"This prince demands you to spill the truth!" The boy looked at Celes with a pair of determined eyes. But if it was not for the two drumsticks in his hands - one for him and the other for Celes - and his barbecue sauce-stained mouth, it would have led to the older girl treating him seriously. Not that she could throw a remark as she herself also had stains around her lips after being fed by the prince himself.
Celes scoffed as they continued to walk back, towards where she left Ling Hou and the little royal's body guards. "That's a special pheasant leg roasted and barbecued for a long time. Marinated with spiritual herbs and seasoned with salt. Is this friend amazing?"
His eyes dazzled. His pouty, pink lips curved up. Such woman has become his friend. He ought to be the luckiest man alive! "Tell this prince what, you my friend wish for and I shall grant it to the best of my ability."
But that was going to be the biggest mistake he could have ever made.
Even Celes' mind screamed. 'Bad! Bad! Bad! You are very tempting!'
However, her tongue licked her plump, bottom limp followed by a smirk. Her fiery eyes burned with malice. If it was the former, it'd be the lives of many cultivators freshly brought to her on silver platters.
But this new Celes has become more morally enlightened. She wiggled her eyebrows and smirked wider.
'Dual cultivation,' she wanted to say but spoke otherwise, "Little prince, what do you want me to wish for?"
The boy quickly turned red. His thoughts were of 'no' pure intent but rather being able to hold her hand. He shook his head. "This prince shall give you time!"
Celes' keen institution clearly knew of his obvious feelings but he seemed embarrassed. It was tempting to tease him more but since she was busy eating thanks to the prince holding her share and feeding her as she carried him on her arms, she remained quiet and used Qigong to ran back.
In no less than an hour, they have spotted a couple of humans leaving and entering the familiar, eerie cave she now called home.
"Your highness!" they had simultaneously greeted. At the sight of his unscathed, chubby face and untattered clothes brought them a sigh of relief.
Only for them to experience such an eye-opening portrait of a woman actually being able to carry their prince! On her arms! A pair of honey-brown eyes filled with a calm pool of a clear lake reflected them into hers. Her lips stayed flat. Her wheat-coloured skin were also showing no signs of struggles. 'What a strong girl!'
'This has got to be a dream,' a woman among the prince's body guards exclaimed as she rubbed her eyes. Despite her heaven defying medical skills, the prince cannot be lifted! No medicine can cure the malignant tumor called cholesterol stuck in the boy's body. It was a cursed poison since the age of four!
Nevertheless, she was among the prince's imperial body guards, Chu Lian. She made her way to the royal prince with respect, kneeling on one knee and greeted with her fist against her palm. Since they were not alone, Chu Lian did not dare scold the boy in front of a stranger.
"Your highness, we are extremely happy for your return. But your highness seems to be uncomfortable in your clothes, a hot bath is prepared."
In the background, a young dragon stiffled a growl under his breath as Ling Hou cradled it against his chest while he snored himself to sleep. That bath was supposed to be his! It was specially prepared by the sweet Song Yan and the little children with her!
Hearing Chu Lian's voice, the little prince's eyes were drawn away from the food to the woman in front of them. 'Chu Lian!'
His heart thumped. Behind such graceful facade was a nagging, old mother. She was the eldest in the group therefore had automatically taken that overprotective role.
Nevertheless, his eyes watered at the sight of her and the others behind her. Those guys who were supposed to be protecting him grinned widely without reserve once they met each other's eyes. His watery eyes immediately became dry.
"Chu Lian jiejie," he replied. And because Celes has become his friend, he did not forget about the woman. "Meet this prince's friend and saviour--" but then he stopped midway, he had never asked for her name and she had never insisted! 'Aaaaahhhh!'
As usual, his skin burned red and was no longer able to keep talking.
Chu Lian sighed under her breath.
But Celes grinned as she put the prince down and assisted him so he can stand on his own two feet. He did not lose too much face as he already did. But out of the blue, honey brown eyes stared at those bare, wheat-coloured arms as soon as his silky, embroidered robes have left her touch. It was losing its warmth and she was missing it. 'Maybe I haven't eaten enough, Master should could me some soup later!'
And then she patted him on his head and faced Chu Lian. Judging by the cold, elegant disposition and pretty face of the female soldier, Celes could tell that Chu Lian was not the friendliest of the bunch. However, judging by how the prince called her with such respect, the older lady should be the soft-hearted motherly woman with a cold, hard exterior. Celes' alarms started ringing in her ears. This woman was among the bosses to conquer in order to get the little prince as a whole.
Celes smiled. To tame the lady, she has to prove herself as hard as that sounds. "Your highness, royal prince, this friend only has a humble name." She started and knowing that the former was pretty big with her trust issues, Celes believed it was safe to simply introduce her full name. Worst case scenario, she would be some foreigner who came to spy. "Celes Fallon de Lin. But please call me Celes."
