Chương 8: First Expedition
"Spare me, Lady Chen! We are to leave first thing in the morning!"
Lady Chen turned a deaf ear. She did not try to at least show a little bit of sympathy as she baths me with ice. She had told me to burn all these fire after bathing in them for an hour. I could possibly not! And to make it worse, she knew that I do not easily get sick thus sealed my power for an hour.
"An hour of this is not comparable to that talisman you freed."
"But-but, I'm freezing!"
Again, she did not hear me. She adds another ice. Heavens! I only protected a beauty that can fend them off herself but the thought and deed must count something! I deserve no punishment. I cry to myself. The cold sensation engulfed me like I was a little child. It freezes me and my breath as I chill myself.
If I'm not mistaken, my organs should be frozen by now. Every twist of a bone, I hear it cracking. Goodness! Such violent punishment.
For what seemed like forever, the long punishment had ended. The next morning, Lady Chen did not even ask if I was alright. She had went about her morning rituals before waiting for me at the door. A cruel angel, I have found.
As we make our way to Yingxiong Hall to meet up with everyone, I couldn't bear it anymore and just float. Lady Chen did not mind as she just ignores me and I did to her. Tsk. What a cold-hearted angel she is!
"Senior Shen!"
I turn around slowly, still floating.
"Hello, Junior Chunhua."
Junior Chunhua's face was a little red. I worry that she was ill. I brought my hand to her forehead but there was no sign of such illness. It must be because winter is fast approaching.
"S-Senior Shen should be careful on the mountain!"
"Ah, yes, yes. Lady Chen will be fighting with me side by side. She is so much talented than me."
I had learned my lesson from last time to never forget about Lady Chen's presence or another punishment it will be. Just the thought of Lady Chen punishing me sent chill down my spine.
"If Senior Shen would like, I will give you herbs and pills."
Ooh, that will sure come in handy.
"That would be of much help, thank you."
"We best be going."
Lady Chen's cold voice penetrated my soul as she speak.
"Yes, yes. I will see you when I get back, Junior Chunhua."
"I wish the gods will be in you favor!"
I wave as Lady Chen practically drags me again. When everyone was present, we had made our move. Me and Lady Chen went first, guiding the rest of the expedition. Lady Chen checks from time to time, trying to look out for danger when in all actuality, she need not worry for I am here.
"Oh! I can see the snow."
Mount Platinum must be big. Just from a few hours of walking, the snow appeared. I look up and see that the mountain is such a tall one. I haven't seen a mountain this tall before. If that old hag was here, she would kick me to the top and fight off the beast that was nesting there.
I remember one night when I had fallen asleep, the old hag teleported me to one of the heavenly birds' nest. The morning I woke up, the bird was furious. I bet that bird was thinking who the motherfucker infiltrated her nest. I had to fight off the bird and lucky, I had survived and escaped from the bird's wrath. I could not possibly fend off from such a powerful bird as I was but a weakling then.
"You are in deep thought, Shen."
"I had recalled some past events that were very not nostalgic."
"Lee Chunhua?" I could not miss the slight bitterness in Lady Chen's tone as she says Junior Chunhua's name.
"I said nothing, Lady Chen."
"You are not denying it, Shen."
"Leave it be, Lady Chen. It was something else."
"Hmm," was all she could say.
We walked and walked until the darkness enveloped our sights. We had decided to set out camp in our current area.
"Let's camp there, Shen."
Lady Chen had pointed somewhere just a bit farther from here. It can still be seen though but I do not understand why she does not want to camp here with everybody else. I get that she's not that socially active but this could be an opportunity.
"Understood,"
We arrived to where Lady Chen had wanted us to camp. I set my camp up and was confused as to why Lady Chen just stared at me and did not set out her camp.
"Something bothering you, Lady Chen?"
"What do you mean?"
"You did not set up your tent."
"We will be sharing."
Huh.
".."
"Do you not like the idea of sharing your tent with me?"
"N-no, but may I ask why? There are enough for every-"
"I am of higher command so you can not question my decision."
Pfft. When did she learn to say something like that? For all I'm guessing, it's so that I will not run off and molest girls in the middle of the night.
"As you wish, My Lady."
I finish setting up the tent and I saw Lady Chen stare intently at my hands. I was still looking at her while I applied some finishing touches.
"Hm," was all she said before turning away with a red face.
Uh? What did she think abou- Oh, holy heavens. Goodness! Why is Lady Chen thinking about such lewd things.
"I did not know that Lady Chen can be lewd."
"H-how- no, no. What?"
"Pfft," then I started laughing.
Lady Chen storms towards me and pinches my cheek, her face still red. There's this again, when the moon shines brightly but her hair shinier. Since I was crouching down, I was looking up at Lady Chen, our faces closer than before.
Her long eye lashes cover her eyes but not so much that I can't see those beautiful gray eyes. Her lips were a bit parted, which makes it easier for me to try and kiss her. Her hair, damn. Her hair makes her a lot damn attractive.
"Lady Chen,"
Her eyes stare directly at mine. The ambience suddenly turned to that of a romance one.
"Hmm," was all she could say.
"Ma-"
We moved suddenly as adrenaline runs through our veins. My face must be so red right now that I think I'm like an erupting volcano. Lady Chen was out of sight. I chuckled. She sure is pure.
"Yes, what is it?"
"S-sorry to interrupt your... moment."
Ha. This kid.
