Chapter 130 - Daddy's Girl

After weeks of playing with a stick alone, Feng Xuan was finally going to be tested with a partner. Master had assigned Ma Min, a short-haired girl with porcelain skin. She looked like a small child but her eyes spoke of stories untold. A huge scar ran from the side of her throat and disappeared under her collar.

Feng Xuan had gotten the chance to get to know her fellow mates some more over time. But it was Ma Min who had kept distance from her. Now they were going to get closer, literally physically. 

Master had just signalled for them to start and Ma Min was already charging at her. She leapt out of the way but the other girl was already brandishing her wooden stick in the air, ready to strike. Feng Xuan rolled to the ground and when she got to her feet Ma Min was already in front of her, stabbing the stick where she was.

Feng Xuan's heartbeat quickened. They circled each other and Ma Min grinned at her. "What's up, pretty girl? Are you just going to keep on running away?"

Ma Min attacked again, and this time Feng Xuan's stick collided with hers. She looked up and she only had a split second to smirk before they were running after each other in the space in the first floor.

Ma Min continued to attack and Feng Xuan raised her sword in defense. They danced through the ground, circling each other. Ma Min was doing more complicated things, twirling in the middle of attacks, moving away only to swing back harder.

The wooden sword shook in Feng Xuan's hand and her muscles ached, wanting to let go. After pushing her opponent away, Ma Min made a sweep for her feet. Feng Xuan jumped but she was a little too late. She tumbled and landed on her back. Pain erupted on her body.

Ma Min pointed the blunt edge of her stick on Feng Xuan's neck, her eyes empty. "Go back where you've come from, daddy's girl."

Feng Xuan's lips curled and was about to deliver a blow when Master spoke. "That's enough for today. Get ready for dinner."

Feng Xuan retreated and went straight for the showers. She let the pressure of the cold water beat down her back. She needed more. Could she really do this in just two more months? Master had granted her request of advancing on more lessons. She was taken off kitchen duty and spent the rest of her time in constant movement and training.

But she needed more.

**

Time flew by and before Qing Chen knew it, it had already been a month since he last saw his wife. Training and work had kept him occupied. They focused on rebuilding the safety in The Kingly. They had installed new softwares and never before seen technology in the hotel. With all that had happened in the last few months, it was hard to prove their credibility in assuring people that they would be safe if they stayed there.

It was as if Qing Chen was signing a new program everyday for The Kingly. His only solace was that he was not alone in their huge house. It did him good to stay with his family for the meantime or he would wallow in loneliness.

"You probably have a thousand pictures of her on your phone," Wuming complained and scratched his neck in annoyance. "Just look at it so you don't miss her!"

"It's been a month! I'm going to see her but I'm not going to talk to her."

"Way to go, stalker," Wuming groaned.

"Alright, I am leaving now," Qing Chen grabbed his coat. "If I get caught, I'll tell them it was your idea."

Wuming ignored it at first. But their father would certainly believe his brother and blame him for it. "Chen!" he shouted. "Chen!"

"Byeee!"

Wuming got to his feet his a click of his tongue. Qing Lok was in the other seat, busily playing on his phone. He took one look and Wuming pinched his youngest brother's ear and dragged him off the seat.

"What's the matter with the both of you?!" shouted Qing Lok. 

"You're coming with us."

**

They had been dropped off at the arc and they walked the woods to get near to the training camp. Wuming was impressed, he thought they were headed to a shabby place but the facility looked like a sanctuary—it would've been if only there weren't assassin students inside. 

"This should be good," Qing Chen evaluated a tree and started climbing.

"Now, we're monkeys," remarked Qing Lok.

"Go first," said Wuming. He wanted to make sure he was not alone in this hell Qing Chen dragged them to.

"I'm ruining my shoes," Qing Lok's endless complain up the tree started. Seriously, this kid would not shut up. When they were finally high enough and perched on a branch, Wuming reached and slapped the back of the head of his brother.

"You complain too much. Your generation is too busy twiddling with your phones. Get a life."

Qing Lok only glared at him. Qing Chen pulled out a pair of binoculars from his coat. He looked for the doors and windows but there was not even a shadow there. It was almost sundown. "I don't see her."

"She's busy training. You're just a hard-headed mutt," Wuming said. 

Qing Lok squirmed on the branch. "Something's crawling on my body," he said and started scratching on his skin. 

"Don't move," warned Qing Chen.

But it was as if Qing Lok could not hear them as the itch in his body grew. He started reaching for his legs and went off-balance. His hands immediately snatched his brothers and they all tumbled the many branches, falling through leaves before hitting the hard ground.

They were all groaning in pain and were choking at dust. They both cursed at Qing Lok, but when Qing Chen opened his eyes, he saw his wife.