Chu Lian's eyes widened. Bells rang in her ears but she refused to believe the nagging feeling that was rising from depths of her memories. She cannot be the commander-general. That person was dead and in physical aspects, this brown twig cannot be compared to the deity-like warrior.
She nodded to the prince instead as if to remind him of his duties. It was part of his royal etiquette to be a mindful person so he quickly shook away his bashfulness to acknowledge his 'friend.' His fiance has the most beautiful name he has ever heard in his whole fourteen years of life. Just like that foreign rose in the garden of peonies.
"This prince is enlightened. From which land are you from?"
At that, Celes grinned. Her mother here was from the red light district. Would it turn out funny? But then, a flash of Chu Lian's cold gaze popped in her mind. 'Nope!'
"I have no memories. I only know that I resided here for as long as I could remember."
Given that the prince was gullible and naive, Celes expected frank suspicions from them but instead, the younger guards gasped. The other three remained silent.
'It seems that the confrontation would take longer than expected,' Celes concluded.
After that question, what happened next came in a flash as Celes tried to thicken her thinning threads of patience as time passed.
A woman in royal blue robes and white fur stood against a statue by the second door in the cave. She did not bother looking for the sleepy master of hers nor that young dragon. Celes just stood there and waited. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was even as she meditated.
Suddenly, a tug on her sleeves pulled her out of her trance. The smooth, jade hand wrapped in dark green robes embroidered with a dragon belonged to the familiar, chubby kid. His hair looked silkier and softer than before. It was now half tied and half loose as he was prepared for bed time.
So Celes tilted her head sidewards, closer to her shoulders then raised a brow. "Yes, little prince? How can this friend help you?"
"It was very rude of this prince to not ask for your name. I have no excuse."
'Wow, he knows how to apologize? Am I really in the previous world of cultivators?' She could not help but ask herself.
Nevertheless, she shrugged her shoulders. "Your highness, aren't you exhausted from today?"
"Y-No! Of course not! I have finally cleansed many of the impurities because of you! Celes, how did you do that?"
'Well, I have Devour. I am basically a priestess who can do purification. And also, I cultivated through your spiritual energy. No need to thank me, it was a mutual benefit.' If only Celes was honest.
However, she chuckled and pinched both of his cheeks. "Because I considered you my friend okay? If I did not, I would have not secretly helped you cultivate too. Keep this a secret can you, your highness?"
His chubby cheeks turned rosy. His eyes sparkled and then he nodded so eagerly. "Of course, if it is for you!"
"Well then, why don't you go to sleep?" Celes outstretched her arms, ready to pat the top of his head when he spoke.
Upon seeing Celes' slender, sun-kissed arm extend towards him, the prince swore he just heard his heart pounding in excitement. His eyes look startled as he originally came here not just to apologize but for something else! "Celes, this prince can be called Yehan! Call me by my name, Jiang Yehan!"
Celes smiled and retracted her hand, to some little royal's disappointment. 'Wasn't this the royal who has been bullied since birth? The former was once told about this prince - that he was just the easiest target but the most worthless to hostage. She sighed. The current Celes suddenly felt thankful that the former looked at the boy as if he was an ant. Now, Celes could make use of him!
"Your highness, Jiang Yehan is it? What an attractive name."
Again, he blushed. "This is nothing. But you should be grateful."
Celes played along. "Of course I am. Very much. Well then, go get some rest."
"Okay but one last question, Celes, are we going to do it again?"
Such question was very misleading especially for the mother hiding in the shadows. Celes had long noticed her since before the prince came but had halted on her steps as Jiang Yehan have approached Celes before bed time.
Celes pretended to think about it then smiled. Answering yes or no right would be detrimental in many ways. With a small smirk, she patted the little prince on his head and convinced him to go ahead.
As soon as the prince's shadows disappeared behind the curtains of the golden bed, a figure walked out of the shadows.
Chu Lian held a grim look. "You, what do you plan on doing with his highness? Just after day and a night with you, how can he be like that? Have you put a curse on him?"
'Sigh I knew it.'
"Of course not!" Celes retorted. She returned Chu Lian's glare with a delightful expression, smiling and unwavering to show that she had done nothing wrong. Nor did she bear any ill intentions towards the young prince. Afterall, it was a mutual relationship!
"You have the eyes of a predator. Waiting and lurking so patiently somewhere in plain sight because you are an intelligent species. You are not human either, I can tell just by the changing colour of your eyes."
'Frank as expected,' Celes thought and sighed. The sharp eyed guard really caught her really well. Best was that Celes got complimented. Her smile widened with glee, seeming to like this Chu Lian.
"You are amazing yourself!" Celes spatted with her heart.
However, such a friend reply cannot be reciprocated by the other party. "Tsk! What do you intend to do with our prince?"
Celes shrugged. She liked Chu Lian's cold, honest character. That already was more than enough to make the divine beast reply happily. "Oh I became his friend! He likes me, I like him!"