"Nah, is there something wrong?"
He clears his throat before stiffening his body.
"I apologize if I had ruined your moment a-and I'm willing to bury the secret until I ascend to heaven."
"Hah,"
I massage my temple. People are not yet familiar with girls' love and if I down it on them right here and there, a ruckus is to happen. I don't want that.
"I'm sorry,"
"Need not worry. You are to do what you want but what is it that you needed?"
"Oh!"
Did he just forget why he was here?
"The group requests the two Martial Sisters to join us for supper."
"Ah, I shall fetch Lady Chen and we shall head over."
"We will be waiting, Martial Sister."
I wave him off. Now, where would Lady Chen excuse herself to?
Goodness me. I can search for her using qi. I concentrate my qi and let it travel the ground, searching for a particular silver haired woman. Ah, there she is.
I fly to where Lady Chen was at and again, her hair reflects the moon's light, giving her hair a touch of heaven. Lady Chen is so beautiful. If I had met this beautiful woman a little later, then I might've been too late. She had closed her eyes, feeling the serenity that the night brings. I hate it when I am not beside her but I hate it more when I interrupt her little moments like this.
"Lady Chen,"
"Hmm?" she replies without opening her eyes not moving.
"They request our presence."
She slowly opens her eyes and turned her head towards me.
*TUG DUG*
Heavens. This beauty can kill me with a single flirtatious wink if she'd like. But I must not waver and give in. One must fight the temptation for the temptation to be tempted by you. What?
"You must be hungry,"
"Wha- they invited us, not the other way around."
"But are you not?"
My face had reacted before I could utter a thing.
"Indeed you are," Lady Chen says before walking away.
"I want to eat you, Lady Chen, for supper."
"Hmm? What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing."
We arrived at the gathering and everyone had already prepared everything. They all smiled at us, giving us compliments and especially inevitable questions. It is a common phenomena when gatherings occur, there are always questions awaiting. And if I were to say that these questions are direct could be an understatement.
"Martial Sister Chen is of noble status, she does not need a man to fulfill her needs!"
"Noble people marry noble people!"
"Martial Sister Chen is not lewd!"
"But Martial Sister Shen is."
The drink that I had been drinking got spewed everywhere as soon as I heard what that lady just said. Me? Lewd? How come?
"As I am full, I shall take my leave. I thank you for the delicious supper."
We all look at Lady Chen as her back slowly disappears into the trees. As soon as I look at my food, I notice heavy stares directed at me. I look up and I see them staring at me, wanting information, I suppose.
"Martial Sister Shen must know something about Martial Sister Chen's love life."
"That is of common knowledge! They live side by side!"
"They bath together!"
"Sleep on the same bed!"
"Woah woah woah." I try to calm their down.
Oh, if only those were true, I would give the heavens my life in exchange for such blessing.
"We are of the same house but we are not into skinship that much"
"By no means do we bathe together nor sleep together."
"We, are just.. acquaintances."
And she is to be wedded this winter. But I could not add that upsetting part. I should refrain myself from touching or being close to Lady Chen for now. She is to be wedded and for me to be in contact with her will he turn dirty. She is to be untouched until wedded. She is to be kept pure. She is to be kept away from me.
"What about Lady Chen's love life?"
"Ah, we do not discuss personal matters."
I had left with those information and went back to the tent. I see Lady Chen sitting at a new chopped trunk. Did she just chopped that without making a sound? A lump in my throat suddenly showed up, making me gulp. Is she angry? What is this murderous intent I am getting from her? Does she really want to kill this poor soul?
"G-greetings, Lady Chen."
"Why are you suddenly so formal, Shen?"
"N-nothing. Uhm, d-did you wait for me?"
"Yes, I have something to discuss with you."
Is she really going to kill me? She's not going to summon a dagger behind me and stab me, right? Goodness! That would be a rather humiliating death. I'd hoped for something more grand if I were to be killed by her. Ah, my mind is at ease even at a time like this.
"What is is, Lady Chen?"
Lady Chen stands up and closes in on me. My heart thumping with every step she take. I had become nervous.
Sweat started to form even though it was cold here. Well, it can't be helped since I'm about to get killed.
She takes another step closer. I had closed my eyes, waiting for my punishment.
1
2
3
No such thing. I opened my eyes and Lady Chen was on her seat again. I heaved a sigh of relief. She did not kill me. Hah.
"I am to scout the mountain tomorrow as you lead everyone to the top of the mountain."
"I can not accept that, Lady Chen."
"I can handle myself, Shen."
Lady Chen sure has a point but still. If two Platinum III tigers get her, she will have no chance. Although tigers here are scarce, we can not be too careful. I could not afford to lose such an important person.
"Then I will scout the area. I can protect myself and even-"
"If dangers were to happen, you can protect everyone more than I can."
"Tsk."
"I will be back before dark, Shen."
I walk to Lady Chen and kneel down, so that I can see her eye to eye.
"Be careful, Lady Chen."
"When you wake up tomorrow, I will be gone."
"If you are not back before dark, I shall burn the mountain."
Lady Chen laughs, thinking that maybe I was pranking her but I was not. I was dead serious. Such a thing should not be considered lightly. Her life could be at stake.
Her laugh slowly ceases its volume.
"If you are so worried, you can accompany me with one of your talisman but, and I repeat BUT, they are to not interfere unless I give the command."
That's better than nothing.
"Gladly."
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