It took us two days to arrive at the nearest city from the small village where we killed the Magma Python.

During the entire trip, Yin Lingxi did not stop trying to steal my food from the bracelet that Da Ling gave me for my birthday.

However, I did not find it annoying. On the contrary, I found the whole thing funny.

For some reason, whenever I engage in any kind of stupid act with Yin Lingxi, I feel content. Happy. As if there is nothing more I could ask of in this life.

It was a feeling I never knew in either of my lives. Hell, even Xiang did not know what to call this emotion, given that he spent his entire life pursuing strength with no one but his master to call his family.

During this entire trip, It felt like I was truly free. Like I no longer had any concerns or worries in this life.

Of course, this feeling did not last long after we landed and arrived in this city.

“Miss Yin, how about we go there? That is the most reputed restaurant in the city. Rest assured, I, Ma Jun of the Ma family can vouch for their quality.”

“Thank you for the offer, Young Master Ma, but we have something else to do.”

I felt great annoyance as this kid blatantly tried to get closer to Yin Lingxi through hook or crook.

Ever since this spoiled brat spotted Yin Lingxi during our walk, he would not leave us alone and used every opportunity to try and get her attention.

I found it pathetic, and annoying. But most importantly of all, for some reason, I felt rage the likes of which I have never felt dominate my mind.

It was only thanks to my absolute control over my emotions that I maintained all the time that I did not take any drastic actions in a moment of anger.

It also did not help that his eye blatantly wandered over her body in a very inappropriate way, and he looked at her as if she were an object instead of a person if the flash of disdain I saw in his eyes and body language was anything to go by.

‘Why not get rid of him quietly and be done with it?’

‘We can’t alert anyone of our presence in this empire until our objective is complete. With the war declared by this empire against our own, we would definitely end up pursued until we flee from the empire, making it impossible for us to obtain what we want. Besides, if by some chance these guys learn of the location of our home, calamity would strike out people.’

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

‘Then, are you going to let this worm try and get his hands on you Dao Companion?’

‘Don’t speak nonsense, Xiang. Yin Lingxi is my friend. I am simply angry at how he is looking at her. And no, I will not allow him to so much as touch her.’

‘Fine, fine. Call it whatever you want, but let me give you some advice. People like him need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently if you don’t want to invite trouble.’

‘….True. And, you know what? I just got an idea.’

“Young Master Ma. Do you mind taking us to your father? The patriarch of the Ma family?”

The kid gave me an annoyed and disdainful look before speaking in a neutral voice.

“May I know what Fellow Daoist wants to do by meeting my father?”

“Nothing much, I want to sell a few artifacts to him. I am a Formation master at the Master level and I need some funds for our travels.”

Immediately, the faces of the stupid young master and his bodyguard paled as they realized the significance of my existence despite my plain clothes and look.

No matter where they go on this continent, formation masters, alchemists, and spiritual blacksmiths are always regarded with great respect and are not to be slighted in any way.

Young Master Ma’s face twisted into a smile that was uglier than crying as he suddenly distanced himself from Yin Lingxi by at least five feet.

“I-I see. I did not know Master Da Wei was a Formations master. I will immediately leave for our home and inform Father of your request. I am sure he will personally come to meet you. Please provide me with the location where you are staying.”

“Of course, Young Master Ma. We are currently staying in the Phoenix Pavilion in the Western district.”

With the same expression as before, Young Master Ma directly ran along with his bodyguard, presumably towards his home.

With a sigh, I started walking again as Yin Lingxi spoke with a tone that was filled with amusement and another emotion I could not identify.

“Aren’t we staying in the Eastern District in the commoner district and not the Wester district’s noble district?”

“Did, as in past tense. We are leaving this city after exploring this place for a bit more.”

“Why? Wasn’t it you who insisted that we rest for some time here?”

“….I changed my mind.”

“Hehe! Fine.”

I avoided Da Ling’s gaze as she continued to giggle as we walked through the marketplace, browsing for things that would catch our eye.

Suddenly, Yin Lingxi pulled my arm towards a small stall selling hair pins and other accessories targeted toward women.

Taking a simple gold-colored metal hairpin, she turned towards me.

“Help me put it on.”

“…Can’t you- never mind.”

I wisely chose to shut up the moment I saw her eyes narrow in anger as I was about to speak.

Taking the hair pin from her hands, I pulled up her hair in a pony tail but she did not like it.

“Do it in a Bun.”

Confused and a little suspicious, I did as she asked and pulled it up in a bun before placing the simple metal hairpin in it.

When she turned around and smiled at me, combined with her new look and gentle gaze, I felt that strange nameless emotion rise to the surface again.

However, I was a bit creeped out by how the woman who ran the stall looked between us with a knowing and satisfied look.

“That would be 20 copper coins.”

I did not say anything and handed over the money to the stall owner. I hurriedly started walking away, hoping to get away from that weird gaze and the strange emotion rising past my control.

However, I am curious about what that woman said to Yin Lingxi before we left, which left the girl a blushing mess.