Chapter 50, The days go by fast

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Near the base of a small hill, there was campfire lit. You could hear the sound of twigs crackling.

Today was cold. No signs of snow but still enough to give you the shivers.

A certain little fairy was nearby the fire. Rubbing her small hands before letting the heat warm her.

Seeing this act caused a person to say, "You're quite far away from it, you know."

The fairy rebuked by replying, "I'm small compared you! My poor life would be snuffed out if I get any closer!" She then scoffed him.

A lady who looked like she roamed the desert for a long time, came by before handing over a mug. She said at the same time, "Aerash, drink it while its hot." She then placed it on the wooden log beside him.

Aerash looked at the lady in front of him before asking, "Geriel, we could have bought some new clothes you know..."

She shook her head before replying, "You know me well, I'm not the type that fusses about clothing." She then undone the leather straps of her hide armor. Tossing the piece aside before saying, "Besides, this adventurer gear is quite comfy. A little breezy though."

Aerash stared at one spot on her torso. Making Geriel question him, "What's wrong?"

The young man patted on his stomach area. Indicating that there was something amiss on hers.

Geriel checked around to find that she could fit her hand inside the middle of her clothing. A wry smile crept up on her face before she nonchalantly says, "A simple stitch would fix it."

The fairy flew towards her shoulder before exclaiming, "I'm surprised you have the gal to show your belly button and not admit that your clothing resembled beggars'. Actually, much worse."

Geriel laughed it off with her pink face. She then sat down beside Aerash before asking, "How's your wound?"

"Better." He replied.

The desert young lady tapped his knee which made him continue, "Thanks to Melia."

The fairy stood up on Geriel's shoulder before puffing out her chest and exclaiming, "I'm the greatest healer alive!!"

Geriel praised her, "Mn, you are the best."

Aerash looked on his gauntlets before thinking, 'Wonder how long it would take before I could use these.'

The lady beside him then asks, "We have to return now, don't we."

"Yeah, we apprehended a knight which is more than enough." He then tossed a badge towards Geriel before asking, "I wonder if that insignia could be recognized."

The lady eyed the gloves of Aerash, "If no one could, then the glove you're wearing could help us out."

Melia flew towards an earthenware mug, stood nearby before asking, "Is the water warm?"

Geriel nodded in return.

Melia took of her clothing before submerging herself inside the mug. Enjoying the water.

She then glared at Aerash, "No peekin!"

Geriel laughed.

Aerash too couldn't help but smile.

"So, how much do you think they'll remove?"

"About forty gold if they're generous."

"I doubt that. We'll be lucky to even get anything."

Aerash stayed silent.

Geriel looked at the fire before saying, "Don't you ever felt like ending it all?"

Aerash looked at her with seriousness and worry.

Geriel gave a laugh before saying, "I'm just kidding."

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Inside the inn, Tengfei and Lihua's room.

The red-haired princess stretched out her arms before laying down on the bed. Exhausted.

She then exhaled and inhaled. Deeply.

Tengfei, who was nearby, gave out a yawn. Tired due to not being able to have a proper sleep recently.

He then decided to look through the window to find a bird staring at him.

Tengfei stared back at it.

Only after a long minute, did the bird flew away.

Seeing that it was cloudy outside and the trees were weaving, he decided to not open the shutters today.

Turning around, he went and sat down on the bed beside the over acting Lihua. Hearing the breathing of hers mix with the window's jitter.

Looking down, only now did he notice that this place felt like his home. He wondered if it could be possible to return here after a long time. Having a place to relax and stay.

He might have to purchase the land first before thinking about it.

Turning towards Lihua, he decided to try and confess, "I figured that you knew about how I lied to your aunt, right?"

Lihua replied back lazily, "I knew that you were lying but I don't know which parts." She then rolled her eyes.

Tengfei felt refreshed from knowing that someone can see when he's lying. At the same time, he wondered when she figured out his flaw of telling a lie. If there is even one to begin with.

