"However... a short while ago, my father received news..." Her tone shifted subtly. "A month ago... that Zhang Yang... was killed!"
As she reached this point, Liu Meng's voice lifted slightly, carrying a note of surprise—perhaps even a trace of... relief?
"I always knew he was no good," she continued, "even more of a wastrel than that Young Master Loong from yesterday. He did wicked things constantly, shielded by his family's power. No one dared challenge him. The irony is... someone still killed him..."
"I feel nothing about his death. If anything... there's a sliver of relief. Relief that I no longer need to fear that so-called 'betrothal'."
Her expression darkened. "But then... my father insisted I go to Luoshi City! To attend Zhang Yang's funeral as his 'fiancée'! I refused. We argued fiercely. Finally, in anger, I took Xiao Ning and left home. I wanted to travel, clear my mind... return only after some time had passed..."
"And then... I came here. Yesterday happened. And I met you, Yunfei..."
She turned to look at him directly, her gaze earnest. "Ever since waking in the clinic yesterday and seeing you... I sensed... you were different." Her voice softened, a hint of warmth entering it. "Though a Soul Master—revered and powerful in ordinary eyes—you carry no arrogance. You helped me... yet clearly sought no favor or repayment."
"And then... the way you look at me..." A faint blush rose on her cheeks. She seemed to search for words, then skipped ahead. "But I could see... no ill intent. Nothing like Zhang Yang. He watched me, thinking he hid it well... but his eyes screamed pure 'possession'..."
"So... I didn't want to miss the chance to befriend you, Yunfei. I used the excuse of thanking you to invite you to the teahouse... and then again to visit Clear Spring Mountain."
She paused, her voice hopeful yet tentative. "Yunfei... we are friends now... aren't we?"
Bai Yunfei had listened intently, absorbing her story, a complex mix of emotions stirring within him. Her final question jolted him slightly from his reverie. He hesitated for a moment, a flicker of bashfulness crossing his face before he nodded firmly. "Yes... of course. We are friends."
"Hehe, that's wonderful!" Liu Meng's earlier melancholy vanished, replaced by pure joy. A radiant smile spread across her face as she leaned back on her hands, tilting her head up to watch a flock of birds soaring together across the sky. "I finally have a friend! Not someone seeking something... but a friend I chose myself!"
Bai Yunfei felt his heartbeat quicken. Words failed him momentarily. Anxious, he began unconsciously plucking blades of grass in front of him.
Silence settled between them again, comfortable yet charged.
"YOU! YOU TWO ARE UTTERLY, COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE!!"
A furious, breathless shriek shattered the peace. Both Bai Yunfei and Liu Meng jumped, turning to see Xiao Ning finally reaching the summit. The maid stood there, hands on her hips, glaring at them with gritted teeth...
...
It took Liu Meng considerable time to placate the 'extremely indignant' Xiao Ning. Their playful interaction—Liu Meng coaxing, Xiao Ning pretending to sulk—revealed a bond far deeper than mistress and maid. No ordinary mistress would soothe her maid so patiently; no ordinary maid would dare 'scold' her mistress so openly.
At lunchtime, Liu Meng retrieved a multi-tiered food box woven from a special insulating material from her spatial ring. Opening it revealed dishes still steaming faintly. Bai Yunfei felt a pang of embarrassment. He'd prepared lunch too—two raw chickens tucked into his own spatial ring, intended for roasting. Compared to Liu Meng's elegant spread, his plan suddenly felt decidedly primitive. He decided against mentioning the chickens.
After lunch, they explored the mountain slopes leisurely—chasing glimpses of birds, startling rabbits, gathering wildflowers. Giggles, particularly from the two girls, frequently echoed along the grassy paths.
...
By evening, three figures ambled down the main road approaching the East Gate of Cui Liu City. Lingering contentment marked their expressions. Bai Yunfei walked on the left, Liu Meng in the center, and Xiao Ning chattered excitedly on the right.
"Young Master Yunfei, you were incredible!" Xiao Ning bubbled, replaying the scene in her mind. "That blue bird was already flying high! Yet you just... zipped up that huge tree and leaped into the air to catch it!" Her excitement dimmed slightly. "But... why let it go? Mistress really liked it..."
"Birds belong to the sky," Bai Yunfei replied gently, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Flying free is their true life. I caught it for a moment's amusement. How could I justify locking it in a cage? Stealing its freedom?"
"But everyone else keeps birds in cages! Ah, well..." Xiao Ning sighed dramatically. "It was your bird, Young Master Yunfei... your choice, I suppose. Though..." she added, her tone turning mournful, "...that rabbit with the white stripes getting away was a pity. It was the cutest little thing! I'd have loved to keep it... Oh, wait! Even if you'd caught it, you'd have probably let it go too! Hmph!"
