Chapter 43 - A Talk

The second surprise of the day was seeing Shu Lingling while on our way back to the gambling tent. She was wearing men's clothes; a circular straw hat, rough brown pyjamas, an over sized T-shirt having long sleeves and a black scarf on her neck.

Her hair was not tied and it covered half her face. She looked wary of her surroundings as she still had her sword with her.

I was four paces away, beside a busy stall, peeking at her curiously. Dang Seong was confused as to why I'd stopped and that confusion increased more when I stopped leaning on her.

"Go back, you're free."

Dang Seong didn't know what to say. Earlier, I seemed like I would take full advantage of her but now that lecherous attitude was gone. I didn't play with her body and even ignored her after that.

"What about- no, nevermind." She seemed relieved that I left her alone. However, some frustration still remained as she walked away from where I was standing.

I could hardly care if she felt humiliated. It was her fault trying to mess with me earlier and if I was to be honest, I could've done things worse than just feeling her assets. The only reason I hung out with her was to get info about the route to either of the countries. Otherwise, she wasn't worth my time.

"How much for these bell nuts?" I came near another stall and asked the man who was drenched in sweat.

Ling'er was about to pass beside me and I purposely bumped into her. She didn't recognize me from a side-glance and said nothing.

The busy stall owner wasn't able to reply to me. I would have to shout like others to get his attention. My main goal was bumping into Ling'er though.

"Young master, you seem too beautiful for a man." After saying this, she was bound to recognize my voice. Although this line seemed like what a simp would say, it was effective to say the least.

"Who are... it's you!"

"Indeed, it is I. Your disguise isn't good enough by the way."

"How? I thought she'd already killed you."

Shu Lingling was a tall woman, almost as tall as me. Her light cyan eyes were fixated on my smile and her soft brows arched upwards, indicating her surprise. Such a rare expression was a nice treat for me.

When she realised that I had even ranked up in such a short time, her surprise turned into suspicion. She became wary again and slowly backed off. I was rank 6 and she was rank 5, she should've remembered that she had once called me a weakling.

"Who are you hiding from?" this was the question that led me to meet up with her. Shu Lingling was acting unlike her usual self today.

Sure, she still gave cold glances to anyone who so much as unfortunately looked her, but there was something else which occupied her internally. I was keen to notice her agitation.

"...None of your business."

"You and that red qipao woman are related. I haven't forgotten about that day." I was pissed, of course. If I found that woman, I would surely torture her for trying to kill me. I could catch up to her in a month if I diligently trained my body.

I had no reason to be on bad terms with Shu Lingling but if she kept up that attitude, then it would one day cost her much more than she could imagine.

"I'm leaving this town. You should hurry as well if you don't want to die," she said, adjusting her straw hat. Not matter what she did she couldn't hide her femininity, though.

"Ling'er, it seems we need to have a talk. I want to know why you guys kidnapped those brats."

...

Lingling didn't refuse this time, but still frowned hearing me call her as Ling'er. I led her through the packed market and stopped at Xie Ge's stall. The number of customers had decreased.

I immediately sat down and told her to do so as well. Xie Ge's business was booming, it wouldn't take long for all of the seats to be occupied.

"Xie Ge, are there any fimdies left?" I asked. Last time, I hadn't eaten them because we were in a hurry.

"Yes, we have. You know my husband?" His wife spoke instead. She was a pretty lady with a gentle gaze. Xie Ge was cooking and she seemed to be in charge of catering the customers.

"I remember this friend." His laugh was as expected. It was an amicable response with the same virility he'd shown that day we met.

"Who is this gentlemen you brought?" he asked, taking out baked potatoes one by one. I thought he would recognize Ling'er as well.

"Can't you see? She is a girl." His wife was keen, however. I never really understood what supernatural powers women used to identify themselves. Even if Lingling had fully covered herself with a scarf, I was sure that Xie Ge's wife could still tell her apart.

As she went on to boil the fimdies and Xie Ge busied himself with other customers, we started talking.

"What did you mean earlier when you told me that I should leave as well?"

Ling'er folded her hands, there was no table to rest our hands on. She looked around us and came a little closer. Well, we weren't touching each other or anything but I guessed it gave her a sense of privacy.

"You must've seen that fatty, right?"

"Yes. Though, I have a hard time believing that he is from a powerful clan."

"He isn't the real young master. Tong Kai is a middle-aged man already at Qi gathering stage!"

When I heard this, I was alarmed. I knew how powerful a Qi gatherer was. He could sweep body tempering cultivators like ants. Why would someone so high level even come at this place?

"How did you know about this?" I wasn't quick to jump to conclusions though.

"I've worked under him." Hearing this, I snorted.

Lingling was calm though, as if she already knew that I would react in such a way. She crossed her thighs and looked ahead.

"Not exactly under him. Yaya, the red qipao woman is his servant. I work for Yaya- well, worked for. I'm running away from her now, from them."

Now this explained why she was so wary, they must be tailing her. But I still didn't know why this Yaya would kidnap the heirs of Gang family.

I took out a coin and tossed it up. Catching it at tails, I glanced at Lingling's side profile and asked, "What about the brats?"

"I don't know. Tong Kai wanted something... a wooden token from them, he came to this town for that single reason. I... overheard him talking with Yaya. He said someone is tailing them, another Qi Gathering cultivator."

Ling'er didn't look as calm after she answered. For the first time, I saw fear in her gaze and in that tense sitting position.. She again pulled her straw hat down and added, "They want to silence me."