18 18. The blood princess

The moment Lihua entered the small house, she started their plan. Though she had her own plans, she set it aside for the moment. She still needs to act as an ally of Chao Shen for now. When the night fell, she slowly moved towards the Holy Mountain's manor. It was so easy for her to find her way up.

When she came into the courtyard, she remembered all hundred times she ran around it. The times she would sneak out from the kitchen holding steam buns on her hands in the middle of the night. The times when she would sneak out of the manor avoid her punishments. It took her a great effort to bring herself back in the present. She needs to focus on the task at hand.

It was easy for her to guess where Chao Shen might be staying but going there immediately can make him suspicious. So, she decided to quietly roam around the whole manor. When she finally decided to go and enter his room, she saw him sitting and sipping his tea. She can tell that he is waiting for her.

"I already scanned the whole place," she said breaking the silence between them.

"I noticed,"

She was surprised by his coldness again. So, they are back from the beginning.

"I did not see any female here," she lied. She definitely saw a girl around the same age as her wearing a monk's clothing earlier.

Chao Shen smirked, "Of course you will have a hard time finding her. With your ability right now, I guess I have to level up your training when we return."

But I am not returning anymore, she wanted to tell him that but with his treatment towards him right now, she felt that it is the best time to leave him. She was trained to put the mission as the main priority over her personal affairs. She just wished that after this mission, she will no see him again

"So, did you find her?" she said irritably.

"Of course."

Lihua looked at him intently.

"You've been investigating without telling me, right?" her voice clearly sounded she was deeply hurt.

Chao Shen just looked at her without answering her question.

"I could not believe this. We promised to find the blood princess together but then you acted on your own and left me out." frustrations started to be evident on her face. Chao Shen just continued looking at her without saying anything.

"So, you will just look at me and say nothing?"

"And who do you think you are?" even Chao Shen was surprised with his words. He did not intend to sound cold and heartless.

Lihua looked at him in disbelief. Then, a cold feeling washed over her. The moment she spoke again, it looks like she is a different person.

"I forgot my place. I wish young master will forgive me."

Even Chao Shen felt that icy cold aura coming from her. He wanted to move closer to her, explain that he did not mean what he said but then he was frozen on the spot.

"I will execute the plan now," without any other word she went out of the room. Chao Shen remained where he is.

After a few minutes, Chao Shen heard a commotion in the Holy Mountain manor. He immediately went outside and saw Hui standing there confused as well.

"What's happening?" Chao Shen asked a monk running around in front of them.

"We apologize for disturbing you young master, but someone kidnapped one of our monks and we are chasing after him."

Chao Shen and Hui looked at each other nervously. It is not part of their plans. But both of them are not sure if Lihua will be this bold enough to act on her own.

They immediately followed where the monks are running towards. When they noticed that they are coming down the mountain, Chao Shen grabbed Hui's hand and signaled him to follow him. They went to the stable where their horses are. They immediately rode their horses and went down the mountain as fast as they can.

After a few minutes, they saw a group of monks circling around two people. They moved closer and stood together with the monks.

"Dear lad, please let go of our little monk. We will give you anything you want, just let him go." said a monk who is just a few years older than Chao Shen. Chao Shen looked closely to the person holding a monk hostage. He was shocked. Even though it is dark and she is wearing a black dress robe and covered her face, he can still recognize her.

"Let go of the little monk. What use it is to you to kidnap him?" Chao Shen said trying to send a signal to him. The monks around him looked up with him. Chao Shen clearly saw the hope in their eyes. He is not sure if these monks can actually fight, but helping them get their little monk can surely increase their trust and respect to him. Besides, he did not understand this sudden action of Lihua.

The kidnapper did not lower its grip on the little monk. It looks like there is a knife on the monk's neck. When the monks tried to close in the circle, the kidnapper would move backward. And then, when they are about to get closer to them, the kidnapper jumped so high she was able to get out of the circle in no time. She started running again. Chao Shen and Hui who still have their horses follow after them. The monks are running on foot behind them. Chao Shen kicked his horse so hard. He needs to catch her before any of the monks found out her identity.

Hui and Chao Shen reached a clearing. They looked around to find where she went. When they looked back, they can no longer see the monks.

"Maybe they are still running behind us," Hui told him when he noticed he is checking if the monks are still behind them.

When he turned around again, he saw her. She is on the other end of the clearing. She is standing beside a horse. She is looking at him with sad eyes. Hui and Chao Shen immediately moved towards him but when they are about to reach her, she starting running. She left the horse on the same spot.

The moment they reached the horse, they were shocked. Laying there is the unconscious little monk. Hui checked on him.

"He is still alive," he called out to Chao Shen.

"Good, I will go after her,"

"Young master!" Hui suddenly called out on him.

Chao Shen turned around to looked at him. He saw the shock expression on his face.

"What?"

"It's the blood princess!"