under my..."
But she was cut off by Wentworth, who shook his head and said:
"Master Zhao, you really spoiled the fun. Couldn't you have waited until I'd had my fill of the festivities? I didn't even get to fully experience this lady's... hospitality."
Zhao Huanjin gave a formal bow and replied,
"My master awaits you on Longhu Mountain."
Xia He looked stunned, turning toward Wentworth in disbelief.
"You're not affected? That's impossible!"
Wentworth pulled a small vial from his robes and explained:
"Potion, Wakefulness Draught. Keeps the mind sharp and unclouded for a set duration. Nullifies enchantment effects."
He then turned to Zhao Huanjin, curiosity in his voice:
"Tell me, how did you know I wasn't under her spell? I thought I acted rather convincingly. I've been told I'm quite the performer."
Zhao smiled and replied,
"Your spirit is extraordinary, clear as a polished mirror, untouched by dust. Naturally, you weren't affected."
Wentworth nodded, half-comprehending, while Xia He huffed indignantly.
"When did you realize my identity?"
Wentworth shrugged.
"I didn't. I just don't believe in free gifts falling from the sky. So, I took some precautions."
"After all, a boy has to look after himself when he's out in the world."
He gave Xia He a pitiful blink, but in that moment, as he looked at her, he suddenly thought of Yukina. A wave of inexplicable sorrow surged in his heart.
"So this is the 'Twelve Emotions-Fatigue' formation," he murmured. "How intriguing…"
At that very moment, the usually silent Yongjue, the monk named Gao Ning, suddenly shouted:
"We're leaving!"
He darted into a nearby alley. Xia He exhaled and turned to follow without hesitation.
But even as the sorrow weighed on Wentworth's heart, the effects of the Wakefulness Draught, or perhaps the disruption caused by Yongjue's departure, helped him break free of the formation's influence. Regaining clarity, he raised his wand and pointed it at Xia He's retreating figure.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Xia He stopped mid-stride, her body going rigid where she stood.
Yongjue, on the other hand, vanished into the night without looking back.
Wentworth slowly approached her, step by deliberate step.
"You were in such a hurry to leave," he said softly. "But you promised me a reward tonight, didn't you?"
On the other side, Xu San finally broke free of the emotional formation. Drenched in sweat, he turned to Zhao Huanjin and said:
"Master Zhao, Xia He and Gao Ning are both members of the Quan Xing! You're a priest of the Tianshi Temple on Longhu Mountain, the head of orthodox Taoist magic! How can you just stand by?"
Zhao Huanjin's expression didn't change as he replied calmly:
"Were I traveling under my own will, I would have banished the darkness without hesitation. But this time, I came on my master's orders, to escort this wizard to the mountain. I shall do no more and no less."
Xu San let out a long sigh but said no more. The Tianshi Temple's prestige was too great. Even as a member of the Floo-Puff Company, he knew better than to demand anything. He could only plead.
Meanwhile, Wentworth had reached Xia He. He gently waved his wand.
"Finite Incantatem."
As soon as the spell broke, Xia He instinctively raised a fist, but froze when she felt Wentworth's wand pressed against her forehead.
He stared at her with a playful grin.
"What's the rush, beautiful? What were you planning to do?"
Xia He blinked in surprise, then resumed her sultry demeanor with a laugh:
"Just stretching my limbs, little one. You really are something. I'm all weak-kneed now."
Wentworth chuckled in return.
"So, about that reward you promised me... will you still honor it?"
Xia He's smile faltered, and she looked pleadingly at Zhao Huanjin.
"Master Zhao, look at him, he's bullying me! I have quite the connection with your esteemed brother-in-arms, Master Lingyu! Can you really stand by and let me be treated this way?"
Zhao Huanjin furrowed his brow but soon resumed his familiar squint-eyed smile.
"Oh? I hadn't heard that. Perhaps you should come up the mountain with us and explain it directly to my master, maybe even face my junior brother together?"
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This fanfic has been fully translated!