112 Separate Ways (2/2)
”Doesn't add up,” Meng Fuyao answered immediately. ”You're going to kill me anyway, and since I'm not your match, death is certain. Why would I care to be saved by you once?”
”Oh yeah?” Fang Yimo smiled, sweeping his gaze across the four individuals. ”Don't forget that they will also become my enemies. If you fail to kill me with a blow and they, too, are unable to stop me, there is going to be a few more names added to my revenge list.”
”Won't they be able to stop you when you're already half dead? Aren't you too full of yourself?” Meng Fuyao snorted, inwardly noting that it was challenging to estimate the might a strong player carried even on his deathbed. 'Sigh… it's fine if I take the risk, but how can I drag them down…?'
Detecting her expression, Zhangsun Wuji spoke up. ”Do what you need to do, Fuyao.”
”I don't believe I can't hold him down if you just throw him a good one, Fuyao. Try it,” Zhan Beiye joined in.
Meng Fuyao smiled and released her hand, pushing Fang Yimo out.
”Just a heartbroken man,” she commented. ”You're someone who lives in the past, so not even a crystal house can light up your heart.”
”I thank you for not poisoning the dishes and the gift,” Fang Yimo expressed, leaping onto the eave while holding onto the crystal house. His scarlet sleeves fluttered in the wind like a shallow red moon. ”You have preserved something pure for me, and I finally feel a tangible warmth in this world.”
”I have always been more honest than you, and hence happier,” Meng Fuyao waved. ”Sir, it was one woman who had offended you. Stop bringing down the innocent.”
”That is my business,” Fang Yimo stated, looking her straight in the eye. ”I have sworn to avenge my disciple, so I have agreed to save you once, and then kill you; if I fail to kill you, our feud ends.”
”Feuds are creations of the mind,” Meng Fuyao sighed. ”Up to you.”
Fang Yimo smiled. ”As for the next time we meet, whether I choose to save or kill you… it's up to your luck.”
With a swoop of his sleeves, he floated off the ground and shot up into the sky like an inextinguishable star.
Meng Fuyao followed his movement, mumbling to herself, ”Perverts surface every year but the number surpasses expectation this year.”
Far away, Zhan Beiye stretched his body, almost exaggeratedly, laughing. ”A verbal attack here, and a verbal attack there. What a great setup, finally caught the bird.”
A soft smile appeared on Meng Fuyao's face as she gazed at Zhangsun Wuji, who was approaching.
With the antidote prescription on hand and the nearing of the True Martial Arts Meet, Meng Fuyao was ready to set out. She had informed Zhangsun Wuji beforehand, to which he responded, ”I know you must go, but please promise to attend as Wuji Nation's courageous general, and please take care of your body. Do not overdo it.”
Meng Fuyao knew that his request for her to go as the nation's general was to provide an additional layer of protection. Giggling, she uttered, ”Eh? Why wouldn't I brag if given the chance? A general definitely sounds better than a commoner. No worries, I'm vain.”
Caressing her hair Zhangsun Wuji added, ”Actually I do hope that you can be even vainer.”
Meng Fuyao looked up, pretending not to hear. What could possibly be a vainer act than attending the meet as Wuji's general? Meng Fuyao knew she had to be cautious when conversing with Zhangsun Wuji.
”I have been gone for too long and will need to return to Zhongzhou for some time,” Zhangsun Wuji informed, pushing Yuan Bao toward her. ”I'll look for you there if possible, so please take care of this guy here, and bring him to see the world, or he will be too shortsighted.”
Lord Yuan Bao squatted on his palm, his face expressionless. He was using silence to protest against his seemingly worthless fate.
Meng Fuyao picked him up and asked curiously, ”Do you guys share a strong telepathic connection? Will you know where he is if he just gives you a beep?”
”Not that magical,” Zhangsun Wuji laughed. ”I can only know if he is still alive, and his general direction, so you have to be careful and not let him stray.”
”You should carry him. He's your pet,” Meng Fuyao replied but pulled him back after some thought. ”Wuji…”
”Hmm?”
”I'll tell you again. Don't be too nice to me,” Meng Fuyao expressed bluntly and quickly. ”I think my skills are decent enough now, and I will be strengthened when Gale's power is completely digested. After the meet I might head straight north toward the mainland, and I don't know for how long I will be there. Perhaps I'll meet another mighty person, and that's the end…”
”I'll tell you again, then,” Zhangsun Wuji pulled Lord Yuan Bao, who was just breaking out into a happy dance, back again and brought her forehead to his. ”This is my business.”
Meng Fuyao let out a bitter smile. She had hinted her intention to Zhan Beiye as well and had gotten a similar reaction. The good thing was that the temporary separation would give dilute feelings and emotions. Distance would benefit everyone.
Zong Yue had left for Huazhou earlier to source for ingredients. Fang Yimo's bizarre prescription was like a treasure to him, and he had been burying his head in it for the past few days, even mumbling to himself at meal times: ”Lighten the dosage? Increase the black lotus leaf? No…” To this, Meng Fuyao would tap her bowl with her chopstick and say, ”You've got rice in your nose…”