Ye Shengtao and Fergio trudged along the dirt road, the earlier encounter with the bandit already feeling like a distant memory. The sun was beginning to set, casting the world in a soft orange glow, and the air was pleasantly cool. Despite the relative calm of the journey, Ye Shengtao couldn't shake the lingering irritation from the constant banter of his companion.
Fergio, oblivious as ever, was still in high spirits. He swung his sword in exaggerated arcs as they walked, recounting their "epic" victory over the hapless bandit for the tenth time. "And then, with a single hoof strike," he said, emphasizing the last two words dramatically, "Ye Shengtao, the fearsome cow maiden, sent the vile rogue flying into the bushes! Oh, the look on his face!"
Ye Shengtao, who had been walking a few steps ahead, rolled his eyes. "Fergio, the only thing epic about that encounter was how embarrassing it was."
Fergio stopped mid-swing, looking genuinely confused. "Embarrassing? My dear friend, how could you call that anything but a glorious victory? You sent that villain packing with nothing but your hooves!"
Ye Shengtao groaned and rubbed his temples. "First of all, stop talking about my hooves like that. Second of all, he wasn't exactly a 'villain,' more like a hungry guy with a stick pretending it was a sword."
Fergio waved off the comment. "Details, details. The point is, we showed him who's boss, and he'll think twice before crossing us again."
Ye Shengtao shook his head. "I didn't show him anything. I just kicked him to get him out of the way. Simple as that."
Fergio sighed dramatically, clearly disappointed in Ye Shengtao's lack of enthusiasm. "You are far too modest for your own good. I'm beginning to think you don't appreciate the art of storytelling."
"Fergio," Ye Shengtao said, glancing over his shoulder, "I appreciate storytelling. What I don't appreciate is you telling the same ridiculous version of events over and over again."
The knight grinned. "Oh, I see. You're just upset because I didn't make your heroic moo sound grand enough. I'll be sure to add a bit more flair next time."
Ye Shengtao stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "Heroic moo? I didn't moo, Fergio."
Fergio shrugged, unbothered. "Well, you should have. It would have been more dramatic."
Ye Shengtao took a slow, deep breath, mentally counting to ten. "If I moo, it will be to send you flying into the nearest ditch. You understand?"
"Point taken," Fergio said, chuckling. "No moos. Got it."
They continued walking in silence for a few more minutes, the crunch of their boots on the dirt road the only sound between them. The peacefulness was almost enough to let Ye Shengtao's frayed nerves settle—until Fergio opened his mouth again.
"So," he said, smirking, "if you're a lady cow, does that mean you'll start wearing skirts? I mean, the breeze would be quite—"
"Fergio," Ye Shengtao interrupted, his voice dangerously calm. "Say one more word about skirts, and you'll find out what it's like to get trampled."
Fergio held up his hands defensively. "Alright, alright. No need to get testy. I'm just saying, it's not every day I get to travel with a warrior maiden like yourself."
"I'm not a maiden," Ye Shengtao muttered under his breath.
"Oh, right," Fergio said, snapping his fingers. "You're a cow maiden. Completely different."
"Fergio…"
Before Ye Shengtao could follow through on his threat to trample the knight, a new voice interrupted them from the side of the road.
"Excuse me, fine sirs… and madam?"
Both Ye Shengtao and Fergio stopped, looking over to see yet another figure emerging from the bushes. This one, however, looked far less menacing than the bandit they'd encountered earlier. In fact, he looked downright pitiful. He was dressed in ragged clothes, his boots barely holding together, and his face was gaunt with hunger. He was holding a small dagger that looked like it had seen better days, and he was shaking so badly it was a wonder he hadn't dropped it already.
Ye Shengtao raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
The bandit gave a weak smile. "Apologies, but I… I have no choice. If you could just hand over a few coins, I'll be on my way."
Fergio burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "Oh, this is rich! Another bandit? Is this road cursed or something?"
The bandit's smile faltered. "I'm not really a bandit, I swear. I just… I just need a little money, that's all."
Ye Shengtao sighed, rubbing his temples again. "Why does this always happen to me?"
"Because you're so moo-gnificent," Fergio said with a grin, earning himself a glare from Ye Shengtao.
The bandit, sensing he was losing control of the situation, brandished his dagger half-heartedly. "Please… just a few coins. I don't want any trouble."
Ye Shengtao looked him up and down. "You really don't seem cut out for this line of work."
The bandit shrugged. "I'm not, but what choice do I have? The roads are rough, and honest work is hard to come by."
Fergio stepped forward, still grinning. "Well, my good man, you're in luck! We're not going to give you money, but I can offer you a much better deal!"
The bandit blinked, looking confused. "A… better deal?"
"Yes!" Fergio said, throwing an arm around the man's shoulder, much to his surprise. "Join us on our noble quest! You'll learn the ways of chivalry, combat, and perhaps even how to win the heart of a fair maiden! Or, in Ye Shengtao's case, a fair cow maiden!"
Ye Shengtao slapped a hand to his face. "Fergio, you're not recruiting bandits again, are you?"
Fergio ignored him, beaming at the bewildered bandit. "Think about it! You'll be part of a grand adventure, facing dangers and defeating evil! And you'll have the honor of traveling alongside the greatest hero in the land—me, of course!"
The bandit looked between Fergio and Ye Shengtao, clearly unsure whether this was a joke. "I'm… I'm really not sure that's a good idea."
"Nonsense!" Fergio said, clapping him on the back so hard the man nearly dropped his dagger. "With my guidance and Ye Shengtao's… uh, hoofwork, we'll make a proper hero out of you in no time!"
Ye Shengtao groaned. "I can't believe this is happening."
The bandit, still looking thoroughly confused, managed a weak smile. "Well… I guess that's better than getting kicked in the face by a cow."
Fergio laughed. "Oh, you have no idea, my friend. No idea."
Ye Shengtao shot Fergio a look that could kill. "Let's get something straight. I'm not kicking anyone unless absolutely necessary, and I'm definitely not babysitting any more bandits."
Fergio winked. "Come now, Ye Shengtao. You know you can't resist the allure of cowing the competition."
Ye Shengtao's eye twitched. "Fergio."
The knight grinned. "Yes?"
"Shut up."
The bandit, sensing that he might be safer following these two rather than trying to rob them, sighed and sheathed his dagger. "Well, I guess I'll tag along. Better than starving to death, I suppose."
"Welcome aboard!" Fergio said, slapping him on the back again. "Now, let's get moving! Adventure awaits, and with the legendary cow maiden by our side, we can't lose!"