9 Sweet Revenge (1/2)

”How do you know?” Fu Yao gave him a side glance. ”Who are you?”

”You can call me Zhaoxu, Yuan Zhaoxu,” he introduced with an infectious smile. The light in his eyes could reverse the flow of a river and melt snow.

”Yuan Zhaoxu?” Meng Fuyao mumbled over and over again. It was a familiar name, but she couldn't seem to recall where she had heard it from. As such, she merely nodded and started off in the direction that he was pointing toward.

Even as Fuyao's silhouette gradually faded into the mountainous landscape, Yuan Zhaoxu never once lifted his eyes off her back.

His loose garments flitted about in the wind as the beautifully fragmented moonlight reflected off it.

Behind him, where a mountain rock was situated, appeared a stealthy, lean figure. Head down, and body stooped, he gave a respectful bow from a meter away.

”Ad...”

A simple eye contact from Yuan Zhaoxu was enough to send shivers down the man's spine and keep him mum.

”You don't have to rush me. I'll go over now,” Yuan Zhaoxu interrupted as if understanding what the man had planned to convey. He waved, but after some thought, turned his head to Lord Yuan Bao, who was resting on his shoulder. ”Do you want to follow her?”

In response, Lord Yuan Bao made a stubborn turn and faced his bum toward him.

”I'll give you supper when we get back. 3 Dragon Fruits.”

Despite maintaining his rebellious pose, Lord Yuan Bao made his way down Yuan Zhaoxu's shoulder.

”You're not to settle your own private matters, or I'll cut off your supply of Dragon Fruits for 3 days,” Yuan Zhaoxu warned, only to receive a wag of Yuan Bao's short tail. Was that a yes or no?

The man in black stared in shock as that little ball of white fur disappeared into the night. He simply couldn't wrap his head around his master's actions. Yuan Bao wasn't an ordinary domesticated pet. He was a mystical creature, born in the most divine Changqing Shrine in Qiongcang, Di Region. A creature like him appeared only once in a hundred years, had a long lifespan and was extremely loyal and intelligent, comparable even to humans. Also, having one would help an owner with seeking luck and avoiding calamity. Not anyone could own or even get to see this creature. If not for Yuan Zhaoxu's special identity, it couldn't have been possible.

'How could Master so carelessly dispatch a treasure like Yuan Bao?'

'That lady from earlier... perhaps...'

'But Master's destiny...'

A thousand thoughts ran amok in his head, but he kept on a hollow facade. Having followed Yuan Zhaoxu around for so many years, the man knew that his master could easily recognize thoughts and intentions just by studying one's facial expressions.

Despite the man's effort, Yuan Zhaoxu seemed to have noticed something. He half-turned and gave the man a superficial smile. The man lowered his body even more before retreating into the darkness.

Turning back, Yuan Zhaoxu narrowed his eyes and stared into the distance. That girl who dared to love and hate, dared to accept and face problems, had long vanished from sight. With her sword, bound hair and deadly aura she had sprinted toward the seemingly sanctimonious yet truly vile manor. Toward those who had hurt and humiliated her. She was ready to fight.

”Amid life's limitless restrictions and daily torments, only few would gladly take on debts of gratitude and duties to avenge...” A long time later a soft sigh could be heard spreading through the meandering breeze.

”You're aging so well. Your elegance leaves me in deep admiration, heh heh...”

”You're the grand swordmaster of this generation, how can I compare, ha ha ha...”

Under the burning candlelights in Mystic Essence Manor's hall sat two old men, exchanging smiles and perfunctory compliments. They went on and on, oblivious to the darkening sky outside and the disciples who weren't able to stifle their yawns.

”Come, Advisor... try our Jade Spring Tea, a special product from Xuan Yuan Mountains.”

As Lin Xuanyuan poured some tea, he used his baggy sleeves as cover to sneak a yawn.

He had been hosting for a long time. Not succumbing to old age, Wuji's advisor remained hale and hearty. In spite of their incoherent and prolonged ramblings, he hadn't shown any signs of drowsiness.

Behind his sleeves, Lin Xuanyuan's gaze shuttled restlessly before falling on the Fourth Disciple, who had just slipped in from the side door.

'Wha... Didn't I ask him to guard Meng Fuyao? Why's he back and looking so flurried?'

Before he could figure things out, a red figure flashed by the door. It was Pei Yuan. She leaned against the door frame, appearing all high and mighty, as she tidied her sleeves. She appeared indifferent, but the old fox could sense the invisible yet vicious currents that were flowing between the kids' brows.

He held the teapot higher up to block his eyes from the guest as he mumbled inwardly. 'What happened? Something seems off with them.'