Chapter 17 (1/2)
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[Chapter 17 - Setting out!] Starting on a new journey!
”Ling-er.” Just as he finished packing, Shen Qian Feng walked in.
”Big brother.” Shen Qian Ling yawned.
Shen Qian Feng laughed, ”Haven't woken up yet?”
”Didn't sleep well last night.” Shen Qian Ling poured him a cup of tea, ”Does big brother need me for something?”
”I heard from father, he's letting you go to the southern seas together with Sha Yu as soon as possible.” Shen Qian Feng said, ”There will be people protecting you secretly along the trip, but in case you run into an emergency, you can't always rely on others.”
Shen Qian Ling hesitated, ”Going to teach me martial arts again?”
”No need.” Shen Qian Feng shook his head, ”You're too stupid, and can't learn.”
Shen Qian Ling: ”.......”
Must you be this blunt?
”I'm giving you this.” Shen Qian Feng handed him a wooden box.
”What?” Shen Qian Ling moved to open it upon receiving it, but was stopped.
”You can't use it now.”
”A concealed weapon?” Shen Qian Ling instantly gained some interest.
”Yes.” Shen Qian Feng rubbed his head, ”I made it myself, so if there's danger, open the box towards the enemy, and it can buy you some time.”
”It will be this dangerous on the road?” Shen Qian Ling felt a little guilty.
”No, Ling-er will be safe throughout the whole journey.” Shen Qian Feng rubbed his cheeks, ”I can't protect you all the way; all I want is for you to stay safe.”
”Thank you, big brother.” Shen Qian Ling looked at him with grat.i.tude.
”Why do you still have to be so courteous to me?” Shen Qian Feng smiled, ”Remember to be careful on the road.”
Shen Qian Ling nodded, thought for a while and said, ”After I leave, can big brother do me a favor?”
”What is it?” Shen Qian Feng asked.
”Father won’t allow me to bring Bao Dou along, so he must remain at home.” Shen Qian Ling said, ”Riyue sect is so big. When I'm not around, I'm afraid that he will be bullied.”
”No need to worry about that.” Shen Qian Feng said, ”If he's willing, he can stay at my residence for the time being.”
”That would be best.” Shen Qian Ling relaxed. Before this he did consider letting Bao Dou go out and live a free life, but after thinking through it, he's just a small kid, and doesn't have any special skills; it would be hard for him to avoid being taken advantage of if he left. Staying in the sect would be the best choice instead.
After Shen Qian Feng left, Bao Dou said somberly, ”When is young master setting out?”
”In about two days.” Shen Qian Ling said, ”Don't worry, big brother is a good person, you won't have any trouble.”
”Yes.” Bao Dou is very reluctant, ”Then when is young master returning?”
Shen Qian Ling sighed faintly. I don’t know either.
Going far away for the first time to an unknown land.
He had the desire to feel for himself the harsh winds and the cold waters of Yi, much like the hero of that ancient tale. (1)
Because they won’t be setting out with fanfare, they didn't have to prepare much either. A few days later, Qin Shao Yu brought Shen Qian Ling along, and together they left the Riyue sect.
The horse carriage is rather large. At first Shen Qian Ling still felt curious, but started feeling bored within an hour; two hours later, he laid on the cus.h.i.+ons, more dead than alive.
The ride is shaky, and very slow.
”What happened to you?” Qin Shao Yu peeked through the window randomly, a bit surprised.
”My waist is sore.” Shen Qian Ling is lying on the cus.h.i.+ons in a wretched pose, ”It's so low I can't stand up, I’ve sat so long my b.u.t.t hurts, and on top of all that there's nothing to do.”
It's awfully tragic.
Qin Shao Yu can't help but laugh, ”Want to come out and ride the horse with me?”
”Yes.” Shen Qian Ling agreed immediately.
A subordinate of Zhui Yin sect brought over a medium sized horse very quickly; Shen Qian Ling stepped on the stirrup and got up the horse, his movements especially suave. Luckily he’s acted in martial arts films before. Shen Qian Ling celebrated in his heart, rubbing the horse's curly mane.
”We’ll travel for another four hours, and then we will arrive at Luo Xia town.” Qin Shao Yu rode shoulder to shoulder with him, ”We will have lunch there.”
”Yes.” It had been a long while since Shen Qian Ling last rode a horse, so he was glad to do so again.
”Shall we run together for a while?” Qin Shao Yu asked.
”Run?” That sounds somewhat difficult. As Shen Qian Ling was checking the condition of the road, Qin Shao Yu had already used his sword hilt to prod the horse's b.u.t.t, and thus the best actor was forced to fly along with it.
”Ah!” Shen Qian Ling shouted in shock, instinctively grabbing the reins; he swayed about for a while before he could gain his balance.
”Scared?” Qin Shao Yu caught up to him and asked with a smile.
Scared your sister! Shen Qian Ling is reluctant to admit his fear, ”You're the scared one.”
”Your face has already turned pale.” Qin Shao Yu can't help but laugh.
Shen Qian Ling's eyes were full of complaint, ”I am pale to begin with....ah.”
Before he could finish even one sentence, he was pulled by Qin Shao Yu into his arms, sitting sideways in front of him.
”Put me back.” Shen Qian Ling is shocked and irate, I absolutely don't want to ride the same horse with you.
”That small horse is too slow, this one is fast.” Qin Shao Yu's tone was mocking.
”What are you going to do?” Shen Qian Ling became alert.
Before he could even respond, Qin Shao Yu had raised the whip; the great white horse, like an arrow leaving its bow, instantly flew forward.
”Slow down a little.” Shen Qian Ling buried his head into his chest, grumbling, because it's the only place he can hide from the wind.
Qin Shao Yu held on to him tightly with one hand. Not only did he not stop, he sped up instead. How cruel.
The sound of wind rushed past his ears; when he opened his eyes, he only saw trees sweep past them on both sides. Cowardly, Shen Qian Ling was scared till his legs turned weak, and even felt like peeing.
The great white horse ran all the way to the top of the hill, snorted with incomparable enthusiasm, and finally stopped.
Shen Qian Ling had the will but not the strength. He raised his head up from between Qin Shao Yu's arms and said, ”Is something wrong with your head?” His voice is soft and weak, with no semblance of threat; along with his listless eyes, he makes one want to laugh instead.
And so as expected, sect leader Qin laughed.
”What are you laughing for.” Shen Qian Ling jumped down from the horse, wanting to vomit in peace.
”Scared?” Qin Shao Yu followed him and leapt off the horse.