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For a moment, Bibi Dong shook her head with a complex expression.
The face in the mirror—both familiar and unfamiliar…
The youthful naivety and softness had long been honed into sharp edges by the weight of the Supreme Pontiff's crown. Seeing it again now felt like a lifetime away.
Finally, she raised her eyes to look at Dai Chengfeng's smug reflection standing behind her in the mirror and softly asked:
"Where… did you learn all this?"
Disguise techniques weren't rare, but the ability to so seamlessly alter someone's entire demeanor and facial structure was clearly uncommon.
Dai Chengfeng smiled, his usual inscrutable lazy grin on his face, and didn't offer a direct explanation.
Instead, he placed his hands on Bibi Dong's shoulders, leaned down slightly, his chin almost touching the fragrant top of her hair. Through the mirror, his gaze met hers as he skillfully changed the subject:
"My dear teacher, now isn't the time to dig into details."
"Just tell me—does my handiwork meet your satisfaction?"
Bibi Dong intended to put on her usual authoritative tone as a teacher or deliver a regal response like "It's acceptable" or "Passable."
But as she looked at the face in the mirror, stripped of all its burdens and appearing unusually serene and delicate, her habitual pretense faltered.
After all, this wasn't just any unfamiliar face...
Her slender fingers curled slightly, but ultimately, she refrained from touching her cheek. Instead, she gave an almost imperceptible nod to Dai Chengfeng's reflection in the mirror.
"Satisfied, are we?"
The mirth in Dai Chengfeng's eyes instantly bloomed. He straightened up and naturally took Bibi Dong's hand.
Her fingertips were cool, firmly enveloped by his warm palm.
"So, Teacher, shall we... go?"
Bibi Dong felt the warmth transmitted through her palm and looked into his startlingly bright eyes. Her last shred of hesitation quietly dissipated.
She pursed her lips, suppressing the unfamiliar, girlish shyness and nervousness that welled up inside her.
Ultimately, she nodded once more.
The plan proceeded unexpectedly smoothly.
Dai Chengfeng had clearly planned ahead, knowing the guard rotations and maid movements around the Supreme Pontiff's bedchamber like the back of his hand.
He led Bibi Dong, cleverly using shadows and blind spots in the corridors, and in just a few swift moves, avoided all visible and hidden guards, arriving at a secluded side door.
This side entrance was typically used only by low-ranking servants responsible for procurement, with relatively lax security.
Dai Chengfeng pulled Bibi Dong out silently.
When her feet truly touched the smooth stone path outside the Spirit Hall, feeling the warm sunlight and the slightly bustling air, Bibi Dong experienced a fleeting sense of disorientation.
How many years had it been since she left the Spirit Hall in this manner?
Every outing had always been accompanied by entourage and fanfare, with people kneeling and soul masters showing reverence.
To walk hand-in-hand with someone, like ordinary men and women on the street, was a long-forgotten fragment buried deep in her memory.
"Where… are we going?"
Bibi Dong instinctively lowered her voice, as if fearing recognition by any passerby.
Although she knew her disguise was flawless, the ingrained caution from her high position made it hard for her to fully relax immediately.
Dai Chengfeng felt the slight dampness and barely noticeable stiffness in her palm. He tightened his grip on her hand, turned his face to give her a brilliant yet slightly mischievous smile:
"To be honest… I haven't decided yet."
"Hmm?" Bibi Dong looked up in surprise.
"Look, Teacher," Dai Chengfeng swung their clasped hands, his tone light, "this is… a date, right?"
"On a date, what matters is who you're with, not where you go."
"Why don't we just wander aimlessly? Wherever we end up, we'll stop if we see something interesting, alright?"
"Who… who said we're on a date!"
Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed slightly. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back but was held even tighter by Dai Chengfeng.
She glared at him reproachfully, but her gaze lacked any real force, instead carrying a hint of coquettishness she herself hadn't noticed.
"Alright, alright, not a date," Dai Chengfeng readily agreed, though the laughter in his eyes deepened, "it's a disciple accompanying the teacher to understand the common folk, delve into grassroots life, and explore the true face of Spirit Hall City."
"Is that acceptable?"
With that, he genuinely led her into the bustling crowd on the street.
As the holy land of soul masters, Spirit Hall City was far more prosperous than the capital of any empire.
Shops lined both sides of the streets, with vendors shouting incessantly.
There were stalls selling various small soul-guided gadgets, others hawking spirit beast pelts and bone cores, as well as ordinary taverns, teahouses, clothing shops, and cosmetic stores.
Bibi Dong, like a young girl entering the city for the first time, found everything fascinating.
Previously, the Spirit Hall City she saw was based on countless intelligence reports and grand strategic plans—cold, hard data and strategic strongholds.
But now, she smelled the sweet aroma of freshly roasted chestnuts, heard the enthusiastic cries of vendors and the haggling of customers, and saw vivid expressions on the faces of ordinary people…
Fatigue from making a living, joy from buying coveted items, and the cheerfulness of friends gathering.
Dai Chengfeng was incredibly patient, accompanying her on aimless strolls.
Whenever he noticed her lingering gaze on some delicate but inexpensive trinket, he would immediately step forward to buy it, placing it on her wrist or in her hair without hesitation;
Seeing a vendor selling candied haws, he bought a stick and offered it to her.
Watching her hesitantly, carefully bite into one, then squint slightly from the sweet-and-sour taste, like a lazy cat.
At this moment, Bibi Dong shed the Supreme Pontiff's luxurious attire and dignity.
Wearing a simple yet well-tailored pale purple dress prepared earlier, her disguised features clear and gentle, she furrowed her brows slightly over a stick of candied haws.
She also flashed curious glints in her eyes at the sight of an amusing puppet show.
Gradually, she relaxed, no longer constantly vigilant, and occasionally pointed to something, softly asking Dai Chengfeng what it was.
Dai Chengfeng patiently answered, sometimes even fabricating humorous origins to make her chuckle.
Sunlight bathed the couple, warm and soothing.
Dai Chengfeng held her hand tightly the entire time, as if afraid she might get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Bibi Dong felt the reassuring sense of being firmly protected. A long-lost, simple happiness, like the first melting snow, gently soaked her long-parched heart.
After walking for a while, Dai Chengfeng suddenly stopped, a perfectly timed look of "regret" crossing his face:
"Oh no, Teacher, I think I left something at that soul-guidance gadget shop we just passed."
"Would you wait here for me? I'll be quick!"
Bibi Dong, unsuspecting, nodded and reminded him, "Be careful, no need to rush."
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