Chapter 7- To At Last Know the Height of the Sky

  『So as I was saying Little Yue, it wasn't that bad if anything I was helping her out by reminding your mother that she still has a long way to go before she can act arrogant.』

  『No but shouldn't an elder be nice to their juniors and not make things hard on them?』

  『Where did you get that idea? The strong taking advantage of the weak is simply providence.』

  Head tilted cutely, Baiyue of course just had to ask.

  『What's providence?』

  『Damn, so that's where I have to start from?! ‘sigh’ Okay so in cultivation terms providence is like the natural order … or something.』

  『Or something? See, you don't know either!』

  Looking troubled for a moment, Mingtian had no choice but to explain that even he was still learning some things.

  『When I first became an Empyrean it was only then that I found out something else existed above the heavenly laws. Mortals think providence is the will of god but they are mistaken. Esoteric subjects like destiny or fate as well as mundane certainties like the appearance of humans across multiple worlds all stem from this one guiding hand we simply call “providence”. An egoless force that governs what I theorise to be all of the multiverse itself nudging existence forward in a predictable pattern. Most likely it originates from some nexus causality that occurred before the time of the first page but I can't be certain as such things would pre-date even the primordial twins of creation thus with zero witnesses it can only be summarised in the fashion of “It is therefore it is”. You get me?』

  Eyes swirling in the back of her head Baiyue felt an intense wave of nausea when it came to deciphering whatever language her Grampa Ming was speaking just now. Alas not wanting to be overwhelmed by another excessively verbose and unneeded explanation she simply nodded along in a sagely manner while wearing an expression of intense concentration.

  『Certainly yes, Grampa Ming is definitely right!』

  『Right? You know, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this teaching thing.』

  Sighing in relief at her Grampa Ming’s smug manner, the young student knew she wouldn't have to melt her brain trying to continue the discussion for at least a little while until he came down off his high horse.

  『Oh Grampa Ming, it looks like those bandits showed up while we weren't looking!』

  Only now noticing the attack occurring at the front of the caravan the girl was quick to point it out and hopefully change the subject permanently.

  『Oh yeah you're right.』

  Standing up in the carriage for a better view, Baiyue was enthralled at the intense combat she had never seen before.

  『Look, look Grampa Ming, she just killed that guy! Ew~ gross, blood is going everywhere.』

  『What are you being squeamish for, it's no different from watching an animal getting slaughtered.』

  『It’s totally different!』

  Looking his idiotic disciple up and down questioningly, apart from her going “Kyaa~! Kyaa~!” with strangely high tension she seemed perfectly fine. This was far more than could be said for others.

  Simply turning his head slightly Mingtian could see plenty of examples of nervous fidgeting and erratic breathing from the Zhang brat. Looking further and he could even make out merchants shouting fearfully in the other carriages of the convoy.

  Deciding not to comment on it he turned back towards the battle from atop his throne of grey strands.

  『Hmm interesting, looks like things will be finishing soon.』

  …

  Watching the mercenary woman pull her bastard sword from the now motionless body of his half-brother Haoran, Nantian Fang raised his caution a level further.

  『Are you just going to stare all day or are we going to fight?』

  Unbothered by her taunt the young boy responded though his voice carried with it all the stiffness of a rusted door.

  『For a mortal to kill a cultivator, even one of the first layer of the first major realm is certainly no easy feat.』

  『Just cut the bullshit already, you actually think I give a damn what you think?』

  Angling her blade straight at its new target with only a single arm, Zhaomin did not mistake his praise for weakness.

  She was certain that the bandit in front of her could have intervened at any time but chose not to for some unknown reason. As much as she believed in Brother One she knew all too well the horrors of cultivators.

  ‘Entering the qi gathering realm is akin to undergoing rebirth. The immense difference between those who have taken this one step and those who haven't is something most can scarcely comprehend.’

  Taking her time to analyse her opponent for openings she was disappointed but hardly surprised by his flawless guard.