The gray-haired young man then replied, "Everything of when I explained as to how I met Sister Ling."

His words piqued her interest. "So... what really happened then?" She asked and not taking any efforts in hiding the curiosity.

Tengfei thought about it for a long time, ever since Meifen asked. His answer was something special, "The thing is Lihua, I have forgotten. Sadly" He then shrugged while shaking his head.

Lihua raised herself before smacking the back of Tengfei's head. Yelling at him afterwards, "How were you able to lie then!?"

He laughed dryly in return. As he protected himself from her barrages of attack.

She eventually stopped when she saw Tengfei's deep state of thinking. Calming her down eventually.

The princess then asks, "What's in your head?"

Tengfei replied, "Lots of things actually. Like one being the way how Sister Ling sounded really sorrowful. Saying that I was dragged into something messy."

Lihua replied, "I too have a bad feeling about that. The biggest question is why does my father need you."

Thinking about it, Tengfei suggested, "Maybe he knew."

Lihua couldn't figure what he meant, "Knew what?"

"That I'm not fully human." Answered Tengfei before recalling the moment when he was in the dreamworld. Back then during the new blood contest.

Lihua turned silent. She then stood up from bed before questioning, "Are we still going to look for my sister?"

Tengfei didn't reply back immediately but instead waited for a moment, "That can wait, completing the deal of your master must be prioritized."

A dark haze escaped the necklace of Lihua before the voice of Vlos was heard, "Well said. Also, not to mention good timing." She then paused for a moment before continuing, "Like what you said to my servant's aunt, going east would make you eventually find a place where one of the ingredients resides."

Lihua wanted to ask Tengfei a question but she decided to save it up for later. She then asks her master, "Do you know the name of the place?"

"No, I'm not familiar with this world. All I could do is sense the fluctuations of mana through my soul form. You will have to look around before I mention that it is nearby."

"Won't that take forever then?" Lihua grumbled.

Tengfei massaged the back of his neck, "Might as well look through a popular place such as the valley of song."

"Valley of song... isn't that where many types of bird beasts reside?" She then furrowed he eyebrows before continuing, "Not many people go there unless you want to be bird food."

Tengfei stood up and grab hold of Lihua's hand before saying, "It will be an adventure then." He then smiled.

Lihua at first grumbled before looking up and saying, "You really love to explore, don't you?"

He nodded, "Who wouldn't? There are so many techniques, creatures and places that I haven't seen." He then pulled Lihua towards him before he continued, "In the past, I could only imagine from reading books and hear stories from people."

"It will be dangerous." Lihua warned with a pinkish face.

"We got each other... don't we?"

The master who introduced herself as Vlos, gave off a rude cough before saying, "It is rude for both of you to enter your little bubble and ignore me."

Lihua gave a wry smile before saying, "Master, you're a softie... Aren't you?"

Vlos didn't reply back but instead entered the necklace. Showing no signs of replying.

Seeing that it was still early, Lihua decided to strike up a conversation, "I recalled you mentioned that the place you grown up was at a town, south from here."

"Yes, near the border. Why did you ask?"

"Won't you like to visit there?"

Tengfei smiled before shaking his head.

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The Inn, sometime later.

Tengfei knocked on a room's door. Hearing the echo fill the corridor.

His friend's voice could be heard from behind it, "Come in, I'm done training."

When he entered, the pungent scent of a man's odor could be smelled. Almost overwhelming him. He then found a sweaty Zhou Huan with no tops on. Showing his fit upper body.

A young man who can be described to have features of a typical Krehorian citizen. Except that his hair and eye color were nothing but black. His expression was still cheery.

Huan wiped himself with a towel before joking, "At least this time you knocked instead of staying beside the door."

Tengfei couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. He then spied a chair and slumped on it.

Zhou Huan wore a robe he recently bought before asking Tengfei, "Were both of you sleeping? Cause usually I could hear the loud sounds of a stupid new couple would make."

