We evil gods must hide.

Chapter 60 Horton, Long Time No See

Gao De's expression turned somewhat grim, filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

He stared intently at Lynch beside Catherine. He knew the family tree by heart. There was no one named Horton in the Lane family, let alone this kid who looked even younger than him.

Moreover, Horton and that powerful and beautiful imperial female swordswoman stood together like a perfect couple, and seemed to know each other well, which further shook his perception.

Could it be that I was really wrong?

He thought for a moment, then reluctantly opened his mouth to probe.

"Horton?"

"How did you end up with Imperial Academy?"

However, as soon as she opened her mouth, Catherine's eyes turned cold.

"Are all the younger generation in your family so rude, or is it because of... your strength?"

Catherine could sense that "Horton," who was older and stronger than her back then, was now not as powerful as her student. Naturally, she imagined a great drama about the struggle within the Ryan family.

Lin Qi waved his hand, "Don't mention it. When we parted ways back then, I was injured, lost my inheritance rights, and had a falling out with my father. I haven't been back for a long time."

"It's normal that this kid isn't familiar with me."

"snort."

Catherine stepped forward, shielding Lynch behind her. Her icy blue eyes swept over Gao De, devoid of any warmth. Her tone carried the natural arrogance and aloofness of an imperial person towards a rural nobleman: "Mr. Ryan, since you are not strong enough, you should leave as soon as possible. This place has been designated as a training ground by our Imperial Academy."

Upon hearing this, Gao De was immediately stunned.

Recalling his previous experiences, he suddenly had a sudden realization.

"Lady Catherine, he is not Horton at all!"

"We in the Ryan family don't have such a person! He's a fraud! Back in the fortress, he even..." Gao De exclaimed urgently.

That's enough.

Catherine's voice suddenly turned cold.

A murderous intent rose in her heart. It was bad enough that this younger generation of the Ryan family had no respect for "Houghton", but now they actually began to openly deny his existence and identity, which touched her sore spot.

The oppressive aura of a peak second-tier swordsman poured out without reservation, like an invisible mountain pressing down on Gao De. Gao De's face instantly turned pale, and he staggered back two steps, almost falling to the ground, unable to utter another word.

The surrounding students gasped, exchanging shocked glances.

They had followed their mentor, Catherine, for two years and had never seen her stand up for anyone like this. Let alone a minor nobleman from the countryside, even the son of an imperial duke, if he displeased her, would only be cleaved in two by her sword, without a single word being wasted.

But now, the mentor is not only protecting this suddenly appearing monster investigator, but also using his power to intimidate others.

"Good heavens! The icy mentor Catherine is actually protecting an outsider!"

"The way my advisor looked at him just now was so gentle, I wasn't seeing things, was I?"

"What's going on? Does Professor Catherine like girls this young?"

The whispers of the innocent students drifted in intermittently. Catherine's ears turned slightly red, but she kept a straight face and coldly said to Goddard, "The affairs of the Duchy of Fanster are none of the Imperial Academy's business."

"But now, this valley is under our control. Take your men and retreat to the outer edge of the valley. Do not approach the fortress without my permission."

"But......"

Gao De wanted to argue, but old Morgan grabbed him. Old Morgan shook his head desperately, his eyes full of pleading.

"You can't afford to offend anyone, young master, not the Imperial Academy!"

Gao De gritted his teeth, but in the end, he still glared at Lin Qi hatefully before reluctantly retreating to a far place with Old Morgan and the remaining few of his men.

Only after watching their figures disappear into the woods did Catherine's tense shoulders relax slightly.

She turned to look at Lin Qi, the coldness in her icy blue eyes instantly fading, replaced by a softness she herself didn't realize. Her voice softened considerably: "Are you alright? I didn't scare you just now, did I?"

Lin Qi shook his head, but a slight thought stirred within him.

Seeing the genuine worry in her eyes, his fingertips inexplicably clenched, and a faint sense of guilt arose in his heart.

"Scumbag!"

At this moment, the little black cat, who had been sleeping all the way, woke up.

I don't know where this guy was watching the show, but he just made a comment in Lin Qi's mind.

"I'm fine."

Lin Qi subconsciously softened his tone and said gently, "Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?"

Catherine looked away, her ears turning even redder.

She raised her hand, smoothed her wind-blown golden hair to conceal her embarrassment, and instructed the students beside her, "Rest here for half a day, set up a temporary camp, and arrange for people to take turns on guard duty. The situation inside the fortress is unclear. Once we've recovered our strength, we'll go in and wipe out the cultists."

"yes!"

The students immediately responded and quickly began setting up the tents. However, everyone's eyes kept sneaking glances at Lynch and Catherine, their eyes gleaming with gossip.

No one expected that their perpetually icy mentor would have such a gentle side.

Half an hour later, thanks to the magic of these wealthy students, the temporary camp was set up.

Catherine dismissed all the students, pulled Lynch into her tent, and drew the curtain to block everyone's view.

The tent may not look big, but it has magic inside. It's like a luxury apartment, complete with a bathroom, bed, and work table.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Catherine stood at the tent entrance, her fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of the longsword at her waist, looking somewhat awkward.

In her mind, the two hadn't seen each other for over a decade.

She was traveling in the Duchy of Fanster when she encountered Horton, who was fighting monsters at the time.

Together they traversed the misty forest, fought against the Abyss Cultists, developed feelings for each other, and made a promise under the starry sky.

However, when her trial ended, she was not allowed to leave with her mentor.

After that, I never saw him again.

She went from being a genius student at the Imperial Academy to becoming the youngest second-tier peak swordsman instructor at the Imperial Academy. Her outstanding beauty attracted countless suitors, including many people of high status and power, but she rejected them all.

Unexpectedly, I met him again in such a remote valley.

"Please sit down."

Lin Qi smiled faintly and handed her a glass of freshly poured water.

This stunningly beautiful female swordswoman, displaying such a shy, girlish expression, would be a fatal attraction for any man.

Even the evil god is finding it hard to hold on!

Catherine took the water glass, and her fingertips accidentally touched his fingers. She jerked back as if she had been electrocuted.

A few drops of water spilled from the glass, landing on her silver-white knight's skirt and leaving faint stains. Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head, whispering, "I'm sorry, Horton, I... I'm a little nervous."

Seeing her awkwardness, Lin Qi felt even more embarrassed.

"Scumbag!"