  ‘This asshole feels like he could take on ten of that punk from earlier with his eyes closed. Is he really only on the first layer? Something’s wrong here.’

  『Now who’s the one staring?』

  Noticing Zhaomin’s hesitation Nantian Fang returned her taunt back in a rare moment of playfulness. Afterall he never actually expected her to triumph over Haoran so his mood became noticeably brighter as a result.

  『Leave behind half your goods as well as a girl or two and I can make up some kind of excuse to my father about what happened here. Refuse to comply and though it's regretful I’ll have no choice but to kill you all.』

  It may have seemed excessive to most but compared to what any of his other kin would have done faced with one of their own killed, his actions were no different from that of a saint's.

  Zhaomin may not have been a pushover but to say she never considered his offer for even a moment would be too much of an exaggeration. To sacrifice the few to save the many was an all too familiar mantra for someone of her background.

  She leaned more so against it this time however on account of an all too obvious issue but didn't give voice to it aloud for worry of being seen as selfish.

  Indecisively mulling over Fang's offer with a heavy heart in the end the choice was taken out of her hands by the arrival of an older man whose defining features were his large port belly and finely groomed facial hair.

  Stepping down off of the lead carriage the interloper held an air of authority about him in spite of his otherwise humorous appearance standing there stroking his waxed moustache.

  『We accept that proposal. Promise there will be no reprisal for the events of today and you have yourself a deal.』

  Gaze shadowing over, the leader of the Wolf Tide Mercenaries wore what could only be described as a baleful expression when she turned around.

  『What the hell do you mean by that Kang Fa?』

  Meeting the woman's eyes fearlessly the caravan head hardly flinched as he replied to her question blandly.

  『I mean exactly as I said. This is your mistake, you are the one who escalated the situation by jumping straight to killing. I may have hired you to protect us against threats but as a merchant I believe in negotiation above all else. When things can be settled with talking then that's how it should be.』

  Sneering Zhaomin decided to tear down the last veneer of civility between her and her client.

  『Take responsibility huh. What a pretty way of putting it. There are only three members of the female sex in this entire convoy. Your wife, a little girl and me. Tell us then, are you really okay with condemning a child who was entrusted to you with a fate worse than death or were you maybe betting on the idea of me spreading my legs for these creeps?』

  Snorting Kang Fa looked up his nose at her before engaging with Nantian Fang again.

  『This tomboy might seem rough around the edges being surrounded by men all day but she's almost definitely a virgin. As for the girl …』

  Signaling with his head towards the back most carriage, Kang Fa tasked two of his assistants with retrieving Baiyue.

  『Neither of them are likely to go easy but we officially wash our hands of them. Do as you please.』

  『Very well then that should suffice.』

  Nodding his head, Nantian Fang preferred to keep things simple rather than push for further concessions.

  Simply watching as things played out from the side it wasn't until the assistants arrived with a struggling grey haired girl being pushed from behind that Zhaomin finally decided to be decisive and act.

  『Brothers let's teach these assholes a lesson! Could you still call yourselves men if you had to sacrifice a kid to survive? Whether we live or die, let us go out knowing we were honourable and just!』

  Unfortunately silence was all the response she received in spite of her fierce words. When she checked behind the hesitation was all too obvious on their faces

  Somewhere deep down the men knew that this simply wasn’t a battle they could win. Brother One having exchanged blows with Nantian Fang before was certain that Fei Zhaomin was not his opponent.

  『Help us catch your captain and not only will I double the agreed upon payment but I’ll also offer any of you who is interested a permanent position as guards complete with a more than generous salary.』

  The others, having picked up on their first brother’s fear, acted in turn and had long since lost the will to fight. Kang Fa’s words were but the straw that broke the camel’s back.

  After only a moment's hesitation the twelve elites who once served her faithfully pointed their blades and formed a half encirclement on their former leader.

