Chapter 5, Another Day

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"So... what in tarnation happened in here?" asked Tengfei as he looked at Lihua and Huan.

Lihua noticed that Tengfei was here. She then replied after making quiet giggle "Just teaching her... I mean him that I'm no pushover."

He looked at her mischievous expression and little devilish grin before saying "Is that so..."

Just to let you know, the broomstick which Lihua was using had a dent on it.

As Tengfei walked towards them, Lihua noticed that he was odd than usual but nothing too strange.

Zhou Huan proposed with a hoarse voice as he watched Tengfei "Brother, I would like to greet you and all but I'm having problem right now.."

"I see..." Replied Tengfei as he felt the pain from past experience.

He then helped Huan get up, though he struggled, before saying to them that he found a job.

The details about it were then told which made both Lihua and Huan nod fakely happy... due to their enviness.

"Compared to our 4 copper salary, you got something better than us." Said Lihua as she puffs her cheeks afterwards.

"So that means should I take the job?" Asked Tengfei.

"Of course! What were you waiting for!" Answered Huan yelling.

Zhou Huan sure got good healing abilities... to overcome that pain immediately.

Lihua also nodded lightly while surveying Tengfei who gradually started smiling again.

"I feel something is..." Proudly Tenfei call out.

"???" Huan was puzzled 

"Nevermind." Tengfei said while his head shook.

Before Lihua could speak, the inn keeper interrupted by handing out a key to Huan before saying "Here's the room you wanted, it is located on the second floor, room four."

"Thanks a lot!" Replied Huan as he grasps the wooden key tightly.

"As long as you don't bother me again." The inn keeper said before returning back to his counter.

Tengfei couldn't help but feel admiration towards his brother as he pats his shoulder while saying "Your one cunning piece of work you know? Being able to bargain that much from him."

Zhou Huan smiled wryly before laughing a little.

Lihua was going to tell the truth about Huan but her mouth was kept shut by his hand.

Though he was pushed immediately as she becomes pissed due to how his hands being tainted by his... you know what.

"It's best if we check the room first before both of you cause another fuss." Said Tengfei.

Both Lihua and Huan were looking at each other with sparks crossing through both their eyes before nodding to what Tengfei said.

The group found the room they were supposed to live in for now and opened the door.

Before the room, they had to through a wooden spiral stair case then pass through the carpeted flooring.

Huan inserted the key and turned it which then he opened the door.

The trio inspected their new home which was quite small.

Two broken down beds, a table with one chair, large window with a trunk nearby what seems to be the bathroom.

Cold brown wooden floor and an unlit candle on the table.

Quite a simple room is all could be described.

Tengfei was happy, Huan had mixed fillings while Lihua was feeling downright sadness.

They entered the room and checked the place out.

"Well at least I get to sleep on a bed..." Said Lihua with a depressed voice.

Zhou Huan looked at her before saying "Who said you're the one sleeping in bed."

She gotten irritated before yelling "Then where will I sleep!"

"On the chair or the floor, it's your preference." Replied Huan bluntly.

"Fwaah! No way am I sleeping on there!" Yelled Lihua with teary eyes.

"Either that or you sleep in the forest like yesterday." Replied Tengfei.

Her face turned sullen before saying in a low voice "W-why can't you guys sleep together then leave one bed for me..."

Both Tengfei and Huan looked at each other before looking back at her.

"Two guys sleeping in one bed... do you honestly think that we straight men would do that?" Zhou Huan said furiously.

"..." Lihua was speechless.

"At least can I take a bath...?" She said with voice resembling a wounded fox.

Her clothes was still the same nightgown from yesterday which made the people back when they're looking for job question about her.

Tengfei and Huan nodded which then they started their own things.

Before Lihua enters the bathroom she tells them "You guys better not peek on my body or else I'll gauge out both of your eyes."

"Who would want to peek on someone that resembles a child?" Huan questioned to her.

Both boys then smiled happily towards her.

Her face turned red with anger before entering and then shutting the door behind her.

Tengfei sighed before laying down on the bed and feeling the fluffiness of the bed.

Even though it is an average bed, but compared to laying down on hays for two years, it is something pleasant for him.

Some time later, the bathroom door opened and Lihua exited wearing a white one piece dress.

Her skin was glossy compared to before and her hair became silky smooth.

She expected to find admiration from the boys due to her prettiness as she proudly and elegantly walk out.

Though the thing she expected was completely demolished due to how the boys were competing on who could do more push-ups.

Eventually Tengfei losses which then, both boys got up and started complimenting each other while also showing that their out of breath.

Lihua patiently stood there waiting for them to notice her... but when they actually did, nothing kind was said.

Tengfei told her "You sure take your time."

Apparently Lihua spent half an hour in the bathroom which was considered short for her... but that matters as the compliment and admiration was no where found in Tengfei's words nor expression.

She made her usual 'tch' noise before angrily walking past them and sat on the chair beside the table.