Tengfei replied, "Pretty funny coming from someone who keeps trying to enter Li Meixiu's room." He made sure to catch his brother wince before continuing, "But yeah, you're right about that, we were quite tired so a nap fixed it."

Zhou Huan opened his leather poach before drinking the water inside. He then gestured if his brother needs any, but Tengfei declined politely after seeing the traces of hair and blood on it.

Huan then asks, "Are you really sure about her, brother?"

"Lihua?" He blinked twice, "Yeah, this kind of embarrassing, but I don't think I'll ever separate away from her. Sounds quite sappy but I don't really mind."

Zhou Huan closed his eyes and gave out a smile. Afterwards, he then joked, "And just recently we were cursing about Lihua and her step mother."

Tengfei replied, "...What a weird world we live in."

Zhou Huan leaned towards him before asking with a dirty look, "So, have you two done it... yet?"

Tengfei shook his head immediately, "Of course not, even if I get up every night and try to calm myself down."

"Poor you." He then continued after feeling remorse, "Why not get it over with? I saw how she looked at you and anyone can tell that she would pounce with a single command."

"That might be true but If I did that... I am afraid the relationship wouldn't last that long then."

"You read too many books." He then shook his head before asking, "Leaving that aside, I really wanted to know as to what happened when you touched that tree."

Tengfei asked, "The tree that determined our mana grade and affinity?"

"What else is there other than that?" He joked.

Tengfei nodded before answering, "Well, I encountered a small floating ball of light which lead me inside."

"Anything unusual that happened?" Asked Zhou Huan.

Tengfei shook his head, "It just flew towards a spot and opened the gate for me."

Huan then asks, "And what you found inside?"

Showing an expression of thinking, he replied, "A pond with unarranged stones and twigs around it."

Zhou Huan then commented after rubbing his chin, "Sounds like nothing of the unusual. Then how was it possible for you to easily navigate your mana into the rings you had?"

"Who knows, maybe I'm just a natural." His sentence made Zhou Huan stare at him for a moment.

Zhou Huan then laughed before exclaiming, "Talented fellow! You're my sworn brother after all!"

A knock was then heard.

Tengfei went up to the door, opened it to find Lihua holding a platter. He then told her something before fetching the plate of buns on it. Bringing it to Zhou Huan afterwards.

They both ate a bun before Tengfei brings up, "Remember when I mentioned that we were saving to travel?"

"Yeah, it feels like a long time has passed since then." Replied Huan.

Tengfei prepared himself before saying, "This might be quite sudden but I'm going to scrap that idea and instead invite you to travel with us."

Zhou Huan knitted his eyebrows, "Where to?"

"To the valley of song." He revealed.

Putting the meat bun back on the platter, Zhou Huan said, "Sounds like an interesting place, but unfortunately I have to decline."

Tengfei gave off a smile before saying, "Figures. Anybody would feel annoyed with a couple. Worse when it comes to travelling."

"That's true, but even if you two weren't a couple, I still wouldn't come with you. Since I have other plans." He then sighed before continuing, "I need to find a girl, then learn some fundamentals by joining the sect of Li Meixiu."

Taking another bun, Tengfei then says, "We've been growing more distant each day, huh."

Zhou Huan looked down before saying, "Yeah, but it's best this way." He looked at his brother, "Maybe one day we could tell each other the truth." He then asks, "Do you know anything about me?"

Tengfei shook his head before replying, "I don't know much about you but I do know that we'll eventually be true to each other."

"We both know the reason very well." Zhou Huan joked.

They both nodded at the same time.

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Inside the room of Li Meixiu.

"You sure have lots of incense smoke in here." Said Lihua as she surveyed around Li Meixiu's room.

Meixiu pulled a chair to a place before replying, "Best place to cultivate if it weren't for the fact that Zhou Huan is staying nearby."

Lihua looked at the pile of towels on the corner and used undergarments on the bed before saying, "I can see that..."

Li Meixiu eyed at the places her friend was surveying. With haste, she took the numerous amount towels and undergarments before placing them inside her ring. She turned around and threatened, "You saw nothing."

