Chapter 69 Chapter 69: Heading to Gouwu
Chapter 69: Heading to Gouwu
"But Ling..."
Before Chong Yue could finish speaking, the door behind them opened again.
Creak—
The two people who pushed the door open met eyes with Chong Yue and the Grand Tutor, and instantly, four faces were filled with confusion.
Fiammetta even stepped back outside in surprise, double-checking the house number.
No. 13 Shaxi Lane... not wrong.
"Not wrong."
Kevin answered her question, but she felt even more puzzled.
If it wasn't wrong, then who were these two "guests" before her?
"Ah, ah, sorry about this. This is my eldest brother. He was traveling far away but found me here."
"Um, as for this one..."
When it came to introducing the Grand Tutor, Ling's words got stuck. After all, the Grand Tutor's identity was sensitive, and without his consent, she couldn't really reveal it.
"This old man's surname is Li. I was traveling with him on the way."
The Grand Tutor nodded to Kevin and Fiammetta, gesturing towards Chong Yue beside him.
"Chong Yue. It seems during my absence, my third sister has been well taken care of by you two. Thank you."
Chong Yue clasped his fists. Despite his physique suggesting a robust and capable martial artist, he exuded an air of refined elegance everywhere, making people instantly feel goodwill towards him.
"Not really. We've only known Sister Ling for just over a month."
Fiammetta didn't feel she had taken any special care of Ling; it was all just small matters, nothing worth being so serious about.
"But since you're here, would Elder Li and Brother Chong Yue like to join us for a meal?"
She lifted the fully loaded vegetable basket in her hand.
Fiammetta could tell that this Elder Li and Chong Yue probably weren't simple figures, but why dig deeper?
"No need..."
Chong Yue instinctively wanted to refuse, but Ling stopped him.
"Hey, don't be in such a hurry to refuse. If there's a free meal, why not take it? Fiammetta, sorry to trouble you for two more pairs of chopsticks?"
It wasn't her first time freeloading a meal anyway; Ling seemed quite at ease.
"Oh right... um, Elder Li, would you like to join too?"
"Hmm, then this old man will impose."
The Grand Tutor had nothing to be concerned about; after a moment's thought, he agreed.
"See, eldest brother? Elder Li agreed."
"Join us."
Kevin nodded to him and then carried the full basket of vegetables inside.
"Then we'll trouble you."
"No trouble at all."
Fiammetta followed Kevin into the kitchen, looking full of energy.
——————
The three sat down at the stone table. The lush Zuo Gongyu tree provided shade under Yumen's scorching sun.
"It seems I worried for nothing. You're living quite comfortably here."
Chong Yue shook his head and sighed. No matter what, it was certainly more comfortable than his long journey.
"Hahaha, life is short; if you don't live freely, how can you face this grand dream properly?"
Ling laughed heartily. Unlike Chong Yue, she didn't have so many responsibilities and worries; that would make life too tiring.
"Miss Ling is indeed carefree."
The Grand Tutor chuckled.
"But since the hundred-year period has arrived and I've returned, Ling, you don't have to be bound to Yumen anymore. I know your temperament; it must have been hard on you."
"Eldest brother, are you kicking me out?"
Ling paused her movements, and her blurted-out words made Chong Yue freeze for a moment.
"Heh, just joking. Since eldest brother has returned, the duty of guarding Yumen naturally returns to you."
"Although the Yumen desert battlefield often stirs one's heart with excitement, after seeing it for so long, experiencing it for a hundred years, the scenery inevitably becomes tiresome."
Ling sighed.
"You've grown up after all."
Chong Yue was pleased; his decision to let Ling experience the battlefield wasn't wrong.
"None of us younger siblings have ever spared you from worry."
"By the way, when I go back, I'll visit Xi Mei along the way..."
Feeling Ling's gaze, the Grand Tutor nodded in approval:
"Your achievements will not be forgotten by Yan. After guarding the border for a hundred years, returning to see your family and catch up is only right. The Sisuital won't stop you."
He gave his promise. With Ling's achievements, she fully deserved it.
"Coming, coming! Old sir, please make way."
Fiammetta wore heat-resistant gloves as she carried a pot of hot soup towards the stone table.
Soon, four dishes and one soup were placed on the stone table. The stone table was large enough to comfortably seat five people; otherwise, it wouldn't have been sufficient for Ling to sleep on it.
As for the staple food?
It was bowls of noodles. Large sea bowls were placed in front of each of the five.
Kevin wore an apron as he washed his arms. Fiammetta's shoulders shook as she buried her face in her chest, not daring to look at Kevin.
"Just laugh if you want to."
"Pfft—"
The two came out of the kitchen and took their seats. The lunch began.
——————
"Kevin, Fiammetta, I'm going back with eldest brother to handle some matters. I'll come find you again later."
"Thanks for the hospitality."
"Thank you for the meal. This old man takes his leave."
Before leaving, the Grand Tutor gave Kevin a meaningful look. Although he didn't possess extraordinary power or perception like Ling or Ya,
his experience as Yan's chief steward and an elder allowed him to keenly sense that Kevin was not simple. As for where this "not simple" lay...
An investigation would reveal it. The Sui beasts held great significance for Yan; they couldn't be dealt with lightly.
After seeing off the three guests, Kevin and Fiammetta returned to the courtyard.
Kevin still wore the apron. He reached behind his back, about to untie it,
but Fiammetta stepped forward first, coming behind him and deftly helping him untie it—though she still struggled to hold back her laughter.
She had just acted on a whim; she never expected Kevin would indulge herwhimsical request. If only she had bought a camera on the way back; it would have been great to take a picture.
"Kevin, do you feel like you've changed?"
"?"
"You've become more human-like, not like that deeply burdened and bitter person from the beginning."
As she spoke, Fiammetta put on a stern face, imitating the cold demeanor of the important figure she first met when encountering Kevin.
"Maybe... thank you."
"Huh?"
Kevin's latter words were almost inaudible; even with Fiammetta's hearing, she didn't catch them clearly at first.
"It's nothing."
——————
Five days later, outside Yumen city.
A distinctive, eye-catching vehicle sped across the wilderness.
"Kevin, don't be so cold-faced. You can look forward to it; Gouwu is very beautiful."
Ling had her legs propped up on the seat. She originally intended to travel alone but then remembered that Kevin and Fiammetta were newcomers to Yan. It would be a pity if they only saw the desolate desert.
So she persuaded them to come along; she could also visit her silly younger sister along the way.
Surprisingly, things went smoother than expected.
"It doesn't matter."
Kevin spoke the truth. He didn't mind where his destination was; his nearly infinite lifespan gave him too many choices.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!