The fluffy white clouds passed over their head lazily. Heng Xīnyán grit her teeth, determined to reach the top of the hill. Her shin pained her greatly and her face flushed red from exhaustion.
Bàolì Hua was in a worse condition than Heng Xīnyán as she supported the lazy female. Bàolì Hua always thought that Heng Xīnyán was more active than her but this day turned her three world views [1] upside down. Her face was pink and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
"Can… Can you walk on your own now?" Bàolì Hua inquired breathlessly, ready to throw the female off of her arm to climb the stairs properly. Yet, the female in pink hung on to her arm, panting lightly, "I can't! I'll die if you let go, Mèimei." Her voice was weak and filled with grief.
Bàolì Hua sighed and stayed silent. However, with their sharp hearing, they heard Jiǎndān Yìzé's voice which was carried by the light breeze. "Then die." The tone of this sentence was extremely bitter and dark.
Heng Xīnyán shuddered, and the hot atmosphere suddenly became cold. Her back was soaked in a cold sweat, she turned to look at Bàolì Hua who frowned. Both of them were concerned about the dark intent in Jiǎndān Yìzé's tone.
And as the target of such sinister wish. Instead of Heng Xīnyán being afraid, she wondered what this meek human soul who couldn't even drive away a female human soul would do to her.
The cold sense she had before was gone. Heng Xīnyán who wanted to go down the Path of Edge was curious. In this realm, she wanted to advance in her cultivation level quickly. Thus, this dangerous path of hers was chosen. It involves having one to push themselves to the edge of death every time they fought with their opponents being stronger than them.
The path was rarely used and Heng Xīnyán who had nothing left but her revenge for that selfish clan of hers. Insisted on walking down this path and she didn't care if she died. It just meant going to Diyu to meet King Yan earlier.
Heng Xīnyán's siren-shaped eyes curled and she leaned her entire body on Bàolì Hua. Bàolì Hua sent her a fleeting glare and Heng Xīnyán grinned cheekily. She could sense the daggers sent into her back by Jiǎndān Yìzé and she hummed a wordless tune with mischief flashing in her dark eyes.
She couldn't wait to see this Yīnchén Ài that 'forced' Jiǎndān Yìzé and his sweetheart to become this distant. Finally, they arrived at the doors of the pavilion.
There, an old man greeted them, "Hello fellow guests. May I have your pass ticket?" He asked, his dull eyes watching each one of them. Heng Xīnyán turned her head.
Her eyes watched Jiǎndān Yìzé who cast her a wicked smile. His eyes lit with hatred towards her and Heng Xīnyán merely raised a brow and at the side of her eyes, she saw when Xu Chang went up to the old man to give him the ticket.
She turned her head. Suddenly, she felt that her greed was worth it. This fool of a human soul honestly, thought he was scaring her with his two faces but he didn't know that she moulded herself to be like that in the mortal realm.
Compared to her, he was still wet behind the ears [2]. She could see straight through him… but their first encounter. He really fooled her. It seems like he favours Bàolì Hua more for some unknown reason.
Heng Xīnyán's eyes turned to see the ticket. It was a red round jewel almost as big as a male adult palm with the name of the building on it. 天空亭 The strokes of the pīnyīn[3] were strong and deeply embedded in the red ruby.
The old man in the dark brown robe bowed at them before stepping out of their way. "Please enjoy, Honourable Guests," he stated. His dull eyes were not focused and Heng Xīnyán walked passed him. Her sleeve touched his. Under the rest of their companions' noses. Heng Xīnyán gave the old man a gold coin.
The old man watched her deeply and Heng Xīnyán raised a brow, casting him a fleeting glance before turning her eyes away from his hunched back.
Heng Xīnyán observed the old man. She had faint suspicions about him. Unlike the elderly, his back was bent slightly as if protecting something on his chest and not wanting people to see. His dull eyes had faint life within and unlike his pure greying hair, his eyebrows were deep black.
Added to the fact that his palms were smooth and the back of his hand had no wrinkles. Confirmed Heng Xīnyán's guess. It seemed like this Sky Pavilion was under tight protection because as she walked in the smooth glossed floors, constant eyes bore into her back.
Heng Xīnyán's lips curved, 'This Yīnchén Ài isn't simple.' She concluded.
"Welcome Honourable Guests!" A sharp voice uttered. Heng Xīnyán looked up to the male, just like the old man outside. He wore a dark brown Hanfu. His smooth black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that exposed his clear flat forehead. He bowed, then stood. His dark eyes watched Gentleman Jiǎndān Yìzé with faint disdain as he caught sight of the women around him.
"Gentleman Jiǎndān Yìzé, it's rare to see you here," the cold man mentioned, his black brows ticked lightly.
Jiǎndān Yìzé stepped forwards. However, to the male before them. It looked like Jiǎndān Yìzé was standing protectively in front of the three females.
Jiǎndān Yìzé bowed, "Gentleman Shǒuwèi Yī [4]."
The male called Shǒuwèi Yī merely nodded, "Young Miss is awaiting your arrival."
Jiǎndān Yìzé nodded, cuffing his hands in front of him, he stated, "Please lead the way, Gentleman Shǒuwèi Yī."
Shǒuwèi Yī turned and with large footsteps, he led the way. Jiǎndān Yìzé ushered them and they started to walk. However, males usually walk faster than females. Added to the fact that females' steps need to be equal and graceful. The three females retained their noble appearance instead of rushing to catch up with the two males.
Bàolì Hua casually opened her fan to leisurely wave it. In this peaceful atmosphere, Heng Xīnyán took out two chestnuts from her sleeves to eat. Popping one in her mouth, the crisp sound of the nut being eaten, aroused Xu Chang's interest.
Knowing what her inquiring eyes meant, Heng Xīnyán handed her a nut.
"Thank you," Xu Chang stated and bit into the nut. Her little mouth moved and her eyes brightened up, "This nut tastes just like Cheng's teashop ones!" She stated cheerfully, covering her lips with her big light pink sleeves as she spoke.
However, she didn't realize that the two females beside her froze.
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1. Three worldly views: The "three views" refer to views on the world, life and values. They are often invoked when discussing a person's character. {hopefully, this is correct}
2. Wet behind the ears: a Chinese slang being not experienced
3. Pīnyīn: a system for writing Chinese words by using Roman letters to represent the sounds [what google told me. correct me if I'm wrong.]
4. Shǒuwèi Yī: This name literally means 'Guard One'. Well, i hope it does