But once again, her warning was ignored. Damien Gray leaned in and left a mark on her neck, then smiled teasingly, "So what if I'm a man? Haven't I also had my share of marks?"
Morgan Shangguan frowned in resignation and let him be, her attention drifting back to her ledger. Distractedly, she said, "It's broad daylight! Aren't you worried someone might see us?"
Damien Gray raised an eyebrow. "If they see, then so be it. It's not as if we're doing anything shameful!"
"Mm." Well, that's true.
Seeing that Morgan Shangguan's mind was completely elsewhere, Damien Gray frowned in displeasure and asked, "What are you looking at?" He reached out, trying to take the booklet from her hand.
Morgan quickly dodged his hand and raised an eyebrow. "It's a ledger. Doesn't the Ghostmaster think it's a bit inappropriate to look at the Cloud Guild's accounts?"
Damien Gray snatched the ledger and tossed it aside, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. After a long kiss, he complained, "Am I really less interesting than a ledger? You'd rather stare at numbers than pay attention to me? Is my charm that lacking?"
Morgan Shangguan shook her head helplessly, wrapped her arms around his waist, and kissed his lips. Ignoring the ledger, the two lay quietly together on the soft couch, simply holding each other, doing nothing, yet feeling utterly at peace.
Felix Yu couldn't let go of his obsession with the treasure. His thoughts kept circling back to the Bloodheart Jade Scepter—if he could boost his martial power, then when the treasure was found, no one would be his match. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. But he needed time to absorb the scepter's power.
After calming down and thinking it through, Felix Yu decided to enter seclusion. He summoned Quentin Yu, who had just married, gave him a few instructions, and then went to the secret chamber where the Bloodheart Jade Scepter was kept. He had to hurry—Ye Shuyang's round trip would only take about five or six days, and by tomorrow or the next day, he would arrive. Jade Dragon Manor was only ten days' journey away, so time was running out!
He really regretted only thinking of the Bloodheart Jade Scepter now!
Opening the Frostfire Box, Felix Yu gazed at the Bloodheart Jade Scepter inside, his eyes full of excitement—this was twenty years' worth of power!
Just as he was thinking about it, a sudden cold wind swept through, stinging his eyes. Felix Yu instinctively closed them, and when he opened them again, the Bloodheart Jade Scepter—and even the box—were gone!
Felix Yu's expression changed. Who was it? Whose martial arts were so profound and unfathomable? He hadn't sensed a thing!
How many people in the martial world could possess such skill? Thinking of that chilling presence, Felix Yu gritted his teeth. The Ghostmaster—it had to be him!
Meanwhile, a certain fox, blissfully unaware and enjoying the warmth in his arms, had no idea he was being unfairly made the scapegoat!
Though Felix Yu was furious, he didn't want to provoke him right now and had to swallow his anger. Still, his resentment kept bubbling up, and for a long time, Damien Gray couldn't figure out what he'd done to make Felix Yu glare at him so hatefully every time they met. But since he didn't care much, he never bothered to ask.
That day, Shuyang Ye finally arrived. Everyone was excited about his arrival—now they were just waiting for Quentin Drake.
But Jing Mohen could only worry. Once Quentin Yu arrived, they'd have to go to Healer's Sanctuary. He had always avoided direct contact with that place, but this time, escape seemed impossible.
"Guildmaster, Sophie Qiu has learned about the Treasure Map and wants to know your opinion."
Damien Gray was holding Morgan Shangguan as they played chess—both seemed deeply focused, though it was the first time anyone had seen a couple play chess while embracing each other!
Hearing Maxwell Jing's words, Damien Gray just snorted lightly and said, "Let her do as she pleases."
Morgan Shangguan chuckled, "Aren't you worried that Sophie Qiu might rebel if you keep snubbing her? With her ambition, being restrained like this must be hard for her to accept!"
Damien Gray snorted coldly, "If she were truly smart, she'd behave herself. Otherwise, the position of Empress isn't necessarily hers to keep!"
Morgan Shangguan laughed and shook her head, but her chess moves were merciless, capturing three of his pieces in a row. Damien Gray sighed, "Cloud Guildmaster, you really show no mercy! Looks like I can't afford to go easy on you!"
Morgan brushed away his wandering hand at her waist and said, "Focus!"
"Got it!" Yet the next moment, his hand returned to its original spot, continuing its teasing exploration—though he really was thinking hard about his next move.
After placing a piece, seeing Maxwell Jing still standing by, Damien Gray raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is there something else?"
Maxwell Jing hesitated and said, "Guildmaster, is it possible to send someone else to Healer's Sanctuary this time?"
Damien Gray paused. "Change one person or two?"
Maxwell Jing frowned, "I'm fine!" He'd known this day would come and was mentally prepared—he couldn't avoid it forever, and he had no ties left to Healer's Sanctuary anyway.
Damien Gray was silent for a moment before saying, "Don't force yourself."
Maxwell Jing was a little moved. "Thank you, Guildmaster. Don't worry, I'm fine!" He couldn't let his personal issues affect Damien Gray—this matter was too important and dangerous, and he had to go.
He knew Damien Gray only truly trusted him and Ethan Gu. Because of Damien's dual identity, the Four Hall Masters of the Ghost Guild rarely interacted directly with him. Orders were always passed down through him and Ethan Gu. Of the four, Thousand Soul was too cold and unsociable, Thousand Leaf was always a bit unreliable, Thousand Ling was sometimes too stubborn, and Thousand Luo was still young and playful.
Damien Gray mused, "I'll assign other tasks to Ethan Gu when the time comes."
"Thank you, Guildmaster!" Though the words seemed inadequate, he still wanted to say them.
Once Maxwell Jing left, Morgan Shangguan turned and wrapped her arms around Damien Gray's neck, studying him. Damien Gray encircled her waist, raising an eyebrow with a smile, "What's wrong? Don't recognize me anymore?"