Lihua couldn't help but smile from witnessing that. She then asked, "Where I'll set the platter?"

Meixiu straightened her bed before gesturing to place it there.

After doing as told, Lihua then took a sit on the chair. Crossing her legs afterwards.

The pink snake around her neck, slithered to the floor before eyeing Li Meixiu.

As if knowing what the little snake wanted, Li Meixiu summoned her small fluffy creature on her lap.

The fluffy creature, who was named Wan, looked around before finding Mini.

Jumping down, it happily greeted Mini the snake with his usual bow.

Lihua felt like melting from seeing the two pets playing with each other.

Meixiu removed a bowl, with a cover on it, from her storage ring. She then placed it on the ground before lifting the lid.

Inside, contained plenty of small fish covered in red sauce.

She then explained while watching the two adorable creatures chow down on them, "The sauce is special as it contains dusts made from cracking beast cores. This will help them grow and become stronger."

Lihua happily said, "Thank you for allowing Mini to have some." She then felt bad that she didn't bought any beast food for Mini.

Meixiu waved it off, "It's nothing. Think of it as a gift for allowing me to feast on your wonderful food."

"You say wonderful food but it's nothing more than meat buns..." Replied the princess.

"Then it's the tastiest meat buns created." Persisted Li Meixiu.

Lihua felt her ego sky rocket due to being praised. She felt like standing on Tengfei at the moment.

After both of them ate, they decided to play a game of chess.

A game that was made popular by the same man who erected countless clothing stores.

Placing the wooden checkered board on the bed, they had a wonderful time.

That was until Lihua was going to announce checkmate, Meixiu's hand fell on the board. Causing the last remaining pieces to fell of off.

Meixiu then said, "Sorry, my hand slipped."

Lihua shook her head before replying, "No worries, I remembered the-"

Pulling the clothing of the princess, Li Meixiu interjected, "Another game."

Lihua realizes that Meixiu's expression was stern. With hints of pride being in stake. Having a wry smile, the princess nodded with compliance.

Another game occurred and Meixiu still was going to lose... until the board became a bird. Flying and sliding to ground nearby.

Meixiu sighed before saying, "Let's just call it a draw."

Lihua couldn't help but laugh afterwards. Causing Li Meixiu to show a rare expression of being flushed.

The princess then popped a comment, "We were desperate, weren't we?"

Meixiu nodded before saying, "Thought it would have gone worse."

Lihua gave a shrug, "I can safely say that we both wanted a friend for a long time, who is genuine and not fake."

"Then it became a test to each other."

The princess continued, "And it'll continue till it is forgotten." She then looked down before giving a forced smile.

As if remembering something, Meixiu asked, "Will you accompany me?"

"Where to?" Lihua was curious.

"I have to fetch something in the inscription shop."

Lihua teased, "Only if you purchase for me something from there."

"Anything would do? Fine then let's go."

Lihua was surprised that she agreed. She almost felt like retracting her previous statement.

Before they went, Lihua told Meixiu, "First, let me inform Tengfei."

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Near the outskirts of the Taesu.

"You're kind of cheery ever since then." Commented the knight captain, Farengoth.

Lou Jun feigned ignorance before eyeing the gem on her hand. Thinking to herself when she would communicate with him.

Farengoth caught sight of the red trinket on her hand before sighing. He then thought, 'She must've snatched it from back then.'

Lou Jun then asks, "I have a question for you. How did it feel to find your friends encased in ice?"

A blunt answer was given, "Felt like gutting you."

"And here I am alive. Wonder how did I reach this far unpunished." She looked at the sky to find a bird flying by. She then asked jokingly, "Have I not sinned enough? Isn't there a Karmic balance?"

Farengoth shrugged, "Who knows, I for one already gave up the thought of leaving you to the slave trading company."

"...You'll get nothing but a silver coin for my body. They'll even mock you for bringing someone that resembled a beggar. Or a recently escaped slave." She then felt her dry hair.

