LUO FAN
A week had passed and it was time to leave for Kan Empire. Even though I was still hesitant, I knew that I had given Ruan Yanjun my word and I would not back out from it, not especially after all the good things that he had done for me recently.
Jinjing accompanied me to the gate. While the coachman waited with the carriage behind me, I hugged her.
"I'll be back soon," I said. "And when I return, we will schedule our wedding. So while I'm gone, you should start preparing."
She smiled. "How should I prepare?"
"Do as Lord Ruan says. Study hard. When I come back, I'd like to listen to your musical piece."
"You're expecting too much from me. You might be disappointed."
"I have faith in you."
She sighed. I could sense that something was worrying her.
"What is it?"
"Fan… there's something that I need to tell you. It's really important."
"Go ahead."
For a long moment, she was quiet.
"Tell me," I said.
She took a deep breath. "Lord Ruan is waiting. I'll tell you when you return."
"I thought it's important."
"It is, but… it's not that urgent."
"…Alright."
She smiled and hugged me again.
"That's enough," Ruan Yanjun, who was standing behind me, scolded. "You're surrounded by people and you're showing off your affection like a pair of animals in heat. You may do those things inside the confines of a room when you're alone, not in public. You both are shameless."
Jinjing quickly took a step back and lowered her head in embarrassment. "My apologies, my lord."
I almost burst out in contemptuous laughter while I entered the carriage. He spoke like a virtuous man, but he had done worse in public himself, with a man even. It was just unfortunate that I was that man.
Self-righteous bastard.
"Tell me the truth, A-Fan," Ruan Yanjun said as the carriage moved forward. "Have you and Jinjing been intimate already?"
The question stupefied me. It took a moment before I was able to answer. "No. I would not dare taint her dignity until we're married."
He sighed, as if relieved. "That's good."
"Why should that matter to his lordship?"
"I'm just worried you're straying away from your path."
"Isn't that exactly what you wanted me to do?"
"That depends on the circumstance."
I smirked inwardly. This man had double standards. If it were him doing inappropriate things, it was fine, but if it was me, it was wrong. He was becoming ridiculous. Sometimes, I did not want to listen to his lectures anymore. The only subject he spoke of that would make me listen to him was his insights on politics.
Because I was always enthusiastic to listen to his political views, and he was always enthusiastic to talk about it.
*****
After six weeks of travel, we finally made it to Pingyang, a flourishing city just beside the capital of Wun Empire.
The carriage stopped in front of Ma Huan's residence, the alchemist whom we had left the Molun herb with to be refined.
When we disembarked, Ma Huan was waiting for us in his front yard.
It was autumn and the trees around were bare. I could hear the rustling of dried leaves underneath my feet as I followed Ruan Yanjun across the yard.
Ma Huan cupped his hands and lowered his head before Ruan Yanjun. "Greetings, Sect Leader Ruan. I have been waiting for your return."
"Is the elixir ready?" Ruan Yanjun asked.
"It is, but before I hand it over, I have one request."
"Tell me."
"I will not ask for any compensation for all the hard work I had exerted in refining the elixir. I only wish to be granted a chance to fight with Sect Leader Ruan."
Ruan Yanjun smirked as he gave the alchemist once over. "You're nearing the seventh level. Not bad. However, you're still not worthy to fight me. Nonetheless, since you've been generous enough to accommodate us, I shall give you a short training course instead."
The man bowed again. "This humble Daoist accepts." His voice sounded thrilled.
I followed them to the courtyard and stood at the side to watch their fight.
Immediately, I was blown away by the speed and agility of the alchemist. His swordsmanship was so great Ruan Yanjun had to move fast, as well.
I could sense a lot of enthusiasm from Ma Huan as if he was too eager to give it his all to prove to Ruan Yanjun that he was a worthy rival. Ruan Yanjun, on the other hand, remained very calm. He never even threw any offensive moves just yet. He just stood there, dodging and blocking with his bare hands.
Although I knew that the alchemist stood no chance against the great Ruan Yanjun, watching him still had me awed. I was jealous, wishing I could strengthen my newly-awakened core so I could be as good as this man.
After one hour, Ma Huan was worn-out he could hardly stand. Ruan Yanjun ended the training session.
Ma Huan bowed before Ruan Yanjun and handed over the elixir that he had refined. He invited us for tea, but Ruan Yanjun did not want to waste more time.
Immediately, we returned to the carriage and set off.
"Here," he said as he placed the elixir on my palm.
I carefully fondled the small round pill with my fingers, like I was touching a very delicate object. I no longer had the ability to distinguish a poorly refined elixir from an excellent one. To an ordinary man like me, they all felt and looked the same.
But the alchemist seemed like a decent man. Being close to level seven, I knew he had done an excellent job.
"Why don't you take it in?" Ruan Yanjun asked. "Are you waiting for me to feed it to you?"
I stiffened.
Here comes his teasing once again.
He had stopped teasing me like that since I got engaged. I thought I would not suffer that torture anymore, but then he suddenly decided to start it all over again.
Quickly, I took the elixir in before he could try anything. I swallowed it hard. It slid smoothly down my throat, proof that it was indeed of excellent quality.
A gentle warmth spread in my stomach. I remained very still as I waited for an effect.
"How does it feel?" he asked.
I did not expect that he was also waiting for the result.
Before I could answer, a pool of feral energy swirled in my stomach and shot its way to my head, freezing my brain.
Grunting in pain, I clutched my head with my hands. I almost fell off the couch but a strong arm snaked around my waist and held me in place.
When I opened my eyes, I could not see anything. My vision had totally diminished.
"A-Fan?" Ruan Yanjun asked. His arm was still holding me. "How do you feel?"
I blinked several times before I answered. "I can't see anything."
"Not even a shadow?"
I shook my head. "I'm totally blind."
His arm around my waist stiffened. "That scum!" he grunted and ordered the coachman to turn back.