Acquaintance

Cling-clang.

She felt annoyed; Mu Xinyi throw both swords toward him. Lian Long starts preparing. He took out his tools and material underneath, and arrange them above the old rugged which he had put earlier on the ground.

There was a piece of silver cloth, stone, a rough silver stick with oval shapes at the end – similar to a hammer, and a small rusty metal pot.

Mu Xinyi sat in front of him. Her eyes gleam. Not because of the bonfire but the interest she had in the crafts.

She watched Lian Long repair her swords like watching a theatre. She was astonished as she never encountered anyone who could fix a broken sword before. It was a unique technique that only some cultivators were able to use. Though there is one she heard of, it was not easy to ask because that person works especially under royals.

Immerse in the scene, the eyelids that cannot rest properly for the past several days because of assassins felt relaxed. Her eyes started to close slowly.

Pap. Pap. She walked away after cleaning the dirt on her butt. Lian Long who was absorbed doing his thing did not give a glance. Mu Xinyi entered the cave, finding a place to lie down. She needs to replenish her energy. Having fought numerous assassins for three days, her body reached its limits.

*****

Next day,

Chirp. Chirp.

"Urgh…so bright…"

"Aren't you going to wake up, miss?" Lian Long chuckled looking at how the woman in front of him cupping her face so the sun would not get through.

Zzap. Mu Xinyi automatically sat when she heard the voice. Still half asleep, she rubbed her eyes.

Suddenly, she felt a little shame deep inside. Usually, she would already wake up before the sun rise.

"How my sword?" She stood up and stretched her body while asking about her precious partner.

"Well, take a look." Lian Long smiled proudly.

Mu Xinyi hugged the sword that was thrown lightly toward her. She was too lazy to check the sword, but she knew, there was nothing wrong with the sword. She could feel it energy was better and calm. If there was any difference, it would be that her sword feels so new yet strong as ever.

Flop. A piece of veil reached the ground. The face is no longer hidden—neither from the black veil nor the nak*d eyes. The appearance of a young lady around 14 to 15 years old can be seen.

Lian Long's eyes fixed on that face – An innocent face with a soft aura.

'So young, I thought she was around 30 years old based on her martial arts level…no wonder I can't recognise who she is…'

'…really, she's truly from a new generation,' Lian Long suddenly remembered her talks from before. But since he did not understand what made her reveal herself, he just looked at her with a wondering face.

"My name is Mu Xinyi. Nice to meet you, martial arts master, Lian Long," Mu Xinyi bent a little with her right hand on the top of her left hand, showing a fist and palm salute. Since she does not know what level Lian Long is at, she just called him a master—a call that suits powerful martial artists and as respect to him.

Lian Long was confused, 'What on earth she means?' doubting whether she had hidden meaning.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Smiling sweetly, she replied, "You are the person I acknowledge of. So, of course, I need to greet you nicely. Isn't it our custom to greet others nicely and pay respect to the one we acknowledge?"

"I-I, Lian Long, greet you too," Lian Long fluttered. He hurriedly follows Mu Xinyi—did the greetings. He was embarrassed. It has been a long time since anyone acknowledged him after the tragedy.

"As of today, we're acquaintances. Not strangers or the passers-by anymore." Mu Xinyi grinned.

Blink, Lian Long realised he was being tricked. Even though the girl named Mu Xinyi looked innocent, but she is actually a sly one. What's more, her voice is soft and pleasant to hear, so it was totally unpredictable, unlike her action before.

"Hahaha!" Laughed Lian Long loudly while feeling amused by the situation.

"Um, senior…"

"Huh? Bahahaha!"

Mu Xinyi feel irritated. She gave out a murderous aura.

"Ha…aaa…Ahem!" he cleaned his throat; he did not want to 'play' run and chase with her.

"You're funny. It's surprising such a vicious girl like you can be so respectful towards me. You caught me off guard."

Looking at Mu Yinxi genuinely, he continued, "Call me Long Mong. It's a name I cherish more than Lian Long."

Heh. Mu Xinyi smirked, she saw an open path, "Old Long, do you want to come with me?" she asked him while he look less tense.

Unfortunately, hearing that, Long Mong looked elsewhere. His expression changed, becoming sour immediately.

"…I just asking. I won't force you. I thought maybe we can save each other back. Two is better than one, right?".

Again, there was no response from Lian Long. Mu Xinyi felt disappointed Her chance to make one of the strongest cultivators as her companion is smaller than she thought.

She persuaded him once again, "Nobody knows your face. If you came with me with how you're now, nobody would know," said Mu Xinyi pointing at Long Mong's image—he wore dark blue shabby clothes with untidy brown hair.

Mu Xinyi was still reluctant to give up - the fact that nobody knows a man of the sword, Lian Long's true face is widely known; Lian Long always wore a red mask and never once took them off his entire life being a martial artist, because all those times, he always holds and shows off his the proof of his identity – a sky blue colour sword that was engraved in gold with his name.

Silent. Long Mong quietly thought, he did not even move an inch from his seat. There was a lot to think of. The memory in the head that he kept tightly within himself flowed - give him a headache and, the feeling and experience that no one else knows besides himself make his heart feel heavy – it suffocated.

"…"

The silent atmosphere made Mu Xinyi feel guilty.

"Where're you going after this? or you're staying here?"

"…I don't know."

Mu Xinyi sighed with relief. Finally, Long Mong talked again even though his eyes still did not meet hers.

"Soon, I'll come and meet you again. I hope I can find you here or in Hépíng."

Swoosh. Mu Xinyi activated her Thousands Wind Steps, leaving Dà Húdié and Long Mong alone, giving him space for himself.

End of flashback.

*****