"Thinking about what you said, I can agree to that." A nod was given.

"I look like a damn ghost. Or worse, like what he said, a widow." Lou Jun grumbled.

'Worse?' Farengoth thought.

While they're walking, Lou Jun asked, "...Is it really a mission. To seek the Quail, or is it... personal revenge?"

Farengoth replied, "More of an order. Depending on my findings, it could shift the balance of power in court."

"You still have a goal? Even after your loved one's death?"

"It's something we shared, and I'll not stop till we accomplish it. That's why I need to seek more information."

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Across the plains of somewhere.

'If what he said was true, then the next destination for the Quails'... would be there. But I need to do something first before heading there.' Her wings made of blood made it seem like she's gliding through the sky.

Mid-air, she sneezed which made her curse loudly.

Afterwards, the lady looked behind before thinking, 'I wonder what question he would ask me.'

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In a region, far to the east. In a cave that resides on a mountain.

Completing his cultivation, the man's eyes were still closed even when getting up.

A middle-aged individual with chiseled body, walked out of the cave. Allowing the breeze to express the lengths of his red beard and hair.

Showing a sense of calmness and caring.

He then opened his eyes before saying, "Rise."

The man kneeling beside him then uttered, "He was caught, my lord."

"...Who?" He asked with a refined tone and Kian accent.

"The man you hired to watch over your daughter." Answered the man.

"Ah, him." He then grabbed hold of the robe on the hands of his retainer before wearing it. The man then asks, "Send word to Soi then, tell him that he'll take the place instead."

As if scared to upset him, he replied with haste, "But my liege, he too has been caught."

The red-haired man raised an eyebrow before questioning, "By my sister?"

"As you predicted, my liege."

He gave out a hearty laugh before saying while shrugging, "Oh well, I'll have to think of something better." He then stretched his body before asking, "What did the lady said?"

"She'll arrive in five days, and she also expects top quality gifts."

He nodded, "Any other news?"

"All of your subordinates are gathered in your fief, my liege."

"Bring my mount, we're headed there then." He said

"How about your daughter?"

"No need to do anything at the moment. I can't keep on wasting good men for something trivial. I still don't know whether or not if Lihua's partner, Tengfei, is the person spoken in the prophecy."

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In the far outstretch plains of Krehor. Inside a certain palace.

A young man kneeled in front of the throne. Informing his lord, "I have received the message from the novice Knight Elana, my lord."

"What did it contain?" Asked the man with a cheery tone.

"She's returning back after successfully eliminating the entirety of the assassin's guild 'An Yu.'. Also bearing the head of the notorious criminal. Though lots of casualties was taken."

The King bathed no eye on the amount of men died before saying, "Good, is there any news about the lad Farengoth?"

"Elena mentioned that he needed to do something before returning, my lord." Said the retainer.

The King nodded before saying, "Fine, that is it for now. Send that letter I gave you to Commander Kreinvon. Waste no time."

"Yes, my lord!" He replied energetically.

After seeing that the man left his chamber, and only his guards are left, he stood up. Took a walk and grabbed hold on a glass of orange juice. Taking a sip on it before heading towards the nearby glass window.

Looking out to the far corners. He then murmured, "You're still missing."

"Your sisters and brothers are eager for the throne. By the time you return, the fun might already begone." A large smile appeared on his face.

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Inside Tengfei and Lihua's room.

"Did you have fun?" Said the gray-haired young man before he patted the head of Lihua.

Feeling annoyed, she pushed away his hand before complaining, "You're asking as if I'm some sort of child that went out for the first time."

Tengfei chuckled before probing, "What did you do outside?"

"Not much. Maybe getting to know the sour side of Meixiu." Still feeling annoyed by the tone of his, he stepped on his feet. She then continued as if remembering something, "Oh, when I was waiting for Li Meixiu, outside the inscription store, I encountered a middle-aged lady. Asking for money or food, sitting on the floor."

"You helped her out, right?" Asked Tengfei.

