The wind brushed against the back of Xing’s neck, making him move his hair from tickling him. It had a frosty tingle, but as the days were still hot he ignored the thoughts of winter encroaching on him
Right now, his thoughts and concerns were on Susu.
The woman had barely slept ever since they’d rescued the baby in her mother’s dying arms.
Every night, He watched in the corner of his eyes as Susu would pry herself up and ensured the little girl was still breathing, like a real mother.
Xing would watch her check her body every inch of her body, making sure no centipede or bug could find their way into her garments.
In all honesty, that had crossed Xing’s mind as well, but each time he would try to do it. Susu would be there first. The challenge was, if he were to bring it up, Susu would snap at him.
…and he knew at times when not to poke the bear.
It wasn’t that Zhao Xing didn’t care, he just didn’t want to get too attached, despite his dreams of grandeur.
He believed everyone he cared for, outside of his Martial Siblings and Master would die because of him and that wasn’t something he wanted to happen to the child.
Xing would reminisce of songs he would heard as a young lad. Songs of the Prince Tian Hao slaying the Emperor of Axsum.
“With his mighty sword Chasmgleam, the Prince of Shu, Tian Hao would Endubis the Demon Emperor before he could take the Shu Kingdom. With anger in their hearts, the Endubis’ spawn began to fight amongst themselves like the demons they are, carving out a path for a Prince to become an Emperor.”
He smile, thinking he’d remembered the song perfectly, then looked down at the child who was now in his arms. “You aren’t here to conquer us, are you? Of course not…you’re too beautiful for that.”
“It seems you have a new father young one,” Susu said aloud, startling Xing. His heart thrummed within his chest as if he’d seen a ghost. “You startled me Su’er!”
“Like your every gazing eyes don’t start me whenever I make sure she’s fine on a night!”
“Oh…you knew.”
“Of course, you’re eyes are bigger than the moon, anyone can see them in the dark!”
“Ha…funny,” Xing said with a smile.
Susu pushed herself up and crossed her legs into the lotus position, beginning to cultivate. “Isn’t it a bit late to be cultivating?”
“It is, but I can’t sleep.”
“Drink some wine, that’ll help.”
“Has it helped you these past four days?” Susu said, turning to him as if it were some secret.
It was, but Xing didn’t know that Susu had already known, which made him feel like a fool. But at least I’m not a drunk fool, He thought.
Xing’s lips drew into a smile, he then sucked his bottom lip as he turned to her. “You knew?”
“Of course, I can smell it from your lips, Brother Xing, you aren’t that slick as you think you are.”
“It would seem you’ve improved.”
“…or have you regressed?”
“Like I could ever regress!” He answered, winking playfully.
Xing enjoyed teasing Susu the most out of his Martial Siblings, she was the easiest to show her anger, but also the most unforgiving.
Heng Guo was quiet and stoic. He wouldn’t speak unless it was warranted, and that was on a rare occasion, but when he spoke. He always spoke from the heart. That was a trait he yearned for but just couldn’t find it in himself to do it as easily as Heng Guo did.
Bo Ying, on the other hand, was the heart of the siblings. He had a knack for making them smile when they were down. A knack that also allowed him to know when something was wrong. Xing would’ve loved to borrow that knack at times, it even made him slightly jealous.
Out of the three Ban Susu was not just the pride of the siblings, but also their Master. Her aptitude for Martial Arts was outstanding, which made many heroes jealous of her, but it also allowed her to make friends.
Susu and Yan Fan would become sworn sisters, the would-be Chief of the Golden Bowl Sect. She also made one of the most talented disciples within the Emerald Jade Palace fall in love with her, Shi Qiu, a love that didn’t go anywhere…sadly.
Once Susu’s heart is healed, I believe she can make the breakthrough to the Accentuation Realm, her cultivation may have slowed, but that was due to that bastard Shi Qiu…the next time I see him…he’ll surely pay! Xing thought. He will surely pay for breaking her heart!
After an hour of watching the child, the cravings of a mad man finally began to rave at Xing’s body, making him crave a smidgen of wine even more.
He bit his tongue, feeling the pain manifest as a throbbing pain. The water that came from his tongue satisfied his thirst for a second, but not his cravings.
“I truly am a sham of a Martial Artist,” Xing said softly.
The urge to cultivate had sat at the back of his mind. That morning when he cultivated. It helped soothed his mind, but not his body.
Xing hated that about himself, but despite his drunken stupors on occasion. They were all a way for him to bury the image of his love dying in his hands. His love Yun Yin.
No matter how much alcohol he’d drink, the vision of her death would always reappear in his mind. Her soft lips, her delicate eyes and silky smooth hairs.