  To say Zhaomin’s heart broke at the sight would not do her feelings at the time justice. These were her brother’s in arms whom she fought together with ever since running away from home all those years ago.

  The very idea that they would sell her out like this was simply inconceivable in her mind before today.

  It was always her dream to go out and see the world, eventually returning to her parents an amazing cultivator like her forefathers. Since the day she was born Zhaomin had been told that without spirit roots her road of cultivation was barred from the very start.

  She thought her men trusted in her, that her new family was different … she was wrong. The moment things turned bleak they folded, at the first hurdle they yelled ‘This is impossible!’ and gave up.

  … Zhaomin had lost the will to live. Even if she survived the battle, what was the point?

  She simply drowned in her own sense of uselessness. Her Father and Mother were like gods shattering mountains with but a thought, her childhood idol and the man she yearned for was only mightier still.

  They didn’t need her, they didn’t want her. They might have still treated her well but they could never stand as equals for as long as she was powerless.

  It would simply be easier to let things end. ‘I tried my best, that should be enough.’ This thought invaded her once unbreakable spirit.

  『Big Sis Zhaomin, I believe in you!』

  And just like that from nowhere a new reason appeared. A reason to fight.

  『You jerks, you think I’m scared of you?! I’ll take you all on if I have to! You may have beat Zhang Wei but I'm the real undefeated champ when it comes to arm wrestling among the kids of Dragontail Village!』

  A silly girl with hair as if it had never seen a brush in its life bit the hand of the man holding her in place and ran over to the young female mercenary. Her appearance was disheveled from rushing over to Zhaomin’s side but her thousand sunrise smile said it all.

  『I’m glad you’re okay!』

  Looking at this strange little fellow she met less than a day ago as they tried to soothe the weird bird which decided to lounge itself lazily atop her head the young woman knew exactly what she had to do.

  …

  『Grampa Ming do something! Big Sis Zhaomin looks like she’s seriously in trouble!』

  Of course Baiyue was in reality not trying to soothe anyone but instead desperately begging for help.

  『You should be worrying more about yourself Little Yue from the looks of things your Big Sis just got thrown to the wolves and you along with as a party favour. Stay calm and focus on your surroundings. Don’t use the comb unless you’re directly assaulted and for the time being see how things play out. My instincts are telling me that Zhaomin brat has one more trump card she hasn’t played yet.』

  As her Grampa Ming said it wasn’t long before resolve had returned to the young woman’s eyes. Stepping in front of Baiyue she revealed what looked to be a small token of sorts holding it out in front of her body as if it were an impenetrable shield.

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  『I am Fei Zhaomin, daughter of Fei Boqin the Flowing Wisdom Lord!』

  Like a terrible curse had been uttered the men who had turned against her looked as if they had just swallowed a bug.

  『Impossible! If you were really the daughter of Flowing Wisdom Sect’s sect master you wouldn’t be doing something as dangerous as mercenary work! You should be sipping the finest tea in a pavilion somewhere above the clouds!』

  Kang Fa thought it must be a trick, a ruse designed to make them second guess themselves.

  『Whether it's a lie or not you’ll know after I break this token and summon an army of cultivators at the spiritual foundation realm. My father gave me this token before I left home as a final insurance to make sure I wouldn’t die. Even if the effect isn’t that exaggerated it should at least be more than enough to deal with you guys or any of your new friends for that matter.』

  Giving Nantian Fang a quick glance from the corner of her eye in case of any sudden movements Zhaomin was surprised that rather than scared he looked happy, hopeful even.

  『Break it then, I’m really curious just what sort of damage the elite forces of a middle class sect can do to my little bandit group.』

  Now Zhaomin was downright confused; it almost seemed he was egging her on, eager to see his own family’s destruction. This ironically caused her to become doubtful of her own strategy, scared that he had some contingency in place that would nullify her efforts.

  Of course none of that was the case at all. Nantian Fang simply wanted to know if her breaking that token would be enough to kill his father even if he died in the process he was more than willing.

