Chapter 614: Second Day

    Following Jiang Shun’s ominous remarks, Gu Luoxin’s sleep for the first night in the Cycle was far from peaceful.

    It was restless, plagued by a hazy dream where he was being chased after a grotesque mass of shadows. One moment he was running frantically along the winding corridors, and the next moment, he found himself bound to the experimental table with the harsh operating lights piercing his retina.

    Before the sharp tool could pierce his eye, Gu Luoxin gasped awake with cold sweats all over his body. And then he decisively forwent any further attempt to close his eyes, opting to stare dazedly at the clock hanging on the wall instead. Counting each second and minute that went by, waiting for the arrival of dawn.

    Fortunately, nothing else happened. The shadowy figure no longer showed itself in their room.

    Gu Luoxin reassured himself that there was no way the doctor and Master Grinu would discover it was him eavesdropping outside the window last night. After all, it was completely dark, and he was wearing his servant uniform and garuda mask, which left him completely indistinguishable from countless others in the mansion! That’s right, he should be completely safe!

    And as much as Gu Luoxin was reluctant to admit it due to his guilty conscience, the chances of Jiang Shun being targeted was much higher—not only because he had been injured and left a trail of blood behind, but also because the shadow had been following him in the first place.

    Gu Luoxin didn’t inform him about that last night, however.

    Call it a small animal instinct—he had a terrible hunch that if Jiang Shun was aware he had been targeted, he would do whatever it took to shift the shadow’s attention to someone else, even if it meant digging a pit that could lead to the other person’s death. And who else would be more suitable than his weaker temporary ally, Xinxin?

    For the sake of his own safety, Gu Luoxin decided to conceal this one thing, even though he could feel the guilt constantly gnawing on him.

    Nonetheless, he firmly kept in mind what Shen Nianzu had told him.

    Kindness has a limit. If it means forsaking your own safety, be ruthless and scheming when you should. Remember to prioritize your own survival first and foremost.

    ...Sorry, Jiang Shun, Gu Luoxin could only apologize to the other person in his heart while wishing him all the best.

    Once the hour hand of the clock moved to four, Gu Luoxin was ready in front of Young Master Ares’ room, knocking on the door. "Excuse me, Young Master. It’s time for you to wake up. Young Master...?"

    When he slid open the door just enough to poke his head in, he was surprised to find Ares sitting on the bed, staring out of the window with a faraway gaze. It was unknown when he had stirred awake... or whether he had even slept at all.

    Noticing Gu Luoxin’s presence, he turned, blinked, and offered a faint smile,

    "It’s time? Then help me get ready."

    Gu Luoxin, along with the other servants, busied themselves in Ares’ room all morning, preparing the young master’s bath and fussing over his outfit, shoes, accessories, hairstyle, cologne, even brushing the young master’s wings feathers so they would be all shiny and glossy. For the last one, Young Master Ares allowed no one but Gu Luoxin to do it for him, much to the other servants’ envy and jealousy, and Gu Luoxin could only comply and try his best, albeit with a stiff and awkward manner.

    By the time they finished, it was almost 9 AM and the sun had already risen to a high position in the sky, signaling the start of the second day in the Cycle... and also another battle.

    Gu Luoxin, along with two others, were personally chosen as part of the Young Master’s entourage who would join him in the banquet and support him all the way until the end. Before leaving the courtyard, Gu Luoxin looked around once more but did not see Jiang Shun anywhere. He could only assume that the man must have his own method to follow and turn away with a subtle sigh.

    "What is it?" came a sudden inquiry from Ares, who had unexpectedly been paying attention to him. "Do you forget something? If so, then go back to take it. We still have a little more time before we have to leave."

    "N-No...!" Gu Luoxin hurriedly straightened up and fixed his gaze straight ahead, no longer daring to move around. "I... was just curious and couldn’t resist looking around, that’s all."

    Fortunately, Young Master Ares bought his excuse and simply smiled at him with a mixture of fondness and helplessness.

    Standing under the sun, he looked noble and elegant dressed in luxurious clothing that concealed the numerous bruises and wounds marring his skin. Like an aristocratic and well-bred cat, he truly lived up to the image people had of the Young Master of the Sky—never having to suffer more than raising a hand to beckon at his servants.

    Looking at him like this, who could have guessed that he had suffered such a grueling incident last night?

    Gu Luoxin couldn’t help but click his tongue inwardly.

    Despite having nearly identical faces, he no longer felt that strange sense of dissonance when looking at Ares—it was precisely because their temperament and personality were simply too different. Ares was like a gentle moon in the sky; he had a charm and bearing befitting of a protagonist with a tragic past. While Gu Luoxin... he was content with his current role that allowed him to retreat to the background whenever he pleased.

    Supporting characters are the best!

    Led by Young Master Ares himself, the group left the courtyard and headed to the gate where a flying shuttle was parked. This was the first time Gu Luoxin had ever seen such a huge and sophisticated vehicle which was operated solely by AI, and the eyes behind the mask shone with pure curiosity.

    Ares, seemingly amused, quipped in a light-hearted tone, "If I could fly, we could have simply flown there. But alas... now we can only ride this thing."

    He did not seem to mind talking about his own defect, leaving Gu Luoxin the only one who was feeling awkward. Not to mention, Ares had only been talking to him alone while ignoring the two other servants as if they were mere background NPCs, clearly showing his favoritism.

    Once they settled inside, Gu Luoxin spared no effort to serve the young master with the provided drinks and snacks, even going as far as asking with a touch too much enthusiasm, "Young Master, are you comfortable? Do you want me to fan you?"

    He was determined to be the most dedicated servant and hug this golden thigh until the end!

    "No need." An amused smile tugged on Ares’ lips as he patted the seat right beside him. "Come here."

    "Ah, that’s..." Gu Luoxin hesitated.

    The servants had their own sitting area, which was of course separated from their master, but Ares acted domineering and tugged Gu Luoxin to sit right next to him. "It’s alright, just sit here. You can leave for now," he instructed the other two, who promptly excused themselves with a polite bow.

    Before long, only Gu Luoxin and Ares remained in the VIP area.

    "Young Master..." Gu Luoxin fidgeted in his seat, feeling both nervous and uneasy. He couldn’t help but feel like Ares had something to say to him personally when he isolated him from others. And sure enough, he heard Ares ask without a change in his expression,

    "Do you have something to ask? For example, why I brought you along or... why I cannot fly when I’m a garuda?"