A tear slid off Xing’s cheek hitting the child’s own, she giggled from it, possibly thinking of it as rain but went back to sleep as fast.
That nursling noise woke that pity out of his heart, making him smile. “Thank you little one” He whispered, nestling her in his arms. “We’ll make sure you’re safe…no…I’ll make sure your safe.”
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The tumbling sound cart bumped and cranked from the south. Five hours had passed and Xing hadn’t realised he’d dozed off.
He turned left, noticing Susu brandishing her whip, ready to defend herself. “I thought you said we dealt with the bandits in these parts back at the river.” Xing mouthed to Susu.
“Did I expect them to have a lair in the forest??” She hurled back at him.
Susu rounded the tree, ensuring she was out of sight, whilst Xing did the same, which consisted of him sauntering up the tree where the leaves were the thickest.
As the creaky wheels grew louder, so did the sound of hoofs, hitting the ground like drums.
The beating got closer to them and dragged them to a stop. “Whoa Whoa!” A man shouted down below, raising his hands. “Tong Lin! Tell the others to make haste, this looks like a good place for us to camp for the night!”
A boy jumped out of the cart and ran towards the old man who had a whisker of a beard. “Yes sir!” He said, then sprint down in the direction they came.
Xing tried looking for Susu, but she was out of his sight. A subtle aroma wafted towards him, making him taste the wind. Is that wine I taste?
He smacked his lips and leapt out of the leaves. Xing landed right in front of the cart, startling the horses who neighed in response kicking their hooves. The old man grabbed the reigns and stopped the horses from letting loose.
“BANDITS!” The old man shouted.
The sound of swords unsheathing danced in the air, quelling the sound of the rustling grass and branches alike.
Xing nestled the baby in his arms as he noticed she was starting to fret from the noise. He couldn’t see Susu, but he could feel her breathing down his neck “WHAT YOU DOING!?” She would huff. It made him smile himself.
“I’M NO BANDIT!” Xing shouted, with a smile.“MY WIFE AND I ARE ASKING TO ACCOMPANY YOU ON YOUR TRIP. WE KNOW BANDITS ROAM THESE FORESTS WE SIMPLY WOULD LIKE TO TRAVERSE WITH YOU IN PEACE!”
“Liar!” A man shouted, raising his sword and jumping from the cart, blade brandish.
The old man rose from his cart and sprang into action. He soared over the fiery youth. He landed and turned to his left.
Xing watched as the youngsters eyes ogled from the old man’s spiritedness. He hit the youth’s sword with a palm strike.
The sword dropped to the ground witha thud, then swept him off his feet with a reverse sweep. He then grabbed the youth by the shoulder and pressed him against the ground. “Calm yourself fool! Can’t you see the man has a child in his arms!”
Xing smiled, then gave the old man a curt nod, thanking him for quelling his forces. “BUT MASTER…” Another dissident shouted.
“Be quiet!”
Xing could’ve taken the twelve men thee. He’d pulsed his Mind Dantian, and noticed they were only of the Soul and Core Awakening Realms.
“Dai Li! Stop right there. The woman’s already onto you if you take another step. I can’t vouch for you further.” The old man shouted.
A bald man fell from the trees like a leaf. Xing had sensed him but didn’t think much of it, as he knew Susu would’ve dealt with him.
The man Dai Li, had a rusted sword and wore tattered garbs to match, like most of the men except the old man.
Dai Li smiled, spinning his rusted sword in hand then dropped it to the ground as if it were a cane.
As he smiled, a appeared between his two front teeth. Then stuck his tongue out at Susu who came from behind a tree on the far left.
A loud smack echoed through the air, and Dai Li began rubbing the back of his head profusely. “Can’t you give me a little face? That’s the man’s wife…keep your tongue in your mouth and lessen the theatrics!” The old man spat.
“His wife?” Dai Li asked, shocked. “Apologies Sir, I was unaware of your…marriage.”
Leaves crunched beneath Susu’s feet as she came to stand next to Xing, whip still in hand. Her purple veil covered her face, and most definitely her anger.
Xing knew she hated such pitiable men, who lacked the decorum and respect for a woman, regardless of much. Displays. I’ll have to quell her anger tonight, Xing thought.
Susu clasped her hands raising them to greet the elder and give him a reverend bow. “Junior greats Elder.” She said.
The old man waved her off and clasped his hands behind his back. He walked towards Susu and Xing and circled them twice.
“It would seem we need you more than you need us. The Accentuation Realm at such a young age!” He said looking at Xing, then his eyes drifted to Susu. “The Divination Realm…your masters would be proud of you of both.”
