You're Also Pretty
San threaded across the hallway at a silent pace. Vagamound had just summoned him over to the Emotionless Palace.
It's been a month since he released Zanillia from the cold prison room. His lifesaving actions had warranted Eason's outburst, prompting the two of them to engage in a fierce argument.
Surprisingly, Vagamound didn't say any words about it, or beseech him a punishment for going back against his order.
But just when he thought that all was over, Vagamound's summoning request reached his ears, inviting him to the Emotionless Palace.
To say that he wasn't nervous about meeting Vagamound would be a lie.
San paused amidst his steps. He then lowered his head, staring at his trembling fingers.
Beads of sweat had already formed clusters above his forehead due to fear of the unknown he was about to face.
“Wuu.” San shut his eyes, letting out a deep breath.
The next moment his eyelids flipped open; a determined expression had already replaced his gaze.
Since I dare to release her, then I should bear the responsibility for my actions. It's been a month now. Zanillia should have peacefully settled down. So, what's there to fear?
He continued his pace, finally arriving before the enchantment barrier set up at the entrance of the door.
With Vagamound's high cultivation power, there's no way San would be able to break through the enchantment barrier set up by him.
Even if the six of them were to join hands together to break through it, all their efforts would be futile.
Vagamound's power was so immense that none among the six of them dared to offend him.
Apart from Sean, who receives special care because he was the youngest, the five of them dare not act rashly in front of him.
Which is why they respectively call him the eldest brother.
“You called for me, eldest brother.” San's voice announced.
“Hmm.” The cold male voice responded from the inside. “About that mortal girl--”
San knew what the voice was about to say and immediately cut in. “I will take all the punishment you give. I was the one who released her from prison. She's an innocent person in this matter.”
Vagamound wasn't offended at San cutting through his sentence halfway.
Hearing him pushing the blame on himself, he said. “I just wanted to ask about her welfare. How is she doing outside?”
San's eyes widened in disbelief, not expecting Vagamound to ask him about Zanillia's wellbeing.
“I'm not sure about how she is doing, but I left her a lot of money before leaving her. So, she should be living a good life right now.” He obediently explained.
“Bring her back to the palace before a week to the martial test.”
“Ah. Yes.” San hurriedly nodded.
Before he came here, he had been imagining a worse scenario, like Vagamound going all out on him.
But who would have thought that he just wanted him to bring Zanillia back into the palace?
“How are the affairs about the outside world? Any suspicious activities on the fire sect?” The question floated into San's ears.
“No.” San shook his head in reply. “All of them have been keeping low as of lately. So, nothing unusual has been going on their side.”
“Do not let your guard down.” Vagamound's voice became stern. “Those people are very insidious. Send more guards to patrol the city, and if you can, send some spies to infiltrate into their midst to see what they are planning.”
Facing the order, San hurriedly responded. “Yes. I'll do that right away.”
“Okay. You may leave.” Vagamound said in a dismissive tone.
“Yes.” San put his hands together, bowing before the door, and left the space.
\---
'Pak, pak, pak.'
Sounds of wooden sticks slapping against each other filled the entire space.
Outside, Feiye and I were engaged in a confrontation with the wooden swords in our hands.
'Whoosh.'
I swung the wooden sword forward, targeting Feiye's chest.
Unlike my previous rustic movement, the sword moved smoothly according to my will.
But just as it was about to stab at his chest, Feiye's sword moved like the wind, knocking away my aim.
“Ah.” Seeing that my attack was countered by him, I let out a dissatisfied cry. “You're definitely a tough chick, aren't you? Again!” I swung my sword fiercely at him.
“Chick?” Feiye smoothly evades the girl's attack. His brow couldn't help but rise in amusement when he heard the term used on him. “Are you classifying me as a lowly creature?”
“It's just a slang. It doesn't actually mean that you're a chick,” I replied in the middle of our confrontation.
“Oh.”
Suddenly, Feiye's sword moved in a tricky way. Before I knew what was happening, the wooden sword had already settled on my neck.
Seeing this, a wry smile appeared on my lips.
I lost again.
Not wanting to be the only one depressed, I immediately said. “The reason why you could win against me is because your martial arts skill is higher than mine. So don't guffaw at my failure.”
Feiye, whose expression was calm, drew back his sword from the girl's fair neck. “I think your martial arts skills are quite excellent. Your improvement these days has been top-notch.”
“Do you think I can win the martial arts competition?” Asking him, I walked towards the sitting bench in the courtyard and sat on it.
“Why not?” Feiye walked over and sat beside me. “Or you think you can't?” His gaze swept over me.
“I don't know.” I shook my head, staring at the fallen tree leaves on the ground. “There are many opponents who are far better than I. Xinger, Janice… and the princess. You should have seen the princess's appearance. She is so beautiful. So beautiful that I feel inferior when next to her. She has even managed to capture the attention of the second lord, Eason. Tell me, with someone like that, who can win against her?”
Feiye stared at the sad expression on the young girl's face as she talked about others. He didn't know when he uttered, “I think you're also pretty.”
“Huh?” I lifted my head, turning to look at him in surprise.
“No, I'm not.” I shook my head sadly at his words. “I was never pretty to begin with. Zanillia is even prettier than me.” The last sentence was said in a low voice.
However, Feiye, with his sharp ears, heard the words clearly. “But you're Zanillia.”
“I…” My heart began to pound faster when I realized what I'd just said. “Never mind. I was just speaking nonsense right now.”
Feiye nodded. It was rare that someone like him would be fooled by a mere mortal's words.
“You shouldn't look down on yourself.” He began to speak like some motivational speaker. “I believe that you can win the martial arts competition. So have faith and don't lose hope.”
Seeing his unusual seriousness, I didn't know when I started laughing out loud.
“Ha-ha-ha.”
Feiye looked at the girl who was laughing hysterically beside him. “What's funny?”
“You are,” I answered him while still laughing. Tears drip from the corner of my eyes due to my intense laughter. “Have you been reading books about nice words to say to girls recently? Surely, that gentle demeanor doesn't fit you at all. I prefer your cold character.”
“Are you making fun of me?” Feiye's expression fell.
“I'm so sorry, but I can't help but find your expression funny. You should have taken a look at yourself in the mirror. 'So have faith and don't lose hope'.” I mimicked his words before bursting into another round of laughter.
Feiye's expression darkened, seeming furious that the girl dared to make fun of him. “Fine.” His voice was cold as he rose to his feet. “I want five trees down within an hour!”
“What!” The smile on my face hurriedly vanished in seconds.
“You just said you like my meaner side, didn't you? Well, now it's time for you to enjoy it as much as you want.” His lips curled up into an evil smile. “Your time is ticking now.” He put his hands behind his back and walked away.
“Five trees within an hour?”
Not even one. Remembering how it took me a month just to cut down a tree, my face was filled with despair.
I shouldn't have made fun of him. Is it too late for me to beg him to change back to his gentle demeanor?