"Friend? Are you of any position to benefit his highness? How dare you, you rogue beast?"
'Me?' Celes' non-chalant demeanour remained on the surface but shadows began to spread, accompanied by a frosty look. She smiles and started making circles from the statue to the etched doors, walking back and forth while flailing her arms to kill the urge to summon her blades.
Chu Lian was for sure a Martial Emperor at the mid-stage of cultivation. Compared to Celes, her Qi could overwhelm the premature divine beast at the early stage of a Martial Knight. However, Celes' tempered body of a high ranked Martial Honour cannot be underestimated as well. Celes was well-aware that she could defend well against Chu Lian but defeating her was another topic.
The female guard prepared herself in a fighting stance with a long sword in one palm. The sword was not some ordinary sword but a spiritual weapon that has been forged and cultivated with spiritual pressure and some precious high grade spirit bones. It released such a heavy, murderous aura that repulsed Celes. Her Devour however was as crazy stupid as her, salivating and oggling at the weapon.
Celes laughed under her breath. If that sword becomes her possession, there was a chance that she could grow stronger by leaps and bounds without having to focus on cultivating every single day!
But she liked Chu Lian and she was a key to get the little prince whole heartedly. So when Chu Lian waved the soul-piercing, high grade spiritual weapon, Celes have not released the Devour and allowed herself to be blown back harshly until her back hit the jagged wall of the cave. However, she crossed her arms before her upper region for defense. Then she flicks her wrist to summon the Ji (halberd) and sprung forward.
Chu Lian was agile like her however. The guard leapt back and spinned a 360 kick toward's the pole of Celes' weapon with an aim to break it. However, her foot felt an impact of a rock boulder falling on her jade-like feet upon hitting against Celes' blade. She hissed in pain and then used the pole's incoming momentum to allow her get some ground to jump back.
"Humff!" Celes scoffed. "I have one too but it's not a spiritual weapon. It is a hybrid, a Ji with embedded spiritual bones."
Chu Lian's eyes widen in shock.
"Why?"
"That weapon--"
"I know right?"
The weapon, it was not built by a master craftsman but a survivor in the battlefield. Nevertheless, it was as savage as its wielder and much like the current wielder. How in the world did a low-ranked martial knight possess it? Unless. . .
Celes grinned and lunged forward.
When Chu Lian thought that she was going to aim for her injured feet, the warrior shielded her entire leg with a sword. And out of nowhere, she held a short sword on one arm to protect the opening she almost left.
Much to her disappointment, Celes had other plans by stabbing the Ji into the ground and used it to leap behind her. While in midair, Celes have used one palm to push Chu Lian's head down. Both to irritate the guard and also to make the tall woman bow to show Celes the back of her neck. With that, she wasted no time to flick her left wrist and hold out a short dagger. Her aim was the neck, straight into the spine and if it did not work, the next would be into the pivot. Just as she was about to strike, an arrow flew past to knock the dagger off.
Celes landed on one knee and a palm on the ground. She blinked. 'Damn it! I said I like this friend. Phew, I almost killed her! Haha!'
On the other hand. . .
Chu Lian's wide eyes recoveres. Her gaped mouth shut close and as if she had held back on breathing, her lungs scraped for air.
"Stop it!" A voice called out.
"Xiao Li?" Chu Lian regained her self after going into a surprise. Despite Celes Fallon de Lin's weak Qi, the girl was incredibly good with her martial arts combative skills. Her legs felt like goo and she lost her strength in her knees. "Don't come any closer!"
Xiao Li have left immediately after the little prince's return to report and welcome the third prince into the Unforgiven Forest. It was a long journey that took a whole day! Yet just as he returned from accompanying the third prince to the cave where the young prince currently resided, he would be met with a fight. His soul left him by his mouth as if he was about to pass out! It was such a long day but thinking about his friends and the strange master, disciple and pet he just met was incredibly exciting. He even told the third prince about the strange girl and that she would be a valuable asset to the empire! Xiao Li have just lied to the third prince!
"Well hello there, Oops! Greetings! Welcome to our humble abode," Celes tried not to forget her manners. Especially that a man with such a cold and prideful bearing silently observed her and Chu Lian. His mouth did not utter a single word but judging from the high quality yellow silk robe with golden threads, several rare jades of purple and green colours hanging on his waist and the golden pin on his hair, this man was royalty. Lastly, his face was so dashing and handsome, she bet he was already engaged. His jade-white skin was also flawless and showed no scars.
Thinking that he was a prince, Celes thought of the little prince in the golden room. There tantalizing eyes were the same. "Your highness must be the little prince's royal brother. This humble person is pleased to welcome your great presence to our small but warm home."
Meanwhile, Xiao Li and Chu Lian's jaws dropped. Celes was really daring to the point of insolence. She talked like nothing happened just in front of the Third Prince!