Huan and Tengfei smirked in secret as they actually planned to act oblivious towards her appearance.

Lihua then demanded out loud "I'm hungry go get me some food."

"By the way brother." Tengfei told Huan while ignoring Lihua's demands.

"Yes?" Huan replied.

"Could you get the clothes from the bathroom and use that for beast you killed earlier in the forest and while at it use the meat for food." Asked Tengfei.

"Me? Why can't you do it instead." Huan rebuked.

"As you're the only one who could do it and I have to accept the job which I told you before." Answered Tengfei seriously.

Lihua had a downcast look as she murmurs sadly due to her being ignored again.

"I understand... " Huan surrendered and then he points towards Lihua while saying "So what about her?"

He learned his lesson for calling her with bad names and decided to just say 'her' instead of 'wretch'.

"She will be continuing the inn's job." Replied Tengfei.

Lihua couldn't say anything about it but continue feeling depressed.

Though she keeps telling herself that she deserves this treatment.

Eventually everyone left the inn except her who stayed and started wiping the windows.

'...They're actually this stupid to leave me behind?? Can't I just run away?? But... where to? And won't I just die easily?' Lihua thought.

While she was wiping the window... something was decided upon her as she thinks 'I can't cultivate... so why not I train physically at least.'

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Back in the Lihua's courtyard, a middle aged man with jet black spiky hair was yelling at three subordinates.

"You imbeciles! Care not to explain as to why you left the princess alone with only one guy?!" He yelled at them.

One of the masked man who was yelled at. approached him and said while quivering "But captain Qiang, the princess was already crippled and binded so we thought one is more than enough."

"Do you not recall what orders I told you!" Qiang yelled furiously.

"..." Qiang's subordinates were speechless as they feel complete fear.

"What were you doing to halt your duty? Answer me!" He asked loudly.

"We were... playing with the female servants..." One of them uttered slowly.

Suddenly all three heads in front of Qiang slid slowly downwards and blood gush out as their emotionless bodies succumb the ground.

It took only a split of second for Qiang to manifest a blade on his hands covered in dark energy before aiming to kill.

Qiang after dispersing his dark blade, he went towards the shackled lady who's actually Lihua's mother.

She was sitting on the ground while having a downcast look.

"Madam Yanmei, beg my pardon but I'll be using your body to remove my stress." He said calmly.

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Yanmei who's Lihua's mother had empty eyes completely voided.

Her skin was shown a lot which were filled with bruises as her robe covers only the important parts...

Qiang came close and pulled her hair upwards then said "You should feel happy as your daughter managed to escape, but it doesn't mean that I can't find her."

Though Yanmei's expression didn't change at all as she starts pulling down Qiang's pants and...

"Hahaha, you're already broken. Well it doesn't matter as you'll be with me anyhow." He said.

As he plays with Yanmei, he thinks to himself 'Though I better send out people to get that girl back or else my payment would be decreased... or I could just fake it.'

Them man slowly knits his eyebrows saying "We still can't find that gray haired boy... but why is he so important more than the princess?"

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Back to the restaurant 'Jewel Mantous'

Tengfei finally reach it and opened the door to find Lou Jun wiping on a wooden table.

The atmosphere inside was quite comfortable while having the scent of any bar pub.

Lou Jun noticed his presence and decided to stop on what she is doing to greet him.

She went closer towards Tengfei who was mesmerized from her beauty but she doesn't notice it due to his perfect smiling poker face.

Noise of her sandals were creating noise on the wooden floors as she walks by.

After getting close, Lou Jun then said "You have returned, so what will be your answer?" her smile was then shown clearly.

"I accept and I will be looking forward working with you." He replied back.

"Great, first I will make you meet the manager and he'll carry out the requirements." She happily tells him while clasping her hands joyfully.

Tengfei surveys her face after nodding which caused her to slowly feel embarrassed.

Lou Jun then asks shyly "W-what is the matter?"

"Your eyes seems tired and traces of dark circles could be seen under your make up." He said while looking at her carefully.

"Well... you know I'm a hardworking girl and so not much sleep..." She said directly at him.

He looked at her for another few seconds before asking to lead him to her manager.

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Tengfei finished talking with the manager of the place and acquired the job he wanted.

His in charge as a waiter similar to Lou Jun and extra time job when the store closes as storage organizer.

He bid farewell to them before leaving the place.

Lou Jun watches him exit as she thinks 'He's quite the interesting one... but does he really know what am I up to everyday?'

Normally no one can notice her slight change in appearance but due to Tengfei being close with Lihua as a servant, he could make out even the slightest change.

Lou Jun sighed before looking at a clock which then she thought to herself 'This is the last one for this week at least.'

She then removes her apron before asking the manager for her leave.

Her eyes changed from a jolly girl to someone emotionless as she exits the restaurant.

Even her hair color was changed to normal black.

