Yuri waited patiently outside of the Alchemist Association headquarters in the sweltering heat. The weather today was strangely warm for the mid-autumn season. Already the aspens and elms had turned color and garnished the streets with a layer of golden leaves.

Carrying a white parasol for some shade, she watched the passersby with keen interest, noting their fashions and customs for future reference. Unlike life at the Okada Manor, most of the cityfolk passed by paying no attention to her, though occasionally she caught boys and a few girls ogling in her direction.

‘I guess parasols and decorated paper fans are all the rage these days,’ Yuri noted, observing a certain group of noblewomen giggling and fanning themselves at a jewelry stall.

She gripped her umbrella, smiling slightly as she recalled the morning spent with Jin shopping for new apparel. The parasol was his idea after he had noticed she was constantly staring at the fashion accessories of girls her age.

“Mom would have loved this,” she thought sadly. She wondered if her parents had ever visited Azure Lake City. While lost in thought, two finely dressed nobles, ages no more than eighteen, approached.

“Do you happen to be lost, pretty miss?” a tall handsome noble inquired politely. “My friend and I can offer you some assistance.”

If fourteen years had taught her anything, it was to always trust her instincts. Despite the two young men appearing well-intentioned, she felt strangely uneasy in their company. There was nothing explicitly repugnant about them, but perhaps it was the way their smiles didn’t quite reach their eyes or the way their eyes darted from place to place, as if ascertaining whether she was actually alone.

“No, thank you. I’m not lost. Just waiting for my cousin,” she replied, backing away. Her expression must have belied fear.

“Whoa, whoa, don’t be afraid. We mean no harm,” explained the handsome noble, placing a hand to his chest in a display of sincerity. “My friend and I are simply appalled that a beautiful gal such as yourself is standing out here alone in the sun. Perhaps we can treat you to some tea and refreshments at a nearby restaurant? You can wait for your cousin there.”

“No, I’m fine, really. My cousin will be out any moment now,” repeated Yuri, taking another step back.

“Please, miss. We insist. Our afternoon tea would be so much more pleasant if you could grace us with your presence.”

The young noble made a move to grab her shoulder, but someone slapped it away.

“Are these men harassing you?” asked a familiar voice. It was Jin.

Looking rather displeased, the noble glared at the interferer, snarling, “Who the hell are you? Don’t you see we’re talking to this lady here.”

“I’m her cousin, need I say more?” Jin responded flatly. He could be blunt when he needed to.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The two nobles were taken aback, not expecting Yuri’s ‘cousin' to be about the same age as her. Realizing they were just dealing with two fourteen-year-olds, they became more aggressive.

“Kid, all we want is for your cousin to spend the afternoon with us. Why don’t you take these ten gold ingots and buy yourself something nice? You can come pick her up at the Three Crowns Restaurant later.”

The noble tossed a small purse bag, treating Yuri as if she was just another merchandise to be purchased and discarded. To be fair, many would have succumbed to the offer. After all, ten gold ingots was no small sum of money, enough to last a family for many months.

“How about no,” Jin rejected, all the while shamelessly pocketing the purse bag. He attempted to leave with Yuri, but the young noble’s friend blocked their way.

The altercation was starting to attract attention from nearby onlookers.

“Now that’s not very nice, kid,” the handsome noble stated coldly.

“Neither is this.” Jin sent the second noble flying with a surprise kick and pressed a throwing knife against the handsome noble’s jugular.

“Is there a problem?” Jin threatened.

“No, no problem,” the noble whimpered, realizing in horror that he was dealing with a cultivator.

Jin and Yuri then left the two defeated teenagers behind, making a few turns here and there to ensure no one was following them. Only once they were in a different part of town did Jin face Yuri and apologize. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you wait outside, but the Alchemist Association doesn’t permit non-members. You weren’t startled, were you?”

“It’s no big deal,” she reassured him. “I didn’t know you’re an alchemist too. Why did we need to look for one then?” 

“I wanted some help acquiring certain materials,” explained Jin.

“Oh, okay. By the way, you were really cool back there.” Yuri beamed at him. She giggled when Jin turned a deeper shade of red. Although it seemed she was prone to attracting trouble, she felt safe and protected when around him. Little by little he was beginning to fill the void left behind by her family’s deaths.

“Anyways, we best be more careful in the future,” Jin concluded. “We should also get you cultivating soon.”

Yuri nodded, teasing in a fake burly voice, “Okay Mister Alchemist Cultivator Super Prodigy. Lead on!”

“Who’s the real prodigy here,” Jin muttered under his breath.

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In the distance, two men, concealing their identities with conical bamboo hats, secretly followed the ‘cousin’ pair. One of the men was in his early twenties, extremely good-looking and had a build that would’ve put the handsome noble to shame.

“Young Master Meng, we shouldn’t tarry,” prompted the second man, older with graying hair.

The young master chose to ignore the servant’s advice. He continued his innocuous espionage. 

“Young Master, why are you so interested in them?”

Although the boy had displayed solid martial arts back at the Alchemist Association headquarters, his opponents were non-cultivators, so it didn’t mean much. In comparison, Young Master Meng was the second scion of the Imperial Hao Clan and ranked eighth on the Under Twenty-Five Domain Rankings. As a twenty two-year-old early-stage qi master, surely the young master wouldn’t be easily impressed by many things in this backwater kingdom.

“Could he have fallen for the girl then?” the servant imagined. He could see she was a beauty, but pretty maidens were aplenty - some had far more impressive backgrounds and talent than this commoner.

“Cheng Shi, don’t let your thoughts go astray,” admonished Young Master Meng, faintly aware of his servant’s internal confusion. “I merely have a feeling there’s more to them than meets the eye. Besides, we have time to spare.”

The servant, Cheng Shi, lowered his hat and obediently followed. In times like this, all he could do was trust the young master.