LUO FAN
We left the house with my master watching us behind our backs. My emotions were still tangled with confusion and I did not know how how to exactly handle it. I had to suppress everything inside me rather than break down.
When we were far enough and were going downhill along a narrow dirt path, I stared at the silhouette of Ruan Yanjun who was leading the way. The path was rocky, so I had to use my stick as a cane to guide me through.
"Are you planning to attack Kan Empire?" I asked. That was the question that had been plaguing me since we left the cabin. I finally had a glimpse of Ruan Yanjun's goal, and he believed I could be of use for that purpose.
"A-Fan, you are indeed very smart."
"It's not that difficult to surmise from those words that you've said earlier."
"Because you're smart."
"You think so highly of me. I'm afraid you will be disappointed."
"Right now, I'm quite positive that we will both get what we want."
"I will not intervene with whatever plan you have, but I don't understand why I must be involved in this. I've already lost my cultivation. I cannot fight, I cannot refine, and I'm blind. How can I be of any use to you?"
"A-Fan, you will find out soon."
"Why not now?"
"Because if I tell you now, you won't believe me."
I sighed. "Since my master has put me under your care, then I have to trust you."
He chortled. "He deceived you, yet you still obey his order?"
"He raised me. Despite all that had happened, I'm sure he is regretful."
"Just like Han Bao?"
I nodded.
He sighed. "A-Fan, if you keep seeing people who have deceived you in such a light, you won't make it in this world."
I did not respond. Ruan Yanjun had lived for so long. He had probably seen all kinds of evil throughout his existence, and that was probably the reason why he had turned into the devil that he was.
But I did not wish to take the path he had taken. Despite all that had happened, I was still determined to follow the path of righteousness.
"However, since you still take your master's words to heart, does that mean you also recognize me as your babysitter now?"
"I'd prefer to call it a custodian or guardian."
"Are they any different?"
"It's more formal."
He chortled. "So you do recognize me as your guardian then?"
"I didn't mean it that way."
"A-Fan, don't tell me you did not hear. Your master told you to stay close to me for your own good. Are you not going to take that as an order?"
I looked away. I suddenly regretted why I didn't protest earlier. I had known all along how cunning this devil is. His idea of me being close to him might not be the same as what I have in mind.
He smirked. "Since your former master has put you under my wings, I will teach you how to survive. If you heed my advice, you'll make it to over a hundred like me."
I stopped in my tracks. "Lord Ruan, do you mean to say that you are over a hundred years old?"
He also stopped and turned to look at me. "Haven't you known that yet?"
I gasped. "I thought you were just a couple of years older than my master."
"I'm way older than you think."
I stared at the outline of his face.
Does he have wrinkles or white hair that I could not see? But Jinjing said he looked no more than thirty.
"Are you wondering if I have wrinkles on my face, or if my hair is all grey?" he asked.
I briefly stiffened. His ability to read my mind was starting to scare me. I should probably avoid saying things inwardly in my presence, especially if I wanted to curse him.
"Earlier, you mentioned something about my real identity." I changed the subject. "Could you enlighten me about that?"
"If you wish to know the circumstances of your birth, let's move further to the province of Sindu. There are people out there that you should meet."
Sindu was a province annexed to Danhar City, the capital of Kan Empire. That was my father's hometown and was where I was raised until I turned five.
"You said you won't take me anywhere near the capital."
"That's not the capital."
"But that's just next to the capital."
"Don't worry, we won't go anywhere near the capital."
I sighed. "I apologize, but I have to decline."
"A-Fan, I'm sure you've been talking with the servants in my residence, and certainly, they must have mentioned how Ruan Yanjun despises being declined."
He had said those words somewhat tenderly, but I knew he meant it as a warning.
What else can I do? I was not only indebted to him. I was also his prisoner.
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