Good night, see you soon.
Also, don't forget to give this story power stones!
--- Chapter 16 ---
Xia Qingyue Pov.
I've been watching Yu Long for three weeks now.
Many things can describe this youth, but above all things, one word struck me the most.
Bizarre.
Unlike the youth of his age, Yu Long didn't fawn or seem attracted to my charming appearance. It was weird because only Father and Yuanba have such a character. Well, they are my family.
And I didn't trust anyone besides my family.
Yu Long is a youth of many talents.
One day, I watched him talking with Xia Manor's gardener. They seemed to have a conversation about herbs naturally grown near the Floating Cloud City.
The next day, I watched him help the blacksmith near the Floating Cloud City and even made weights for my brother's training.
I couldn't tell if the weights were 'really' made amazingly or not, as I don't have such expertise, but the owner of the blacksmith praised Yu Long highly.
Just when I thought I had seen enough. Yu Long broke my common sense as he kept doing bizarre things over the weeks.
He visited the barns, feeding cows and chickens.
He saved some farmers by giving them some concoctions to get pests away.
He taught grandmas how to knit more efficiently.
He hunted small beasts and even cooked them for dinner.
I have never tasted such tasty delight in my life. It was my first experience.
My frustration about Yu Long slowly changes into bewilderment.
Is there anything this fellow can't do?
The more I observed Yu Long from afar, the more fascinated I became.
Then I realized something.
I was 'actually' drawn to Yu Long's uniqueness.
However, I noticed Yu Long didn't like attention, just like me.
Yes, the talented youth seldom to replies about his identity when someone asks who he is.
When he answered something, it was the same line of words.
"Haha, I'm just a kid who is bored."
Boredom?
I couldn't believe my ears at the time.
Just how much time did he have to learn all these skills?
I read in the books that some experts, in a profound way, could maintain their youthfulness in a 'certain' realm. Still, I denied this thought because Father introduced me to Yu Long when we met for the second time.
He's the fourth young master of the Yu Clan.
And the youngest son of the Yu Clan's Master.
His identity is confirmed, but it also left me confused.
After all, Yu Long is ten years old.
There is no way Yu Long learned since he was in the womb, no? That would be ridiculous.
Yet, this pushes my curiosity to grow even more.
Then, my curiosity got me in trouble.
Just like any other day, Yu Long finished training my brother. He seems to be satisfied with Yuanba's growth.
After that, Yu Long went to his room and rested for a couple of hours.
I was bored, so books became the device to avert my attention.
The temperature in my room rises slightly, which makes me frown.
I have sensitive skin, so I noticed this change quickly.
How weird.
It is not the season where such heat affects the Xia Manor.
Walking out of my room, several servants gossiped about Yu Long's room being warmer than usual.
I raised my eyebrow and decided to visit his room.
The thought of him being in trouble flashed in my mind, but I shook my head. That shouldn't be possible.
When I was about to knock on Yu Long's room, I hesitated.
"What if he doesn't want to see me?"
"What if he's fine?"
I stood there and was 'deeply' trapped in my puzzling thoughts, not realizing hours had passed.
I steeled my heart and decided to greet him.
Yes, greet him.
It's normal to greet someone, right?
And Yu Long's somewhat confused and surprised voice echoed from the other side of the door. My head froze as I instinctively ran away to the corner of the hallway, staring at his room vigilantly.
Several minutes later.
Yu Long excitedly escaped his room and visited the forest.
As curious as I am, I followed Yu Long to the woods. We arrived at the lake I liked to visit when Mother still lived with us.
Hiding in the bush, I can see a blurry being appear above Yu Long.
That blurry being was 'immediately' ordered by Yu Long to punch the air and create a booming noise.
My mouth gaped in disbelief.
I was so close to gasping but immediately closed my hand.
Such power!
Even the most impressive expert I know couldn't achieve what this blurry being does.
With a punch, the blurry being creates a loud noise and causes water pillars several meters high to rise.
And it's not over.
As Yu Long ordered, the blurry being becomes increasingly powerful as time passes. The water pillar becomes higher and higher.
Finally, Yu Long told the blurry being to execute its ability.
A scorching crimson flame appeared out of nowhere.