  『Damn it thinking too hard won’t change anything, let’s do this!』

  Clenching her fist tightly around the delicate token, Zhaomin crushed it anyway knowing that this was both her and Baiyue’s last chance.

  A surge of qi in the form of a fierce gust gathered around the second she acted, swirling clouds of dirt and grass obscuring her from vision. A moment later the fierce momentum settled and to the astonishment of all those present including Baiyue she had vanished completely from that place.

  『Gone, Big Sis Zhaomin is gone! Grandpa Ming what happened?!』

  Unable to believe what she had just seen, Baiyue kept rubbing her eyes in disbelief.

  『Calm yourself my foolish disciple, the token was linked to some sort of master spatial formation that would call its owner automatically when destroyed. It’s probably taken her to her father’s sect for protection and healing as it was designed to do. She’s not in any danger, in fact she’s way safer now than she was before.』

  『Phew, that's a relief then.』

  Wiping her non-existent sweat the little girl was glad her friend was okay.

  『What’s a relief? She was banking on that token to be a distress beacon hoping to save you. Now wherever she is, she’s almost certain she just left you to die or arguably worse be violated. No doubt at this time she’s a hysterical mess. With how much she seemed to have taken a shine to your birdbrained self the survivor’s guilt could even lead her to suicide.』

  Looking down as she balled her tiny fists while biting her lip, Baiyue considered her Grampa Ming’s words and couldn’t help but think how stupid she was for being relieved just now. ‘I should have just used the comb from the beginning and ended this farce then and there.’

  Looking up at Nantian Fang with red slitted eyes the boy felt an uncontrollable shiver run down his spine and when he searched for its cause he accidentally crossed the little girl’s murderous gaze. ‘What the hell is she?’

  Those were not the eyes of a human being, he thought they belonged more on something ancient and hungry. The crimson fires they burned with instilled a primal sense of terror in him he couldn’t quite explain.

  『I said calm yourself Little Yue, you're drawing unneeded attention.』

  At her Grampa Ming’s reminder the little girl took a deep breath and after a moment returned to her normal self. Her guilt did not lesson in the slightest however.

  Sensing his disciple’s mood, Mingtian sought to remind her of her destination in hopes of giving her something else to focus on.

  『She said her father was the sect master of Flowing Wisdom Sect, that just gives us another reason to go there. For a mid level sect like the one described by your own father even if that Zhaomin brat wanted to do anything drastic I don’t think she’d have the ability to die in that place without permission. Calculating with my fingers here I’d say her father is probably in the nascent soul realm, there’s nothing to be afraid of even if she bit her own tongue off, hell he’d just grow her a new one. We just have to get there and clear up her concerns, do that and everything will be fine. The goal is simple enough right?』

  Finding her lost smile, Baiyue had only one thing to say in response.

  『Calculating with your fingers? Grandpa Ming please don’t make me laugh, you don’t have any fingers.』

  『This brat … Fine then just for that I’m not giving anymore advice today. For now let's see how you handle things.』

  Unphased, she smirked as if she had some kind of master plan in place. The girl didn’t seem scared at the prospect of dealing with bandits in the slightest.

  ‘Disciple just what are you scheming in that empty head of yours?’ Even with all of his vast years of experience the girl had a certain way of throwing him off balance that he found extremely exasperating.

  Holding up both her hands towards the sky Mingtian felt his eyes twitch like crazy at her next words.

  『Okay I surrender~』

  ‘This lazy piece of … don’t tell me you're seriously not bothered to think anymore and you just decided to put it off until later? There’s no way that’s the case … right?’

  …

  『I’ve returned with a few matters to report.』

  Having made it back to the Nantian Bandits hideout with Baiyue in tow, Nantian Fang cut straight to the chase, hardly enjoying the prospect of speaking with his genetic donor.

