9 Ji Lingfeng (1/2)
Ji Lingfeng adjusted her long white sleeves and put on a veiled straw hat that was behind her back.
Yi Ping asked, ”Why did you do that for? It is not as if you cannot be recognized by anyone. I surely will be able to recognize you even if you turn into ashes.”
Yi Ping had said that because he had a blood feud with the maiden in yellow and anyone with a veil irked him.
Ji Lingfeng did not seem to mind. In fact, her thin eyebrows had a mischievous expression. She soon chuckled softly, ”You will soon know. Is it true that even if I am turned into ashes, you will still be able to recognize me? I didn't know you are paying so much attention to me. If you are a pile of ashes, I surely wouldn't be able to recognize you.”
Yi Ping did not want to argue with her. He said hurriedly, ”Let us set off now. It is getting dark soon. You don't have to keep adjusting your attire and grooming yourself by the river.”
This time round, Ji Lingfeng was none too pleased. She murmured, ”It just a few minutes. Why are you being so impatient?”
Yi Ping heard her and he said, ”I have been waiting for you for the past two hours. First, you start mending your dress and now you tidying your attire. Isn't that enough already?”
Ji Lingfeng said, ”During the ruffle with the *****es from the Eternal Ice Palace, they have torn parts of my clothing. Of course I have to mend my clothing to look presentable. Don't you think so too? After all, I am a girl and I should protect my modesty.”
Yi Ping said, ”They are not what you think. And please don't use vulgarities on them. A pretty maiden like you wouldn't mouth profanities.”
Ji Lingfeng laughed softly, ”Unfortunately, that is my mouth and not yours. If you do not want to listen to me, you can simply go far away from me.”
Yi Ping had never met a maiden the like of her before. He was speechless and he began to sit down onto the grass patch. He did not know how long he got to wait for her.
Actually he had felt bad arguing with her. That was because she had saved his life and instead of being grateful, he was now arguing with her. It was just that he could not help feeling that she was trying to make a fool of him.
All of a sudden, he had a thought, ”What if she has made up that old master? Who would impart anyone their secret martial skills just like that?”
Just as he was about to question her again, she said. ”I am ready. Let's us go now.”
Yi Ping was about to question her when he noticed that she was already very far. What an astonishing swiftness movement that she possessed!
Therefore, he had no choice but to run after her.
Yi Ping soon realized why she had been so mindful about her attire. In this wilderness, there was plenty of biting insects. Now he knew why her eyes were secretly beaming with laughter. In no time, he was bitten by numerous insects. He quickly took out some extra clothing from his bundle and turned it into a makeshift cloth to wrap around his face.
Ji Lingfeng was a unique lady. It seemed that her expressions portrayed her emotions. Even if she did not speak, her body mannerism and facial emotions tells it all. She had very thin eyebrows, her eyebrows and forehead had numerous expressions all the time.
When Ji Lingfeng turned back and saw Yi Ping hastily covering his face and looking for a robe with long sleeves, she was seen clasping her hands onto her mouth as she bent to and fro. She was obviously enjoying what had happening to Yi Ping.
Yi Ping was covered in perspiration from the running as he complained aloud, ”You…did not warn me!”
But he had no strength left to complaint further for she had turned around and danced away again. He had no choice but to follow her white figure in the distance.
From time to time, she would pause briefly for him to catch up but as soon as he was near, she would continue to move again.
Yi Ping was astonished at her swiftness movement and her breathing techniques. He thought, ”How long did she train in order to reach this level of expertise?”
He was immediately ashamed of his own martial achievements.
He did not know how long he had been running. There were a few times that he had lost her and he was panicky. But each time, she would appear in front of him.
It was night now. Yi Ping was thankful that there was a full moon tonight and thousands of stars illuminate the darkness. But even with the full moon, he could barely see any foot path. On several occasions, he tripped and fell down.
When he had lost his footing again and slipped down a treacherous slope, Ji Lingfeng had suddenly appeared on top of him and gripped him on his shoulder.
Her grip was surprising strong and Yi Ping was pulled up from the slope.
Yi Ping was instantly grateful to her as he said, ”Thank you!”
Ji Lingfeng rebuked him gently, ”Don't misunderstood. I am only worried for the wine jars.”
His grateful eyes soon turned gloomy as he said breathlessly, ”Maybe you can help to carry the wine jars…”
But before he could finish speaking, she said coolly. ”Inhale deeply and follow me.”
Immediately, Yi Ping could feel a powerful force pulling him forward alongside with her as she caught hold of his hand. This time round, his runs became a lot easier even though it was still as hell as ever.
Ji Lingfeng was waiting for him to collapse onto the ground or to beg her to stop. But he did not. Worried about his injuries and guilty about misleading him, she supported his runs with her martial power and pulled him along with her.
Even then, it was not going to be easy for Yi Ping as he had to run at her pace even though the pressure on his breathing had eased considerably.
Yi Ping's heart skipped a beat when she touched and held him with her left hand. He began to flush deeply as his ears turned terribly red as he felt her silken smooth hand. Even her scent was so intoxicating so up close to him.
This was the first time that Yi Ping really looked at her closely even though it was at her back view.
She had looked relax and it was as though she was taking a stroll while he was half dead from climbing up and down the hills! But looking at her, made him forgot about his exhaustion…
Ji Lingfeng almost messed up with her breathing regulation as she was distracted by thoughts of him; she could feel the warmth of his right palm in her hand. It was an assuring palm, strong and comforting. This was the first time she had held a man hand other than her brother. It was a wonderful feeling yet she could not describe it…
After running for some time, Ji Lingfeng was secretly amazed at his endurance even though his breathing techniques and swiftness skill were mediocre. She really could not believe that he had endured till now even though he looked as though he would collapse at any time!
Astonished by his inhuman endurance, she thought, ”Is he human?”
Yi Ping was in a daze and he already seeing stars as he thought, ”Is she even human? How is it possible for her to run up and down the hills for this long…?”
Ji Lingfeng was already feeling the stress of expending her internal strength to support him and she was worn-out.
Yi Ping did not even realize the passage of time when Ji Lingfeng coolly said aloud to him, ”It seem that I have found the valley. Lucky us!”
As soon as she had released her grip off his hand, Yi Ping fell onto the ground in sheer exhaustion.
Yi Ping nearly died of exhaustion. Now he really knew what she had meant by she was traveling rapidly! He silently sighed, ”I never want to travel with her ever again.”
Ji Lingfeng suddenly gave a long sigh, ”We have climbed ten hills and got lost. This valley was actually just besides the third hill that we had passed. We really are lost.”
When Yi Ping heard that, he did not know whether he should laugh or cry. He felt like banging his head onto the ground in misery.
Ji Lingfeng said, ”This path leading down should lead us to the valley. Let us go now. This time round, I am not going to walk you there.”
She began to move on but when her sharp ears did not pick up any sign of movements from behind, she turned back instantly.
Yi Ping was still lying on the ground.
She asked softly, ”Hmph, are you there?”
There was no response.
She asked again, ”Are you alright?”