"Ah, that rabbit?" Bai Yunfei said, his expression turning serious. "It escaping was a shame. But if I had caught it... I wouldn't have let it go..."
Xiao Ning's eyes widened. "Oh? Would you have kept it, Young Master Yunfei?"
"No," he stated matter-of-factly. "I'd have eaten it."
"Aiya! How cruel!"
"Um, Xiao Ning... didn't we have rabbit stew among our dishes at lunch today?"
"... ... ..."
"Alright, alright, Xiao Ning," Liu Meng interjected, laughing softly at the maid's flustered, pouting face. "Enough chattering. You've been talking non-stop the whole way down! Aren't you tired?"
Laughing and chatting, they soon passed through the city gate and onto the broad main street. However, they hadn't walked far before a group of men blocked their path.
"Brother! It's him! He's the one who disrespected our Loong family!" A voice thick with malice rang out. Two figures stepped forward from the group. The speaker was none other than the Loong family's Second Young Master – Loong Tao (often mistaken for 'Loong Dao', meaning 'minor character') – the very same who had accosted Liu Meng the day before and fled Bai Yunfei's warning.
Bai Yunfei motioned for the girls to step back. He moved forward, eyeing the two men with a frown. "So, Young Master Loong Tao," he said pointedly. "Haven't you gone to collect your boxed meal yet?"
"Huh?" Loong Tao blinked, bewildered. The entire group stared blankly at Bai Yunfei. The unfamiliar phrase clearly carried contempt.
"Hmph! Insolent brat!" Before Loong Tao could respond, the large, bearded man beside him roared. "You truly hold the Loong family in no regard!"
Bai Yunfei studied the bearded man, noting the resemblance to Loong Tao. "What? Are you his father? Loong... something... Gang?"
"I AM HIS ELDER BROTHER!" The bearded man bellowed, his face flushing crimson.
"Ah? His elder brother?" Bai Yunfei glanced between the two men, clicking his tongue thoughtfully. "So you're the First Young Master of the Loong family? What should I call you?"
The First Young Master drew himself up haughtily. "Correct! I am the First Young Master of the Loong family... Loong Tao!"
Bai Yunfei's jaw went slack. He stared intensely at Loong Tao for a long moment, then at the First Young Master... Loong Tao? The sheer absurdity hit him. A strangled sound escaped his lips, followed by an uncontrollable burst of laughter.
"Pfft-HAHAHA!" He doubled over, laughter erupting. "All this time... you're just another 'Loong Tao' too! Truly... worthy of being brothers! The Loong Tao Pair! Hahahaha!"
Under the bewildered stares of the entire group, Bai Yunfei laughed uproariously. In his mind, the brothers' names were hilariously absurd – Loong Tao (Minor Character) and Loong Tao (First Young Master). The ironic humor was entirely lost on everyone else.
"Enough! Mad ramblings! Utter nonsense!" Loong Tao (the First) roared, his thick beard trembling with fury. "Get him! Break both his legs first! Then drag him back for a slow reckoning!" He gestured violently at the twenty-plus thugs surrounding them.
Bai Yunfei's laughter ceased instantly. His eyes scanned the advancing men, finding no trace of fear. He shot a quick, reassuring glance back at Liu Meng and Xiao Ning. They calmly retreated further, faces serene – fully trusting in his abilities as a Soul Master.
The fight was brutally brief. Each of the twenty men who rushed forward met Bai Yunfei once... and promptly collapsed, clutching their stomachs, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
Standing amidst the groaning heap, Bai Yunfei looked towards Loong Tao (the First), a hint of disappointment flickering across his face. Loong Tao's expression contorted with rage and disbelief.
"Hmph! A Soul Master! So what?" he spat, muscles visibly coiling beneath his robes. A surge of Soul Force pulsed from him – Late-stage Soul Warrior. "I'll deal with you myself!"
Bai Yunfei watched the hulking man charge, a faint smirk touching his lips. Late-stage Soul Warrior? It posed no threat now.
He hadn't flared his Soul Force earlier, masking his strength. Now, seeing the attack coming, Bai Yunfei saw no reason to hold back further. Soul Force surged within him. His eyes flashed. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot and reappeared directly in front of the charging Loong Tao. Before the man could register shock, Bai Yunfei's fist, crackling with restrained power, slammed into his stomach with a sickening thud.
Loong Tao (the First) flew backwards like a sack of rocks. As he sailed through the air, Bai Yunfei's voice, sharp and clear, rang out across the suddenly silent street, delivering another utterly baffling line:
"Your scene's over! Go collect your boxed meal!"