  『Go on then report and where the hell is Haoran? Don’t tell me that idiot is goofing off again.』

  Not bothering to sugarcoat anything the boy answered the question with all the bluntness of a sledgehammer.

  『Haoran is dead. Lost against a skilled swordswoman despite her lack of spirit roots. I tried to capture her but she broke some sort of token and vanished. She claimed to be the daughter of Fei Boqin, Sect Master of Flowing Wisdom Sect.』

  There was a certain mirth in Nantian Fang’s eyes as he said his piece. It was well known that Haoran was one of Nantian Xiao’s favorites despite his many glaring flaws as he too was once upon a time considered the dunce of his own family.

  Not to mention that even though Fei Zhaomin had run away, having threatened such an important individual the bandit lord will have no end to his stomach ulcers in the coming days. An expedition to subjugate their little family could already be in the works as they spoke, not exactly something to be excited about.

  『Useless! How useless can you be?!』

  Sneering Nantian Fang didn’t bother dignifying his father’s words with a response. Just as he was about to dig the barb in even further he saw the girl he picked up after the battle fiddling with an ivory comb right next to him.

  Seeing how valuable it looked he snatched it from her before it could be seen by anyone else. ‘Think idiot! Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to show off your wealth?!’ Scolding her fiercely in his head he then covered her mouth with his hand before she could make a scene about it.

  『MMHH MMHH~』 Unintelligible muffled sounds were all that came from Baiyue’s mouth as she tried to protest.

  『Hmm? Who is the little chickie?』 Only now noticing the existence of the odd looking girl clinging to his 5th son Nantian Xiao wasn’t quite sure what he was looking at.

  『Who? Her? Just some random I took from the recent caravan. The spoils today are her and half of the goods they had with them.』

  『Ho~ Is that so? Little Fang, you're starting to resemble your father more and more these days. That actually makes me pretty happy. Normally there’s no way I’d reward someone after a failure of this magnitude but seeing as how it's the first time you’ve shown an interest in a woman before I’ll allow it, if only because I find it amusing.』

  Narrowing his eyes Nantian Fang thought there was more to his dead-beat father’s schemes in letting him have the girl but as he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he was thinking the boy just dryly said 『Thanks.』 and walked off dragging Baiyue behind him, completely uncaring of her fierce struggle to the contrary.

  『My Lord, may this lowly one ask why you made such an exception today in granting Fifth Young Master your favour. At the risk of sounding ignorant does this not set a bad precedent among the men? Normally even if it were one of the other young masters you would have surely punished them for such disrespect and failure.』

  Approaching Nantian Xiao from his position on the far right after the pair had left, Fatty Bo tempted his master’s ire because he, like Nantian Fang, couldn't see the underlying logic behind the bandit lord’s actions.

  『Old Bo, you are not thinking long term enough. Little Fang is just a brat with no experience in these matters as such there’s no way he can be with a woman without growing attached. Amongst all of my sons even though he is the most unruly it is he who most strongly inherited the blood of my ancestral clan. Heavenly Metal Spirit Root, Martial King Physique and above all else his monstrous cultivation speed despite the poor resources granted to him. The boy claims to be in the first layer of qi gathering but he can’t fool my old eyes, he’s already in the 4th layer just one step behind me. The moment he breaks through is the moment my head is given leave from my body.』

  Widening his eyes in shock, Fatty Bo only then realised the true danger the Nantian Bandits were in. This was simply raising a white eyed wolf! The moment the fifth young master hardened his wings all of them would be wiped out from this world.

  『If that is truly the case My Lord then would it not be prudent to …』 Gesturing with a finger across his neck Fatty Bo tried to stay indirect so as to not offend the black haired man.

  Chuckling with his deep gravelly voice the man understood what his lieutenant was getting at and found no harm in his prudent words.

