And some Old friends

--------

Soon after.

In the end. Even though they were angry and upset, Ting Er and her friend Fan Sui couldn't continue their argument. After rethinking it, it was a ridiculous commotion that happened just because of unimportant things.

Both finally relented and sat with Fei and the others.

"Where are you guys going? Xi'an? Fei Er, are you allowed to leave the valley? And Hong Er, you are still a baby why did you come out too? The Princess was indeed brave to let you out. I can't believe this. Last time I visited, the Princess did not let Hong Er out at all, not even to go shopping in the city with us, but.. hemm" the girl pursed her lips and frowned on her forehead, something off. Staring at Hong's innocent cute face deeply.

"This brat, ask him how can he escape the big Queen Madam's orders?" said Fei in a rather cynical tone.

Hong scratched his head. His big brother probably never will let him go, he will keep talking about this matter until he gets bored.

Ting Er laughed. Hong's cute face was everyone's favorite including hers. The last time she saw the two brothers was last year at the clan's anniversary celebration. Ting Er was the disciple representative of the clan Valley of Fire that year, but not this year. Her junior went there, so she didn't have the chance to meet the brothers again. Unexpectedly they're meeting there. Ting Er tilted her chin to look at Hong to her heart's content.

"Owh this Hong Er is getting so cuter, taller, and more handsome. Do you have a girlfriend yet?"

Fei patted Ting Er on the shoulder.

"Ting Er, do you wish to die? Mother said Hong can't have a lover yet, not until he grows up. His lover is only Mother"

Hong filled his mouth with food until it swelled up, making Ting Er even more furious.

"Ouwh, that's too bad, he's so cute. Can I be his girlfriend? Dear Hong"

"Don't dream too high, Ting" said Fei pushing Ting from getting closer to Hong. While Hong just laughed with his mouth rounded like a pufferfish.

"You're so stingy. Why? I'm so good at martial arts you know, my fighting skills are better than any girls you know, didn't ya?" said Ting Er. 

While In her seat, Fan Sui couldn't stop seeing Fei. Since kid, she has admired him. They hadn't met for a long time but she couldn't deny that she missed that young man.

"You never change Ting, just don't let Mother know you like Hong, she will prevent you from visiting" 

"Oh that Princess is always like that. I don't know why she didn't like me. Look, my face and your Mother's, are not so way different, aren't they, we're both so pretty"

Ting's words make everyone including Hong laugh. He always knew her as a kind and funny girl.

"Oh yeah, please, let me introduce our new friend. Song Er, he happened to help Hong Er at the right time," said Fei pointing to Song Er beside him.

Song Er clenched his fists in front of his chest.

"No big deal just happened to be passing by"

Ting Er widened her eyes.

"That's indeed a very big deal. You don't know how precious this little boy is, as if you save a whole nation a job. Who knows what the Emperor would do if something bad happened to him" said Ting Er.

Hong almost gets choked while sipping his tea. Ting Er being too much.

"Sister Ting."

The girl could not help to smile, she enjoyed teasing Hong and watched his reaction.

"Hehe"

"Oh yeah Ting, where are you and FanSui going? What makes you guys come here?" asked Fei.

Fan Sui tucked her hair behind her ear. The young girl with gentler and more graceful movements than Ting Er was the third daughter of Old Er Tu. The chief of the Valley of Fire was famous for their weapon-forging skills. Most of the weapons used by Martial Arts World top-tier swordsmen were made by them.

"We were invited to a martial arts competition as the clan representatives in the Capital city, we're heading there" Ting answered.

"Why don't you guys go with Uncle Ou Huo and the others?" asked Fei again.

#Uncle Ou Huo is one of the guardians of the Valley of Fire clan who has the second martial arts skill after the leader.

Ting Er shook her head, her mouth already full of food.

"No need. After all, Uncle Ou Huo is busy. There are many activities in the clan. We just received a special request for weapons from neighboring country buyers that require uncle's supervision, this opportunity cannot be missed"

"Neighboring country? Did Valley of Fire cater to weapons manufacturers from other countries too? " Lu Yan asked.

Fan Sui nodded.

"Yeah, not mass-produced for war, just decorative weapons for dancing and worship, which has high detail and special design"

Hong enjoyed his food. He didn't follow what his brothers and others were saying. The boy is just busy stuffing the food in his stomach non-stop, he is so hungry lately. Song Er shoved the pieces of boiled duck into Hong's bowl. The two enjoying their meal undisturbed.

"This is so delicious Hong, eat more. hold on, there's a crump in your mouth, you such a careless" Song Er took a napkin and cleaned Hong's lips which left a little crump, the boy smiled,

"Thank you, brother Song"

Song Er ruffled Hong's front hair.

"You eat like a kid, so cute. There's still a lot of them, which one do you like?"

Hong pointed at the plate of green vegetables right in front of Fei Er.

"That one"

Even though Fei was busy listening to Ting Er and Fan Sui, his eyes often observed Hong and Song Er. He looks jealous seeing his brother laugh sweetly with someone other than him.

"Hehehehe, that looks spicy, brother" Hong Er chuckled seeing Song Er's cute facial expression when he accidentally bit the spicy chili.

"Akh, it's hot" Song Er is busy looking for a cup of water.

"Hehehehe" Hong laughed dryly.

----------------------------------

Night fell.

Fei and others had to part ways with Ting Ting and Fan Sui.

The two are going to continue their journey to the capital, on different paths with Fei and others.

While Song Er, who said he was a new traveler in the Martial arts world was in a dilemma. His original destination was the capital, but he became attracted to cute Hong and decided to join them on a journey. After all, the destination this time was a city that was very new to him, a good opportunity to explore new places.

The sound of horseshoes walking slowly on the pathways fills the silence.

This time the group followed a path that is still rarely traveled by residents. It is a connecting way to the next town but the residents tend to look for another way. Not without reason, the path that narrows on either side of the road flanked by hills and valleys is the perfect place for bandits to hide and attack. Fortunately, the road was large enough for the Jie family's large carriage to pass.

Lu Yan sitting on his horse with his eyes wary. His practice of being a guard for years shook. He sensed his surroundings were quite dangerous, there might already be some bandits lurking and waiting for the right time to attack. Fei was riding beside him.

"Young master, be careful. I sense several pairs of eyes are watching us"

Fei nodded, he was ready with one hand holding his sword. This was quite stressful for him, as he is also new to this kind of thing. Face-to-face with bandits is not a desirable thing, but, for the sake of safety, he must brave himself. Especially since Hong is with him in the carriage, so he has to be extra vigilant.

In the carriage. Song Er was sitting in the carriage with Hong.

"Little Hong, you look tired, just get some sleep now. I'll wake you up when we reach our destination,"

Hong looked tired, but he kept looking out of the carriage.

The young man nodded. Although he didn't know what was going to happen, the current situation seemed quite tense. Seeing Fei's expression which he rarely saw he became worried too.

Sure enough, not far in front, the horse at the very front of the group neighed loudly.

Heeeeeee!

-----------