Micheal sighed as he looked out the window. Waving to a couple of friendly locals that he had came across and helped this morning. Ever since the scolding he decided to stay here with Jin to read more but his excitement keep him from focusing.
Putting his book down he turned his attention to Jin. Ever since Jin decided to seriously become a cultivator he changed.
Gone was the troublesome mischievous Jin who liked pranks and silly games. What replaced him was a overprotective, and worrisome brat obsessed with getting stronger to protect his family.
"If I didn't know any better I'd think he was a protagonist... hmmm. No, it's couldn't be?" He mumbled in wonder before taking a more thorough look at Jin then before.
'He's weak but is hard working, he has a hero complex, he is a looker, his origins are pretty mysterious, has a strange birthmark in the shape of a dragon(called him Draco mockingly for a while)'
'...'
With every red flag, Micheal's face grew paler. Lost in his own world again with images of tragedy and faceless enemies he couldn't help but feel helpless. Jin quickly taking note of his brother's appearance closed the book in his hands and chucked it.
The book created a graceful arch in the air before landed, with its spine, onto Micheal's head. The pain took him out of his daydreams.
Fringing a look of the up most pain. Micheal begin to whine about Jin's cruelty, and for compensation. During Micheal dramatics Jin had casual as if nothing happen walked towards his book and dusted it off.
As he went back to reading Micheal made a vow to protect his brother. Jin sensing his brother being stupid again grabbed him by the ear and dragged him into the hallway before closing the door in his face.
"My dearest brother! To throw me out! You wound me." Micheal said loudly enough that people five doors down could hear. Brother Jin didn't respond so Micheal decided to look around. That woman's door was closed.
'Maybe she got back early after finding nothing, or maybe she left permanently. What was her name again? Think she said Chu? I'm probably going to have to see her again. Ugh. Hopefully not.'
"It seems your brother doesn't want to let you back in." A deep voice filled with amusement said to his left. Turning his head he saw the man in black robes walking towards him.
"Are you sure you should be up those injures looked pretty serious?" Micheal said in a bit of doubt. His bandaged arm twitching calling out for a scratch or two to relieve itself of a terrible itch.
"I am fine but I do wish to discuss a few things with you. Hope you don't mind." He said with an innocent smile, but his eyes watched him like a lions. Ready to attack at the first sign of danger. 'He probably remembers the knife! I'm so dead!'
Micheal's nervousness cause the man to chuckle and bring his hand on Micheal's shoulder. In an attempt to get him to stop shaking so much.
"Let's go to my room." Fan said guiding Micheal to his room. His hand was gentle, but firm. Leaving no room for escape the only thing Micheal could do was nod. Cursing himself for not making a will.
In was only two doors down, but the walk felt like minutes ticking by rather then seconds. He lead Micheal inside and to a chair. sitting across from him, he smiled.
"My name is Fan." The man, Fan said. Looking at Micheal. After a few moments of silence Micheal finally figure out what Fan expected out of him. A response.
"I'm Xian! But Um family calls me Micheal." When Fan showed a pleased look Micheal internally sighed in relief. 'If he wanted to kill me he would have done it by now.'
"That nickname of yours is curious. Where are you from?" Fan asked again this time not looking at Micheal, but rather seems to be looking at the table. As if inspecting it if any damage.
"Sliver Chi, sir." Micheal said getting a bit more tension. Thinking about his brothers and sister back at home.
"Without any adults? You've traveled pretty far with those siblings of yours. Where are you going? How old are you?" Fan hummed in a light tone, but Micheal felt as if a knife was being dragged across his neck.
Feeling his throat to find nothing Micheal started to mentally berate himself for overreacting. Fan probably meant no harm.
"We're going... to the sect exams. Me and my siblings are going to participate. We have our carriage driver sir. I'm 13."
"No parents." Fan stated as thought it wasn't a question at all.
"We are estranged."
"Those siblings bare no resemblance to you. Must not be blood related." Micheal's fist clenched hearing this. His siblings are his. Blood or no blood.
"Is there a reason for this, sir? I don't believe we've done anything to warrant this much scrutiny." He said curtly. This conversation (interrogation) was getting to personal.
"No, I don't 'believe you' have." He said with emphasis. His lips curling into a grin as he watched Micheal come out of his nervousness adapting a more tempered tone and mannerism.
"Either way as a member of the Heavenly Yu sect I do have a responsibility to check the potential candidates for entry." Fan said in a righteous tone but his expression remained the same. Getting up he walked towards the door opening it.
"Thank you for such a pleasant conversation, and paying for the room. I need some rest. Good luck with your exams. Have a good day~" with that he grabbed Micheal's shoulder and brought him out of the room. Closing the door in a stunned Micheal's face.
"Fruit basket that one is." Micheal mumbled to himself leaving to get some breakfast.
———————-
"How interesting." Fan said watching the door. Another figure appeared entered his room. The figures clothes was all black and none of his skin showed.
"Young master! The orders to keep us occupied had originated from the main branch. There's evidence that they were involved with mistress Xu attempt on your life." The figure said in a kneeling. His head inches from the ground.
"Figures. Even after joining a sect they continue meddle with my life. I guess it is time to put some dogs down. Go console with the other twelve and be prepared to damage control.
Those cowards will taste things worst then poison for their schemes. Get ready to placid the other branch houses, and make sure no contact gets out of the main house. I want them alone and vulnerable.
Tonight there will be the night that the main branch is no more."
——————-
"Oh my! This omelet is to die for. You must tell me the recipe miss Maru I don't think all leave know that there is paradise on a plate right here."
The inn owners wife chuckled while Mei and Jin pinched Micheal's sides. He silently eat while pouting after that.