  『That’s why I said you are not thinking long term enough. For one the boy is already too strong to be killed by me. While he probably still can’t defeat me in single battle, he certainly has the ability to run away. The second point is that with him under my thumb it might even be possible to expand our operations even further. Rather than a mere bandit tribe my end ambition is to create a Devilish Sect and one day get revenge on all of those fools that dared to look down upon me back then.』

  Smiling with a bloodthirsty grin, Nantian Xiao was actually rather pleased with recent events.

  『This is the chance I’ve been waiting for. That little girl is a god sent gift allowing me to turn my dreams into reality. Not only has Little Fang offended a major sect limiting his future options but once he becomes closer to the little chickie I’ll use her to threaten him into following my orders obediently and without question.』

  『The Lord is wise!』

  『Alright enough with the sycophant act, get back to work.』

  Waving his hand in dismissal Nantian Xiao once again did as always and returned to counting the loot in his small pile of treasure.

  …

  『Hey what’s the big idea?!』

  Having dragged Baiyue back to his personal room the girl was practically livid.

  『Those should be my words! Are you trying to get yourself killed? What the hell were you thinking, idiot!』

  Shoving the comb back into the girl’s hands, Nantian Fang limited his contact as much as possible, worried he’d maybe catch stupid from her.

  『Hey, be careful with that! That was my mother’s comb!』

  At Baiyue’s outburst the boy’s eyes softened slightly and contrary to her expectations actually went on to apologise.

  『I’m sorry, I didn't realise it was so important and roughly handled it. That was my bad.』

  Taken aback, now that she thought about it he should have had no reason to return it in the first place. With both youngsters now feeling awkward the room was soon engulfed in an odd silence.

  The first to break it was neither however as Mingtian could no longer stomach watching the shy nervous looks being exchanged back and forth without having to resist the need to vomit sugar.

  『Enough! You two are both driving me up the wall. Birdbrained disciple, were you seriously about to use the full powered strike of an Immortal Emperor to smite some 5th Layer Qi Gathering waste?!』

  『Uhm…』

  『Unless your answer is ‘No Master, that’s all just a misunderstanding! I was just getting ready to protect myself.’ I’m seriously going to yank out your bush bramble hair until you go bald!』

  『Well … I was not, not, thinking that…』

  『Do you think I can’t calculate double negatives you brat?!』

  The bird didn’t even bother to hide himself anymore loudly scolding his disciple while yanking on her tangled locks.

  Nantian Fang watched all this from the side still trying to come to terms with the talking bird in his midst.

  『Don't gawk so much little bandit it's unbecoming of one from the ancient Nantian family. Even if it is just a distant side branch packed full of nobodies.』

  『Huh?』

  By this point it was obvious to him that this bird was no mere garden variety fowl but rather an old demon instead.

  What the geezer was doing with the girl he couldn't even begin to guess but the mere mention of the Nantian family was enough to pique his interest.

  『Are you talking about my worthless old man’s clan? I think there’s some kind of mistake here, yeah sure I heard that they’re cultivators but calling them ancient has got to be an exaggeration.』

  The boy was extremely skeptical at Mingtian’s words, afterall if they were so impressive then why would Nantian Xiao leave in the first place?

  『Don’t look down on this old lineage, your progenitor was born and became supreme long before most civilisations even crawled out of the mud. Unfortunately Paragon Heart Overseer was a notorious womaniser and this is what unfortunately led to his untimely demise. He spied on an immemorial overlord as she bathed, as a result of this act he was captured and faced the worst tortures imaginable for one million years before eventually being killed. As an eternal warning to others his skeleton was put on display above the entrance of Heavenly Devil Mountain’s ancestral hall. I had walked past it once during my youth, even though he was dead the sheer divinity radiating off of what remained left quite the impression.』

  Amazed Nantian Fang was both in awe and equal parts embarrassed for this ancestor of his.

  『How strong exactly are we talking about here? If he was still killed in the end then he couldn’t have really been invincible.』

  Amused, Mingtian chose to answer with a question of his own.

