Zhou Kang’s PoV

“My ladies, we will soon arrive at our next checkpoint to Kui City, Fengshou town; We will stop there for the night, if that’s agreeable with the both of you, of course.” I knocked on the small wooden panel behind me, notifying my two guests and patron. This has been yet another service the Boss Lady had offered them, more of a bargain than a real offer: in exchange for protection during the journey, we, or rather I, will be bring them to Kui City in a relaxing yet orderly manner, visiting each major point of view and interest along the way. And the two women had agreed, saying that this slow and calm journey was exactly what the two needed. It was rather ominous, to be honest.

“Thank you, Mr.Zhou.” The smaller lady, a foreigner by the name of Iulia, no family name asked me. She was the friendly one, but also the most inconspicuous one as well. From the words that came from Peizhi and the branch owner: she was the one that protected them, and she used some kind of never seen before techniques. It wasn’t until a few days ago that I understood what they had meant, when she shaped the very earth around us in a large earthen home to put a roof on our and the horses’ head. But what surprised me the most was that she had even offered to let me learn that mysterious power of hers, despite Lady Lu's vehement rebuttal.

‘You can’t go around teaching that type of thing to people you know nothing about.’ she had said, looking at me with annoyance and distrust. That much I agreed with her, and even told them as such.

‘But it would be a shame, his Inkwell seems to have opened recently, and it would be a waste to let go of this opportunity.’ I had no idea what an Inkwell was, or how she knew it was open. But, after enough back and forth: where they had asked about me, about my life and my situation.

I didn’t know what to expect as I was way past my prime for any cultivation, which sect or master would want a thirty something old man with wife and kids as their pupils? And It’s not like I can just up and leave them to follow some young looking fairy to train. Working as a coach driver for Sister Ai was already putting a strain on my relationship with my wife; had it not been for the benefice and the monthly pay, I wouldn’t have put up with it.

‘No, wait, no. There seems to be a misunderstanding. You see, this is not cultivation. But something else entirely, and it is in fact a great thing that you are older and with responsibilities to be accountable for. Age and experiences will help more than you can imagine, keeping you grounded and self-aware more than most who begin from an early age. Which is why I offered. And if we take as long as you said to arrive, I could teach you all the basics you’ll need to be a decent sorcerer, maybe even give you the tools to go above even that.’

That was two days ago, and I’ve kept thinking about it. Wondering about how my life could be different, If it would cause me more harm than good. How it would help my wife and daughters… The lady kept teaching her companion, loud enough for me to hear of course. Showing examples of different techniques, or rather ‘specialties’ ? I was, and still am astounded by the sheer range and practicality of her sorcery she calls it.

“Excuse me Mr.Zhou. Is there any point of interest, or things to sight-see in the town ahead?” Lady Iulia asked me, pulling me out of my musing, trying to remember things about the place.

“Yes, I guess you can call it that. Fengshou is a major trading town and a place one must pass through to head elsewhere, anywhere. One of the old town lords had made a point to have all roads passing in this province lead to his town. And since then, the city has been a haven for all sorts of merchants and travelers, with food and spices from all around the surrounding provinces able to be found here. ” I started explaining, gauging my guests' reactions with each subject. They are a hard crowd, but the idea of sampling food got their attention. With an internal sigh of relief, I went on.

“While not as affluent as Kui city, Fengshou is not far behind in terms of popularity. Even more so with Mount Hua nearby offering protection against monsters and bandits, even holding a few swordsmanship contests every year.” This seemed to get Lady Lu’s attention. But also lady Iulia, whom I didn’t expect to find martial arts of interest.

“Do you know when the next contest is due? Or if it is possible to attend it? I think it would be an eye opener for my companion and I.” I heard the rustling of clothes as the carriage moved before hearing a muffled laughter.

“There is no need for that. Thank you very much. Hey don’t do that!” Lady Lu began to say, before her voice turned loud, panicking.