A little change but it is enough to confuse the before her and the present one.

Her once radiant smile turned to an ice cold frown.

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Back in the inn

Tengfei returned to their room and the first thing he saw was Lihua stretching her body.

She didn't notice him as to how concentrated on her training.

He decided to not disturb her and sit down on the bed.

Sometime passed and Tengfei started feeling bored and so he decided to watch closely Lihua.

By the time he glance upon her, she noticed his presence and shrieked quietly before falling on her behind.

She became flustered before saying out loud "S-since when you were here?!"

Her body was completely drenched in sweat while her clothing turned quite transparent showing her childish undergarments.

Before Tengfei could reply, he can't help but notice her wet clothing.

This puzzled Lihua before she notices that her clothing is see through and so she covered her body before yelling out loud filled with anger "Don't look! or else I'll gouge out your eyeballs!"

Her face was red like an apple as she looks daggers at him coldly.

Though the expression of Tengfei was his regular poker face but everyone can notice that his eyebrows were twitching.

Come on give him a slack as his just a normal adolescent boy growing up~

Anyhow Tengfei decided to grin and then say "Quite the childish color you got there, oh wait I forgot, you're still a child~"

Lihua gritted her teeth before yelling out while running towards the bathroom "Bastard!, I'll get you for that one day!"

Tengfei smiled wickedly before saying to himself 'My revenge is not even started yet, hahaha'

The door of the room opened and Zhou Huan entered with two bags which were made with the clothing from the bathroom.

He spotted Tengfei sitting on the bed before saying "I got the cores which were traumatizing to get and also the meat but I still wonder as to why we need this jobs for the clothing anyhow?"

"You really believed that we needed the money for clothing?" Tengfei asked with a dumbfounded look.

"Well duh, you were all serious about it." Huan answered.

"The money is for our living and travel expenses." Tengfei said calmly.

"Wait... we're going to travel?" Huan asked with a puzzled look.

"Yup, we're going to try visit the main city and see what to do when we reach there." He replied before smiling again.

"Ambitious aren't you?, well I'm not complaining as I heard that beautiful women are basically everywhere there!" Huan call out loudly.

Tenfgei then laughed before saying "Certainly your character fits you the most."

Zhou Huan then slowly stopped smiling before saying with a serious tone "You still can't get over her, huh."

"What you mean?" Tengfei questioned with a calm manner while also laughing a little bit.

"I'm talking about Xiao Ling, Lihua's older sister, you wanted to visit the main city to find her in the Burning Phoenix sect right?" Huan questioned Tengfei in a cold tone.

Tengfei's eyes turned sharp and he became serious as he says "You really are my brother, there is nothing you don't know about me."

While both of them were talking, Lihua was behind the bathroom door hearing out as to what they're talking about.

When she heard that they were planning on travelling, she became angry but then that emotion was all replaced with grief when Huan mentioned about her sister.

The mentioning of Tengfei wanting to find her sister ached something inside her.

She then remembers as to how Tengfei replaces her and hogging all attention.

Lihua doesn't know if she should feel angry or happy about it, truly a mixed feeling.

Tengfei looked at Huan with sorrow eyes before saying "We'll talk about this later... but more importantly, did you get the food and heavenly cores?"

Zhou Huan noticed that Tengfei didn't want to continue the subject and so he replied "Yup, we just need to cook the meat and we can sell the cores for a hefty price."

A nod was replied back by Tengfei as he then stood up from bed and stretch his arms.

The thought of Xiao Ling's image appeared in his head which caused him to smile.

A simple thing he wanted to tell her and that was '^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^'

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It was already in the middle of the night were everyone is sleeping except Tengfei.

They ate lunch and dinner by cooking the meat by using the kitchen of the inn though they had to pay to use but luckily the money isn't any more a problem.

Also Zhou Huan and Lihua received their 4 copper salary which they are proud of and... a little jealousy could be seen in Tengfei's eyes.

Due to selling the heavenly core, the group managed to get two silvers which is quite a good amount for them.

Tengfei discussed with them about how his going to start working tomorrow and about their living expenses.

Zhou Huan slept directly same with Tengfei but for Lihua... she was having problem to sleep again but this time on a wooden chair.

But eventually her eyes felt drowsy and she slept.

Though Tengfei looks like he's sleeping but his mind was completely busy and so he couldn't sleep as to the thoughts of Xiao Ling. 

He decided get up and look upon the window to at least calm himself down.

But before he did, Tengfei notice the shivering Lihua.

A warm blanket was kept on her as to a pillow also behind her neck.

Even without those, he could still eventually sleep in his bed.

He went towards the window and opened it to embrace the moonlight.

No other thing beside the moon when he was young could comfort him.

Unnoticeably Lihua half opened her eyes to find Tengfei basked in warm light as she noticed the blanket and pillow.

A smile appeared on her as she continued sleeping again. Snuggling the blanket.

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Thanks for reading~!