章 30: Arranged Meeting
"You two aren't joining us?" Tan Rong raised a brow at Lin Tao and Ji Yun who were cloaked in black.
Lin Tao and Ji Yun's lessons with Bai Lian were shortened, so they would usually return to Shui Orphanage and train with the other four children under Shui Renshu's guidance.
Ji Yun ignored the inquiry and voiced her own questions, "What are you doing here, Rong? Skipping practice?"
Lin Tao and Ji Yun had encountered Tan Rong on their way out the orphanage. The other children were at the training grounds.
"I'm on a break, so I went to check up on Ming."
"Oh yeah, he just started training under master… It must be hard on him. How is he?"
"He's doing better than I thought. I don't think he'll be needing to retire from practice early tomorrow. So why are you two dressed so suspiciously?" Although he was probing the two, Tan Rong's face showed disinterest and boredom.
Lin Tao noticed Ji Yun didn't feel like answering, so he replied, "I guess you never saw us when we left for or came back from the Golden Leaf Pavilion." He lifted the hood of his black cloak over his head,
Tan Rong made a look of understanding, "Mm, I see. See you later."
"Bye-bye, Rong."
"Later, Rong."
Ji Yun lifted her own hood over her head before setting off with Lin Tao.
Upon entering the Golden Leaf Pavilion, the children went straight towards the nearest shop attendant.
Ji Yun took out the golden card from her storage ring, "We would like to speak with your manager."
The shop attendant smiled politely, "Please follow me to a private room on the third floor."
The two waited a couple of minutes in the luxurious room before Ying Jin Yuan entered.
Ying Jin Yuan was the manager of the Obsidian City branch of the Golden Leaf Pavilion. He was also the one who negotiated with those possessing golden cards.
"You two were just here yesterday. More medicines to sell already?" He smiled politely.
Concealed under his hood, Lin Tao narrowed his eyes, "You know what we're here for."
Ying Jin Yuan chuckled, "How would you like to deal with the crown prince and Bai Ru?"
"Keep telling the crown prince's messenger that there has been no response from the Black Rose. As for Bai Ru, we would like to meet with him."
Ying Jin Yuan raised a brow, 'Does the Black Lotus have something against the crown prince?'
Nevertheless, Ying Ji Yuan's polite smile did not waver as he replied, "Alright, regarding the crown prince's messenger, we'll do as you say. As for Bai Ru, he's been visiting our Golden Leaf Pavilion every day at noon, so the earliest we can meet him again should be tomorrow at noon."
Lin Tao and Ji Yun glanced at each other. Seeing Ji Yun nod, Lin Tao voiced, "Then we will come back tomorrow at noon."
"Alright, we will arrange your meeting with him tomorrow." Ying Jin Yuan proceeded to inquire, "Did the Black Lotus like those golden lionheart roots we gifted her?"
Lin Tao recalled the guardian spirit's disinterest towards the roots. Nevertheless, he stoically replied, "She was thankful… Oh yeah, I almost forgot. She wanted us to remind you that our identities absolutely must not get out. Otherwise, our dealings are over."
"Of course. The Golden Leaf Pavilion will assure that our dealings along with your identities remain confidential."
Lin Tao nodded in approval when hearing Ying Jin Yuan's confident tone, "Good. We have no reason to stay here any longer."
"Take care," Ying Jin Yuan called for an attendant to lead the two children out.
Outside the Golden Leaf Pavilion, Ji Yun stopped Lin Tao who was preparing to head back to the orphanage.
"Let's buy sea kelp for granny before heading back!"
Seeing the young girl's excitement, the corners of Lin Tao's mouth rose, "Alright. Let's go to the Plant Pavilion."
The Plant Pavilion was a shop that dealt with common herbs and plants.
"We should check the marketplace first. There might be sea kelp there for a cheaper price."
'So that's why she's so excited...' Lin Tao frowned when the crowded Obsidian City Marketplace materialized in his mind, "It'll take too long to find sea kelp there. Also, weren't you the one who said to granny that sea kelp was way too cheap to be considered our thank you gift for her?"
Ji Yun looked crestfallen as she eyed Lin Tao pleadingly, "We usually don't get any chances to go to the marketplace. It would be a shame if we didn't use this opportunity to browse around for a bit."
Lin Tao knitted his brows as he turned away from the girl's watery eyes. He sighed before he started walking towards the direction of the Obsidian City Marketplace, "Let's go."
Ji Yun beamed brightly as she following Lin Tao. Lin Tao turned to look at the beaming girl. His annoyance faded as he looked at her smile. Gradually, the corners of his own mouth rose.
When the crowded marketplace came into sight, Lin Tao frowned once more. Ji Yun, however, grew more excited.
Lin Tao quickly grabbed Ji Yun's arm before she could rush into the marketplace, "One hour only and you can't leave my sight."
Ji Yun sheepishly laughed, "There's no need for you to grab my arm. I wasn't going to run off."
Lin Tao noticed the hint of guilt in the girl's eyes, "As one of granny's disciples, you should learn to tell better lies. Otherwise, you'll end up bringing shame onto our legendary master's name."
Ji Yun pouted, "She hasn't taught us anything about how to lie yet."
Lin Tao chuckled as he released Ji Yun's arm, "You could ask her to teach you in the future."
Ji Yun giggled as she walked slowly towards the Obsidian City Marketplace, "Good idea!"
Lin Tao followed Ji Yun's lead.
The children walked idly from stall to stall. Although nothing particularly interested the two, Ji Yun felt ecstatic as she realized she could identify all the herbs and plants they came across.
While Ji Yun was browsing, Lin Tao noticed a familiar figure among the crowd. His eyes widened when he realized why the figure was so familiar. He grabbed Ji Yun's left shoulder to get her attention. He whispered into her ear, "Y-Yun, that person... "
クリエイターの想い 
Carroter
Carroter Sorry for the lack of chapters for the past two days. I suddenly got a fever and had to rest. Although the fever is gone now, I still feel kind of sluggish.
Unfortunately, I do not think I'll be able to post chapters for the next day or two. A lot of school work piled up due to these past two days of resting. I will start writing again once I get caught up on my school work.
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