“Don’t cover my mouth with your hand if you don’t want me to kiss it~” Oh. OOOoooh. It makes sense now, I guess the expectations of the world of fairies and lords aren’t as… stiff and strict as it is to the rest of us. But that’s not my place to judge.

“Please be mindful of the carriage, my ladies. While the company is indebted to you, any damage and subsequent repair will be fractured to you.” I cleared my throat, a bit red in the face.

“My apologies, Mr.Zhou. I will try to rein her in~” Lady Iula answered, with all the seriousness of a child caught with her hand in the jar.

Right, this is how she is. I couldn’t help but chuckle before returning to the previous subject.

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Lu Huan’s PoV

The good-natured banter and conversation came to an abrupt stop when I saw the wall of the town before us. Memories of the past surging back.

This was the first place I’ve been to after they took me. I felt my blood freeze as I struggled to breathe. My throat is dry and tight. Cold sweat down my back.

Before I could do anything, a flash of orange energy washed over me as Iulia grabbed me by my hand. Her face filled with worry and confusion, but most of all: concern.

“Hey, talk to me. What’s going on? I’ve put a sound barrier by the way. So you can be at ease.” She squeezed my hand tight as I swallowed hard. Only now do I realize how tense I've become. Letting go of the breath I was holding. I started to parse what was going on in my body as she told me to do.

From how my body recoiled on itself, to the tension in my chest and throat: there was fear.

From the way I ground my teeth together, how I felt my arms and legs tensing, my fists balling on their own, meant that there was anger too.

She was right in saying I wasn’t aware of how I feel. Only now that I paid attention to how my body was reacting did I notice what was going on.

She was right: It is not because I can’t feel them that I don’t have emotions…

It took a while of controlled breathing exercise and comfort for me to calm down. The wave came and went, leaving behind another feeling: one of nausea, of my stomach turning and revulsing, gagging. Disgust.

Iulia sat by my side as she rubbed my back, the windows open bringing in fresh air. She didn’t say anything even as I calmed down, her worry still there, but now a small smile adorned her face.

“This, this is where they… The raider took me when they kidnapped me. I remember the walls and gate like it was yesterday.” I felt my throat closing up again. The fear of back then abating as it was replaced with boiling anger and disgust.

‘I will kill them… All of them…’ I thought when I felt my head pulled to the side as she hugged me.

“There. It’s in the past. You’ve grown up since then. And you’re with me. You aren’t alone anymore. It’s OK.”

‘Is it though? They are still out there you know? Prowling, stalking and taking children from their home.’ I couldn’t shake that thought from my mind as I wrapped my arms around her.

“Yes…” Was all I could say, my eyes becoming blurry again. Her hands stroked my head in a soothing and gentle manner as I calmed down.

‘Whatever you tell yourself, you know the truth. If the Blood Demon cult could exist for so long without any interference, then those raiders are still out there. Hurting people. If the world doesn’t make them pay, then you’ll have to do it yourself.’

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“I know it is easier to say than to do. But the more you allow yourself to feel, the less heavy it becomes to bear. How do you feel, Huan?” Iulia sat back down to my side, her hands still around my head as kept running her fingers through my hair. Her smile is still as warm and bright as before, while I am sure I look miserable.

“I do not know… lighter, I presume? But I trust you. Whatever you think I should do, I will.” I feel my face cramping up as I try to smile. She chuckles, her fingers moving down to my lips as she tug at them softly.

“There. Perhaps try to listen to yourself first. Allow yourself to talk and let things come up without repressing them. It will be overwhelming at first. But like all things, it becomes easier with time and practice. Can you do that for me?” She flicks my forehead before putting her own on mine. Her eyes closed as she squeezed me tighter.

“Right. I will try.” She pulls away and smiles again. “That’s all I am asking. Just keep on trying, even if you fail at times. So long as you keep on trying, that’s all that matters.” She sits back down, laying her head on my shoulder. At ease and somehow content with herself, her hand still holding mine as I sit there, letting things bubble up. Confused, but more determined to succeed than before.