  『I suppose it depends on what level you consider invincibility? It’s true that compared to me Paragon Heart Overseer still had a ways to go but looking at who exactly he offended it could still be considered a worthy death. Overseer is the daoist title used by those in the Demiurge Realm, that is to say the highest true realm of cultivation. Your ancestor had walked to the end of the path and was considered a being only one step below the Jade Divine Emperor himself. If this is not enough for you to call invincibility then I can only say your ambitions exceed your intelligence.』

  『Demiurge Realm…』

  Seeing Nantian Fang’s dreamlike gaze, Mingtian only shook his head. It appeared that he had inadvertently created a new goal in the boy’s heart, one that would take him far further down the road of cultivation than mere revenge.

  Coming back to himself the young master had made up his mind and bowed his head to the black pheasant atop the girl’s head.

  『Senior! Please take me as your disciple!』

  『Hey, don’t steal my teacher!』

  Baiyue could no longer watch in silence after all he was her Grandpa Ming and no one else's.

  Mingtian appreciated that the boy at least had the eyes to see Mount Tai but even so it wasn’t worth his tutelage.

  『Disciple? Little bandit you seem to misunderstand, I already have a disciple and besides compared to her your aptitudes are somewhat insufficient. I can see your special physique and heavenly spirit root but these are still not enough to reach the apex. However …』

  『However?』

  Hanging on the edge of his seat Nantian Fang had never been so anxious to hear someone’s next words so badly before in his life.

  『However my Little Yue is in need of a coolie to see to her day to day needs. Follow her well and I will bestow upon you a fortune so that your future achievements do not shame your ancestors.』

  『Coolie?!』

  Was he supposed to be some sort of servant? There was just no way Nantian Fang could accept that. He was well aware that even compared to inner disciples of high class sects his cultivation speed was more than enough to keep up.

  This blatant disrespect had crossed over his bottom line.

  『I, Nantian Fang, would never serve someone mediocre like her!』

  Pointing crazily at the spacing out Baiyue who was transfixed on a butterfly flapping around near the window of his room it was only then that she paid attention to what was going on around her again.

  『Oh? What’s wrong with me? I would make a great master!』

  Baiyue thought her Grandpa Ming had good taste and found this idea to be very fun. Afterall she was a mere village girl so the opportunity of having someone to wait on her hand and foot was way too good to pass up.

  ‘Besides, wasn’t I a princess? It seems only right that I get to have a knight.’ Turning her gaze around the room the grey haired girl eventually landed her eyes on an old set of Go left unpacked atop the table in the corner.

  『How about we play a game? The winner gets to be the master and the loser has to be the maid.』

  If Zhang Wei or Fei Zhaomin were here they would quickly warn the boy off from engaging in such dangerous pastimes as betting with Long Baiyue. Unfortunately they weren’t and so after splendidly digging a hole for him to jump in, Nantian Fang foolishly did just that.

  Smirking in a roguish manner he sat down by the table practically oozing with confidence.

  『I’m afraid your face could use some work but reluctantly I’ll still take you in. I’m nothing if not a generous lord.』

  Covering her devilish grin with the hem of her sleeve, Baiyue acted all the part of a demure beauty despite her knotted and tangled hair.

  『Please go easy on me then Young Noble.』

  『Let’s start.』

  Seeing Nantian Fang move the first tile Mingtian felt only pity for the boy.

  『This Little Yue is what’s called "Not knowing life from death". Be sure to avoid acting like this in the future. I, your teacher, made this mistake once and so it is my hope that you, my disciple, will be smarter.』

  『Yes Master.』

  Hearing the mysterious conversation going on around him, Nantian Fang only tilted his head innocently in confusion.

  ‘Kyaa~ so cute I want one!’ If he could hear the dangerous thoughts bouncing around the mind of the eccentric girl in front of him, then no doubt the boy would have fled to the opposite end of the Rainbow Misty Star, alas his luck was not so great that day.