章節 70: Chapter Seventy - I find shelter upon the back of Jin Li

Sun's clothes were cleaned and hung up to dry and Jin Li also washed up in fresh water, before the three headed to the Food Hall for a late dinner. Jin Li felt that guiding Leon would be too slow, so insisted the boy climb upon his back. "I c-c-c-can't d-d-do that!" Leon stuttered heavily with a slight squeak.

"Would you rather I carry you in my arms?" Jin Li sneered, causing Leon to blush brighter than a red lantern flower before he relented. Jin Li's back was firm and warm, and Leon felt ridiculously small and protected upon it. Holding onto his shoulders, his legs around Jin Li's waist, the man moved swiftly and smoothly through the trees. Leon felt the wind against his heated face and saw the darkening blur of brown and green rushing past the constant shape of black that was Jin Li.

Sun chatted amicably as he ran beside Jin Li. "It must have been due to the mission," he was saying, "don't you think, Jin Li? Sparring is one thing, but battling monsters is different! It was definitely a good experience, wasn't it Jin! We should take another mission soon!"

Leon thought to himself; didn't Jin Li say that the missions were not worth his time not so long ago. He couldn't help but wonder what had changed.

Naturally, with Jin Li and Sun's running speed, it did not take long to arrive at the Food Hall of the outer alchemist school. Many, who were leaving the courtyard to return to their huts for the night, turned to look at the two martial arts boys and the other currently shimming off the taller boy's back, who happened to glare at the alchemist students until most turned away. Those who didn't, looked coyly through half shuttered lashes. Who was this tall handsome man amongst them? And those two boys were quite adorable as well. One was cute with a sunny, round face, freckles upon his nose and a lop sided grin, the other was sweet with large black eyes that shimmered like polished jet set in a frame of white jade. When did such eye candy come to their neck of the mountain forest?

The three boys entered the Food Hall and a handful casually followed in their wake.

"Ah? Leo, be tha' you, lad?" Leon smiled as he was greeted by the amicable older woman who happened to be Mino's mother. "So it were your glasses that Mino be hurryin' down the mountain to fix!"

"Hmm," Leon nodded as he grasped Jin Li's sleeve.

"Sit, sit!" She encouraged. "I'll grab yous summin' ta eat!"

"Thank you, ma'am," Jin Li said, politely and Sun added his thanks, quietly, not used to the brashness of commoners. Most would cower or remain respectful in front of his family, not greet them with such... enthusiasm. Sun sighed inwardly, before straightening himself, if Jin Li could treat servants and commoners with respect then so could he!

Sun watched as Jin Li practically fell upon the food that was brought with them with little restraint, but he did recall, in between mouthfuls, to make sure that Leon's bowl was filled with vegetables and rice and (almost reluctantly) pieces of meat. Sun ate conservatively; the food really wasn't any better than that of the martial arts school, worse; there was less meat to pick from.

After their meal was done and Leon was given a selection of edibles for his morning meal so that he did not need to blindly make his way back to the Hall then, they leisurely wandered out into the courtyard. The light globes were glowing as they dangled beneath the branches of the trees and held in frames about the Halls. Sun yawned, despite himself, the day really had been eventful and long. He could do with a settling to sleep now. Stretching his arms, to the sky, before placing them behind his head, he turned to Jin Li to ask what their plans were for the night to come. Jin Li was kneeling before Leon.

"Get on," he instructed. Leon gently placed a hand upon Jin Li's back, the tips of his fingers barely touching it.

"C-can't I walk f-for a while?" Leon asked, resting his free hand on his full stomach. Walking was good for digestion, even if he was pretty much blind now that the sun had set. Sitting upon Jin Li's back stirred feelings.

"No, this Lord does not wish to dally around," Jin Li cut down his protests decisively. Leon sighed, giving up the fight before it had even begun. He didn't wish to be stranded by here, he wasn't certain that Jin Li would leave him behind if he argued, but he wasn't certain that he wouldn't.

Jin Li straightened and adjusted the slight load upon his back and inwardly sneered. He seemed to be putting all sorts of effort in for his servant today, serving him tea, carrying him around like a child, Leon should be honoured and grateful to this Lord! But it wasn't a bad feeling...

"We meet again," a soft, gentle voice distracted him from his thoughts and he came to see a girl standing before him. Her dark eyes were sheltered by long lashes, her pale skin was lightly enhanced by two spots of pale pink and she wore lemon yellow silk robes with white blossoms embroidered upon the hem.

Jin Li paused for a moment. Did he know her?

As if sensing his hesitation, coupled with irritation, Leon murmured into his ear; "Ah, I th-think th-that is M-Miss M-Merylin, M-Maimai's sister." Jin Li suppressed a shiver daring to run wild through his body.

"Who?" Unlike Leon, Jin Li did not whisper his words.