It took a while for the carriage to arrive at the town gate. I felt my pulse rising a few times on the way there, only for it to calm down when I felt her squeeze my hand. Bringing me back to the present each time.

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After half an hour of queue at the western gate, we were finally able to enter after paying the toll. Mr.Zhou was right, the entire city was bustling with life. I could smell many different types of spices in the air as we rode on the main street. I never was much of someone to enjoy food, with Grain Balls being the only things I could afford at the cult without putting a dent into Wu Chang allowance.

But after checking in at a place called the Vermilion Pavilion, a high end lodge that reeked of opulence and lux. A place that Iulia and I could stay at only thanks to a letter of recommendation from Mr.Zhou. After being shown to our rooms, which were just as grand and luxurious as we expected, and with a bit of encouragement from Iulia. We decided to wander down the main street to sight-see.

With the sun now set, the streets were lit up by the various torches and lamps hanging from the high two to three storey buildings. Giving this place an atmosphere of festivity, one that brought out how important the nightlife of Fengshou was as it began. Bars and drinking houses were open and already filled to the brim as the stalls outside were starting to close up as others were opening up, taking their places.

The paved streets were packed full of people as we walked around, getting lucky quite a few times as we found stall owners giving away food at cheaper price to get rid of it.

Despite the few weird looks we were given, we walked hand in hand; tasting the different food and desert we got, washing them down with some plum wine we found. Everything was so new and good that I completely ignored our surroundings, enjoying the moment.

The skewers were juicy and covered with a sweet and salty sauce that added a new depth of flavor to the high quality meat. The meat was fondant and soft, with grinded ginger rubbed into it. Iulia was busy trying to figure out how the sauce was made as the owner gave her a stink eye.

“Sorry sir, it’s just really good. And I love cooking myself, so I can’t help it.” With a roll of his eyes he shooed us away.

Meanwhile I was already on the spicy dumplings: I could taste a special sort of pepper, scallions and ginger on the pork meat along with something else in the oil. It was the first time I ate something spicy, but if not for the way it was cooked. For how the spice was spread around, making it smooth and easy to eat despite the strong flavor. I wouldn’t have discovered how much I liked it. So much so that I started crying without realizing.

“Is she alright?” I heard from the lady that sold us the dumplings as we returned to get some more.

“Yes, she just really likes your dumplings, and never got the occasion to treat herself until now.” Iulia said as she paid the woman for another serving. Iulia was all smiles as she did so.

“Oh. Well that’s kind of you to take care of your friend; Here, this one is in the house.” Her face dropped for a moment before she added another one in Iulia’s bowl.

“Thanks lady, but she is not just my friend, but my girl too.” She said proudly, as I felt her wrap her arm around my waist, pulling me in. I started coughing as my face turned red, the dumpling I was eating going down the wrong way because of it.

“Oh my~ Well, have fun girls. Don’t forget to return the plates after you’re done.” She waved us goodbye as I felt my face heating up, and this was not because of the spice. And she was proud of it too! I wanted to berate her, but found myself unable to as I relished in how her arm was holding me close.

We kept walking, buying new food and drink each time we stumbled on a new shop or stall that was selling something we didn’t try yet. We kept at it for a long while, piling up wooden plates of all sorts. After asking around we were told that each plate was marked with a unique token corresponding to each of the shops and stalls that we bought from.And that we just had to visit one of the many retrieval points around the main street to get money back.

And by the end of the night, the two of us were quite inebriated as we walked back toward our room at the Vermilion Pavilion.

“Hey there, it’s quite late for two ladies to walk like this. Perhaps we could accompany you? What do we say boys, should we help these two drunk ladies to ‘safety’?” Someone called out to us, the voice felt greasy and disgusting to hear as we kept on walking the now empty main street.

“I advise you to scram.” Iulia said, her voice slurred as she squinted at the group of men exiting an alleyway in ahead of us to the right.

I turned to look well, only to see mid twenty years old men, all wearing clean and richly decorated clothes. Smiling a vile and disgusting smile as they looked at our body up and down.