After that, an image of a scarlet dragon enveloped the blurry figure and the flame, pouncing on the lake.
KABOOOOM!
The lake.
It vanished!
I could only see a deep, scorched crater left.
My jaw dropped.
This power. Only the legendary Sky Profound Realm can achieve it!
Yu Long fell on his knees, breathing heavily.
I was worried and wanted to check his condition. I just realized my legs turned so soft due to the continuous shock. They are no different than jelly.
After falling on my butt, mud splashed over my favorite dress.
Yu Long seemingly noticed my presence.
He brought a spear out of nowhere, approaching my location.
He called and even threatened me to come out.
My mouth wanted to utter something, but it was too late.
Yu Long stabbed me in the shoulder, missing by a few inches as the spear reached the ground instead.
Panic overridden my nerves.
Cold sweats ran down my back.
"Haa, Young Lady Xia." He said in surprise.
"Did you see my secret?"
I slowly nodded my head, looking down at the ground. I was terrified and shivered due to his intimidating presence.
Yu Long's expression turned cold, "You do know that I can't let you away with my secrets, right?"
"I-I'm sorry, I-I will not tell anyone!" I replied with a stutter, trying to make an excuse.
"Pfft, As if I believe you." Yu Long snorted indifferently. "I'd rather get rid of you right now and make some excuse for Uncle Hongyi later."
My body shivered even more. I panicked even more as I bit my lips to lessen the fear.
My eyes met with his menacing golden eyes.
At this moment, I know everything is on the line. This misunderstanding, I have to fix it somehow.
Ignoring my bleeding shoulder, I bowed on the ground and buried my head against the mud, "P-Please don't kill me."
Sob! Sob!
My eyes welled up with tears.
I can't think of any other ways.
I become emotional.
Something I tried to suppress for six years after my mother left me.
I poured every emotional baggage.
My regret.
My wish.
"I haven't been filial enough to my father."
"I also haven't been a good sister to Yuanba."
"And my mother. I don't want to die...."
"I don't want to before meeting her again..."
"P-Please don't kill me."
All of a sudden, I felt something awakened inside of me.
Yu Long's gaze wasn't as menacing anymore.
And I didn't feel panicked or terrified either.
"Fine." Yu Long heaved a sigh helplessly. "I'd not kill you."
"But remember your words well. Be a good girl from now on, and don't snuck around like this."
"Curiosity kills cats, people say."
"You're lucky I'm not a serial killer or a pedophile."
"Here," Yu Long handed a healing medicine to me.
I lifted my head and stared at the jade bottle in Yu Long's hand.
However, I was distracted for a second.
Yu Long's figure was 'suddenly' replaced with a massive world filled with unfamiliar creatures. A handsome man stood above clouds with gigantic creatures that could trample mountains and seas easily.
Not long after, Yu Long's figure replaced the handsome man.
But this time, he was the one who stood above the clouds with one adorable blue-colored water blob.
My vision returned to normal as Yu Long's voice brushed my ears.
"Drink it."
I nodded and drank the medicine.
It's so bitter.
Nevertheless, I feel my body warming up and becoming better.
Everything turned dark.
...
I woke up on my bed, feeling a little sore.
"This is... My room?" I tilted my head in confusion.
"Was that a dream?"
I glanced at my injured shoulder and discovered a small, almost unnoticeable scar.
"It's not a dream!" I screamed and covered my mouth with pillows.
Standing up, I saw my reflection in a tall mirror.
"When did I change into my pajamas?"
I thought about a scenario in my head and blushed shortly after.
"D-Did Yu Long bathe me and change my clothes?" Surprisingly, I didn't feel annoyed, afraid, or angry.
My cheeks feel hot.
My heart is beating so fast.
Ah, so embarrassing!
"What is this feeling?" I murmured, patting my chest.
"S-Should I visit Yu Long? But it's night already." Looking out the window, the only source of light out there is the moon.
Fumbling my fingers around, I slowly crawled into my bed and buried myself in a blanket. "Tomorrow..."
"Tomorrow, when we have breakfast. I'll ask Yu Long out and clear the misunderstanding." I firmly said with a smile, hugging my pillow with nervousness.
I, Xia Qingyue, have never felt like this before.