“Thank You for your kind words Elder,” Susu said with a bow.
The old man’s turned back to Xing, who give him another curt nod and smile. “I can feel the fierceness of your Qi lad, no matter how hard you try to suppress it!” He said firmly.
Xing chuckled a subtle laugh. “Senior knows how cruel the Jianghu can be! I must protect my wife and daughter at a moment’s notice…but may I ask you your name?”
“Shouldn’t you be the one to offer your name first, I am your Elder after all.?” The old man said, pulsing his Qi.
Su’er might be able to handle him, but this Dai Li fellow seems a bit unhinged.
“My name is Shun Qiu and this is my wife Yan Fei.”
“Yan Fei? Such a pretty name…does the child have a name?” The Old man said.
“Not as yet Senior. We’re on our way to Longyan to visit our parents. We hope they could bestow a name for us, as we’ve been having trouble deciding a name.” Xing said firmly.
“Longyan…we’re heading to Gansu!”
“Chief!” Dai Li shouted.
“There’s no need to fear Dai Li, but your caution has been noted.” The old man turned to Xing, eyeing him up and down, and then he finally spoke. “My name is Zhu Zixin.”
“Zhu Zixin?” Susu asked. “As in Zhu Zixin…Chief of the Lion Cub Escort Agency?”
“…ah, you’ve heard of me! I still have face to the younger generation!” He chuckled in a hooty laugh.
Xing looked at Susu, who ignored him. Who is the hell is Zhu Zixing? He pondered.
“Of course, anyone with a brain that has wandered the Jianghu knows of Zhu Zixin and escort company!” Susu said, clasping her hands in respect, again.
“Hmmm, it would seem Xiao Fei has a way with words, is that how you quelled this beast of a man?” Zhu Zixin said, lips curling into a wrinkled smile.
“It was him he, that chased after me Elder Zixin. He even made bowed to heaven asking for my hand.”
Xing’s lips curled into a smile and he watched Zhu Zixin eye him up and down. “At least he did what men should do when requesting marriage. Swear to the heavens!”
“Indeed…” Susu said, “Senior, I know you are heading to Gansu, but would you mind if we accompany you along the way till we’re close to Longyan at least?”
“I’m not sure if that would be wise,” Zixin said, tugging his goatee.
“We will handle our food and shelter,” Susu said.
“It’s not about that my dear. We’re currently on a job. We’ve been ambushed five times since we left Anqing. Worst of all, some of my men have been injured on the way.”
“Injured? Then you should have them treated at Longyan, it’s closer. Plus the time to recuperate in the city would raise morale…don’t you think?”
“I’ve considered that, but we’re already late on our delivery!”
“Ahh…understood, then how about this. My husband and I will provide extra support to replace the injured men in the meantime.”
“Hmm..” Zixin said, “I’m not sure. It’s not a bad idea. But…Dai Li, are you opposed to their help in the meantime?”
“As long as they feed themselves I don’t care what they do Chief!” The rugged warrior spat.
“Worry not young warrior,” Susu said calmly.
“Good Good!” Zixin said, clapping his hand. “Let’s set up camp, the injured are going to be here soon and we need here to be ready for them to rest without fault, alright?”
“Yes Sir!” Zhu Zixin’s men said in unison.
Xing watched as Susu gave the remaining Lion Cub Escort Agency men a bow and sauntered off to a tree about twenty meters off, picking up their satchels. “Brother Qiu!” Susu said with authority, sending a ripple of goosebumps through Xing’s body.
Zixin eyed him from the corner of his knowing eyes and shooed him off as if he knew what was about to him. Xing walked up to Susu, who backed him. “Brother Xi…Qiu, Why didn’t you let them pass us by, we don’t need the company!” Susu Whispered.
“We do need them. You haven’t slept in days. The extra eyes will make it easier for us to sleep, plus we can ride in their carts for a bit.”
“It’ll slow us down,” Susu said.
“I don’t care, you need to rest. You’ve been checking the child’s rations every chance you get. Su’er, relax, let’s enjoy this solace. If you feel uncomfortable, by morning’s light we’ll part with them, how does that sound?”
“Fine, but under one condition.”
“You don’t drink a slither of wine.”
“W-wwwhat are you talking about?”
“You think I didn’t see your nose twinkling every time a smidgen of wine blessed the wind?” Susu hugged.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Susu turned around, tilting her head. The veil swayed left, showing a silhouette of her perfectly sculpted face, the stream that flowed from her lips was like an ocean crashing against the beach, spraying foam all over.
Xing swore he saw a vein bulged behind the veil and then watched as Susu’s lips formed one word. “LIAR!”