“That’s quite the spicy mouth you’ve got there, girl. Perhaps I could give you something to cool it off?” His hand reached for his pants as I heard Iulia retch.

“Yew, fuck no. I won’t repeat myself, so disappear before I sober myself up and make you disappear myself.” I could feel the air around us beginning to churn as she talked. Strangely, I didn't feel threatened nor in danger as these men started getting close to us. Not seeing what my sorceress was doing…

‘Hehehe, my sorceress.’ I grinned

“Come on, you can’t say that without having tried it first. A proper young lady should know what she is speaking about before giving her opinion.” Another said as they started to reach for us.

“GUARDS! There’s a group of Bandits here trying to force themselves on women!” A loud voice broke the silence of the silent street. The men turned to look around as I felt a hand pulling me from behind, the sound of boots hitting the ground not too far from here and coming in fast.

I jolted and started cycling my Ki through my body to sober up. Only to find myself backed on a wall with Iulia as a man peaks around the corner of the street he pulled us from. His face was tense as we heard the men from before yelling as the guards gave them chase.

“And they’re gone. Fuck, nearly go caught, that would have been bad for the kids. You girls alright?” He looked back at us, his face filled with relief before concern crept back up. The man looked to be around thirty years old, Or at least that’s what his gray hair and tired face told me. He was dressed in cheap brown clothes that were roughed up. And his clothes were the most intact things about him.

“Yes, but that was unnecessary. We are strong enough to fight off would-be ruffians and leeches. But thank you.” Iulia spoke first as I squinted at him. His face reminded me of someone.

“Thank you, but as my partner said. We are more than able enough to see for ourselves.”

The look of concern on his face stayed for but a moment, before the meaning of what we said hit him. His eyes shot wide as he pulled back, cupping his hand and bowing to us. ‘At least he knows his manners.’

“My deepest apologies, my ladies. I didn’t know you two were fairies of the Murim. “ He kept his head down, facing the ground as I could see him trembling.

“That’s fine. Your intentions were good. And me and my girl here aren’t the type to look at the gift horse in the mouth. What’s your name, my good sir?” Iulia, seeing the same thing as I do, began to de-escalate the situation like she usually does. I can’t help but reach out for her as she does, taking her arm in mine, a soft smile on my lips as I stop cycling my Ki. Enjoying what little effets remain from the alcohol in my body.

The man stood straight up again, his face genuinely confused, but replied nonetheless:” Xu Yong, my ladies: written as harmonious.”

She looked at him, her eyes opened up with surprise. Before looking at me with quirked eyebrows.

“Wait, you mean that your names are made of words? As in words used daily?” ‘She didn’t know?... How could she know which is the better question.’ I think as I realize I’ve never presented myself correctly to her as I feel annoyed at myself for not having done so after all this time.

But the way she looked at me, full of curiosity and wonder. Made me stop being so hard on myself.

“Do you remember when I poured you tea? That Likeness attracts likeness?” She nodded.

“Names follow a similar principle, in which the parents choose a name for their child to express their expectations, or for them to become a certain way. My name is Huan as in Joy. That’s what my mother wanted for me. Her name would mean Dawn.” I had a serene smile plastered on my face. Most of it coming from Iulia’s eyes gleaming with interest as she listened with rapt attention.

But that wasn’t her that caught my eyes. But the now kowtowing man beside us, down on the paved ground as he held his hands in supplication.

“A-Are you perhaps… Lu Huan? Of Y-Yushan Village?” The way his voice trembled, the way he kept pushing his head onto the pavement. He was afraid, deathly so. I knew that he reminded me of someone… But who?

“How do you know me?” I tone turned acerbic as memories of nine years started to wash up in my mind. My Ki began to cycle around my body on instinct as I felt my fists closing hard.

“I-I am so sorry my lady. I didn’t have a choice back then. I didn’t know this was a normal village. We were told you were bandits hiding away. I-I was the young man that pulled you out of the battlefield… And kept giving food… I-”

My mind turned white with scalding rage as I threw myself at him.