Li Ming and Zhang Yong both were playing Stratego for past three hours. Li Ming was actually surprised by the speed at which Zhang Yong had learned the game.
One could say that he's a natural talent. But what angered Li Ming was the sad reality that Zhang Yong had already defeated her in the last game. And she was sure that she's going to loose again.
Li Ming put the board aside and looked at Zhang Yong with a sad pout. "You should have at least given me some face as your master! Shameless!"
Zhang Yong laughed after seeing her sad but cute reaction. "Alright! I promise, from today onwards I'll be the one to loose when it comes to you. Now are you happy?"
"Hmm. I think I am!" Li Ming replied with a soft smile.
"Ming'er, are you really not going to treat me before your requests are completed? What if something happene to me? " Zhang Yong asked as he pretended to be in pain.
"Stop overacting! The poison is not going to kill you. Rather it will make you bald within two weeks. And according to our deal I'll treat you after you will complete my two requests. Don't think I will change my mind." Li Ming said as she rubbed Snowy's ears.
"Ming'er, you are too cruel!" Zhang Yong said with a sad face. But Li Ming completely ignored him.
"Alright, tell me how you got that poison inside you? I really wanted to know whom you had angered in the past week that the person even punished you with such a poison!" Li Ming couldn't stop laughing just by thinking about the situation.
"I don't know what you are talking about?" Zhang Yong pretended to be busy with the rolls that were covering half of the table.
"Alright! I know that it's embarrassing for you to tell me about the person who can actually defeat you. I will not pressure you." Li Ming said as she chuckled softly.
"You...!! Hey Snow ball, come here! I will be a better host. I'm sure this cruel woman tortures you every single day." Zhang Yong said as he tried to pick Snowy out of Li Ming's hands.
But before his hands could touch Snowy, the white fluffy ball was seen running out of the room like he was being chased by a death reaper.
Li Ming looked at the Fourth Prince and asked with a cold tone, "Whom are you calling a bad master?"
"When did I call someone a bad master? It's you who is assuming too much!" Zhang Yong replied innocently as he watched the snow ball fleeing out of the room.
"Ming'er, why that dog ran away like that?" Zhang Yong asked with a puzzled look.
Li Ming started laughing after hearing his question."Your highness, did you forget that not too long ago you had ordered your guards to put him in boiling water! How come you are expecting him to not react like that?"
"But that was only an act. It's not like I really boiled him!!" Zhang Yong protested.
Li Ming looked at the man who was acting like he was actually being wronged. "Do you really expect for a little animal to differentiate between your act and threat?"
It's not like Snowy could not differentiate between real threat or acting. It's just the dog like to overreact every now and then.
"Ming'er, your cultivation level is increasing rapidly. You are already at the last level of basic cultivators. I think it's time for you to have a spirit beast. Trust me, it will be much more helpful than that snow ball!" Zhang Yong said after thinking for a while.
"Stop calling him snow ball. It has a name, SNOWY! And thanks for the offer but I already regret having this idiot with me. If another one joined the group then I will probably end up in an asylum." Li Ming said bitterly.
"What's an as--sylum?" Zhang Yong asked as he had never heard that word before.
"It's a.....a...never mind. Now I'm getting late, I'll be going now." Li Ming said and stood up to leave the place.
After making sure that everything was in order for the plan, Li Ming teleported back to the orphanage.
***************
Within a day the matter of Lian Hu and Han Zhe was completely handled by Long Jie. All of them were taken to the capital and were locked up in the prison.
The very next day, all the children from the iron mines were back and met with their families.
In all the months Li Ming had been in this world, it was the first time she had felt true happiness, not only for her but also for others. The whole village was filled with warmth and love.
This was the day when the whole village kneeled down in front of Li Ming and vowed to be loyal to her from that day onwards. The villagers decided to follow Li Ming and the village was named as Dongji Village (Dongji means Winter).
It was Li Ming's idea to name the village after her previous name. Now, don't judge her, okay!
The iron mines were given to The Fourth Prince by the Emperor and the culprits were sentenced to death.
After two days, Long Jie came to the Dongji village with Han Zhe's family.
Just when Li Ming was thinking that she could finally take a break, she had another problem in her hands.
There were more than 50 children who had returned back to the village. Li Ming couldn't let these children waste their talents in the fields.
So with the help of the Old Sir Liu and Liu Hansi, she formed a plan.