"Of course, I'm not that cold-hearted. Though the important part was when I spoke with her."

'Spoke?' After thinking, Tengfei asked, "What did she told?"

"A sad tale of her past. Would you like to hear it? I don't think I can convey the sorrow entirely, but I'll try." Lihua showed a genuine sense of grief.

"It's alright, I don't feel like bawling today." Tengfei replied.

Lihua shook her head before leaning towards Tengfei, "Enough about me, how about you? Did you enjoy the meat buns I made with him?" She asked with eagerness.

"No, they were horrible." Tengfei answered bluntly

"I knew you would-" Lihua then paused before her face turned ugly. She then asks, "Horrible?" As if her world turned upside down.

"You know I'm joking, right?" He then poked her puffed cheeks while laughing.

Teasing her always makes him happy. He then says, "They were delicious, no need to get too pouty."

"Hmph, I don't like those type of jokes. Now I really feel like standing on you." She crossed her arms.

Tengfei then felt like hugging her because of how much she trusted him and not to mention how cute she was.

Lihua sat down before asking, "Did you boys discussed as to how magnificent cows are?"

"Why cows?" Tengfei was puzzled.

Lihua stared at him with her usual half-closed eyes, serious look.

The gray-haired young man figured out before exclaiming, "No, No! We weren't talking about other women!"

"Then what?" Asked Lihua who was secretly enjoying her revenge.

Tengfei wished he could change the topic at this moment. He sighed before giving up.

He then replied, "Brother was just curious as to why did I choose you." He then wanted to curry some points, "Foolish him, he still doesn't understand your inner cuteness."

Lihua lifted her chin slightly up with arrogance before revealing a smirk. Sitting down on the bed, she invited Tengfei. Letting him sit beside before she says, "The funny part is... People think we are such a couple but we still don't know much about each other."

"Isn't that the beauty of starting a relationship?" Asked Tengfei.

Lihua nodded before saying, "Fine, my reward today would be for us to know each other a little more."

Tengfei thought, 'Reward? For what... Oh, the meat buns.' He then asks, "Like how?"

The princess didn't reply but instead asked a question, "What's the most beautiful color to you?"

Tengfei felt puzzled before turning shy. He even averted his eyes.

His act piqued the princess's interest. So much she almost turned into a cat with her paw like hand aiming to slice away the truth off him. Curiosity filling her face.

Tengfei scratched his cheek before replying, "Isn't it obvious? It's red."

Lihua at first felt happy before realizing that her sister has the same hair color as hers. She then felt moody.

As if predicting what she's thinking, Tengfei explained, "Red has been my favorite color for as long as I remember. Not because of your sister." He then gone close and pulled her cheeks, "Though the color became dearer to me recently. I'll admit that."

Lihua smiled with her teeth showing. She then tells him, "Go on, it's your turn to ask me a question."

"Err..." He then thought before asking, "Why me?"

Lihua tilted her head slightly to the side, "What do you mean?"

Tengfei elaborated, "What's so great about me?"

Lihua chuckled before replying, "Do you want to know why I'm so attracted to you? There're many things that I could list but if I were answer... It could be summarized with a question I told myself once." She then traced her finger on the bed-sheet before continuing, "If I spent long countless years in a room with Tengfei, would I be happy?"

She leaned and pecked at the cheek of Tengfei, "Yes, of course I'll be!"

Tengfei felt like jumping off the window so that he could quickly show off to the town's people. To how cute his lover is.

Lihua then realized what she said and did. In embarrassment, the princess hid her face with the help of her hands.

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Later on, at night.

Tengfei could hear the soft breathing coming off from Lihua behind him. Her being tired from training, so she slept soundly.

The gray-haired young man, closed his eyes and prepared himself to sleep.

Entering the dream world, he noticed that he was floating.

On top of a vast body of water, far as your eyes can see.

It was sunny and bright.

His eyes weren't glued upon the sea but instead a woman. A golden-haired lady.

She then said with a cheery expression, "We finally met, brother."

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