Nie Wangqing and the bald man called Zheng Biao had been driving the carriage for quite a while. Since they had similar builds, they actually got along pretty well.
Nie Wangqing wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked up at the sky. Seeing that it was already noon, he said to Zheng Biao, “It’s noon already. How about we stop here for a bit, eat something, then keep going?”
Nie Wangqing had already been about to rein in the horses, but to his surprise, Zheng Biao shook his head like a rattle drum.
“Brother Nie, we should hurry on instead. At this pace, we’ll reach our destination in about two days. We’re not tired yet. Let’s rest after it gets dark.”
“Huh?” Nie Wangqing paused mid-motion at Zheng Biao’s words and gave him a somewhat surprised look. In the end, though, he said nothing. After a while, he simply nodded slightly and continued driving the horses with Zheng Biao.
Inside the carriage, after everyone had made their decision, silence fell.
Tian You and Li Rui exchanged a glance. Both saw a trace of conflict in the other’s eyes, and both let out a soft sigh.
For Tian You, the story Li Rui had told really was moving. It really could touch the heart. Especially that final dying message—it was enough to make one believe in that scene of utter despair and heartbreak.
But...
As Li Rui told that story, many images had surfaced in Tian You’s mind...
A fallen nation. Families torn apart. Children crying helplessly in the ruins. Soldiers kneeling in despair upon scorched earth, roaring at the sky...
And more... and more...
They were only fragments of memory, but those despairing eyes and helpless cries remained vivid before him.
When his gaze began to turn vacant, that gentle mist rose again and erased it for him...
And when he came back to himself, he could only offer a more rational suggestion after thinking it through...
It might have been a little out of place, but those words had been right...
Hadn’t they?
“...Then it’s settled. We should arrive at Wolf Fang Barbarian City in about two days. Everyone, get as much rest as you can during these two days.” Li Rui clapped his hands, trying to break the awkward mood, then said to Tian You and Hua Zhaoxue, “Ahem, since we’re teammates for the next stretch, getting to know each other is important! I’ll start by introducing our group.”
“This is Li Yuanqian, a Level Four Battle Orator. Her true weapon is a bow crossbow!”
Li Rui first introduced Li Yuanqian, who sat beside him with her expression already returned to calm. Li Yuanqian gave Tian You and Hua Zhaoxue a slight nod in greeting.
Then Li Rui reached a hand toward Bai Ziting.
But unlike Li Yuanqian, Bai Ziting was still a little unhappy about what had been said earlier. When she saw Li Rui’s gesture, she made a face at him, gave a cute huff, and turned her head away.
Li Rui smiled awkwardly at that. He withdrew the hand hanging in midair and gave a dry laugh.
“Mm, this is Bai Ziting, a Level Four Mystic Weaver. The one driving outside is Bai Ziting’s ‘Shield,’ and his name is Zheng Biao. As for me, I’m Bai Ziting’s ‘Sword.’”
The roles of “Shield” and “Sword” existed specifically to buy casting time for Mystic Weavers and Dance Weavers. But not just anyone could do it. Only men with naturally strong physiques could bear foreign Qi Energy within their bodies, then perform simple control and fusion with it, greatly boosting their stamina and strength.
So after hearing that, Hua Zhaoxue looked at the still-pouting Bai Ziting with slight surprise. A moment later, she said to Li Rui and the others, “My name is Hua Zhaoxue, a Level Four Dance Weaver. Um... as for Tian You...”
When she got to Tian You, a troubled look appeared on Hua Zhaoxue’s face, because she truly had no idea how to explain his background to them.
“Hehe, Miss Zhaoxue, we get it~” Seeing her troubled expression, Li Rui assumed she was too shy to reveal their relationship in public, so he gave them a teasing grin and looked at their still-clasped hands.
“...”
The moment Hua Zhaoxue saw that teasing smile, how could she not know what he was thinking? Flustered and embarrassed, she hurriedly let go of Tian You’s hand on instinct, then lowered her eyes and blushed on her own.
Seeing this gentle woman, soft as water, show such a shy and delicate side, Li Rui was stunned for a long while. Even Bai Ziting and Li Yuanqian, both women themselves, stared blankly for a moment.
When Li Rui finally came back to himself, he had nothing to say. He could only raise a thumb at Tian You.
“Brother Tian You! What luck! You’ve got outstanding bearing, and Miss Zhaoxue is peerlessly beautiful. You two really are a perfect match!”
At Li Rui’s teasing, even Tian You’s usually clear and boundless violet eyes showed a trace of embarrassment. But seeing Hua Zhaoxue in that shy, timid state, he found it hard to speak up and deny it. In the end, he could only give an awkward smile without explaining.
Outstanding bearing?
After hearing Li Rui’s praise, Hua Zhaoxue felt both sweet and bitter inside.
She might have been one of the most sought-after Dance Weavers on the continent, but she had left Celestial Phoenixdance at a young age. So she had never picked up the pride common to the women of Phoenixdance City, nor was she as open and unrestrained as most Battle Seers.
For many years, she had lived in Flower Pavilion in Huanan, always in the company of dance and zither. In that peaceful life, untouched by worldly strife, this gentle nature of hers had formed naturally.
Water might be soft, but it cannot be cut apart.
Though Hua Zhaoxue’s temperament seemed a little yielding on the surface, she was in truth remarkably steadfast. Otherwise, she would never have kept her heart unchanged after so many years of Li Bai’s pursuit.
And yet, the heart she had guarded for so many years had been quietly pried open by that silver-lit boy who fell from the sky.
That left her wrapped in sweetness, yet also a little lost.
Right...
There simply weren’t any beasts in this forest that could harm the horses.
And even if there were, with her strength and Nie Wangqing’s, they could handle it easily.
She was gentle, but she was not foolish.
