Chapter 236: Meeting Acquaintances
Translator: Madesmoiselle V.
Sensing his gaze, Murong Xue suddenly realized the man was staring at her with his bright eyes full of confusion.
“Why are you gazing at me?” Murong Xue asked doubtfully.
“You seem worried about something,” the man said calmly in a low-pitched voice.
Murong Xue was speechless.
Could you not be that candid? It should be a child rather than an adult who would speak whatever in his mind. The man before her was obvious seventeen or eighteen rather than seven or eight…
“Thank you for your pastries and water!” Murong Xue murmured as she stuffed the empty food box and water bag into his hand.
Given his elegance and n.o.bility, he, with his clear eyes and innocent smile, must come from a well-bred family of high social status.
Considering his very familiarity with the fruit trees on the mountain, it was highly likely that he came from Ming Chuan of Nanjiang. As a girl from one of the high-ranking families in Qing Yan, it was wise for Murong Xue to keep her distance from this strange man.
The earth was full of gashes due to the scorching suns.h.i.+ne.
Murong Xue sauntered along the path leisurely. The man walking unhurriedly behind her had always been keeping an eye on her.
Incensed at the footsteps resounding behind her, Murong Xue stopped and fixed him with an angry stare. “Why are you following me?”
“I am going downhill, too…” The man murmured, his bright eyes filled with innocence.
All right. It seemed like they were fellow travellers.
“You first!” Standing sideways, Murong Xue made way for him.
“All right!” The man nodded and strode forward. He trotted along the path down the stairs with light steps, his fluttering silk robe making him more mysterious.
Murong Xue trod behind as she looked around at the endless winding path. “Can we get out of the col if we follow this path downhill?” She asked with a frown.
“No!” He shook his head.
“Why?” Murong Xue asked in confusion.
“There are many crossroads at the end of the path, some leading to the town, some to the mountains, or the river and the cliff…” The man said softly.
Murong Xue nodded. Only by picking the right road, could they get out of here. “Which one leads to the town?”
“I have no idea, either, but I know how to get to the rural area…” He turned back to look at Murong Xue with a comforting smile, his eyes gleaming with kindness.
What an innocent boy! He was even a little silly…
“How far is the nearest town from here?”
“About one hundred Li…” The man answered softly.
“Is it really that far?” Murong Xue frowned.
“Since Qing Yan and Nan Jiang are at war, all the people living nearby have moved away. This is Mount Meng. Although located in Ming Zhou, it is still at least a hundred Li from the urban area,” the man explained.
Murong Xue nodded. In such a short time, the Qing Yan army had approached Ming Zhou. It seemed that General Zhang was really talented in deployment.
Murong Xue glanced at the man, her eyes flickering with something meaningful. His hometown, Nanjiang was invaded by General Zhang’s army. “Why are you here in a deserted area?”
“To take a walk…” He said softly in a depressed tone.
“A walk?” Murong Xue stared at him in confusion. As big as Qing Zhou city was, there were numerous places for a walk. Why did he choose here?
“I live in a noisy place with a lot of people chattering around, so I came here for some quiet s.p.a.ce.” As he talked, a wisp of disgust skimmed across his eyes and disappeared without a trace. “Why are you here?” He looked up at Murong Xue.
“I am strayed after I got separated with my friend.” Murong Xue lied naturally with a smile.
“You are going to the town to meet your friend?” He believed her without the faintest doubt.
“Yes!” Murong Xue nodded at once. She did want to meet the Invisible Guards of the Lord Freedom’s Mansion, so it was not a lie to a certain degree.
“It is not easy to find a person in such a big city. You might as well live in my place. My servants can lend a hand!” The man suggested as he stared at Murong Xue with his sparkling eyes.
“No, thank you. I’ll do it myself!” Murong Xue shook her head in a hurry. Was he joking around? The two countries were at war. How could she live in Ming Zhou and ask people from Nanjiang to search for the Invisible Guards of Lord Freedom’s Mansion…
The man’s eyes darkened a little upon her refusal, but soon lit up again. “What about telling me what your friend looks like? I can help you…”
Swis.h.!.+ The sound of slicing the air interrupted his words. A dozen of men clad in black appearing from nowhere suddenly thrusted at Murong Xue mercilessly with the long swords in their hands…
As stunned as Murong Xue was, she recalled the two bandits’ words about their reinforcement. How bold they were to come here even before she could find their whereabouts. They were certainly digging their own grave…
Intending to bare her soft sword, Murong Xue found all the a.s.sa.s.sins nearby had already been blown up one by one…
She looked askance at the man, who, with a sullen face, raised his delicate hand surrounded by a layer of light blue flames burning fiercely. As he waved, the flames would shoot towards the a.s.sa.s.sins and sent them towards the stones about eight meters away, killing them instantly…
Murong Xue squinted her eyes. It was beyond her expectation that such an innocent boy was a top pract.i.tioner in martial arts…
Swis.h.!.+ A sharp sword slashed through the air and dashed toward Murong Xue’s heart, too rapid for her to defend.
When it nearly touched Murong Xue’s skin, before the man waved his palm to knock the sword away, a white figure suddenly turned up beside her before carrying her aside by holding her slim waist.
With the flick of his delicate finger, a streak of inner force was shot toward the sword and forced it back at once. A man in black hiding on the tree was stabbed to death before falling to the ground and rolling downhill…