As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the vast plains, Spark's carriage continued its steady journey. The distant figures they had noticed earlier began to take shape against the fading light. What had seemed like a dark, cluttered mass now resolved into a group of armored soldiers, resting but vigilant.
"Hm," Spark murmured, peeking his head out of the window. His sharp eyes took in the scene, noting how the figures started to stir and form a defensive wall as their carriage approached.
"What are they doing?" Spark mused aloud.
"Young master, Should I change our path?" Zhao Shi asked.
"No, continue," Spark replied with a playful smile. "I think we're about to meet an acquaintance."
As the carriage drew closer, the soldiers' details became clear. Clad in shining armor, they formed a barrier across the path. Their disciplined stance and the way they quickly moved into formation indicated they were well-trained and prepared for any encounter.
"Halt!" one of the soldiers shouted, his voice commanding and echoing across the plains. The carriage came to a smooth stop, and the soldiers swiftly surrounded it, weapons at the ready but not yet drawn.
Spark and Yuna stepped out of the carriage with a calm, almost indifferent air. They seemed unperturbed by the armed men encircling them, their expressions serene and confident.
"Stand down," a commanding voice rang out from behind the soldiers, cutting through the tension like a knife. The soldiers immediately parted, creating a path for two figures to step forward.
One was a dark-haired beauty, her presence radiating a quiet strength and grace. The other was a masked man, his features obscured but his posture exuding an aura of silent power.
"We meet again, princess," Spark said, his tone casual and nonchalant.
Princess Ling, her face calm and composed, nodded slightly.
"We meet again, Lord Spark," she replied. Her voice was smooth, with a hint of formality that suited her regal bearing.
Last time during her visit to the Marquis's mansion, Princess Ling's entourage had been stationed nearby, only followed by the masked man And this was her full escort team. They had departed a few days before Spark's exile had ended. He hadn't expected their paths to cross again so soon.
Spark, ever the enigma, smiled slightly, the flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes.
Princess Ling, maintaining her composed demeanor, regarded him with a mix of curiosity. The masked man beside her remained silent, his gaze shifting subtly between Spark and two behind.
The soldiers around them stood at attention, their eyes darting between the princess and the unexpected visitors. There was a palpable tension in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the power and status each held.
"Princess Ling," Spark began, breaking the silence that hung in the air. "What brings you to these parts?"
Princess Ling, her presence commanding even amid her soldiers, replied calmly, "We were on our way to the next city. For today, we decided to rest here."
"And what about Lord Spark? Where are you heading?" Princess Ling asked back.
"I am returning to the state," Spark answered, his tone casual.
Princess Ling seemed to consider something before she suggested, "We can accompany Lord Spark until we reach the next city."
Spark raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"That's fine," he said. "But didn't the princess leave the Red State a while ago? Why is the princess still in these plains?"
"That... our entourage happens to be large, so our pace was slow," she replied, her composure faltering slightly.
"She's lying," Yuna suddenly blurted out, causing everyone to turn and stare at her.
Princess Ling's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, clearly caught off guard by Yuna's bluntness. Realizing the weight of her words, Yuna quickly covered her mouth.
The change in Princess Ling's expression did not go unnoticed, and Spark's expression shifted to one of amused curiosity.
"Oh, even the princess can lie," Spark said with a playful tone. "For what reason would the princess still be stranded here? Don't tell me the princess lost her way?"
Princess Ling hesitated, then nodded, her head lowering in embarrassment. "It's like that,"
"I suppose I could guide the princess to the next city."
"That would be great, Lord Spark," she thanked him, relief evident in her voice. The formality had slipped, and there was genuine gratitude there.
"Doesn't the princess have a map?" Spark asked, eyeing her entourage.
"I do," she replied, frustration and embarrassment flickering across her face. "But if I find the person who drew the map, I'll behead him."
Intrigued by her reaction, Spark asked, "Is there something wrong with the map?"
With a gesture from Princess Ling, the masked man handed over a rolled map.
Spark unrolled it, examining the terrain and paths depicted. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "This is an old map. The person who drew this might not even be alive."
The map was indeed outdated. It showed the lay of the land as it had been ages ago. Over time, the terrain had shifted, and forests had grown, rendering the map inaccurate.