88 Winding canyons (1/2)

”-m sorry.”

Liu Sumeng woke to a strange scene. Yuan Xuelan was hunched over him and there was the ghosting feeling of fingers in his hair.

He squinted, half asleep, and was struggling to get his bearings. At first he thought he was dreaming. An embarrassing tired groan came out as he forced the tiredness away. But Yuan Xuelan was still there watching over him.

Liu Sumeng sat up. Had he slept in too long? A light wave of panic shot through his veins. ”What time?”

But Yuan Xuelan was strangely quiet and was slow to reply, ”It's morning.”

When he looked around he saw that it was quite bright. Early morning had long passed though Huo Tang was still there asleep on the pillow.

Liu Sumeng got up at once, ”We should go.”

But then paused when Yuan Xuelan failed to answer. Liu Sumeng felt eyes on him even when he wasn't speaking or looking at the younger cultivator.

Awkwardly, he looked over his shoulder. Yuan Xuelan still watched him from the side of the bed. The expression he wore was strange.

But eventually Xuelan rose to his feet and nodded, ”Okay. Just lead the way and I'll follow you.”

Something fluttered in his chest but Liu Sumeng kept his face straight and nodded in return. It was about time they left the inn.

…

Haishang was a province hugged by long mountain ranges and the roaring coast. And the Wayward Wind Temple was nestled within the depths of a complex web of canyons that funneled thundering winds.

And unlike the abode of the Ascending Dawn sect, it was far from civilization, even more so than the Hidden Mist Manor.

Xiao Hei made it to the closest village that counted more sheep than men.

She left behind a long message of deep apologies to the Chen Princess, who had actually treated her quite kindly during the time of her stay. She toned down her appearance. While it was difficult to change her facial features, she could use her ability to alter her body shape. Gone was the massive rack and instead she went with a more boyish and androgynous body, making sure she looked as forgettable as possible.

Xiao Hei didn't want to stop but she really needed to gather more information before rushing into danger.

A dark dread curled in her heart.

Her brother wasn't far. She could scent him in the air.

And Xiao Hei didn't want to be caught by him, not yet.

So she could do nothing but spend some time in the village. A family was kind enough to offer her shelter for the night in exchange for watching over a herd of sheep while they carried on with other tasks.

Xiao Hei was almost tempted to buy their donkey. It would help her get to her destination faster without having to undo the transformation.

But was it really worth it? Would the evil bucking donkey really let her ride it?

Xiao Hei grumbled and rested her face in her palms. The tree she sat under was providing good shade but wasn't doing a good job at keeping her company.

She had to go about her next move carefully.

The sheep grazed peacefully as she watched over them. A fit of strange jealousy haunted her and she sighed.

Honestly? This entire thing blew!

If only Zhao Fanyu wasn't such an idiot and if only her brother wasn't a psychopath, maybe Xiao Hei could still spend her days lazing around and catching gossip while taking an afternoon nap out in the fields.

Even now, she was pretending really hard that the old wives gossip about their sons-in-law wasn't interesting.

She stared out vacantly and suddenly cried out in frustration, hands tearing at her hair.

Argh! Xiao Hei wasn't made to do things like this! Xiao Hei wasn't the heroic type or the scheming type! She was just sneaky sometimes, that's all! She wasn't good for anything else aside from gossip!

In fact, she could hear voices approaching from behind. Wait a moment, they were extremely familiar!

”Hey, look! That granny over there is selling some steamed buns. You haven't eaten all day! Let's get something…Okay? Please?”

”...I'm fine.”

”No! Not eating is not fine at all. Hey, Sumeng! Are you listening to me? Don't just walk off, please come back?”

”Hmph. The one time rude-boy makes a reasonable suggestion you choose not to listen to him. Very interesting.”

”...No one asked you, damn chicken.”

Xiao Hei wanted to jump up in joy! To think the Ivory Sword Saint really got her message and responded! She knew the man had a decent head of his shoulders. And there was even Young Master Yuan with him as well! How spicy--