Chapter 10: Hidden in the Shadows

They soon walked out of the library an hour later.

They were both standing by the entrance of the library, with a bit of a distance between them, Feng Qin and Zhu Zhuqing didn't look at the other: both not knowing what to do, resulting in an awkward silence.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Zhuqing was the first one to speak, in a low tone of voice.

"...Why the library? Out of all the places in the city, why bring me here?"

Feng Qin scratched the back of his head, and replied. "Well, I like visiting the library cause, as I said, I prefer using my wit more than just my fists. I like to study all things spirit master related: martial spirits, spirit beasts, spirit rings, and spirit ring abilities. Not only that, but also any spiritual herbs or heaven-defying objects that can help enhance my cultivation."

"Out of all the places in this city, I thought you'd enjoy hanging out in the library as well." He turned towards her with a smirk. "Am I wrong?"

"...No. I did enjoy being in the library." Zhu Zhuqing smiled, she shook her head. "I'm gonna be honest, it was fun hanging out with you, although all we did was read some books, but it was fun for me."

"It was really nice meeting you Feng Qin. Although it's a small chance, I hope we'll meet once more in the future."

Feng Qin turned towards her with a confused expression. "Uh, I feel the same way Zhu Zhuqing but, why are you saying it like we'll part ways now?"

"Eh? Y-You mean this isn't the end?"

Feng Qin chuckled. "Of course not. I never said the library was the only place I'll bring you to hang out. Besides, do you honestly think any normal person would spend all their time in a library? Heck no. Now," He took a couple steps forward and he turned to face Zhu Zhuqing with a smile. "do you want to see the great places this kingdom has to offer? Or..."

Zhu Zhuqing seemed to think about it for a moment, tilting her head in indecision but, in the end, letting a sigh, she decided that she wanted to see how this goes.

After all, this was the first time she'd ever hung out with someone her age, ever. Plus, if Feng Qin ever does anything indecent towards her, well, she's pretty confident of her strength.

She's a Spirit Grandmaster after all.

"Alright. Let's see how this goes. But if you bring me anywhere near a red light district or anything related to such a thing... I'll cut it. Got it?" To emphasize her point, she raised two of her fingers and made a cutting gesture.

Feng Qin nervously chuckled. "Crystal. Now c'mon, the sun isn't going to wait for us long." After saying that, he then turned to the side and went down the stairs of the library.

Unbeknownst to them, at the corner of the library building, two figures clothed entirely in black baggy cloaks, hiding their genders, with skintight mouth masks that only shows their eyes, suddenly came out of the shadows.

"Shadow Cat, have you investigated the origins of this boy accompanying the second young miss?" One of them said with a deep and commanding voice that wanted nothing more than to complete a mission.

Shadow Cat nodded and responded, with a low soft voice, "Sir Shadow Panther, I have and so far, I have collected about everything that there is of him, his relatives, his friends, and even acquaintances. All the way to their ancestors, from 700 years ago, the last traces of their ancestry."

"I have come to the conclusion that he is of no threat to us or to the young miss, nor anyone that he knows of against us. Feng Qin is just a normal, though ambitious, young Spirit Master who's an entire realm beneath the second young miss."

"..." He narrowed his eyes, still feeling a bit doubtful of the boy. But hearing all of the information his subordinate was telling him, and had personally analyzed the boy, without the latter's knowledge, made him relaxed.

"Their encounter truly does sound coincidental. I'm happy for the second young miss, she finally has a friend!" Shadow Cat excitedly said, completely throwing her professionalism as a shadow.

"Even still, don't let your guard down Shadowcat. We're in a foreign land with unknown danger lurking around us. Who knows, the second young miss might get attacked by some bloodthirsty murder when we least expect it." A cold glint flashed across Shadow Panther's eyes as he slightly scolded her.

Shadow Cats's eyes narrowed, her pupils constricted into a vertical shape like a cat. "Don't underestimate me, sir. I take my job very seriously. Even as we speak, I am still connected with the second young miss's shadow and teleport me to her location the moment she feels as if her life is in danger."

"And besides," she scoffs. "who in this weak ass kingdom can pose a treat to us both? Their strongest is just an old Spirit Emperor who's just a couple years away from dying."

"Hm." Shadow Panther grunted before he turned back towards the location where he could still feel the second young miss's soul power.

He had to be protective of the second young miss, it was their mission; their purpose given by their masters; to protect her from the shadows against any dangerous enemies until she reaches her destination at where the second prince is hiding at.

Speaking of the second young miss and the second prince...

"I just hope this really is a friendly outing between two friends. Or the second prince will be out for blood." Shadow Panther lightly said, as if he was just talking about the weather and not about a possible murder someone would commit.

"True." Shadow Cat let out a sigh. "Everyone from the Dai Royal Family are all egoistic and prideful assholes who would even beat their own if they're threatened but since they are known to be loyal and kind to people they like or have a responsibility for; they continued to reign over the nation because they put their citizens and the nation as their priority above all else. But still, that doesn't mean other clans aren't the same like–"

Shadow Panther raised his fist before her face, silencing her. "That's enough Shadow Cat. We are currently doing a job. We will talk about it, in a another time. For now, we continue to surveillance the second young miss."

"...Understood." Shadow Cat responded after a moment of silence and the shadows around them began to move and envelope both of their entire bodies in darkness, and six spirit rings suddenly appeared around her body: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple, and black. "But still, our clan leader should've–"

"Shadow Cat. Enough." Shadow Panther sharply said, cutting her off.

They descended into complete silence as they let their shadowed bodies sink into inky darkness that was called the shadow dimension, and from here they kept an eye out for any dangers that might befall upon the second young miss.

All the while not knowing about the potential about the young boy would have.

.....

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Also, some political internal strife in the Star Luo Kingdom? That's right! I wanted to write a story that's not completely central to the main plot of the original because, well, it would be plain plagiarism ain't it? Also that it's a complete waste to not include the Star Luo Kingdom that has a great many potential secrets of knowledge, places, techniques, beliefs, etc.